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2023 Short Film Festival Takes Place This Weekend

Published by New Jersey Stage

originally published: 10/06/2023

(NEWARK, NJ) -- The Newark Short Film Awards has been rebranded as the Short Film Festival, affirming the event’s commitment to showcasing high-quality and diverse short films worldwide. The 2023 Short Film Festival is this weekend, October 6-7, 2023.

Friday, October 6, features a filmmaking workshop from 3:00pm - 5:00pm and the Short Film Festival Opening Reception at 6:00pm at Express Newark, 54 Halsey Street, Newark.

Saturday, October 7, will include a full day of short film screenings beginning at noon and running until 6:00pm in the evening. The public is invited to the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) Jim Wise Theater to watch films, hear from filmmakers, and attend the Award Show following the screenings at no cost to attendees.

This year, creators submitted 56 films from the United States, Puerto Rico, and six countries, including China, the United Kingdom, Israel, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands.

“As a filmmaker myself, it’s incredible to see year after year the increasing caliber of films that we receive, which makes our job harder but more rewarding and fun,” said Rodney Reyez, Film Submission Coordinator.




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As in the past, the Short Film Festival offers a unique opportunity for attendees to dive deeper into the art of short films and overall filmmaking. Participants will gather in Newark to network with industry professionals and attend career-enhancing workshops, panels, and filmmaking events.

“We are excited to support the up-and-coming filmmaker, and our event is committed to providing opportunities for filmmakers to display their films and network with their peers,” said Short Film Festival Founder Matthew Williams.

Filmmakers need support, collaboration, and an audience to appreciate their hard work. The Short Film Festival aims to provide this experience.

The Theatre Arts & Technology program at the New Jersey Institute of Technology and Express Newark are sponsors for the Short Film Festival.

For a full schedule of events and tickets about this year’s event, including film lineups, click here.

The Short Film Festival (formerly the Newark Short Film Awards) is New Jersey’s premier outlet for short-form storytelling. This event brings together a diverse group of filmmakers, multimedia artists, entertainment industry professionals, students, and more, representing the broad spectrum of the human experience.

I’m So Newark is a non-profit multimedia and news organization focusing on Newark and its surrounding communities. Its mission is to offset the negative press prevalent in mainstream media by promoting positive activities within the local community. I’m So Newark focuses on positive journalism, events, art, filmmaking, and local achievements.


EVENT PREVIEWS

(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- In its first public screening since premiering on PBS stations earlier this year, Kevin McLaughlin's Riot: From Rebellion to Redemption will show the Director's Cut at South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 7:30pm. The special edition contains 23 minutes of compelling material not included in the broadcast version, followed by a live conversation with the people behind the film.

 

FEATURED EVENTS


1776 - The Classic Movie Musical

Friday, July 03, 2026 @ 7:00pm
State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ


FREE SUMMER MOVIE! A Minecraft Movie

Tuesday, July 07, 2026 @ 10:30am
State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ


FREE SUMMER MOVIE! A Minecraft Movie

Tuesday, July 07, 2026 @ 6:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ


Disney’s Lilo & Stitch A Sensory Friendly Movie Experience at UCPAC’s Hamilton Stage

Friday, July 10, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Hamilton Stage at Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC)
Rahway, NJ


FREE SUMMER MOVIE! Lilo & Stitch

Tuesday, July 14, 2026 @ 10:30am
State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ



 

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