The 18th Garden State Film Festival is New Jersey's Premier Independent Film Festival®.

The Garden State Film Festival [GSFF] is a global destination festival that enhances the quality of life in New Jersey by stimulating economic growth through the arts (over 9 million), investing in the creativity of students, making the arts accessible to undeserved populations, and preserving heritage arts.

(GSFF) showcases premier films, renowned and emerging artists, empowering global connectivity between creators, innovators and audiences.

GSFF was founded to promote the art of film making on all levels by showcasing a wide variety of film, video and animated works, as well as to provide educational programs in the creative arts to the public by industry leaders. Our goal is to present films of the highest quality in both production value and content.

Founded to celebrate the independent film genre, The Garden State Film Festival, a not for profit organization, offers independent filmmakers the chance to exhibit their work and gives New Jersey audiences a chance to experience new, cultural, and artistic endeavors through the medium of film.

The Garden State Film Festival's professional jury will select winning films in various categories. Submission categories are for administration purposes only. There are separate awards for student films as well as the "Home Grown Awards" for films where 75% of principal photography is shot in the State of New Jersey.

Students- You MUST state on notes which kind of student you are if it applies - Graduate, College, High School or younger.

You must enter all contact info.

This event takes place in Asbury Park, New Jersey, and consists of a gala ceremony and reception and ending with a black tie preferred Awards Banquet where the "Best" in various categories of films and celebrity honorees are recognized.

In addition to the screenings, Professional Panel Discussions will be headed by industry professionals at posted times. The festival will hold these discussions to unite celebrity filmmakers with aspiring screenwriters, directors, and actors. Representatives from respected film distribution companies will be invited to attend, as the festival will provide access to new talent and product available for worldwide distribution.

Youth workshops for hands on sessions with industry professionals will take place throughout the festival at pre scheduled times.

Please note that GSFF does NOT pay a screening fee. All feature length films must be a New Jersey premiere, and for all other films a premiere in the GSFF Region (Monmouth, Mercer, Ocean and Middlesex Counties), unless it is a student film, which may have been shown at school/on campus, or special arrangements have been made with the Festival.

GSFF was also the first festival in the world to introduce the MOVIE MUSIC TRACK COMPETITION. Please alert your music composers about that category!

www.gsff.org for more information about our events.

For more information about the MOVIE MUSIC TRACK COMPETITION, please go to: www.gsff.org or contact us at info@gsff.org