ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

Set in the bucolic and artistically rich enclaves of Maplewood and South Orange, NJ, just thirty minutes from Manhattan, the five-year-old festival has the warmth and spirit of a small town mixed with the creative force of a big city.    

The Woodland is a beautiful, century-old theater hall situated steps from the Midtown Direct train from NYC, and smack dab in the middle of picturesque Maplewood, NJ. The festival features Locals Only! programs, a kids and family program, as well as independent film from near and far.

The festival begins with an opening night soirée and screening, ends with a closing night award ceremony and showcases over 100 great films (long and short) in between.

  • Special Programs
    Our much-loved Kids and Family Program, Seton Hall Program and our Locals Only Program will be back again this year.

  • Filmmaker Passes
    Filmmakers who submit and are accepted will receive five VIP Passes for all the films, the party, guest speakers, and panels.

  • Awards & Prizes
    Winners will be announced for the categories below at the festival's closing ceremony:
    • Best Short Documentary/Narrative
    Best Feature Length Documentary/Narrative
    Best Short Director Documentary/Narrative
    Best Feature Length Director Documentary/Narrative
    Best Screenplay / Narrative Feature
    Audience Choice award

  • Notable past speakers and participants:
    • Frank Oz - Actor/Puppeteer/Filmmaker/Director. "Muppet Guys Talking," "Dark Crystal," "The Muppets Take Manhattan," Little Shop of Horrors," "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," "Housesitter," and the voice of many beloved characters such as Yoda, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Animal, amongst many others.
    Fredric Lehne - Director, Shy Guys, appeared as an actor in over 100 films and TV shows.
    Steven Kampmann - Director/Writer/Actor - directed Stealing Home w/ Jodie Foster, wrote Back to School with Rodney Dangerfield, and was a series regular as an actor on Newhart.
    Stephen Whitty - Famed critic and journalist for Newark Star Ledger, book author
    Danielle Ferland - Tony award winner, actress in Jessica Jones on Netflix