Winners for various genres and categories are selected by our screening committee each month. Winners for each month are announced on the first day of the proceeding month and posted on our website and social media outlets. To view the winners of a specific month, choose the corresponding accordion link below. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns. Good luck!
Adam S. Gelles
Best Actor
Little Green Bastards
Russell Emanuel
Best Movie Poster
Staycation
Shamnas PP
Best Mobile Short
Beyond the Wall
Brigid Turner
Best Female Filmmaker
Wounds
January 2023
FEATURE FILM AWARDS
Best Feature
Uncle Saeed
SHORT FILM AWARDS
Best Drama Short
Joyriders
Best Comedy Short
Dance With Me
Best Horror Short
A Witch on Your Chest
Best Thriller
Loved
Best Animation Short
The Dream God
Best Experimental Short
Entity Line
Best International Short
God and Co.
Best Microshort
Gloom
Best New Jersey Short
Bye, Love
Best Mobile Short
Health – A Constitutional Right
Best Music Video
Control
Best Trailer
The Applicants
Best Movie Poster
Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?
Best Concept
Close Encounters of the Lucas Kind
ACTING AWARDS
Best Actor
Ryan Osbourn (Bye, Love)
Best Actress
Hannah Lawrence (Joyriders)
Best Supporting Actor
Eric Slodysko (A Witch on Your Chest)
Best Supporting Actress
Debby Gerber (Loved)
Best Ensemble
God & Co.
Best Young Actor
Riana Emma Balla (Rift)
TECHNICAL AWARDS
Best Director
Simon Lex (Dance With Me)
Best First-Time Director
Mohammad Bagherifard & Mohammad Mazroee (Uncle Saeed)
Best Female Filmmaker
Laura Daragó (Rift)
Best Cinematography
Alvin Sloan (Joyriders)
Best Editing
Jeff Mellin (Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?)
Best Visual Effects
Troy Ruff (Loved)
Best Special Effects Makeup
Kathryn Milewski (A Witch on Your Chest)
Best Sound Design
Tom Jeeves (Gloom)
Best Original Score
Pranav Datla (A Witch on Your Chest)
SCREENPLAY AWARDS
Best Feature Screenplay
“Don’t Tell Me What to Do” by Dexter Williams & Brimo Morales
Best Short Screenplay
“The Last Flare” by Luigi Salerno
February 2023
FEATURE FILM AWARDS
Best Feature Film
Rhapsody in Justice
Best Feature Documentary
Country and Courage
SHORT FILM AWARDS
Best Short Film
UNEASE
Best Drama Short
To be or not to be
Best Comedy Short
Beer Goggles
Best Horror Short
The Cannibals
Best Experimental Short
tHE aGe of aNXiety
Best Inspirations Short
Vow of Silence
Best Documentary Short
Hug 65+
Best International Short
Roma
Best Microshort
Leaf of Tree
Best College Short
The Price for a Princess
Best High School Short
Krampus on Campus
Best Mobile Short
Fortunate Son
Best Trailer
The Dark Girl
Best Movie Poster
Beer Goggles
ACTING AWARDS
Best Actor in a Feature
Philippe Brenninkmeyer (The Dark Girl)
Best Actress in a Feature
Katharina Scheuba (The Dark Girl)
Best Actor in a Short
Jek Jumawan (Nothing Beats Oldies)
Best Actress in a Short
Abigail Breslin (The Cannibals)
Best Supporting Actor
Bobby Burkich (The Cannibals)
Best Supporting Actress
Yvette Williams (Rhapsody in Justice)
Best Ensemble
Rhapsody in Justice
Best Young Actor
Giselle Eisenberg (The Cannibals)
TECHNICAL AWARDS
Best Director of a Feature
Eun-ju Park (The Two Photojournalists)
Best Director of a Short
Subasan and Stephen Arun (The Nemesis)
Best First-Time Director
Marcie Novella (Owning SIDS)
Best Female Filmmaker
Sonya Giddings (Extreme Obsession II)
Best Cinematography
Angelo Donzella (UNEASE)
Best Editing
Marc Fratto (Rhapsody in Justice)
Best Special Effects Makeup
Kyra Gardner and Barney Burman (The Cannibals)
Best Sound Design
Paolo Cercato (UNEASE)
Best Original Score
Anthony J. Dixon (Rhapsody in Justice)
SCREENPLAY AWARDS
Best Feature Screenplay
“Peru Violet” by Brandon Trask
Best Short Screenplay
“Party Room” by Maureen Baker
March 2023
FEATURE FILM AWARDS
Best Feature Film
Agita
Best Feature Documentary
Seven Thousand Souls
SHORT FILM AWARDS
Best Short Film
Queen of Diamonds
Best Drama Short
Kiara
Best Comedy Short
Dre & Munchie
Best Horror Short
The House
Best Thriller
-13°C
Best Sci-Fi Short
Bat Diary
Best LGBT Short
The Road to Myself
Best Animation Short
What’s There?
Best Experimental Short
Nameless Mist
Best Inspirational Short
World War II US Army Airborne Tribute
Best Documentary Short
Dade Cook
Best International Short
Bored
Best Microshort
Time
Best College Short
Magpie
Best High School Short
Dying to be Thin
Best Mobile Short
Ex
Best Music Video
Something Good
Best Trailer
Nozi
Best Movie Poster
Nameless Mist
Best Concept
The Sad Blue
ACTING AWARDS
Best Actor in a Feature
Peter Mashigo (Nozi)
Best Actress in a Feature
Maryann Maisano (Agita)
Best Actor in a Short
Omar Khan (Queen of Diamonds)
Best Actress in a Short
Samantha Carter (Talk to Me)
Best Supporting Actor
Matthew F. Rios (Ex)
Best Supporting Actress
Helen Draschil (Magpie)
Best Ensemble
Ex
Best Young Actor
Mikaela Isabel Brown-Cestero (Dying to be Thin)
TECHNICAL AWARDS
Best Director of a Feature
Leclere Serumula (Nozi)
Best Director of a Short
Alvin Sloan (The Logo)
Best First-Time Director
Justin Fearon (The Hallway Monitor)
Best Female Filmmaker
Paige Jones (Magpie)
Best Cinematography
Alexandre David Lejuez (The Strange Dreams …)
Best Editing
Christopher McClean (Talk to Me)
Best Visual Effects
Poramet Ariyakusonsuthi (Wish)
Best Special Effects Makeup
The House
Best Sound Design
Erfan Montazeri (The Sad Blue)
Best Original Score
Various (The Strange Dreams …)
SCREENPLAY AWARDS
Best Feature Screenplay
“Hand” by Brandon Trask
Best Short Screenplay
“Sideways” by Conner George
April 2023
FEATURE FILM AWARDS
Best Feature Film
Still I Reach For You
SHORT FILM AWARDS
Best Short Film
The Critic
Best Drama Short
Crossed Destinies
Best Thriller
Vanished
Best Sci-Fi Short
Daggers and Roses
Best LGBT Short
It’s My Fucking Story
Best International Short
Diligitis
Best New Jersey Short
WITHOUT
Best College Short
Discovery
Best High School Short
How Can I Forget?
Best Mobile Short
The Fight
Best Music Video
PG Baby
Best Trailer
The Critic
Best Movie Poster
Brass
ACTING AWARDS
Best Actor in a Feature
Gavin Peppers (Brass)
Best Actor in a Short
Alex Javo (Creating Malcolm Volume 2)
Best Actress in a Short
Una Maja Nowak (It’s My Fucking Story)
Best Supporting Actor
Ryan Higgins (Still I Reach For You)
Best Supporting Actress
Megan Pecot (Discovery)
Best Ensemble
Brass
Best Young Actor
Desyree Terminello (The Sound of the Sea)
TECHNICAL AWARDS
Best Director of a Feature
Justin D. Smothers (Brass)
Best Director of a Short
Kyle Gregory (The Critic)
Best First-Time Director
Juan Manuel Fagetti & Alejandro Maidana (Daggers and Roses)
Best Female Filmmaker
Enza Lasalandra (The Sound of the Sea)
Best Cinematography
Evan Schneider (The Critic)
Best Editing
Daryn Davidson (Retaliation)
Best Visual Effects
Alejandro Maidana (Daggers and Roses)
Best Special Effects Makeup
Felicity Kaanapu (Retaliation)
Best Sound Design
Gordan Chan (The Critic)
Best Original Score
Victor A. Janusz (Still I Reach For You)
SCREENPLAY AWARDS
Best Feature Screenplay
“Bred to Kill” by Karl Ryan Erikson
Best Short Screenplay
“Short Stuff” by Baron Davidson
May 2023
FEATURE FILM AWARDS
Best Feature Film
Pat Walsh: The Life and Legacy of an Irish Revolutionary
SHORT FILM AWARDS
Best Short Film
Conquista
Best Drama Short
Sorkhaab
Best Comedy Short
Roll Check
Best Animation Short
Out of Control
Best Documentary Short
Disabled Artist Showcase
Best International Short
A Not So Perfect Wedding
Best Microshort
The Righteous
Best College Short
No Good Deed
Best High School Short
ROCKIT!
Best Music Video
I Got The Blues
Best Trailer
Disabled Artist Showcase
Best Movie Poster
Jumawan: Huwaran
ACTING AWARDS
Best Actor
Isaac J. Conner (No Good Deed)
Best Actress
Laura Olivier (No Mas)
Best Supporting Actor
Carlos Magnusson (A Not So Perfect Wedding)
Best Supporting Actress
Meelii Sweet (Daggers and Roses)
Best Ensemble
A Not So Perfect Wedding
Best Young Actor
Lola R. Rodriguez (A Not So Perfect Wedding)
TECHNICAL AWARDS
Best Director
Mohamad Lakzadeh (Sorkhaab)
Best First-Time Director
Wylene Gulfan (Jumawan: Huwaran)
Best Female Filmmaker
Rosie Pingxin Zhou (Forget Me Not)
Best Cinematography
Michael Benson (Pat Walsh)
Best Editing
Joey Mosca (Roll Check)
Best Visual Effects
Alejandro Maidana (Daggers and Roses)
Best Sound Design
Jay Kay (No Good Deed)
Best Original Score
Sam Anthem (Forget Me Not)
SCREENPLAY AWARDS
Best Feature Screenplay
“Beyond The Summer Of Love” by M. Duncan
Best Short Screenplay
“Faking It” by Bobby Purnell
June 2023
FEATURE FILM AWARDS
Best Feature Film
New and Forever
SHORT FILM AWARDS
Best Short Film
Angelman
Best Drama Short
Cum Laude
Best Comedy Short
Just Pans
Best Horror Short
Predation
Best Thriller
Highway
Best LGBT Short
Farewell
Best Animation Short
Gary the Vanilla Piece of Gealt
Best Inspirational Short
I Drum to a Different Puzzle
Best International Short
Do Not Trust
Best Web Series/TV Pilot
The Next Frame
Best Mobile Short
Before the Break Up
Best Trailer
Rise of a King
Best Movie Poster
Angelman
Best Concept
Almost Home Alone
ACTING AWARDS
Best Actor in a Feature
Joseph Michael Vrola (New and Forever)
Best Actress in a Feature
Lainey Drew (Soulmate)
Best Actor in a Short
Tristan Bastile (Farewell)
Best Actress in a Short
Lindsey Hawkes (Highway)
Best Supporting Actor
Jek Jumawan (Isa Isa Isadaan)
Best Supporting Actress
Jasmine Nelson (Cum Laude)
Best Ensemble
I Drum to a Different Puzzle
Best Young Actor
Léon Durieux (Angelman)
TECHNICAL AWARDS
Best Director of a Feature
Jay Palmieri, Jr. & Andrew Froening (Soulmate)
Best Director of a Short
Manon Lantignac & Lilou Romans (Predation)
Best First-Time Director
Umesh Sandipan Jagtap (Bhumigat Kranti)
Best Female Filmmaker
Lisa Dunning (I Drum to a Different Puzzle)
Best Cinematography
Vincent Beck (Angelman)
Best Editing
Andrew Froening (Soulmate)
Best Visual Effects
Francois Brigouleix (Angelman)
Best Special Effects Makeup
Marc Geller (Soulmate)
Best Sound Design
Mario DeAngelis (Highway)
Best Original Score
Stephane Moucha (Angelman)
SCREENPLAY AWARDS
Best Feature Screenplay
“Jersey Joyride Gone Wrong” by Noreen Manvell
Best Short Screenplay
“Delicates” by Jenn Nobile
July 2023
FEATURE FILM AWARDS
Best Feature Film
Dress Code
SHORT FILM AWARDS
Best Drama Short
The Alternative Hustle 2
Best Comedy Short
You Don’t Know Jack: Tres Chicas
Best Horror Short
Don’t Open The Box
Best Thriller
Institute: Red Heron
Best Sci-Fi Short
A Multitude of Uses
Best Animation Short
Eeyore’s 21st Birthday
Best Experimental Short
I Had a Nightmare
Best Inspirational Short
Ahmar
Best International Short
I Never Told You
Best Microshort
Many Faces
Best Web Series/TV Pilot
You Don’t Know Jack
Best Mobile Short
The Kid Zone
Best Trailer
Institute: Red Heron
Best Movie Poster
Malcolm
Best Concept
The Stones of Rome
ACTING AWARDS
Best Actor in a Feature
Alex Javo (Malcolm)
Best Actress in a Feature
Maria Marinaro (Dress Code)
Best Actor in a Short
John Ryan Howard (Don’t Open the Box)
Best Actress in a Short
Rose Hunt-Person (You Don’t Know Jack)
Best Supporting Actor
Gennaro Iago Esposito (Friddo e Famme)
Best Supporting Actress
Noelle Clarke (Institute: Red Heron)
Best Ensemble
You Don’t Know Jack: Tres Chicas
Best Young Actor
Isiah Jenkins (You Don’t Know Jack)
TECHNICAL AWARDS
Best Director of a Feature
Joseph Pupello (Dress Code)
Best Director of a Short
Gennaro Iago Esposito (Friddo E Famme)
Best First-Time Director
Martín Bazán (I Had a Nightmare)
Best Female Filmmaker
Sohaila Lindheim (Institute: Red Heron)
Best Cinematography
Shane Serrano (Institute: Red Heron)
Best Editing
Alberto Arroyo (I Never Told You)
Best Visual Effects
Sean Breathnach (Don’t Open the Box)
Best Special Effects Makeup
Melissa Mattera & Arely Almazan (Malcolm)
Best Sound Design
Sean Breathnach (Don’t Open the Box)
Best Original Score
Stefan Swanson (Dress Code)
SCREENPLAY AWARDS
Best Feature Screenplay
“Richard Spong” by Terry Luke Podnar
Best Short Screenplay
“Shallow Grave Road” by Matthew Tangeman
August 2023
FEATURE FILM AWARDS
Best Feature Film
Ivan IRL
SHORT FILM AWARDS
Best Drama Short
One More Day
Best Horror Short
Malevolence
Best Thriller
What is Owed
Best Sci-Fi Short
Synthetic Symphony
Best Inspirational Short
Never Fade Away
Best Microshort
Free Birds
Best New Jersey Short
The Rose
Best Mobile Short
At First Sight
Best Trailer
Ivan IRL
Best Movie Poster
Never Fade Away
ACTING AWARDS
Best Actor in a Feature
Kevin Bencosme (Mangú Aquí)
Best Actress in a Feature
Nikki Hrichak (Yester-Years)
Best Actor in a Short
Somjit Sutradhar (Synthetic Symphony)
Best Actress in a Short
Noa Flores Rodríguez (One More Day)
Best Supporting Actor
Keith Crosby (Yester-Years)
Best Supporting Actress
Francheska Pujols (Mangú Aquí)
Best Ensemble
Mangú Aquí
TECHNICAL AWARDS
Best Director of a Feature
Jim Cannatelli (Yester-Years)
Best Director of a Short
Jesaniel Marrero (Malevolence)
Best First-Time Director
Cree Ossner (Ivan IRL)
Best Female Filmmaker
Donna Weng Friedman (Never Fade Away)
Best Cinematography
Mich Zurita (One More Day)
Best Editing
Siyi Chen (Never Fade Away)
Best Visual Effects
Anargha Pal (Synthetic Symphony)
Best Special Effects Makeup
Isabelle Isle (Yester-Years)
Best Sound Design
Michael Engesser (The Rose)
Best Original Score
Jon McKoy (Yester-Years)
SCREENPLAY AWARDS
Best Feature Screenplay
“Lisa and the Outsiders” by Sheryl Payton
Best Short Screenplay
“The Night We Met” by Richard Hoggarth & Sam Hoggarth
September 2023
FEATURE FILM AWARDS
Best Feature Film
Spin the Wheel
SHORT FILM AWARDS
Best Short Film
Eve
Best Drama Short
Oops in the Night
Best Comedy Short
Body of Christ
Best Horror Short
Through the Window Shines a Light
Best Thriller
Being Remembered
Best Sci-Fi Short
Paradox
Best Experimental Short
The Pathos of Hamlet
Best Inspirational Short
Your Dream, My Dream
Best Documentary Short
Vaccinus
Best Microshort
Ashes to Ashes
Best New Jersey Short
Cleaners
Best College Short
The Maurice Family Thanksgiving
Best High School Short
Desquamated
Best Web Series/TV Pilot
Kith & Kin
Best Mobile Short
La ultima copa
Best Music Video
Jeryl St.
Best Trailer
Equal Opportunity
Best Movie Poster
La ultima copa
Best Concept
Jersey Fresh Film Institute
ACTING AWARDS
Best Actor in a Feature
Neil Chase (Spin the Wheel)
Best Actress in a Feature
Kelsey Gooden (It’s Still Not About Me)
Best Actor in a Short
Oscar Celi (La ultima copa)
Best Actress in a Short
Tara Beavers (Domestic Bliss)
Best Supporting Actor
Jim Gordon (Paradox)
Best Supporting Actress
Yvonne Paretzky (It’s Still Not About Me)
Best Ensemble
Equal Opportunity
Best Young Actor
Hayley Alexander (The Maurice Family Thanksgiving)
TECHNICAL AWARDS
Best Director of a Feature
Debbie Camper (It’s Still Not About Me)
Best Director of a Short
Adelfo Micieli (Being Remembered)
Best First-Time Director
Daniel Martinez (Your Dream, My Dream)
Best Female Filmmaker
Terryn DaVon Pinder (Desquamated)
Best Cinematography
Pablo Valenzuela (Eve)
Best Editing
Latashia Gordon & Chassidy Jade (Desquamated)
Best Visual Effects
Sebastian Hasbun (Eve)
Best Special Effects Makeup
Maria Jose Romo (Eve)
Best Sound Design
David Heacock (Spin the Wheel)
Best Original Score
Michael Engesser (Paradox)
SCREENPLAY AWARDS
Best Feature Screenplay
“Reach for the Sun” by Douglas May
Best Short Screenplay
“Broken” by Lisa Moon
October 2023
SHORT FILM AWARDS
Best Short Film
Prey
Best Drama Short
The Corpse
Best Comedy Short
Super Mario Bros: Gym Day
Best Horror Short
Carvers
Best Thriller
Cross My Heart
Best Sci-Fi Short
Air Leak
Best Inspirational Short
Leaf of Tree
Best International Short
The White Rose
Best New Jersey Short
A Box of Chocolates
Best Mobile Short
Dead To the World
Best Trailer
The Corpse
Best Movie Poster
The Corpse
Best Concept
Cupid’s Getaway
ACTING AWARDS
Best Actor in a Short
Manos Bartis (The White Rose)
Best Actress in a Short
Rachel Ann Jerome (A Box of Chocolates)
Best Supporting Actor
Craig Douglas (Dead to the World)
Best Supporting Actress
Jocelyn Matsuda Busbuis (Leaf of Tree)
Best Ensemble
Carvers
Best Young Actor
Sarah Noelle Eastep (SYOTOS)
TECHNICAL AWARDS
Best Director of a Short
Hamid Reza Mahmoodi Mehrizi (The Game The Doubt)
Best First-Time Director
Christodoulos Kigmalis (The White Rose)
Best Female Filmmaker
Juliana Rodriguez (The Corpse)
Best Cinematography
Diane Malherbe (Air Leak)
Best Editing
Rishaank Sahni (Cross My Heart)
Best Visual Effects
Dan Lantz (SYOTOS)
Best Special Effects Makeup
Amilia Bas (The APP.)
Best Sound Design
Oliver Boni (Air Leak)
Best Original Score
Sebastiano Della Bianchina (The Corpse)
SCREENPLAY AWARDS
Best Feature Screenplay
“534 SURREAL EPIC HONEST” by Linda Fejzaj Jaupaj
Best Short Screenplay
“Ipsum Revelare” by Armand Arekian
November 2023
SHORT FILM AWARDS
Best Feature Film
Twin Flame Hotel
Best Drama Short
Mache
Best Thriller
Lycanthropy
Best Sci-Fi Short
Futurity Infinite
Best Experimental Short
ÉPHÉMÈRE
Best Inspirational Short
Life Blows
Best International Short
Ride Again
Best College Short
Medea
Best Web Series/TV Pilot
Paper: Rise To The Top
Best Mobile Short
Point Isabelle
Best Trailer
Twin Flame Hotel
Best Movie Poster
Ride Again
ACTING AWARDS
Best Actor in a Feature
Michael Howell (Twin Flame Hotel)
Best Actress in a Feature
Alessandra Botticelli (Surveillance)
Best Actor in a Short
Wendy-Sème Orleans (Mache)
Best Actress in a Short
Annie Knox (Futurity Infinite)
Best Supporting Actor
Jermaine Carolina (The Alternative Hustle)
Best Supporting Actress
Quonta Beasley (Mache)
Best Ensemble
Paper: Rise To The Top
Best Young Actor
Marcus Johann Dizon (Ride Again)
TECHNICAL AWARDS
Best Director of a Feature
Angelo Donzella (Surveillance)
Best Director of a Short
Danny Cotton (Futurity Infinite)
Best First-Time Director
Mario Moreno (Life Blows)
Best Female Filmmaker
Kristen Duff (Point Isabelle)
Best Cinematography
Angela Comitangelo (Medea)
Best Editing
Miguel Raymond (ÉPHÉMÈRE)
Best Visual Effects
Adam Sturman (Futurity Infinite)
Best Sound Design
Vittoria Filograsso (Medea)
Best Original Score
Paolo Cercato (Surveillance)
SCREENPLAY AWARDS
Best Feature Screenplay
“The Solo Cup” by John M. Kerner
Best Short Screenplay
“Only By Night” by Michelle Dowlan
December 2023
FILM AWARDS
Best Feature Film
The Shepherd Code
Best Drama Short
Big Noise
Best Comedy Short
Don Scroogioni Part II
Best Horror Short
Still There?
Best Thriller
Treble Me This
Best Inspirational Short
Relapse
Best Documentary Short
Swing 46
Best International Short
Zheimer
Best College Short
Bitter Sweet
Best Trailer
Still There?
Best Movie Poster
The Shepherd Code
ACTING AWARDS
Best Actor
Alex Javo (Don Scroogioni Part II)
Best Actress
Carlotta Parodi (Big Noise)
Best Supporting Actor
Joshua Chandos (Treble Me This)
Best Supporting Actress
Victoria Axensalva (The Shepherd Code)
Best Ensemble
The Shepherd Code
Best Young Actor
Tyren Maclou (Still There?)
TECHNICAL AWARDS
Best Director
Álvaro Gabarrón (Zheimer)
Best First-Time Director
Andrea Antonio Vico (Big Noise)
Best Female Filmmaker
Sara Pia Strafile (Bitter Sweet)
Best Cinematography
Dario Di Mella (Big Noise)
Best Editing
Jay Kay (Swing 46)
Best Visual Effects
Javier Revelles (Zheimer)
Best Special Effects Makeup
Laura Cacciapaglia (Big Noise)
Best Sound Design
Maichol Bondanelli (Big Noise)
Best Original Score
Dark Fantasy Studio (The Shepherd Code)
SCREENPLAY AWARDS
Best Feature Screenplay
“A Christmas Carol” by Matthew Tangeman
Best Short Screenplay
“Dare to Run” by Dawn Richter