Film Fest
FESTIVAL DETAILS & REGISTRATION
Timeline
Open for submissions 10/10/25
Early Bird Deadline 02/06/26
Deadline 03/02/26
Notification Date 03/27/26
Event Date 04/25/26
2025 BREAKTHROUGH FILMMAKER FEST:
Wrap-Up: This Year’s Big Winners
Event Photos here
Step & Repeat Photos here
FINANCIAL AID
In order to provide equal access to our festival, The Count Basie Center for the Arts provides Financial Support towards the Breakthrough Filmmaker Festival’s submission fees.
If you require support with your submission fees: [email protected]
If you are an elementary school student and require educational assistance: [email protected]
All entries must be received by 11:59pm EST on 3/02/26.
ABOUT US
The Count Basie Center Breakthrough Filmmaker Fest is dedicated to creating educational opportunities for student emerging filmmakers across New Jersey and fostering a creative community.
Throughout the year, the Breakthrough Filmmaker Fest provides programming to support young talent, space and platforms for screenings and visibility, and educational opportunities throughout the year. The festival itself aims to provide an event that offers professional pathways, diverse workshops, roundtables, and development platforms.
The Breakthrough Filmmaker Fest includes:
• Free Virtual Webinars
• Free In-Person Workshops
• Classes at Count Basie Center’s Turner Academy of the Arts (scholarships available)
• Industry panels including today’s relevant professionals and artists
• Networking opportunities with peers and panelists
• Career development classes for the film and television industry
• Educator collaboration to develop skills and share resources
At the time of submission, emerging filmmakers must be between the age of 11-25, and have proof of a residential mailing address in the state of New Jersey.
HISTORY
For nine years, the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank has conducted an annual youth-based Film Festival for young filmmakers across the state of New Jersey. Each year, 35 films are screened at the event which highlights professional networking and most recently, workshops, panel discussion, and other educational opportunities. Awards are given in several categories including Best Actor, Best Cinematography, Best Screenplay and Best Film.
Formerly the Count Basie Center’s High School and College Film Festival and Project FX, the festival has hosted celebrity guests and representatives from such production companies as Sony Pictures Classics and Netflix as guests on their panels.
UPCOMING EVENTS
OCT 25 • 2PM
Close-Up Series
The Close-Up Series offers an intimate look at the creative journeys of emerging filmmakers. Through moderated conversations, the audience gains insight into the artistic choices, and challenges that shaped each filmmaker’s work. This series celebrates authenticity, vulnerability, and the power of storytelling.
WORKSHOPS
OCT 25 • 12PM
The Writer’s Room
Led by acclaimed screenwriter Lizzie Finn, this hands-on Screenwriting Lab invites participants to bring their scripts, creative concepts, and classroom projects to explore the craft of writing for the screen. Through guided exercises, group feedback, and one-on-one mentorship, attendees will develop original scenes and sharpen their storytelling voice in a collaborative, in-person setting.
Register Inscribase
