The Count Basie Center Teen + College Film Fest is open to all New Jersey students from 7th grade through college, including New Jersey high school grads who attend college full-time out-of-state.

This year’s festival will take place in April 2023 with screenings of selected films at the Basie Cinema on the weekend of April 21, 2023 and an in-person screening, panel event and awards ceremony on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at the Vogel. Awards will be given in the middle school, high school, and college-age brackets, with recognition for “Best Narrative Film,” “Best Editing,” “Best Documentary,” “Best Animation” and “Best Acting Performance.” In addition, an Audience Award and Short Film Award are on the line, as well as a School Award for any school entering three or more films. See our Rules and Regulations for more details.

Timeline:

Early bird / reduced fee deadline: Sunday, January 22, 2023
Deadline: Sunday, March 26, 2023
Official selections announced: Tuesday, April 11, 2022
Film screenings: Weekend of April 21, 2023 at Basie Center Cinemas, 36 White Street, Red Bank
Panel Event/Award Ceremony: Saturday, April 29, 2023 at The Vogel, located on the Count Basie Center for the Arts campus

Awards & Prizes

Trophies will be awarded in the following categories:
Middle School (7th-8th grade)
-Best Film

High School Filmmakers (9th-12th grade)
-Best Narrative Film
-Best Documentary
-Best Animation
-Best Acting Performance
-Best Direction

College Filmmakers up to age 25
-Best Narrative Film
-Best Documentary
-Best Animation
-Best Acting Performance
-Best Direction

In addition, an Audience Award will be given to the selection with the highest audience score at the event on April 29^th

The new Best Short Film Award will be given to the highest scoring submitted film under one minute in length.

A “School Award” will also be given, consisting of Sony filmmaking equipment. To qualify, at least three different selections must be submitted by a single school; winner to be chosen by the highest average score of their films.

Basie Center Film fest laurels will be awarded to all finalists.