My Film Was Accepted
Congratulations Filmmakers for being accepted to GSFF 2026!
It is our pleasure to inform you that your film has been chosen to be screened at
The Twenty-Fourth Annual Garden State Film Festival
in Asbury Park and Cranford, New Jersey
March 26 – March 29, 2026
MEDIA REQUESTS:
PLEASE CHECK HERE OFTEN FOR UPDATES
This year’s festival will take place March 26-29, 2026.
All films will be presented live at various venues | Cranford, New Jersey and Asbury Park, New Jersey.
Below is essential information to help our Filmmakers maximize their experience at the festival. Please read carefully to understand how to obtain your Filmmaker Perks and Badge(s) and reserve your spot at the events you wish to attend.
FILMMAKER PERKS
EACH FILM RECEIVES
1. ONE (1) COMPLIMENTARY PARKWAY PASS
- COUPON CODE for your Complimentary Parkway Pass will be emailed to you
- PASSES are not transferrable and cannot be shared
- The name and email address you provide for your PARKWAY PASS will be the only one that validates this PASS
2. TWO (2) FILMMAKER BADGE (with lanyard) for Keepsake
- The badge is for you to wear so everyone knows you are one of our amazing filmmakers, composers and scribes!
PARKWAY PASS GIVES YOU ACCESS TO THE FOLLOWING:
- Option to attend the Thursday Meet the Filmmakers Preview Event **
- Option to attend the Friday Night Gala Reception and Opening Film **
- Access to ALL Film Screenings
- Access to Screenplay Reading
- DOES NOT include the Filmmaker Breakfast/Panel Discussion. Separate ticket required
- DOES NOT include the Black Tie Awards Banquet. Separate ticket required
PARKWAY PASS DOES NOT GIVE YOU ACCESS TO
- Awards Banquet on Sunday, March 29, 2026
- Tickets for the Awards Banquet can be purchased here
ADDITIONAL FILMMAKER BADGES
- Filmmakers can receive additional GSFF Filmmaker Badges (with lanyards) as keepsakes.
- Available with the purchase of a Parkway Pass ONLY.
- Available ONLY to Filmmakers, Composers, and Scribes
- MUST be picked up at the Main Hospitality Table (see below for locations)
HOW TO REDEEM YOUR PERKS
To receive your (1) Complimentary Parkway Pass and (2) Filmmaker Keepsake Badges, please follow the steps below:
STEP 1: Email Hospitality
- Send an email to Mike at Hospitality@gsff.org with the following details:
- Filmmaker Name
- Film Title
- Email Address
STEP 2: Check Email
- Check your email for your COUPON CODE.
- This code will be used to buy your Parkway Pass.
- Click this link to purchase your Parkway Pass
- Enter your Coupon Code at checkout to bring your total to $0
We strongly recommend RSVP’ing at checkout for the events included with your Parkway Pass.
Our team will also reach out to help with RSVPs, coordination, and event details. This helps us plan ahead and ensure a warm welcome for you and your film family!
Please note – Our special events sell out quickly, so we recommend securing your tickets early.
GSFF SPECIAL EVENTS
- Preview Event, Meet the Filmmakers Night
- Thursday, March 26, 2026 @ 7:00 PM
- Join us for light fare and Cash Bar followed by a selection of trailers of the weekends upcoming films. Ticket includes a cocktail reception including complimentary hors d’oeuvres, drink specials and admission to the after party. Make your choices on what to see and meet the folks who created these wonderful films.
- Gala Cocktail Reception – Red Carpet Event
- Friday, March 27, 2026 @ 6:00 PM
- Our GALA RECEPTION kicks off the Garden State Film Festival weekend at the Asbury Lanes in Asbury Park with the red-carpet premiere film, with special guests in attendance. Filmmaker talkback follows the screening. Gala Cocktail party includes one hour of complimentary hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, celebrities, and screening event.
Filmmaker lounges will be located at the Asbury Hotel “Soundbooth Bar” located in the lobby of the hotel. The Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel has one as well so you have a place to cool your heels before or after screenings and meet others that may be able to help you with your dreams
ACCESS YOUR LAURELS
- Download your laurel with black text or download your laurel with white text by clicking each link.
ACCESS YOUR LAURELS
- FilmFreeway by clicking HERE. To access Laurel Center enter AsburyPark as the password.
- Download your laurel with black text or download your laurel with white text by clicking each link.
When you arrive at the festival, visit the Hospitality Table. You must provide the same name and email address that you submitted via email, for validation.
Asbury Lanes | 209 4th Ave, Asbury Park, NJ
12:00 PM-3:00 PM | Berkeley Hotel Lobby | 1401 Ocean Ave, Asbury Park, NJ
6:00 PM-10:00 PM | Gala Reception Asbury Lanes | 209 4th Ave, Asbury Park, NJ
8:00 AM-8:00 PM | Berkeley Hotel Lobby | 1401 Ocean Ave, Asbury Park, NJ
12:00 PM-8:00 PM | Cranford Theater | 25 N Ave W, Cranford, NJ 07016
Berkeley Hotel Lobby | 1401 Ocean Ave, Asbury Park, NJ
Please sign up right now with an email address you check often to our Accepted Filmmakers 2025 Mailing list. Please do that even if you cannot attend.
2026 Accepted Filmmakers Sign Up Here:
https://app.e2ma.net/app2/
2026 Accepted High School Filmmakers Sign Up Here:
https://app.e2ma.net/app2/audience/signup/1995667/1911508/
2026 Movie Music Competition and Screenplay Winners Sign Up Here
https://app.e2ma.net/app2/
- To ensure you get all the important information about screening your film with us please add hospitality@gsff.org to your contacts.
- Check the promotions/junk section of your email to make sure our e-newsletter did not go there and so you don’t miss important information.
- Information about uploading your file was emailed by our tech department.
We want to celebrate your work with your peeps! For the other members of your cast and crew, have them sign up for our general mailing list by following the link to keep current with all pertinent information. This allows everyone to see the Festival Events and programs.
FILM REQUIREMENTS and UPLOADING YOUR FILMS TO THE PORTAL
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION CAREFULLY:
** YOU MUST UPLOAD YOUR ACCEPTED FILM to our GSFF PORTAL **
Please look for an email with “GSFF 2026 PORTAL INFO” as the subject line.
The DEADLINE to upload your films to the GSFF portal is January 22, 2026. If you do not upload by January 22, 2026, your film will not play. Also, once your film file has been uploaded there is NO WAY to CHANGE YOUR FILE so, please only upload the final version of your film.
VERY IMPORTANT: Label your Film File with your FILM TITLE. This is very important to label correctly for uploading.
FILE HOUSEKEEPING: It is very difficult when we see your Film File Name is different than the Film TITLE. Please help us stay organized by labeling your files correctly.
FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES PROVIDED
- You MUST open the email using FireFox, Google Chrome, Opera, or Safari. No Internet Explorer.
- Ensure your film is 1920 by 1080, H.264, Stereo (2-Channel), .MP4
- MAX file size this year is 25GB for ALL FILMS
- Label files with your FILM NAME and FilmFreeway Tracking number (this is very important to label correctly when uploading)
- Click the “Upload my Film” button towards the bottom of the email
- Select your film name, and click “browse” to select your film file and begin the upload.
- Wait until the upload is complete and the badge has turned green.
Please get all films uploaded to us no later than January 22, 2026
SEND US YOUR TRAILERS
The Garden State Film Festival takes your success very seriously. For Feature and Short Films, we are requesting you to email us a link to download your trailers.
- Please send downloadable film trailers for promotional use to kristen@gsff.org
- Label your trailer TRAILER_FILM TITLE
- Trailer usage includes online; GSFF social media platforms, uploading to GSFF YouTube, as B-roll as needed and a selection will screen at Meet the Filmmakers Preview Event.
Important: If you submitted in the “Trailer” Category DO NOT send us a download of your trailer. Your accepted Film is a movie trailer, which you will be uploading to the portal, because that is a “film” in the GSFF program.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Instagram: @GardenStateFilmFestival
Facebook: @GardenStateFilmFestival
Twitter: @GardenStateFilm
YouTube: GardenStateFilmFestival
ABOUT THE GARDEN STATE FILM FESTIVAL (GSFF):
The Garden State Film Festival (GSFF) is New Jersey’s Premier Independent Film Festival, a globally recognized celebration of cinematic excellence. As it enters its 24th year, GSFF continues to honor New Jersey’s rich legacy as the birthplace of film while serving as a vital platform for filmmakers, industry professionals, and cinephiles alike. With over 200 films from 19 countries showcased across 9 venues, this four-day festival offers an unparalleled cinematic experience filled with screenings, panel discussions, networking opportunities, and exclusive events. For more info visit www.gsff.org.
Highlights of GSFF 2022 Festival Events
MEET THE FILMMAKERS
FESTIVAL PREVIEW EVENT
Thursday, March 24, 2022 I Asbury Lanes
Preview event gives guests a sneak peek at the Festival’s full line-up of films and special events. Get ready to work the room for your next gig! A cocktail reception prior to the screening includes cash bar and complimentary hors d’oeuvres. Guests view a selection of trailers of the upcoming films and promos of the full line-up including special events. This not to be missed event is open to the public.
FRIDAY COCKTAIL GALA
March 25, 2022 I Asbury Lanes
Friday Night Cocktail Gala includes cash bar and complimentary hors d’oeuvres kicks off the Garden State Film Festival weekend with the red-carpet premiere of a highly anticipated film with special guests in attendance. Filmmaker Talk Back follows the screening with an after party to top it all off!
FILM SCREENINGS I Various Venues
Saturday, March 26 & Sunday March 27, 2022
Film Screenings throughout the city of Asbury Park.
WINNING SCREENPLAY COMPETITION TABLE READ
Sunday, March 27, 2022 I Virtual
Winning Feature Screenplay reading by celebrity and up-and coming actors. Past participants include Ed Asner, Armand Assante, Diane Ladd, Xander Berkeley, Pasquale, Chance Kelly, Siobhan Fallon Hogan, Langston Fishburne and Richard Kind, to name a few.
INDUSTRY DAYS I Various Venues
Special events held during the Festival, Industry Days serves as the central hub for the Tri-State area-based and visiting filmmakers to connect with and learn from industry experts through panels, workshops, master classes, and networking events.
SUNDAY NIGHT AWARDS DINNER (*Must purchase Ticket*)
Sunday, March 27, 2022 I Berkeley Hotel
The Festival concludes with a Black-Tie option al Awards Dinner which includes cocktails -cash bar- followed by a sit-down dinner where we acknowledge this year’s best of the best with presentations of awards to winning filmmakers and high-profile honorees in attendance.
Please read the following information carefully:
PROGRAM BOOK INFORMATION
- Please provide the following information as you wish it to appear in the program and on the website and attach a high resolution still which may appear with it
- Please use upper and lower cases when filling in information.
- DO NOT ENTER YOUR INFO IN ALL CAPS
- Premiere status examples are (World Premiere, North American Premiere, East Coast Premiere, NJ premiere, Asbury Park Premier)
- If your film has a recognizable cast members name ONLY, please include it in the synopsis. Synopsis should be no longer than two to three sentences and describe the film accurately.
*Remember this is what will get general audience to your screening. Vague synopses are not helpful in getting audience to your film.
Please send ONLY the info below to diane@gsff.org with a graphic/still for your film
Program/Website Information:
PREMIERE STATUS:
PRODUCTION COMPANY:
Other Details
Filmmaker Breakfast
The Garden State Film Festival is happy to invite this year’s filmmakers to join us for a mix and mingle with the other accepted filmmakers for a light breakfast.
Saturday, March 30
Berkeley Hotel | Continental Room
9 am – 10 am
Badges will also be available at the Filmmaker Breakfast Saturday morning.
We have a wonderful panel immediately following the breakfast.
After Parties
After Parties are planned for:
Friday March 29 10:30pm – Wonderbar
Saturday March 30 10:30pm- Wonderbar
Sunday is the Awards Banquet
FIlmmaker Lounges
Filmmaker lounges available for you to utilize on Saturday & Sunday to chat and make new friends.
If after your screening block the Q & A sessions would like to continue, please relocate to our Filmmaker Lounges because we must stick to our time schedule.
Berkeley Hotel | Café | Ground floor
1401 Ocean Ave, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Downtown Area | Snacks available for purchase.
TBD