Thomas Edison Film Festival

2027 independent and international awards: Jury’s Stellar Awards for Animation, Documentary, Experimental, Narrative and Screen Dance; Global Insights Stellar Award for insight into global issues; DEAI Stellar Award for diversity, equity, access and inclusion; Jury’s Choice Award (first prize); Jury’s Citation Award (second prize); Director’s Choice Award (third prize); and Honorable Mention (fourth prize). College and university awards: Jury’s Stellar Awards for Animation, Documentary, Experimental and Narrative; Jury’s Choice Award; Jury’s Citation Award; and the Made in New Jersey Award, restricted to student films created primarily in New Jersey. The Edison Innovation Award also recognises contributions to innovative independent filmmaking.

2027 independent and international submissions: Completed short films of all genres under 45 minutes are eligible, with priority given to films under 15 minutes. Submit through FilmFreeway with the required fee; fee waivers and rental or screening payments are unavailable. Entries outside FilmFreeway may be disqualified without refund. Provide a downloadable screener, high- and low-resolution stills, a 25–75-word description, filmmaker biography and artist statement, and current email, mailing address and telephone number; a downloadable trailer is encouraged. The applicant must own or clear all film and music rights. Non-English films require English subtitles; films selected for the 2027 tour require open captions. Submit one completed version only, with no rough cuts or works in progress. If a screener fails, the festival attempts to contact the applicant; failure to supply a playable replacement results in disqualification without refund. Selection does not guarantee a public screening. The festival collection remains available online indefinitely; Honorable Mentions are considered for public screening at a host’s request or for a suitable themed programme. The festival gives no comments, critiques or feedback. US college and university student submissions: Upload an official student ID to the FilmFreeway project attachments. Films must be under 10 minutes. The same submission platform, fee, rights, completed-version, English-subtitle, playable-screener and supporting-material requirements apply; a trailer is preferred. Winners receive a separate in-person premiere at a New Jersey university and are available on the festival website and to other venues on request. No screening fees, fee waivers or feedback are provided. A student seeking consideration for the main festival must submit separately; submissions to both categories are permitted. For the 2027 tour, entries open on 1 May 2026; the early deadline is 30 June and the final deadline 8 September 2026, with notification on 1 December 2026. Standard early/regular fees are $25/$30 for films under 15 minutes, $30/$35 for 15–30 minutes and $35/$45 for 30–45 minutes; student entries are $10/$15. FilmFreeway Gold discounts are listed on the submission platform. No fixed travel, accommodation or speaking stipends are offered.