NEW JERSEY HIGH SCHOOL FILM CHALLENGE • STUDENT FILMMAKING UNDER PRESSURE
2026 Film Showcase

Watch the Winners

Explore the award-winning films from the 2026 New Jersey High School Film Challenge.

2026 High School Film Challenge event recording

Learn from the pros.
Then watch the winners.

WORKSHOP

Audio Workshop

Chris Gillard

WORKSHOP

Breaking News

Dan Zarrow

FULL CEREMONY

2026 Awards Ceremony

Watch the complete awards presentation in the event recording.

Open on YouTube →
BEST MIDDLE SCHOOL FILM

Trapped

Memorial Middle School

Directed by Tim Lu

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BEST SOUND DESIGN • BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

In Cold Hands

Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School

Directed by Max Mayer

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BEST SCREENPLAY • BEST ACTOR

Arizona

Kingsway Regional High School

Written by Jarett Mattson • Best Actor: Charlie Temple

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BEST USE OF PROP • SECOND PLACE COMEDY

Anything For Hewby

Union City High School

Directed by Argenis Castillo

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BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN • BEST ACTRESS • SECOND PLACE DRAMA

Consume

Union City High School

Directed by Sarah Garcia • Best Actress: Jay Colon & Derka Garcia

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BEST OVERALL • BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Greed & Gun Powder

Howell High School

Directed by Ryan Dempsey & Chase Kalinofski

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BEST DIRECTION • FIRST PLACE DRAMA

Split Morality

Monroe Township High School

Directed by Dennis Lewis & TJ Reichel

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BEST EDITING

One by One

Rumson-Fair Haven

Edited by Adam Mehl

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THIRD PLACE COMEDY

Locked In

Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School

Directed by Patrick Leone & Logan Bermingham

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FIRST PLACE COMEDY

Phantom Romance

Howell High School

Directed by Gavin Loughlin & Riley Nolan

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THIRD PLACE DRAMA

You Promised Me

Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy

Directed by Lucas Rodrigues

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