The New Hampshire Film Festival is an annual fall event that unites professional filmmakers, screenwriters, and film industry experts with film lovers.
Founded in 2001, the non-profit New Hampshire Film Festival has become one of the leading festivals in New England and a highly anticipated Portsmouth, NH tradition. Over 10,000 attendees enjoy screenings of carefully curated films, lively panel discussions and buzzworthy events in addition to the multitude of dining and shopping options Portsmouth offers.
The New Hampshire Film Festival was named an Academy Award® qualifying festival for the Short Film Awards by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences beginning with our 20th annual edition. Short films that receive the festival’s Live Action Shorts Jury Award and Animation Shorts Jury Award may now qualify to enter the Short Films competition for the concurrent Oscar® season. Recipients of these qualifying festival awards will be eligible for consideration in the Live Action Short Film and Animation Short Film categories of the Academy Awards® without the standard theatrical run, provided the films otherwise comply with the Academy rules.
From young filmmakers and up-and-coming directors to seasoned screenwriters and veteran actors, the New Hampshire Film Festival showcases the brightest talent in the domestic and international film scene. We also emphasize creative collaboration, education and networking through panel discussions, workshops and social events.
An impressive collection of new independent films, a historic setting, top-rated restaurants, historic venues, and a gorgeous New England fall backdrop make the New Hampshire Film Festival a truly unique experience.
Highlights from the 2023 New Hampshire Film Festival
Each year, veteran celebrities and up-and-coming independent film artists add to the high voltage energy of the New Hampshire Film Festival. Past celebrity attendees include:
“The New Hampshire Film Festival programmers packed rustic screening locations from morning till night with the most compelling and honored films I’ve seen all year. Not since our premiere at SXSW had I seen such top-notch docs and fictional gems. I soon realized this wasn’t just a festival on its way — it had already arrived. The excitement from NH is still with me … and I don’t want it to leave.”
– Dan Ferrigan, Cinematographer for the award-winning film The Way We Get By
“I have a very special place in my heart for the New Hampshire Film Festival. It’s such a beautiful, supportive community, and it’s been so fun to watch it grow. As soon as I set foot in Portsmouth and met everyone from the New Hampshire Film Festival, I felt like I was home.”
– Jeff Tomsic, Director of Tag
Want to Support the New Hampshire Film Festival?
The Music Hall, which operates the New Hampshire Film Festival, is a nonprofit organization that depends on advertising, donations, volunteers, and interns to fulfill our mission. Learn how you can help support the art of filmmaking and bring the best in domestic and international independent cinema to New Hampshire by clicking on Support Us in the main menu.
