Films selected by NHFF enjoy being part of a world-class independent film program, and many of the filmmakers themselves partake in educational workshops, roundtable discussions and gala after-parties during the weekend.

Winners of New Hampshire awards included New Hampshire Documentary Film Award: "Communities and Consequences," director/writer Jay Childs; and the New Hampshire Film of the Year Award: "Sick Sex," by Justin Nowell, director and co-writer with Thomas Nowell. The Van McLeod Award went to Chase Bailey of Left Bank Films in Portsmouth. The NHFF 2008 marked the debut of the new Van McLeod Award, which honors someone who makes a significant contribution to the film or television industry and is named in honor of the commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Cultural Resources.

The mission of the New Hampshire Film Festival is simply to celebrate the art of filmmaking. NHFF unites highly talented students, professional filmmakers and screenwriters with industry experts, educators, avid movie-goers and film connoisseurs from around the globe for a highly interactive weekend of nationally recognized and undiscovered gems.

Films are accepted and divided into six categories: