the fastest Growing Film Festival in the northeast.
The Newark International Film Festival is a five-day event that showcases the innovation and breadth of the film industry. Located 15 minutes from New York, Newarkiff maximizes exposure for independent films, screenplays, series, and more by drawing in entertainment leaders of the industry. The event includes screenings, workshops, exhibitions, open call auditions, panels, pitch opportunities, competitions, after-parties, concerts, and more.
Newarkiff is the first international film festival hosted in Newark, New Jersey. The staple award for the festival is the Hannibal Goodwin Award for Innovation in Filmmaking. The award pays homage to Hannibal Goodwin, the Episcopal priest who invented celluloid film 1887 in Newark, and up and coming filmmakers breaking through barriers.
The Founder
Born and raised in Newark, Kenneth Gifford, began his career in front of the camera with MTV on the hit show The Grind. Then, after a few independent acting roles, Kenneth refocused his sight behind the camera on another MTV show titled “You Write It You Watch It”.
To date Kenneth has worked on some of Hollywood’s hit films including Hancock, Cadillac Records, and Motherhood.
Gifford also spent time as the Director of the Newark Office of Film & Television. During his time in this position, he made more opportunities and resources available to inner city filmmakers. He can be credited as one of the pioneers for putting Newark, New Jersey on the map as a prime location for film production.