Thomas Edison Black Maria Film Festival

About Us:

Since 1981, the Black Maria Film Festival has been celebrating and preserving the diversity, invention, and vitality of the short film. The Festival's home is New Jersey City University in Jersey City, NJ and is named after Thomas Edison's original West Orange film studio dubbed the "Black Maria" because of its resemblance to the black-box police paddy wagons of the same name.

Black Maria is an international juried film competition. We have embraced our mission for 35 years by focusing on short films including those, which shine a light on issues and struggles within contemporary society. Our touring programs always include provocative works. We advance and exhibit the work of diverse filmmakers from across the US and around the world. These artists often represent an under-served constituency who might not otherwise have the opportunity for live public exhibition nationwide or abroad.