Six films
A curated showcase of independent horror, thriller, suspense, psychological, and experimental shorts.
Collective
Watch Nightmares online · Premiere October 28 · Replay through Halloween Meet the films & filmmakers
JCIFF · A Hudson Arts Collective initiative
JCIFF PRESENTSJERSEY CITY · 2026
NIGHT
MARES
One night.
Six films.
Endless nightmares.
The screening ends. The horror doesn't.
Independent horror leaves the screen.
This Halloween, the Jersey City Independent Film Festival and the Jersey City Free Public Library invite you into an immersive celebration of independent horror filmmaking, visual art, and the wonderfully strange.
Nightmares is more than a film screening. It is a community gathering for filmmakers, artists, creators, small businesses, and horror fans.
DateWednesday
October 28, 2026
October 28, 2026
Time3:00 PM–5:00 PM
Program ends promptly at 5:00 PM
Program ends promptly at 5:00 PM
LocationCunningham Branch
275 Martin Luther King Drive
Jersey City, NJ 07305
275 Martin Luther King Drive
Jersey City, NJ 07305
AdmissionFree registration
Optional $15 support donationRegister free
Optional $15 support donationRegister free
Inside the experience
Film. Art. Conversation. Community.
Meet the makers
Hear directly from filmmakers and creators during a live conversation about the work behind the screen.
Enter the exhibition
Explore horror-inspired visual art, creative displays, local vendors, and the Nightmares Marketplace.
Cast your vote
Take part in audience voting and help recognize the stories that stay with you after the credits roll.
Open the audience ballotPlan your visit
Come curious. Leave haunted.
Reserve your seat. General admission is free, but registration helps us plan an inviting experience for everyone.
Support the work. A $15 donation is optional and helps JCIFF continue creating accessible independent-film programming.
Find us. Cunningham Branch, 275 Martin Luther King Drive, Jersey City, NJ 07305. Get directions.
Be ready for 3:00 PM. Plan to be seated for the start. The program runs 3:00–5:00 PM Eastern and ends promptly at the library’s 5:00 PM close.
Accessibility questions? Contact info@jciff.org before your visit so we can coordinate your request with the library. Venue access and accommodations should be confirmed in advance.
October 28 · All times Eastern
Your afternoon at Nightmares.
Welcome + screening
The event begins with our independent horror showcase. Six films play as one program, with fixed-length sponsor and intermission breaks between films.
Filmmaker conversation
Stay for the panel discussion with filmmakers and creators. Bravery Studios will handle the livestream and broadcasting.
Final conversation + close
We wrap promptly for the library’s closing time. Explore the exhibition and local vendors during available breaks.
This is the program overview. The final film order, exact panel start, and break durations will be posted once confirmed.
Explore the six official selectionsOfficial press partner
Bravery Studios × JCIFF.
Bravery Studios joins Hudson Arts Collective as the official press partner for JCIFF Presents: Nightmares, bringing filmmaker interviews and live event coverage to the experience.
Meet the people behind the films, hear their stories, and join the panel online. Filmmaker features and recorded coverage will be added as they become available.
Enter the screening roomIn the room. Around the world.
How to watch.
How do I join the online premiere?
Open the Nightmares screening room on October 28. The shared premiere begins at 3:00 PM Eastern. Everyone joins the current point in the program, including viewers arriving after it begins.
Can I watch the films on my own schedule?
Yes. Public replay opens after the event ends at 5:00 PM Eastern on October 28 and remains available through October 31 at 11:59 PM Eastern. You can start the replay from the beginning during that window.
What happens during commercial breaks?
Sponsor videos and intermission breaks run for a fixed length, then the program continues automatically. Keep the screening room open; if your browser pauses autoplay, press play to resume.
Will the filmmaker panel be livestreamed?
Yes, the panel livestream is planned with Bravery Studios. Use the screening room to join. Recorded panel coverage will be added when available.
What happens after Halloween?
The public replay closes at midnight Eastern on November 1. Films cleared for ongoing member streaming will then be available in the members’ Film Vault.
Do I need to attend in person to watch?
No. International filmmakers and audiences can join online. In-person general admission is free with registration, and the public premiere and replay are open to everyone during the announced window.
Take part
There's more than one way into the nightmare.
Meet the official selections
Film submissions are closed. Discover the six selected films and the independent filmmakers behind them.
Films + filmmakersExhibit
Bring original artwork or your small business into the Nightmares experience. Approved spaces begin at $75.
Artists + vendorsPartner with JCIFF
Support a Black-led Jersey City film experience through sponsorship, in-kind support, or a mutually beneficial community partnership.
Sponsors + partnersCover the festival
Press and media are invited to request access for themselves and a small crew through the JCIFF press pathway.
Request press accessPresented by the Jersey City Independent Film Festival in partnership with the Jersey City Free Public Library.
FACE YOUR
NIGHTMARES.Register free