NH Film Festival 2025 in Portsmouth: What movies you’ll see, how to get tickets

The 23rd annual New Hampshire Film Festival has announced the selection of more than 100 independent films that will be screened Oct. 16-⁠19 event.

“This year’s lineup showcases bold, thought-provoking films that are sure to challenge, inspire, and spark conversation,” said NHFF lead programmer Ian McCarthy. “We’re proud to bring together filmmakers, industry professionals, and film lovers in the vibrant city of Portsmouth.”

The lineup includes 32 narrative features, 19 documentary features, and 65 shorts, curated from more than 1,700 submissions.

“The New Hampshire Film Festival is the longest-running and most successful film festival in the Granite State,” said Tina Sawtelle, president and chief executive officer of The Music Hall. “It’s a true celebration of cinema, drawing thousands of attendees.”

Which films will be shown at 2025 NH Film Festival?

Films that will be screened that are already attracting attention include:

• Noah Baumbach’s “Jay Kelly,” starring George Clooney and New Hampshire’s Adam Sandler.
• Berlin Silver Bear winner “Blue Moon” (Richard Linklater) starring Ethan Hawke, Margaret Qualley, and Andrew Scott, Executive producer Aaron Wiederspahn is a New Hampshire resident and plans to attend the festival.
• Cannes prize winners “It Was Just an Accident” (Jafar Panahi), “The Secret Agent” (Kleber Mendonça Filho), “Sirât” (Oliver Laxe), and “Sound of Falling” (Mascha Schilinski).
• “Love+War,” from Academy Award-winning filmmakers Jimmy Chin and Chai Vasarhelyi.
• U.S. premieres of “Best Boy” (Jesse Noah Klein) and “Supernatural” (Ventura Durall)
• Animated feature “Arco” (Ugo Bienvenu) voiced by Natalie Portman, Will Ferrell, Mark Ruffalo, America Ferrera, Andy Samberg.
• New England premier of “Our Hero, Balthazar,” which is getting a lot of buzz;  filmmaker Oscar Boyson, grew up in southern Maine and will be in attendance.
• “The Travel Companion,” a comedy about friendship centered around a struggling documentary filmmaker is getting rave reviews. It’s co-directed by NH’s Alex Mallis, along with Travis Wood.

NH Film Festival panels and workshops

• Ethics of Artificial Intelligence: A Discussion & Debate – A timely conversation on AI’s growing impact on creative industries, led by Studio Lab’s Ian Messina with special industry guests.
• Across the Table: A Conversation with Jessica Kingdon & Courtney Stephens – Presented by the MacDowell organization, this intimate talk features Academy Award–nominated documentarian Jessica Kingdon (Ascension) in conversation with filmmaker and writer Courtney Stephens.
• Morning Coffee with 2025 NHFF Filmmakers & Special Guests – A festival tradition, these casual morning gatherings offer an informal opportunity to hear directly from featured filmmakers about their process and stories.
• Virtual Production: An Immersive Demonstration & Experience – Presented by Studio Lab, this multi-session, hands-on showcase gives attendees an insider’s view of cutting-edge XR workflows and how virtual production is shaping the future of filmmaking.
• Inspiring Images: Addressing the Challenges of Filmmaking – Presented by ARRI, a world-leading manufacturer of motion picture cameras, lighting, and film production equipment, renowned for setting industry standards in cinematic image quality and innovation. This session explores how tools and techniques across cameras, lighting, and stabilization support storytelling while balancing budget, schedule, and creative vision.
• The Move from Making Shorts to Features (and Sometimes Back Again) – Award-winning filmmaker Jeff Stern leads a discussion on the challenges and opportunities of transitioning between formats.
• Young Filmmakers Workshop – This annual three-day intensive program established in 2001 nurtures the next generation of storytellers.
• Look Up in the Sky: Welcoming You into the World of Aerial Drones – A deep dive into drone technology and its creative applications for independent productions.
• A Chat about Independent Financing, Festivals & Distribution – Industry insiders including Hulu, Factory 25, CAA, Greenwich Entertainment, and NEON share insights on financing models and the evolving distribution landscape.
• The Comedy Panel with Eliza Coupe – NH actress Coupe (“Happy Endings”) hosts this lively conversation with comedic writers and performers including Tim Herlihy (“Billy Madison,” “Happy Gilmore”) and actor/comedian Jon Rudnitsky (“SNL,” “The Big Leap,” “Home Again”) and more panelists to be announced soon, offering an inside look at the art of making audiences laugh.

New this year is a collaboration with Studio Lab, a Derry, New Hampshire-based production facility for creative professionals that specializes in cutting-edge technology that’s reshaping film and content creation.

NH Film Festival is qualifier for short films in Academy Awards

The New Hampshire Film Festival is an Academy Awards qualifying festival for the short film awards in three categories: Live Action Shorts, Animation Shorts, and Documentary Shorts. Recipients will be eligible for Academy Awards consideration without the standard theatrical run, provided they comply with the Academy’s rules.

“Achieving Academy Award qualifying status in a third category is a rare distinction and a testament to the festival’s dedication and the incredible talent of the filmmakers who choose to share their stories with us,” said Dan Hannon, NHFF co-founder.

How to buy tickets for NH Film Festival

Purchasing a festival pass enables filmgoers access to all the films being screened at multiple locations across the city, participate in an array of panel discussions, and attend social events. Passes, single day and select individual film tickets are on sale at nhfilmfestival.com and at The Music Hall’s downtown ticketing hub at 134 Congress St. in Portsmouth).

Screening venues include The Music Hall’s historic theater, The Music Hall Lounge, 3S Artspace, Moffatt-Ladd House, Novacure and Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel.

This year’s festival is underwritten by Key Auto and Bank PROV.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald. Reporting by Special to Seacoastonline / Portsmouth Herald.

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