The New Bedford Film Festival celebrates authentic cinematic stories, cultivates bold storytellers, and champions the city’s growing creative economy. NBFF takes place in the vibrant city of New Bedford on the South Coast region of Massachusetts.

The New Bedford Film Festival is committed to, our vision is spotlighting the diverse human experience through cinematic storytelling such as short & feature films, episodic, music videos, documentaries, and PSA shorts through a yearly film festival.

On Thursday, April 9th, the film festival will launch its third year at at Steeple Playhouse, where a red-carpet arrival and closing Academy-Award-style event will also occur on April 12th.

Screenings and events of the 2026 New Bedford Film Festival will be hosted throughout New Bedford, including Gallery X, New Bedford Art Museum, New Bedford Harbor Hotel, and Steeple Playhouse.

Throughout the day, explore New Bedford’s downtown small business scene, where filmmakers and film lovers will be offered discounts and promotions when presenting their official NBFF badge.

And finish up the night at the New Bedford Harbor Hotel’s Late Night Reels, an encore of films.

Check out our events page for more updates.