BE A NBFF SPONSOR

Exciting opportunity to get your business or organization in front of movie lovers, artists, and thought leaders, both locally and from around the world, at the New Bedford Film Festival, April 8–11, 2027. 

The Festival celebrates authentic, diverse stories in film, showcasing everything from student shorts and documentaries to music videos and animation, all while spotlighting New Bedford’s vibrant creative community. 

We’re inviting organizations to “Adopt-A-Screening” for $500, where you can sponsor a themed block of films. Here’s what you’ll get as a sponsor: 

● Two (2) VIP Day Passes: Enjoy the festival’s films and events as our guest.

● On-Screen Recognition: Your logo and company information will appear big and bold before your adopted screening. 

● Your Message on Screen: Play a 30-60 second festival-approved commercial or message before your screening starts. 

● Program and Poster Recognition: Your sponsorship will be highlighted in both the official program and on-site posters for the event. 

● Physical Presence: Option to display a poster and share your materials at your sponsored screening. 

● Social Media Spotlight: We’ll feature your support with a shout-out across our festival social media channels. 

Plus, you’ll directly support the local arts, contribute to a growing creative economy, and connect your business to a passionate audience, including filmmakers and film fans from the South Coast and around the globe. 

Past sponsors have included groups like SouthCoast LGBTQ+ Network, Servedwell Hospitality, Eversource, High Record, Nativity Prep, supporting all kinds of theme screenings such as queer stories, horror, animation for kids, music videos, South Coast-made films, and more. 

Spots for themed screenings are limited and filling up quickly! If you’d like to showcase your company in front of this engaged audience and support a thriving creative event, let’s talk about which screening is the best fit for you. 

Thank you for considering sponsorship and helping us shine a light on new voices in film!

The New Bedford Film Festival (NBFF) is seeking a community-minded organization or company to sponsor our highly anticipated Closing Night Award Ceremony with a contribution of $2,200, which represents the full budgeted cost of this event.

This important support will allow us to offer free entry for all guests to our celebratory closing night, ensuring an accessible and memorable experience for filmmakers, attendees, and community members alike.

Why This Matters

Closing Night on April 11, 2027 is the culminating celebration of the New Bedford Film Festival — a special evening that brings together filmmakers, supporters, and the community to recognize outstanding work and reflect on the power of storytelling.

By sponsoring this event, your organization will make it possible for NBFF to close the festival on a high note: inclusively, joyfully, and with meaningful community impact. Your support sends a powerful message about the importance of the arts and your commitment to New Bedford’s growing creative community.

Sponsorship Benefits

• Headline Recognition: The Closing Night Award Ceremony will be presented by your organization. Your name/logo will be featured on promotional materials, event signage, digital invitations, and social media as the official presenting sponsor.

• Stage Acknowledgment: Receive live acknowledgment during the award presentations at Steeple Playhouse as the evening’s presenting sponsor.

• Brand Visibility: Enjoy recognition in front of an audience of 500–600 festival attendees, local leaders, filmmakers from around the world, and NBFF’s online community.

• Ongoing Exposure: Your logo will appear in festival recaps, photo galleries, and post-event coverage of the closing night festivities, extending your visibility beyond the event itself.

Support ALL Selected Filmmakers at the 2027 New Bedford Film Festival 

What We Need: The New Bedford Film Festival (NBFF) is seeking a dedicated partner to sponsor our Filmmaker VIP Passes. We are looking for a philanthropic organization or company to contribute $8,000, which will be used exclusively to sponsor complimentary VIP passes for filmmakers accepted to NBFF 2027. 

Why this matters: Your support will cover VIP passes (each valued at $200), opening the doors for a diverse group of filmmakers from around the world to experience our festival, share their stories, and spotlight New Bedford as a hub for creativity. 

Most film festivals do not offer free passes (only 21% do nationwide) and full passes can cost up to $1,200 at major events like Sundance. By helping us welcome these artists, your organization will set a new benchmark for filmmaker hospitality. 

Unique Sponsorship Benefits 

● Prominent Branding: Your organization’s logo will be featured front and center on the physical NBFF Filmmaker VIP Pass: an exclusive, collectible badge filmmakers keep and showcase on social media and for years to come. 

● Direct Acknowledgment: All pass recipients, and every communication to them, will highlight your generosity as the pass sponsor. 

● Onsite Promotion: Filmmakers will be encouraged to visit your business or establishment during their stay, with opportunities for your business to offer promotions to these VIP guests.

● Visibility: Exposure to 500–600 attendees, international filmmakers and industry professionals, with representation from across the US, Australia, Europe, and beyond.

● Enduring Impact: Your logo remains side-by-side with NBFF’s on every VIP filmmaker badge: cementing your legacy in our festival’s evolution. 

About the Festival 

● Dates: April 8-11, 2027 

● Venues: New Bedford Harbor Hotel, Steeple Playhouse, Gallery X, New Bedford Art Museum 

● Programming: Screenings of shorts, features, documentaries, music videos, student work, and more; nightly networking events and awards ceremonies; special downtown promotions for badge holders 

● Mission: NBFF celebrates authentic cinematic storytelling and cultivates new creative voices, contributing to New Bedford’s vibrant arts community and economy. 

Present the 4th Annual NB48 Filmmaking Challenge 

Become the Lead Sponsor for New Bedford’s Fastest, Most Inspiring Film Event! 

What We Need: The New Bedford Film Festival (NBFF) invites an organization or company to become the lead, “presented by” sponsor of the 4th Annual NB48 Filmmaking Challenge with a $2,000 contribution (which is the exact budget amount to plan the event). 

Your sponsorship will underwrite the entire 3-day challenge (March 19–21, 2027), majorly amplify your brand, and directly empower New Bedford’s most exciting grassroots filmmaking event to reach new heights. 

About the NB48 Challenge: Selected filmmaking teams will have just 48 hours to plan, film, and edit a complete short movie right in downtown New Bedford using secret, assigned locations at spots like local hotels, restaurants, museums, and galleries. 

Teams pitch their stories, film on location, and race the clock to compete for craft awards such as Best Film, Directing, Acting, and Editing. Past NB48 films have won accolades at other film festivals after their NBFF premiere! 

The challenge culminates with a special screening and awards ceremony during the festival on April 10, 2027, drawing a packed crowd of 400–500 avid film fans, participants, and supporters. 

Sponsorship Benefits: 

Headline Recognition: 

NB48 will be promoted as “Presented by [Your Organization]” across all materials, digital, print, and at the screening event. Your logo/name will be included in all promotional content, the NBFF website and social media, press releases, program guides, and all email marketing about NB48. 

Event Visibility: 

Special mention and logo on-site during: 

The Friday night launch (March 19) in downtown New Bedford 

The Saturday pitch session (March 20) 

The completion deadline (March 21) 

The NB48 screening and award show at the Whaling Museum (April 10) 

Premier Brand Placement: 

Acknowledged from the stage at the screening and award show. 

Featured in news coverage, videos, and photo galleries capturing the event. Community Impact: 

Directly support New Bedford’s creative ecosystem and help launch the careers of local storytellers. 

Join an esteemed list of past sponsors, such as UMass Dartmouth, as the presenting partner. 

Why Sponsor: Gain significant brand recognition, support local art, and spark excitement at one of the region’s most unique film competitions—while being celebrated at one of New England’s leading community filmmaking events! 

The official program is used by festival attendees to explore film selections, event schedules, venues, and festival highlights. Your ad is placed directly in the hands of people who are actively participating in the festival experience. Unlike a digital ad that disappears quickly, a printed festival program often stays with attendees throughout the event and beyond. It becomes a collectible reference piece tied to the festival experience.

Full Page Ad — $1,000

A premier placement for businesses and organizations looking for maximum visibility and a strong presence in the official program.

Half Page Ad — $500

A great option for sponsors seeking strong exposure at a mid-level investment.

Quarter Page Ad — $250

An affordable way to promote your business or organization while showing support for the festival.

Mini Logo Listing in the Community Supporters Section — $100

A simple and accessible way to be included in the official program and recognized as a supporter of NBFF.

Why Your Ad Matters

Revenue from program advertising helps support the New Bedford Film Festival and strengthens our ability to present an exciting, accessible, and community-centered celebration of film. Your participation helps us uplift filmmakers, engage audiences, and continue growing New Bedford’s creative identity.

Premium Sponsor – $7,500

• Prominent logo on Red Carpet, Festival website (year-round), any print material, and before EVERY film festival and community screening.

• 4 VIP All-Access passes to the festival

Sponsor – $4,750

• 2 VIP All-Access passes

• Company participation & presenter role at Awards

• Logo featured before all screenings

Contributor – $1,500

• 1 VIP All-Access passes

• Logo presented on lowest tier on website and for select screenings

• Social media shout out on text goes here

Sponsorship Video (all screenings) • $500 - $3,000+

• Listed Contributor on Screen - $500

• :10 Second Video (created by sponsor) - $1,500

• :30 Second Video (created by sponsor) - $3,000

• :31-:60 second video (created by sponsor) -  $3000  for 30 seconds, plus  $100 per additional second