‘Celebrating A Decade Of Local Cinema’: Indie Street Film Festival Sets 2025 Return

RED BANK, NJ — This summer, the Indie Street Film Festival (ISFF) will return to Monmouth County audiences for its 10th annual edition.

Set to run from Aug. 18 through Aug. 24, the 2025 festival celebrates a decade of independent filmmaking within the local vibrant arts community at the heart of Red Bank.

When founders Jay Webb and Jim Scavone, long-time Monmouth County arts advocates, set out to launch a film festival, they envisioned a space where film and community could intersect.

Now, in the festival’s tenth year, ISFF is recognized for its “bold programming, strong community partnerships, and commitment to showcasing diverse, thought-provoking films," festival officials said.

This year’s milestone edition will feature over 70 films across documentary, narrative and animation categories, spotlighting emerging filmmakers and stories that challenge the boundaries of traditional storytelling with messages of hope, inspiration and excitement.

“Our entire team and the community are all so excited to hit the ten-year mark!" Festival Founder and Director Jay Webb said. "Sharing stories from around the world and opening ourselves to different perspectives and voices is really more important than ever with all that is happening."

“The world of independent film has always been a space where passion, humanity, and creativity can be amplified, and this year's festival promises to honor that in every way possible," Webb continued.

The week-long event will kick off with a special opening night ceremony followed by the New Jersey premiere of “Checkpoint Zoo” on Monday, Aug. 18, at the Vogel Theater.

Slated for Opening Night, the film centers on the early days of the Ukraine-Russian war, when the Feldman Ecopark (a beloved animal refuge in Ukraine’s second largest city) finds itself caught in the crossfire.

With the invading Russian army on one side and the Ukrainian front line on the other, thousands of animals were left trapped with little food and water. Against all odds, a courageous team of zookeepers and volunteers risked their lives to embark on a seemingly impossible mission: bringing these innocent creatures to safety.

Alongside the New Jersey premiere of “Checkpoint Zoo,” the NJ Film Commission will also lead a featured panel at this year’s festival on Friday, Aug. 22, spotlighting the state’s growing opportunity within the film industry and the local impact of Netflix’s expansion.

This conversation will explore the creative, logistical, and economic growth happening in the state and shed light on how filmmakers can tap into the expanding support systems within the state’s film ecosystem.

The highly anticipated full lineup will be revealed later this month, festival officials said, promising a diverse range of narratives and documentaries that highlight “innovation, bold storytelling, and social impact.”

All-Access passes are now on sale, and single film tickets will be on sale starting July 16th at indiestreetfilmfestival.org.

For more information on the festival, its programming, and events, you can visit the official Indie Street Film Festival website or follow @IndieStFilmFest on social media.

The Indie Street Film Festival is supported by Monmouth Arts Council and its platinum sponsors, Basie Center Cinemas and Triumph Restaurant & Brewery.