2026 Awards and Prize Packages
Awards
Top Three Winners
The AP'N3 Trophy Statuette - locally designed by Hot Sand Glass Studio - will be awarded to the top three winners in each of the two categories - Short Film. Student Film.
Sponsor
Prize Packages
Prize packages that can be used in future filmmaking endeavors are provided by B&H Photo.
With nearly half a million items in stock daily, B&H offers a legendary selection that has made it a trusted resource for photographers, musicians, and creative professionals worldwide for decades. Their product specialists’ passion for photography, music, film, or art matches their love of technology. Despite their global reach, B&H retains the feel of a small neighborhood shop. As a proud, family-owned business, they are built on honesty and treating people right.
Sponsor
PrimalHouse Music
AP’N3 is thrilled to offer 2026’s challenge participants full access to PrimalHouse Music’s library of 280K + tracks for their submissions for the first time. The partnership between PrimalHouse New Jersey and Asbury Park Arts Council’s just expanded your creative playground at no cost to you.
When you participate in AP’N3 this year, you can gain firsthand experience with the industry standard licensing process, having the impact of music synchronization, but with clearance and licenses already handled under this partnership and pre-cleared library. You’ll have the freedom to dive deeper into filmmaking and experiment with global tracks from a library with credits across Amsterdam, House of Gucci, and Pluribus. AP’N3 1st place winners will receive a gratis license for all tracks in their submission film for distribution and expansions and adaptations of that film.
Sponsor
[the collective] jersey shore
At [the collective], we believe great work doesn't happen in isolation. It grows through collaboration, feedback, experimentation, and the courage to take action before everything feels "ready.” [the collective], in Asbury Park is offering prize packages to the top winners in the Student Film and Short Film Categories.
First Place winner in the Student Film category receives a creative [project] development Starter Package — a one-month development experience designed to help move a project from idea to execution through strategic planning, feedback, and dedicated creative support.
First Place winner in the Short Film category receives [jumpstart] — an exclusive creative consultation focused on concept development, script feedback, casting strategy, directing actors, production planning, creative problem-solving, and project development.
Sponsor
The DCP Works
Based in Philadelphia, PA, The DCP Works offers industry-standard Digital Cinema Packages (DCPs) with a commitment to precision, efficiency, and affordability. With experience working alongside Hollywood post-production supervisors, independent filmmakers, and film festival technical directors, The DCP Works crafts DCPs that meet the rigorous standards of modern cinema projection. The DCP Works was founded by Thomas Verdi, an independent filmmaker and founder of The Film Fund, who understands the importance of a flawless theatrical presentation. As a filmmaker himself, Thomas knows how crucial it is to ensure that every film is delivered with the highest visual and auditory quality, whether screening at a major film festival or premiering in an independent cinema.
Prize packages for AP’N3 First Place Winners in the Student Category and Short Film Category, as well as the Audience Award Winners in both categories will receive one 4K DCP transfer up to twenty minutes in runtime, redeemable for up to two years from the date of the winner receiving the prize certificate. If a winner needs a DCP over twenty minutes in length, they would pay our per-minute pricing, which is $8 per minute for 4K DCPs (we’ll waive the usual setup fee).
