Past and Upcoming Events

A Lyte in the Dark

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We support filmmakers by creating opportunities for their work to be seen across multiple platforms while building a collaborative creative community.

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• Broadcast Feature (Community TV)
  Your film is included in The Fish Bowl, a curated community media television series airing in New Jersey

• Online Distribution
  Episodes are released online after broadcast, giving your work continued visibility

• Theatrical Screening (Top-Rated Films)
  Highest-rated submissions screen at the Princeton Garden Theatre

• Live Q&A + Networking
  Connect with audiences and fellow filmmakers in person

• After Party Access
  Build relationships and future collaborations

  We keep the process clear:

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• Official Selections
  → Featured in The Fish Bowl (TV + online)

The Fish Bowl is a curated community television series highlighting independent filmmakers and artists.

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• Airs on New Jersey Comcast/Xfinity community television channels

• Presents selected works in a broadcast format

• Episodes are archived online after airing

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What this means for you:

• A broadcast credit for your film

• Inclusion in a curated program

• Additional exposure beyond the festival audience

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Content must be suitable for network television broadcast adhering to FCC regulations. Works containing graphic violence, nudity, and extreme profanity are not eligible.

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• ​​Top-Rated Films (Jury Favorites)

       → Theatrical screening at Princeton Garden Theatre

       → Q&A + in-person festival experience

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Jury Favorites receive:

• Theatrical screening at the 2026 festival

• Feature placement in official festival poster artwork

• Inclusion in festival trailer (shared across platforms)

• Dedicated filmmaker spotlight on social media

• Official digital certificate

Important Notes:

• Not all official selections will screen theatrically

• Travel and accommodations are not provided

• Filmmakers attend at their own expense

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CATEGORIES:

Drama

Comedy

Documentary

Experimental

Mystery/Thriller

Horror

Science Fiction/Fantasy

Action/Adventure

Parody

Micro Short

Webisode/Series Episode

Live Performance

Animation/Puppetry

Western

Music Video

Live Musical Performance

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DETAILS:

Notification Date:

June 30, 2026

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Run Time:

Maximum of 28 minutes.

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Completion Date:

No completion date restrictions.

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Premiere Status:

No premiere status requirements.

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Distribution Status:

No distribution status required.

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AWARDS AND PRIZES:

Official selections will be featured in the collaborative series The Fish Bowl.

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In addition, selected works will screen July 26, 2026 as part of A Lyte in the Dark Film Festival held at the Princeton Garden Theatre, 160 Nassau St., Princeton, NJ.

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Submission of an entry signifies that the producer(s) agree to public broadcast of the work on community access channels in the New Jersey Comcast market. This collaboration will also be available for viewing here

RULES AND TERMS:

A Lyte in the Dark accepts submissions 28 minutes in length or shorter. 

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Submissions can be any genre or category.

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Submissions MUST be in English. Subtitled work will be disqualified from inclusion in The Fish Bowl.

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A Lyte in the Dark does not pay screening fees.

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A Lyte in the Dark accepts submissions via online links.

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Creators of A Lyte in the Dark are hereby granted the right to utilize an except from any work submitted and accepted for exhibition for promotional purposes. The individual or corporation submitting the work hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the work for participation in the broadcast series and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations. The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless A Lyte in the Dark from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening work entered.

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By submitting to A Lyte in the Dark you commit to the possible televised screening of your work. Producers understand that submitting their work to multiple sections does not improve the chances of being accepted for broadcast.

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A Lyte in the Dark reserves the right to cancel and/or change screening dates without prior contact.

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A Lyte in the Dark is not responsible for rescheduling work which has been pulled by the submitting party.

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All submission fees to A Lyte in the Dark are nonrefundable. 

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SUBMIT BELOW!