Asbury Park has a long history of providing catharsis through music, movies, galleries, theater, dance and more. The city’s artistic energy is a sustaining and transformative force. The Asbury Park Arts Council seeks to provide the support to ensure that the arts thrive.

The AP’N3 Film Challenge is presented by the Asbury Park Arts Council (APAC), a 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Asbury Park. The Challenge is sponsored by the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce, the Coaster and Primal House New Jersey.

The AP’N3 Short Film Challenge

March 31 until August 31 2026

Can you tell a complete story in three minutes? Filmmakers from across New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia are welcome to participate.

The AP’N3 Short Film Challenge is a creative competition where participants produce a three-minute film in Asbury Park that includes a required theme, prop, location, and line of dialogue that are revealed upon registering for the Challenge.

AP’N3 encourages filmmakers to experiment, test ideas, and showcase the kind of storytelling that can launch larger projects. The Challenge brings filmmakers and audiences together for a screening event celebrating originality, risk-taking, and cinematic short storytelling.

All genres are accepted and the AP’N3 Trophy is awarded to the top 3 winners in both main and student categories. Through our partnership with PRIMAL HOUSE NEW JERSEY, filmmakers may use music from their library for FREE in their films.

FOR MORE INFORMATION – click the Film Asbury Park button.

TriCityNews Article on the 2025 AP’N3 Premier Event.

Nov 20, 2025

Read the Article

Asbury Park Arts Council's work is sustained through the generous support of private, institutional and corporate partners who share our vision of an Asbury Park where all creative practices can thrive and coexist.

Asbury Park Arts Council’s programs are made possible, in part, with funds from:


AP PorchFest
Asbury Sunset
Grunin Foundation
Jules L. Plangere, Jr. Family Foundation
Madison Marquette
Manasquan Bank Charitable Foundation
Mary Owen Borden Foundation 
Monmouth Arts
Monmouth County Covid 19 Community Recovery Grant Program for Non-Profits
New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund of the Princeton Area Community Foundation
OceanFirst Foundation
Sea.Hear.Now Festival
Shrewsbury Foundation
Vin Gopal Civic Association

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