Since 1981, the annual Black Maria Film + Video Festival which takes it’s name from that of the world’s first motion picture studio built by Thomas Edison in 1893, has been an international juried competition and award tour, has been fulfilling its mission to advocate, exhibit and reward cutting edge works from independent film and videomakers. The festival is known for its national public exhibition program, which features a variety of bold contemporary works drawn from the annual collection of 50 or more award winning films and videos.

Some notable elements that differentiate the Black Maria are below:

1. •Until the current fiscal downturn, the Festival annually distributed at least $10,000 in filmmakers’ honoraria / awards and anticipates restoring that tradition when funding improves
   

2. •We are focused on short works that reveal an inventive, insightful, and uncommon spirit
   

3. •Every program presentation in the tour is custom curated to specific audiences
   

4. •Virtually every program is presented in person by the Festival’s Director or Assistant Director
   

• We tour across the United States at more than 65 institutions annually

The Black Maria Film + Video Festival which is the primary program of Thomas Edison Media Arts, a non-profit organization, is supported by operating grants and / or the in-kind support of the following organizations:

1. -New Jersey City University
   

2. -The William H. Donner Foundation
   

3. -The Charles Edison Fund
   

4. -The New Jersey State Council on the Arts
   

5. -New Jersey Network-NJN Public Television                                                        
   

6. -NFL Film & Video
   

**Listen to Black Maria Film + Video Festival interview on NPR - National Public Radio (3-12-2006)**