Jersey Films, Talent Score Big in 2026 Oscar Nominations

New Jersey films and talent captured multiple Oscar nominations Tuesday, marking the strongest showing yet for the Garden State’s growing entertainment industry.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced nominations that included three films shot in New Jersey and five performers with deep Garden State ties — a recognition that comes as the state doubles down on tax incentives to lure productions from New York and California.

“This validates what we’ve been saying for years — New Jersey has the talent, the locations, and now the infrastructure to compete with anyone,” said Maria Santos, director of the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission.

The nominations span major categories. “Boardwalk Nights,” filmed entirely in Asbury Park and Atlantic City, earned nods for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay. The film follows three generations of a family running a carnival on the Shore, with scenes shot at Steel Pier and the Asbury Park Boardwalk.

Director Tommy Chen, a Montclair native, said the nomination proves Jersey stories resonate beyond state lines.

“People told us to set it in California or Florida, somewhere more glamorous,” Chen said. “But there’s something about the Jersey Shore in winter, the resilience of these families — that’s universal.”

The acting categories brought more Garden State recognition. Elizabeth Moreau of Princeton earned a Best Actress nomination for “The Commuter,” a psychological thriller filmed on NJ Transit trains between Newark and New York. Frank DiMarco, who grew up in Hoboken, scored a Best Supporting Actor nod for his role as a corrupt union boss in “Loading Dock.”

The documentary “Garden State of Mind,” which follows four families navigating New Jersey’s property tax crisis, earned a nomination in that category. The film spent two years documenting residents from Paterson to Cape May County as they fought tax increases and budget cuts.

The nominations arrive as New Jersey aggressively courts film and television production. The state legislature expanded tax credits last year, offering up to 35 percent rebates for productions that hire local crews and spend money at Jersey businesses.

The policy mirrors efforts by other state government initiatives to diversify New Jersey’s economy beyond pharmaceuticals and finance. Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill, who takes office next month, has pledged to continue the incentives as part of her broader economic development strategy.

The numbers show the investment paying off. Film and television productions spent $847 million in New Jersey last year, up from $312 million in 2020. The industry now employs more than 12,000 people statewide, from camera operators to catering crews.

But Tuesday’s Oscar nominations represent more than economic impact — they signal creative recognition for a state long stereotyped by Hollywood.

“We’re not just the rest stop between New York and Philadelphia anymore,” said Vincent Barone, who teaches film at Rutgers University. “These nominations show we can tell our own stories.”

The ceremony takes place March 14 in Los Angeles. Three of the five Jersey nominees plan to attend, with “Boardwalk Nights” cast and crew organizing watch parties in Asbury Park regardless of the outcome.

Netflix announced Tuesday it will film two more series in New Jersey this year, citing the Oscar recognition as evidence of the state’s “deep creative talent pool.” Amazon Studios said it’s scouting locations for a limited series about the 2013 Bridgegate scandal.

The nominations also highlight New Jersey’s technical crew base. Sound mixer Anthony Ricci of Fair Lawn worked on two nominated films. Costume designer Sarah Kim, based in Jersey City, earned her first Oscar nod for period work on “The Palisades,” a Depression-era drama filmed in Fort Lee and Englewood.

“Twenty years ago, I had to go to New York or LA for serious projects,” Kim said. “Now the serious projects come here.”

Film industry boosters hope the Oscar recognition attracts more productions to New Jersey locations that offer urban grit and suburban authenticity within driving distance of major markets. The state’s diverse geography — from Paterson’s industrial landscape to Cape May’s Victorian charm — provides backdrops for multiple genres.

The Motion Picture and Television Commission tracks 47 active productions statewide, from major studio films to independent documentaries. That’s up from 23 projects five years ago.

“The nominations are great publicity, but the real story is sustainability,” Santos said. “We’re building an industry that can compete long-term.”

Several nominees credited New Jersey’s collaborative atmosphere for their success.

“In LA, everyone’s looking over their shoulder,” said DiMarco, the Hoboken native. “In Jersey, people help each other. That shows up on screen.”

The Oscar ceremony will test whether Academy voters embrace New Jersey stories and talent. Win or lose, industry observers say the nominations alone boost the state’s profile among producers and financiers looking for alternatives to traditional entertainment hubs.

For now, Jersey’s film community savors recognition years in the making.

“My grandmother ran a restaurant in Newark for fifty years,” Chen said. “She always said Jersey people work twice as hard for half the credit. Maybe that’s changing.”