Bell Works at 101 Crawfords Corner Road in Holmdel — Courtesy: Inspired by Somerset Development
By Joshua Burd
The landmark Bell Works campus in Holmdel — already known as the backdrop for a hit Apple TV+ series — is taking on a new role as host of the 2026 Monmouth Film Festival.
According to organizers, the 2 million-square-foot complex will welcome fans and artists starting Friday, May 29, for three days of screenings, panels, networking and industry conversations. Plans also include a digital film expo, dining, cocktails and late-night meetups, creating what’s being billed as a “Hollywood comes to New Jersey” experience where audiences, filmmakers and industry professionals can connect in one dynamic destination.
The festival will kick off Friday at nearby Cinemark Theatres in Hazlet for a 9 p.m. screening of Power Ballad, which stars New Jersey natives Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas. Directed by John Carney, the movie delivers what was described as a magnetic, music-driven story.
“MFF is about bringing people together through powerful storytelling,” said Nicholas Marchese, founder of the Monmouth Film Festival. “Whether you’re an independent filmmaker, a dedicated film lover or someone discovering these stories for the first time, the festival is designed to create meaningful connections and celebrate great cinema from New Jersey and around the world.”
Known to millions of Apple TV+ viewers as the home of Lumon Industries in the hit series Severance, Bell Works has a sprawling mix of office, retail, hospitality and entertainment space all under roof. The distinctive former Bell Labs complex on Crawfords Corner Road is now a hub for culture and community after being repurposed by Inspired by Somerset Development, with spaces including the 285-seat Bell Theater alongside restaurants, bars and lakeside areas that will host festival goers throughout the weekend.
“From the beginning, Bell Works has stood for innovation and creativity,” said Ralph Zucker, CEO and president of Inspired by Somerset Development. “Our vision was to create a destination where culture, community and extraordinary experiences could thrive, and the Monmouth Film Festival is exactly that. Since Bell Theater opened two years ago, the response has been tremendous, and seeing such remarkable films and talent coming to Monmouth County is something we are truly proud of.”
The Monmouth Film Festival, founded in 2016, has built a reputation for discovering exceptional films from both emerging local artists and acclaimed international voices, according to a news release. This year’s program will showcase a range of shorts, documentaries and feature films from around the globe alongside powerful stories rooted in New Jersey.
Highlights include:
- Vienna, an emotional exploration of a family coping with the tragic loss of a child to SUDC, or sudden unexplained death in childhood
- Greetings From Seaside Heights, a documentary examining the complexities of seasonal tourism through the voices of locals and visitors
- Twas The Night, a darkly comedic short following a mischievous creature that escapes Santa’s bag on Christmas Eve
- Untouchables, the inspiring story of Newark fencing coach Derrick Hoff and his championship-winning team
- You Know What You Are, a chilling New Jersey-set horror feature that reimagines vampire mythology in a desolate winter beach town
- Highly anticipated titles including Power Ballad, I Want Your Sex starring Olivia Wilde and Union County starring Will Poulter
- International selections such as Happy Birthday from Egypt and HEN from the Mediterranean region
Other offerings include:
- A powerful lineup of free panel discussions, workshops, filmmaker Q&As and special educational programs presented by the New York Film Academy, featuring industry professionals discussing directing, producing, casting, writing, visual effects, pitching, auditioning and navigating today’s evolving entertainment landscape
- A free digital film expo taking place Saturday, May 30, and Sunday, May 31, throughout festival hours in Bell Works’ central atrium, showcasing cutting-edge cameras, lighting and production technology from leading companies including Blackmagic Design, DaVinci Resolve, SmallRig, IndiPro, IDX and AbelCine
- An opening night industry mixer event that brings the Hollywood atmosphere to New Jersey with red carpets, live jazz, special guests, cocktails, networking opportunities and local bites from some of the region’s favorite culinary destinations
- The 2026 MFF Awards Ceremony, hosted by celebrity guest Eric Eremita of Discovery, HGTV and Hulu fame, featuring special guest appearances while honoring standout films, breakthrough performances and emerging voices in independent cinema — free and open to the public
“At Bell Works, we’ve always believed that great spaces should do more than function — they should inspire connection, creativity, and culture,” said Paola Zamudio, founder and CEO of npz studio+. “Supporting the Monmouth Film Festival aligns perfectly with our vision of Bell Works as a place where design, art, storytelling and community converge. Working alongside Nick and the organizers has been wonderful, and we’re proud to help shape the Metroburb into a destination for film, culture, and community.”
