The Bowery Film Festival is one of the top independent film festivals in NYC dedicated to discovering a new wave of renegade filmmakers creating raw, gritty, funny, and bombastic art in one of the most culturally rich and trendy neighborhoods in New York City. Our mission is simple: to showcase works from filmmakers of all walks of life regardless of gender, race, age, creed, sexual orientation, or political affiliation and provide them with a platform to jumpstart their careers and take them to the next level.

In 2019, BFF was mentioned in the New York Times for its radical opening night party at the hip Katra Lounge on the Bowery. New York Magazine says that we provide “great opportunities for aspiring filmmakers to network and establish street cred over booze… with radical lineups and local flavors.” HoneySuckle Magazine agrees “an incredible night of groundbreaking, heartbreaking, and hilarious films… remaining true to its Bowery roots and foraging ahead in new territory – exactly what the festival’s namesake neighborhood is known for.” Finally, NY1’s Emmy-Award winning reporter Cheryl Wills noted in a live coverage, the “Bowery Film Festival is hot on movies that are adventurous and have shock value.”

Located in one of the oldest thoroughfares in NYC, the Bowery is known by its singular namesake where world-renowned artists have lived, created and thrived…The Bowery also marked the eastern border of the "Five Points" slum popularized in the movie Gangs of New York. Home to Martin Scorsese, William Burroughs, and the Punk Rock Scene, the Bowery is one of the great highways of humanity, a highway of seething life, varied interests, fun, diverse culture, art, and rock-and-roll.

Bowery Film Festival hosts live screening events in movie theaters, unique spaces and historical venues on the Bowery along with Q&A with filmmakers and the opportunity to network at our opening and closing night parties. We have over $20,000 in total prizes and the bragging rights of having screened on the Bowery!

**Please note festival dates are subject to change without advance notice**

$20,000

All genres/forms accepted. Seeking Feature Films, Short Films, Web Series, Documentary, Music Videos, Experimental Works, Animation, and Video Art. We accept works-in-progress.

Although we have no premiere policy, works must have been completed after January 1, 2021.

1. Submission Eligibility
- All submissions must have been completed after January 1, 2021.
- Although we prefer New York Premieres, there is no premiere policy.
- Works-in-progress are accepted.

2. Exhibition Format: DCP format

3. Submitters understand that submission of their work authorizes Bowery Film Festival to screen the work, and use the work for any exhibition, education and/or publicity purposes related to Bowery Film Festival. Bowery Film Festival is not responsible for any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, or royalty infringement related to the work. Submitters may receive future correspondence from the Bowery Film Festival.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • The Bowery was a great festival... The staff were welcoming and really went out of their way to make filmmakers feel comfortable and welcome... The quality of films was high and the fact that they screen in a commercial theater is also a huge plus for them... You know you're going to be in a venue that is going to present your film with the best picture and sound...

    January 2024
  • Tom Speaker

    Honored to have my short film shown here! Well-run, very professional, excellent selection of work.

    November 2023
  • we had a great time premiering at Bowery. Festival staff was enthusiastic and helpful, and the screening quality was very high. 10/10 would recommend!

    December 2022
  • Ben Myers

    Bowery lights up lower Manhattan! There were great networking opportunities, and the wrap party/awards night was a blast. One of the best aspects of Bowery is that all the awards are voted on by the audience, creating real sense of connection. My Pilot ZERO METHOD won Best Pilot, and ad the closing night. event they had. great bands. Also the sponsors are great, and as a result give great prizes. I really enjoyed our screening experience as well.

    November 2022
  • Graham Winfrey

    Great fest run by great people.

    November 2022