Albany Film Festival

*Short film submissions must have a connection to New York State, defined as 1) film shot primarily or significantly on location in New York and/or 2) a film where one or more of the film’s principal/creative personnel is one of the following: a) born in New York, b) a current or former New York resident for one or more years, or c) an alumnus or current student at a school located in New York.

*For Student Short Film Submissions: Must be a student in New York State. Student Verification Required: applicants required to attach a copy of their valid student ID (either upload a copy of your student ID to FilmFreeway or send it in an email to writers@albany.edu). All other entries will be disqualified from this category.

*All Genres accepted
*Submissions must be 25 minutes or less in length, including titles and credits
*Entries must be original works
*All short film submissions must be submitted through FilmFreeway
*Digital submissions only, either on VIMEO, YouTube and/or other online sources
*No DVD or Blu-rays accepted
*One submission per category
*Submitted films should have been completed on or after January 1, 2023
*No premiere requirements
*Infomercials and public service announcements will not be accepted
*The Albany Film Festival reserves the right to decide which films are screened. A prescreening committee will evaluate each entry to determine the official selections for screening at the festival.
*The Albany Film Festival will not be paying screening fees for official selections.
*Entry fees are non-refundable.
*All elements of submitted films, including music, stills, archival footage and images, etc. to which someone other than the filmmaker holds copyright must be licensed for use by the filmmaker, and proof of such license may be requested prior to any public screening of the work should the film be selected for entry.

*RELEASE: The New York State Writers Institute Albany Film Festival (NYSWIAFF) is granted permission and the right by the submitter to use excerpts, quotes, stills, titles, photos and footage for promotional purposes prior to, during and after the NYSWIAFF 2025. The NYSWIAFF is granted permission and the right to use photos, footage and other materials gathered during the event for promotional purposes in perpetuity. Promotion may include, but not be limited to, New York State Writers Institute and Albany Film Festival websites, e-communications, social media, TV, internet, radio and print sources. The submitter provides NYSWIAFF with indemnity and release from any/all liabilities, losses, damages, claims and expenses relating to any trademark, copyright, credits, publicity and screening.