We are going back to our pre-Covid festival time - JUNE!

Selected Films/Web Series/Podcasts will be screened ONLINE from June 1-10, and the IN-PERSON events will take place June 8-11, 2023, in the famous Kaufman Astoria Studios and at various locations around Astoria NY.

In-Person Events Include:
Opening Night Parties on Thursday June 8 and Friday June 9
Youth Film Festival
Screenings of Winning Festival Films/Web Series/Podcasts
Filmmaker Panels
Master Classes and Red Carpet Interviews
Awards Ceremonies for Youth and for the Regular Festival

Shorts are Under 40 mins
Only upload one episode of a web series or podcast

Includes the regular festival and the Astoria Youth Film Festival for filmmakers 24 & Under (Youth Festival submissions fee is $20 for the entirety of the open call)

For more information visit astoriafilmfestival.org

Awards & Prizes

NEW AWARD/CATEGORY: Best Animated Short and Best Animated Youth Short

The Zukor Award
(named after Kaufman Astoria Studios' founder, is awarded to the best humanitarian film)
Best Short Under 5 mins
Best Drama Short
Best Comedy Short
Best Documentary Short
Best Experimental Short
Best Dance Short
Best Horror Short
Best Narrative Web Series
Best Documentary Web Series
Best Youth Short
Best Youth Web Series
Best Youth Performances
Best Youth Director
Best Youth Editing
Hon Mention Youth
Best Narrative Podcast
Best Interview Podcast
Best Lead Performance
Best Supporting Performance
Best Cinematography
Best Director
Best Editing
Audience Awards (4)
Honorable Mention (4)

Rules & Terms

*For Web Series and Podcasts, please submit only ONE episode of the series that you think captures the essence of the series.

*Selected work cannot screen at any other Queens Festivals within a month of screening at our festival.

Categories:
Selected submissions will screen in ONLINE FESTIVAL and Award-Winning pieces only will screen at IN PERSON FESTIVAL
Filmmakers will be invited to participate in panels at both ONLINE and IN PERSON FESTIVAL:
Animated Short
Drama Short
Comedy Short
Documentary Short
Experimental Short
Dance Short
Horror Short
Narrative Web Series
Documentary Web Series
Narrative Podcast
Interview Podcast

YOUTH FESTIVAL: can submit shorts, web series, interactive projects, podcasts (all under 40 mins). Selected shorts and web series submissions will screen IN PERSON and ONLINE; other selected submissions will screen ONLINE ONLY but ALL FILMMAKERS/CREATORS will be invited to participate in panels at both the ONLINE AND IN PERSON FESTIVALS.
49 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Janay Joseph

    Excellent festival, especially for first-time and youth filmmakers. Although I was only able to participate in the festival as a filmmaker remotely, Nina and AFF made sure to be as communicative, accommodating, and inclusive as much as possible for all participants. Glad to be a part of it!

    January 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much Janay! You and your fellow filmmakers’ work is amazing and we were grateful to have you in the festival. Thank you also for taking part in the virtual filmmakers panel. It was our pleasure to have you participate.

  • David Ambrose

    Such a professional, well run festival for independent filmmakers! The effort put in by the interns on social media and festival coverage is terrific. The schedule of events starts with the first night of a meet and greet party, great for networking. The following days are the festival itself, taking place in Zukor Theater. Such a great venue and glad to be part of such a professional film slate.

    December 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you very much David! It’s our pleasure to have you there and to promote the work in the festival- so glad you noticed :)

  • Sassy Mohen

    The Astoria film festival is amazing! Nina and the entire team make it such an organized, fun and professional experience. They really care passionately about the projects selected, and not only that foster new and emerging filmmakers in their program as well. I wish all festivals put this much time and care into the experience. I highly recommend it!

    December 2022
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    Response from festival:

    YOU are amazing! It was so nice to get to spend time with you, and your web series is divine. Thank you so much for being a part of the festival! We appreciate you.

  • A. Lambru

    I am grateful to Nina and the Astoria Film Festival for selecting and caring about my podcast project! It was my first experience with a film festival; I like that it was well organized and it was lovely that Nina was present and so welcoming at the viewings. This was special for many reason and but especially because I am from Astoria!

    November 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much Angela! It's a pleasure to have you be a part of the festival, and we absolutely love the work you're doing with your podcast. Hope to see more work from you because it's always a treat.

  • Stacey Larkins

    Thank you Astoria Film Festival for a wonderful experience. Nina, does an exceptional job running this festival. The programming is diverse and interesting. I also really appreciate how much goes into marketing the films and filmmakers. Thank you!

    November 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Stacey! It's my honor to have you in the festival! Your work is always amazing, and it was so nice to meet you in person this year. Look forward to seeing what you're working on next. Thank you!