The Best Actor & Director Awards – New York is an International Bi-Monthly IMDb Qualifying Competition with Annual Screening Event, celebrating Actors and Film Directors from all over the world. Our Mission is to recognize talent and passion and to award the Best Performances in Acting and in Film Directing of independent cinema. Only the Best Films of a whole year will be selected by the Jury for the Annual Screening Event in New York City.

(Best Actor Award® & Best Director Award® - New York are registered Trademarks | © 2019-2026)

During the Bi-Monthly Competition, our Jury will only award the Best Actors and Film Directors through private screenings. We may award Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze, depending on the judgment of the performance. There may be Honorable Mentions to those Actors and Directors who haven’t won their category, but whose skills deserve to be celebrated. Moreover, we award the very Special “Outstanding Performance Award” in acting and in film directing. All the Winners of the Bi-Monthly Competition will receive a Winner Laurel, our Official Certificate (digital format) ready for printing, will be listed on our web site and may upload their credits on IMDb. Only the Best Films of a whole year will be selected by the Jury for the Annual Screening Event, that will take place in New York City in Fall 2026.

What we’re looking for: Feature Films, Short Films, TV/Web-Series, Indie Films, Student Films, Music Videos, Commercials, Animations, Experimental Films, Documentaries. We accept films of any length, genre and language. Non-English films must have English subtitles.

We do not accept: 1. Amateur videos. 2. Extremist or propaganda content from religious or political organizations. 3. Pornography. 4. Films with a poor production standard (bad sound, lack of subtitles/captions for non-English films, video resolution lower than 720p HD). 5. We don’t accept scripts. 6. We don't accept excerpts/scenes from films: you must submit the entire film.

BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR PROJECT PLEASE READ ALL RULES AND REGULATIONS.
By submitting your film, take note that:
The Best Actor & Director Awards – New York is hereby granted the rights to utilize an excerpt (trailer/teaser/poster/stills) from any film submitted for promotional purposes. The films will not be available online. Multiple entries are allowed for each filmmaker and each entry may be submitted to multiple categories. The winning categories vary every month depending on the submissions we receive and on the performances. If we think the categories submitted are not to a standard of the Best Actor & Director Awards – New York win, they will be removed. If you submit your film to the category ‘Best Acting Debut’, it must be your first or second time acting in a film (any kind of film); If you submit your film to the category ‘Best 1st time Director of a Short’, it must be your first or second time directing a short film; If you submit your film to the category ‘Best 1st time Director of a Feature’, it must be your first or second time directing a feature film: otherwise, your film will be disqualified from that specific category. Trophies are optional, are not included in the submission fee and all Winners may order the trophy by paying production costs and shipping costs. The Competition reserves the right to refuse entries and the Jury can remove the movie from the competition at any time. Entry fees are non-refundable. Judges decisions are final. Inappropriate, unethical, aggressive, intimidating or corrupt behavior is not tolerated, and will result in the filmmaker’s immediate disqualification. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for possible screening (private and/or public) and understands and accepts these requirements, rules and regulations. Only the Best Films of a whole year will be selected by the Jury for the Annual Screening Event. Projects longer than 25 minutes cannot be included in the public screening events. Live screening events may be cancelled or postponed if the minimum required number of participants is not reached. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Best Actor & Director Awards – New York, from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney’s fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss or damage of the screening videos entered.
By submitting your film, you acknowledge you have read, understood and accepted all rules and regulations.

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  • Ginger Britt Daniels

    Thanks so much for including as Best Actress in a Thriller for my film, Cat Cat Mouse short.

    May 2026
  • Alix Jean-Francois

    A great experience, Two years prior, we attended a screening of the winning films. It is a very well run event. Looking forward to attending more events and screenings.

    May 2026
  • Creative Drew

    I want to sincerely thank you for this recognition. As a director, I’m incredibly honored and proud to see my actor receive this award.

    There’s no greater feeling than watching the hard work, dedication, and talent of your cast be recognized on this level. This award is a reflection of the commitment that was poured into the project, and I’m grateful to have been part of that journey.

    Thank you for acknowledging their performance and for continuing to support independent filmmakers and artists.

    Cheers,
    Andrew Parnell

    May 2026
  • Jimmy Burgoa

    Amazing! Honored to have received the Best Director Award for the fan film “The crow.” Thank you!

    March 2026
  • Glen Evelyn

    I am honored that BA&D NY awarded me with the Best Director and Best Actor of an LGBTQ film. This organization is extremely professional and supportive of the arts and our project.

    January 2026