The Bronx is the birthplace of hip hop, home of the House That Ruth Built, the last known home of Edgar Allan Poe and a place to make films.

In the early 20th century, Bronx film studios included the Edison Studios and Terrytoons at 2826 Decatur Avenue and Biograph Studios at 807 E. 175th Street. Edison Studios' notable contributions to film included the first screen adaptation of "Frankenstein" released in 1910 and the first serial film, "What Happened to Mary", released in 1912. Martin Poll restored and reopened Biograph as the Gold Medal Studios in 1957 as the largest film studio outside of Hollywood. TV’s "The Naked City", "Car 54 Where are You?" and movies like "Odds Against Tomorrow", "A Face in the Crowd", "The Fugitive Kind", "Pretty Boy Floyd" and "Butterfield 8" were filmed at Gold Medal. The Bronx International Film Festival (BXFF) was established to honor this history of film in The Bronx.

The 12th Bronx International Film Festival is scheduled for December 4 - 6, 2015 at Lehman Stages/Lehman College, a few stops north of Yankee Stadium on the #4 and D lines near Bronx High School of Science, Jerome Park Reservoir, blocks from Edgar Allen Poe Cottage and the future Kingsbridge National Ice Center.

Awards & Prizes

Best of Fest (Narrative/Animation) - $1,000
Best Documentary - $1,000

Rules & Terms

We accept short and feature narrative, documentary and animated films.

Screening location: Lehman Stages/Lehman College, 250 Bedford Park Blvd West, Bronx, NY housing 500-seat and 100-seat exhibition spaces.

Submission Eligibility: Your submission must be original work not commercially exhibited or distributed prior to The Bronx International Film Festival (BXFF) to be eligible for a cash prize; submission and screening at other festivals is fine. Submissions commercially exhibited or distributed prior to the Bronx International Film Festival are not eligible for a cash prize but are eligible to screen. You must have all clearances and rights and have full authority to submit the project. If you submitted a film previously, but were not selected for screening, you may resubmit your work provided you have made notable changes to the film. You may submit a work-in-progress that must be completed no later than two weeks before the Festival. Please indicate your film is a rough cut. You may submit more than one film; however, each submission must have a separate entry form and applicable fee. Non-English films must have English subtitles.

Running Time:
Short Films: maximum 40 minutes
Feature: minimum 41 minutes

Deadlines:
Early deadline: August 31
Regular deadline: September 15
Late deadline: September 30
Extended deadline: October 15

EARLY SUBMISSION IS RECOMMENDED

You may submit more than one film; however, each submission must have a separate entry form and applicable fee.

Submission format: Online through FilmFreeway or DVD formatted for North American/Zone 1 DVD players. PAL DVDs not accepted. Please test your DVD for compatibility before submitting. Clearly label each preview DVD with tracking number, project title, contact information and running time. DVDs will not be returned.

Fee: Entry fee is non-refundable. (Fee may be waived for film students who reside in The Bronx.)

Notifications will be made via email on approximately November 6, 2015.

Press Kit: Only electronic press kits by November 15, 2015 for filmmakers invited to screen in December.

Exhibition copy or upload must be received by November 15, 2015. Upload information will be provided for filmmakers invited to screen in December.

Every precaution will be taken in handling all mailed entries; however, the Festival producers, staff, sponsors and affiliated entities will not be liable for any loss or damage of your film at any time during shipping or handling.

By submitting your film, you give The Bronx International Film Festival permission to show your film during the festival and use your film, stills, synopsis, bio and other press kit material, supplied by you, to promote the festival.

Mailing address:

BXFF/Bronx Stage & Film
P.O. Box 580-179
Bronx, NY 10458