Borough of the Bronx in New York City = birthplace of Jennifer Lopez, Billy Joel, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and hip hop music. But it’s also known as the home of one of the poorest districts in the country, one of the highest mortality rates from COVID 19 and one of the worst highways in the nation.

That dichotomy is at the center of the 2nd Annual Bronx Social Justice Matters International Film Festival, which highlights films (national and international) and filmmakers, (professionals and those in the making), with change as their agenda. Social justice speaks to a global culture of equality. The festival will showcase films that challenge social constructs throughout the world by looking at both the “Bigger Picture “as well as the more personal and intimate perspective.

Partners in the Bronx Social Justice Matters Film Festival include the Consul General of El Salvador, GLACO (Grupo Latinamerico de Consules en New Jersey), and CUNY (City University of New York).

First Place- Narrative Feature Length (over 30 minutes) $1000
First Place- Documentary Feature Length (over 30 minutes) $1000
First Place - Narrative Short (under 30 minutes) $500
First Place - Documentary Short (under 30 minutes) $500
Student Award- (Associates & Baccalaureate) $500
Student Award- (Graduate) $500

1. The Second Annual Bronx Social Justice Matters International Film Festival (BSJMFF) accepts submissions for feature narrative films, short narrative films, feature documentaries, short documentaries and student films.
2. Whether narrative or documentary, all films must have as its focus a social justice issue. These include but are not limited to ageism, child welfare, climate change, domestic violence, gender equity, human rights, incarceration and the death penalty, poverty and economic injustice, racial discrimination, sexuality and gender equity, voting rights, etc.
3. All films submitted must have been completed after January 1, 2020.
4. All films must be submitted with an online screener.
5. Submissions of all lengths will be considered.
6. BSJMFF will present selected films as a virtual event from October 21, 2022 – October 30, 2022.
7. The filmmakers must have secured all rights.
8. In submitting your film, you authorize BSJMFF to use, distribute and share the film poster, trailer, synopsis and movie stills in its marketing including social media.
9. Along with your film, please submit your longline, synopsis of the film, director's bio, poster and stills from the film.
10. Student submissions must be accompanied by a current student ID and one other form of city/state/federal identification.
11. All films must be in English or have English subtitles.
12. ALL SUBMISSION FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.
13. Please be sure to read all rules and regulations prior to submitting your film.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Poppy van Oorde-Grainger

    Such a great festival and community. Met some wonderful filmmakers and Debra from the festival really looked after us. Highly recommend.

    May 2022
  • Kenan Karayağız

    It was an honor for me to take part in your festival. communication was very good. thank you for everything.

    November 2021
  • María Lobo

    It was simply an awesome experience to have been part of this festival. As it was an online event, Q&A session plus the ceremony were charming, relevant, groovy... This was the first one, and we can only wish to be present in the next ones, because I am sure that there will be more editions :-) Thanks for creating this room for topics that are usually silenced but that are strongly key Human Rights.

    November 2021