The 7th Annual Chain NYC Film Festival (Chain NYC) is known for celebrating personal stories and original ideas in the heart of midtown NYC. The festival has proven to be an emerging festival to watch out for – in 2018 the festival screened more than 100 films and doubled in submission size. With the goal of sparking exciting dialogue between filmmakers and their audiences, Chain NYC comes alive in New York City. The venue couldn't be more convenient as it's located steps from Penn Station and blocks from Times Square.

Chain NYC welcomes narrative and documentary submissions, whether in feature-length, short-form, or "super-short" format. The festival also warmly embraces webseries submissions as part of a new wave of creative enterprise in an increasingly connected world. Over 30 awards are bestowed in numerous categories, including Best Narrative Feature, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Animated Film, and Best Local Filmmaker. Special prizes may also be awarded, at the discretion of a jury of storytelling and filmmaking experts.

Cidney Hue, writer-director of the award-winning narrative short, Odessa, concurs: "Chain NYC has been the best experience I've had, thus far, at any festival....Thank you for restoring my faith in film festivals!"

In addition to screening the best in recent filmmaking the festival also hosts live film related events. Past events included a special screening of John Cassavetes’ 1959 film Shadows was followed by an engaging Q&A with actress Leila Goldoni in 2013 and in 2014 a staged reading of Karen Black's work featuring Sean Young, Andrea McArdle, and Gail Brown was a festival highlight. In 2016 screenwriter Richard Price gave an unforgettable talk back after the 30th Anniversary Screening of the Color of Money and also spoke about his HBO smash hit series The Night Of. In 2017 screenwriter Richard LaGravenese joined us for for an in depth look into The Fisher King.

Chain NYC may be only seven years old, but that hasn't stopped countless visitors from singing the festival's praises. "I've participated in numerous film festivals, and the Chain NYC Film Festival stands out as one of the best," says Richard Uhlig, writer-director of the award-winning documentary short, My Kansas. "Not only [is] the selection of films superb, but the staff made a point of getting to know me and really supporting my film. All too often, small films can get lost in the shuffle of a festival. Not at Chain NYC."

Narratives, Docs and Web Series projects are welcome to submit – qualify your film today!

Awards & Prizes

Awards of recognition of excellence are offered in over 30 categories.

Please refer to our website for a list of last year's winners and categories:
http://www.chainfilmfestival.com/winners/

Rules & Terms

General Rules
ENTRIES

The selection committee would prefer that all entries/screeners be submitted as a Secure Online Screener.

There is no limit to the number of entries you may submit.

Select the category that seems most appropriate. If you wish to enter multiple categories, you must select your primary category and then send an email to the festival requesting consideration for additional categories. There will be no additional fee for this if the festival grants permission.

Fill out the entry form carefully.

A short synopsis of 2 to 4 lines is required for shorts categories.

A short synopsis in addition to a longer synopsis of approximately 125 words is required for the Documentary and Feature categories. You are required to submit this with the entry form. The synopsis will be used for the jury committee, the program book and web site, if accepted. Each submission should also include at least one still production photo or slide, a press kit and bio and photo of the director.

Please provide the most information possible by filling out all areas of your profile before submitting. Should you be accepted we use that information for our web site and need as detailed information you can give.

Notification of acceptance will be emailed on approximately July 5th, 2019. You will be notified for each submission.

If you are entering as a student, a photocopy of a current student ID, as well as an endorsement must accompany your entry from your instructor.

Complete care is given to every entry. The festival, however, cannot be responsible for damage to, or loss of, material submitted. Additionally, the festival is held harmless from damage to or loss of print en route to the festival.

ELIGIBILITY

Works in progress, and industrial/instructional works are not eligible.

ACCEPTANCES

Films will be screened from files provided by the submitter. Files must be given in by deadline requested at acceptance or the film will be removed from screening schedule.

The submitter has final say on which cut of a film will be shown. The Chain NYC Film Festival will not be liable for choices amongst your production team on different cuts of a film. The screener given to us upon acceptance is the one that will be shown. The Chain NYC Film Festival can opt to avoid any confrontations with regards to these matters by disqualifying your film.

Please be aware that if you have not submitted a photo or synopsis it will not be included in the program book or web site. Any corrections received to the original submission material must be received in writing by July 1st, 2019. Changes will not be made after this date.

The Chain NYC Film Festival reserves the right to use clips from accepted entries, up to 3 minutes in length for publicity purposes. The festival reserves the right to show the submission for promotion and fund raising events up to three years past the date of the festival. Submitter can opt out of this clause by sending the festival a written request to opt out of this clause.

The number of screenings, days is at the sole discretion of the festival.

The policy of the festival is that any promotional material and screener copies WILL NOT be returned. If you have specific needs, we will try and help resolve them but you are not guaranteed to receive these materials back.

Accepted films and videos will be notified by approximately July 5th, 2019

17 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Kristen McNaule

    This was an absolutely incredible festival in every respect. I was fortunate to be part of the Women's block, and it was truly an honor to be included among such outstanding work. The directors did a fabulous job curating it, and it was a brilliant mix of emotional ups and downs.

    I think where the festival really shines is with the networking. They really went above and beyond to create an opportunity for filmmakers to meet other filmmakers, with facebook group and an opening night meet & greet. I have remained in contact with quite a few people I met there, and had some wonderful adventures exploring New York City with new friends I met at the festival. Highly recommend this festival and would LOVE to go back!

    October 2018
    Helpful
  • Lukas Hassel

    This New York film festival is perfect for the indie filmmaker who wants a great experience in the Big Apple. It won't have the distributors and celebs of Sundance, but makes up for it in quality q and a's, great screening room and central location. I highly recommend submitting to this festival.

    September 2018
    Helpful
  • Thomas Nazario

    We were thrilled and honored for our film, Living on a Dollar a Day, about global poverty, to be selected, but so sorry that we could not attend in person. Congratulations to all the talented filmmakers!

    September 2018
    Helpful
  • Paul Kelly

    A super-organized film festival with a superb location in Manhattan. Thank you for screening my short, Final Polish, this year. All Filmmakers: Whether you have had a film there or not, bookmark this festival for next year and every year.

    August 2018
    Helpful
  • Rodrigo Baumgartner Ayres

    Great festival all around. Very organized, great films and fun events!

    August 2018
    Helpful