Chelsea Film Festival (CFF) was selected in the "TOP 10 BEST FILM FESTIVAL IN NORTH AMERICA" (#6) by USA Today in 2019 among 19 other film festivals in the USA.

CFF is an organization dedicated to supporting films and the artists who create them by providing a creative forum for exchange and discovery.

The Festival attracts filmmakers, artists and audience members from across America and the world. It premieres independent narrative features, documentaries, short films and TV series focusing on global issues.

Chelsea Film Festival is an international film competition that aims to discover upcoming talents by raising awareness about American & foreign independent films.

There are 20+ awards in each category Short, Feature-Length and TV Series (Best actor, actress, supporting actor, actress, screenplay, documentary, director, Best Picture).

2025 CONDITIONS FOR ELIGIBILITY - 13th Annual Chelsea Film Festival

By using this website and submitting your entry on FilmFreeway, you agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy of Chelsea Film Festival, Inc. as provided on our website. Submission of a film constitutes acceptance of these Entry Rules & Guidelines (by you and your agents). Please review this document carefully by clicking on the "Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy" link on our website : www.chelseafilm.org/rules-and-guidelines

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SHORTS, FEATURES, DOCUMENTARIES, INDIE EPISODICS:

• Entries must be New York City premieres and have been completed in 2023 or 2024. Films shown in other festivals or public screenings in New York City are not eligible for consideration. Contact us directly at info@chelseafilm.org if your film is a WORLD PREMIERE
• Work can only be submitted via streaming video
• Mandatory Exhibition Format: DCP
• Feature-length Films and Documentaries must be between 90 minutes maximum and not less than 60 minutes
• Short Films must be under 20 minutes maximum
• Indie Episodics must be under 40 minutes maximum
• Films must not have been released on any online platforms prior to the Festival (i.e. Online Film Festival, Netflix, Amazon, iTunes, Vimeo, YouTube, etc.)
• Films in any language other than English must be subtitled in English
• Theme: Global Issues
• Submissions are not refundable

Force Majeur Clause: Due to Covid-19 pandemic and unforeseen outcome, the Chelsea Film Festival reserves the right to postpone, cancel or move the event to a digital platform if necessary.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Chelsea is an amazing festival. The best kind! Ingrid, Sonia and staff did a wonderful job. They genuinely care about the art of filmmaking. It was truly an honor to be among the other films that were selected.

    Thank you so much.
    Short Film - I Appreciate Your Concern
    Instagram #clammyjames

    November 2024
  • Dave Morrissey Jr.

    Chelsea Film Festival was an incredible experience and the perfect place to premiere Our Lady of Queens. The hospitality was outstanding from start to finish, with unforgettable moments like a boat party, a night at the Soho House, and plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow filmmakers. The red carpet was vibrant and professional, giving us and the cast a chance to shine, and the screening at Regal Union Square felt like the ideal setting for the film.

    The panels, especially the Branded Entertainment discussion, stood out as forward-thinking and inspiring, offering insights into how filmmakers can collaborate with brands without losing creative integrity. Networking was natural and meaningful—every event felt like a genuine chance to meet people who are passionate about storytelling and the future of indie film. The awards ceremony capped it all off beautifully, celebrating bold, diverse voices. Chelsea gave us the kind of premiere every filmmaker hopes for: exciting, celebratory, and full of possibilities.

    December 2024
  • Neil Redfield

    We had a fantastic time at Chelsea Film Festival! The programming was very high quality, the screenings were very well attended, the opportunities for networking were plentiful and well attended and Regal Cinemas Union Square is a top notch venue. It is obvious that Ingrid, Sonia, and the rest of the team really care about putting on a great festival that is a positive experience for filmmakers. We hope to attend again in future and are grateful for the connections we made through this experience. Highly recommend!

    November 2024
  • Mikael Thiery

    A 5 stars film festival where indie filmmaking and emerging voices are celebrated. The quality of the film screenings and the entire atmosphere of the festival are fabulous! I would highly recommend the Chelsea Film Festival to anyone who wants to experience a great film festival!

    November 2024
  • Maddy Freeman

    I had an incredible experience at this year’s Chelsea Film Festival, and I am so grateful that my film was chosen to screen alongside such an impressive slate of films. The Regal Cinemas at Union Square is a beautiful theater, and it was a wonderful venue for the screenings. The projection was great, the films chosen were fantastic, and there were so many opportunities to network and meet other filmmakers. Additionally, the organizers and festival staff were communicative, friendly, and helpful. Overall, Chelsea Film Festival is an exceptional festival with an unbeatable location in NYC, and I would definitely recommend it to any filmmakers looking for a quality festival. I plan to submit again in the future and hope I have the opportunity to participate again. Thank you, Chelsea Film Festival!

    November 2024