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.

Awards & Prizes

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

Rules & Terms

2026 CONDITIONS FOR ELIGIBILITY - 14th 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 2025 or 2026. 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

The Chelsea Film Festival is a hybrid event, with screenings available both in person and on our digital platform upon request.

206 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Cinestrib Distribution

    We loved the festival, we were so happy to have two shorts from our lineup screened. Hope we'll get to meet again next year !
    All the best.

    November 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    That’s amazing to hear Madison! We absolutely loved having your two shorts in the lineup, they brought such great energy to the festival. We really hope to see you again next year and keep building this fantastic collaboration.
    All the very best!

    Chelsea Film Festival Team

  • Luca Perito

    My team and I had a great time and met so many filmmakers. Can’t wait to come back.

    November 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    That’s fantastic to hear Luca! We’re really glad you and your team had such a great time and connected with so many filmmakers. We can’t wait to welcome you back with your best upcoming project.

    Chelsea Film Festival Team

  • Kyvon Edwin

    Chelsea Film Festival is a gem of an experience! Proud to be an alumni and have experienced this incredible community, they truly empower independent filmmakers

    November 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much Kivon!
    We’re thrilled to hear that Chelsea Film Festival has been such a meaningful experience for you. It means a lot to us to have you as part of our alumni family, and we’re proud to support and empower independent filmmakers like you. Can’t wait to see what you create next!
    All the best.

    Chelsea Film Festival Team

  • Dana Schneider

    It was an absolute pleasure being a park of the CFF this year. I was honored to be an Incubator finalist in which I received all types of support to complete my first film. The two founders, Sonia and Ingrid and passionate about cinema and uplifting young filmmakers. I highly recommend being a part of their next festival.

    November 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much Dana for your kind words!
    It was an absolute pleasure having you as part of this year’s Chelsea Film Festival and seeing your journey as an Incubator finalist.
    We’re so proud to support emerging filmmakers like you and can’t wait to see your first film completed and shared with the world.

    Wishing you continued success, and we hope to see you again at the next festival!

    Chelsea Film Festival Team 🎬✨

  • Black Sea film

    We had an amazing experience at the Chelsea Film Festival! It was beautifully organized, with an outstanding selection of films from all over the world. The screenings took place in the heart of New York, Manhattan, at the iconic Regal Theater — an unforgettable setting.

    Throughout the festival, we had the chance to meet wonderful people from across the industry, not only at the after-parties but also during daily panels and networking events, which offered incredible opportunities to connect, learn, and share experiences.

    We were thrilled that our film, Devil’s Play, was part of this incredible lineup and even more honored to receive the Best Cinematography Award for our talented director of photography, Dennis Madden. After many recognitions for Devil’s Play, this award is especially meaningful as it celebrates Dennis’s remarkable visual artistry.

    Thank you, Chelsea Film Festival, and special thanks to Sonia and Ingrid for your dedication to cinema and your support of international filmmakers from around the world!

    November 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much Black Sea Film for your wonderful review and for sharing Devil’s Play with us!
    It was a true pleasure to showcase your film as part of this year’s lineup.
    Congratulations on receiving the Best Cinematography Award, Dennis Madden’s work was absolutely stunning and well-deserving of the recognition.
    We’re delighted you enjoyed the festival experience, from the screenings to the panels and networking events.

    We wish you continued success with Devil’s Play and look forward to seeing your future projects!

    The Chelsea Film Festival Team 🎬✨