Harlem International Film Festival

Join scores of filmmakers and screenwriters from all over the world and have your work showcased in Harlem, Manhattan – in the heart of New York City!

As always, we do not shy away from passionate or even controversial work. In fact we encourage it.

The marriage of Little Africa to El Barrio, Jazz to Dance, History to Art, and cinema to one of the world's most vibrant communities signifies the 20th Annual Harlem International Film Festival (Hi XX). Home to New York City's richest cultural and academic institutions, landmarks, boutiques, parks and restaurants, Harlem is an experience that satisfies the five senses. As the epicenter of New York's current arts movement, Upper Manhattan and Harlem Int'l embody the New Harlem Renaissance.

The Festival has premiered works from today's most promising international filmmakers. Subject matter is varied and compelling: An IRA leader hiding out in a British-Jamaican neighborhood; A mother's life dedicated to her two sons, one with down-syndrome; A musician's journey through War ravaged Iraq; a Harlem Man's struggle with loss of love. Hi is a festival that truly embraces the beauty of diversity and is committed to representing it on our screens.

Keeping in line with its mission, Hi offers discounted admission to young filmmakers and work produced in Harlem or Upper Manhattan & the Bronx, about the area and its history or featuring key cast or crew members from Uptown New York City. We award the best local work and hope you will join us for the magic in May 2025.

In September 2005 the Festival opened in historic Harlem at Columbia University with the Renaissance Awards by honoring Oscar winning actress Susan Sarandon; Harlem's own Emmy Award-winning actor, Keith David; and Mira Nair, the Oscar-nominated Harlem based director of SALAAM BOMBAY and VANITY FAIR and initiated the Mira Nair Award for Rising Female Filmmaker the same year.

Hi has since become known as the festival that "brings the world to Harlem and Harlem to the world". Filmmakers and attendees have journeyed from across the globe to experience this four day event consisting of film screenings in state of the art facilities, celebrity-filled awards ceremonies, networking events and Harlem's unsurpassed night-life and history.

NEW YORK SHOWCASE
New York, known for its array of world class directors such as Martin Scorcese, Spike Lee, Jim Jarmusch, Mira Nair, and Stanley Nelson is also a mecca for aspiring auteurs. We offer audiences the opportunity to experience stories by New York's finest filmmakers featuring the City and its Burroughs in a uniquely artistic way.

HARLEM/ UPPER MANHATTAN/ BRONX (HUB)
All submission fees are heavily discounted for this category. Furthering our efforts to encourage continued recognition of the Harlem, Upper Manhattan and Bronx communities and the contribution of the numerous artists that reside within, Hi spotlights films produced or directed by local residents; films where at least 50% of the production has taken place in the area; or films about Harlem, Upper Manhattan or the Bronx and their legendary history, present and future.

HARLEM360, VIRTUAL REALITY and VIDEO-ART INSTALLATION SPACE
In line with the Harlem Renaissance - the home of the foremost comprehensive art movement in US history ranging from poetry, literature, performance and painting to sculpture, music and cinema, Hi has established the Video-Art Space. With an abundance of contemporary art galleries and open spaces, Harlem serves as an ideal location to experience modern video art installations and Harlem360/ Virtual Reality.

THE RENAISSANCE AWARDS AND Hi HONORS
The excitement and anticipation of the entire festival culminates during this final awards celebration crowning the leading international films and hosting directors from around the world. Join the magic!

AWARD CATEGORIES
Best Film, Best World Film, the Mira Nair Award for Rising Female Filmmaker, Best Documentary, Best World Documentary, Best Director, Best Documentary Director, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Animation, Best Experimental Film, Best Short, Best Documentary Short, Best Youth Film, Best Music Video, Best Webisode, Audience Award, the New York Vision Award, the Harlem Spotlight Awards, Uptown Awards and Screenplay Awards and Screenplay Showdown Competition.

GENERAL RULES
- Works can be submitted regardless of when they were completed.
- Screenplays may be submitted online.
- Submissions do not have to be premieres to be selected for exhibition.
- Shorts are considered Documentary works 44 minutes and under and Narrative Fiction pieces are 59 minutes and under.
- Works in progress may be submitted, but only during the Late or Extended deadlines and only if the film will be completed for final review at least seven weeks before the Festival opening. The review committee will only watch one version of your film, so make it your latest/greatest cut possible.
- Films that have had a limited commercial theatrical run or other distribution are allowed to submit.

- There is no limit on number of works submitted, but each entry must be separate, appropriately labeled and accompanied by the required fee.
- Submit works online (preferable).

- In rare cases the filmmaker may have to provide another format version to be exhibited if the film cannot be programmed into a slot where the original format can be projected.
- Submitted screeners, screenplays and press materials will not be returned.
- The Harlem International Film Festival is not responsible for lost or damaged materials.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Upon selection applicant is requested to provide Harlem International Film Festival (Hi) with highest quality film format available, trailer, color film stills and posters, and any other available press and related materials.

Upon acceptance applicant gives Hi the right to use images and information from the film and trailer for all advertising and promotion purposes.

Submission of film indicates applicant's full intention to exhibit at the Harlem International Film Festival if selected for programming. As such, filmmaker waives the right to withdraw their film from the Harlem International Film Festival at any time for any reason.

Overall Rating

Quality

Value

Communication

Hospitality

Networking

Ryan Fenson-Hood

Support this festival! As a filmmaker the experience was so refreshing. The programmers invited us with a discount after seeing our film on filmfreeway. We entered, got in, went to the festival and it was legit! They have a comprehensive red carpet experience for all selections, even online only selections. They also invited our whole crew on the red carpet - it felt so good being able to give back and get my production designers, DP, EPs, everybody who made the movie possible in press photos! They had getti covering it and many others that immediately showed up in the press online. Meanwhile, the live screening venue was amazing, the AMC bigscreen - best our film has ever looked with an engaged audience, a Q and A as well as walking away with a new network we could leverage post-festival. Best of luck getting into this fest and know when you submit that this is the real deal, a festival that is all about sharing your films with the world and elevating you as a filmmaker!

June 2024

Helpful
Maximina Juson

I had a phenomenal time presenting my film at the Harlem International Film Festival for my New York City premiere! The venues were stunning, and it was great to meet other filmmakers from around the world. Harlem is a neighborhood rich with history and brimming with culture to this day. All of my New Yorker friends frequent this festival, so it is locally bonafide as well!

June 2024

Helpful
Tawhida Tanya Evanson

A heartfelt thank you to the Harlem International Film Festival for screening us and giving us the music video win for our short "Null Island - Cyano Sun Suite". Such an honour. Congrats to all the filmmakers and the festival crew.

June 2024

Helpful
Alpha Blair

I greatly appreciate having been included in the 19th Annual Harlem International Film Festival and the recognition given to my screenplay, "The Seduction of Auntie Rose." By creating an international film festival of the caliber of Hi, you and your team are providing a venue for diverse voices and for the presentation of those voices to the world. The resulting influence can be powerful in moving us all forward in peaceful and positive ways. The beauty and magic of creativity is that it can be entertaining even as it informs. Please know how much your expertise and relentless hard work is appreciated.

June 2024

Helpful
Candace Bellamy

It was an honor to have my film screened at this year’s Festival. The Forum, where the documentaries were shown, was a great space to watch films. There were also opportunities for networking and I enjoyed meeting other filmmakers and watching their films.
Communication from the Festival was professional and friendly. Thoroughly enjoyed my experience with this festival.

June 2024

Helpful

Add to List

Dates & Deadlines

November 3, 2024
Opening Date
November 29, 2024
Earlybird Deadline
December 27, 2024
Regular Deadline
January 17, 2025
Final Deadline
January 31, 2025
Extended Deadline
April 3, 2025
Notification Date
May 15 – 18, 2025
Event Date

Categories & Fees

Feature Narrative
Narrative Feature Films are films in any genre, about anything, by anyone from anywhere in the world. The only restriction is they must be NO LESS THAN 60 minutes in total running time (including all credits).
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $30
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $50
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $75
- Student: $65
- Gold Members: $65
Submit Now
Feature Documentary
Documentary Feature Films are films by anyone from anywhere about any topic or individual under the sun. Experimental, animation and other cutting edge stylistic approaches that push the boundaries of the form are allowed and encouraged. The only restriction is they must be at least 45 minutes in total running time (including all credits) to be considered a feature otherwise, enter as a Documentary Short.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $30
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $50
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $75
- Student: $65
- Gold Members: $65
Submit Now
World Cinema
Films in this category must have completed at least 50% of production outside of the USA and be feature length - over 45 minutes for Documentary and over 60 minutes for Narrative submissions.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $30
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $50
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $75
- Student: $65
- Gold Members: $65
Submit Now
VR / Experimental / Multimedia / Art Installation
Harlem International Film Festival welcomes and excepts Virtual Reality, Experimental Films, Multi Media and Art Installation from anywhere in the world especially projects that push the boundaries of their art form. All work must be 59 minutes or less or submitted under another category.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $30
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $40
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Short Film
Shorts are films in any genre, style or subject with a total running time 44 minutes or under for Documentaries and 59 minutes or under for Narrative work.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $30
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $40
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Animated Short
Animated Shorts must have a running time less than 45 minutes including all titles or apply as Feature Narrative, Feature Documentary, or World Cinema depending on what is more applicable.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $30
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $40
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Webisode
Harlem International Film Festival welcomes and accepts Webisodes from anywhere in the world about any subject matter and in all styles and genres. Webisodes may be 1-30 minutes in length. We especially encourage projects that push the boundaries of the medium.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $30
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $40
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Harlem/Uptown/and the Bronx Cinema
Keeping in line with its mission, Harlem Int'l offers discounted submission to films of all durations produced in Harlem/Upper Manhattan/and the Bronx (the HUB), centered on the area and/or its rich history or featuring key cast or crew members from Harlem or other Uptown neighborhoods (North of 96th Street Manhattan) and the Bronx. The annual Harlem Spotlight Awards and the Uptown Awards are bestowed on the best local films each year.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $15
- Student: $12
- Gold Members: $12
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $17
- Gold Members: $17
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $25
Submit Now
Youth Film
Youth Films can have any running time and be in any genre (Narrative, Documentary, Experimental, Animation and Music Video). Director and/or Writer, Producer(s) or primary cast member(s) must be under the age of 21 at the time of completion.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $15
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $20
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $25
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
Submit Now
Music Video
Harlem International Film Festival welcomes and excepts Music Videos from anywhere in the world that accompany any musical style. Videos must be under 30 minutes in length and we especially encourage projects that push the boundaries of the art form.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $30
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $40
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Harlem int'l Science Cinema Youth Laboratory (Hi-Sci Lab)
Welcome to the Harlem International Science Cinema Youth Laboratory (Hi-Sci Lab). All cinematic approaches and formats, VR/360 concerning science and related fields/themes (environment/climate change, health, technology, engineering, agriculture, etc.) are welcome to apply. In line with general submissions, work will be open to everyone around the world under the age of 21 (at the time of project completion) in all categories and genres. We are particularly interested in showcasing the work of underrepresented youth, those with limited resources and/or those that present unique and compelling perspectives on the subject.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $15
- Student: $12
- Gold Members: $12
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $17
- Gold Members: $17
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $25
Submit Now
Full Length Script (Competition)
Original Full Length Screenplays (For Short entries see "Short Screenplay") are screenplays 60 minutes or over from any country, in any genre and subject matter. Screenplays for films that have already been produced are not eligible.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $50
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $70
- Student: $60
- Gold Members: $60
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $80
- Student: $70
- Gold Members: $70
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $90
- Student: $80
- Gold Members: $80
Submit Now
Short Script (Competition)
Original Short Screenplays (for full length entries see "Full Length Screenplay") are under 60 pages/minutes from any country, in any genre and subject matter. Screenplays for films that have already been produced are not eligible.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $35
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $45
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $50
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $70
- Student: $60
- Gold Members: $60
Submit Now

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Maximina Juson

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Alpha Blair

Candace Bellamy