The Harlem Film House's Hip Hop Film Festival is the only festival that focuses on filmmakers and movie lovers raised in THE CULTURE.

All genres, all stories welcome... we focus on STORIES FROM THE CULTURE... narratives that are reshaping culture across a broad spectrum and influencing how we watch visually impactful narratives.

This year we are offering first look deals and acquisition meetings with major networks and production studios across several categories.

Over the past 8 years the festival has been sponsored by THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT OF THE ARTS, SUNDANCE, REVOLT, BET NETWORKS, NETFLIX, FINAL DRAFT, 1010WINS, DOSDUDES PICTURES, OUNCE Water, New York Life, Verizon, and a host of other amazing collaborators. We host over 200 filmmakers from every continent, and 3,000 film enthusiasts from all over the world at our dedicated theater in NYC for what we call "FOUR DAYS OF FRESH".

The Hip Hop Film Festival also features the "Master Cypher®" where Hollywood Insiders gave their expertise on how to negotiate distribution deals, the business side of getting a screenplay greenlit, a successful web series, how to fund a major movie on a budget and more...

The festival awards the distinction of BEST of the FEST in over 21 categories including, best Feature, Best Documentary, Best Web Series and more.

The 2023 season of the Hip Hop Film Festival begins August 11th NYC. Our theme is RESPECT THE ARCHITECTS - HIP HOP TURNS 50

Powered by 247Films.tv, the festival will launch the careers of the next batch of independent writers, directors and actors who are children of the global culture of Hip Hop.

Awards & Prizes

Best of the Fest
Best Feature Documentary
Best Short
Best TV / Network Ready Series
ACT UP! Screenwriter's Competition
Best Animation
Best Music Video Direction

**** PRIZES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Rules & Terms

Submissions are expected to be at the requested length. No exceptions.

SUBTITLES REQUIRED for non-English language films. Submissions are for the main competition in New York City, where the primary language is English. Submissions in another language without subtitles will be disqualified. **This does not apply to music videos.

Premiere status films: The Hip Hop Film Festival cannot accept films entered into imitator "hip hop" film festivals, either in the US or abroad.

Acceptance in to the 247films program is non-exclusive. Selected participants agree to promote their screening time.

Harlem Film House, Inc / Hip Hop Film Festival is hereby granted the right to utilize the film submitted and assets accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional & commercial purposes (web, print, broadcast media) for the life of the festival (in whole or in part by the Harlem Film House, subsidiaries and partners. This includes all pre & post festival events regardless of festival season. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations. By submitting to the Hip Hop Film Festival, you shall indemnify and hold harmless Harlem Film House, Inc / Hip Hop Film Festival, it’s subsidiaries, partners, agents or affiliates from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered. By submitting your film to Harlem Film House, Inc / Hip Hop Film Festival you commit to a public screening of your film with Harlem Film House, Inc / Hip Hop Film Festival. "Commit to public screening" means films may not be withdrawn after acceptance of the invitation to screen. We do NOT return presentation materials (USBs or thumb/hard drives).

After the public screening, selected films will be added to Harlem Film House 247films.tv program for the remainder of the season. 247films.tv is an extension of the festival and does NOT represent a traditional distribution deal. It is a private white label festival option and subscriber portal for industry, festival participants and donors ONLY! Participants selected for the 247films program will be pitched to domestic and international studios and networks to secure a distribution deal for the project. Filmmakers have the option to opt out in writing should the placement interfere with a proven distribution deal.

Harlem Film House's 247films.tv program works to increase promotion and awareness of the film to achieve the filmmakers goal of a distribution deal with top market competitors. Titles will be removed from the festival platform at the end of the current season as determined by the festival owner. Terms may be shortened or extended by the festival committee at its discretion.