International Film Festival Manhattan (IFFM), now on it's 9th Milestone Year, offers a quality selection of world-class films that will be showcased in a theater in Manhattan New York City, USA. Our programming encompasses all different genres of diverse program. Narrative features, documentaries, shorts and student films from all over the world. We also have a focus on social relevance as part of our programming and our goals.

We are visionaries who believe in the possibilities of New York, the greatest city in the world. We have seen how film, as a powerful medium can make a direct impact on lives or facilitate change. We also have seen the unique diversity of New York's culture and its people. The city's appreciation for film and ability to make things happen. Our vision is to help merge the two, creating an opportunity for filmmakers and artist to showcase their works in New York. Support will be given to all filmmakers to help find their audiences.

IFFM is committed in showcasing entertaining and diverse films in all genres and scope to equal the diversity of New York. It is also committed in exploring all opportunities to promote the artists, his work, his vision, and his cause if he has any, during the showing of the films and the events during the festival.

We are a festival that gives importance to a full Question and Answer (Q&A) portion after each film screening. We believe that filmmakers who attend their screening should be heard and celebrated on stage. We also pride ourselves in having red carpet interview moments during the festival, IFFM is also known for it's full scale Black Tie Opening Night - Awards Night. We give out 15 or more trophies to major awardees during the year.

Awards & Prizes

This year we will be giving $200 each for the three major awardees:
1) The Best Narrative Feature USA
2) Best Narrative Feature Global
3) Best Documentary Feature.
We give more than 15 trophy awards each year including:
Best Narrative Feature USA, Best Narrative Feature Global, Best Documentary Feature,
Best Short, Best Music Video, Best Cinematography, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Actor Short, Most Popular Film in IFFM and many more

Rules & Terms

1) All films must be not older than year 2011.

2) It is encouraged that films be in English or else, Non-English language films must have English subtitles.

3) IFFM New York will be screening at a theatre in NYC.

4) IFFM New York, does not require World Premiere, but appreciates if you notify us if you are either a World Premiere, International Premiere (your first premiere outside your country of origin), North American Premiere or New York Premiere.

5) Entry fees are in U.S. dollars, per film entry and are non-refundable.
Entries without entry fees will be disqualified. IFFM does not give fee waivers.

6) Submitting filmmakers/individuals will be notified by e-mail, phone on or before October 8, 2018.

7) Regarding shipping to IFFM New York, the submitting filmmaker will be responsible for the mailing/shipping cost of the work, both for the submitted cut for consideration screeners, and final screener copy for screening at the film festival.

Ship entries to:
Luis Pedron IFFM
40-07B 75th St # 54
Elmhurst NY 11373

8) Submit your entry in DVD format (NTSC Region 0 and 1 for US) or online screener (encouraged). Please mark the specific category submission outside your envelope, mailer or package. Inside, the DVD screener must be labeled with the contact info (name/phone/email), the work’s title, the name of the director, the running time. Please do not put sticker on the dvd. No need to send printed press kit. It wil be required after getting accepted.

9) All submitted entry materials will not be returned.

10) A filmmaker with multiple entries (titles) must submit each entry and entry fee on a separate DVD.

11) Regarding our IFFM Film Festival Director Awards, a committee will be selecting nominated films but the final awardees will eventually be selected by the International Film Festival Manhattan Film Festival Director. There will be an awards night where the awardees will be honored and IFFM Film Festival Director Award Plaques will be given out that night. All nominated films/filmmakers will be notified to attend the Awards Night. (Date and Venue: TBD)
9 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Mark Levitt

    Great festival! Great Q & A Sessions. Be prepared to answer questions! Plenty of chance to network and shmooze with fellow filmmakers. Fun, supportive atmosphere! Swanky award night. Awesome communications with Luis Pedron, the Co-Founder / Festival Director / & Programmer. HIghly reccomended

    March 2019
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  • Steven De Castro

    I am proud to say that international film festival of Manhattan was the first festival to recognize my film, which has gone on to win 3 competition awards, and an official recognition award from the government of the Philippines. This festival is where independent films get their start!

    March 2019
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  • Jameelah Rose del Prado Lineses

    From Best Student Film to Most Popular IFFM Promo to Honorable Mentions and finally, winner of Best Cinematography. The International Film Festival Manhattan surely has paved the way for me in becoming a recognized filmmaker in multiple countries such as my hometown Saudi Arabia, the Philippines and the United States.

    In Saudi Arabia alone, I was featured in multiple media outlets - 3 newspapers (2 which are leading English newspapers namely Saudi Gazette and Arab News). I also had the opportunity to be guested on a famous radio show in Saudi Arabia called, MIXFM-KSA Laish HipHop with Big Hass. I also had the opportunity to screen 2 of my films at a local film festival held at the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts Jeddah Literary Cultural Club where I was the only Filipino national and female filmmaker who has ever done so.

    In the Philippines, I was awarded by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the Ani Ng Dangal/"Harvest of Honors" for Cinema for one of my works because of my achievement at the International Film Festival Manhattan. Ani ng Dangal/"Harvest of Honors" is a state recognition given by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts under the Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines. Along with other IFFM awardees, I was also featured in multiple media outlets such as but not limited to: Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Rappler, Film Academy of the Philippines.

    My alma mater, the New York Film Academy has also featured all my achievements at the International Film Festival Manhattan on their website.

    The film festival director/co-founder/programmer, Luis, is very welcoming, friendly, responsive and helpful along with his team - Jeanette and Chiara. They make sure that you are comfortable and are all set before the film festival period starts. IFFM not only gives you the opportunity to screen your films but they are also very generous with their time during the Q&A. I have met a lot of really talented people through IFFM and have collaborated with a few through the years.

    If you are a filmmaker (especially new and upcoming filmmakers), and you want to have the same opportunity that I had in being able to have the chance in screening your film at film festival in New York City, I highly recommend you submit to IFFM!

    I have always wanted to screen my film at a film festival. It has been one of dreams and it came true because of IFFM. The International Film Festival Manhattan was also the first ever film festival I submitted to after graduating from film school. I'm glad I did. It was one of the best decisions I ever made in my life.

    My experiences at the International Film Festival Manhattan is something that I will treasure. Thank you very much IFFM for everything! Wishing you the best and more succeeding years to come!

    April 2019
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  • Rodney Reyes

    Luis Pedron and the organizers of the International Film Festival Manhattan NYC are possibly one of the most gracious, passionate, generous group of people to be working in a film festival. They are always trying to help filmmakers with their next step. They are so generous when it comes to their time and trying to help others by networking with other people. Luis and co. take the time to introduce the filmmakers and give them a platform not just with their screening but also in the q&a. I have met other independent filmmakers through these festivals and have garnered some significant collaborations from them as well.

    April 2019
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  • Mark Justine Aguillon

    Having an opportunity to showcase our masterpiece is really a great honor for us. We are very thankful to IFFM because they become an instrument for us to achieved our dream. I must say that this is a well organised and great festival. Looking forward to the next season.

    April 2019
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