Now in its 7th Year, the Katra Film Series is an internationally acclaimed film festival and screenwriting competition dedicated to supporting the next generation of filmmakers with the exhibition and promotion of independent cinema from around the world. Hailed by Tribeca Films for its "honorable mission to spotlight new and emerging cinematic talents…where some of their top alums have since gone on to great things in the indie world and beyond" while the New York Times agrees “From the bottom up an amazing and excellent festival that has made it in New York,” and Remezcla writes “An innovative new model pushing for the future of its filmmakers,” while Time Out NY states “Nothing but the best.” And this year ‘LLERO magazine sums it up succinctly “A memorable film fest like none other. In over 6 years, the Katra Film Series has become a hub for up-and-coming filmmakers.”

Our prizes are provided by Canon, Rhino Films, Final Draft, 3636 Studios, The Yard, International Screenwriters' Association, NY Women in Film and TV, Museum of the Moving Image, and more. Every season we curate a diverse selection of independent works where audience participation is central in choosing the winners. Regardless of who wins each season all official selections will be considered for the Year-End Grand Finale taking place at the Alamo Drafthouse Theater where our jurors are comprised of industry veterans and professionals who watch the films and select the top winners. The Grand Jury Prize Winner is awarded a one-on-one meeting with acclaimed Hollywood Producer Stephen Nemeth and the winner also takes home a top of the line CANON camera.

Some of our past alums have landed theatrical distribution deals and have since gone on to write, produce and direct features and TV shows for HBO, FOX, Netflix, Showtime, ESPN, Vice Media including festival premieres at Sundance, Tribeca, and Cannes Film Festival.

Additionally, we have also been featured in the Wall Street Journal, CNN, The Huffington Post, Daily News, NY1, NBC, Women & Hollywood, Metro NY, The New Machine, Bklyner, and many other local and national publications.

Awards & Prizes

Over 20K in prizes. The 2018 Grand Prize Winner of The Year will be awarded a one-on-one meeting with acclaimed Producer Stephen Nemeth from the Academy-Award Nominated The Sessions Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

Rules & Terms

All genres/forms accepted. Seeking Feature Films, Short Films, Web Series, Documentary, Music Videos, Experimental Works, Animation, and Video Art. We accept works-in-progress.

NO PREMIERE POLICY (although works that have premiered with us in the past have gone on to screen at the biggest festivals worldwide). Works must have been completed after January 1, 2016. From no budget to big budget. JUST SIMPLY BLOW OUR MINDS! All foreign-language films MUST be subtitled in English.

1. Submission Eligibility
- All submissions must have been completed after January 1, 2016.
- There is no premiere policy.
- Works-in-progress are accepted.

2. Exhibition Format: h.264 quicktime file

3. Please disregard any automatic notifications from FilmFreeway. If you don't hear from us DIRECTLY via email, your work is still in consideration for the 2018 Katra Film Series. Please bear with us as we carefully review all works submitted to us with extreme care and consideration.

4. Submission Fee
The submission fee is non-refundable.

37 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Leiqi Lin

    Great festival with kindly and friendly organizers!!!!

    November 2018
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  • Lynnette Taylor

    Amazing vision and fostering of talent. The organizers went out of their way and even added a sidebar festival to include works they felt were important. A beautiful festival which encourages new and diverse voices, provides connections and venues for artists to connect and for audiences to see these works. They were very communicative, supportive and I just can't say enough about their amazing vision and work and their commitment to their vision. Thank you.

    November 2018
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  • Chris Hancock

    I really enjoyed my experience with Katra. They are extremely organized, and prompt with email responses. This year they put together an amazing screening for us filmmakers.

    November 2018
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  • Jad-Evangelo Nasser

    Very friendly. Familial. Positive-vibes team! I really appreciated their approach in film submissions and screenings! Geoffrey, the organizer, is a dope guy too! Great place to connect with upcoming experimental filmmakers

    November 2018
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  • Ingrid Stobbe

    I had such a lovely experience this year with Katra. They seem genuinely interested in every film that is screened, and take the time to get to know you as a filmmaker. Really kind, thoughtful people running a wonderful festival.

    November 2018
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