Now in its 8th Year, the Katra Film Series is an internationally recognized film festival and screenwriting competition dedicated to supporting the next generation of filmmakers at the Alamo Drafthouse Theater. 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 last 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 gone on to write, produce and direct feature films and TV shows for HBO, FOX, Netflix, Showtime, ESPN, Vice Media including festival stops at Sundance, Tribeca, Berlin 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 $30,000 in prizes. The 2020 Grand Prize Winner of The Year will be awarded a top of the line Canon camera and 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, 2018. 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, 2018.
- 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.

49 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Danae Grandison

    Katra Film Series was a great experience. I truly loved the curated programs. Felt really great about the films I played with - they were stellar films.

    June 2019
    Helpful
  • Cati and Mike Gonzalez

    The Katra Film Series in NYC is awesome! Very well organized, extra communicative and an exemplary team of people involved who make submitting/attending this event so worth it. We wish many more years of success for them. Big ups! - Highly recommended.

    June 2019
    Helpful
  • Alex Breaux

    Katra Film Series was a wonderful evening of films and opportunities to network. My film - CAMPFIRE ALPHA - ended up being awarded "Best Short Film of 2018"... and with that distinction came incredible prizes -- a Canon camera/lens set, an opportunity to meet with Stephen Nemeth from Rhino Films in Los Angeles, and opportunities to meet other NY filmmakers... Geoffrey Guerrero is very hands on and clearly is there for the filmmakers... making us feel supported and providing an outlet for new voices to be heard. As you can tell from all of the 5-star reviews -- KATRA is definitely a festival to submit to and attend as a film fan!

    May 2019
    Helpful
  • Gilbrando Acevedo

    A fun festival with diverse films in an awesome venue. What more can you ask for? Submit now; I was pleased that I did.

    May 2019
    Helpful
  • Carmine Scarpa

    I can only say great things about the Katra Film Series. My film, Whose Voice is That? And What is it Saying? was selected for the 2019 Sidebar Edition. I attended the event and was amazed at the array of films that were screened. The professionalism of the event organizers was evident throughout the night. Thank you to Katra!

    May 2019
    Helpful