The 13th annual Manhattan Film Festival is hosted at the famed Cinema Village and takes place when the entire industry ascends upon New York City. All selected filmmakers will be honored with a coveted commercial screening and will receive four filmmaker passes. These passes include access to the 2019 MFF Industry Expo which was established to help filmmakers obtain talent and legal representation, leverage the JOBS Act to raise investment dollars, hire established talent, plan a marketing strategy for completed films and obtain distribution.

Manhattan Film Festival is covered by local, national, and international media outlets. This includes The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, Good Morning America, The New York Times, as well as international outlets such as The Sun, BBC, and The Guardian. The festival has been named both “25 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee” and “The Coolest Film Festivals in the World” by MovieMaker Magazine.

Director Jamison M. LoCascio says “The Manhattan Film Festival is one the best film festivals on the East coast. It is a festival about films and filmmakers-they just really care. The prestigious New York City environment mixed with the caring down to earth nature of the festival coordinators make this Fest a Filmmaker best possible partner-don't miss out on it or the great community you can be a part of at MFF.”

Awards & Prizes

Audience choice winners will be awarded encore commercial screenings at Cinema Village following the conclusion of the festival. As New York is host to some of the greatest film festivals in the world, MFF will honor press credential holders for all Manhattan based film festivals to go along with numerous prizes and awards!

Rules & Terms

• All film submissions are non-returnable unless sent with a self-addressed stamped envelope.
• If a film is accepted, filmmakers will be responsible for delivering their exhibition materials by a date determined by the festival or to and from festival venues.
• The Manhattan Film Festival is not liable for submission or exhibition materials which are lost or damaged.
• Filmmaker must have all clearances including trademark and/or copyrighted materials shown must have authorized permission. Filmmaker remains entirely liable for any claims that may occur in result of screening the film.
• Filmmaker authorizes the Manhattan Film Festival permission to screen their film at the festival.
• The festival must receive the exhibition copy by the date specified in order to screen the film
13 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Ruth Elliott-Hilsdon

    THANK YOU for selecting our film for screening! I appreciate the encouragement you share with filmmakers! :)

    November 2018
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  • Darien Sills-Evans

    This is a great festival! Not only was it an honor to be selected, but Philip and his team were so kind and accommodating. They were organized, communicative, and extremely supportive. There a few venues that are as perfect to show independent films as the Cinema Village. This is a festival that loves true indie film and I hope to return some day. We were honored to win Best Comedy. I can't recommend Manhattan Film Festival enough. Submit your film, you won't be disappointed.

    May 2018
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  • Laura Carruthers

    A top-notch festival packed with high quality, well-crafted films...Director, Philip Nelson, his festival assistants, and the technical and theater staff were all very professional, accessible, and accommodating. It was a great honor to be recognized and screened at this competitive, authentically independent festival, in the world's city-center of art on stage and in film!

    May 2018
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  • Cynthia Wikler

    I would highly recommend submitting to the Manhatten Film Festival. We were honored to screen my short film, The Underhanded Free Throw. It’s a well organized festival with a great location in downtown Manhattan.

    May 2018
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  • Steven Swancoat

    It was an absolute honor to have my short film included at this year’s Manhattan Film Festival. The festival was absolutely wonderful. Well organized, good line up, ran very smooth. The opening VIP / Press party was a great way to break the ice with other filmmakers. It was an excellent opportunity to network, both as a filmmaker and for actors / actresses and both myself and my lead actress were able to establish some great contact that we are already following up with. Philip ran the festival and was very attentive to the need to the filmmakers. He had great communication and always seemed to have things under control. Lucy was the main volunteer and was so pleasant to work with.
    The Venue is a classic theatre in NYC and is located just two blocks from Union Square so its easy commute from anywhere in NYC. The Red Carpet outside allowed for easy photo opportunities with cast, crew, friends and fans. The Film selections were outstanding with the best line up of films both in production value and story telling of any festival I have been to thus far. Its no doubt that lines were half way down the block waiting for the next screenings.
    I attended most all the days of screenings and except for maybe one or two, there always seemed to be a good size crowd. After each screening block they do a Q&A session which is fantastic as some festivals don’t do this.
    I give this festival my highest regards. I would not hesitate to apply if you are a local to Tri-State area and also if you are from outside the New York area as its well worth making the trip into the city if you can afford it. At the end of the festival, there was an award ceremony. Unfortunately, I had to leave town that day and missed it however was more than surprised when my short one “Best Fantasy Short”, especially given the strong line up of films. 5 stars Manhattan Film Festival and I will plan to attend next year regardless if I have a film in it or not!

    May 2018
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