The NY Cat Film Festival celebrates the mysterious cats who share our world and their loving relationships with people. The Festival gives those who admire and are fascinated by cats to bring their films in front of like-minded cat lovers. These are not "cat videos" - these are films that have been made with an intention, concept or story to convey something essential about where cats fit into our human world. This festival is a way to honor cats and those who care about them and raise awareness for their needs and qualities while supporting the caregivers in their communities. This Festival is philanthropic and a portion of every ticket goes to an animal welfare organization in every city it visits. The 9th Annual NY CFF will premiere in NYC in the Fall of 2026 at the Village East by Angelika theater and then travel to many cities across the United States and Canada in 2027.

Being chosen to be part of the NY Cat Film Festival automatically makes a filmmaker a winner! All chosen filmmakers will receive a gift bag and inscribed medal at the Premiere (or if they cannot attend, the medal will be mailed to them at a US mailing address).

Submission Guidelines to the NY Cat Film Festival (NY CFF) are as follows:
Entrants accept all rules and regulations of Pet Media Inc.(doing business as NY CFF, and referred to herein as NY CFF). Filmmakers must be 18+ yrs old or, if under 18, must have written adult consent by a parent or guardian.
The filmmaker must have the intellectual property rights and distribution rights to enter this film into the competition.
The filmmaker must have the performing rights for any music contained in the film and provide evidence should it be required.
The filmmaker represents and warrants that the submitted material does not defame or invade the rights of any person living or dead and s/he fully indemnifies the Festival against any claim made for such violations of the law.
The filmmaker represents and warrants that the submitted material is an original work, that there are no disputes regarding ownership of the submission, that it is not subject to litigation nor is threatened by any litigation.
The filmmaker accepts responsibility for obtaining any permissions required by copyright law in the use of any music and images used in their films. NY CFF takes no responsibility for copyright infringement.
NY CFF is not responsible for any type of loss or damage to you pertaining to the film or its and you agree to hold NY CFF harmless from and defend them against any claims, demands, losses, damages, judgments, liabilities, and expenses (including attorney’s fees) arising out of or in connection with any and all claims of third parties, whether or not they are groundless, based on any film submitted to the NY CFF.
SUBMISSION FORMAT
The NY CFF accepts only digital submissions viewable online. Chosen films will be transferred to a Digital Cinema Projection file or a digital download for delivery to theaters for screening purposes. The filmmaker is responsible for supplying a high-resolution format of their film. Filmmaker assigns NY CFF the right to copy the entry in its entirety for technical operations in and through any and all current or future media formats.
Films that are not in the English language must be subtitled or dubbed.
Films are welcome that may have been previously seen by the public.
Films can have been made at any point in time.
Films must be “shorts” and less than 30 minutes long, with a preference for films less than 20 minutes long.

CONDITIONS:
By submitting a film, the filmmaker agrees that NY CFF does not pay screening fees under any circumstance. By submitting a film, the filmmaker is agreeing to screen his/her film without a screening fee or any other compensation if it is selected to be shown in any format as part of NY CFF anywhere in the world in perpetuity.
The filmmaker understands that films will be shown at multiple screenings across the United States, Canada and possibly other English-speaking countries over multiple years, although there is no guarantee that every film seen in the NYC annual premiere will be included in the traveling version.
You grant NY CFF and its successors, licensees, and assignees the use of your film and any associated photos or extracts for all destinations of the NY CFF in any year. You grant permission for any subsequent broadcast uses and platforms, including all digital formats, not limited to cinema projection, Video on Demand, AVOD, SVOD, DVD/Blu-Ray, streaming compilations, and emerging technology. You agree that segments of the films may be used in trailers and marketing. Photographs, clips of films or filmmaker submitted images may be used in promotional material and social media. NY CFF may sub-license this right without further consent. NY CFF reserves the right to include any accepted films in any format used for promotional purposes.
NOTIFICATION:
The NY CFF Founder and Director, Tracie Hotchner, will have absolute discretion and make the final decision on which films will be included in the NY CFF.
Filmmakers will be notified of their status prior to the Festival by email. Filmmakers of chosen films will receive 2 tickets (or more if requested) to the program[s] at the NYC premiere of the NY CFF in New York City.
The NY CFF will travel to multiple U.S. locations annually although there is no guarantee that every film seen in the NYC annual premiere will be included in the traveling version.
For promotional and publicity purposes, brief (less than one minute) clips of any film entered into the Festival may be shown on any network, the internet, or related media, including promotion by our sponsors.
Submitting a film to the NY CFF implies acceptance of these regulations, and your warranty that, to the best of your knowledge, all of the statements in this document are true.
By submitting your film, you confirm that you have read, understood and agree to the stipulated terms.

Overall Rating
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  • The NYC Cat Film Festival was a fantastic event and well planned out. Thank you for having my short film, Catnap be a part of the film festival. 

     The goodie bags from the film festival and Pooch and the P**** Party were fantastic. My pets enjoyed the treats and the samples. The other night I used the cat mug and lit the candle

    November 2025
  • Elizabeth Bays

    The NY Cat Film Festival was absolutely lovely, I had such a wonderful time! Tracie Hotchner curates a terrific line up of films and treats all of the filmmakers like superstars! AND your film doesn't just screen in NYC, it travels across the US and half of every tkt sale goes to a local animal shelter! Film making that is making a difference! :-)

    November 2025
  • Anna Gutmanis

    How I wish I could have attended the première in NYC - it looks to have been magical! Even the choice of venue was purrfect, because the theatre's namesake, Leonard Nimoy, was a true cat lover. Major kudos to Tracie for such a fun and meaningful event that helps our animal companions. Fingers and toebeans crossed that the NYCFF tour will include a stop in Toronto!

    November 2025
  • Tracy is an absolutely legend. She is so helpful and humble despite being busy with festival and many other things , I am so glad I got to know her through NYCFF. Her festival has opened up many doors and they keep coming.

    November 2024
    Response from festival:

    You are too kind, Mahesh- your film "Tail of the Twilight Cat" is such a gift to the world of cat lovers to appreciate the challenges faced by unhomed kitties.

  • Michele Campbell

    Being part of the 6th Annual NY Cat Film Festival was one of my biggest highlights in many years.

    It was run so professional and all the people associated with the Festival were great. I also enjoyed meeting the other video producers as well as all the people who came to watch the Festival.

    All the video selections were interesting and so enjoyable to watch.

    It's an event that shouldn't be missed!

    January 2024