SUBMISSIONS STARTING MAY 4, 2026

Celebrating our 19th Anniversary

Founded in 2009 at the prestigious Marché du Film in Cannes, the New York City International Film Festival (NYCIFF) has spent nearly two decades bridging the gap between international talent and the New York stage.

As we prepare for our 19th Anniversary in 2027, we want to say thank you. The independent film community is the heartbeat of this festival, and as a token of our gratitude for your years of support, we are opening our doors wider than ever.

*** IF YOUR FILM IS ABOVE 90 MINUTE AN ADDITIONAL CHAGE OF $ 100.00 MUST BE
APPLIED, FOR EARLY ~ FOR REGULAR $ 150 - LATE DEADLINE $200

FEATURE FILMS, - SHORT FILMS - DOCUMENTARIES FEATURE & SHORT - HORROR FILM FEATURE & SHORT - SCI ~FI -FEATURE & SHORT FILM - ANIMATED FEATURE & SHORT FILM
"MUST BE NYC PREMIERE"

"TO CELEBRATE OUR 19 YEARS"

MISSION & OBJECTIVE
NYCIFF MISSION STATEMENT:
NYCIFF, New York City International Film Festival was founded in 2008 to celebrate the arts of film.
A 501 C (3) for the Arts, was founded with the purpose to New York City the center of For indie filmmakers in the US and a door to international talents to bring their creativity to USA.
providing opportunities to emerging and established filmmakers, writers, directors and performers giving the New York City platform to showcase their creativity: Films, TV Shows Documentaries and performers to enriches the lives of its citizen while contributing to the Local Economy

We want to encourage filmmakers from all over the world to participate in this event with the support of the City of New York.
Submit your film to one of the circuit’s most celebrated Film Festivals

Awards & Prizes

♣ BEST SHORT FILM UNDER 40 min
♣ BEST ACTRESS IN A SHORT FILM
♣ BEST ACTOR IN A SHORT
♣ BEST DIRECTOR IN A SHORT FILM

♣ BEST SHORT ANIMATED FILM
♣ BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY FILM
♣ BEST 30 Min TV SERIES
♣ BEST WEB SERIES

♣ NYCIFF FOUNDATION
PHILANTHROPIC AWARD FOR ART CULTURE & FILM

♣ FEATURE FILMS CATEGORIES

♣ BEST LEADING ACTRESS

♣ BEST LEADING ACTOR

♣ BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

♣ BEST DIRECTOR IN A FEATURE FILM

♣ BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM
♣ BEST NEW YORK FEATURE FILM ( Film must be Originated and Filmed in NY)

♣ BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE FILM
♣ BEST HORROR FEATURE FILM
♣ BEST SCI Fi FEATURE FILM
♣ BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
♣ BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
♣ BEST TV SHOW
♣ BEST TV SERIES

Rules & Terms

NEW YORK CITY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

LIVE FILM FESTIVAL & STREAMING FILM FESTIVAL

GENERAL RULES:

FEATURE FILMS, - SHORT FILMS - DOCUMENTARIES FEATURE & SHORT - HORROR FILM FEATURE & SHORT - SCI ~FI -FEATURE & SHORT FILM - ANIMATED FEATURE & SHORT FILM, WEB SERIES



1. New York City International Film Festival defines a short film any film under 40 minutes.



2. New York City International Film Festival defines a feature film as any film 40 minutes or longer

3. Films must have been completed in the current or previous year ( 2025 / 26).




4. The applicant holds the sole responsibility of copyright clearance of any copyrighted material in the film. Films including unauthorized copyrighted material are ineligible.



5. Films not in English must be subtitled in English unless dialogue is minimal and not necessary for the comprehension of the Film.
6. If your film was Mark ACCEPTED you can Remove But the Festival Reserves the right to Not Refund the Submission Fees.

7. If your film is accepted You Must send us Via email the POSTER, Film Information, Trailer and Film in MP4 within ONE (1) week of the film acceptance, if not we will overturn the Accepted to Unaccepted film without any prejudice

8. We Need 2 (two Emails) to be 100% sure You got the NOTIFICATION YOUR FILM WAS ACCEPTED - ON TIME.

9. LIVE FILM FESTIVAL:
IF YOUR FILMS IS ACCEPTED you must send us your film & Trailer in MP4 file or MOV, for the Regal Cinemas we will need a DCP of your film

TERMS AND CONDITIONS
:
1. Films CAN BE RETURN IF FILMMAKER SEND US A PREPAID FEDEX OR ANY OTHER CARRIER THEY WISH TO USE.




2. NYCIFF is under no obligation to provide comments regarding submitted films to any applicant. The festival is not responsible for any internal comments obtained by the applicant regarding their film.

EARLY DEADLINE June 30, 2026
REGULAR DEADLINE August 31, 2026
LATE DEADLINE: October 31, 2026
EXTENDED DEADLINE: December 11, 2026

NOTIFICATION: DECEMBER 31, 2026
FESTIVAL DATES: JANUARY 19 to 23, 2027

LIVE FILM FESTIVAL OPENING GALA COCKTAIL RECEPTION
Opening Gala , One on One Interviews with Filmmakers, Actors, Directors - Award Event
Location:
REGAL UNION SQUARE, 850 BROADWAY, NY 10003

38 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Graciela Mier

    Participating in NYCIFF was a highlight of my filmmaking journey. The team was welcoming, the venue was excellent, and the quality of the selection reflected a genuine commitment to independent cinema.

    April 2026
    Helpful
  • Frank Vespe

    This is the 2nd Festival I entered with this project and couldn't be happier. Seeing my short film on the big screen was breathtaking, and the treats in the lobby were DELICIOUS! (What's a panini?)

    April 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you Frank! We are here as always to support you, your films, your creativity !

  • Gen Liu

    Amazing festival! Thank you so much for including my film, and showing it at the Dolby Theater.

    March 2025
    Helpful
  • Ryan Halasz

    This festival was absolutely amazing. One of the best festivals I've ever had a film in. And we also won best actor! These people know how to put a good film festival together and the selection of films blew me away. A lot of celebrities showed up to this event. I met Spike Lee there! They have a photographer at the gala opening. If you get into this festival don't miss the gala opening. So blessed to have my first feature selected and win in this festival.

    March 2025
    Helpful
  • Sarina Film Productions

    This is a fun festival! We had the most enjoyable experience. The screening was amazing at the Dolby Screening Room, the Red Carpet was so very organized and we had the opportunity to network with other filmmakers. Our guests also had a lot of fun. Thank you so much for having us.

    January 2023
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank so much !
    So great to hear from you
    Is really important to us