All submitted films must be shot entirely using an eligible mobile device, including:
Smartphones
Tablets
GoPro or similar action cameras
Drones
360-degree cameras
Films that include footage captured with DSLR cameras, mirrorless cameras, cinema cameras, or any other professional camera system will not be accepted.
External lenses, microphones, stabilizers, lighting equipment, and mobile filmmaking accessories are permitted.
BEHIND-THE-SCENES MATERIAL
Behind-the-scenes material is mandatory for every submission.
Participants must provide photos and video from the production showing the filmmaking process and clearly demonstrating that the project was recorded using an eligible mobile device.
The behind-the-scenes material must clearly show the device being used during production. Promotional photos, screenshots from the completed film, or images that do not demonstrate the mobile filmmaking process will not be accepted as sufficient proof.
The New York Mobile Film Festival may use submitted behind-the-scenes photos and videos to verify eligibility and to promote the film, the filmmaker, and the festival across its website, social media channels, press materials, and other promotional platforms.
Failure to provide sufficient behind-the-scenes material may result in disqualification.
LANGUAGE AND SUBTITLES
Films submitted in a language other than English must include English subtitles.
English subtitles must be embedded or burned into the final video file. Separate subtitle files will not be accepted for the official screening copy.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Each submission must include:
A short synopsis of the film
An official film poster
Behind-the-scenes photos and video
A completed final version of the film
The answers to the following questions:
Which mobile device was used to record the project?
What is the brand and model of the device?
Were any additional mobile devices, drones, action cameras, or 360-degree cameras used?
How many days did it take to complete the project, including pre-production, production, and post-production?
What editing software or mobile application was used to complete the project?
The official poster must be submitted in JPG or PNG format and must not include festival laurels unless previously authorized by the New York Mobile Film Festival.
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
Films must be recorded and delivered in a minimum resolution of 1920 × 1080 Full HD.
Higher resolutions, including 4K, are accepted.
The final screening file must be submitted in MP4 or MOV format.
Films must have a minimum running time of 1 minute and a maximum running time of 10 minutes, including opening and closing credits.
Trailers, incomplete projects, test footage, and works in progress will not be accepted.
PRODUCTION DATES
Eligible films must have been completed between January 1, 2026, and May 31, 2027.
Films completed outside this eligibility period may be disqualified.
SUBMISSION PROCESS
The New York Mobile Film Festival accepts submissions exclusively through FilmFreeway.
Submissions sent by email, file-transfer services, cloud-storage links, physical media, or any other submission method will not be accepted unless specifically requested by the festival.
Submitting a film does not guarantee acceptance, official selection, nomination, award consideration, or screening.
Official selection notifications will be sent by email from the New York Mobile Film Festival.
Participants are responsible for providing accurate and active contact information with their submissions.
All submission fees are non-refundable.
FINAL SCREENING MATERIALS
Selected filmmakers may be required to provide a high-quality downloadable MP4 or MOV file by a deadline established by the festival.
The file uploaded for judging may not automatically be considered the final screening copy.
Selected filmmakers must provide all requested materials, including:
Final screening file
Embedded English subtitles, when applicable
Official poster
Behind-the-scenes photos and video
Film stills
Filmmaker or director photograph
Updated synopsis and credits
Failure to deliver the required materials by the established deadline may result in the film being removed from the festival program.
COPYRIGHT AND CLEARANCES
Participants must obtain all necessary rights, licenses, permissions, releases, and clearances before submitting their films.
This includes, but is not limited to:
Music
Images
Video footage
Performances
Locations
Artwork
Trademarks
Archival material
Third-party copyrighted content
Any legal issue resulting from copyright infringement, unauthorized content, or missing permissions is the sole responsibility of the participant.
The New York Mobile Film Festival, its organizers, partners, sponsors, staff, judges, and representatives are not responsible for copyright violations or legal claims connected to a submitted project.
PROMOTIONAL RIGHTS
By submitting a film, participants grant the New York Mobile Film Festival permission to use the following materials for festival-related promotional and editorial purposes:
Film title
Synopsis
Poster
Trailer
Film stills
Short excerpts from the film
Filmmaker photographs
Behind-the-scenes photos and videos
Director and cast information
Submitted biographies and credits
These materials may be used on the festival’s website, social media platforms, streaming channels, press releases, newsletters, promotional videos, advertisements, festival programs, and future festival campaigns.
Submitting a film does not transfer ownership of the film to the New York Mobile Film Festival.
SCREENING AND FESTIVAL FORMAT
The New York Mobile Film Festival reserves the right to determine the format, date, time, platform, venue, and method of presentation for each selected film.
The festival may be presented in person, online, through live streaming, through on-demand viewing, or through a combination of formats.
Not all selected films are guaranteed to be presented in the same format or screening program.
The festival reserves the right to modify its program, schedule, categories, format, or screening arrangements when necessary.
ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION
The festival reserves the right to request additional information or evidence confirming that the film was produced using eligible mobile devices.
Participants may be asked to provide:
Original production files
Original metadata
Additional behind-the-scenes footage
Device information
Screenshots or recordings from the editing process
A written statement describing the production process
Providing false, incomplete, misleading, or unverifiable information may result in immediate disqualification.
AGE REQUIREMENTS
Filmmakers must be 14 years of age or older.
Participants under the age of 18 must provide the name and contact information of a parent or legal guardian.
The parent or legal guardian may be required to authorize the submission, screening, and promotional use of the project.
ACCEPTANCE OF RULES
By submitting a project to the New York Mobile Film Festival, participants confirm that they have read, understood, and accepted all festival rules and terms.
The New York Mobile Film Festival reserves the right to make final decisions regarding eligibility, selection, programming, screening, nominations, and awards.
All decisions made by the festival and its judging team are final.
