The 25th edition of the New York Asian Film Festival will run from July 10 to 26, 2026 at Film at Lincoln Center, SVA Theatre, LOOK Cinemas W57 and the Korean Cultural Center NY.

Submissions are now open for the 2026 Festival, including for the first time the addition of a Feature-length category, as well as for the annual Shorts Showcases, an initiative launched in 2021 with the goal of uplifting and empowering Asian communities by foregrounding their diverse voices and providing a space for emerging filmmakers to present their work.

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Since 2002, the New York Asian Film Festival has been an annual celebration of the best and boldest in Asian cinema. As the first film festival in North America to champion the works of today’s leading Asian filmmakers, NYAFF continues to introduce vibrant and vital voices ranging from explosive blockbusters to eccentric arthouse gems. As we celebrate Asian representation more than ever, NYAFF provides an essential connection and awareness to our community, to New Yorkers, and beyond.

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"Arguably the world’s best-curated program of new and classic Asian cinema" - Indiewire
"The top tier of New York's film festivals" - The New York Times
"Fitting time for fireworks" - New York Times Sunday Styles
"A permanent fixture on any self-respecting cinephile's landscape" - Film Forward

Awards & Prizes

Uncaged Award for Best Feature Film Competition
Audience Award for Best Feature Film

Best Live-Action Short
Best Animation Short
Special Mention: Live-Action Short
Special Mention: Animation Short
Audience Award for Best Short Film

Rules & Terms

Deadlines

Early Bird Submissions
Short Film Fees: $25 General / $15 Student
Feature Film Fees: $40 General / $30 Student
Deadline: December 19th, 2025

Regular Submissions
Short Film Fees: $35 General / $25 Student
Feature Film Fees: $50 General / $40 Student
Deadline: February 13, 2026

Late Submissions
Short Film Fees: $45 General / $35 Student
Feature Film Fees: $60 General / $50 Student
Deadline: April 10, 2026

High school or college students are required to provide valid IDs or enrollment certificates for verification purposes.

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General Rules and Regulations for Submissions

- Films must be directed or principally acted by a person of Asian or Asian diasporic descent, or contain subject matters relating to Asian or Asian diasporic cultures or communities.
- Films must have been completed on or after January 1, 2025. No work-in-progress submissions will be considered.
- Short Films must be 39 minutes or less in duration.
-Feature Films must be 40 minutes or more in duration.
- Films in any language are welcomed, but non-English dialogue must be subtitled in English.
- All films with any premiere status are eligible, although priority will be given to those with the most exceptional premiere status.
- Films that have previously been submitted to the New York Asian Film Festival will not be considered.
- Films must be submitted through FilmFreeway. No physical copies will be considered. Submission fees will not be refunded under any circumstances.

Note: Asia is defined broadly - including but not limited to countries/regions from East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and Western Asia.

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Notification

All selections will be announced through email in mid June 2026. If you have any questions, please contact our programming team at submissions@nyaff.org.

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Terms and Conditions

New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes.

The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations.

The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless NYAFF from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.
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  • Ramazan Nanayev

    Having our world premiere at the New York Asian Film Festival was an unforgettable experience. The team’s warmth, professionalism, and genuine passion for cinema made us feel like part of a family from day one. Our Lincoln Center screening was a dream—an engaged audience, a thoughtful Q&A, and incredible support in connecting our film with the right viewers, press, and industry. NYAFF’s curation is exceptional, bringing together bold, diverse voices from across Asia and the diaspora, and we are deeply grateful our journey began here.

    August 2025
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