The NY Alliance film festival was started in the fall of 2015. It's goal is to connect students from Independent High Schools all over New York State who are interested in filmmaking.

Any film made by students in grades 9-12 will be considered to be screened online on our website, and during our in person film festival on June 9th at Grace Church School in Manhattan.

We ask that students who submit a film that's over 10 mins also supply a shorter version, or a trailer, should it be chosen for screening. All films will be judged and considered for screening by the full length version.

If you are interested in learning more about our festival, or if you would be interested in being apart of the planning or judging process, please email jmcdonald@nyalliancefilmfest.org

Awards & Prizes

-Prizes will be awarded for the top students in each category.
-A Best in Show award will go to the filmmaker whose film the judges feel goes beyond the average student film.
-This year, an award will be distributed for the "Social Justice Award" for the film which best depicts issues relating to human rights.
-All filmmakers and films promoting diversity of race, gender, age, religious affiliation, physical ability and sexual orientation are eligible for additional prizes, awarded by the consent of the judges.

Rules & Terms

All films must have been created by high school students in grades 9-12.

Films should be 10 minutes or less; films over 10 mins should provide a trailer.
Judges reserve the right to contact students if they feel an error was made in category selection. All films must adhere to copyright rules and conditions.

After submitting, please email jmcdonald@nyalliancefilmfest.org with your advisor or teacher's name and email
1 Review
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Kalina Sabala

    The New York Alliance Film Festival was my first film festival, and the experience was a rather enjoyable one. It was a pleasure to see my film on a big screen, and it was even better to receive my award afterwards. There were a lot of people missing, whether it be due to overlaps in schedule or miscommunication, so even though a lot of people submitted films, not many were there to receive their awards. There was a slight error with the awards for one section, but the organizers made it clear what the correct award was.

    June 2023
    Helpful