NYC Downtown Short Film Festival

Welcome to the 22nd NYC Downtown Short Film Festival (NYCDSFF)

For over two decades, the NYC Downtown Short Film Festival has been a powerhouse of fearless storytelling, celebrating bold voices and boundary-breaking cinema. We are not just another film festival—we are a movement.

From day one, we have been a platform for Women, POC, and LGBTQ filmmakers, creating an inclusive, electrifying space where underrepresented voices take center stage. Three years ago, we made history by becoming the first festival to introduce non-gender-defined performance awards, challenging outdated norms and redefining recognition in film. We also expanded our commitment to inclusivity with a new category: Disability Inclusive Films, ensuring that stories from all perspectives get the visibility they deserve.

In the Heart of NYC – Hosted in the vibrant East Village, our festival showcases the most daring and compelling short films from across the globe. We spotlight Women, LGBTQ, and International directors while celebrating the raw, undeniable energy of NYC-based talent.

A Live Audience, A Real Impact – In a world where many festivals have shifted online, we believe cinema is meant to be experienced in person. The pulse of a packed theater, the collective breath of anticipation, the eruption of applause—these moments make filmmaking truly come alive.

Your Time to Shine – Whether you're an emerging filmmaker or an established artist pushing creative boundaries, NYCDSFF is your stage. Here, your work won’t disappear in an algorithm—it will be part of a movement that values artistry over hype, vision over trends.

The 22nd NYC Downtown Short Film Festival is looking for films that provoke, inspire, and challenge. If your story demands to be seen, we want to showcase it.

This is your moment. Submit your film. Ignite the screen.