New York Shorts International Film Festival is one of the largest showcases of short films in North America. Featuring a wide spectrum of film genres from emerging to established filmmakers around the world.

New York Shorts has become a career stepping stone, establishing a tradition of discovering and promoting filmmakers who have gone on to be Academy Awards Nominees.

This year's 2020 Oscars Live-Action Short Film Nominee "The Neighbors' Window" directed by Marshall Curry was awarded 2019 New York Shorts Best of Fest Winner.

NY Shorts offers short-form filmmakers an ideal platform to screen their film and gain recognition in the heart of New York City. In 2012 NY Shorts premiered Ricky Gervais ‘Derek”, which became a popular British television show picked up by Netflix.

NY Shorts events include receptions, as well as workshops with industry experts and top filmmaking professionals sharing their practical advice to attending filmmakers. The heart of the festival is the quality and scope of extraordinary film programming to enthusiastic audiences in the vibrant filmmaking enclave of New York City.

NY Shorts feels that short-form cinema and its creators should have their own premiere film festival in New York deserving similar recognition given to the feature film and its creators.

Awards & Prizes

The following awards will be announced:

Best of Fest
Best International
Best Drama
Best Comedy
Best Animation
Best Documentary
Best Experimental
Best Music Video
Best Web Series

* Note if any category does not meet the standard deemed award worthy by the judging committee, it’s possible that there will be no award announced in that category.

Rules & Terms

2020 Requirements

We prefer films NOT screen in New York City prior to our festival. We factor in previous screenings in New York City when determining our selection.

Films must have been completed after January 1, 2019
Films must be submitted via online screener.
All non-English films must have English sub-titles.
Works-in-progress will be considered, provided they will be completed prior to the festival.
Do NOT send stills or press kits. If your film is selected we will ask you to provide us a still image.
All films selected for the festival grant NY Shorts the rights to use press materials from the film for promotional purposes.
You may enter more than one film- entry fee is required for each film.
Entries will NOT be viewed without entry fee payment

Selection
Film selection for the festival will be made by the Festival Committee.
The selected filmmakers will be responsible for all shipping fees.
All filmmakers will be notified via email of acceptance.

21 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • David Bercovici

    I was very happy to have my film screen at The NY Shorts International Film Festival. What a great experience. I highly recommend this festival for movie makers and movie goers.

    September 2019
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  • Bettina Bilger

    Great fun Networking and Meeting the Staff and Programmers. Everyone was Professional and so Helpful. Thanks again for having us!

    September 2019
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  • Dara Semerad

    It was a great experience. Everyone was very professional and our film got a lot of exposure. Thank you so much.

    July 2019
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  • Anthony Bertram

    I was honored that "You Can't Always Get What You Want" had its New York premier as part of the NY Shorts International Film Festival.
    The festival provided a welcoming and enthusiastic environment to its filmmakers allowing for great networking opportunities. The hardworking and accommodating staff made my festival journey truly enjoyable.

    June 2019
    Helpful
  • Cindy Wathen-Kennedy

    New York Shorts truly cares about filmmakers. They are a hardworking and awesome festival that exceeded all of our expectations. One of our favorite festivals ever!

    June 2019
    Helpful