Welcome to the IMDb-qualifying competition and annual screening of the New York Independent Art Film Fest, in collaboration with New York Art Film magazine!

The festival celebrates cinema's language, uniting indie filmmakers and art enthusiasts. The competition highlights a range of indie films, scripts, and artists who challenge the limits of arthouse features and shorts worldwide.

Don't miss our highly anticipated yearly screenings at the Producers Club Theatre, as well as an array of distinguished art centers scattered throughout New York City, where we proudly present our annual selections!

The festival committee is dedicated to showcasing diverse indie genres, such as drama, documentary, animation, experimental cinema, human rights narratives, environmental storytelling, and science fiction. This variety fosters creativity and innovation, enabling filmmakers to present unique perspectives to a broader audience.

The festival features competitive contests recognizing outstanding contributions in script projects, music videos, performances, and honors the talents of directors, producers, writers, cinematographers, composers, and editors, celebrating all facets of filmmaking. Our festival offers a platform for indie films, art projects, and artists from diverse genres worldwide to compete and gain recognition.

Awards & Prizes

Best Narrative Feature
Best Documentary Feature
Best Narrative Short
Best Documentary Short
Best Independent Film
Best Experimental Film
Best Student Film
Best Animation
Best Human Rights
Best Environmental
Best Comedy
Best Science Fiction
Best Music Video
Best Director
Best Producer
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Cinematographer
Best Editor
Best Composer
Best Youth Actor/Actress
Best Female Director
Best Feature Script
Best Short Script

Rules & Terms

A New York premiere is preferred for the official selections of the annual screening but not required for the seasonal festival.
All films must be the original work of the filmmakers, and all filmmakers must have the necessary rights.
The submitter agrees that the festival will use trailer, poster, stills and promotional material upon selection and nomination.
All films that are not in English, must have English language subtitles.
We only accept films completed in the past 4 years.

3 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Mirko Bojovic

    Great place to present your work as an independent production.
    Many thanks for the award, means a lot to entire crew.
    Wish you all the best in future, cheers

    March 2025
    Helpful
  • Michael Gould

    Thank you for the Honourable Mention of my feature screenplay, SACRED SUN, in New York Art Film Magazine, I very much appreciate it. When I announced the NYIAFF results on my social media, I very much got the impression that people took a genuine interest in them, and that they read what the magazine had to say about the "snapshot of the incredible talent pool". Thank you again, NYIAFF. And well done for helping filmmakers in this way!

    November 2024
    Helpful
  • Hannah Sullivan

    Thank you New York Independent Art Film Fest for hosting "B****** Not Required"! Communication was great and I am especially grateful for the thoughtful review from New York Art Film Magazine. It's the most in-depth review I've ever received from a film festival and was really encouraging!

    November 2024
    Helpful