The New York City International Reel Film Festival (NYCIRFF) is particularity interested in maverick filmmakers of any orientation, ethnicity, religion or country. Originally held at the legendary Anthology Film Archives in Manhattan (home to celebrated filmmakers such as Andy Warhol, Jonas Mekkas and Stan Brakhage), NYCIRRF seeks stories that connect and inspire global audiences. Our selection committee is an ethnically and creatively diverse team who seeks out emerging and seasoned filmmakers alike.

OUR MISSION: Is to promote films and create a step forward in the filmmakers' careers.

*All official selections receive branded promotional laurels and the film's inclusion on our website.

NYCIRFF is one of the highest-rated festivals on FilmFreeway.

Awards & Prizes

An international jury will select one winner in each category:

- Best Narrative Feature Film
- Best Narrative Short Film
- Best Documentary Film
- Best Short Documentary Film
- Best Student Short Film
- Best Animated Short Film
- Best Experimental Short Film
- Best Web Series
- Best Music Video
- Best Horror
- Best SciFi
- Indie Feature (low budget)
- Indie Short (low budget)
- Best MicroFilm (under 3 mins.)
- Best Visual Effects
- Best Director
- Best Cinematography
- Best Sound Design
- Best Original Score
- Best Actor
- Best Actress
- Best Young Actor (under 12)
- Best Young Actress (under 12)
- Best Feature Screenplay
- Best Short Screenplay
- Best Television Screenplay

We feature and host all "Official Selection" and "Winners" prominently on our website and across social media.

The winning filmmakers will receive a high-resolution .png image of our FESTIVAL LAURELS with the "WINNER" label to be used by the filmmaker across all social media platforms.

Each film we designate as an "OFFICIAL SELECTION" will receive a high-resolution .png image of our FESTIVAL LAURELS to be used for marketing and promotional materials.

If there is a film of special note that doesn't fit nicely into a category, often we design a special award to recognize that filmmaker's accomplishments.

Rules & Terms

By submitting your film:
- You agree for NYCIRFF to use parts of your film (including trailer/teaser/film poster/stills) for promotional purpose.
- Entry fees are non-refundable.
- Multiple entries are allowed for each filmmaker and each entry may be entered in Multiple Categories.
- We consider films regardless of their completion date. You can submit any film no matter when it was made.
- We consistently promote some of the selected films by uploading the trailers/teasers/posters/production stills.

All films must be submitted as either an online Screener or Vimeo link (with password if applicable) for consideration by the Selection Committee.

New York City International Reel Film Festival (NYCIRFF) is a Gold Festival.
21 Reviews
Overall Rating
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Networking
  • Pamela S K Glasner

    It was an honor and a privilege to have my TV pilot screenplay, “Finding Emmaus,” chosen as an OFFICIAL SELECTION at the New York City International Reel Film Festival in the category of Best Television Screenplay. Thank you!!
    Pamela

    August 2023
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  • Candy Lopesino

    It is a privilege to be selected my THE IBERIANS film in this amazing festival. Very grateful for the recognition. Great NYCIRFF team. Excellent Communication. Thank you very much !!!

    July 2022
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  • Charles Summer

    Thanks for selecting our film. Excellent Festival, Great Communication! The entire team at NYCIRFF were awesome. Thank you so much!

    July 2022
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  • Patricia Vonne

    Big thanks to NYC International Reel Film Fest for supporting filmmakers around the world. It means so much to us. It was an honor to be selected for my film Cold Dark Hollow. Forever grateful!.

    June 2021
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  • Tom Bessoir

    I was happy to be included in this year’s online version. Thank you for screening abstract, experimental cinema. I am looking forward to the return to live screenings at Anthology.

    June 2021
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