New York Global Short Film Fest is an international in-person film festival held in New York, celebrating outstanding short films and documentaries from around the world. The festival is designed as a vibrant global platform for professional filmmakers, independent creators, students, and passionate storytellers of all levels.
We believe that powerful stories do not need a long runtime — even the shortest films can inspire, inform, and connect people across cultures. Selected films will be screened before a live audience in New York, creating an exciting space where filmmakers and audiences can come together to share meaningful cinematic experiences.
The festival will be held annually, and 2026 marks the launch of its first season. The event is proudly organized by the New York Film Foundation Inc., with Diaspora USA serving as the main partner for Season One.
With a colorful and carefully curated program, the main venue of the festival will be the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning (JCAL). In addition, several screenings will also take place at the Queens Public Library auditorium, one of the festival’s valued partners.
The festival will feature film screenings, seminars, and an award ceremony. Most importantly, it will provide filmmakers with a valuable opportunity to meet, connect, and exchange ideas with one another, making the festival even more vibrant, inspiring, and meaningful.
At least one film from each of the 11 categories will receive an award. Every award-winning film will be screened before a live audience during the festival. In addition, several outstanding films from each category will also be selected for screening at this year’s event. The organizers are also planning to host additional special screenings and events featuring selected films even after the festival concludes.
The first season of the festival will be a full-day event held on Saturday, August 8, 2026. The program will begin at 11:00 AM and continue until 10:00 PM. A detailed schedule will be announced at least two weeks before the festival. Official invitation letters will be sent to filmmakers whose works are selected for awards and screenings.
The festival will primarily focus on film screenings. Alongside the screenings, the program will include talks by renowned filmmakers, seminars, short cultural performances, and the award presentation ceremony. With the participation of filmmakers from different countries, the organizers hope this will become a truly unique and memorable festival that will continue to grow every year.
The New York Global Short Film Fest 2026 (Season One) celebrates creativity through 11 award categories, honoring excellence in both short films and documentaries across key areas of filmmaking. Each category recognizes one outstanding winner whose work stands out for its artistic vision, storytelling strength, and overall impact.
Winners will receive a specially designed trophy and an official certificate, marking their achievement on an international platform. All award recipients will also be officially invited to attend the festival in New York, where they will be warmly welcomed and honored in person during the ceremony in front of a live audience.
The festival is open to a wide and diverse range of creators, including professional filmmakers, independent storytellers, students, hobby filmmakers, first-time creators, and passionate individuals from all backgrounds. We believe that meaningful stories can come from anyone, regardless of experience, and this platform is designed to support and encourage every creative voice.
While the festival extends a formal invitation to all award winners, we kindly note that visa processing, travel, and accommodation arrangements will need to be managed by the recipients themselves. We deeply appreciate their participation and look forward to welcoming them to New York to celebrate their achievements.
