IMDb Qualifier NYIFA® • New York International Film Awards is a Monthly Film and Script Competition with a public Screening Event held in the heart of Manhattan, New York City, every three months. Our Mission is to celebrate films and filmmakers from all over the world and to be the next step in their career.

(NYIFA® • New York International Film Awards - All Rights Reserved 2020-2026)

Each month, NYIFA will award the best projects through private screenings. Every submitter can enter multiple categories in order to increase their chances to receive an award. Every Quarter-Finalist, Semi-Finalist, Finalist and Winner will receive our Official Laurels. Award Winners will also receive their Certificate of Achievement in HQ digital format, will be listed on our website and may upload their credits on IMDb.

Every three months, some of the Best Short films of every month will be chosen by the Jury to be screened during our public Screening Event at Producer’s Club, in the heart of Manhattan, five-minute walk from Times Square, in New York City. Filmmakers included in the screening are notified 4 weeks prior to the event.

* Next Public Screening Event: Late Summer (date to be decided) *

NYIFA is looking for Feature Films, Short Films, Documentaries, TV/Web-Series, Series Pilots, Student Films, Animations, Trailers, Music Videos, Commercials, Experimental Films and Scripts. We accept films of any genre, length and language. Non-English films must have English subtitles. We accept Scripts of any genre, length, and in English, Italian, French and Spanish.

We do not accept:
1. Amateur videos. 2. Extremist or propaganda content from religious or political organizations. 3. Pornography. 4. Films with a poor production standard (bad sound, lack of subtitles/captions for non-English films, video resolution lower than 720p HD). 5. We don't accept excerpts/scenes from films: you must submit the entire film.

BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR PROJECT PLEASE READ ALL RULES AND REGULATIONS.
By submitting your film/script, take note that: New York International Film Awards is hereby granted the rights to utilize an excerpt (trailer/teaser/poster/stills) from any film/script submitted for promotional purposes. The film/script will not be available online. Multiple entries are allowed for each filmmaker and each entry may be submitted to multiple categories. The winning categories vary every month depending on the submissions we receive. If we think the categories submitted are not to a standard of a NYIFA win, they will be removed. If you submit your film to the category ‘Best 1st time Director – Short’, it must be your first or second time directing a short film; If you submit your film to the category ‘Best 1st time Director – Feature’, it must be your first or second time directing a feature film; If you submit your film to the category ‘Best 1st time Producer’, it must be your first or second time producing a film (any kind of film); If you submit your film to the category ‘Best Acting Debut’, it must be your first or second time acting in a film (any kind of film): otherwise, your film will be disqualified from that specific category. Trophies are optional, are not included in the submission fee and all Winners may order the trophy by paying production costs and shipping costs. The Competition reserves the right to refuse entries and the Jury can remove the movie from the competition at any time. Entry fees are non-refundable. Judges decisions are final. Inappropriate, unethical, aggressive, intimidating or corrupt behavior is not tolerated, and will result in the filmmaker’s immediate disqualification. The individual or corporation submitting the film/script hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for possible screening (private and/or public) and understands and accepts these requirements, rules and regulations. Only some of the Best Short Films of the month will be selected by the Jury for the Screening Event we host at Producer’s Club, in the heart of Manhattan, New York City, every three months. Projects longer than 25 minutes cannot be included in the public screening events. Live screening events may be cancelled or postponed if the minimum required number of participants is not reached. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless NYIFA, from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney’s fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss or damage of the screening videos entered. By submitting your film/script, you acknowledge you have read, understood and accepted all rules and regulations.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Dale Fabrigar

    Being selected by the New York International Film Awards was a wonderful experience, and having our film recognized with an award made it even more meaningful. It was inspiring to be included alongside so many talented filmmakers from around the world and to have our work celebrated by the festival. Thank you to everyone at NYIFA for supporting independent cinema and creating such a welcoming platform for filmmakers, especially those early in their creative journey. I’m incredibly grateful for the recognition, look forward to submitting future projects, and would happily recommend NYIFA to any filmmaker.

    June 2026
  • Creative Drew

    Honored that Silent Regrets won Best Feature Film at the New York International Film Awards. Grateful to be recognized by a festival that truly supports independent filmmakers and celebrates great storytelling. Thank you to the festival organizers, cast, and crew who helped make this achievement possible.

    June 2026
  • Ginger Britt Daniels

    Love this competition it was super fun!

    June 2026
  • Mikael Genachte-Le Bail

    It was a true honor to be part of this festival. Thank you for the awards and for inspiring us to keep pushing forward

    June 2026
  • Demetrius Joyette

    I had a wonderful experience with this film festival. The communication throughout the process was clear and professional, and the organizers demonstrated a genuine appreciation for independent filmmakers and storytelling. It was an honor to have my film included among such a diverse and talented selection of projects.

    June 2026