The New York-Istanbul Short Film Festival is dedicated to showcasing emerging talent from around the globe.

At NISFF, we embrace independent projects across all genres, with a special focus on films that have been traditionally underrepresented in the global cinematic landscape.

Committed to maintaining the utmost quality for our film aficionados, an academic jury meticulously evaluates every submission each season.

**Note:** The New York-Istanbul Short Film Festival is proud to be IMDb accredited!

๐ŸŽฌ FILM AWARDS ๐ŸŽฌ

๐Ÿ† Best Short Film
๐Ÿ† Best Feature Film
๐Ÿ† Best Animation Film
โญ Newly Added Category
๐Ÿ† Best Thriller Short Film
๐Ÿ† Best Comedy Film
โญ Newly Added Category
๐Ÿ† Best Documentary Short Film
๐Ÿ† Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy Short Film
๐Ÿ† Best Drama Short Film
๐Ÿ† Best Documentary Feature Film
๐Ÿ† Best Ultra Short Film
โญ Newly Added Category
๐Ÿ† Best Experimental Film
โญ Newly Added Category

๐ŸŽฅ CAST & CREW AWARDS ๐ŸŽฅ

๐Ÿ… Best Director
๐Ÿ… Female Director Award
๐Ÿ… Best Lead Actor
๐Ÿ… Best Lead Actress
๐Ÿ… Best Cinematography
๐Ÿ… Best Editing
๐Ÿ… Best Original Score
๐Ÿ… Best Low Budget Film
๐Ÿ… Best Poster Design
๐Ÿ… Best Sound Design
๐Ÿ… Best Visual Effects

๐ŸŒŸ SPECIAL NOTES ๐ŸŒŸ

Award winners will receive an Award Certificate and an Official Statue. (Official Statues cost $179, which includes delivery within the USA and Turkey.)
Filmmaker Meet and Greets are available, subject to pandemic guidelines.
All chosen projects advance to final evaluations. Nominated films will be graced with Selection Laurels, accessible on our website and FilmFreeway.com.

NYC - IST | New York Istanbul Short Film Festival (NISFF)

The NISFF is an inclusive film festival open to all: organizations, producers, agencies, independents, and directors.

Festival Agreement:
By sending movies to the NISFF, participants confirm that they:

Understand and adhere to all the rules, conditions, guidelines, and disclaimers related to the festival.
Grant the festival rights to use and/or publish films and related materials for promotional purposes, including on the festival's website, digital and printed event programs.
Acknowledge that any commercial or private property, trademarks, or copyrighted materials shown or recorded are their responsibility.
NISFF retains the right to amend regulations or festival scheduling as required.

Submission Guidelines:

All submissions and payments must align with the deadline dates on the FilmFreeway platform.
Films submitted should be produced post-2015.
Non-English films must have English subtitles.
Short films can be up to 40 minutes, and feature films up to 160 minutes.
Entry fees are paid via FilmFreeway and are non-refundable.
Submissions are accepted digitally or via YouTube/Vimeo link. Remember to provide passwords.
Films must be HD-ready.
Selected films' announcements follow the FilmFreeway's notification date. Provide required screening files at least a week before the festival.
The winners' announcement will follow the official date on the platform.
The jury's decisions are final.
Participants are responsible for obtaining all necessary permissions and rights.
Review NISFF Guidelines, Terms and Conditions, Disclaimer, and Rights before submission.
The jury reserves the right to select winners irrespective of category specifics.
Films with explicit adult content will be disqualified.
Non-selected films won't receive notifications.
NISFF may revise the Rules; winners will be announced on the festival website.
Films categories may be altered post-acceptance.
Winners of Best Short Film & Best Feature Film will be streamed on NISFF's YouTube channel. Award ceremonies will be held in Turkey, pandemic permitting.
Submission Method:
Filmmakers can submit online via our festival partners or use the film form on the festival website.

Copyrights:
The submitting entity must have all rights and bear content responsibility. Films will be posted online only with express consent; otherwise, only trailers or posters will be displayed.

Disclaimer:
Applicants must understand the festival's rules and regulations. They should either have or acquire the necessary permissions to enter the film into NISFF. Festival winners may receive an official winners' plaque.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Richard Oliver

    Allahu Akbar ๐Ÿ™ God is so good. This would be my very first award win from Turkey. I worked so hard on this film to the brink of exhaustion. Because of its historic, sensitive (and some might say) controversial subject matter. I knew that it would be hard to get the funding I needed.
    So I decided to forge ahead and fund and produce it myself.

    As budding filmmakers, to have our work or passion project reviewed and acknowledged by distinguished and reputable accomplished judges, is truly an honor in itself. I was discouraged from my publicist to produce this film ๐ŸŽฅ so this win gave me the clarity and assurance to accept that I was spiritually led to produce the right project at the right time in our history. It also gave me the confidence to keep following my creative vision and instincts. To push the limits of music, art and cinema to the next level of greatness.
    I want to again thank the Istanbul Short Film Festival and i look forward to submitting more of my work in the future. But to be honest I want no awards, fame or fortune for my film at all. My only hope is that it will help reconnect us all, back to our HUMANITY. I thank this film festival for their Humanity ๐Ÿ™โค and proudly accept this award on behalf of the children of Gaza, who inspired my film. Yeah Mon ๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ฒ" - Richard Oliver Jr.

    April 2024
  • Splendid festival! Great communication! Highly recommend!

    April 2024
  • My experience was wonderful. It's an honor to have my work included in the New York Istanbul Film Festival. "SUCH AS LIFE" from my web series REDD is getting attention and our team is grateful.

    April 2024
  • Easy and FUN to enter... great communication!

    April 2024
  • We are feeling more than honored to become the Award Winner for the best sf-fantasy short with โ€žWitches of Everland IIIโ€œ. Great Communication and we wish all the best for this Festival ๐Ÿ™‚

    April 2024