Independent filmmaking has always been there and it's not to be forgotten! Welcome to the bi-monthly IMDb qualifying competition of NY Independent Cinema Awards! We are dedicated to independent filmmaking and indie artists! We believe in the power of independent filmmaking as an artform. Members of the jury are selected from award winning film directors, producers, actors, critics and artists from New York, Chicago, Toronto, Los Angeles and all over the world. The festival is a creative event which stands with all the artists involved in film and script projects. Our festival is dedicated to the discovery and promotion of independent U.S. and international projects.

Awards & Prizes

U.S. Narrative Short
International Narrative Feature
International Narrative Short
U.S. Documentary Feature
U.S Documentary Short
International Documentary Feature
International Documentary Short
Best Script
Best Director
Best Producer
Best Cinematographer
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Composer
Best Editor
Best Animation
Best Comedy
Best Experimental
Best Science Fiction
Best Horror
Best Music Video
Best Trailer
Best Student Film
Best TV Series-Web-Pilot

Rules & Terms

We consider films regardless of their completion date. You can submit any film no matter when it was made.
Award winners of each edition can request for certificates, laurels and screening through NY Arts & Cinema.
Shorts must be less than 50 minutes.
Films over 50 minutes should submit to the feature category.
New York Independent Cinema Awards can use trailer/teaser/film poster for promotional purpose.
Any submitter who is disrespectful toward other artists and the festival, will be disqualified from the festival at any stage of the contest upon the decision of the team.
Entry fees are non-refundable.
You own all the rights to the film project.
295 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Patricia Holihan

    Thank you for considering our short "Please, Stop!". It was exciting and and honor to be a nominee in the NY Independent Cinema Awards. Truly appreciative of the communication and grateful for the recognition, even if we were not the winner in our category.

    June 2026
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  • Guto Neto

    Espaço e criação invenção e inovação! Uma alegria e honra fazer parte desse Festival tão inspirador!!!

    June 2026
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  • Jaye Allison

    Thank you for selecting A Philadelphia TAP Dance Story for this festival. The validation magnifies the work put into the nearly 18 years in the making! Thank you again, we are honored and proud to have been included!

    June 2026
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  • Stella Michael

    I was honoured to be nominated for Best Female Director for CENTAURS at the New York Independent Cinema Awards. It's a fantastic festival that truly supports independent filmmakers and showcases outstanding talent. Grateful for the recognition and proud to have been part of such a professional and inspiring event.

    June 2026
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  • Strident Media

    Fantastic Festival and the entire production team got a terrific boost out of winning our award.

    June 2026
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