Prismatic Ground is a New York festival centered on experimental documentary. Hosted by Maysles Documentary Center and media partner Screen Slate, the festival will plan to hold its first physical edition May 4-8, 2022 (with a virtual component).

We seek work that pushes the formal boundaries of non-fiction in the spirit and tradition of experimental filmmaking. This "spirit" is somewhat amorphous, undefinable, and open to interpretation, but refers to work that engages with its own materiality, privileges a heightened artistic experience over clear meaning, and/or conveys a liberatory political sensibility in the agitprop tradition.

For a better sense of what we're looking for, here is the lineup for the 2021 edition of the festival: https://www.screenslate.com/articles/prismatic-ground

Rules & Terms

We have no firm premiere rules at this time, but work that has already played extensively at other festivals— or that will have played in NYC prior to the festival— may not be prioritized.

Please direct all questions to prismaticground@gmail.com.
9 Reviews
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  • Isidore Bethel

    Such a warm festival – the connections between the films that Inney Prakash programs for each wave were astonishing, exciting, and thought-provoking. The screenings assembled a beautiful, multifaceted community of makers and appreciators. Everything about this festival exudes care and passion!

    May 2022
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  • FEDERICA FOGLIA

    World class programming delivered both online and in person, truly groundbreaking! Wishing them to grow and prosper in the years to come!

    May 2022
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  • Iván Esteban Reina Ortiz

    Beautiful selection of films and great online experience. My short film "autoethnography" was selected and got to be seen online globally, thank you! I wish I could've been present at New York's in-person screenings but hopefully next year. Prismatic Ground has a great work ethic, they pay filmmakers (few festivals or none do so) and the programs are very respectful with the artist's vision. It's very important to keep these events alive. My best wishes for upcoming editions!

    May 2022
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  • Nate Dorr

    For a first-year operation just appearing in the festival-glutted NYC area, Prismatic Ground showed a rare clarity of vision and unique angle that immediately convinced me it would be an ideal location to premiere a new film. And it was. Loved the rest of the programming freely mixing classic experimental work with the cutting edge and unknown, and unlike many long-running festivals transitioning online in 2020/21, Prismatic Ground used the pandemic as an opportunity to break normal programming rules and to group films into mixed-format "waves" with features and short films of all types and aspect ratios seamlessly coexisting together.

    September 2021
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  • Danielle Chu

    What an incredible festival to be a part of. So appreciative of the care and attention that founder/director, Inney Prakash, put into each film, from the way they were curated to the communication with filmmakers and thoughtful q&a’s. Site design and ways in which viewers could watch and engage with pieces made the online experience feel so alive. Also, must add that the other films were incredible; I feel so grateful to be included among them. Thank you to everyone who helped support and put Prismatic Ground together. So much love for this festival experience!

    May 2021
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