Queens World Film Festival

Welcome to Queens World!

For 15 years, the Queens World Film Festival has brought the world to Queens and Queens to the world with 1,977 films from 98 nations representing every continent on Earth with 289 of those films from Queens.

On March 16, 2020 NYC told us "You're closed."

On March 19 we said "No. No we are not" and proudly became the first festival in the world to transition to a completely virtual format in response to the pandemic. We screened 191 films from 31 nations and earned over 30,000 views.

In May of 2020, we launched a weekly live broadcast that ran for 27 weeks and featured 25 CBOs and over 60 filmmakers from around the world and around the corner. And nothing has been the same since. Since 2020, we have changed formats, venues, and seasons, leaping from our traditional Spring screening dates to a Summer festival, then into the Fall and back again to late Spring.

We are considering our next move.
We can tell you that you should expect the unexpeted.
We have not announced our next submission season.
We will make it widely known when we do so.
We will change the dates of the submissions deadlines at that time.

In the meantime, we are expanding our Listening Tour, Encore Screenings, Passion in Action and more professional development offerings in the pipeline.

As our little planet continues to struggle, we want to remind you:
NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO PUT YOUR CAMERAS DOWN.
You WILL finish your film.
You WILL find the perfect screening opportunity for it.
You WILL find your audience.

Queens World is here to help.
Consider us a resource.
So.
We will see you in Queens.
Peace.

Once accepted, every filmmaker is nominated for something.
We will clarify when we re-open our submissions. '

There is also an InkTip prize package for three (3) film festival participants. Winners will receive a 4-month InkTip Pro Membership. As an InkTip Pro Member, thousands of filmmakers can find and read your scripts, and you'll be able to pitch directly to production companies every week. With over 3,000 options and 400 movies made, InkTip is the place for independent film.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ENTRY
ONCE YOUR FILM HAS BEEN ACCEPTED/SCHEDULED INTO QUEENS WORLD, YOU MAY NOT WITHDRAW YOUR FILM. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE CONSIDER ANY POTENTIAL CONFLICTS WITH OTHER FESTIVALS BEFORE SUBMITTING TO QUEENS WORLD.

By submitting material to the Queens World Film Festival you and all others associated with the submission attest to the possession of the rights to all images, sound, music, interviews, promotional materials, third party images and all other materials involved in the film and the promotion of the film.

If your film is accepted for screening during the Festival then you attest to the right for the Festival to use any portion of the film in promotion of the Festival in all media in perpetuity.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
All submissions must be an online screener and if there is an issue playing the material, we will give you every opportunity to get us a playable submission. Foreign language work must be dubbed or subtitled in English.

SELECTION & NOTIFICATION GUIDE
All films are screened by multiple members of our screening committee who assess craft, technique, execution, material, originality, and overall professionalism. High-scoring films are moved into the Jury process which involves re-screenings and re-scorings.

Those who will not be screening with us are notified first, followed by notifications to those who will be screening with us. We will use the email you provided in your application. When the schedule is on our website, each film will have a page created for them based on the materials in your application.

SCREENING MATERIALS
If selected you must supply us with your materials in one of the following formats:
For live screenings: ProRes.mov or H264.

DAMAGED DRIVES
QWFF cannot accept responsibility for drives damaged or lost during shipping.

SCREENING FEES
The festival does not pay rental fees or screening fees for submitted work.

The opinion(s) expressed in the film are those of the filmmakers not the Queens World Film Festival, its Board, or its associates.

Overall Rating

Quality

Value

Communication

Hospitality

Networking

Daniel Maldonado

QWFF and its team really go the extra mile. I love their motto of bringing films from around the world to Queens which the community itself are from all over the world. Always enjoyed their programming and their outreach programs.

October 2024

Helpful

Response from festival:

You are so appreciated and we are lucky to count you as an alumni. Thank you for bringing your work to us.
Andrea Weiss

A wonderful community based festival with audineces as diverse as Queens itself.

September 2024

Helpful

Response from festival:

Thank you so much. Screening your work was a real honor and I thought the audiences were very appreciative of the film. Thank you for bringing your work to us.
Ravi Chandra

Fantastic festival and experience for filmmakers! I have exhibited 3 times, and this time was able to attend in person, and the crowds and crew were exceptional.

June 2024

Helpful

Response from festival:

We are the lucky ones. Thank you so much for never putting your camera down, for never blinking and for always making sure you stay true to your vision.
Dien Vo

So much love for QWFF. This is the second time I’ve screened with them. Katha and Don are passionate and caring people who throw themselves intensely into the festival to celebrate independent filmmakers and give them a platform. Haven’t met a power couple like them before, and easily the warmest festival I’ve attended — so much spirit. Being part of QWFF feels like you’re joining a community. Down-to-earth, authentic, and meaningfully engaged with the Queens and NYC community.

Filmmakers get to screen at great venues (MOMI and Kaufman Astoria Studios), and be part of a presser at MOMI and networking events. They go the extra mile to get your film and the festival attention. Anyone can see how much superhuman effort it takes them to organize such smooth and well-run events — precise logistics, planning, communication — plenty of useful reminders. This infectious warmth is also found in the staff and volunteers.

They take chances on filmmakers they believe in, even if the work is different/alternative. I’ve rarely felt so supported, and am very grateful for them. Celebrations and thanks to everyone at QWFF.

June 2024

Helpful

Response from festival:

It was incredible to have you back with us and we are grateful that we were able to share your work with others. Thank you so much for continuing to put great work out into the world.
Isabella Jane Schiller

I cannot say enough positive things about Queens World. What an absolutely wonderful community of passionate, kind, creative people. We were so honored to have THE RUSHING OF THE SEA as official selection, we saw so many incredible films from all over the world and met dozens of talented, generous other artists. Katha and Don’s passion for what they do feels unmatched, they care so much about filmmakers and that art of filmmaking and nurturing the art and the festival associates are similarly wonderful. Thank you so much, Dani and I cannot wait to be back with new work!

June 2024

Helpful

Response from festival:

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! It was wonderful to have you with Queens World this year. You are a dream to work with and this always a bonus. We are excited to see what you do next.