Welcome to Queens World

Expect the unexpected.

For 13 years, the Queens World Film Festival has brought the world to Queens and Queens to the world with 1,817 films from 92 nations, including 289 filmmakers from Queens. Our last three festivals were “pandemic specials”. In fact, we are proud to be the first festival in the world to transition to virtual screenings on March 19, 2020 in response to the pandemic, and in 2021 we were one of the few festivals in NYC to host a massive live & in-person/in-theatre event alongside a vast virtual festival. Quite a feat!

As we all continue to face huge challenges on our little planet, we want to remind you: NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO PUT YOUR CAMERAS DOWN.

Now is the time to bring your vision forward and share it with the world.
We want to hear your story. Bring it.
We want to see your craft. Bring it.
We want to see what you see. Bring it.
We want to see the best you have….so bring it.

We are set to open at the Museum of the Moving Image on April 16, 2024 to launch a season of screenings at MoMI and other Queens Venues for our loyal audience and new guests.

With our signature thematic curation, we create blocks of films focused on themes that are of interest to our audience including but not limited to:
Immigration and Immigrants rights
The environment
Strong documentaries about everything and anything
Relationships: twisted and otherwise
Horror AND Dance AND Animation (extra points for an animated horrific dance film)
Conflict Resolution and Social Justice
Experimental work, Music Videos, Web Series Pilots
Freedom of Expression
Stories of Hope and Resilience
The women in our lives

Show us what you see, tell us what you know, share what you have experienced, and if your work is selected, we will do everything we can to make sure that your screening is full with an audience interested in the themes you are working with.

We will see you in Queens.
PS. BRING IT.

We designate awards in every category, including Acting, Writing, Directing, Cinematography to recognize 'Outstanding Achievements'. If there is work that deserves special attention, it will be awarded a Jury Prize to recognize that filmmaker's accomplishment.

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.
For virtual screenings: Mpg4.
WE WILL NOT SCREEN Mpg4 IN A LIVE THEATRE.

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
  • Lucia Heise

    thanks for this experience. even though i could not participate in person you made me feel part of the event

    October 2023
  • So much more than a film festival - Katha and Don create a community with care and compassion. Thoughtfully curated and organized, it's an artistic atmosphere that inspires everyone to aspire higher.

    August 2023
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    We loved having you with us! I look at the pictures and there you are at the Presser, Opening Night, Remarkable Women, the Awards and always, always, always engaged with everyone around you! Thank you so much for being with us!!!!!

  • I am Maali

    Thank you Queens World Film Festival for giving us the opportunity to showcase our Feature Film Maali at your prestigious festival.

    Our first win for Best Director (Feature) will always be special, not only because it is our first, but also because Inspite of the film being in a foreign language, Don, Catha and everyone who watched it, connected with the story.
    Thank you and best wishes for all your future editions.

    March 2023
  • Tamila Nesterenko

    Thank you Queens World Film Festival for choosing our film "There is Hope", for your support and help. Great festival and great team!!! Happiness and prosperity to your festival!

    January 2023
  • Julia Maddox

    What an honor it was to be a part of the 2022 Queens World Film Festival! I loved that we had such great opportunities to all get to know each other in an environment that felt so warm and respectful of the craft of filmmaking well before the screenings started. The organizers responded quickly to my questions and we were constantly being kept in the loop for next steps. Incredibly well-organized by such kind people! I can't recommend this festival highly enough! Six stars!

    December 2022