As the only CUNY-wide, student-run film festival, we celebrate excellence in film and provide a platform for students and alumni to showcase their work. Since our inception, we have brought together filmmakers from CUNY’s senior campuses, community colleges, and graduate programs. The festival promotes diversity and creative collaboration with the larger filmmaking community. We foster engagement with industry professionals representing the social fabric of New York City.

Rules & Terms

• Films must be created exclusively by (or by a majority of) currently enrolled undergraduates, or graduate students, faculty and alumni of a CUNY campus with a prominent screen credit. After submitting, filmmaker may be required to provide proof of said CUNY affiliation.

• The CUNY Film Festival reserves the rights to use elements of submitted film(s) such as still images and/or short video clips for promotional material in montages and/or social media posts.

• Finalists are required to attend the 18th Annual CUNY Film Festival awards ceremony on May 09th, or provide a representative to attend in their place.

• If chosen as a Finalist, filmmaker must provide the CUNY Film Festival with a downloadable link of the film, without password protection before 04/17/2025 for the Finalist Screenings. Non-English language projects must have subtitles embedded into the film(s).

• The festival accepts films completed within the last 3 years.

• Entries longer than 20 minutes will only be considered for the Longform Category.

• Be advised, you are only allowed to enter each film into two categories.

• Filmmaker has full legal rights to all material of the film.

10 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • DCTV Youth Media

    So many wonderful films were showcased in this festival. The closing Awards reception was so beautiful and meaningful to the students we had in attendance. Can't wait to reapply next year!

    May 2026
    Helpful
  • Katrina Carlyle

    Really fun experience as a first time filmmaker, the event was very well organized and the awards gala had a really positive energy,

    May 2026
    Helpful
  • Max Kohn

    I was grateful to screen my film at the CUNY Film Festival however I wish the film blocks didn't play continuously so that filmmakers could do Q&As. I also wish there were more events with the festival. However I did like the awards ceremony.

    June 2025
    Helpful
  • Lima Lipa

    Great festival, I especially liked that they invited an orchestra, it sounded impressive and added special significance to the event. Thanks to the organizers!

    June 2025
    Helpful
  • Patrícia Colmenero

    Winning Best Documentary at the CUNY Film Festival for You Are Invited to Leave was a true honor — especially given how powerful the documentary selection was this year. Every film felt deeply personal, made with vulnerability and a genuine connection to the themes the filmmakers cared about. That atmosphere made me feel truly seen and at home.

    In a time when many festivals prioritize profit over curation, it’s rare to experience a lineup where the films speak to each other — where quality and sincerity come first. The CUNY Film Festival did exactly that.

    The award ceremony itself was also a beautiful experience. The student team behind the festival is clearly passionate and devoted. You can feel how much they care about the filmmakers and the stories being told — it’s a festival that embraces you.

    This was, without a doubt, one of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had during my time in school. I truly hope I can continue to be part of it as an alum. It’s a space where I found like-hearted people, and I’ll carry that with me.

    May 2025
    Helpful