If you missed the deadline because of extenuating circumstances or technical issues, please reach out to us via email (entries@tribecafilm.com) and we can review your case to determine if you're still eligible to submit.

STUDENT SHORT DIRECTORS: Submit via tribecafilm.com for a discount.

A platform for independent filmmaking, creative expression and immersive entertainment, Tribeca supports emerging and established voices, discovers award-winning filmmakers, curates innovative and interactive experiences, and introduces new technology and ideas through panels, premieres, exhibitions, and live performance.

Please read our rules & regulations carefully before applying
Tribeca Film Festival Categories:
Tribeca Film Festival Categories

Tribeca Virtual Film Festival:
Tribeca Virtual Film Festival

Please see our FAQ for more information:
FAQ

Awards & Prizes

• In 2019, cash awards totaled $165,000, in addition to over $91,500 in artwork. Awards for TFF21 may be modified.
• Unless otherwise agreed by the Festival in writing, awards will be given to the winning film director (as identified in the Festival Information Form) on behalf of the film (except for Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Editing) and will be fulfilled approximately 12-16 weeks after the closing date of TFF21.
• Award eligibility is subject to any restrictions or conditions imposed by applicable laws and regulations (international, federal, state or otherwise), and the award recipient is responsible for all applicable taxes, customs, tariffs, insurance and similar charges or costs (if any).
• By invitation, Features by first time directors having their World Premieres at TFF21 (except those only shown in the “Gala” section or as a “Special Screening” or “Special Event”) are eligible for the Best New Documentary Award or Best New Narrative Award. The Festival in its sole discretion may also consider North American or International Premieres for the Best New Narrative or Best New Documentary Awards.
• All new Features (except those only shown in the “Gala”, "Tribeca Talks" or “Retrospectives”) are eligible for the “Audience Award,” regardless of section.
• By invitation, Features written and/or directed by women having at least their North American Premieres at TFF21 (except those only shown in the “Gala”, "Tribeca Talks" or “Retrospectives”) are eligible for the Nora Ephron Award.
• All selected projects that are actually exhibited as part of the Tribeca Storyscapes program during TFF21 are eligible for any award(s) that may be given in connection with the Tribeca Storyscapes program at TFF21 (awards are not guaranteed and are determined from year to year in the Festival’s sole discretion).

*The above listed awards are from the 2019 and 2020 Tribeca Film Festival and are subject to change for TFF21 by the Festival in its sole discretion.

Rules & Terms

COVID-19: Due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, some projects that premiered online as part of a limited festival screening or were previously invited to other festivals that were subsequently cancelled, may still be eligible for the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival. This does not apply to all submission categories. Films will still need to comply with our complete rules and regulations, which can find in the link above. Please contact entries@tribecafilm.com for more information.

Since submission of a film constitutes acceptance of these Entry Rules & Regulations (by you and your agents), please review this document carefully.

Please see our full Entry Rules & Regulations
Tribeca Film Festival Categories:
Tribeca Film Festival Categories

Tribeca Virtual Film Festival:
Tribeca Virtual Film Festival

SUBMISSION CATEGORIES - TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL:

Selected projects from all categories will be presented to the public at the 20th Annual Tribeca Film Festival currently scheduled to take place on June 9 – June 20, 2021 (“TFF21”). Since submission of a project constitutes acceptance of these Entry Rules & Regulations (by you and your agents), please review this document carefully. Submitted projects must not:
• have screened publicly in the New York region*
• have had ANY public screening, broadcast, distribution, or exhibition before January 1, 2020.
*Not applicable to Tribeca X Award submissions.

Feature and Short Films:
Tribeca showcases short and feature films from emerging talent and established filmmakers with distinct voices and bold new ideas. Films invited to participate in the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival will be shown in the section determined most appropriate by Festival programmers, in their sole discretion.

Eligible projects include feature films (runtime ≥ 40 minutes) and short films (runtime < 40 minutes); including documentaries, narratives, animation, and experimental films.

Tribeca NOW:
Tribeca NOW is a platform that discovers, highlights, and celebrates independent episodic work, including short and long form pilots/series, of both narrative and documentary genres. Eligible projects include episodic projects created for broadcast television and/or streaming, and web series. Submitted projects must show the potential for serial growth; standalone short films will not be considered.

Additional to consideration as an Official Selection of TFF21, filmmakers submitting to Tribeca NOW will also be considered for the NOW Creators Market, a first-of-its-kind, daylong, private industry market held during TFF21 that brings together leading episodic, immersive and other emerging storytellers to pitch new projects to and network with a wide range of industry, including distributors, networks, brands, and more. Interested participants must have prepared pitch materials (i.e. scripts, look books, etc.) in advance of the event for Market staff to review. All filmmakers chosen as Official Selections of the Tribeca NOW section will receive an automatic invitation to the NOW Creators Market.

Eligible projects include
Long form episodics and short form episodics projects, inclusive of web series.

Tribeca Immersive:
Tribeca exhibits immersive projects throughout TFF21 to showcase new forms and uses of emerging media, highlighting innovation across a variety of platforms. These may range from virtual reality and augmented reality projects to cross-platform films, 360 films, multi-media installations, and apps.

Submissions will be considered for the Tribeca Virtual Arcade (for mobile and room-scale VR and/or XR projects), for which all World Premiere selections will be eligible for the annual Storyscapes Award. We will also be considering mobile VR/360 projects for our Cinema360 section, some of which will also be included in our Cinema360 Online initiative for a global audience. Project creators will also be considered for the NOW Creators Market, a first-of-its-kind, daylong, private industry market that brings together leading online and immersive storytellers to pitch new projects to a wide range of industry, including distributors, agencies, brands, and more.

Eligible projects include but are not limited to virtual reality projects, 360 films, augmented reality projects, web projects, mobile apps, multi-media installations and multi-platform works, but in any event, projects must have some sort of interactive element. Linear or 2D films will not be accepted.

Tribeca X Award
The Tribeca X Award is a juried award for storytelling supported by a brand recognizing the intersection of advertising and entertainment. The Tribeca X Award is open to all work funded with support of a brand in collaboration with artists or filmmakers. The finalists will be recognized by the Festival, and a jury will award the winning selection at TFF21.

Eligible projects include scripted and documentary work for film, TV, digital, episodic, social, and VR/AR, in both feature or short length. Submitted projects must have a storytelling element; projects that are strictly intended as commercial spots will not be considered.

SUBMISSION CATEGORIES - TRIBECA VIRTUAL FILM FESTIVAL:

Selected projects from all categories will be presented to the public at the 20th Annual Tribeca Film Festival currently scheduled to take place on June 9 – 20, 2021 (“TFF21”). Since submission of a project constitutes acceptance of these Entry Rules & Regulations (by you and your agents), please review this document carefully. Submitted projects must not:
• be available online in the US prior to TFF21*
• have had ANY public screening, broadcast, distribution, or exhibition before January 1, 2020.

Tribeca Online Film Festival
The Tribeca Virtual Film Festival offers an online, festival-style platform for feature and short work looking to make their online premiere. Films submitting to this section will be considered by the Tribeca programming team who will select a curated program of films to premiere online during the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival as part of our official slate, bringing the Tribeca experience and the best in independent film to online audiences nationwide.

Feature Films:
Eligible projects include feature films (runtime ≥ 40 minutes); including documentaries, narratives, animation, and experimental films

Short Films:
Eligible projects include short films (runtime < 40 minutes); including documentaries, narratives, animation, and experimental films.