New York City's Winter Film Awards (WFA) is a volunteer-run and operated celebration of the diversity of local and international film-making. Our Mission is to recognize excellence in cinema and to promote learning and artistic expression for people at all stages of their artistic careers with a focus on nurturing emerging filmmakers and helping them gain recognition and contacts to break into this difficult industry. We pride ourselves on our diverse collection of Festival selections, allowing our audience to enjoy films they normally wouldn’t think to seek out.

Now in its eighth year, the rapidly growing Festival showcases the work of emerging filmmakers from around the world. For the 2018 Festival, 93 films from 31 countries were screened, including an eclectic mix of 13 Animated films, 13 Documentaries, 10 Feature narratives, 8 Horror films, 9 Music Videos, 33 Narrative shorts and 7 Web series, including 32 first-time filmmakers. 42% of the films were created by women, 45% were created by people of color.

Works of all genres, forms, and lengths are considered for Festival screening. All selected films are screened.

Outstanding work will be awarded for each category, along with Best Director, Best Actor/Actress, Outstanding Woman Director, Best Student Film and the NY PERSPECTIVES Award for best depiction of the New York multi-cultural experience.

Like many of the great film Festivals across the country and the world, WFA seeks to bring our audience compelling and unique content that inspires the viewers and honors the filmmakers. There are hundreds of film festivals in New York City; what makes us different is our intense focus on a bias-free submissions review, the variety of our films and helping new filmmakers reach what may be their first real audience.

WFA is a minority- and women-owned registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization. We work with all local NYC film schools, colleges, arts high schools and many cultural societies.

Awards & Prizes

Over $100,000 in Swag, Prizes & Distribution Opportunities! Winners will receive prizes and distribution opportunities on various platforms and more!

Previous year's prizes have included distribution services, a $5k Tag Heuer wristwatch, a DJI drone, one-week theatrical run at a NYC theater, tons of software and equipment and more!

Winter Film Awards is dedicated to helping emerging filmmakers get recognition and press -- we work to ensure our films get written articles, video promos and red carpet interviews. We create an SEO enhanced page on our website for each accepted film.

Rules & Terms

Please read this agreement carefully before you submit your film. By submitting your film, you expressly acknowledge and agree that you shall be bound by the terms of this agreement.

For additional information about Winter Film Awards, our selection process and what we look for, visit http://winterfilmawards.com/about_us/winter-film-awards-faq/

For any additional information concerning submissions, contact us at submissions@winterfilmawards.com

1) All films must have been completed not earlier than January 1, 2016.

2) Films must be in English or have English subtitles

3) Winter Film Awards is a non-profit organization and we do not pay Screening Fees

4) Films must be submitted via online screener - we do not accept hardcopies of DVDs

5) Winter Film Awards does not require World Premiere, but appreciates if you notify us if you are either a World Premiere, International Premiere (your first premiere outside your country of origin), North American Premiere or New York Premiere.

6) Submission fees are in U.S. dollars, per film entry. All submissions for Winter Film Awards International Film Festival are to be paid by credit card. The submission fee is non-refundable.

7) Submitting filmmakers/individuals will be notified by e-mail on or before January 5 2019. Winter Film Awards does not send physical mail — please make sure the email address in your entry form is accurate. Changes of email address can be sent to submissions@winterfilmawards.com. Winter Film Awards is not liable for emails delayed by spam filters, server rejections, outdated email addresses or any other technical or human error.

8) If an accepted filmmaker is unable to submit the final screening copy of the film electronically, the filmmaker will be responsible for the mailing/shipping cost of the work for screening at the film festival. Films with incomplete materials by the deadline will forfeit their ability to screen in the festival. Winter Film Awards, its members, directors, employees, and volunteers are not responsible for lost, unplayable, misplaced, and undelivered film and media.

9) Submitted entry materials will not be returned.

10) A filmmaker with multiple entries (titles) must submit each entry and entry fee separately.

11) The Festival reserves the right to remove a film from the festival program for any reason or for no reason and shall not be liable for any refund or claims of any kind arising out of such removal.

12) The submitting filmmaker must own the copyright to the work. In the case of any legal dispute involving the film, Winter Film Awards will immediately remove the work from our schedule.

13) By submitting your film, Winter Film Awards is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations.

14) You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Winter Film Awards from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.
26 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Jeremiah Kipp

    Well programmed right in the heart of NYC.

    March 2018
    Helpful
  • Mars Roberge

    Great people, great venues and they managed to get my film some good press. If you want an indie film festival in the heart of Manhattan, look no further.

    March 2018
    Helpful
  • Donna Santaniello

    We submitted Tom Sierchio's feature film "The Girl Who Invented Kissing". What a fantastic festival! Stephanie Finn and her team were absolutely wonderful! Such nice people. You never know what to expect from a film festival, so it's such a pleasure when your experience exceeds expectations! And it's no easy trick to pull off in the greatest city in the world! Bravo!! Also, hands down, the best Awards Party in townl! Thank you WFA!! :-)

    March 2018
    Helpful
  • Konark Sarangi

    Unfortunately I was unable to attend the festival. My Music Video got nominated in it's category. The communications and responses from the festival organizers were fabulous. Thank you ! Will be sending more of my work to the festival in future.

    March 2018
    Helpful
  • Joshua Wick

    Great venues! And the atmosphere of the parties and awards presentations was top notch. All of the folks on the team at the festival treated filmmakers with love and respect. We really felt special! And they work extremely hard to promote the selected films and help you build an audience.

    Networking was great with other filmmakers, but not many connections were made with industry insiders. Overall Winter Film Awards is a great NYC festival that offers amazing exposure for your film.

    March 2018
    Helpful