New York City's Winter Film Festival (WFF) is a volunteer-run and operated celebration of the diversity of local and international film-making. We showcase creative fresh voices from emerging filmmakers worldwide in all genres and lengths – feature length and shorts, narrative fiction, documentary, animation, horror, web series and music videos.

Our mission is to promote diversity, bridge the opportunity divide and provide a platform for under-represented artists and a variety of genres, viewpoints and approaches. We believe that only by seeing others’ stories can we understand each other and only via an open door can the underrepresented artist enter the room.

We pride ourselves on our diverse collection of Festival selections, allowing our audience to enjoy films they normally wouldn’t think to seek out. For the 2026 Festival, 103 films from 27 countries were screened, including 20 student films and 34 first-time filmmakers. Half of the films were created by women, half were created by or about people of color.

Works of all genres, forms, and lengths are considered. All selected films are screened at REGAL Union Square Cinemas in New York City on Screen 1 (70 seats) or Screen 2(130 seats). For additional information about Winter Film Festival, our selection process and what we look for, visit https://winterfilmfest.org/about-us/faq/

The Festival includes film screenings with director Q&A, educational panels, professional development workshops and industry networking after-parties, and concludes with a glittering awards ceremony .

Outstanding work will be awarded for each category, along with Best Director, Best Student Film and Best NYC Film.

Winter Film Festival is thrilled to be included in Film Festival Alliance’s Film Festival Directory, a comprehensive list of more than one hundred reputable film festivals committed to upholding the newly established best practices for professional film festivals. Explore the directory to read through our profile and learn more about our fellow member festivals, their programming philosophies, and more here: https://bit.ly/FFADirectory

WFF 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.

Over $50,000 in Swag, Prizes & Distribution Opportunities! Winners will receive prizes and distribution opportunities on various platforms and more!

Winter Film Festival 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, written reviews for all films over 20 minutes and tons of on-camera interviews.

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.

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

1) COMPLETION DATE: All films must have been completed not earlier than January 1, 2024.

2) LANGUAGE: Films must be in English or have English subtitles

3) SCREENING FEES: Winter Film Festival is a non-profit organization and we are not able to pay Screening Fees

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

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

7) NOTIFICATIONS: Submitting filmmakers/individuals will be notified by e-mail on or before January 5 2027. Winter Film Festival 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 Festival is not liable for emails delayed by spam filters, server rejections, outdated email addresses or any other technical or human error.

8) INCOMPLETE MATERIALS: 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 Festival, its members, directors, employees, and volunteers are not responsible for lost, unplayable, misplaced, and undelivered film and media.

9) DISTRIBUTION & ONLINE FILMS: With the exception of Web Series and Music Videos, films that are publicly available online, or are available to the public through a distribution service, are ineligible for submission

10) MULTIPLE SUBMISSIONS/MULTIPLE CATEGORIES: Each film should be submitted as a separate entry. Do not submit a single film in multiple categories - if your film crosses multiple categories, choose the category that it best fits into.

11) PROGRAM REMOVAL: The Festival reserves the right to remove a film from the festival program for any reason and shall not be liable for any refund or claims of any kind arising out of such removal.

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

13) FAIR USE: By submitting your film, Winter Film Festival 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) INDEMNIFICATION: You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Winter Film Festival 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.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Ryan Kennedy

    We had a great time screening The Binding at Winter Film Festival 2026. Steffanie and the whole team put together a fantastic event full of exceptional films and tons of opportunities to network and meet other filmmakers. The venue, hospitality, and communication were all top notch as well. Will definitely be submitting again in the future!

    April 2026
  • Talia Fayaz

    I mean what can I say?! Steffanie and George are the most incredible festival organizers ever. The closing ceremony felt like the Oscars in the middle of a an iconic NYC rooftop. I am a fan and will go every year just because of how much love and care they put into each and every filmmaker that is selected. We were interviewed, spotlighted, and we even won a best web series trophy. Thank you Steffanie and George!! You made our festival circuit so charming and special 💕

    March 2026
  • Tim Connery

    I didn't know a lot about the Winter Film Festival in NYC prior to going, but man what a time it was! Especially for my first time in NYC, couldn't think of a better way to premiere our film in the city and state. We ended up winning Best Horror and might I add their awards party was probably one of the best I've ever been to. Amazing views of the city and a fully decked out event. This is a festival that knows the events, interviews, promo are just as crucial to the experience as the quality in films. Cheers on the great festival!

    March 2026
  • John Owens

    This festival was great - from the pre screening interviews, to the really involved Q+A to the offers to support filmmakers after the screening, I couldn't recommend it highly enough.

    March 2026
  • Nikita Vyas Hattangady

    An excellent festival with top level films. Their communication was wonderful. I am so happy my film had an opportunity to screen at the Winter Festival!

    March 2026