Chain NYC Film Festival

General Rules
ENTRIES

The selection committee would prefer that all entries/screeners be submitted as a Secure Online Screener.

There is no limit to the number of entries you may submit.

Select the category that seems most appropriate. If you wish to enter multiple categories, you must select your primary category and then send an email to the festival requesting consideration for additional categories. There will be no additional fee for this if the festival grants permission.

Fill out the entry form carefully.

A short synopsis of 2 to 4 lines is required for shorts categories.

A short synopsis in addition to a longer synopsis of approximately 125 words is required for the Documentary and Feature categories. You are required to submit this with the entry form. The synopsis will be used for the jury committee, the program book and web site, if accepted. Each submission should also include at least one still production photo or slide, a press kit and bio and photo of the director.

Please provide the most information possible by filling out all areas of your profile before submitting. Should you be accepted we use that information for our web site and need as detailed information you can give.

Notification of acceptance will be emailed on approximately July 1st, 2026. You will be notified for each submission.

If you are entering as a student, a photocopy of a current student ID, as well as an endorsement must accompany your entry from your instructor.

Complete care is given to every entry. The festival, however, cannot be responsible for damage to, or loss of, material submitted. Additionally, the festival is held harmless from damage to or loss of print en route to the festival.

ELIGIBILITY

Works in progress, and industrial/instructional works are not eligible.

Works that are available online are not eligible.

Film cannot play at another festival in the New York City and Tri State area at the same time as Chain NYC Film Festival dates. If accepted this must be an exclusive screening for this area.

ACCEPTANCES

Films will be screened from files provided by the submitter. Files must be given in by deadline requested at acceptance or the film will be removed from screening schedule.

The submitter has final say on which cut of a film will be shown. The Chain NYC Film Festival will not be liable for choices amongst your production team on different cuts of a film. The screener given to us upon acceptance is the one that will be shown. The Chain NYC Film Festival can opt to avoid any confrontations with regards to these matters by disqualifying your film.

Please be aware that if you have not submitted a photo or synopsis it will not be included in the program book or web site. Any corrections received to the original submission material must be received in writing by July 12th, 2026. Changes will not be made after this date.

The Chain NYC Film Festival reserves the right to use clips from accepted entries, up to 3 minutes in length for publicity purposes. The festival reserves the right to show the submission for promotion and fund raising events up to three years past the date of the festival. Submitter can opt out of this clause by sending the festival a written request to opt out of this clause.

The number of screenings, days is at the sole discretion of the festival.

The policy of the festival is that any promotional material and screener copies WILL NOT be returned. If you have specific needs, we will try and help resolve them but you are not guaranteed to receive these materials back.