The New York WILD Film Festival is the only documentary film festival in New York to present powerful exhilarating films about the wild world around us. These carefully selected films from around the world will cover a spectrum of wild topics, from exploration and adventure to wildlife, conservation and the environment.

The festival celebrates the filmmakers who — through the power of their images and storytelling — promote awareness, educate, and spark interest in exploring and conserving the natural world around us. NY WILD, through your films, presents a unique opportunity to exchange ideas, affect vital change, and celebrate the wild.

New York WILD is excited to partner again with the venerable Explorers Club whose members have accomplished many incredible “firsts" – from the deepest point in the ocean to the surface of the moon.

Expect 30-35 screenings over four days, Q&A's with celebrated filmmakers, talent, and thought leaders. In addition to all-day screenings, The Explorers Club will host lunch with fellow adventurers and offer once-in-a-lifetime social and networking events.

New York WILD is proud to partner with New York University and NYU Shanghai for the fifth year. If your film is shown at New York WILD, you will have an opportunity for your film to be selected at NYU in NY or in Shanghai. Your work will reach an international audience of students, faculty and the Shanghai community. Read more about this at https://nywildfilmfestival.com/about-us/university-partners/

The New York WILD Film Festival is fiscally sponsored by New York Women in Film and Television, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Submission fees are a vital part of the festival's fundraising, helping to ensure a successful review process and overall event. Thank you to all the filmmakers for participating!

Juried Competition with awards for the following categories:
Exploration
Adventure
Wildlife
Conservation
Environmental
Short (under 30 min)
Feature (60-90 min)
Student
Best in Festival

CATEGORIES & LENGTHS:
***Please submit your film to ONE category -- you only need to pay one fee per film. NY WILD reserves the right to consider the film in a different category, as many categories overlap.

***If your film is over 60 minutes, please enter in the feature category and the WILD team will decide what genre it fits.

Exploration: 30-60 mins
Adventure: 30-60 mins
Wildlife: 30-60 mins
Conservation: 30-60 mins
Environmental: 30-60 mins
Feature Length: 60-90 mins
Shorts: 5-30 mins
Super Shorts: 1-5 mins
Student: 1-90 mins

**Shorter festival edits of feature length films are usually preferred.
We have limited program slots for films longer than 80 minutes, but all submissions of this length (and longer) will be taken into consideration.

LANGUAGE: Non-English speaking films must have English subtitles.

YEAR COMPLETED:
Accepting films completed after January 1, 2022.

ENTRIES:
All films must be submitted through FilmFreeway, we do not accept submissions through other digital platforms.

FEES:
New York WILD does not pay screening fees.

EXHIBITION FORMAT:
If your film is selected to screen at New York WILD we will request copies of any of the following for exhibition: ProRes HQ & H264. We do not screen DCPs.

PERMISSIONS:
By submitting a film to the Festival (and agreeing to these terms and conditions) you are confirming that all necessary permissions have been sought from contributors to the film, and royalties paid, including ‘release’ from those appearing in the film and creators of any soundtrack/music. Films must be clean of all advertisements for exhibition.

I, the undersigned, have read The New York WILD Film Festival (hereafter NYWFF) entry procedures and rules and I agree to abide by them. I acknowledge and agree that, to the best of my knowledge, all of the information provided is accurate, the film submitted is an original work and I am duly authorized to submit this film and promotional materials to NYWFF. Any copyrighted materials included in the work have been legally cleared for use, and NYWFF is not responsible for any copyright infringement resulting from public screenings.

I agree that, if this film is selected, NYWFF has permission to screen the film at the festival on April 4–7, 2024.

Additional Screenings: Your film may be selected to screen at NYU or NYU Shanghai or other screenings throughout the year. Filmmaker will be notified with the request.

If this film is to be screened at NYWFF, I also agree that NYWFF has the right to use footage for promotional materials (ex festival trailer) and to publish selections from the promotional materials, such as still images, in any or all publications for the purpose of promoting NYWFF. I hereby hold NYWFF harmless and release it from any claims that I or others may have with respect to the use of the promotional materials and the public screening of this film.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • We had a great time screening our film 'Hellbent" at the New York WILD Film Festival. The team did a great job at organizing the festival and I met a lot of great filmmakers there. Would highly recommend submitting if you have a film related to exploration, conservation, social justice, community, and more.

    April 2023
  • To screen our film within the walls of the Explorer's club and its distinguished members and guests was an incredible experience! The New York WILD Film Festival was the last festival we have submitted our film, "Pathfinder," and by far the most incredible and most magnificent film festival we had the pleasure to be a part of.

    Nancy, Brianne, and the rest of the team were very communicative and created an incredible and memorable event. All the film selections were fascinating, and it was indeed a privilege to attend and screen our own. They also held a networking event which was a remarkable experience. We can't recommend The WILD Film Festival enough.

    May 2022
  • Conor Ferris

    Fantastic festival.

    Nancy and the team were brilliant hosts. The film selection was outstanding, I developed my industry network and met other environmentally conscious individuals, passionate about the natural world. It was an honour to be a part of this very special event. I could not recommend this festival enough.

    April 2022
  • It was great being part of New York Wild as a film maker. The staff were very good to deal. I got a real sense they were selecting films that show the value of wild places which will assist the effort to keep them wild.

    March 2020
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    Response from festival:

    Hi Michael, your film was a tremendous hit and perfect for the Best Exploration Film. Amazing exploring and filmmaking.

  • Thomas Rowell

    Such a great festival. The organizers were communicative and supportive from the beginning. I would recommend submitting to everyone!

    March 2019