Now in its milestone 15th Year, the Katra Film Series is an award-winning independent film festival and screenwriting competition dedicated to championing the next generation of talented emerging and established filmmakers and content creators from around the world. Hailed by Tribeca Films for its "honorable mission to spotlight new and emerging cinematic talents…where some of their top alums have since gone on to great things in the indie world and beyond" while the New York Times agrees “From the bottom up an amazing and excellent festival that has made it in New York,” and Remezcla Media writes “An innovative new model pushing for the future of its filmmakers,” while Time Out NY states “Nothing but the best.” A few years ago ‘LLERO magazine summed it up succinctly “A memorable film fest like no other. The Katra Film Series has become a hub for up-and-coming filmmakers.”

Our prizes are provided by Universal DCP, Canon USA, JMR Rentals, Rhino Films, Screenblade Studios, International Screenwriters' Association, New York Women in Film and TV, Bowery Film Festival and more. Every season we curate a selection of independent works where audience participation is central in choosing the winners. Some of our past alums have landed theatrical and streaming distribution and have gone on to write, produce and direct feature films and TV shows for HBO, CNN Films, FOX, Netflix, Hulu, Peacock, Showtime, ESPN, Vice Media including festival stops at Sundance, Tribeca, Berlin and Cannes Film Festival.

RECENT SUCCESS STORIES:

Joel Vargas - Winner of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival for his debut feature film "Mad Bills to Pay" - Featured in Vanity Fair Magazine and Listed as Filmmaker Magazine's Top 25 Independent Filmmakers to Watch.

Takeshi Fukunaga - Director of Emmy-Award and Golden Globe winning hit Hulu TV Series "Shogun"

Judd Ehrlich - Co-Producer of "Oh, Canada" world premiered at 2024 Cannes Film Festival. Directed by Paul Shrader and starring Uma Thurman, Richard Gere, Michael Imperioli.

Jose Rivera - Co-Writer of Netflix TV Series "One Hundred Years of Solitude" based on Nobel Prize Winning author Gabriel Garcia Marquez acclaimed novel.

Katra Film Series has been featured in the The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NY1, Time Out Magazine, CNN, The Huffington Post, Daily News, NY1, NBC, Women & Hollywood, Metro NY, The New Machine, Bklyner, and many other local, national internationals publications.

***Please note festival dates are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances***

Awards & Prizes

Over $50,000+ in prizes including, camera loaners, equipment rental packages, free studio time, production and post-production services, and more.

Rules & Terms

All genres/forms accepted. Seeking Features, Shorts, Web Series, Documentary, Music Videos, Experimental Works, Animation, Video Art and screenplays. Please note: we accept works-in-progress.

THERE IS NO PREMIERE POLICY (Although not mandatory we prefer NYC premieres. Many of our alums have gone on to screen at the biggest festivals worldwide). Works must have been completed after January 1, 2021. From no budget to big budget. JUST SIMPLY BLOW OUR MINDS! All foreign-language films MUST be subtitled in English.

1. Submission Eligibility
- All submissions must have been completed after January 1, 2024.
- There is no premiere policy.
- Works-in-progress are accepted.

2. Exhibition Format: DCP

3. Submitters understand that submission of their work authorizes the Katra Film Series to screen the work, and use the work for any exhibition, education and/or publicity purposes related to Katra Film Series. Katra Film Series is not responsible for any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, or royalty infringement related to the work. Submitters may receive future correspondence from the Katra Film Series.

4. Submission Fee
The submission fee is non-refundable.

121 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Will Turner

    I am honored to have my feature script, Spinning, win Best Feature Screenplay at this year's festival. The Katra team was great at keeping me in the loop at all stages of the process, providing lots of networking opportunities, and adding the personal touch of communicating quickly if I had questions. Great team. Great festival. Highly recommend.

    May 2026
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  • Paula McCool

    Thank you so much for my commendations for my short script DURNING ROAD! This is a great festival, and all communications from the team have been timely and professional.

    April 2026
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  • Christian Dai Duong Borchers

    It was an honor to have the premiere of my film The Protagonist at the Katra Film Series. The communication and organization were excellent. I am very grateful for this experience and hope to be able to participate again with my next film.

    April 2026
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  • Charles Prongua

    It was an honour being a finalist in this year's Feature Screenplay category. I look forward to attending the event in person in the future!

    April 2026
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  • Sylvia Thomas

    I really enjoyed being apart of this experience!

    April 2026
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