Going into our 3rd year after another successful event in 2023 with full auditoriums, exciting parties, and a fancy awards show, New York CineFest is back! Playing in April, 2024 at the LOOK Dine-In Cinemas in Hell's Kitchen.

Our event will host a lively opening night red carpet party followed by 4 days of screenings in a modern theater with reclining seats and great food and drink options!

In addition to the screenings, there is a lot to enjoy with art, music, food and nightlife in the city that never sleeps!

New York CineFest will offer glass awards for the following categories:
Best Picture (Feature Film)
Best Director of a Feature
Best Actor in a Feature
Best Actress in a Feature
Best Cinematography (Feature or Short)
Best Comedy Short
Best Drama Short
Best Thriller Short
Best Dance Short
Best Director of a Short
Best Actor in a Short
Best Actress in a Short

There is no limit to the number of films you can submit; however, each film submitted by you must be original and different from any other film submitted by you and accompanied by its own completed submission form and participant agreement.

Films must be in English or subtitled in English and must be submitted via the FilmFreeway platform. All eligible entries received by New York CineFest will be judged by the New York CineFest selection committee. New York CineFest reserves the right to disqualify or reject any film that it determines, in its sole and absolute discretion, to contain prohibited content or is offensive, inappropriate or otherwise unacceptable. Selections will be notified by email.

By submitting your film for consideration to New York CineFest, you agree that you possess the rights to all visual elements and sound, including music, used in your film and you allow New York CineFest to publicly screen your film, if and when it is announced as an official selection of the festival.

Digital Cinema Package, DCP, Required - The festival will only play films in the DCP format in the theater. Discs and video files of any other kind are not acceptable.

Any costs associated with making DCPs and/or movie files are paid for by the filmmakers. The festival is not responsible for the cost of any DCP creation or delivery
and will not refund or reimburse any costs associated with the making of DCPs for any reason.

The festival reserves the right to change, postpone or cancel the event at anytime for any reason with no obligation to offer refunds or reimbursement of costs for any expenses filmmakers may have had associated with the festival including but not limited to travel, marketing materials, DCP creation and delivery, and/or ticket purchases.

Employees (and their immediate families (parent, spouse, child, sibling and their respective spouses, regardless of where they reside) and those living in their same households, whether or not related) of New York CineFest and any of their respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries and advertising and promotion agencies or festival sponsors, are not eligible to enter films for competition.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Claire Chubbuck

    Without question, the best festival I have been part of - and at this point it has been many. The networking potential is huge. The events/energy is fun. The films are next level quality.

    June 2023
  • Liz Galalis

    We had so much fun premiering FENCE SITTER at New York CineFest. Gustavo created a supportive and inviting atmosphere and the slate of shorts in our block were amazing!

    June 2023
  • Sassy Mohen

    Wow, I had such a great time at the NY Cinefest!! The whole staff was friendly, welcoming, and communicative and they really care about the filmmakers experience. I loved the caliber of films that were shown, the events, the theater. All of it! I highly recommend

    June 2023
  • I loved everything about this festival! Gustavo Sampaio, the festival Director, was so kind, organized and communicative from start to finish. The festival is full of heart, passion, films and filmmakers that genuinely believe in the power of storytelling and I was grateful to be a part of it. I'm thankful to have had this festival as our premiere for my film, WHITE NOISE, and to have been nominated for best Dramatic Short. It was a privilege and I look forward to the next one. Thank you for everything, Gustavo!

    May 2023
  • Johnny Giacalone

    The cast and crew of STATIC had an amazing time at NY Cinefest. Tremendous communication from the festival director, great parties, networking, turnout and all at a classy venue.

    May 2023