RAW - NYC Indie Fest: Where Films Keep It Real

Lights down, vibes up—RAW is the underground hangout for movies that give zero effs about fitting in. This ain’t your stuffy film fest. We’re here for the messy, bold, and "wildly" original stories that hit you right in the feels (or the gut).

Think:
🔥 No-budget passion projects that slap harder than Hollywood
🔥 Docs that don’t sugarcoat
🔥 Weirdo experimental shorts that make you go “…wait, what?”
🔥 And after-parties where filmmakers and fans geek out over cheap beer and cheaper pizza

New York’s gritty soul meets indie hustle. Skip the red carpets—here, it’s ripped jeans, sticky floors, and screens buzzing with *real* stories. Meet the next-gen Spielbergs (shoutout to the DPs paid in ramen) and fans who’ll fist-bump you over a shared obsession with that one “holy-cow-did-they-just-do-that” scene. RAW isn’t just watching movies—it’s living them. Come for the flicks. Stay because you’re low-key obsessed.

RAW isn’t just watching movies—it’s feeling them.
Come for the flicks. Stay because you’re low-key obsessed.

Yo, you in?
August 3rd|Move Cold Springs – some NYC hidden room
#KeepItRaw

🏆 The Gutpunch Award / Best Short and Feature Films
For the film that leaves you breathless, bruised, and weirdly grateful.
A story so visceral it rewires your DNA. No happy endings required.

🏆 The Shoestring Maverick / No-Budget Film
Best film made with a budget smaller than your Netflix subscription.
Salute the no-budget genius who turned duct tape and desperation into art.

🏆 Rebel Yell Award / Most Experimental Film
Most unapologetically loud, weird, or rule-breaking flick.
Because subtlety is overrated.

🏆 The Midnight Mirage / Most Strange Film
Best "WTF did I just watch?" moment.
For films that melt brains and spark existential debates at 3 a.m.

🏆 Truth Serum Prize / Best Documentary
Documentary that cuts deepest.
No spin, no fluff—just raw, uncomfortable, necessary truth.

🏆 Universal soldier
Best one-person-army filmmaking.
Wrote, shot, edited, and catered craft services? Respect.

🏆 Best DoP
Cinematography that makes chaos beautiful.
Shaky cams, grainy film, and lighting powered by sheer vibes.

🏆 The Ramen Fund Award / First-Time Filmmaking
Emerging filmmaker destined to blow up (but still eats cup noodles).
Talent so raw, even their student loans are jealous.

🏆 Cry, baby, cry / Most emotion-provoking work
Audience pick for the film that started chants, tears, or mosh pits.
Voted by applause, screams, and spilled beer.

No trophies, no tuxes—just bragging rights and a lifetime supply of indie cred.
Winners get a mic drop moment, a handmade poster and love from our crew.

#KeepItRaw

RAW NYC Indie Fest Rules: Keep It Real or
Go Home
1. Submission Savagery
Films must be 100% independent-no studio backing, no corporate sugar daddies. If your budget could fund a Space launch, you're in the wrong place.
2. Freshness First
Films completed after January 2021 only.
We want your latest, loudest, and least apologetic work.
3. No Filter, No FOMO
All genres welcome-narrative, doc, experimental, animation, or that thing you shot on a flip phone. But zero tolerance for hate speech, ads, or Al-generated snoozetests.
4. DIY or Die
Collaborations cool. Credit where it's due, but keep the indie hustle honest.
5. Tech Terror Tolerance
We screen only: mov/mp4, TikTok verticals. Just make it playable. If your file's a corrupted mess, we'll cry (and reject it).
6. Premiere? Maybe.
We prefer new work, but if your film's already premiered in a basement or a Zoom link, we'll still vibe with it.
7. Deadline Drama
Submit by latest deadline. Late entries? Hit us up with a wild excuse and a shot of espresso.
We might cave.
8. Fees are non-refundable. Sorry, but we need to afford everyday Ramen for our team.
9. Screening Surrender If selected, you grant us rights to screen your film live in NYC. You keep all ownership. No NFTs, please.
10. Be Cool or Be Gone Respect the space, the crowd, and the chaos. Fight club rules: no spoilers, no gatekeeping, no vibekilling.
Break the rules? We'll roast you in the group chat.
Questions? Howl at mailbox@filmfestivalraw.com