The “Need to Knows” of the NYC Indie Film Festival

1. 1. Our Mission

The NYC Independent Film Festival is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit providing a showcase for the best independent cinema from NYC and around the world. The weeklong celebration screens the best indie films, offers educational panels and presentations helmed by industry professionals, and holds live performances. The Festival gives filmmakers the chance for potential distribution and funding. Awards are provided to the top films in each category, and the event as a whole serves as a great opportunity to mingle and network with press, supporters, and fans.

2. 2. Categories

The NYC Independent Film Festival offers a wide variety categories under which filmmakers can submit their work. You can submit under feature length narrative or documentary, short film, super short film, music video, documentary short, short sketch video, animation, art/experimental film, virtual reality, web-series, TV pilot, and mid-length narrative or documentary film.  We strive to provide a platform to tell all of these types of stories.

Variety in film is valuable on more than just the entertainment level. The array of screenings at the NYC Independent Film Festival allows attendees to gain a holistic view of the creative landscape. An animation or an experimental film can be just as informative as a documentary. A story is a story, and we here at the NYC Independent Film Festival appreciate traditional works as well as support new takes on storytelling.

3. 3. Deadlines

Unfortunately, the Early Bird deadline has already passed, but you can still submit for our regular deadline, November 30. Even if you miss the Regular Deadline, we will still accept submissions until the Late Deadline on December 30 and then the final Extended Deadline on January 31; however, the cost of submission will increase as each deadline passes. Our judges are working incessantly to review the films that have already been submitted, and we look forward to receiving additional submissions.

Cost varies depending on category. A complete list of cost per category can be found at https://www.nycindieff.com/submissions/submit. As of right now, there have not been as many submissions under the categories of Virtual Reality, TV Pilots, and Sketch Comedy so we encourage you to submit!

4. 4. Highlights

The NYC Independent Film Festival has screened multiple films that have gone on to be acquired, distributed, and nominated across a host of reputable platforms.

When the Ocean Met the Sky screened in 2015 was acquired by The Orchard for distribution. Three of our 2016 submissions also went on to have great success. A Beautiful Now was released on Netflix, A Nearly Perfect Blue Sky was screened at Sundance in 2017 during their "Midnight Short Films" category, and Mile End was released to Video on Demand exclusively on Flix. 2017 was another good year for our filmmakers. Bruce was acquired by Comedy Dynamics for distribution and Kayayo: The Living Shopping Basket, which won the award for Best Short Documentary at the NYC Indie Film Festival, was nominated for an Academy Award in the category for "Best Documentary Short Subject." Most recently, In a Heartbeat, which won for Best Animation in 2018 at our festival, was shortlisted for an Academy Award.

We here at the NYC Indie Film Festival would like to congratulate these filmmakers on their accomplishments! We are grateful to all applicants for the opportunity to feature your work.

5. 5. Support Us

Mark your calendars from May 5 to 12 because 2019 marks the 10th Annual NYC Independent Film Festival! Expect to see some high quality films and have a great time! We will be screening all of our ‘Best Music Video’ winners since this festival’s inception in order to honor a full decade of independebt film. We can’t wait to share all of our fabulous music videos from throughout the years to see how trends have changed and how the art form has evolved.

The NYC Independent Film Festival is non-profit, and it would not be possible without the help of its supporters. If you would like to donate to help sustain the festival for years to come, please visit https://www.nycindieff.com/donate. Thank you for your continued support!