This New York festival holds three events each year - Spring, Fall and Winter. For the next edition February 5 - 15, more than 150 films are to be screened in five different venues. The films will be vying for 17 different awards depending on the film categories. In the feature category: best feature, director, dramatic feature, romantic comedy and foreign film. In the documentary category: social, foreign, educational and human rights. In the short section: best short , romantic short and foreign short. Other various awards include best experimental film, best animation and most promising Latin American director.

Opening night at Madison Square Garden is more like a talent showcase bringing together filmmakers and musicians, actors and fashion designers, painters and photographers, sculptors...

Another festival feature emphasizing this festival's role in cutting edge independent film and video making is its exchange program. The New York International Independent Film & Video festival has joined forces with The Helsinki Film Festival, also known as "The Love & Anarchy Film Festival". The two film festivals will exchange festival winners to be screened at each festival, thereby increasing international exposure for independent filmmakers, through festival media and indus try outlets.