Editor

We want to see your work!

Festival of Cinema NYC is currently accepting submissions for the 2024 film festival taking place from August 2 - 11, 2024. 
Films and Scripts of all lengths and genres are accepted. Prizes include a pitch meeting and a film distribution consultation.

Entering its 8th year, Festival of Cinema NYC will be taking place from August 2nd - 11th, 2024. The festival welcomes filmmakers and attendees to the legendary Regal UA Midway theater in Forest Hills Queens, New York, with additional programming that includes workshops and panels at the Queens Library at Forest Hills.

Festival of Cinema NYC seeks independent films and un-produced scripts of all lengths, genres and subjects. Whether your film is a drama, comedy, horror, sci-fi, fantasy, documentary, experimental, LGBTQ, animation, even if it tackles social issues - we want to show it! Our Opening Night, Closing Night, and special screening events (like our Midnight Madness and Underground Films presentations) are all selected from the very best submissions we receive. Plus, every filmmaker that submits a film will automatically receive a one-year subscription to Videomaker Digital Magazine, a leading subscription service that focuses on guiding independent filmmakers with online tutorials and publications (a $20 value). All selected filmmakers get VIP passes that allow entry into all our screenings, events, and parties.

Festival of Cinema NYC is the only film festival in New York City to be supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, The New York State Council on the Arts, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. Support from these nationally recognized foundations is a testament to the hard work our team has put into advancing the careers of filmmakers. Whether they are new to the industry with their first film, or a filmmaker with several films under their belt, our mission is to help these emerging filmmakers get more exposure and media attention, reach larger audiences, and meet other industry professionals who can help further their career.

As an IMDB qualifying festival who has consistently landed on FilmFreeway's Top 100 reviewed list, Festival of Cinema NYC has quickly risen to become New York City's go to festival for the best in Independent Film. Festival of Cinema NYC is designed to get maximum exposure for todays emerging filmmakers and help those that are seeking distribution for their film. Our goal is to bring purpose back to film festivals and make it a platform where filmmakers facing challenges can get their work seen and ultimately picked up for distribution. The incredible PR team works around the clock to ensure a large attendance at each screening. In addition, every filmmaker is given a post screening Q&A and a chance to interact with attendees and distribution scouts.

From Red Carpet Press Events to Industry Networking Nights to the Opening, Closing and Awards party - filmmakers are offered numerous opportunities to get their film in front of the right the people, and screened before large audiences. To date Festival of Cinema NYC has helped numerous films, both short and feature length, land a distribution deal.

Our programmers look for the best feature and short truly independent films and un-produced scripts. All films selected come from independent filmmakers that have put their blood, sweat and tears into their productions. Every film and script selected and screened is eligible for an award.

Festival of Cinema NYC was founded by independent filmmakers; therefore, the organizers understand the needs and challenges that filmmakers face. Our festival staff is dedicated to offering filmmakers opportunities to promote and ultimately have their film seen by a large audience, and potentially picked up for distribution. Our festival’s growing reputation of top-notch independent films has consistently attracted more distributors every year, making it a possibility to interact with distributors directly! One of the key components to Festival of Cinema NYC's success is making sure each filmmaker and their film get the proper attention and publicity that they deserve. Our publicity department works diligently to ensure that filmmakers receive coverage in news outlets and local media. Filmmakers at the festival have had their films featured in various news publications around Queens and New York City, including the New York Times, the NY Daily News, the NY Post, the Queens Chronicle, CBSN and NY1 News on Spectrum cable. Attending filmmakers each get a Q&A following their screening, giving them the chance to engage with audiences.

Additionally, Festival of Cinema NYC hosts panels, workshops and seminars that strongly appeal to filmmakers and attendees seeking further insight into the independent film industry. Presenters have included Seed & Spark, SAG-AFTRA, and invited guest speakers. Seminars have included topics such as film distribution, how to build a publicity campaign, and how to raise funding for your project.

Festival of Cinema NYC is a competitive festival that honors the submissions with awards in 17 categories. Every film and script selected is eligible for an award. Past jury members have included writer/director Dito Montiel; Anna Garduno, Executive Producer at Netflix; Amy Peters, Emmy award winner; Doug LeClaire, founder of Asbury Shorts USA; Isil Bagdadi, president of distribution at Cavu Pictures; and David Josh Lawrence, head of acquisitions at Glass House Pictures. Winners are handed a beautiful custom statuette as well as prizes being offered from some of our amazing sponsors. Among this year’s prizes, filmmakers can walk away with a distribution consultation, and a 1-hour sound mixing session with Emmy Award winning sound studio Silver Sound. Additionally, the top 10 script finalist in the un-produced script category will receive a 1-month membership to STAGE 32's writer's room, with the winner given a pitch meeting with a producer of their choice through the STAGE 32 Network.