What is Festival of Cinema NYC?
Festival of Cinema NYC is a festival designed to support independent Filmmakers , and takes place at historic UA Midway in Forest Hills, Queens New York City
Why should I participate in Festival of Cinema NYC?
As a festival created by filmmakers, we do everything to make sure that Independent Filmmakers get what they deserve out of a film festival
The 2020 Festival of Cinema NYC has been postponed
Along with event creators all over the world, we’ve been watching the COVID-19 situation as it evolves. Each passing day brings new developments, but our top priority remains the health and well-being of our staff, attendees and filmmakers from all over the world.
Planning and producing an event is no easy feat. It’s a very complex and emotional process even under the best circumstances. We stand with the event community during a time when our industry is being deeply affected.
Unfortunately during these unprecedented times, while the rest of the world slowly begins to open up again, New York City and the Entertainment Industry are not quite ready. While we wait for Phase Four of the City’s reopening plan, which will include theaters, entertainment venues and live events, the team at Festival of Cinema NYC has made the hard decision to postpone this year’s event to later in the year.
Normally at this time tickets would have gone on sale and the line up would have been announced with filmmakers and guests getting ready to attend a wonderful 10-day event full of independent films and networking. Please understand the increased need for flexibility in times of uncertainty. This is a very dynamic situation, so know that any changes we make, or will be making, are purposeful and intended to help us all navigate the future together. While no specific date has been set, our team has been in close contact with our sponsors and event venues and are confident that we will be able to resume a live event later this year for the public to enjoy.
Staying informed about the impact of the coronavirus around the world is vital to ensuring your safety and the well-being of our team and attendees. In addition to your local public health officials and local authorities, be sure to follow the: World Health Organization (WHO) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC), which include up-to-date guidance for gathering safely.
This is a challenging time, but we take comfort in knowing that gathering together for live experiences is core to the human experience. When this global outbreak recedes, live events will return stronger than ever.
Thank you for being a part of Festival of Cinema NYC.
Check out these videos from our 2019 festival!
Festival of Cinema NYC 2019 on CBSN
To kick-off the 2019 Festival of Cinema NYC, founder and executive director Jayson Simba appeared in the morning segment on CBSN to promote the festival and talk cover some of the highlights that guests, attendees and filmmakers can look forward to!
Festival of Cinema NYC Proudly Supports Our 2019 Sponsors
Festival of Cinema NYC accepts films through the platforms below!
‘We encourage committed filmmakers to submit via FilmFestivalLife. With monthly subscriptions and pro accounts FilmFestivalLife is the smartest way to save money with a strategic approach. Join the platform where award-winning filmmakers and quality festivals meet.’
General Festival Rules
Entry Rules and Regulations
1. Objectives: Our Mission is to celebrate the art of filmmaking and the contribution of filmmakers by hosting an international film festival to support the development and expand the audience reach of independent cinema from around the globe
2. Dates: Festival of Cinema NYC will take place from August 2, 2019 to August 11, 2019
3. Programs: Films will be considered for inclusion in the following programmatic categories
Documentary Feature
Narrative Feature
Narrative Short (40 min or under)
Documentary Short (40 min or under)
Animation
Experimental
Foreign Feature
Web-Series
Music Video
4. Competitions:
Audience Award
Audience Award for Best Feature Film
Audience Award for Best Short Film
Jury Prizes
Best Narrative Feature Competition
Best Narrative Short Competition
Best Documentary Feature Competition
Best Documentary Short Competition
Best Animated/Experimental/Music video Competition
Best Web-Series Competition
Best Director Competition
Best Actor/Actress Competition
Best Supporting Actor/Actress Competition
Best Editing Competition
Best Sound Competition
Best Screenplay Competition
Best Cinematography Competition
Best Make-up & FX Competition
5. Submission Guidelines
A. Submission Formats: For programming consideration, the festival accepts DVD (NTSC only), FilmFreeway Online screeners, or Vimeo links for the complete film. The Festival will not consider trailers or rough edits for selection purposes.
Eligibility Requirements: To be eligible for consideration, all films must meet the following requirements:
i. Be available to screen by August 2, 2019. Filmmakers must provide Festival of Cinema NYC with a clean, clear print for projection. While DCP format is preferred and highly recommended, filmmakers must provide the film for presentation in acceptable HD digital formats (MUST be professionally authored). PLEASE NOTE: Due to the digital transition of our screening location, we are unable to show film, HDCAM, or BetaCam formats.
ii. Not have been commercially screened in the US, or available for video or internet distribution prior to August 2, 2019.
iii. Be in their original language with English subtitles when applicable.
iv. Have been completed production within 2016-2019.
v. Multiple web series episodes will be considered as a whole. Exhibition copy shall not differ from originally submitted materials. Incomplete exhibition copies may be disqualified.
vi. Films previously submitted to the festival and not programmed will only be considered for the 2019 Festival if they meet all the other eligibility requirements as outlined here, and only if it has changed significantly from the previous version submitted.
vii. DCP copies must be received by Simple DCP (NOT postmarked), by June 23rd, 2019.
viii. Hard copy exhibition copies must be received at our New York office address (NOT postmarked), by June 23rd, 2019.
ix. Filmmakers whose exhibition materials are not received by the deadline will be subject to any and all expenses that may arise due to express shipping costs.
Deadlines: Early submission is strongly encouraged with reduced entry fees until November 4, 2018. Final submission deadline is April 14, 2019. The Festival is not obliged to view late entries.
D. Entry Fee Schedule:
All entry fees must accompany your submission for consideration in the Festival.
FEATURE FILMS (40 minutes and above, fiction or non-fiction)
Early Deadline for all Entries From October 1, 2018 – November 4, 2018
$40.00
Regular Deadline for all Entries From November 5, 2018 – February 3, 2019
$55.00
Late Deadline for all Entries From February 4, 2019 – March 10, 2019
$70.00
Final Deadline for all Entries By April 14, 2019
$85
SHORT FILMS (40 minutes or less)
Early Deadline for all Entries From October 1, 2018 – November 4, 2018
$30.00
Regular Deadline for all Entries From November 5, 2018 – February 3, 2019
$45.00
Late Deadline for all Entries From February 4, 2019 – March 10, 2019
$60.00
Final Deadline for all Entries By April 14, 2019
$75
WEB SERIES (40 minutes or less)
Early Deadline for all Entries From October 1, 2018 – November 4, 2018
$30.00
Regular Deadline for all Entries From November 5, 2018 – February 3, 2019
$45.00
Late Deadline for all Entries From February 4, 2019 – March 10, 2019
$60.00
Final Deadline for all Entries By April 14, 2019
$75
MUSIC VIDEOS (10 minutes or less)
Early Deadline for all Entries From October 1, 2018 – November 4, 2018
$25.00
Regular Deadline for all Entries From November 5, 2018 – February 3, 2019
$40.00
Late Deadline for all Entries From February 4, 2019 – March 10, 2019
$55.00
Final Deadline for all Entries By April 14, 2019
$70
STUDENT FEATURE FILMS (with photocopy of current student ID)
Early Deadline for all Entries From October 1, 2018 – November 4, 2018
$35.00
Regular Deadline for all Entries From November 5, 2018 – February 3, 2019
$50.00
Late Deadline for all Entries From February 4, 2019 – March 10, 2019
$65.00
Final Deadline for all Entries By April 14, 2019
$80.00
STUDENT SHORT FILMS (with photocopy of current student ID)
Early Deadline for all Entries From October 1, 2018 – November 4, 2018
$25.00
Regular Deadline for all Entries From November 5, 2018 – February 3, 2019
$40.00
Late Deadline for all Entries From February 4, 2019 – March 10, 2019
$55.00
Final Deadline for all Entries By April 14, 2019
$70.00
Submission Materials:
Mail all submissions to:
Festival of Cinema NYC
ATTN: Submissions
90-60 Union TPKE ste. 8A
Glendale, NY 11385
Send a printed copy of your completed Entry Form.
ii. A clearly marked DVD (NTSC) or Blu Ray Region (0 or 1) of your completed film, labeled with title, tracking number, running time and screening format. We also accept FilmFreeway online screeners and Vimeo links, but we require ALL submissions to be registered with one of our submission platforms. We cannot return submitted copies of films.
iii. Applicable entry fee submitted
Electronic Press Kits only. Hard copy materials submitted with the films will be discarded.
Selections: Films will be selected and entrants will be notified on or approximately by May 20, 2019.
H. Requirements for Selected Films:
Once an entry has been reviewed and selected for the festival, a preliminary notification letter will be issued by email. All selected applicants will be notified by May 20, 2019. Upon notification, Festival of Cinema NYC may request additional press kits and press screeners for each film, sent to the Festival via priority mail, complete with any additional promotional and marketing items needed.
Any unused press materials may be picked up at the press office at the conclusion of the festival. Posters must remain displayed through the end of the day Sunday August 12, 2018. All unclaimed materials will be disposed of 30 days upon conclusion of the Festival.
Promotional Usage: Participants agree that all materials related to their film may be published in the Festival Guide, website, ticketing system, and other promotional materials or property and in all media. Posters and images of the film may be used independently as well as in combination with images from other films to promote the film and Festival of Cinema NYC
J. Clearances: If selected for screening, all commercial/private property including trademark and/or copyrighted materials shown and recorded in the project must come with authorized permission for screening. The filmmaker remains entirely liable for any claims that may occur in result of screening the film.
K Print Liability: Festival of Cinema NYC holds no responsibility for prints damaged upon arrival and may reject or replace the film in the festival if this requirement is not met. The festival will insure the safety of film prints only from the time of delivery to the festival through the time the print is delivered to a shipping agent for return. In case of loss or damage to a print, the festival must receive notification and independent verification immediately. The festival’s obligation is limited to compensating the producer only for the cost of replacing the drive(s).
Print Shipping:
Selected film prints must be received by PREPAID courier no later than 10 days prior to first screening date unless pre-approved by Festival of Cinema NYC
Prints must be clearly marked with the film’s title and the sender’s return address exactly as listed below.
Festival of Cinema NYC
ATTN: Projection
90-60 union tpke 8A
Glendale, NY 11385
Prints will be returned to the Submission Contact within 30 days after the close of the Festival unless pre-arranged with Festival of Cinema NYC prior to August 1, 2019.
Festival of Cinema NYC does not cover any shipping and handling costs. Please clearly indicate on all waybills that transportation and customs charges will be billed to the sender. For custom’s purposes please indicate under declaration “Goods on loan for cultural and educational purposes only. No Commercial Value.” And indicate fair market value not to exceed U.S. $50 for drives.
Please request/obtain confirmation of delivery through the courier tracking service.
Filmmakers must cover all shipping and handling cost associated with any award statuettes they may have won, unclaimed, at the closing night awards gala.
Festival of Cinema NYC will not be held responsible for any damage to all materials shipped.
For more information please refer to the Festival website at www.festivalofcinemanyc.com or contact the Programmer at:
Festival of Cinema NYC
60 1 ave 12C
New York, NY 10009
Phone: (929) 278-5432
Fax (718) 849-3457
info@festivalofcinemanyc.com
TERMS & CONDITIONS
I agree to the following terms and conditions;
– Submission Guidelines –
– Submission Formats: For programming consideration, the festival accepts DVD (NTSC only), FilmFreeway Online screeners, or Vimeo links for the complete film.
– Eligibility Requirements: To be eligible for consideration, all films must meet the following requirements:
i. be available to screen by August 2, 2019. Filmmakers must provide Festival of Cinema NYC with a clean, clear print for projection. Filmmakers must provide the film for presentation in DCP or other acceptable HD digital formats (MUST be professionally authored) at the festival’s sole discretion. PLEASE NOTE: Due to the digital transition of our screening location, we are unable to show film, HDCAM, or BetaCam formats.
ii. not have been commercially screened in the US, or available for video or internet distribution prior to August 2, 2019.
iii. be in their original language with English subtitles when applicable.
iv. have been completed production within the 2016-2019.
– Requirements for Selected Films –
Upon notification, Festival of Cinema NYC may request additional press kits and press screeners for each film, sent to the Festival via priority mail, complete with any additional promotional and marketing items needed.
– in order to qualify for any awards, filmmakers must provide a physical dvd or blu-ray copy of their completed film
Any unused press materials may be picked up at the press office at the conclusion of the festival. Posters must remain displayed through the end of the day Sunday, August 11, 2019. All unclaimed materials will be disposed of 30 days upon conclusion of the festival unless otherwise arranged for pickup.
Promotional Usage: Participants agree that all materials related to their film may be published in the Festival Guide, website, ticketing system, and other promotional materials or property and in all media. Posters and images of the film may be used independently as well as in combination with images from other films to promote the film and Festival of Cinema NYC.
Clearances: If selected for screening, all commercial/private property including trademark and/or copyrighted materials shown and recorded in the project must come with authorized permission for screening. The filmmaker remains entirely liable for any claims that may occur in result of screening the film.
Print Liability: Festival of Cinema NYC holds no responsibility for prints damaged upon arrival and may reject or replace the film in the Festival if this requirement is not met. The Festival will insure the safety of film prints only from the time of delivery to the Festival through the time the print is delivered to a shipping agent for return. In case of loss or damage to a print, the festival must receive notification and independent verification immediately. The Festival’s obligation is limited to compensating the producer only for the cost of replacing the drive(s).
Print Shipping:
Festival of Cinema NYC does not cover any shipping and handling costs. Selected film prints must be received by PREPAID courier no later than 10 days prior to first screening date unless pre-approved by Festival of Cinema NYC.
Prints will be returned to the Submission Contact within 30 days after the close of the festival unless pre-arranged with Festival of Cinema NYC prior to August 1, 2018.
Please clearly indicate on all waybills that transportation and customs charges will be billed to the sender. For custom’s purposes please indicate under declaration “Goods on loan for cultural and educational purposes only. No Commercial Value.” And indicate fair market value not to exceed U.S. $50 for drives.
Please request/obtain confirmation of delivery through the courier tracking service.
Submission Perks:
i. All submitting filmmakers will receive a one-year Videomaker digital subscription approximately 30 days after the festival’s conclusion.
Festival Terms & Conditions
TERMS & CONDITIONS
I agree to the following terms and conditions;
– Submission Guidelines –
– Submission Formats: For programming consideration, the festival accepts DVD (NTSC only), Withoutabox Secure Online screeners, or Vimeo links for the complete film.
– Eligibility Requirements: To be eligible for consideration, all films must meet the following requirements:
i. be available to screen by August 2, 2019. Filmmakers must provide Festival of Cinema NYC with a clean, clear print for projection. Filmmakers must provide the film for presentation in DCP or other acceptable HD digital formats (MUST be professionally authored) at the festival’s sole discretion. PLEASE NOTE: Due to the digital transition of our screening location, we are unable to show film, HDCAM, or BetaCam formats.
ii. not have been commercially screened in the US, or available for video or internet distribution prior to August 2, 2019.
iii. be in their original language with English subtitles when applicable.
iv. have been completed production within the 2016-2019.
– Requirements for Selected Films –
Upon notification, Festival of Cinema NYC may request additional press kits and press screeners for each film, sent to the Festival via priority mail, complete with any additional promotional and marketing items needed.
– in order to qualify for any awards, filmmakers must provide a physical dvd or blu-ray copy of their completed film
Any unused press materials may be picked up at the press office at the conclusion of the festival. Posters must remain displayed through the end of the day Sunday, August 11, 2019. All unclaimed materials will be disposed of 30 days upon conclusion of the festival unless otherwise arranged for pickup.
Promotional Usage: Participants agree that all materials related to their film may be published in the Festival Guide, website, ticketing system, and other promotional materials or property and in all media. Posters and images of the film may be used independently as well as in combination with images from other films to promote the film and Festival of Cinema NYC.
Clearances: If selected for screening, all commercial/private property including trademark and/or copyrighted materials shown and recorded in the project must come with authorized permission for screening. The filmmaker remains entirely liable for any claims that may occur in result of screening the film.
Print Liability: Festival of Cinema NYC holds no responsibility for prints damaged upon arrival and may reject or replace the film in the Festival if this requirement is not met. The Festival will insure the safety of film prints only from the time of delivery to the Festival through the time the print is delivered to a shipping agent for return. In case of loss or damage to a print, the festival must receive notification and independent verification immediately. The Festival’s obligation is limited to compensating the producer only for the cost of replacing the drive(s).
Print Shipping:
Festival of Cinema NYC does not cover any shipping and handling costs. Selected film prints must be received by PREPAID courier no later than 10 days prior to first screening date unless pre-approved by Festival of Cinema NYC.
Prints will be returned to the Submission Contact within 30 days after the close of the festival unless pre-arranged with Festival of Cinema NYC prior to August 1, 2018.
Please clearly indicate on all waybills that transportation and customs charges will be billed to the sender. For custom’s purposes please indicate under declaration “Goods on loan for cultural and educational purposes only. No Commercial Value.” And indicate fair market value not to exceed U.S. $50 for drives.
Please request/obtain confirmation of delivery through the courier tracking service.
Submission Perks:
i. All submitting filmmakers will receive a one-year Videomaker Magazine digital subscription approximately 30 days after the festival’s conclusion.