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New York City Independent Film Festival (2019)

Deadlines

17 May 2018
Call for entries

20 Aug 2018
Early deadline

25 Nov 2018
Standard deadline

30 Dec 2018
Late deadline

28 Jan 2019
Festival closed

01 Mar 2019
Notification date

05 May 2019
12 May 2019

Address

358 West 44th Street, 10036, New York, New York, United States

Festival description

Short Films 59'<

Feature Films >60' 140'<

Festival requirements

Fiction

Documentary

Animation

Fantastic

Terror

Experimental

Music Video

Other

Any Genre

Any Theme

Has submission fees

International Festival

Physical Location

January 2015

Production countries: Any

Shooting countries: Any

Director nationalities: Any

Debut Films

School projects

Any language

Subtitles
English

Share on Social Networks

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English

Festival description (Edition: 2019)

Festival start: 05 May 2019 Festival end: 12 May 2019

We are proud to present the 10th Annual New York City Independent Film Festival. This year's festival will run from May 5 to May 12, 2019. The festival will strive to promote an open and nurturing environment for artists, writers, actors, film-makers and fans, and will focus on offering great networking opportunities for its participants.

Thanks to each year's success, New York City Independent Film Festival is growing. We are proud to add the Art Films (Experimental) category and look forward to all the great submissions we are sure will follow. We will be screening more films and offering more panels and discussion groups.

We will screen narratives, documentaries, short films, super shorts, animation shorts and music videos. We are looking for documentaries where the filmmaker had a passion, which he/she put into the film. No matter the subject, if the work has merit and the filming is well done; be it a full-length feature, a short or a super short - we are interested in viewing it. We are looking for all genres of narratives from comedy to drama and from thrillers to love stories.

ORGANIZERS
Bonnie Rush (Founder) ; Dennis Cieri (Filmmaker/Founder/Executive Director)

Prizes and qualifications

Our 2019 prizes will be finalized soon but as of now these are the ones we have!

Best Director
1 year complimentary membership and pitch listing on iPitch.tv
Free access to licensed music catalogue for next project, provided by Epidemic Sound

Best Cinematography
1 year complimentary membership and pitch listing
Free access to licensed music catalogue for next project, provided by Epidemic Sound

Best Narrative Feature
1 year complimentary membership and pitch listing on iPitch.tv
Free access to licensed music catalogue for next project, provided by Epidemic Sound

Best Documentary Feature
1 year complimentary membership and pitch listing on iPitch.tv
Free access to licensed music catalogue for next project, provided by Epidemic Sound

Best Short Film
ShortsTV Distribution
1 year complimentary membership and pitch listing on iPitch.tv
Free access to licensed music catalogue for next project, provided by Epidemic Sound

Best Super Short Film
ShortsTV Distribution
1 year complimentary membership and pitch listing on iPitch.tv
Free access to licensed music catalogue for next project, provided by Epidemic Sound

Best Short Documentary
1 year complimentary membership and pitch listing on iPitch.tv
Free access to licensed music catalogue for next project, provided by Epidemic Sound

Best Short Script
Free listing on InkTip
ISAConnect membership & featured in writers showcase on ISA website
1 year complimentary membership and pitch listing on iPitch.tv
Free access to licensed music catalogue for next project, provided by Epidemic Sound

Best Animation
1 year complimentary membership and pitch listing on iPitch.tv
Free access to licensed music catalogue for next project, provided by Epidemic Sound

Best Art/Experimental
1 year complimentary membership and pitch listing on iPitch.tv
Free access to licensed music catalogue for next project, provided by Epidemic Sound

Best Music Video
1 year complimentary membership and pitch listing on iPitch.tv
Free access to licensed music catalogue for next project, provided by Epidemic Sound

Best Actor
iActing Studios one-year subscription to online classes
1 year complimentary membership and pitch listing on iPitch.tv
Free access to licensed music catalogue for next project, provided by Epidemic Sound

Best Actress
iActing Studios one-year subscription to online classes
1 year complimentary membership and pitch listing on iPitch.tv
Free access to licensed music catalogue for next project, provided by Epidemic Sound

Best VR Video
1 year complimentary membership and pitch listing on iPitch.tv
$200 cash
Free access to licensed music catalogue for next project, provided by Epidemic Sound

Best Short Sketch Comedy Video
1 year complimentary membership and pitch listing on iPitch.tv
$200 cash
Free access to licensed music catalogue for next project, provided by Epidemic Sound

Best TV Pilot
1 year complimentary membership and pitch listing on iPitch.tv
$200 cash
Free access to licensed music catalogue for next project, provided by Epidemic Sound

Best Web Series
1 year complimentary membership and pitch listing on iPitch.tv
$200 cash
Free access to licensed music catalogue for next project, provided by Epidemic Sound

*All prizes subject to change*

Rules

GENERAL RULES

We hope everyone has fun and enjoys themselves at the festival. but a few suggestions...

Please submit as soon as possible. The process goes a lot smoother if we are not sent a lot of films at the last minute. THANKS!

We only accept online submissions. DVDs do not get lost and it is much easier to share the video. Festhome online secure video is fine, and so is a password protected Vimeo / Youtube link posted through Festhome.

Please note that the ONLY difference in the early submission deadline versus the final submission deadline is the fee discount. The submission process and consideration by the Programming Committee is not affected by the date you submit your film as long as it is postmarked by our final deadline - your chances are equal regardless of the day your film makes it into our offices, as long as it is postmarked by the final deadline!

ALL films submitted to the festival are seen and scored by multiple judges. All films that have a high rating average, or are a favorite of a programmer, go on to final deliberations. NYCIFF selects its films by majority vote.

Film Submissions are non-returnable for any reason.

If a film is accepted, entrants will be solely responsible for delivering their promotional materials to and from the festival venue. Complete press kits will be needed as soon after notification as possible. NYCIFF cannot be held liable for your exhibition print/video materials which are lost or damaged.

In 2019 the awards will be juried.

Please note festival dates are subject to change.

Unfortunately, NYCIFF does not provide room, board or travel for filmmakers.

Documentary Feature

Feature Films >70' 130'< (2016+)

Fee -10%

Early 50$ 45$ 20 Aug 18

Standard 60$ 54$ 25 Nov 18

Extended 80$ 72$ 28 Jan 19

Submissions deadline
28 January 2019

A Documentary is a film that depicts true facts, true information presented in a reasonably balanced and accurate way. With a length of between 60 to 130 minutes.

Short Film

Short Films >11' 40'< (2015+)

Fee -10%

Early 40$ 36$ 20 Aug 18

Standard 50$ 45$ 25 Nov 18

Extended 65$ 58.5$ 28 Jan 19

Submissions deadline
28 January 2019

Any non-documentary film from 11 minutes to 59 minutes in length is acceptable. Short Documentaries have their own category

Super Short Film

Short Films 10'< (2016+)

Fee -10%

Early 35$ 31.5$ 20 Aug 18

Standard 45$ 40.5$ 25 Nov 18

Extended 60$ 54$ 28 Jan 19

Submissions deadline
28 January 2019

A Super Short Film is any film 10 minutes or less that is NOT a music video or a documentary. Music Videos and Short Documentaries have their own categories.

Narrative Feature Films

Feature Films >70' 140'< (2016+)

Fee -10%

Early 50$ 45$ 20 Aug 18

Standard 60$ 54$ 25 Nov 18

Extended 80$ 72$ 28 Jan 19

Submissions deadline
28 January 2019

A full length Feature Narrative Film. A work of fiction. From 70 to 140 minutes in length.

Music Video

Short Films 10'< (2016+)

Fee -10%

Early 35$ 31.5$ 20 Aug 18

Standard 45$ 40.5$ 25 Nov 18

Extended 60$ 54$ 28 Jan 19

Submissions deadline
28 January 2019

A Music Video is a video/film that is produced around a song. Its purpose is to enhance the song by adding visuals. With a maximum length of 10 minutes.

Short Documentary

Short Films 40'< (2016+)

Fee -10%

Early 40$ 36$ 20 Aug 18

Standard 50$ 45$ 25 Nov 18

Extended 65$ 58.5$ 28 Jan 19

Submissions deadline
28 January 2019

A Short Documentary in a film that depicts true facts, true information presented as a reasonably balanced and accurate way, in 59 minutes or less.

Short Animation

Short Films 30'< (2016+)

Fee -10%

Early 40$ 36$ 20 Aug 18

Standard 50$ 45$ 25 Nov 18

Extended 65$ 58.5$ 28 Jan 19

Submissions deadline
28 January 2019

We will accept, Classical (hand drawn, traditional), Digital, Stop-motion, Clay, Cut-out, Paint-on-glass, Drawn-on-film and Experimental animation. Tell a good story and be creative we want to see it! Maximum length of 30 minutes.

Art Films (Experimental)

Short Films 10'< (2016+)

Fee -10%

Early 35$ 31.5$ 20 Aug 18

Standard 45$ 40.5$ 25 Nov 18

Extended 60$ 54$ 28 Jan 19

Submissions deadline
28 January 2019

We accept works in film or video of experimental or art or whatever you want to call it (narrative or documentary not accepted) on any subject. Be creative and break the rules! The length should be between 1 and 10 minutes.

Virtual Reality

Short Films >1' 20'< (2016+)

Fee -10%

Early 25$ 22.5$ 20 Aug 18

Standard 30$ 27$ 25 Nov 18

Extended 40$ 36$ 28 Jan 19

Submissions deadline
28 January 2019

360 Videos/Cinematic VR: submissions must be uploaded to YouTube in a 360 format (preferably with spatial audio) and a link to the video on YouTube should be provided in the submission. Films will be shown in GearVRs, so filmmakers must indicate a preference for Oculus Video or Samsung VR (formerly MilkVR). After acceptance, filmmakers will be required to provide an MP4 or MKV that plays in one of those two applications on a GearVR.

Interactive VR using a game engine like Unity or Unreal: Samsung Gear VR and HTC Vive will be available, the experience must be designed for one of those two platforms. The required file, such as an APK, should be provided. If available, a video-based trailer should also be included with submissions. We can provide additional information as necessary, such as Oculus-issued Signature (OSIG) information for devices, after a filmmaker submits their work.

Short Script

Short and Feature Films (2016+)

Fee -10%

Early 45$ 40.5$ 20 Aug 18

Standard 55$ 49.5$ 25 Nov 18

Extended 70$ 63$ 28 Jan 19

Submissions deadline
28 January 2019

All screenplays submitted will receive a 3 to 4 paragraph written analysis. Submitted scripts must be original, and the sole property of the applicant(s), submitted under your own name(s). Accepted scripts will be listed in the festival program and on the website. Scripts cannot yet have been produced and cannot yet be in production. All ages are eligible. Short screenplays must be in English, between 5 and 30 pages in length and submitted in PDF format. No exceptions.

Short Sketch Comedy

Short Films >1' 5'< (2016+)

Fee -10%

Early 25$ 22.5$ 20 Aug 18

Standard 30$ 27$ 25 Nov 18

Extended 40$ 36$ 28 Jan 19

Submissions deadline
28 January 2019

This category is for the 5 minutes or less sketch video. Send us your funniest video and if selected, beside showing the videos we will also have live shows with the invited groups being offered the opportunity to perform during the festival.

Web Series

Short Films >1' 10'< (2016+)

Fee -10%

Early 30$ 27$ 20 Aug 18

Standard 40$ 36$ 25 Nov 18

Extended 55$ 49.5$ 28 Jan 19

Submissions deadline
28 January 2019

This category is for web series episode(s) of any genre. The maximum length for submissions is 10 minutes, you may submit multiple episodes as long as the total runtime is 10 minutes or less. If your show is serialized in its storytelling, we recommend submitting the pilot so that the audience will have as much context as possible.

Narrative Mid-Length films

Short and Feature Films >41' 70'< (2016+)

Fee -10%

Early 45$ 40.5$ 20 Aug 18

Standard 55$ 49.5$ 25 Nov 18

Extended 70$ 63$ 28 Jan 19

Submissions deadline
28 January 2019

Narrative Mid-Length films 41 - 70 minutes in length

Documentary Mid-Length films

Short and Feature Films >41' 70'< (2016+)

Fee -10%

Early 45$ 40.5$ 20 Aug 18

Standard 55$ 49.5$ 25 Nov 18

Extended 70$ 63$ 28 Jan 19

Submissions deadline
28 January 2019

Mid-length Documentary Film - 41 to 70 minutes

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