The 59th New York Film Festival submissions are now open

Founded in 1963, NYFF is produced every fall by Film at Lincoln Center featuring work from celebrated filmmakers as well as new talent from around the globe.

The 59th edition of the festival will take place between 24 September 24 and 10 October.

While the festival is open to films of any length, only short films (40 minutes or less) are accepted through FilmFreeway. NYFF is noncompetitive, and all sections are curated by the selection committee with support from an international roster of programming advisors and screeners.

NYFF’s call for submissions provides an opportunity for new and emerging filmmakers to share their work in an otherwise curated festival. In addition to film submissions collected via FilmFreeway, the NYFF59 selection committee considers recommendations from alumni and industry colleagues, as well as work that has premiered in international festivals and galleries since the previous edition of NYFF. Submitted films will be evaluated by NYFF59 programming staff and considered equally with all other prospective entrants. All films submitted through FilmFreeway will be notified of their status by 30 July.

In 2020, organisers unveiled a reimagined festival structure under the leadership of new NYFF director Eugene Hernandez and NYFF director of programming Dennis Lim. The festival’s offerings were streamlined into five sections: Main Slate, Currents, Spotlight, Revivals, and Talks. The NYFF59 selection committee consists of Florence Almozini, K. Austin Collins, Devika Girish, Eugene Hernandez, Dennis Lim, Aily Nash, Rachel Rosen, Dan Sullivan, Madeline Whittle, and Tyler Wilson, with Violeta Bava, Michelle Carey, Leo Goldsmith, Rachael Rakes, and Gina Telaroli serving as advisors.

Submissions are open now until 24 May, and will be accepted via FilmFreeway.