The New York Film Festival

First held in 1963, The New York Film Festival (NYFF) boasts the newest and most important cinematic works by directors from around the world. The 17-day Festival is an unparalleled showcase of inspiring and provocative cinema by emerging talents and first-rank international artists whose films are often recognized as contemporary classics.

While noticeably smaller in size than Cannes or Toronto, the New York Film Festival is highly competitive with an average of 28 feature films and 12 short films selected each year. Selections are made by a five person committee.

All filmmakers, regardless of experience, are invited to submit work to the New York Film Festival. There is no entry fee. There are no competition categories - all lengths and all genres are considered. Application forms will be available online late May & the deadline for submission is early July.

Special Showcase

A special section of the Festival is the Views from the Avant-Garde which premieres non-narrative, experimental film and video. In addition, the festival also features Special Events and showcases the work of a classic filmmaker.

Awards

The New York Film Festival does not award prizes. Selection into the exclusive festival is considered prize enough. The festival does select an opening night film, a NYFF Centerpiece, and a closing night film.

About The Film Society of Lincoln Center

The Film Society of Lincoln Center was founded in 1969 to celebrate American and international cinema, to recognize and support new directors, and to enhance the awareness, accessibility and understanding of film. Advancing this mandate today, the Film Society hosts two distinguished festivals: the New York Film Festival, which annually premieres the best films from around the world and has introduced the likes of François Truffaut, R.W. Fassbinder, Jean-Luc Godard, Pedro Almodóvar, Martin Scorsese, and Wong Kar-Wai to the United States, and New Directors/New Films, co-presented by the Museum of Modern Art, which focuses on emerging film talents.

Since 1972 when the Film Society honored Charles Chaplin, the annual Gala Tribute celebrates an actor, filmmaker or industry leader who has helped distinguish cinema as an art form. Additionally, the Film Society presents a year-round calendar of programming at its Walter Reade Theater and offers insightful film writing to a worldwide audience through Film Comment magazine.

New York Film Festival Coverage

• Review: Opening Night Film, Laurent Cantet's The Class
• The 46th New York Film Festival Lineup
• 2007 New York Film Festival Coverage