To design a festival strategy, we must consider the different territorial premieres: from world to local. One of the cities we must pay special attention to is New York. Many festivals of different types are concentrated here, including some of the most prominent in the world.
This week I have been reviewing the festivals that have a local and regional premiere requirement in New York. I have selected 6 of these festivals; no less than four of them are on the Oscars list (New York, Tribeca, DOC NYC, and Urbanworld).
There are many other festivals where you can premiere or participate with your film. For this selection, I have only considered the express premiere requirement, with some important nuances in certain cases.
#1 New York Film Festival
The New York Film Festival is one of the city’s main cinematic events. It takes place at Lincoln Center and is organized by the Film Society Lincoln Center. Its 54th edition was held very recently, from September 30 to October 16.
This festival’s selection is one of the most engaging and carefully curated. In addition to the international feature film selection, it also features programs that include works of any length and new technologies centered around very specific themes. The programming mixes diverse proposals, with a special dedication to the year’s most avant-garde and innovative cinema.
Due to this, it is very difficult to be selected for this festival. If you are interested in premiering here, you must know its lineup well and submit proposals that align with its programming. Submissions are managed through the withoutabox.com platform. The early deadline is usually in March, and submission fees range from $25 to $65 for its late deadline in May (there is an extended deadline that reaches €85 just a few days after the late).
#2 Tribeca
The Tribeca Film Festival was created in 2002 by Robert De Niro and is managed through the Tribeca Film Institute. It has specific sections for feature films and short films, with a special dedication to new technologies and virtual reality, with sections such as Tribeca X (for branded content and branded entertainment), Experiential Project (for new media, virtual reality, installations, etc.), Tribeca N.O.W (for internet projects).
Submissions for all sections are still open. For feature films, the official deadline ends tomorrow with a price of $75, and the late deadline on December 14 increases to $110. For short films, the next deadline is December 2 for a price of $60.
The minimum premiere required by Tribeca is New York, but they prioritize world premieres. It should be noted that some awards are only given to North American premieres. If you are very interested in being selected for Tribeca, it is advisable to reserve the world premiere to increase your chances. It is held from April 19 to 30.
#3 Brooklyn Film Festival
Premiering in Brooklyn is also one of the best options if you are just starting your festival strategy. The early deadline is open until November 30. It is always better to submit as early as possible and take advantage of the reduced prices of the early deadlines.
This festival has sections for both feature films and short films, focusing on independent cinema, which are screened at 5 different venues. The next edition will mark its 20th anniversary and will be held from June 2 to 11, 2017. It is organized by the Brooklyn Film Society and has been rated by MovieMaker magazine as one of the 50 festivals worth paying the submission fee for.
The main premiere requirement is the city of New York, but it is advisable to reserve at least the East Coast premiere of the United States.
#4 DOC NYC
The New York Documentary Festival is another of the city’s premiere festivals. In this case, the competitive section for feature films must be a premiere, but for short films it is “valued” (also for non-competitive feature films). In these cases, it is better to reserve the premiere, even if it is not mandatory.
It took place a few days ago, from November 9 to 16. It is a young festival, with only six editions; the first was in 2010, and four years later it was already one of the most important documentary festivals in the United States. The submission deadline was March 4 for its early deadline, with a price of $45 for feature films and $35 for shorts.
#5 New York LGBT Film Festival NewFest
If your film has an LGBT theme, you must seriously consider NewFest, which also requires a New York premiere. The festival was held from October 20 to 25 and has sections for feature films, documentaries, and short films.
The first submission deadline usually closes in May, with an early deadline of $35 for feature films and $20 for short films.
#6 Urbanworld Film Festival
To participate in Urbanworld, the film’s core team must consist of people of color: the director, screenwriter, producer, or lead actors.
It took place from September 21 to 25. Founded in 1997, the next edition will mark its 20th anniversary. If you have options to submit, the early deadline was April 11 for shorts and features, with a price of $45.
Summarizing the strategy for premiering at New York festivals
This is the order based on the earliest month for the deadline:
- Brooklyn – November – June 2 to 11.
- New York – March – September 30 to October 16.
- DOC NYC – March – November 9 to 16.
- NewFest – May – October 20 to 25.
- Urbanworld – April – September 21 to 25.
- Tribeca – October – April 19 to 30. (Note that it is still open for late submissions)
Do you know of another premiere festival in New York?