18th Annual — June 1–7, 2026
New York City Independent Film Festival
Independent in Spirit — International at Heart.
18th Annual Festival Week
June 1–7, 2026 · The Producers Club, 358 W 44th St, NYC
Opening
Closing
We’re honored
The New York City Independent Film Festival was just voted the second-best film festival in New York City by Secret New York City. We are second only to TriBeCa! Having a budget a fraction of TriBeCa’s this is a real honor. We are thrilled! We couldn’t do it without you and your films, so we thank you for your support. This honor makes us very proud of our work.
2026 Award Categories
Narrative Feature
Narrative Short
Feature Documentary
Short Documentary
Super Short, AI, Art House & More
Info
Awards
Top films across narrative feature, documentary, short, super short, AI, and more.
Curators & Judges
Industry professionals and our team curate and judge the program.
Mission & Vision
Mission
In a world divided by fear, independent filmmakers from around the world join together in New York City for one week every year to share ideas, hopes and dreams. As filmmakers show their films, talk on panels and interact with fans, the world’s similarities become obvious. The NYC Independent Film Festival provides a showcase for the best independent cinema, from NYC and around the world, to the public and entertainment industry.
The weeklong celebration screens the best indie films, offers educational panels and presentations helmed by industry professionals, and holds live performances. The Festival gives filmmakers the opportunity for potential distribution and funding, as well as awarding the top films across numerous categories, all while giving them the opportunity to mingle and network with press, supporters, and fans.
Vision
History
The 2025 Winners
Congratulations to all our filmmakers
Narrative Feature
| Best Director | Oysters’ Silence |
| Best Script | Dead Man’s Switch |
| Best Actress | Adriana Paz — Dead Man’s Switch |
| Best Actor | Numan Çakir — Toprak |
| Best Cinematography | Oysters’ Silence |
Narrative Short
| Best Narrative Short | Blue Monday |
| Best Director | Cristobal Abugaber — The Perfect Tomato |
| Best Cinematography | Simon Walsh — Trouble |
| Best Script | Javier Chavanel — Nap |
| Best Actress | Melissa Ann Archer — Sunny Side Up |
| Best Actor | Allen Marsh — Johnny Malibu |
Feature Documentary
| Best Feature Documentary | The Ghosts of the Chelsea Hotel |
| Best Director | Lorenzo Daniele — Finding Marta. About Pirandello’s Muse |
| Best Cinematography | Rosalind Fredericks, Sarita West — The Waste Commons |
| Special Award — Best Actress | Margherita Peluso |
Super Short
| Best Super Short | Where |
| Best Script | Tina Nowarre — Warmest Regards, E |
| Best Actress | Amanda Bruton — SUPERCRITICAL |
| Best Actor | Oded Zaza Tsadok — Nordau Strasse |
| Best Cinematography | Jason Lancaster — Dick Pics |
| Best Director | Ziquan Wang — Where |
Short Documentary
| Best Short Documentary | Strange — Anita Rae |
| Best Director | Bryan Hamilton Chadwick — A Peek Inside |
| Best Cinematography | Eric Jenkins-Sahlin — Forbidden Pond |
AI, Art House & More
| Best AI Film | Krisp & The Balloon Kingdom |
| Best AI Film Director | Tor-Finn Malum Fitje — Death Mother: As Above, So Below |
| Best Art House Film | Casual Vignettes of Gilded Vulgarity |
| Best Director Art House | Robbie C. Williamson — God Teeth |
| Best Art/Experimental | Sunyata |
| Best Animation | I am Duck |
| Best Music Video | Underperforming |
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