Calls for Submissions

The ReadingFilmFEST would like to extend a 30% discount to NYWIFT members on submissions to the festival, to be held October 9-12, 2025. Voted by filmmakers as a 100 Top Reviewed Film Festival, ReadingFilmFEST is a small festival with a big attitude! They are dedicated to bringing filmmakers and film lovers together, creating a filmmaker-centric festival. For filmmakers ready to make the trip to Reading, they offer: complimentary lodging for filmmakers whose films have been accepted, educational/discussion panels for filmmakers, wonderful audiences and live Q&As with audiences. Submissions close on June 6. Use discount code 30NYWIFT2025 and submit today.

NJ Film Works Grant program is now accepting applications. The NJ Film Works Grant Program is a competitive funding opportunity that awards grants to support workforce development, training, and skills programs that strengthen and diversify the state’s film and digital media talent pipeline with a particular focus on New Jersey’s Overburdened Communities. A total of $3 million is available for awards under this Grant Program. The minimum and maximum amounts for individual awards are set at $250,000 and $750,000, respectively. NJEDA anticipates making multiple awards for this grant program. Applications are due July 11. Learn more and apply.

Kickstart with Canva is a partnership between Canva and Tribeca Festival to empower emerging creators across entertainment. The program provides training for creators to showcase and create buzz around their work via Canva’s all-in-one visual communication platform through in-depth training workshops. Select projects receive additional funding and development to meaningfully advance their projects through kickstart award funding. Kickstart with Canva culminates with an opportunity to enter to win one of five US $20,000 Kickstart Awards that, along with support from Tribeca Studios, will help them further their development. Submissions will be accepted until September 2025. Apply. 

The My Hero International Film Festival is celebrating its 21st year and is now accepting student film entries — submission is free with a fee waiver code, which you can find below. They are especially seeking student submissions for the Sylvia Earle Ocean Conservation Award, which honors films that highlight ocean conservation and environmental heroism. Submit by the extended deadline on May 16 for Sylvia Earle Award submissions. Students can use fee waiver code MHIFF25. Submit your film.

The NAACP is launching its NAACP Climate in Color: Reframing our Future Short Film Grant! This exciting development grant will give a winning filmmaker the opportunity to produce a short film addressing environmental climate justice issues impacting Black communities that highlights some innovation for the future. The films can be narrative or documentary, and will need to be based on at least one of the pillars of work that the Center for Environmental and Climate Justice prioritizes for its work with communities:
Right to a toxic-free environment (including removing contaminants from air, water, soil and everyday items such as clothing), Energy Democracy (including imaginative ways for communities to consider relationships with energy sources), Sustainable Communities (including disaster resiliency work, water infrastructure, tree canopy, food eco-systems) and Zero Emissions. The winning filmmaker will be announced in June, and their completed film will be showcased at NY Climate Week in September. The filmmaker will be awarded a grant to produce a short film with the NAACP Center for Environmental & Climate Justice, NAACP Hollywood Bureau, and NAACP+ Studios. Submit by May 23 to be considered.

SOHO International Film Festival (SIFFNYC) encourages new and seasoned filmmakers from here in New York City and around the globe to create and send in their fresh and innovative cinematic pieces. Accepting full-length features, short films and documentaries from professionals and amateurs alike, SIFFNYC will hold screenings, panels and host social events and other networking opportunities for everyone involved. Leading figures from all disciplines of the film industry including distributors and media will be in attendance. Award categories include Best Documentary, Best Short Doc Or Docuseries, Best Animated Film, Best Showcase Long Form Series Pilot and more. Use code 30NYWIFT25SOHO16 for a discounted submission fee and submit your film by the Late Deadline on May 30. 

The Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) is one of the world’s leading animation events, and it has provided screenings, exhibits, workshops, and entertainment since 1976. The festival will accept submissions until May 31. Attracting artists, producers, students and animation fans from around the globe, the OIAF brings together art and industry to experience world-class animated works. This year’s OIAF runs from September 24-28. NYWIFT members can use discount code NYWIFTOWLCITY25 for a $20 discount off a full festival pass (Animapass or TAC/OIAF AnimaPass). Please note that we will need to verify proof of membership for discounted pass purchases, so please register for tickets with the name and email associated with your NYWIFT membership. Submit or get tickets.

From the Heart Productions is excited to announce that the Roy W. Dean Grant for Summer 2025 is now open for submissions! Now in its fourth decade, this prestigious grant has provided funding and production services to independent filmmakers creating unique films that make a positive contribution to society. The grant is open to filmmakers working on documentaries, narrative features, short films, and web series. Projects should be budgeted at $500,000 or less, at any stage of production. Grant is open to filmmakers at any level of experience, including students. Winner of the Roy W. Dean Grant for Summer will receive $3,500 in cash and thousands more in donated film products and services including $500 in grip, lighting or expendables from Filmtools, 30% off music post-production from AudioKut and more from many heartfelt donors. The deadline is June 30. Learn more and apply.

Aesthetica Film Festival to let you know that there is just one month to submit work to our BAFTA-Qualifying festival. It is a prestigious platform for filmmakers, game developers and, new to this year, podcasters, to showcase their work to a national and international audience. It is a global hub for independent cinema, bringing together thousands of people to discover the stories that are shaping the industry. The festival’s 15th anniversary takes place from 5-9 November in York, UK, and is open for submissions across shorts, features, VR & 360 projects, games and podcasts. Your film can win up to £5,000, awards and be part of one of the UK’s most renowned film events for innovative storytelling and media. Submit your game, podcast or film. Submit by May 31.

Join an electrifying celebration of women in cinema from around the globe at the London Women’s Film Festival. Set against the vibrant backdrop of London, the online film festival and screenplay contest are poised to ignite your passion for storytelling and propel your cinematic journey to new heights. The London Women’s Film Festival, champions the visionaries, the dreamers, and the trailblazers. The platform is not just about showcasing films; it’s about amplifying voices, fostering diversity, and nurturing talent. The screenplay contest offers aspiring writers the opportunity to showcase their storytelling prowess and gain recognition on a global stage with expert judging panels and invaluable feedback. The deadline is April 24. Submit.

Join Girls Write Now‘s (GWN) dynamic multi-generational community of writers and leaders, and be matched with a mentor or mentee to form a bond for life! GWN is currently accepting applications for their three-month Summer Cycle: July, August, and September. For nearly three decades, GWN has broken down the barriers of gender, age, race, and poverty to mentor, teach, and connect writers and leaders across disciplines and across the nation. Their nationally award-winning programs have provided creative, critical, and digital writing support, college and career readiness, personalized one-to-one mentoring, vibrant workshops, and extensive opportunities for the next generation of writers and leaders. Gain access to Girls Write Now’s ever-growing resources and opportunities for mentors and mentees across the nation, including virtual and hybrid workshops, specialized learning journeys, and monthly studios focused on your genres and interests. Mentees are 14-24. Mentors are aged 25+. College students who are sophomores or above are eligible to become mentors in the College & MFA Preparation Journey. Deadline: April 30. Email mentee@girlswritenow.org or mentor@girlswritenow.org to learn more. Apply Now!

The 2025 Gotham Week Project Market, the nation’s oldest and largest curated marketplace for film and media creators, is now open for submissions in three sections: U.S. Features in Development, U.S. Shorts-to-Features, and Documentaries!

Set to take place in Brooklyn from 9/29 – 10/3, The Gotham Week Project Market is a meetings-driven forum that facilitates career-spanning relationships with distributors, financiers, production companies, festivals, sales and talent agents, collaborators, and more for all participating creators. Recent participants include Oscar nominees All That Breathes, Crip Camp, and Ascension; major studio releases, such as Dìdi, All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt, Fancy Dance, and Nanny; and numerous films that went on to premiere at such festivals as Cannes, Berlin, and Sundance.

RSVP to their info sessions to learn more! Essentials or Insider Membership is required to apply. Learn more about Gotham Membership. Apply before the extended deadline on May 1. Sign up.

Rest Fest Film Festival is open for submissions! RestFest is more than a film festival. It is a virtual space created by & for the Disabled, Deaf, chronically ill, neurodivergent, mentally ill, and/or mad community, globally. By hosting virtual gatherings and screening film/video works by fellow Disabled artists around the world, RestFest aims to show us we are not alone. There is never pressure to get out of bed or to look so-called “presentable” to attend events. RestFest promotes free creative expression by all who are Disabled, Deaf, chronically ill, Neurodivergent, mentally ill, and/or mad. The films & video artworks screened are not necessarily about disability or illness. Everyone and anyone is welcome to attend, but the essence of RestFest is that it is ultimately by & for the Disability community. The late deadline to submit is July 20. Learn more and submit.

The Roy W. Dean Short Film Grant deadline is fast approaching—April 29. This is a fantastic opportunity for short film creators to receive funding and professional support to bring their vision to life. Offered by the top-rated nonprofit From the Heart Productions, this grant provides $3,000 in cash and thousands more in industry services to support independent filmmakers in bringing their short films to life. The grant is open to student and independent filmmakers working on narrative fiction short films (live-action or animation) up to 40 minutes in length. The grant has a special focus on unique projects that make a meaningful contribution to society. Submit your project.

NYWIFT member, Founder and Festival Director Ella Mische invites you to submit to Croatian International Film Festival (CIFF). CIFF is celebrating its 2nd year in Sibenik, Croatia from August 8-11 and focuses on international films and highlights works by women filmmakers. CIFF is not just a celebration of cinema; it is a vehicle for positive change. Through the art of film, the festival strives to make a lasting impact on society and elevate Croatia’s standing in the international film landscape. By attracting the industry’s finest talents and showcasing the best of global cinema, CIFF aims to position Croatia as a premier destination for culture and art through the power of film. 
The festival offers awards in categories including Best International Film, Best Domestic Film, Best Screenplay, Best Student Film and more. NYWIFT members can use code CIFFNYWIFT for 20% off submissions until May 16. Regular deadline is April 30.  Submit your film.

Submissions are now open for The Hero’s Journey: The Posttraumatic Growth Story Challenge — a short film contest spotlighting powerful stories of transformation through adversity. Created in partnership with Boulder Crest Foundation and Choose Growth, the contest invites filmmakers and storytellers to explore the science of Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) through narrative, documentary, animation, or experimental work. Films should be 10 minutes or less. The Grand Prize winner will receive $10,000, along with mentorship and a screening at Soho House, NYC. Submit your film now through May 23.

Hamptons Doc Fest is an annual festival in December that welcomes filmmakers, documentary film lovers and local area students to the historic village of Sag Harbor, New York for dozens of films, discussions, panels, media labs, awards and celebrations. Hamptons Doc Fest highlights include the Pennebaker Career Achievement Award and Gala, which celebrates a visionary in the world of documentary film each year. Past honorees include Michael Moore, Sam Pollard, Dawn Porter, Sheila Nevins, Susan Lacy, and Liz Garbus. Saturday and Sunday mornings feature HDF’s “Shorts and Breakfast Bites” programs, devoted to showcasing documentary shorts under 40 minutes. NYWIFT members can use code WomenFilmTVWomenFilmTV for $5 off per submission. Submit your film before the early deadline on May 1.

Off Page Film Festival is accepting short films up to 15 minutes, one-hour TV Pilots up to 60 pages, half-hour TV pilots up to 30 pages, feature screenplays between 90-120 pages, short screenplays between 1-25 pages, and acting reels up to 90 seconds. The festival is designed as a platform for talented artists to be recognized for their projects and more importantly, get them the industry exposure to help sustain their craft. NYWIFT members can use the code WOMENPOWER for a discount on submissions. The earlybird deadline is May 1. Submit and learn more.

YoFiFest Co-Founder, Festival Director and long-time NYWIFT member, Patty Schumann, invites you to submit your shorts and episodic series before the deadline on May 26. Now in its 13th year, YoFiFest was created for filmmakers by filmmakers. YoFiFest brings together films, filmmakers and audiences from around the globe and right in their backyard! With the construction of several studios, Yonkers is now home to the largest modern film and TV production facility on the East Coast and is rapidly becoming a hub for filmmakers and other creators. YoFiFest 2025 takes place November 7-16. Use your special NYWIFT discount (YONYWIFT25) on FilmFreeway to receive 25% off all submissions. Submit.

Our friends at The Writers Lab are celebrating their 11th year! Submissions for their 2025 International Lab open February 25. International submissions of both Features and Pilots (both 1-hour and ½-hour) in English will be considered. 12 promising projects will be selected for an in-person retreat in New York in November. During the four-day Lab, Mentors and Writers engage in rigorous script development through one-on-one mentor meetings, small group and panel discussions, peer workshops, story rooms, and more. In the following months of ongoing development, TWL mentors guide writers through the revision process with actionable feedback and offer strategic advice and advocacy with the help of partners, industry leaders, and their talented peers. Regular Deadline: April 1. NYWIFT members can use discount code TWL2025_NYWIFT to get $20 off submissions. Apply.

Quentasia Studios‘ online screening event from April 18-April 20 is dedicated to showcasing underrepresented voices, including stories centered on people of color, LGBTQ+ communities, and disabled characters. They are looking for short films, documentaries, feature-length films, video podcasts and web series that highlight unique perspectives and authentic storytelling. This year, they want projects centered on themes “Good vs Evil” and subjects who don’t fit into the larger society being accepted for who they are without being forced to change. Quentasia Studios gives films an online streaming platform, accessible to a global audience. If you’re interested in submitting your film, please send an email to info@quentasiastudios.com with the following information: film title, description, runtime, format, private screener link (Vimeo, Google Drive, etc.), filmmaker bio and contact details.

Denver Film is now accepting Letters of Interest (LOIs) for funding consideration through the Music on Film – Film on Music Grant (MOFFOM). This grant supports documentary films that focus directly on music, providing up to $20,000 annually in finishing funds for scoring, composition, and music licensing. MOFFOM grants are available for feature-length documentary films (70 minutes or longer) that are currently in production or post-production. Funding priority is given to music documentaries, and projects must demonstrate a clear connection to music. Denver Film will accept LOI submissions until Monday, June 2. Apply here.

The CinemaStreet Women’s Short Screenplay Competition invites women screenwriters to submit short dramatic scripts of any genre (20 minutes and under) to CinemaStreet Pictures for production consideration. The winning screenwriter will receive $1,000 for the option to produce the film. Screenplays may be from anywhere in the world, but must be in English. Love From Friends, by winning screenwriter Elise Marenson, premiered in Los Angeles and played in film festivals around the country last year. The contest is managed by Terry Lawler, former Executive Director of NYWIFT. The regular deadline is July 15. Apply on FilmFreeway.

Sloan Distribution Grant from Film Independent is accepting submissions. The Sloan Distribution Grant is a $50,000 grant awarded by Film Independent to a film that is entering its distribution phase. Eligible films must depict themes, stories and characters grounded in real science, technology or economics. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.  Learn more and apply.

Osmosis Films is seeking submissions from filmmakers and producers for projects in development or early stages of production. The creative studio would assist in creative development, provide production services and some funding, and take projects to market to secure further financing and distribution. For more information contact: originals@osmosisfilms.com and include NYWIFT in the email subject.