Ashley Reed:
The New York Global Short Film Fest 2026 is set to debut in New York on Saturday, August 8, 2026, bringing a new international platform for short filmmakers, documentary creators, students, and film lovers.
Organized by the nonprofit New York Film Foundation Inc., the festival’s first season is expected to create fresh opportunities for filmmakers from across the world. Diaspora USA is serving as the main partner for the inaugural edition.
Submissions are open in 11 categories for short films and documentaries. Within one month of opening, the festival has already received 265 submissions from different countries. The deadline for submission is July 5, 2026, and films are being accepted through FilmFreeway, which has listed the festival as a “best seller.”
According to organizers, the highest number of submissions so far has come from the United States, with additional entries from Bangladesh, India, other parts of Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and North and South America.
Festival director and New York Film Foundation founder Shamim Al Amin said the event will run from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM across two venues. The opening ceremony, seminars, workshops, and screenings will be held from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Queens Library Central, Jamaica. From 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, the program will continue at Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning (JCAL) with screenings, discussions, and the award ceremony.
Awards will be presented in 11 categories, and films or documentaries produced within the last three years are eligible. Special categories are also available for students and new filmmakers.
Renowned American filmmaker Lear Levin will serve as head of the jury board, joined by other film experts.
Festival convenor Dr. Pratap Das said he hopes the festival will win audiences through quality films from different countries and become an important cultural event for New York viewers.
Festival partners include Queens Public Library, FilmFreeway, Autism Society Habilitation Organization (ASHO), and 1 One Organization. The Lens New York is the creative partner, while sponsors include TrueMed Pharma and Standard Express.
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