In a bid to add a new dimension to international cinema and connect independent filmmakers globally, the day-long ‘New York Global Short Film Fest 2026’ (Season One) is set to take place in New York on August 8. Organized by the non-profit organization ‘New York Film Foundation’, ‘Diaspora USA’ is serving as the main partner for the event.
For its inaugural season, submissions have been invited for short films and documentaries across 11 categories. The festival has already received a massive response worldwide within just a month of opening submissions through the international platform ‘FilmFreeway’. So far, over 265 films have been submitted from various countries, including the United States, Bangladesh, India, and parts of Asia, Europe, Africa, North and South America. Due to this overwhelming response, FilmFreeway has already declared the festival a ‘Best Seller’. Filmmakers can continue to submit their projects until July 5.
Shamim Al Amin, Festival Director and Founder of the New York Film Foundation, stated that the event will run from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM across two separate venues on Saturday, August 8. The opening ceremony, seminars, workshops, and film screenings will take place from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the auditorium of the Queens Public Library Central in Jamaica. Following this, the second phase, including further film screenings, discussions, and the award ceremony, will be held from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM at the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning. The festival open to short films and documentaries produced within the last three years, also features dedicated categories for students and emerging filmmakers. Renowned American filmmaker Lear Levin is serving as the head of the jury board this year.
The organizing committee highlighted that the festival will be held annually with the goal of spreading social awareness through cinema and providing a major platform for newcomers. Dr. Protap Das, a prominent cultural personality and the convener of this year’s festival, described the event as a vital cultural gathering for New York audiences. Organizations such as the Queens Public Library, Autism Society Habilitation Organization, One One Organization, The Lens New York, TrueMed Pharma, and Standard Express are supporting the event as partners and sponsors. Detailed information regarding the festival can be accessed on their official website (https://www.nygsfilmfest.com).
