First Run Film Festival
FIRST RUN FILM FESTIVAL 2026
NYU's First Run Film Festival is an annual event hosted by the Kanbar Institute of Film & Television at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, dedicated to showcasing the advanced work of NYU graduate and undergraduate film students.
Craft Awards Ceremony - Wednesday, April 8th, 2026
The festival kicks off with the Craft Awards, a celebration of excellence in various areas such as screenwriting, editing, cinematography, producing, and more. Join us in recognizing and supporting the award winners who have demonstrated exceptional craftsmanship and creativity in their respective fields.
Pre-Awards Reception 5:00 PM
Awards Presentation: 5:30 PM
Riese Lounge, 721 Broadway Lobby Level
Festival Screenings - April 8th, 10th, 11th & 12th, 2026
Come support your classmates and fellow NYU alums and see over 30 hours of screenings from both UGFTV and Grad Film.
King Awards - Wednesday, April 15th, 2026
The King Awards Ceremony serves as the culminating event of the First Run Film Festival. The ceremony recognizes the top three King Award recipients from both the Graduate and Undergraduate departments, as well as two honorees of the Jagat Murari Directing Award. These 8 award winning films will have a second screening at Regal Union Square giving audiences the chance to experience the winning films on the big screen in a true movie theater setting. This is the festival’s most anticipated and exciting event.
Doors Open: 5:30 PM | Awards Presentation: 6:00 PM
Regal Union Square Theater, 850 Broadway
Reservations are recommended; however, seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
