FAQ

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. The First Run Film Festival is dedicated to showcasing the advanced work of NYU graduate film and undergraduate film and television students.

Participation in NYU's First Run Film Festival is open exclusively to NYU Tisch School of the Arts Graduate Film and Undergraduate Film & TV students. Only advanced-level curricular projects created by these students are eligible for submission. 

UGFTV Submission Requirements: 

•Advanced Animation, maximum length 10 minutes

•Advanced Documentary, maximum length 20 minutes

•Advanced Experimental, maximum length 15 minutes

•Advanced Production, maximum length 20 minutes films made pre-2024, maximum length 15 minutes films made 2024 and beyond)

•Advanced Television Production, maximum length 20 minutes

•Narrative Workshop, maximum length 15 minutes

•Intermediate level films are not eligible for the First Run Film Festival, they can participate in New Visions and Voices Festival next fall.

Grad Film Submission Requirements: 

•2nd Year Films, maximum length 12 minutes

•3rd Year Collaborations & Directing Exercises, maximum length 20 minutes

•Thesis Films, maximum length 20 minutes

•No 1st Year Films eligible.

Registration for the First Run Film Festival typically opens in early September and runs through the end of the fall semester, around early December. This allows students ample time to prepare and submit their projects for consideration.

Submissions for the First Run Film Festival 2026 open on September 5th and are due via FilmFreeway by December 8th at 11:59 PM.

Films must be submitted for judging by the December 8th submission deadline. Festival screeners are due shortly after the FilmFreeway submission deadline and collected via CineSend. Edits to your submission from FilmFreeway to CineSend are not allowed. More information about the CineSend submission process is sent to filmmakers after the submission window closes. 

Yes, you are required to submit your film via CineSend as part of your festival application. You will receive an upload link after the December 8th deadline. All CineSend submissions must be completed by December 15th at 11:59 PM.

The First Run Film Festival is a much-anticipated annual event that unfolds in late March/ early April during the spring semester. Participating films are screened in various screening rooms located at the Tisch School of the Arts, 721 Broadway.  Additionally, panels and workshops may be offered at Tisch to further enrich the festival experience.

The festival kicks off with the Craft Awards, a celebration of excellence in various areas such as screenwriting, editing, cinematography, producing, and more. We also recognize a handful of cash prize recipients who have demonstrated outstanding craftsmanship in their respective fields. Please note that the specific dates and venues for each year's festival may vary, so it is important to stay updated with the festival's announcements and information to ensure you don't miss any of these exciting events.

The King Awards Ceremony, often likened to NYU's "Oscars," is the grand culmination of the First Run Film Festival. At this prestigious event, the top three recipients of the King Award from both the Graduate and Undergraduate Departments are recognized for their outstanding work, along with two recipients of the Jagat Murari Directing Award. These eight honorees receive substantial cash prizes: first-place King Award winners receive $10,000; second-place recipients are awarded $7,500; third-place honorees receive $5,000; and each Murari Directing Award recipient is granted $5,000. This adds an extra layer of excitement and recognition to the festival, making it a highly anticipated celebration of the exceptional talent within the NYU community.

NYU's First Run Film Festival has a rich history, spanning over 80 years. It has played a crucial role in premiering the work of many renowned NYU filmmakers who have gone on to make significant contributions to the world of cinema. Notable alumni who have had their work featured in the festival include Jim Jarmusch, Shaka King, Spike Lee, Emma Seligman, Oliver Stone, Charlotte Wells, Cathy Yan and Chloe Zhao. This legacy underscores the festival's commitment to nurturing and promoting emerging talent in the film industry.

To stay informed about NYU's First Run Film Festival, be sure to check the official NYU Tisch School of the Arts website and follow our social media channels for announcements and updates. For specific inquiries or to stay updated, you can reach out to firstrun@nyu.edu. You can also register HERE to be included in our mailing list.

No, you can only submit final projects to the First Run Film Festival. No replacement files or edits will be accepted after the submission deadline closes on December 8th. If you need more time to work on your project, please submit to next year's festival!