SUBMIT TO THE 17TH ANNUAL BUSHWICK FILM FESTIVAL!
Eligibility for Discount: BFF Alumni, students, productions filmed in Bushwick, and filmmakers residing in Bushwick are eligible for a 20% discount code. To receive this discount, please fill out this form.
The 17th Annual Bushwick Film Festival (BFF) is now open for submissions, presenting filmmakers with a remarkable chance to connect with industry professionals, present their work to a broader audience, be a part of a large community of filmmakers, gain significant press exposure, and compete for awards that could open new avenues in their careers.
BFF has long been a platform for over a thousand filmmakers worldwide, dedicated to showcasing a variety of voices and narratives in independent cinema. It's a place for building lasting relationships, where filmmakers from all backgrounds, whether directors, producers, actors, or other roles, can enhance their careers. Our festival is a celebration of the diversity and innovation in independent film. Participants not only gain visibility for their work but also networking opportunities, leading to potential collaborations. We welcome filmmakers of every role and background to join us. By submitting your film to BFF, you're taking a step towards finding your audience and advancing in the world of filmmaking.
VISIT OUR PRESS PAGE TO READ ABOUT LAST YEAR’S BFF AND MORE!
VIEW OUR 2023 FILMMAKER YEARBOOK!
Check out who screened at the 2023 BFF
FILMMAKER PHOTOS
Filmmaker Portraits at Boerum Studios, by Oliver Covrett.
WHAT FILMMAKERS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE BUSHWICK FILM FESTIVAL
Submission Process: We accept submissions via our FilmFreeway Page. Fees vary based on the deadline, so we encourage early submissions to benefit from lower fees.
Submission Categories: Categories include feature narratives and documentaries, shorts, series, student films, and NFT Videos.
Screenplays: We welcome short screenplays and offer a live reading with professional actors for the top 3 screenplays.
Selection Process: Our team of experienced film programmers and industry professionals meticulously review all submissions. Selection criteria include originality, creativity, story, production value, structure, performances, and the filmmaker's vision. Each film is reviewed a minimum of three times by different programmers.
Awards: Awards categories are Best Feature Narrative and Documentary, Best Short Narrative and Documentary, Best Screenplay, and Best NFT Video. Additional awards include Runner Ups, Special Jury Prize, Programmers Choice, and Audience Choice. Winners receive various prizes from our sponsors.
Networking Opportunities: Networking Opportunities: We host panels and industry networking opportunities where filmmakers can meet and discuss their projects with top industry professionals in the NYC tri-state area. Previous participating panelists have included professionals from the following organizations: Variety, Gladd, Warner Media, Cinema Guild, Film Rise, Bleecker Street Media, Firelight Media, Short of the Week, Kickstarter, HBO, Washington Square Films, Kinoscope, El Dorado Pictures, 141 Entertainment, Women Make Movies, Lionsgate, IFC Films, ESPN Films, Chicken & Egg, NYWIFT, Reel Works, YouTube, Vice, No Film School, Vox Media, Nylon, BAM, POV, DCTV, Maysles Cinema, Heard City, ReFrame, The Future of Film is Female, Hollywood Bureau, Muslim Public Affairs, NALIP, Endeavor, Magnolia, Hulu, Disney+ Hotsar, ColorCreative, Del Valle Casting, Tulsea, Starz, TBS, TNT, truTV and more.
Audience: Our diverse and passionate audiences include film enthusiasts, press, producers, distributors, and filmmakers, primarily from the Brooklyn and NYC-tri-state area. The festival consistently attracts around 5000 in-person attendees annually.
Venues: The festival is held across various locations in Bushwick, Williamsburg, and Downtown Brooklyn. This year, all film screenings are at Williamsburg Cinemas.
About Bushwick: Known for its vibrant street art, music, and culture, Bushwick is a hub for creativity in northern Brooklyn, boasting galleries, music venues, and theaters. It has a rich history, a diverse population, and an engaged community.
Submission Details: To submit to the 17th Annual Bushwick Film Festival, please visit www.bushwickfilmfestival.com/submit.