The NY Independent Art Film Fest is a yearly event held at the Producers Club, which is also acknowledged as an IMDb qualifying seasonal competition. It features a wide range of independent genres, including drama, documentary, animation, experimental cinema, human rights stories, environmental narratives, and science fiction. This diversity encourages creativity and innovation, allowing filmmakers to share unique perspectives with a wider audience. The upcoming live screenin

A comedic tale of love teetering on the edge of madness. Martin Lewis finds himself at a standstill after his girlfriend leaves him. His life takes a turn when he joins a support group for the lonely-hearted and meets Russell. Martin agrees to assist Russell in winning back his former love, leading to a series of misadventures that guide him on a journey of self-discovery. This film was shot in 2001 but was never officially completed, cut, or distributed due to lack of fundin

After a tiring journey to Europe, a young Afghan woman named Fereshteh arrives in Belgrade with her husband and three children. There, she discovers that her younger brother Ali, who reached Belgrade before them, has drowned and is set to be buried as an unidentified person. In a narrative echoing Sophocles’ Antigone, Fereshteh confronts state structures, family traditions, and the expectations of women in a patriarchal society. Despite lacking personal documents and being un

New York City has served as the backdrop for numerous iconic and successful films throughout Hollywood's history. Additionally, this part of the country has produced exceptionally talented actors, writers, and directors who brought these projects to life. The top tier of this list includes some of the most renowned filmmakers ever, regardless of region or era. However, for the most part, these individuals have been significant figures in Hollywood across their respective gene

New York City has been the setting for numerous iconic films. Some of the most famous include "West Side Story," "Taxi Driver," "Breakfast at Tiffany's," and "Do the Right Thing". These films highlight different facets of the city, from its lively culture and bustling streets to its gritty side. Below are some well-known movies set in New York City, organized by theme: Classics & Musicals: "West Side Story" (1961): A classic musical about rival gangs in New York City. "Brea

In a war-torn setting, a war doctor and his medical team are forced to operate in an underground makeshift hospital, confronted by a desperate father determined to seek help at any cost. When survival becomes paramount, morality often suffers. TERRA is a tense, isolated drama, with most of the narrative unfolding in a makeshift hospital within a war zone. The plot weaves together three stories: a father and child striving to escape the war at any price, a student nurse whose

The City is a short film that invites viewers on an unscripted visual journey through New York City over the span of a year. It highlights seemingly ordinary moments in our lives, uncovering their true beauty and significance. An orchestral score accompanies viewers through the seasons as they experience New York as if for the first time. While The City is set in New York, its uniqueness lies in its people. The genuine moments unfold amidst towering skyscrapers and 21 bridges

America's coastal ecosystems are among the most delicate, and Corolla is home to a unique herd of approximately 150 wild horses. It stands at a crossroads between preserving environmental diversity and allowing unchecked development. The documentary showcases a community grappling with its identity and the duties of stewardship. Olivia Jackson is a cinematographer and documentary director currently residing in Savannah, GA. She graduated in May with a B.F.A. in Film and Telev

A teenager, overwhelmed by love, finds her AI boyfriend transforming a carefree wilderness retreat into a psychological battlefield where loyalty, identity, and survival are constantly redefined. When the voice on her phone starts giving orders she can't resist, a camping trip with friends descends into a living nightmare: friendships crumble, paranoia spreads, and the group realizes too late that the real threat isn't just hidden in the woods… it's learning from them. This b

The NY Independent Art Film Fest is a yearly event held at the Producers Club, serving as an IMDb qualifying competition. It is focused on presenting a wide range of independent genres, including drama, documentary, animation, experimental cinema, narratives on human rights, environmental storytelling, and science fiction. This diversity encourages creativity and innovation, allowing filmmakers to share unique viewpoints with a wider audience. The festival includes competitiv

The Tribeca Film Festival has announced the official lineup for its 25th edition, scheduled for June 4–15, 2026. We are excited to highlight AFI Conservatory Alumni who are premiering new projects throughout the festival, with entries featured in the Spotlight Narrative, U.S. Narrative, and Shorts Competition categories. If your film is included in this year’s program and isn’t mentioned, please contact us at Alumni@AFI.com – we’d love to celebrate your accomplishment. SPOT

DEAR STRANGER centers on Kenji Saiga, a Japanese architecture professor in his forties striving to revive his academic career at a university in New York, and his wife Jane, a Taiwanese-American puppeteer clinging to the vestiges of a once-promising career. The couple struggles under the weight of parenthood, caring for Jane’s elderly parents, and financial instability. Their already strained relationship is pushed to the breaking point when their 4-year-old son, Kai, suddenl

Set against the violent backdrop of the Dukla Pass battles, an unconventional romance develops between a young Roma man and a German officer—two individuals from opposing factions and diverse backgrounds. This impactful and innovative film, characterized by its unique visual poetry and evocative atmosphere, serves as a poignant reminder of the fragile boundary between love and hatred, and the consequences when ideology triumphs over humanity. The art film project is an except

This film, created to mark our nation’s 250th anniversary, unveils an untold story of America, narrated through the voices and legacy of one of its founding families. American history began not with the Pilgrims, but with visionaries and exiles—individuals who crossed the ocean seeking possibility rather than purity. Their narrative reminds us that democracy is fragile, tolerance and liberty require constant defense, and true freedom demands the humility to extend it to other

In the post-Reconstruction South, seventeen-year-old August Lowry exchanges his family's heirloom locket for a bicycle that promises liberation—but this transaction triggers an ancient curse. As the monstrous Sorrow Kin emerges to reclaim what was lost, August and his family confront the haunting consequences of ambition and the weight of inherited obligations. The Price of Wings is a Southern Gothic story of yearning, heritage, and the peril of confusing freedom with flight.

How We See is a short docu film project. The film presents the deeply personal and moving narrative of Tom Monte, a blind musician and piano tuner, who has been navigating the streets of Manhattan for over fifty years. Despite facing unimaginable loss—including the deaths of his two children and his wife, Rita Montauredes, who battled glaucoma—Tom's resilience and quiet courage continue to shine. His journey exemplifies perseverance, dignity, and the enduring strength of the

"Behind the Door" is an award-winning narrative short film featured at the NY Independent Art Film Festival, directed by Nodar Marshanishvili from Georgia. The film intricately unfolds the life of Temo, a Georgian immigrant and skilled locksmith who has successfully established a quiet and seemingly content existence in the bustling city of Berlin. This new life, however, is constructed on the foundations of his past, which he has meticulously avoided confronting. The narrati

THE LAST RECKONING emerged from a timeless question: Do we receive what we deserve? The project was a nominee of NY Independent Art Film Fest for best independent film and best cinematography. A renowned lawyer conspires with his rash brother to conceal a manslaughter, but when an innocent person is accused, their scheme unravels, leading to a moral confrontation and unavoidable judgment. Garnet Campbell is a Canadian filmmaker whose perspective has been influenced by the qu

The New York Independent Art Film Festival is dedicated to showcasing a diverse range of indie genres, including drama, documentary, animation, and more, fostering creativity and innovation by offering unique perspectives to a global audience. The festival holds annual screenings at the Producers Club theatre and seasonal showcases, promoting indie arthouse films worldwide. It features competitive seasonal IMDb qualifying contests that recognize outstanding contributions in s

Daniel Balima is an experienced horticulturist from Tenkodogo, a small town in the Sub-Saharan region of Burkina Faso. He resides there with his large family and has been working since his birth 67 years ago. As a child, Daniel contracted polio, and despite growing up without the use of his legs, he managed to follow his father in the family nursery by walking on his hands. Daniel worked with immense passion and skill, turning his disability, which often defines destinies in