Film festivals are meant to be a platform for up-and-coming filmmakers, but these days, many of these festivals simply show the same types of blockbuster and star-driven films we see all the time in theaters. Few film festivals remain committed to the spirit of true independent cinema.
The New York City Independent Film Festival, which is happening in New York City simultaneously with the higher-profile Tribeca Festival, is a perfect example of a festival expressly designed to support those independent artists.
The origins of an independent film festival
The New York City Independent Film Festival was founded in 2009 by independent filmmaker Dennis Cieri, who continues to operate the festival to this day. Cieri’s background as an independent filmmaker inspired him to create a festival focused specifically on independent filmmakers, rather than the same A-list stars and directors who tend to dominate the lineups of most major festivals.
Most of the films entered into the New York City Independent Film Festival were written, financed, and produced outside the studio system, and are in search of a distribution deal. The festival provides these independent filmmakers with a valuable opportunity to promote their projects, and potentially even find distribution or funding for this or future projects.
Having produced many successful independent film projects since 2003, Cieri knows a thing or two about independent cinema himself. He has made travel documentaries that highlight the culture and traditions of destinations worldwide in places ranging from San Miguel, Mexico to Belgrade, Serbia, and even Wisconsin. Now, Cieri is working on finishing his newest film, “Lionfish,” which will explore communities of divers working to save the coral reefs by fighting invasive species.
A showcase for truly independent films and filmmakers
Festivals like Tribeca are great, but for an independent filmmaker, it’s extremely difficult to get selected for a coveted slot in the lineup. Even if they do, their film could likely get overshadowed by the higher-profile films playing alongside it. The New York City Independent Film Festival is dedicated to highlighting films that push the envelope of what is considered mainstream — ones which don’t have the benefits of widely-recognizable actors or large amounts of funding.
The festival, which will be open to the public from June 4-11, represents a tremendous opportunity for participating filmmakers to network in one of the biggest media cities in the world with press, fans, industry leaders, and fellow filmmakers. And for cinephiles who want to discover a great new film made by a filmmaker with a new, unique voice, the festival offers a showcase of movies that you likely couldn’t see anywhere else.
However, even though the film features independent films, that doesn’t mean it isn’t large in scale. The festival has shown over 250 movies every year since its inception.
This year, the festival received over 1,400 submissions that it had to narrow down to its current selection of features and shorts. There are films from all over the world by filmmakers of all backgrounds, meaning that there is something for everyone to see based on their interests.
The 2023 New York City Independent Film Festival
The event will be held at the Producers Club in New York City on W. 44th and 9th St. The historic bohemian enclave near the theater district offers five spaces for film screenings, alongside a bar and lounge. With a history of creativity that will amplify the mission of an event like the New York City Independent Film Festival, it’s the perfect venue for the setting.
The New York City Independent Film Festival is an incredible event for filmmakers, cinephiles, and the public at large. Moviegoers in New York City should give indie filmmakers a chance, as these are voices you might not get to see championed in the multiplexes on a weekly basis, or even in the “bigger” festivals that happen in the city. But who knows — you might be watching the movie of the world’s next great voice in cinema!
