Film Diary NYC is a festival for experimental non-fiction that captures the personal history and daily experiences of the filmmaker and the world they encounter.

Through an annual festival and ongoing special events, we provide a platform for the most heartfelt but most overlooked cinema: diary films, home movies, and personal documentary.

Please read the description of the type of films we screen before submitting. Check out the 2022 program on our website if you are unsure about the kind of films we're looking for: www.filmdiary.info

"An organization unparalleled in our current moment within the New York film world." - Devon Narine-Singh, filmmaker, curator, educator (RISD)

"A community of artists committed to cutting through the bullshit, excited to use any and all media to increase our understanding & create authentic connection." - Julie Perini, filmmaker, educator (Portland State University)

"Film Diary NYC has already managed to establish itself as one of the most interesting platforms for personal cinema in the city. I can only regard their commitment to their work with total admiration and applaud their tirelessness in the act of shedding light on a vital, universal, and too-often unsung category of cinema. I can tell you from my experience working with them that they are incredibly kind, conscientious and genuinely passionate curators committed to presenting original, personal work by unseen artists, in the tradition of Jonas Mekas. The enthusiastic community support I've seen for their work likewise is hugely impressive for a screening series still in its early days." - Joe Wakeman, executive director, Millennium Film Workshop

Last year we screened 180+ films in-person, across 8 days, at 3 different NYC venues (Spectacle, DCTV's Firehouse Cinema, Millennium Film Workshop) and one satellite venue in Santa Fe, NM (No Name Cinema). The scope of this year's festival will be similar, with the addition of international satellite screenings (details TBA).

Due to time constraints, theatrical screenings will mostly be given to shorter films, however we accept submissions of any length. For the purposes of submissions anything over 30 Min should be submitted as feature, under 30 min can be submitted as short.

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Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Best film fest in NY <3

    March 2024
  • Alexandros Pissourios

    Glad to have been part of this festival. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend, but the programme looked experimental, rich and interesting.

    March 2024
  • Deven Ladson

    Great festival! Extremely community-oriented, welcoming, and warm. I felt right at home. The films, venue, and event as a whole were stellar. This is my first time screening at a festival and it couldn't have been better. The communication and organization were timely and on point, couldn't have asked for better! If you want to watch sentimental film and meet great people then this is the festival for you.

    February 2024
  • Matthew Herzog

    Next level programming, my film fit in perfectly in its program block. Super responsive and great vibes to this smaller, film diary focused festival. These people deserve more money for larger spaces.

    February 2024
  • Sloane Stone

    As genuine and heartfelt as the diary film itself. Infinitely thankful to be invited into this space full of so many dedicated and beautiful people. There aren't many festivals out there like this one – a real labor of love.

    February 2024