09/04/2026
A brief message to our friends, filmmakers, actors and everyone and anyone associated with a film project, especially those that have crossed paths with our team here at NYLIFF. As we approach our 8th Festival, we wanted to take a moment and thank everyone in advance for helping us to help you by keeping this festival growing each and every year and to congratulate all who had their films accepted this year. Film festivals are popping up more and more and with that, it is important to remember what these festivals represent. Film festivals provide a place to show your work to your family, friends and colleagues. Awards are nice but we believe, more importantly that a film festival is a place to interact, AND to come out and see other creative people's work - to support and to learn from! Many filmmakers come out, watch their film and go home. As a filmmaker, I have seen my films 100 times, especially since I have often edited them as well! Now, in reality, some films are better than others - in various different ways - story, sound, editing, cinematography and yet sometimes films lacking in some of these aspects will be accepted. Selecting films for any festival is a difficult process and in conjunction with limited space and time, not all films will be accepted. This is reality. While it is always an honor to be accepted by any festival it must be noted that "rejection" is part of this crazy business we have chosen and is only based on the opinions, time availability and selection process of each individual film festival. As Michael Corleone said - it is not personal. Toby Keith had numerous songs rejected when he was unknown and many eventually became number 1 hits! Elvis was sent away from Sun Studios the first time he played there. Harrison Ford was told he'd never make it as an actor by a studio executive and was told his name needed to be changed! Point is, these are opinions and they do not define you or your work. To all filmmakers who are not accepted, understand this and keep moving forward. Evaluate your work, attend festivals and come see the OTHER films that ARE accepted and see if there is something you can learn, change or absorb for your next project. THIS IS WHAT FILM FESTIVALS ARE ABOUT! And we at NYLIFF aspire to help each and every person in attendance to grow as an artist, through the interaction and connection with others. In a world where people are more and more disconnecting into their phones and personal projects, ultimately it takes teamwork to make the dream work. So to all in the NYLIFF family, we look forward to seeing you October 21-25 at NYLIFF! Our website will be updated in a few days with selected films, schedules and ticket information!! Thank you again!
