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Once again, we’re ready to welcome this week filled with cinematography that will invite us to live through an endless tip of emotions through the big screen. In a world that sometimes doesn’t let us catch a break, cinema allows us to find, not only an entertainment space, but also one that is filled with reflection, and a perfect one to make noise.    A selection of short films that unravel all the virtues of the cinematographic art, specially curated by our screeners team, going over common themes in an aesthetic and structurally incredible visuals.   The New York Indie Shorts Awards Official Selection will leave you breathless. More than happy to be welcoming you at Cinema Village, our new New York Indie Shorts Awards location, in our 2026 edition, sit back, relax and enjoy the best short films of the season.   Once again, welcome to New York.   Programming Team.  

The New York Shorts International Film Festival features nearly 300 short films annually with special events, industry talks with honored guests. ​An essential destination for independent storytellers with bold and compelling short films to reach a broad and diverse audience of film lovers and industry professionals in NYC. New York Shorts is one of the premiere showcase of short-form cinema in North America. A qualifying film festival for the Canadian Screen Awards.

An emotional journey of young people searching for the meaning of their dreams, only to discover that adulthood asks a deeper question: who they want to pursue those dreams with.   Q&A with the Director, Producer, and Music Producer.

Never Been to HUMP! Before? Dan Savage’s HUMP!—the world’s best indie erotic film fest—is adult entertainment by the people, for the people. Every year, hot, creative, and kinky bite-sized shorts (no film is longer than 5 minutes!) are submitted by creators from around the world. The HUMP! Jury curates the funniest, sexiest, kinkiest of the bunch to create a joyful, inclusive, 90-minute experience. So yes, you’re watching adult films in a theater full of strangers—but it’s nothing like you expect! These are not your typical porn flicks. HUMP! celebrates all bodies, genders, sexualities, kinks, and creative storytelling. You'll laugh, you'll cheer, you might even blush—but you'll definitely leave inspired.

Official selection of the The Psychedelic Film and Music Festival in New York 2026 & Catalina Film Festival 2026   Presented by Laurus Productions.   THE PROPHET OF ECSTASY explores themes of art, politics and consciousness through the improbable life of Michael Clegg, the former Catholic priest who introduced MDMA to the world - a drug he would later dub ‘Ecstasy’. The documentary will take viewers on a wild ride, from Clegg’s life as an MDMA drug kingpin, to his present-day transformation as an enlightened yogi. It also examines how the destinies of Michael Clegg, chemist Carina Leveriza, and psychedelics advocate Rick Doblin, are inexorably bound with that of the socio-cultural explosion of MDMA through its epic journey of discovery, criminalization, and re-emergence from the shadows.  Panel discussion: Following the screening of Prophet of Ecstasy, stay for a provocative conversation with the filmmakers as well as psychedelic advocate Rick Doblin, PhD and guests. From shifting drug laws and the fight for psychedelic access to the wild true story behind the film, the panel dives into where the psychedelic movement is now, what still needs to change, and what comes next. “This documentary opened up my mind better than any drug would, as it told me a lot of interesting facts and crazy things that happened through this whole drug craze.” (Hollywood North Magazine)     “Prophet of Ecstasy is an interesting story about the rise and fall of a psychedelic drug empire.” (Sean Kelly on Movies)   “The film impressively shows how a stigmatized substance evolved from a socio-cultural explosion in the underground to a beacon of hope in modern psychotherapy. “ (Psychedelia-Stiftung)   “He’s a figure in the psychedelics movement who established ecstasy as a go-to party drug with therapeutic potential — and a lasting impact on the culture. “(CBC DOCS)   ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________   Featuring a Post-Show Q&A with psychedelic advocate Rick Doblin, PhD and guests.

Visit for more info https://www.workersunitefilmfestival.org/   The Workers Unite Film Festival is a celebration of Global Labor Solidarity. The Festival aims to showcase student and professional films from the United States and around the world which publicize and highlight the struggles, successes and daily lives of all workers in their efforts to unite and organize for better living conditions and social justice. WUFF brings together activists, academics, and filmmakers of all ages and backgrounds for a celebration of social justice and the arts. Through dozens of documentary screenings, community forums, and interactive events across New York City, the festival provides working people with a platform to tell their stories while leading a movement for meaningful change. In recent years, we've incorporated theater production, live music, and poetry/spoken word nights. We are the largest worker solidarity themed film festival in the nation and the only one in NYC, with the full support of NYC Council Speaker Julie Menin, NYC Central Labor Council, National & New York State AFL-CIO, IBEW Local 3, PEF, 1199SEIU, The Puffin Foundation, The NY Labor History Association, UA Local 1 Plumbers, UFT, NYSNA, NY District Council of Carpenters, RWDSU, Workers United NY & NJ, and many more.

In Mexico City, married couple Melissa and Claudia, parents of five, navigate Melissa's gender identity journey through laughter, conflict, and unconditional love, challenging binary thinking.

A 1983 Baltimore school murder led to 3 teens' wrongful imprisonment for 36 years. Ta-Nehisi Coates investigates how this case affected the accused, witnesses and their community.

The New York Short Film Festival is New York's largest festival for short films, showcasing the best of short filmmaking from around the world. Running annually at the iconic Cinema Village in downtown Manhattan, NYSFF celebrates independent films and filmmakers who push the boundaries of storytelling within the short format. Our festival brings together a diverse community of creators, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts to experience compelling narratives, innovative techniques, and unique voices in contemporary cinema. For any questions, email us on [email protected]

Documentary filmmakers from around the world trust NYDFF to showcase their powerful stories.