Our annual, Oscar®-qualifying Festival takes place over three weekends in March at partner venues throughout NYC, where we present the best new film from around the world for ages 3-18 (and above). We prioritize films by and about people from historically underrepresented communities. NYICFF gives BIPOC, LGBTQIA, neurodiverse, and disabled artists the opportunity to share their work and young audiences the opportunity to see their lives reflected on screen. In addition to screenings of approximately 100 short and feature films, Q&As with visiting filmmakers from around the world, and audience voting, the Festival provides an environment where kids are truly taken seriously and encouraged to use their voices. Festival awards are determined by the votes of the audience, with additional weight added to those under the age of 18. Films curated for the Festival serve as the cornerstone of subsequent programming that takes place throughout the year.