Celebrating 'True-Indie' Filmmaking & Connecting Global Talent
New York is one of the great filmmaking cities, and the Lift-Off festival there sits right in the middle of it. It runs just after Toronto, with talent often crossing the border to take part, and in-person networking happens in Williamsburg, in the thick of the city’s indie scene.
It’s made for filmmakers near the start: first and second films, shorts, low-budget features, work with something to say. New York brings a sharp, ambitious crowd, and the room reflects it.
Every selection screens online to a global audience, with networking in Williamsburg and online events alongside, so you find collaborators who match your ambition. Standout New York films are shortlisted for the Lift-Off Season Awards, judged across all 12 city festivals.
New York Lift-Off Season #17 screens this July 2026. Submissions are now open on FilmFreeway. Selected films get an online screening to a global audience, and entry to the festival’s networking events. Standout films get a place in the New York Network Round, and winners are shortlisted for the 17th Lift-Off Season Awards.
Recent Winners
Festival Events
Each festival hosts a series of online and in-person events, connecting filmmaking talent across the globe
Focus Group Feedback
Meet fellow filmmakers, exchange feedback and discuss your projects. Focus Group participants attend an online meeting to pitch their work before participating in the Feedback Session.
In-Person Networking Speeddate
Join us in the city for a showcase & networking event held in conjunction with the festival’s online screenings. Attendees chat to everyone in the room in a 'speed-date' style networking session.
Online Networking SpeedDate
Pitch your future projects or share previous work. Attendees can screen a trailer or pitch deck before meeting with everyone in a 'speed-date' style network session.
Questions?
Once a year, as part of the Lift-Off season. Screenings & events run in July.
Emerging independent filmmakers, especially first and second-time directors working in shorts and low-budget features.
Films screen online to a global audience, with in-person networking in New York alongside the festival.
Through FilmFreeway: Click here.
Winning films are shortlisted for the Lift-Off Season Awards, judged at the end of the season across all 12 city festivals.