Winter Film Festival 2026 Lights Up NYC with 100+ Films & Unmissable Events!
Winter Film Festival Turns 14: A Global Stage for Emerging Filmmakers
February 18-22 2026 | Celebrate The Best of Indie Film!
- New York, NY (1888PressRelease) January 16, 2026 - Winter Film Festival is returning to the Big Apple for an exciting 14th year. The festival places a special emphasis on highlighting the work of emerging and under-represented filmmakers, and for 2026, the festival will showcase 103 films from around the world - shorts and features, animation, documentaries, dramas, romances, comedies, horror and music videos, including 20 student films and 34 first-time directors. Half of the selections were made by women, half by BIPOC directors and 25% by New Yorkers. Screenings will take place from February 19-21 at Regal Cinemas Union Square, located at 850 Broadway, New York.
Tickets on sale starting January 15 at https://wff2026.eventcombo.com
For press information and accreditation, visit https://winterfilmfest.org/wff2026/press/
Winter Film Festival believes that only by seeing others’ stories can we understand each other and only via an open door can the underrepresented artist enter the room.
- About the Films -
Screening Blocks include a mix of shorts and feature-length films and a 20-minute Q&A Session with the filmmakers. Screening block highlights include:
- 8 World Premieres, 11 US Premieres and 44 NYC Premieres!
- 25% of films made in New York City
- $5 Short Film Matinees - Feb 19 & 20, including Made in NY Shorts, Horror Shorts, Documentary Shorts, Animated Shorts
- Documentary Day – Feb 21 12:00pm-11:25pm. All documentaries, all day!
- Bloody Saturday Night Horror – Feb 21 5:50pm-midnight. 23 frightening films from 8 countries!
- Filmmaker Education Sessions -
The Festival is dedicated to supporting emerging filmmakers as they break into the industry. There will be six FREE educational and career-building sessions open to the public, including:
- Film Festivals and How to Look After Your Mental Health (Feb 19, 12:45-2:00pm)
- Casting Strategies for Indie Filmmakers & Actors (Feb 19, 2:15-3:30pm)
- Independent Distribution Strategies: Information vs. Disinformation (Feb 19, 3:45pm-5:00pm)
- Sustainability for Indie Films with NYC MOME's FilmGreen Office (Feb 20, 2:15pm-3:30pm)
- Producing 101 (Feb 20, 3:45pm-5:00pm)
- Social & Parties -
Winter Film Festival continues to be a beacon for creativity, fostering a supportive environment for filmmakers to share their unique voices on the global stage. Our parties and social events offer exciting networking availabilities.
- Opening Night Kick Off Bash - February 18 from 7-11pm Somewhere Nowhere, 112 W 25th Street, Floor 38 & 39 Filmmaker’s reception, industry networking and kick-off party. This event is free and open to the public (21+).
- Gala Red Carpet Awards Ceremony February 22 5pm-11pm at Club 230FIFTH, 230 Fifth Avenue. Red Carpet 5pm, Awards Ceremony 7-8pm, After-Party 8pm onwards. With live performances from local NYC talent and appearances from film industry veterans. This event is free and open to the public (21+).
- Festival Artwork -
Official Artwork for 2026 Festival designed by Matt Curtis. Winter Film Festival 2026 animation designed by Rylie McCloskey, Neorah Paul, Marina Kikkawa and August Sanchez from Professor Mike Enright’s 2D Animation Studio III class at Pratt Institute’s Department of Digital Arts and Animation.
- Corporate & Local Support -
The Festival is privileged to enjoy collaborations with the following organizations:
230Fifth, 4Imprint Foundation, Aerial Acrobat Entertainment, B&H Photo, Backstage, Crystal Ship Artists, Edge Auto Rental, Elvid Cinema, FearsMag, Film Fatales, Gaffer Power, IndiePix Films, Lenspen, Lush, Materials for the Arts, Maxon / Red Giant, NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, NYS Council on the Arts (NYSCA), Pratt Institute, Regal Cinemas, Richard Jordan Casting, Rosco Laboratories Inc., Set Shop, Simple DCP, Simply Gum, Somewhere Nowhere, Soundview Media Partners, Spotlight Cinema Networks, The Film Festival Doctor and vMix
- About Winter Film Festival -
Winter Film Festival is an all-volunteer, minority and women-owned registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 2011 in New York City by a group of filmmakers and enthusiasts. The mission is to promote diversity, bridge the opportunity divide and provide a platform for under-represented artists and a variety of genres, viewpoints and approaches.
In a city overflowing with film fests, Winter Film Festival stands out for its authenticity, dedication to bold, independent cinema and its support for emerging artists trying to break into a difficult industry. Winter Film Festival's mission is to promote diversity, bridge the opportunity divide and provide a platform for under-represented artists and a variety of genres, viewpoints and approaches - only by seeing others’ stories can we understand each other and only via an open door can the underrepresented artist enter the room.
Winter Film Festival programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Promotional support provided by the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment. Winter Film Festival is thrilled to be included in Film Festival Alliance’s Film Festival Directory, a comprehensive list of more than one hundred reputable film festivals committed to upholding the newly established best practices for professional film festivals.
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