About this Event
NEW YORK INDIE SHORTS AWARDS 2026
October 2–8, 2026 | Cinema Village, New York City | FREE ADMISSION
Join us for seven days of independent cinema at Cinema Village in the heart of New York City, as New York Indie Shorts Awards brings together filmmakers, film lovers, students, industry professionals, and audiences from around the world for a celebration of bold and diverse short-form storytelling.
Throughout the week, discover an exciting selection of independent short films presented in curated screening blocks, meet the filmmakers behind the work, and experience the energy of an in-person festival built around cinema, conversation, and connection.
THE FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE
Your festival experience can include:
- LIVE SCREENINGS
Discover a diverse selection of short films from emerging and established independent filmmakers, presented on the big screen at Cinema Village. - FILMMAKER Q&As
Hear directly from filmmakers about their creative processes, inspirations, challenges, and the stories behind their films. - NETWORKING & INTERMISSION COCKTAILS
Connect with filmmakers, creatives, students, industry professionals, and fellow film lovers during intermissions and throughout the festival. - RED CARPET EXPERIENCE
Step onto the red carpet and capture the moment with fellow filmmakers, cast, crew, and festival attendees. - AUDIENCE AWARD
Your voice matters. Audience members will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite film and help determine the 2026 Audience Award. - AWARDS CEREMONY
The festival concludes on October 8 with the Awards Ceremony, celebrating the filmmakers and films recognized throughout this year's edition.
ONE FESTIVAL. SEVEN DAYS OF CINEMA.
From intimate stories and bold experiments to compelling dramas, documentaries, animation, comedy, and more, New York Indie Shorts Awards celebrates the wide range of voices and perspectives that make independent filmmaking so exciting.
Whether you're a filmmaker looking to connect with fellow creatives, a student discovering new voices, an industry professional, or simply someone who loves going to the movies, NYISA is an opportunity to experience independent cinema together — in New York City, on the big screen, and with the people who made it.
TICKETS
Admission is FREE.
Tickets are available for each individual screening block. Please select the specific screening session(s) you would like to attend and reserve your free ticket through Eventbrite.
Your ticket gives you access to the selected screening block. If you would like to attend multiple screening blocks throughout the week, please reserve a ticket for each one.
NEW YORK INDIE SHORTS AWARDS 2026
October 2–8, 2026
Cinema Village
22 East 12th Street
New York, NY 10003
Come for the films. Stay for the conversations. Meet the filmmakers. Discover your next favorite short.
Event venue & nearby stays
Cinema Village, 22 East 12th Street, New York, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.