NYU's First Run Film Festival is an annual event hosted by the Kanbar Institute of Film & Television at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, dedicated to showcasing the advanced work of NYU graduate and undergraduate film students.
This one sheet will provide non-technical requirements for submission. Technical requirements for submission can be found on the First Run Submission Technical Spec Sheet.
Submission Timeline
Submissions Open: August 1st, 2026
Submission Deadline: December 1st, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST
All projects must be submitted through FilmFreeway by the published deadline. Late submissions are not accepted.
Who Can Submit?
Eligible projects must:
- Be produced as part of an eligible NYU Tisch Film & Television advanced curricular course.
- Adhere to curricular guidelines for length and production supervision requirements in order to participate and be eligible for judging.
- Meet the eligibility requirements for the appropriate submission category.
- Be submitted by the filmmaker through FilmFreeway.
- Include all required materials before the submission deadline.
Undergraduate Eligibility Requirements:
Course | Runtime |
Advanced Animation | 10 minutes maximum length |
Advanced Documentary | 25 minutes maximum length |
Advanced Experimental | 15 minutes maximum length |
Advanced Production | 20 minutes maximum length - Films made AY 2023-2024 and earlier 15 minutes maximum length - Films made AY 2024-2025 and beyond. |
Advanced Television Production | 30 minute maximum length |
Narrative Workshop | 15 minute maximum length |
Intermediate level films are not eligible for First Run. They can screen in New Visions and Voices Festival next fall.
Graduate Eligibility Requirements:
Course | Runtime |
2nd Year Films | 12 minute maximum length |
3rd Year Collaborations & Directing Exercises | 20 minute maximum length |
Thesis Films | 30 minute maximum length |
No 1st Year Films eligible.
Before Submission
Prepare the following:
Required:
- Final exported film
- Course the film was created for
- Submission category
- Runtime
- Project Logline (1–2 sentences)
- Synopsis
- Project Genre
- Director/Showrunner Biography
- Director/Showrunner Headshot
- Project Credits
Recommended:
- Project Poster
- 2–5 high-resolution stills
How to Submit
To submit to First Run:
- Create or log into your FilmFreeway account.
- Complete the First Run Film Festival submission form.
- Complete the required First Run Film Festival Google form.
- Upload your completed film via FilmFreeway.
- Complete all required attestations and information.
- Submit before the deadline, 12/1/2026 at 11:59pm EST.
- Once prompted by the festival team, submit your project again via CineSend.
Incomplete submissions will not be considered.
Before Clicking "Submit"
- Watch your uploaded submission from beginning to end.
- Double-check spelling of all names.
- Verify that all required fields on the submission form are complete.
- Review your festival attestations.