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Film Festivals in New York City

See the best new films at NYC film festivals

From Lauren M. Krauze, for About.com

With the arrival of spring comes the busiest film festival season of the year in New York City. In the next few months, the newest and most exciting films from up-and-coming filmmakers will premiere at festivals hosted in venues and movie theaters all over Manhattan.

Below is our list of upcoming film festivals and information on how to discover truly original films from fresh voices in the industry.
  • New York Underground Film Festival
    • Dates: April 2-8, 2008

    • Location: To be announced

    • Festival Highlights: Don't miss the 15th and final New York Underground Film Festival. Stay tuned for 2008 line-up details, but 2007's festival featured more than 100 films -- including shorts, feature films and documentaries exploring everything from supernatural slashfests to stories of sexual identity crises to the daily struggles of Iraqi citizens.


  • New York African Film Festival
    • Dates: April 9 – April 15, 2008

    • Location: Walter Reade Theater, 70 Lincoln Center Plaza

    • Festival Highlights: A wide variety of films, documentaries, archival footage and newsreels examine current beliefs and stereotypes about African society and culture and recount significant movements and events throughout history.


  • GenArt Film Festival
    • Dates: April 2 – April 8, 2008

    • Location: Opening night at the Ziegfeld, with the rst of the festival at the Visual Arts Theatre (333 West 23rd Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues)

    • Festival Highlights: The seven day Gen Art Film Festival presents films from the best North American independent filmmakers. Each night, after watching a short film and a feature film, festival-goers attend an after-party at one of several hot Chelsea nightclubs.


  • Tribeca Film Festival


  • Columbia University Film Festival
    • Dates: April 28 – May 8, 2008

    • Location: IFC Center, 323 Sixth Avenue at West 3rd Street

    • Festival Highlights: This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Columbia University Film Festival, a showcase of the finest films, documentaries, and screenplays from the school’s most talented M.F.A. students.


  • Bosnian-Herzegovinian Film Festival
    • Dates: May 9 – May 10, 2008

    • Location: Tribeca Cinemas, 54 Varick Street at Laight Street

    • Festival Highlights: Over the past several years, this festival has rapidly expanded and evolved to become a celebrated and respected display of feature films, shorts, and documentaries by emerging Bosnian filmmakers. Films explore social, cultural and political issues relating to Bosnia and Herzegovina.


  • Media That Matters Film Festival
    • Dates: May 28 – May 29, 2008

    • Location: Online and in NYC locations to be announced

    • Festival Highlights: This festival's films can be viewed online and will also featured at various screenings around Manhattan. Past festivals have included films produced by students of Manhattan-based youth media organizations such as the Educational Video Center and Global Action Project.


  • 20th New York Lesbian & Gay Film Festival
    • Dates: June 5 – June 15, 2008

    • Location: AMC Loews 34th Street Theater, 312 West 34th Street, between 8th and 9th Aves.

    • Festival Highlights: Complete with panels, forums and pre- and post-festival galas, this festival presents an expansive showcase of films covering interesting and illuminating topics such as gay and lesbian rights, transgender life, and good old-fashioned romance.


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