 | TWELFTH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL February 21-25 2024 |
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Winter Film Awards International Film Festival
12th Annual Celebration of the Best of Indie Film
February 21-25 2024
Winter Film Awards showcases films from emerging filmmakers
from around the world in all genres,
with a special emphasis on highlighting the work of women
and under-represented filmmakers.
NEW YORK, January 15 2024 – Winter Film Awards International Film Festival (WFA-IFF) is returning bigger than ever for 2024 in celebration of its 12th year. With a commitment to inclusivity, the Festival showcases a rich tapestry of narratives that span genres, cultures, and perspectives and fosters a supportive environment for filmmakers to share their unique voices on the global stage.
Attendees can expect a dynamic program that provides a unique experience for both filmmakers and film enthusiasts. Winter Film Awards continues to be a beacon for creativity, fostering a supportive environment for filmmakers to share their unique voices on the global stage. This year’s festival will showcase 82 films from around the world — from animated films, documentaries, dramas, horror films, music videos, and everything in between, including 13 student films and 27 first-time directors.
Winter Film Awards is dedicated to showcasing the amazing diversity of voices in indie film and our 2024 lineup is more than half made by women and half by BIPOC directors. Filmmakers come from 23 countries, 40% of our films were made in the New York City area and half are local premieres.
WFA2024 Official Artwork was designed by illustrator and designer Johana Kroft.
“For over a decade, this festival has served as a spotlight for brilliant emerging artists’ work while celebrating and enhancing diversity within the industry. By providing an outlet for the creative community, while celebrating visionaries from under-represented backgrounds, Winter Film Awards expand audiences’ understanding of all that cinema can be and fosters equitable opportunities for filmmakers. New York’s relationship with the film industry is mutually beneficial, creating economic opportunities as well as inspiring movies and television for global audiences.” – NYS Governor Kathy Hochul
“Congratulations to the organizers of the Winter Film Festival on their 12th year, and thank you for once again choosing NYC as the backdrop to this incredible celebration of independent filmmaking,” said Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, Pat Swinney Kaufman. “Our office is proud to support this event and its efforts to spotlight diverse filmmakers and storytellers from around the world.”
SCREENINGS
SCREENINGS – February 22-24 all day at LOOK Cinemas, 657 West 57th Street. Screening blocks are 1 ½ – 2 ½ hours long and include a mix of shorts and feature-length films. Most screening blocks include a 20-minute Q&A Session with the filmmakers. Free shuttle busses will be available to transport attendees between the Columbus Circle subway station (57th Street & 8th Avenue) and the theater from 5:30pm-midnight each day.
FILM HIGHLIGHTS include the world premiere of feature-length documentary Pianoman by Sunny Liu, US/North American premieres of feature film The Sticky Side of Baklava (Canada) by Maryanne Zehil, feature film Maoussi (France) by Charlotte Schiøler, feature documentary The Ball (US) by Malgorzata Saniewska and feature documentary Stuntwomen (Switzerland) by Elena Avdija.
SCREENING BLOCK HIGHLIGHTS
- Documentary Day – Saturday February 24 12:45pm-11:50pm. All documentaries, all day!
- Bloody Friday Night Horror – Friday February 23 9pm-11:45pm. Eleven frightening short films from around the world!
- Films from Spain – 6 films, Thursday Feb 22, 8:30 PM-11:15 PM
- Films from France – 5 films, Friday Feb 23, 8:30 PM-11:15 PM
- Short Film Blocks Thursday Feb 22, 6:00 PM-8:20 PM and Saturday Feb 24, 12:20 PM-2:25 PM
TICKETS are $12.50/In Advance, $16.50/Door, $5/Door with Student ID. Tickets will be on sale beginning January 15 at https://wfa2024.eventcombo.com/.
EDUCATION & CAREER BUILDING
EDUCATION SESSIONS – The Festival is dedicated to helping emerging filmmakers learn what they need to know to break into the industry. Three sessions each day on Thursday February 22 and Friday February 23 from 12:45pm-5pm at LOOK Cinemas, 657 West 57th Street. Education sessions are free and open to the public and cover topics of interest to emerging filmmakers, including:
- All About Filmmaking in New York, with NYC Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment Deputy Director of Film Thavary Krouch and Laura Berning, Sr. Project Manager from the NYS Governor’s Office of Motion Picture & Television Development (Feb 22 12:45-2PM)
- Everything You Need to Know about Music for Your Indie Film (Feb 22 2:15 PM – 3:30 PM)
- Filmmaking Unveiled: Navigating the Essentials for Actor Filmmakers with Valorie Hubbard (Feb 22 3:45-5:00PM)
- Grantwriting For Filmmakers (Feb 23 12:45-2:00PM)
- Casting Strategies for Indie Filmmakers & Actors with Richard Jordan Casting (Feb 23 2:15 PM – 3:30 PM)
- Distribution Strategies For Independent Filmmakers with Dan Gurlitz (Feb 23 3:45-5:00PM)
PARTIES & SOCIALIZING
OPENING NIGHT KICK OFF BASH – February 21 from 7-11pm at Somewhere Nowhere, 112 West 25th Street. Filmmaker’s reception, industry networking and kick-off party. This event is free and open to the public (21+).
MEETUPS & NETWORKING – A new festival lounge will be open daily at Mirabella Lounge @LOOK Cinemas, 657 West 57th Street. Hobnob with filmmakers, industry professionals and community partners at happy hours and networking events from February 22- 24. Meetups are free and open to the public and include discounted drinks.
GALA RED CARPET + AWARD CEREMONY February 25 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+).
About Winter Film Awards
Winter Film Awards 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. Our 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. We believe that 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 Awards 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.
For more information about the Festival, please visit: http://winterfilmawards.com/
Or send an email to info@nullwinterfilmawards.com
Corporate & Local Support
Winter Film Awards seeks long-term partnerships and we are proud that the organizations we work with benefit from our audiences and promotions throughout the year. We encourage close collaboration to ensure the continued growth for all involved. We work with local schools, small and large businesses, cultural organizations and a variety of media organizations ranging from emerging local groups to global brands.
Corporate and local support of Winter Film Awards plays an critical role in the life of the Festival and underscores WFA’s commitment to quality, adventure and diversity in the art of cinema. WFA is privileged to partner with the following organizations.
