On behalf of the Board of Directors of Winter Film Awards, we’d like to thank you for taking part in our Film Festival. It’s going to be awesome!
See the back page of the Program for a schedule of Festival events and check our website for updates. You and a companion are welcome to attend all Festival events – just show your badge at the door.
Photography and filming may occur at any time in any are of this or any other WFA location during the Festival. Participation in and presence at any WFA location or event shall be construed as your express consent to any photography or filming in connection with WFA, including but not limited to the use and distribution of your name voice and likeness.
There are tons of opportunities for on-camera interviews at the Festival. Be sure to check out Top 5 Questions any filmmaker should be prepared to answer on camera for some useful tips.
Your Screening
Check our Schedule for your screening block – films are listed for each session in the order they will screen. Films play one after another with no break.
Following each primary screening will be a Q&A with all the attending filmmakers for that block. We ask that only one or two people come on stage to represent each film so it isn’t too crowded up there. Note that we do not have Q&A sessions for our weekday matinees.
If you are bringing your friends to your screening, please let them know that your film is not the only one in the session. Remind them that they are expected to stay for the whole block in order to not disturb people there for other films in the session. All of the films we are screening are awesome and we guarantee they will not be disappointed!
If English is not your first language and you’d like to have someone on hand to translate or you require an ASL interpreter, please contact Steffanie at submissions@nullwinterfilmawards.com. We have access to people who speak most languages and can make sure someone is there for you.
Venues & Locations
Opening Night party on February 21 from 7-11PM at Somewhere Nowhere, which is the top floors of the Renaissance New York Chelsea Hotel, 112 W 25th Street, between 6th & 7th Avenue. Take the 1, F, C, E, R or W train to 23rd Street. Limited open bar from 7-8PM.
This is a free party and you are welcome to bring your cast, crew, friends, parents, roommate and anyone else you’d like! Be sure everyone has photo ID – you must be 21 to get in. Cash bar. Doors open at 7PM. No athletic wear or hats. The venue mandates coat check before they let you go upstairs, so try to bring as little stuff with you as possible.
All screenings, meetups and education sessions will be at LOOK Cinemas at 657 West 57th Street, at 12th Avenue. The M57 bus runs across 57th Street from York Avenue to 11th Avenue and stops one block from the theater. We will also have a shuttle bus running back and forth from 57th Street & 8th Avenue, near the Columbus Circle subway station. Take the N, Q, R or W subway to 57th Street & 7th Avenue and walk one block west, or take the 1, B, D, A or C train to Columbus Circle. The bus will have the WFA logo on it so it is easy to find and will leave Columbus Circle roughly every 30-40 minutes depending upon traffic.
We will have an interview crew at the theater each evening from 5-7PM.
There is limited wall space at the theater so we cannot hang your posters, but we do have table space if you would like to bring postcards or tchotchkes. If you have mounted posters, we may be able to put them up for you.
The Awards Ceremony Gala will take place on Sunday February 25th at Club 230FIFTH (230 Fifth Avenue, between 26th & 27th Streets). Take the R or W or 6 subway and exit the train at 28TH STREET. Doors open at 5PM. Ceremony will run from 7-8:30PM.
This is a free party and you are welcome to bring everyone you know! We’ll have lots of media, live performances and general hoopla. Cash bar. Be sure everyone has photo ID – must be 21 to get in. If you are not 21, please contact Steffanie in advance.
Tickets & Badges
Each film will receive two all-access badges. You can pick these up at our Opening Night party or at the theater during Festival hours (see Schedule). If you are not able to attend the Festival, you are very much encouraged to share your badge with a local friend. You do not have to bring the same friend to all events so long as you collect the badge to give to the next person!
If you lose your badge, contact Steffanie at submissions@nullwinterfilmawards.com
If you need additional tickets for screenings, please visit https://wfa2024.eventcombo.com/
All of our parties, meetups and educational sessions are free and open to the public.
Dress Code for Parties
Please note that parties are 21+. In general, the clubs have a dress code and do not allow blue jeans, sneakers or sports hats. Bring your badge! Check our website for updates, venues and details.
Our Awards Ceremony is at a swank club. Feel free to get dressed up in your spiffiest party wear! Here are photos from last year to give you an idea of what to expect. You’ll see we get a huge variety of outfits here — everything from fully done-up drag queens to regular casual wear. You can wear really whatever you like and won’t be out of place!
Social Media
Please Tweet, Insta or Facebook your festival experience and tag @WinterFilmAward or #WFA2024 and visit us on Facebook to see Festival photos and updates.
What’s the Weather Going to Be?
Lol, end of February in New York City is incredibly unpredictable. We’ve had balmy Spring temps and blizzards, sometimes all in the same day. It could be warm and sunny, it could rain, it could snow. Wear layers so you can add/remove as needed and be sure to bring shoes that can handle rain and slush.
New York City Advice
Welcome to New York City, the greatest City in the World! If you are looking for restaurant suggestions, we recommend Eater NY, Thrillist or NY Magazine. Or, ask any New Yorker; we love recommending restaurants. Try to avoid eating in Times Square if you want decent food. Generally, you should expect to add 15-20% tip at restaurants. Check out this tipping guide for more.
New York City & Co has a number of good discounts for local hotels, restaurants and services – check them out here!
The City is generally safe and you will be absolutely fine riding the subways and getting around. When in doubt, or if you are not particularly sober, it’s a good idea to take a yellow cab or an Uber/Lyft.
However, it is a large City and you need to be careful – there are pickpockets, particularly in tourist areas, and any unattended bags will almost definitely be stolen. Stay away from the characters in Times Square since they are very likely to try to rip you off. At WFA parties, be sure to hold onto your possessions or check them at CoatCheck. Do not put your bag down and go off to be interviewed – be sure someone is holding onto your stuff at all times
CityMapper and Transit are two good mobile apps for transportation and maps. Most NYers just use Google Maps which includes mass transit options. Subway fare is $2.90, payable with Apple Pay or MetroCard (sold at all subway stations). People 65 years or older and people with qualifying disabilities who show a proper form of identification (including Reduced-Fare MetroCard or a Medicare card) are eligible for reduced fare.
Citibike is a great option if the weather is decent. Day passes are $15 and include unlimited 30-minute rides on a CitiBike. There are extra fees if you keep a bike for more than 30 mins or take an e-bike. Remember – it is illegal in NYC to bike on the sidewalks. Stay in the bike lanes wherever possible.
More Information
Check out A bit of advice for your Film Festival experience and Top 5 Questions any filmmaker should be prepared to answer on camera for some useful tips.
If you have questions or need any assistance, contact any member of the WFA staff or email submissions@nullWinterFilmAwards.com. In case of dire emergency, text or call Steffanie at (646) 522-2004.
We are so excited to meet you and hope you have a wonderful experience!
