Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment and NYC Public Schools Present 8th Annual NYC Public School Film Festival

500 NYC Students Across Five Boroughs Attend Screening and Career Expo at Museum of the Moving Image; Photos Available Here 

Student Films Available for Viewing at nyc.gov/nycpsfilmfestival 

Message from Mayor Mamdani to Festival Participants Here  

New York, NY – March 26, 2026 – The Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) and New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) proudly hosted the 8th annual NYC Public School Film Festival on March 25 at the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens. The festival, which celebrates the talent and diversity of student voices, and looks to open doors for the youngest New Yorkers into the city’s world-renowned film & TV industry, was attended by MOME Commissioner Rafael Espinal and NYC Public Schools Arts Office Executive Director Paul Thomson, featured the NYC premiere of the student films, and included a Media and Entertainment Career and Education Expo. Additionally, students walked away with professional headshots to take on their film career journeys.  

A record 185 films were submitted for the festival from students spanning 48 schools throughout the five boroughs, including a first-time submission from P138M, a District 75 school to support students with disabilities. A total of 23 short films were selected for inclusion in the festival, and many are now available for viewing online at nyc.gov/nycpsfilmfestival 

“This festival is a reminder that one of New York’s greatest resources is the creativity of its young people," said Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su. "When we give students the tools, exposure, and opportunity to share their voices, we’re not just celebrating their work, we’re building the next generation of storytellers and industry leaders.” 

“I am so proud to present the NYC Public School Film festival, a unique opportunity for students to create film, present it to peers and professionals, and explore next steps on their journey towards a career in filmmaking,” said Commissioner of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, Rafael Espinal. “This program, which unfortunately wasn’t around when I was a budding filmmaker growing up in Brooklyn, ensures that the youngest New Yorkers have a way to bring their creative and diverse voices to audiences all over the city.” 

"The student film festival is an exciting moment for our student filmmakers to see their hard work presented on the big screen," said Schools Chancellor Kamar H. Samuels. "Film is a powerful art form for students to express their ideas, share their creativity and connect with others. I am so proud of every student who submitted to the festival and was recognized today." 

Festival highlights include:  

• The Next Pitch, A high school baseball team reflects on last season and prepares for the next; Richmond Hill High School, Queens
• Presto!, An animated film about a young street magician who scores the opportunity to perform at the big city’s magic talent show among other professional magicians with his pet dove, Presto; Bronx High School for the Visual Arts, Bronx
• The Inner Eye's Mind,Using different digital animation techniques and live action shots, all the influences in one individual's mind blend together to create a dreamlike visual expression of the process behind imagination and thought itself; Staten Island Technical High School, Staten Island  
• In Your Shoes, A bully must face past mistakes and make amends; Midwood High School Brooklyn
• Charlie, Documentary about a special needs student, Charlie, through the lens of his family; High School of Art and Design, Manhattan

The NYC Public School Film Festival featured a Career Expo to provide a snapshot of opportunities in NYC’s film & TV industry. Participants included Lehman College Multimedia Center, School of Visual Arts, NYU Tisch School of the Arts, SUNY Old Westbury, Ghetto Film School and many more. 

The NYC Public School Film Festival was created to provide students an opportunity to have their work recognized and to encourage careers in filmmaking. The selected films are chosen by a panel of NYC Public School Film Festival teachers and media professionals. All submissions to the NYC Public School Film Festival are evaluated and adjudicated to provide feedback to students interested in filmmaking. NYC Public Schools is scaling a system where every student graduates with a strong plan that includes hands-on work experience, a head start on a career path, and the real-world skills needed to achieve economic security in high-growth industries. 

The NYCPS Arts Office ensures equitable access to diverse, comprehensive, and high-quality arts learning that supports the aspirations and potential of all NYCPS students. Recognizing the arts as essential to student learning and development, the office advances the Chancellor’s vision that every student deserves a school that is academically rigorous, safe, and truly integrated by expanding arts education across every school citywide, strengthening school leadership, and providing immersive support for teachers to enrich student growth.