Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment and NYC Public Schools Announce Expanded NYC Public School Film Festival, Now Open to All New Yorkers

Kick-Off Event with Panels, Career Expo, Keynote Presentation from Academy Award-Nominated Writer, Director, and Playwright Celine Song, and Free Admission to Museum of the Moving Image - April 29

Movies Under the Stars Student Film Screenings - Washington Square Park, May 9; Sunset Park, May 10

Photos and Video Assets available HERE

New York – April 16, 2025 – The Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) and New York City Public Schools are proud to announce details for an expanded version of the NYC Public School Film Festival, now in its 7th year. 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 includes:

• Free admission for all New Yorkers, including all NYC Public School students and their families, to Museum of the Moving Image - NEW THIS YEAR!
  • Tuesday, April 29 3-8PM, 36-01 35th Ave, Queens
  • Student film screenings, career and educational expo with film & TV production companies, and, NEW THIS YEAR, panel with information on how to apply for specialized arts high schools
  • Keynote Presentation by Celine Song, Academy Award-nominated Writer and Director of Past Lives and the upcoming film Materialists
  • Full access to the museum including the brand new “Mission: Impossible—Story and Spectacle” exhibit which spotlights star and producer Tom Cruise’s exceptional commitment to practical stunt work
  • Sign up to attend HERE

• Free outdoor screenings as part of Movies Under the Stars
  • Friday, May 9, 8:15PM, Arch @ Washington Square Park, Manhattan
  • Saturday, May 10, 8:15PM, Sunset Park Central Lawn @ 44th St., Brooklyn
  • Presented in partnership with NYC Department of Parks & Recreation (NYC Parks), families, students and all New Yorkers are invited to pull out a blanket and enjoy productions from NYC’s next generation of filmmakers.

“New York City has always been a global capital for film and television – and our students are the next generation of storytellers who will shape that legacy,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Adolfo Carrión Jr. “The New York City Public School Film Festival is not just a celebration of student creativity, but also a gateway to opportunity. By connecting young New Yorkers with hands-on experiences, industry professionals, and educational resources, we are building a more inclusive and dynamic future for our city’s creative economy.”

“This administration is committed to making NYC more affordable, and through our partnerships with NYC Public Schools and the NYC Parks Departments to present the NYC Public School Film festival, we are accomplishing that goal by providing free entertainment events for New Yorkers to enjoy, and opening doors for our youngest New Yorkers to explore jobs in our world-renowned film & TV industry,” said Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, Pat Swinney Kaufman. “Thank you to Museum of the Moving Image for providing free access to its exhibits, and the platform to expand the film festival.”

"We are so excited to be back celebrating our 7th annual NYCPS Film Festival!" said Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos. "These films are a testament to the hard work, innovation, and creativity of our students as they share their stories with the world. Each film represents a unique perspective and experience, and I’m so proud of our student filmmakers. I can't wait to see all they accomplish in the coming years--they have bold futures ahead."

"Springtime in NYC brings free, enriching entertainment for all New Yorkers, and we’re excited to partner with the Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment and New York City Public Schools to expand the NYC Public School Film Festival into our parks," said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. "This festival not only highlights the creativity of our city’s students, but also ensures that all New Yorkers can experience the magic of storytelling under the stars— for free! We invite families, students, and communities to join us in celebrating the next generation of filmmakers at these special outdoor screenings."

"We are pleased to partner with New York City Public Schools and the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment to showcase the excellent creative work by a new generation of New York City filmmakers. These students will have the opportunity to see their films on our big screen, where we regularly present work by Martin Scorsese, Spike Lee, and Sofia Coppola," said Museum of the Moving Image Executive Director Aziz Isham.

Nearly 150 films were submitted for the festival (15% over last year) from NYC middle and high school students spanning 43 schools throughout the five boroughs, including 19 schools who have never submitted to the festival before. A total of 22 short films have been selected for inclusion in the festival, including:

• I Thought I knew You, A young woman ends a rocky relationship after she meets Mr. Perfect...but nobody's perfect; Kappa International High School, The Bronx
• Nightmare on 96th Street, A student in Brownsville Brooklyn can't escape the same lesson, building, phone call and moment in time; East Brooklyn Community High School
• Into The Field, An 8th grader is ready to move onto High School, but circumstances prove to make it less than simple; PSIS 187, Manhattan
• The Lost Sock, Like many other socks, our sock has been separated from its beloved partner. Will our sock be reunited with its beloved matching sock?; The Baccalaureate School for Global Education, Queens
• “The Cafe,” A mockumentary based in a student-run coffee shop, Barks & Beaks, that highlights the individuality and often overlooked whimsical side of individuals with disabilities, P37R The David Marquis School of the Arts, Staten Island

The NYC Public School Film Festival will feature a Career Expo to provide a snapshot of opportunities in NYC’s film & TV industry. Participants include, Center for Communication, Academy for Careers in Television & Film, Five4Five Films, The Animation Project, School of Visual Arts, Project Feel, Reel Works, Art & Design High School, Sesame Workshop and many more. Organizations interested in participating in the expo can RSVP HERE. Additionally, the festival will include a panel discussion specifically targeted to middle school students, families and teachers on the types of arts high school programs available across the city and the requirements for entry.

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.