Applications Now Open for the 5th Annual New York City Public School Film Festival

New York, NY - The NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) and the NYC Department of Education (DOE) announced today that applications are open for the 5th Annual New York City Public School Film Festival, celebrating the talent and diversity of student voices. DOE middle and high school students throughout NYC can apply now through March 7, 2023 at www.nyc.gov/nycpsfilmfestival. The New York City Public School Film Festival was created to provide opportunities for students to have their work recognized by industry leaders and explore careers in filmmaking.

Films will be selected for the festival by a panel of educators and media professionals, and screened at events around April 25, 2023. Last year, a total of 37 films were selected for inclusion in the festival, which was integrated into the city's Movies Under the Stars program, out of a record 152 films submitted, a 66% increase over the year prior. Submission categories are:

• Animation
• Short feature/narrative
• Documentary
• Experimental
• P.S.A./Advocacy

Submitted films must be 5 minutes or less, and in .mp4 or .mov format. Films must use only original or public domain music. No nudity, profanity or violent acts are permitted. Student filmmakers must play the major creative role on the production of the submitted works as directors, writers, and/or editors. Teacher directed, produced, or generated works will not be considered. Films will be selected and notification given by March 31, 2023. For more information on the NYC Public School Film Festival, including full rules and regulations, please visit filmfreeway.com/NYCPublicSchoolFilmFestival.