FESTIVAL STRATEGY & FILM POSITIONING
A tailored strategy based on the film’s format, genre, current position and objectives.
OPEN CALL
New York International Children’s Film Festival 2027
FESTIVAL FACTS
- Location
- New York, United States
- Festival Type
- International Children’s Film Festival
- Current Edition
- NYICFF 2027: International Films for Children, Teens and Families
- Call Status
- OPEN CALL
- Festival Start Date
- February 26, 2027
- Festival End Date
- March 14, 2027
- Current Film Submission Deadline
- December 1, 2026
- Accepted Works
- Short Film, Feature Film, Documentary
- Official Website
- Open official website ↗
- Call Opening
- May 1, 2026
- Notification
- February 5, 2027
- Official Rules
- Open official rules ↗
- Official Submission
- Open submission platform ↗
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
New York International Children’s Film Festival presents international animation, live action and documentary cinema for children, teens and families, with short and feature competitions programmed for different age groups.
OPEN CALL
CURRENT EDITION — NYICFF 2027: International Films for Children, Teens and Families
NYICFF’s 30th Anniversary / 2027 edition runs from 26 February to 14 March 2027. The current extended deadline is 1 December 2026, with notification on 5 February 2027.
This Edition
About New York International Children’s Film Festival
New York International Children’s Film Festival presents international animation, live action and documentary cinema for children, teens and families, with short and feature competitions programmed for different age groups.
The festival centres films for young audiences and welcomes submissions from filmmakers of any age. Its programme brings together work from the United States and around the world.
NYICFF 2027
The 30th Anniversary / 2027 edition takes place from 26 February to 14 March 2027 in New York.
The current call is open, with an extended deadline of 1 December 2026. Notification is scheduled for 5 February 2027.
Short and Feature Film Routes
Short films are works under 40 minutes, while feature films run 40 minutes or longer.
Current public routes include live action and documentary categories across short and feature formats. Documentary work may be live action, animated or combine both forms.
Completion and Language Requirements
Competition films must have been completed on or after 1 January 2025.
Films with dialogue or narration outside English should include English subtitles or dubbing.
International Eligibility
The current rules accept international productions, making the call accessible to filmmakers worldwide where the project meets the relevant category and eligibility requirements.
Audience Focus
NYICFF is structured around films for children, teens and families. Its programming focus is defined by the intended audience and the way each film communicates with younger viewers.
AD1 FILM can review category fit, runtime, completion date, audience positioning and submission materials before application.
Selected-Film Terms
Opening date: 1 May 2026. Early deadline: 15 June 2026. Regular deadline: 15 October 2026. Late deadline: 15 November 2026. Extended deadline: 1 December 2026. Short films are under 40 minutes; feature films are 40 minutes or longer. International productions are accepted. NYICFF is a young-audience festival; there is no dedicated child-filmmaker programme and filmmakers of all ages may submit.
FESTIVAL STRATEGY
A FESTIVAL STRATEGYSHAPED AROUND YOUR FILM
From festival positioning and targeting to presentation materials, submissions and festival relations, AD1 FILM builds the working strategy around the film and its objectives.
FESTIVAL TARGETING & PREMIERE STRATEGY
Festival targeting, submission sequencing and premiere planning.
FILM PRESENTATION & FESTIVAL MATERIALS
Metadata, logline, synopsis, director’s statement, EPK and Online EPK preparation or review.
SUBMISSION MANAGEMENT & FESTIVAL RELATIONS
Submission management, tracking, material delivery and festival correspondence throughout the festival campaign.