New York International Children's Film Festival (NYICFF) is an annual Oscar-qualifying film festival founded by Eric Beckman and Emily Shapiro in 1997 "to support the creation and dissemination of thoughtful, provocative, and intelligent film for children and teens ages 3-18." In addition to the annual four-weekend event in March, the Festival presents year-round programming and filmmaking camps in New York City, satellite festivals in Miami, FL and Westchester, NY, and a touring program at independent theaters and cultural institutions nationwide.

Annual Festival

The flagship New York City Festival has grown from one weekend of films into the largest film festival for children and teens in North America. Screened over the course of four weeks at venues throughout NYC, the Festival program – narrowed down from roughly 2,500 international submissions – consists of approximately 100 short and feature films, filmmaker Q&As, retrospective programs, parties, and premieres. Audience members of all ages vote on the Festival-winning films. The New York Times' "Growing a Generation of Movie-Loving Global Citizens" highlighted NYICFF's 2023 festival. The New York Times went on to, additionally, write about the 2024 festival with "Children's Film Festival Has Robots, Chickens, Authors, and More."

Festival Jury

Winners of the Festival's juried prizes are eligible for Academy consideration in the Best Animated and Best Live Action Short Film categories.

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