13TH ANNUAL

AUGUST 7-17, 2025

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO JOINED US THIS YEAR!

SUBMISSIONS FOR 2026 WILL OPEN SOON

The Chain NYC Film Festival makes a special effort to curate each block of films by theme or genre. The collective voice of filmmakers from around the world rings out whether in escapist entertainment or heavier themes of the ‘new normal’ in a Covid society, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the continuing pursuit for equality in the LGBTQ community.

In an effort to continue to highlight these important issues, the Chain will continue their tradition of hosting talk backs with the filmmakers which will be included in the screening blocks.

Personal stories. Original ideas. New work.

About the Festival

In addition to screening the best in recent filmmaking, the festival also hosts live film related events.

Past events included a special screening of The Fisher King followed by an insightful talkback with screenwriter Richard LaGravenese (Behind the Candleabra, Freedom Writers, The Bridges of Madison County). In 2016, Richard Price gave an unforgettable talk back after the 30th Anniversary Screening of the Color of Money and also spoke about his HBO smash hit series The Night Of.  In 2014, a staged reading of Karen Black's work featuring Sean Young, Andrea McArdle, and Gail Brown was a festival highlight. John Cassavetes’ 1959 film Shadows, was followed by an engaging Q&A with actress Leila Goldoni in 2013.

Chain NYC may be only six years old, but that hasn't stopped countless visitors from singing the festival's praises and traveling from around the world.

"I've participated in numerous film festivals, and the Chain NYC Film Festival stands out as one of the best. Not only [is] the selection of films superb, but the staff made a point of getting to know me and really supporting my film. All too often, small films can get lost in the shuffle of a festival. Not at Chain NYC."

-  Richard Uhlig, writer-director of the award-winning documentary short, My Kansas.