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Submissions for the 2026 live event are now closed, with the official lineup set for our November 16–22, 2026 screening in Brooklyn. We're now welcoming entries for the 2027 edition, the next chapter of the Dumbo Film Festival's story.
On FilmFreeway you will find information (deadlines and fees) about the 2027 preselection cycle, qualifying for the live event in November 2027.
All the officially selected films will be screened in Brooklyn, New York, during the live screening event, and a final ceremony will be held to award projects that have been judged the best over the past year. This structure allows the festival to collect funds for the organization of the annual live event. This structure also ensures that everyone gets a fair chance throughout the year. The festival also aims to highlight both established and emerging filmmakers by creating a network and launching promising artists onto the world film stage.
As a nonprofit organization, the Dumbo Film Festival is totally independent, and the budget for each year's live event is built out of submission fees and donations. Click here if you wish to donate to the Dumbo Film Festival.
By the end of the Seventies, a prosperous renewal brought the district of Dumbo to a new life. The neighborhood has consequently become one of New York's most glamorous districts alongside a thriving destination for artists.
On this background of revival, the DFF is establishing itself among the most important independent festivals in the world. Our annual event is a perfect opportunity for producers and directors from around the world to meet and share new ideas. Likewise, filmmakers and other creatives can leverage the exposure our festival offers to start their journey toward achieving their prestigious goals.
Many of our award-winning films are official selections or winners from Cannes, Berlinale, Raindance, Sundance, Tribeca, the Goya Awards, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), the American Academy Awards (Oscar®), and so on. At least one film in our yearly lineup always makes it to the Oscars shortlist. Many have been distributed on major televisions and international platforms such as HBO, Netflix, Amazon, PBS, BBC.
The official selection is chosen out of a series of non-screening preselection competitions. As usual, this lineup will represent the following six categories: Feature Narrative; Short Narrative; Feature Documentary; Short Documentary; Experimental; Animation. The selected films will screen in Brooklyn and compete for two trophies: Best in Category award and Grand Bridge Award (Best film in category and best film of the year).
