WFF2026 - February 18-22 2026
Winter Film Festival is returning to the Big Apple for its 14th year! The festival places a special emphasis on highlighting the work of under-represented filmmakers, and for 2026, the festival will showcase 103 films from around the world – from animated films, documentaries, dramas, horror films and music videos, 20 student films, 34 first-time directors, half made by women and half by BIPOC directors.
Winter Film Festival is returning to the Big Apple for its 14th year – February 18-22 2026. The festival places a special emphasis on highlighting the work of under-represented filmmakers. Works of all genres and lengths are considered for selection.
#WFF2025 International Film Festival filmmaker WFF Previews and Red Carpet interviews! #WFFSoDiverse #CelebrateDiversity
Welcome to WFF2025 from Mark Levine, Manhattan Borough President.
RUN, directed by Bernard Kordieh, tells the story of a troubled writer running to escape the pain of a toxic relationship, crosses paths with a mysterious drifter living in his car, sparking an unlikely friendship that challenges both men to confront their pasts and find healing. Meet the director and see the NYC Premiere on February 21 @7:40PM at LOOK Cinemas (657 West 57th Street) as part of New York City’s 13th Annual Winter Film Festival.
“The Prison Show”, directed by Gabriella Kessler, is an official selection of New York City’s 13th Annual Winter Film Festival. The documentary showcases a Houston TX radio show created by former inmates and prisoners’ loved ones. The show keeps prisoners connected to the outside world and allows families to call in and leave messages for prisoners who are listening.
Matter of Mind: My Alzheimer’s, directed by Anna Moot-Levin and Laura Green, is an official selection of New York City’s 13th Annual Winter Film Festival. The documentary follows three families as they confront the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease and explores how the disease impacts identities and relationships.
My Heavenly City, directed by Sen-I Yu, is an official selection of New York City’s 13th Annual Winter Film Festival. The debut feature film tells three interrelated stories about life as transplants in New York City – three sets of characters connect and inspire one another in their journey to find hope in this heavenly city.
Encouraged-Building the Future, directed by Fraser Byrne, is an official selection of New York City’s 13th Annual Winter Film Festival. The documentary follows Red Bull BMX athlete Courage Adams as he comes good on a promise he made five years prior to the Lagos BMX crew, to help them build Nigeria’s first ever skatepark.
The Strange Dark, directed by Chris Messineo, is an official selection of New York City’s 13th Annual Winter Film Festival. The sci-fi feature film tells the story of Edgar who believes he can see the future, as the agents from Double Star Accounting stop at nothing to get their data back.
A Phantom Song directed by Michael Gorman and Donna Daly, is an official selection of New York City’s 13th Annual Winter Film Festival. The documentary follows a stage play that focuses on enabling recovering addicts often overlooked in their community. The film is a moving look at the impact art can have on people and how a community can uplift everyone in it.
San Francisco Bae directed by Cephra Stuart, is an official selection of New York City’s 13th Annual Winter Film Festival. The fresh and fun coming-of-age story follows the journey of a failing founder and a med-school dropout who, together, concoct a risky plan to pursue their true passions and achieve the American dream.
I Am Here You Are Not I Love You, directed by Aidan Ryan, is an official selection of New York City’s 13th Annual Winter Film Festival. The documentary short film follows the writer Aidan Ryan as he attempts to make sense of the work and clues left behind by the late visual artists Andrew Topolski and Cindy Suffoletto, his aunt and uncle, who passed away when he was a teenager.
Ultimate Citizens, directed by Francine Strickwerda, is an official selection of New York City’s 13th Annual Winter Film Festival. The documentary film follows Jamshid, an Iranian American public school counselor, as he helps the children of immigrants and refugees in Seattle find belonging on their way to compete in the world’s largest Ultimate Frisbee Tournament.
A Wonderful Way with Dragons, directed by Delfine Paolini, is an official selection of New York City’s 13th Annual Winter Film Festival. The feature film is the story of six children of varying years who were brought to a remote property by their parents to be kept safe from a deadly pandemic that has swept the world. However, years of isolation has begun to affect the children.