The Open Mic for Short Films is a new, community-oriented event where any filmmaker with a story can share their work in front of a live audience of fellow creators and film lovers. It’s a chance to see and show work from the local community, meet the filmmakers, and mingle with others passionate about film.

Agenda

2:00 Doors open, come grab a seat!
2:30 The show begins!
4:45 Time to socialize!
6:00 Event is over.

Check out work screened from our first event here: openmicfilms.com

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Film Lovers (Filmmakers, see submission guidelines below):

If your New Year’s resolution was to see more art or support local artists…
If you’re sick of the Marvelization of cinema and want to support indie filmmakers…
If you want to escape the algorithm…

Join us on Saturday, January 17th for the second edition of Open Mic for Short Films!

We’ll screen around 1.5-2 hours of narrative-based short films spanning various genres and subjects. Stay after the screenings to meet the filmmakers and fellow film lovers。 If time permits, we may have a quick group Q&A directly after the screenings.

Spend your Saturday afternoon getting inspired and supporting the future filmmakers of NYC!

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For Filmmakers：

Whether you’re debuting a brand-new project, dusting off something from the vault, or just looking to connect with other film lovers, this is your chance to share, network, and be inspired.

If you’re interested in submitting your film for screening at the Open Mic for Short Films Vol. 2, follow the submission guidelines below:

Submissions are first come, first screened. Entries will be closed when time slots are filled.

Submit your film by January 14th, 2026. Submitting as early as you can minimizes last minute issues and ensures your film will be displayed the way you intended. We will not be able to screen films submitted at the event.

Filmmakers (or a team member) are required to attend the event for their film to be screened. Filmmakers receive free entry.

Submissions should have a runtime between 4 and 20 minutes.

At this time, we are only accepting works that tell a story and have artistic integrity. Video which is commercial in nature will not be accepted.

Films that challenge a viewpoint and make people think are welcome, but work containing inappropriate or offensive content will not be accepted.

Submit your work here: https://forms.gle/hqnbdejXmmwXfEvs7

In case of issues, you may also submit by emailing a downloadable link to your film to openmicfilmnight@gmail.com with the subject: Submission for January 17th Open Mic.

Get ready to be entertained and inspired! Come hang, share your work, and see what your peers are creating! See you there!