Chain Theatre

09/18/2026

Shout out to the talented team who make the Chain NYC Film Festival one of a kind.

Thank you to our incredible talkback moderators!







Your passion for film, the process, and getting to the heart of why anyone embarks on the journey of independent filmmaking is what makes you all one of a kind!

Submissions are now open on FilmFreeway!

09/16/2026

Mark your calendar for the Early Bird Feb. 1st 2027 and Regular Deadline of May 26th 2027 or submit today!

Listed as one of the top 100 film festivals with a Five Star Review from hundreds of filmmakers.

09/16/2026

Submissions are now open for the Chain NYC Film Festival!

Mark your calendar for the Early Bird Feb. 1st 2027 and Regular Deadline of May 26th or submit today!

https://filmfreeway.com/ChainFilmFestival
Listed as one of the top 100 film festivals to submit to with a Five Star Review from hundreds of filmmakers.

08/26/2026

When the interns take over...

Shout out to our incredible team on-site who makes it all happen and to our interns and who joined us this summer from the CUNY Career Launch program! None of this is possible without you!

08/25/2026

Thank you to for the shout out on 2026 Award Winners for this year!

Full article here:
https://patch.com/new-york/east-village/chain-film-festival-crowns-its-2026-award-winners-nodx

08/21/2026

Looking for rehearsal space? Book at the Chain!
Online booking available at chaintheatre.org
- Free Wifi
- Tables, chairs, rehearsal cubes, and music stands.
- Clean bright spaces!
- Piano available upon request (no additional charge!)

All in the heart of midtown Manhattan. Rates are $25-$30 an hour.

08/17/2026

2026 Award Winners!
Congratulations to all the filmmakers in this year's fest! We cannot wait to see what you create next.

Signature Awards
Each year the Chain NYC Film Festival gives signature awards that capture the spirit of the festival.

Best of Fest - HOW WE SEE
New York Filmmaker Award - Brian Di Lorenzo
Helena Weinrauch Humanitarian Award - WON’T BE DISPLACED
Filmmaker Favorite - BLANK SLATE
Audience Choice - JOAN’S TEETH
Personal Stories - WOOLY BULLY
Original Ideas - ONCE MORE FOR SAFETY
New Work - FATAL NEGLIGENCE
Best International Feature- WHITES WASH AT 90
Best Horror Feature- WOOZY
Best Documentary Feature- THE LAST MESSAGE
Best Comedy Feature- IRREGULAR
Best Narrative Feature- PAUL & GREG & AMELIA

Best Web Series- House of the Seven Gables
SUPER SHORTS
Best Super Short Doc- Boots on the Ground for Art
Best Super Short Drama- The End of the Hall
Best Super Short Comedy - Buzz Buzz

SHORT FILMS
Student- With an End in Mind
Experimental- White Meat: Appetizer
Suspense- The Es**rt
Sci-Fi- Upstairs
Thriller- Entering
Animation - The Ottoman
International- In the Room
Cinematography- Stoptime Rag
Ensemble- Cahill's Lanes
Actor - Francisco Solorzano—The Shave
Actress - Kathleen Turner—Joan's Teeth
Writer - Penny B. Jackson & Melissa Skirboll—$13
Director of Doc Short- Christiane Arbesu—How We See
Director of Narrative Short- Sara Gaston—Coyote
Doc Short- One Fighting Irishman
Comedy Short - Rain Was Not in the Forecast
Drama Short - Trouble

FEATURES
Cinematography Feature
Island of Dreams

Ensemble Feature
irregular

Actor Feature
Christopher Ryan—Paul & Greg & Amelia

Actress Feature
Tara Westwood—Stop Time

Writer Feature
Joey Bicicchi—Woozy

Director Documentary Feature
John Bacon—We Grew Up: Kids in Adult Prisons

Director Narrative Feature
Marko Nabersnik—Whites Wash at 90

08/16/2026

Chain NYC Film Festival is known for our signature talkbacks.
Here are just some of the memorable moments caught on film this fest.

Final day of the fest!

08/06/2026