New York: The first edition of the New York Global Short Film Fest 2026 was held in New York on Saturday, August 8, bringing together filmmakers, artists, film professionals, and guests from different countries and cultural backgrounds.
The day-long festival took place at two venues in Queens and featured film screenings, a Red Carpet event, an Award Ceremony, musical performances, and a special autism awareness segment.
This year, the festival received 282 short films and documentaries from 38 countries. After a detailed selection and evaluation process, 30 films were chosen for screening. A total of 12 awards were presented across 11 categories, including one Special Award.
First Session at Queens Public Library
The festival opened in the morning at Queens Public Library – Central, where 18 selected short films and documentaries from different countries were screened.
Young filmmaker and producer Suswana Chowdhury hosted the morning session.
Shamim Al Amin, Founder of the New York Film Foundation and Festival Director of the New York Global Short Film Fest 2026, and Chitra Deodat, Assistant Manager, Programming & Outreach at Queens Public Library @ Central, addressed the audience at the opening.
In appreciation of the library’s support, Shamim Al Amin presented a Token of Appreciation to Chitra Deodat.
Several filmmakers attending the screenings also briefly shared their thoughts and experiences about their films. The morning session concluded with remarks by Ishtiaq Ahmed, Festival Event Coordinator.
Red Carpet and Award Ceremony at JCAL
The second session began at 4:00 p.m. at the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning (JCAL) with a Meet & Greet for filmmakers, guests, and audience members.
A colorful Red Carpet event was one of the major attractions of the festival. The Red Carpet was hosted by Shake Tanvir Ahmed, who welcomed filmmakers, award winners, artists, and guests as they arrived for the evening program.
Filmmakers, artists, guests, and film professionals from different countries and cultural backgrounds gathered in the JCAL lobby, creating a lively and festive atmosphere. The Meet & Greet and Red Carpet provided an opportunity for participants to meet one another, exchange greetings, take photographs, and celebrate their shared passion for cinema.
To mark the 250th anniversary of American independence, the first edition of the festival was dedicated to the United States, with America selected as the Theme Country.
The main program began with a special video presentation celebrating America at 250.
It was followed by a performance of the iconic song “New York, New York,” popularized by Liza Minnelli and Frank Sinatra. The song was performed by Alvan Chowdhury.
Award-winning media personality Jennifer Rampersaud hosted the main program.
Festival Director Shamim Al Amin delivered the welcome remarks, while Dr. Pratap Das, Festival Convenor and Founder of Diaspora USA, delivered the opening remarks.
Lear Levin, Head of the 2026 Jury Board and a renowned American filmmaker and fine art photographer, was unable to attend in person. His message and greetings were presented through a video.
Ejaz Alam, Lead Festival Coordinator and General Secretary of Diaspora USA, also addressed the audience.
Another 12 selected short films and documentaries, including award-winning films, were screened during the JCAL session.
Winners Honored with Trophies and Certificates
The Best Short Film award went to Banana Triangle Six, directed by Marc E. Crandall of the United States.
The Best Documentary Short award went to Back to One – Return to Ground Zero, directed by Sylvester P. Lukasiewicz of the United States.
French filmmaker Stéphane Martinet received the Best Director (Short Film) award for A BRUSHSTROKE (UN COUP DE PINCEAU), while Marj Kleinman of the United States won Best Director (Documentary) for Stoop Chat with Aleathea & Ariam.
I Learned to Cry, directed by Santiago José Asef of Brazil, won Best Cinematography.
Maybe, That’s Why…, directed by Rahatud Zaman of Bangladesh, received the Best Editing award.
Spring in a Bottle, directed by Guozong Lu of China, won Best Experimental Film.
Nemesis, directed by Zin Ataş of Türkiye, received the Best Screenplay award.
One Rupee Sky, directed by Aruna Arya Gupta of India, won Best Social Impact Film.
What Love’s Worth, directed by Polly Rabinowitz of the United States, received the Best Student Film award.
The Red Letter, directed by Adam Baljevich of the United States, received the Best Amateur Filmmaker award.
The special Festival Spirit Award went to In Your Shoes, directed by Zhengdi Li and Khrystyna Orletska of the United States. The film focuses on school bullying and awareness and was created and performed by students of Midwood High School in Brooklyn.
Award winners from Brazil, Türkiye, France, and China were unable to attend in person but sent their greetings and best wishes to the festival.
Other winners and their representatives attended the ceremony and received their trophies and certificates. Winners and film professionals also traveled from outside New York to join the event. Award recipients from India and Bangladesh were among those present, adding to the international character of the festival.
Actor Jacques Guski attended on behalf of The Red Letter, representing director Adam Baljevich.
The awards and certificates were presented by Chris Moore, Screenwriter; Ashrafun Nahar Leuza, Festival Managing Director; Shamim Al Amin, Festival Director and Founder, New York Film Foundation; Philippe Estanislas, Educator & Social Service Professional; Dr. Pratap Das, Festival Convenor and Founder, Diaspora USA; Katha Cato, Executive Director, Queens World Film Festival; Donald Preston Cato, Artistic Director, Queens World Film Festival; Rubaiya Rahman, Executive Director, Autism Society Habilitation Organization (ASHO); CPA Sarwar Chowdhury; Kaushik Ahmed, Editor, Weekly Bangali; prominent artist Tajul Imam; cultural personality Atiya Seema; Ejaz Alam, Lead Festival Coordinator and General Secretary, Diaspora USA; and filmmaker Keith Powell.
Special Autism Awareness Presentation
The third part of the program was hosted by Sharmin Munmun and included a special autism awareness segment.
The Autism Society Habilitation Organization (ASHO) presented an episode from a puppet cartoon series created to raise awareness about autism.
The presentation focused on increasing public understanding of autism and encouraging a more supportive and inclusive attitude.
Following the screening, Rubaiya Rahman, Executive Director of ASHO, spoke about the importance of autism awareness and the organization’s ongoing work.
Organizers, Partners and Sponsors
The festival was organized by the nonprofit New York Film Foundation, with Diaspora USA serving as one of its key partners.
Other partners included FilmFreeway, Queens Public Library, Autism Society Habilitation Organization (ASHO), and 1 One Organization.
Sponsors included True-Med Pharma, Standard Express, BA Express, and CPA Sarwar Chowdhury.
3M Studio served as the Technical Partner, while The Lens New York was the Creative Partner.
A Global Celebration of Cinema
With 282 submissions from 38 countries in its very first edition, the New York Global Short Film Fest made a strong beginning as an international platform for short films and documentaries.
From film screenings and the Meet & Greet to the Red Carpet, musical performance, Award Ceremony, and special autism awareness presentation, the festival brought together filmmakers, artists, guests, and audiences from different countries, languages, and cultures.
The organizers said they hope the New York Global Short Film Fest will continue to support emerging filmmakers, showcase creative work from around the world, and build cultural connections through the power of cinema.
