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NYC's Premier Film Festival Call for Entries Now Open
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2024 CALL FOR ENTRIES NOW OPEN

YEAR 13 HAS ARRIVED!! 2024 Call for Entries are now open! Katra is rated Top 100 Best Reviewed Festival in the world out of 12,000+ Film Festival including Oscar-Qualifying and BAFTA-qualifying festival. Do you have what it takes to premier your cinematic masterpieces in NYC?

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11th ANNUAL KATRA HOLIDAY PARTY

KATRA Film Series is proud to celebrate its 11th Annual Holiday Party at Casa Mezcal in the Lower East Side section of Manhattan. For the first time ever we are hosting an in-person fundraiser bash as we plan to expand and grow in 2024. After the pandemic and Hollywood Strikes put a damper on our plans this year it has been quite a challenge just to stay afloat and we are kindly asking for your support as we continue to…

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KATRA IS BACK OCT 10-12

KATRA is back for its Fall Festival at the world famous Regal Essex Crossing multiplex in the lower east side section of Manhattan! Join us October 10th-12th for 3 days of live and in-person screenings, filmmaker Q&As, networking, afterparties followed by a closing night gala award ceremony with complimentary refreshments, wine and beer. REGAL ESSEX CROSSING – OCTOBER 10-11 – SCREENINGS & Q&As Located in: Essex Market Address: 129 Delancey St, New York, NY 10002 BKLYN COMMONS ROOFTOP – OCTOBER 12 – GALA…

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The Inaugural Urban Dreams Mental Health Film Festival runs Sep. 26-28 in NYC

The Urban Dreams Mental Health Film Festival is a thought-provoking event that will raise awareness about mental health issues through the power of Cinema. The festival showcases a diverse range of films from around the world that explore the complex and often taboo topics surrounding mental health. We’re supporting the not-for-profit Languages of Care. LoC connects with first responders on the ground to understand the “just in time” need and work to find and translate royalty free emotional health content…

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NEW FACES NEW VOICES FESTIVAL RETURNS SEP 11-14

NEW FACES NEW VOICES is back for our milestone 5th anniversary in the greatest city in the world! Join us for a hybrid festival September 11th-14th for 4 days of online programing, in-person screenings, filmmaker Q&As, afterparties and more at Regal Essex Crossing followed by a closing night private gala award ceremony on Thursday September 14th. Tickets and passes are  now available for purchase below. CLICK HERE FOR IN-PERSON LINEUP & SCHEDULE CLICK HERE FOR EXCLUSIVE VIRTUAL LINEUP & SCHEDULE

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KATRA LATINX FESTIVAL RETURNS JULY 18-21 FOR ITS 4TH YEAR

Now in its 4th year, the Katra LatinX Film Festival returns to Regal Essex Crossing in the lower east side of Manhattan. The festival returns July 18-30 with its legendary filmmaker pre-party, live screenings followed by Q&A + afterparties, and a closing night awards ceremony at BKLYN Commons Rooftop in Prospect Park section of Brooklyn, NY. After July 21st the official selections will be available virtually in the Entertainment Oxygen link below. On Tuesday July 18th the filmmaker private pre-party…

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Katra Spring Fest Sells Out multiple theater blocks

Great times at our sold out Spring Fest at Regal Essex Crossing in Lower Manhattan a couple of weeks ago! Congrats to all of our filmmakers and screenwriters for an exciting, fun and successful festival. Huge thanks to our sponsors and supporters for your incredible support. We can’t thank you enough for all that you do. Finally, big S/O and thank you to our entire team for your hard work, dedication and commitment this season. We appreciate all that you…

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KATRA FILM SERIES RETURNS APRIL 24-28

Presented by Digital Ocean, the world’s premiere cloud company in the world, Katra is back with a vengeance April 24-28 at Regal Essex Crossing in NYC and virtually via Entertainment Oxygen Platform with over $20,000 in prizes! The festival kicks off with a filmmaker pre-party, two screening nights followed by Q&A, afterparties, and a fun closing night awards ceremony sponsored by Brooklyn Brewery. Please note tickets are selling out fast. We only have a limited number of tickets and passes…

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Katra Film Series Presents The Theatrical Premiere of “The Nomad”

KATRA kicks off its 12th year with the red carpet premiere of acclaimed international filmmaker Daniel Diosdado’s American debut feature “The Nomad”. Join us next Wednesday February 22nd at 6pm EST for the screening at the Regal Essex Crossing Cinema in the Lower East Side. The movie screening will be followed by Q&A with filmmakers/cast members and then a fun afterparty at a place TBD Tickets are FREE with RSVP. Only a limited number of seats available so make sure…

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2023 KATRA + SISTER FESTIVALS CALL FOR ENTRY DEADLINES

Katra Film Series is home to domestic and international film festivals. Their collective mission is to highlight independent filmmakers from all walks of life, including marginalized and underrepresented communities and providing them a platform to showcase their distinctive voices and works. Make sure to check out each of our innovative and groundbreaking festivals below! KATRA FILM SERIES Rated Top 100 Best Reviewed Film Festival in the world, Katra Film Series returns for its 12th year at the world famous Regal…

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Now in its 11th Year, the Katra Film Series is an internationally acclaimed film festival and screenwriting competition dedicated to supporting the next generation of filmmakers with the exhibition and promotion of independent cinema from around the world at Regal Cinemas!

Our Venue: Regal Cinemas

Regal Cinemas Website

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Presented By Digital Ocean

Digital Ocean

Katra Film Series is proud to be listed among the “Top 100 Best Reviewed Festivals” on FilmFreeway. Submit on FilmFreeway and join our family of successful filmmakers.

Film Freeway Top 100

Submit on FilmFreeway

Our prizes are provided by Canon, Rhino Films, Final Draft, 3636 Studios, The Yard, International Screenwriters’ Association, NY Women in Film and TV, Museum of the Moving Image, and more. Every season we curate a diverse selection of independent works where audience participation is central in choosing the winners. Regardless of who wins each season all official selections will be considered for the Year-End Grand Finale taking place at the Alamo Drafthouse Theater where our jurors are comprised of industry veterans and professionals who watch the films and select the top winners.

Our Prizes

Canon USA

All genres/forms are accepted. Seeking Feature Films, Short Films, Web Series, Documentary, Music Videos, Experimental Works, Animation, Screenplays, and Video Art. We accept works-in-progress.

Submit on FilmFreeway

Submit on FilmFreeway

Final Draft is proud to support the Best Screenplay Winners with thousands of dollars in prizes. Final Draft is a program made to perform one task with excellence – the writing of a screenplay.

Final Draft Pro

Final Draft
What they say about us

“An obvious must-attend, Katra is the rare platform that actually puts its members’ work in front of an eager live audience…whose worthy and ambitious efforts might otherwise go unnoticed in an overcrowded industry.”

– Tribeca

Tribeca

“The Katra Film Series in New York City brought out emerging talent from all walks of life for a memorable film fest like none other. In over six years, the Katra Film Series has become a hub for up-and-coming filmmakers of the indie film scene.”

-LLERO

‘LLERO

“Katra Film Series is giving global filmmakers virtual opportunities to showcase their work… The pandemic has proven that creative people can find creative solutions.”

– BACKSTAGE

BACKSTAGE

“From the bottom up an amazing and excellent festival that has made it in New York”

– The New York Times

New York Times

“Katra Film Series spotlights new talent and provides a place for emerging artists to showcase their work to a live audience.”

– NY1

NY1

NY1

“Films Long in Talent, Short in Span, Bryan Cranston stars in Writer’s Block, part of the Katra Film Series – A Competitive Program highlighting the works from rising filmmakers and unheralded Talents.”

– Wall Street Journal

Wall Street Journal

Wall Street Journal

“Innovative New Model Pushing For The Future of its Filmmakers.”

– Remezcla

Remezcla

“The Katra Film Series in New York is one of the most prolific champions of women in film. Last year, the group showcased the work of 79 female writers, directors and producers… goes to show you that if you build it, they will come.

– ELYSIAN

ELYSIAN

“Brooklyn’s own diversity makes it a natural source for a festival looking to feature films by communities whose work is often ignored by the mainstream.”

– Bklyner

Bklyner

Katra Film Series

Great Prizes

Each year, our winners are awarded over $20,000 in prizes. The Grand Jury Prize Winner is awarded a one-on-one meeting with acclaimed Hollywood Producer Stephen Nemeth and the winner also takes home a top of the line CANON camera.

Meet And Greets

Our Filmmakers get the opportunity to network with industry professionals at our nightly events held at at the Alamo Drafthouse Theater in NYC and other top-notch nearby venues.

Final Round

Some of our past alums have landed theatrical distribution deals and have gone on to write, produce and direct feature films and TV shows for HBO, FOX, Netflix, Showtime, ESPN, Vice Media including festival stops at Sundance, Tribeca, Berlin and Cannes Film Festival.