Katra Film Series Celebrates 15 Years of Independent Cinema

Admin — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 20:46:51 +0000

What an unforgettable week it was as we celebrated the milestone 15th edition of the Katra Film Series at Village East by Angelika in NYC.

This milestone year brought together an extraordinary community of filmmakers, storytellers, industry professionals, and film lovers who filled the theater with energy, passion, and a shared love for bold, independent cinema. From world premieres to packed screenings to engaging Q&As, every moment reflected the creativity and dedication that continue to define this festival.

Reaching 15 years is no small feat, especially in an ever-evolving landscape filled with challenges. Yet, our mission remains unchanged: to champion new voices, spotlight emerging talent, and bring meaningful stories to the big screen. The passion within this community fuels that mission and keeps it moving forward.

We are also deeply grateful to our sponsors and partners—Netflix, Universal DCP, JMR Rentals, Canon USA, Bowery Film Festival, NYWIFT, Network ISA, Screenblade Studio, and Storytelling 360—for their continued support and belief in independent storytelling.

This year was truly one for the books. Thank you for being part of it.

Here’s to the stories we shared—and the ones still to come.

We are proud to announce this year’s winners below:

AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD: Sexless in the City – directed by Talia Fayaz
BEST FEATURE FILM: The Protagonist – directed by Christian Borchers
BEST SHORT FILM: Lumps – directed by Maya Winkler
HONORABLE MENTION FOR BEST SHORT: Mort – directed by Larry and Terry Ziegelman
BEST EPISODIC OR TV PILOT: Stealing The Show – directed by Olivia Parauda
BEST DOCUMENTARY – A Guitar for Ethan – directed by Will Chase
BEST ANIMATION – Almost Ten – directed Dan Quinn, Sean Davis
OUTSTANDING FEMALE FILMMAKER – Lesbian Ditch Day – directed by Olivia Cade
BEST MUSIC VIDEO: Triple G – Gregg Starski Na Greenpoince – directed by Mikheil Zbzibadze
BEST EXPERIMENTAL FILM – A Frog Sits in Water – directed by Dylan Friese-Greene
HONORABLE MENTION: Learning to Love Your Demon in 8 Stages – directed by Scarlett Love Stitt
BEST FEATURE SCREENPLAY: Spinning – written by Will Turner
BEST TELEPLAY: Perfection in the Valley of Light – written by Eric Gruber
BEST SHORT SCREENPLAY: Midnight – Jon Cruz

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Katra Film Series Returns for its milestone 15th Year — April 7–9

Admin — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:52:11 +0000

The 2026 Katra Film Series lineup has arrived and we are thrilled to announce the 44 Official selections from around the world including a recent Oscar Winner from the 98th Academy Awards and riveting new works from indie filmmakers from Ecuador, Mexico, United Kingdom, France, Canada, South Korea, and USA!

Join us for 3 amazing nights at the historic Village East by Angelika cinemas near Union Square APRIL 7-9 for fearless storytelling, fresh perspectives, and boundary-pushing indie cinema set to light up NYC. This is where tomorrow’s voices take the big screen—raw, original, and unapologetically bold!

Explore the full lineup HERE → lock in your tickets now below

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New Faces New Voices is back Sep. 23-25 at Regal Essex Crossing

Admin — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 03:55:29 +0000

NEW FACES NEW VOICES FESTIVAL is back for its 7th Annual Film Festival! Join us SEPTEMBER 23-25 for a 3 day event including live screenings at Regal Essex Crossing, filmmaker Q&As, post-screening meetups, awards presentation and more including a one night partnership with Katra Latinx Festival to highlight Latine talent in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month !

Now in Year 7, New Faces New Voices is determined more than ever to continue discovering and highlighting new works often ignored by the mainstream and Hollywood. NFNV showcases diverse voices from around the world and is known for highlighting underrepresented communities – filmmakers of color, female filmmakers, members of the LGBTQ+ and disabled communities, including works by military veterans.

REGAL ESSEX CROSSING 129 Delancey St, New York, NY 10002

Official Schedule HERE

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2025 Katra Film Series Returns May 13-15 at Regal Essex Crossing

Admin — Sun, 11 May 2025 18:11:48 +0000

Please join us for the 14th Annual Katra Film Series at the Regal Essex Crossing Cinema in the lower east side of Manhattan. The festival returns May 13-15. Each screening block is followed by filmmaker Q&As and post-screening meetup. There will also be a closing night awards presentation and afterparty.

$20 GENERAL ADMISSION FOR ONE BLOCK

$30 DAY PASS (ADMISSION TO BOTH SCREENING BLOCKS)

$60 ALL ACCESS PASS (includes ALL SCREENING NIGHTS at Regal Essex Crossing, Filmmaker Q&As, post-screening networking, closing night awards presentation and afterparty)

FOR FULL SCHEDULE CLICK HERE

Get TicketsClick Here

www.katrafilmseries.com

Movie Theater: Regal Essex Crossing

Located in: Essex Market

Address: 129 Delancey St, New York, NY 10002

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New Faces New Voices returns Sep 16-19 in NYC

Admin — Sun, 01 Sep 2024 00:52:12 +0000

Katra’s sister festival, NEW FACES NEW VOICES, returns to the big apple for its 6th edition in the hip and trendy section of the lower east side of Manhattan and Brooklyn! Join us September 16th-19th for a 4 day cinematic festival including live in-person screenings at Regal Essex Crossing, filmmaker Q&As, post-screening meetups and more. We also have a closing night private gala award ceremony on Thursday September 19th.

REGAL ESSEX CROSSING – Located in: Essex Market – 129 Delancey St, New York, NY 10002

$20 GENERAL ADMISSION (1 screening block + Filmmaker Q&A)

$30 DAY PASS (2 screening blocks + Filmmaker Q&A)

$99 ALL ACCESS PASS (includes admission to ALL screening nights, Q&As, post-screening mixers and gala awards party with complimentary food and drinks)

FULL SCHEDULE BELOW

MONDAY – SEP 16 – 6:15PM

MONDAY – SEP 16 – 845PM

TUESDAY – SEP 17 – 615PM

TUESDAY – SEP 17 – 845PM

WEDNESDAY – SEP 18 – 615PM

WEDNESDAY – SEP 18 – 845PM

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Katra Latinx Festival Celebrated its 5th Anniversary at Regal Essex Crossing

Admin — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 15:28:53 +0000

Fabulous time celebrating Katra Latinx Festival’s milestone 5th Year at Regal Essex Crossing!

Congratulations to all of the filmmakers for a wonderful week of new Latinx Cinema! Huge thanks to our sponsors, supporters, and community partners for your incredible support this year Welcome Homes, Universal DCP, Freelancers Union, NYWIFT, JMR Rentals, Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, MetroPlus Health, Bowery Film Festival, and Reelworks.

The Winners are…
AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD: I AM KARMA – directed by Chris Cardona; Produced by Geovanny Carpio
BEST SHORT FILM: CARNIVORA – directed by Felipe Vargas; Produced by Nicole Crespo, Jesus Garcia
BEST FEMALE FILMMAKER: BIGGER – directed and produced by Melissa Morales
BEST FEATURE DOCUMENTARY: THE FLYBACK: Restoring Territorial Rights in the Ucayali Basin – directed by Reynaldo Antonio Morales
BEST SHORT DOC: MEANT TO BE- directed by Andrea Sambucetti
HONORABLE MENTION FOR BEST SHORT DOC: THE LAST PENAL COLONY – directed by Edwin Santana

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KATRA LATINX FESTIVAL JULY 15-18th

Admin — Fri, 28 Jun 2024 21:44:36 +0000

Presented by Welcome Homes, join us for our milestone 5th Annual Katra LatinX Festival at the Regal Essex Crossing in the lower east side of Manhattan. The festival returns July 15-18 with an opening night party at Republic Latin Fusion in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. Each screening is followed by filmmaker Q&As, post-screening networking mixer, and an afterparty. There will also be a closing night gala awards ceremony on July 18th at BKLYN Commons Rooftop Space located in the hip and trendy section of Prospect Park Brooklyn.

FULL SCHEDULE BELOW:

TUESDAY – JULY 16 – 615PM

TUESDAY – JULY 16 – 845PM

WEDNESDAY – JULY 17 – 615PM

WEDNESDAY – JULY 17 – 845PM

$20 GENERAL ADMISSION TO ONE BLOCK

$30 DAY PASS

$50 TWO DAY PASS

$99 ALL ACCESS PASS (includes opening night party with complimentary food and a cocktail, screenings at Regal Essex Crossing, Filmmaker Q&As, post-screening networking, gala award ceremony with complimentary food and drinks)

www.katrafilmseries.com

Movie Theater: Regal Essex Crossing

Located in: Essex Market

Address: 129 Delancey St, New York, NY 10002

Trains: F, J, M, Z

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2024 CALL FOR ENTRIES NOW OPEN

Admin — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 19:53:40 +0000

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?

https://katrafilmseries.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/PROMO-FALL.mp4

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11th ANNUAL KATRA HOLIDAY PARTY

Admin — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 02:46:31 +0000

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 find new ways to grow and provide the creative workforce, artists, screenwriters, filmmakers, and actors more opportunities to launch their careers in the Film, TV and media industries.

KATRA is the parent organization to the acclaimed Bowery Film Festival, Urban Dreams Mental Health Film Festival, Katra LatinX Festival, New Faces New Voices, NY Pause Film Festival, and World Webfest Mania.

We will have a VIP open bar, complimentary drink tickets, raffle giveaways, special guests and live DJ music and dancing. Wear your ugliest holiday sweater to be automatically entered into our UGLY SWEATER CONTEST. The winner will receive a 2024 KATRA Universal Gold Pass valid for free admission to all of our screenings and events including our sister festivals ($1000 value). We are also giving away 3 Digital Cinema Packages courtesy of UniversalDCP & 10 additional Universal Passes, T-shirts, stickers, merch and more valued at $10,000+

$25 donation (1 free drink ticket for a glass of wine or beer, 1 raffle ticket and free tapas)

$50 Premium Ticket (2 free drink tickets valid for a glass of wine or beer, 2 free raffle tickets, including 1 ticket to any festival in 2024 and free tapas)

$100 VIP Tickets (open bar for 3 hours, free tapas, 4 raffle tickets, 1 All Access Gold pass ($1000 value which give you access to all 7 festivals in 2024)

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 13 – 7PM-10pm

CASA MEZCAL – 86 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002

Trains: F, J, M, Z to Delancey/Essex station or B, D to Grand St.

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KATRA IS BACK OCT 10-12

Admin — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 20:16:15 +0000

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 AWARDS PARTY

Address: 495 Flatbush Avenue 2nd floor Bklyn NY 11225

DAILY SHOWTIMES: 6:15PM-8:15PM & 8:45PM-10:45PM

$20 GENERAL ADMISSION for one block & Q&A

$30 DAY PASS – two screening blocks, Q&As, and afterparty

$50 TWO-DAY PASS – admission to all events happening on both days

$99 ALL ACCESS PASS (includes admission to ALL screenings, filmmaker Q&As, afterparties and the invite-only gala awards party with complimentary refreshments at the BKLYN Commons Rooftop)

CLICK HERE FOR FULL SCHEDULE

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