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2019 SIDEBAR SERIES KICKS OFF SAT. MARCH 16TH

Join us for the 2019 Katra Film Series – Sidebar Edition on Saturday, March 16th at the VINE in Downtown Brooklyn. Now in its 2nd year, the Sidebar Edition is a new section dedicated to showcasing works by underrepresented communities while focusing on issues, topics and stories by filmmakers of color, African-American, Asian-American, Latinx, LGBTQ+ and Female Filmmakers from all walks of life. LINEUP (exact order below): BLOCK 1 Tuscany Dirty Fable – directed by Giovanni Guidelli                                      An ex cop…

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2019 SEASON PREMIERE – YEAR 8 BEGINS

  Join us for the 2019 Season Premiere event in our new home at the Alamo Drafthouse Theater in Downtown Brooklyn on Wednesday, February 27th! The 16 official selections will compete for over $3,000 in prizes which will be judged and voted by YOU – THE AUDIENCE.   In partnership with Final Draft, HiO, 3636 Studios, and International Screenwriters’ Association, the audience winner will take home amazing prizes and advance to our year-end finale where the top prizes include Canon…

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7th Annual Grand Finale Series

Join us for our 7th Annual Grand Finale Event at the Alamo Drafthouse Theater in Downtown Brooklyn where the Top 15 Finalists of 2018 will compete for over $10,000 in prizes. In partnership with Everyone Matters and Rhino Films, the 2018 Grand Prize Winner will be awarded a one-on-one meeting with acclaimed Producer Stephen Nemeth from the Academy-Award nominated The Sessions and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, along with prizes from Canon USA, HiO, Spacious, and NYWIFT. BLOCK 1…

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BATTLE OF FILM SCHOOLS

We are proud to sponsor a new and innovative film competition dedicated to film students from around the world! Battle of Film Schools will pit student Short Films, Episodics, Music Videos, MOS (silent projects), scene exercises, and other workshop-related films and showcase them in a head to head battle with different film schools in a live setting in NYC. Every season a selection of 10 shorts from 10 different film schools will be carefully selected and screened in front of…

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2018 SIDEBAR EDITION – NOVEMBER 13TH-14TH

Join us for the the 2018 Katra Film Series – Sidebar Edition on Tuesday, November 13th and Wednesday, November 14th at Wine Legend in Downtown Brooklyn. In addition to our main program in the city, the Sidebar Edition is a new section featuring works by underrepresented communities, women and LGBTQ+ filmmakers, and works by local filmmakers. DAY 1 – TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH PAINTED SKIN – dir. by Hanrui Wang A young artist huddles down in an old, abandoned template for…

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2018 KATRA FILM SERIES – SEASON FINALE

Join us for the 2018 Season Finale on Saturday, October 20, 2018 in NYC. All guests receive a complimentary beer courtesy of Lagunitas Brewing Company. A total of 15 shorts will compete for the audience choice award valued over $2,000. The winning short is determined by top audience vote and will advance to the 7th Annual Grand Finale Event at the Alamo Drafthouse Theater in January. OFFICIAL LINEUP: RUTA VIVA – directed by Courtney Baxter & Sebastian Rea  While visiting…

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2018 Katra Film Series – Sidebar Edition

Join us for the the 2018 Katra Film Series Sidebar Edition on Thursday, September 27th at Wine Legend in Downtown Brooklyn featuring works by underrepresented communities and focusing on issues, topics and stories by Women of Color, African-American, Asian-American, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ communities.  In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we are proud to showcase and celebrate powerful works by 100% Latinx Filmmakers who either wrote, directed or produced one of the following selections in our lineup.    OFFICIAL LINEUP:…

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2018 KATRA FILM SERIES – SIDEBAR EDITION

Join us for the Inaugural Launch of the 2018 Katra Film Series Sidebar Edition on Friday, September 14th at Wine Legend in Downtown Brooklyn featuring works by underrepresented communities and focusing on issues, topics and stories by Women of Color, African-American, Asian-American, Latinx, LGBTQ+ and Female Filmmakers from all walks of life. LINEUP: Somnia – directed by Zavier Mojica A story of a father and son who are faced with incredible odds once something extraterrestrial choose their farm to land.…

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2018 SUMMER SERIES – AUGUST 4TH, 2018

  It is sizzling out there and that only means one thing… SUMMER IS BACK!   Join us for NYC’s Summer Event of the Year – The 2018 Summer Series on Saturday August 4, 2018 in the capital of the world! To cool you down and get you in the mood for some riveting new films, music videos and web series all guests receive a complimentary beer courtesy of the Lagunitas Brewing Company.   Free beer, quality cinema, and delicious…

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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 Welcome Homes

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.