Are you a movie buff? If so, you're in the right city, and it's absolutely the right month. Sure, there are other film festivals in other months. Willifest went down in September, and the Big Apple Film Fest will portray its brilliance in November.
However, October is absolutely where it's at for film festivals in New York City. It's a veritable cornucopia out here; something for everyone.
If you love dogs, there's a film festival for that. If you love food, there's a film festival for that.
There's the New York Film Festival and the Bushwick Film Festival. There's a science film festival and an indie film festival.
If you fancy yourself an upcoming movie maker, or you just absolutely love watching movies in the grand company of other people that love watching movies, get tickets to one or more of the following 7 film festivals going down in NYC in the month of October.
1. New York Film Festival (September 25th - October 11th)
The 53rd edition of the New York Film Festival will run between September 25th and October 11th at the Film Society of Lincoln Center.
This 17-day festival highlights the best films produced worldwide. It's got everything from the world's most famous celebrated filmmakers to fresh new talent.
This year's films include The Walk, Don't Blink - Robert Frank, and Miles Ahead; plus, you know, many more. Check out the schedule here, and buy tickets here.
2. Bushwick Film Festival
bushwickfilmfest TODAY IS THE DAY!! Keep checking our Facebook, Twitter, and Website for #tickets to go on sale and follow us if you haven't yet! You don't want to miss our #earlybird #deal. $8 for our 8th year. #film #filmfestival #bushwickfilmfestival #BFF2015 #indiefilm #indielove #bushwick #brooklyn #nyc
The Bushwick Film Festival's programming runs year-round with classes, workshops, and content for the Bushwick community.
This all culminates with a popped-off festival held in the nexus of creativity and contemporary culture in Bushwick. They've got narrative films, documentary features, and short films.
They're also holding an opening night party at Lot 45, which you can enter without a film festival ticket. Get your party ticket here. To check out this year's incredible list of films, and to buy tickets, click here.
3. Dog Film Festival (October 2nd - October 3rd)
surfdogricochet Stoked that my SURFice dog video has been selected to be part of the first annual @dogfilmfestival in NY on Oct 3rd. Then in LA next spring. Paw-abunga!
The New York Dog Film Festival is aimed at celebrating the bond between dogs and their people.
The most exciting part is that this year is the very first annual New York Dog Film Festival. It will be held on October 2nd and 3rd at the Peter Norton Symphony Space on the Upper West Side.
The New York Dog Festival will consist of two Shorts Programs with animated, documentary, and narrative films from around the world, all of which celebrate the extraordinary bond between dogs and their people.
There will also be a Pooch Party gala premier cocktail party on the night of October 2nd from 6-8 p.m. at Ruby and Jack's Doggy Shack, which will include craft beer, wine, snacks, and yes, dog treats.
If you believe the bond between dog and human is one of the most profound relationships you can ever experience, you should make sure you attend this event. Then again, if you just really like dogs, you should also go. Get your tickets here.
4. NYC Indie Film Festival (October 12th - October 18th)
videorahim Biters "Hallucination Generation" music video is an official selection of the NYC Indie Film Festival. It will screen October 15 at 9 pm and the 19th at 10:15 am as part of the festival. @biters #biters #musicvideo #filmfestival #NYC #ATL #NYCIndieFilmFestival
The NYC Indie Film Festival provides an outlet for independent cinema that features the work of those making films with small budgets and emerging filmmakers - the true indies.
The showcased films are from all around the world, and include short films, feature films, music videos, and animated works. It's also aimed at creating the largest gathering worldwide of true indie filmmakers.
If you love indie films, don't miss the chance to see a whole bunch of them at this film festival. If you want to be a part of the magic, don't miss the chance to network at the NYC Independent Film Festival.
Check the schedule of films here, and get your tickets here.
,5. Chelsea Film Festival (October 15th - October 18th)
The Chelsea Film Festival is a nonprofit, international film festival celebrating the work of emerging filmmakers, producers, and actors.
They showcase a wide variety of film, from documentaries to feature-length films, all of which focus on the theme of "Global Issues." Their vision is, quite simply, to use film to make the world a better place. This year's theme is "Women in Film & Media."
The Chelsea Film Festival also seeks to empower risk-taking storytellers and developing independent artists and audiences worldwide.
They've got separate categories defined by continent, and a final prize chosen according to quality and artistic vision.
Venues include the SVA Theatre, the Katie Murphy Ampitheatre, and The David Dubinsky Student Center. If this sounds like something you want to be a part of, get your tickets here.
6. Imagine Science Film Festival (October 16th - October 24th)
The Imagine Science Film Festival is where science meets film and becomes culture.
If you're fascinated by the way our world works; unravelling and understanding the intricate processes by which the world functions, you should make sure you make it out to this. You should especially make it out to the Imagine Science Film Festival if you love science and you love film.
This year's theme is air and its components: nitrogen, oxygen, argon, and carbon dioxide. Do we take advantage of air? Probably, considering it's what fills our lungs, the skies, carries birds, airplanes and sound waves.
Venues include Google's new Chelsea office, BRIC, The New School, and the Made in NY Media Center. They celebrate both scientific excellence and engaging cinema. Check out the schedule here.
7. Food Film Festival (October 22nd - October 25th)
Have you ever watched a food porn film and died a little inside because of how badly you wanted to eat everything on screen?
Finally, the Food Film Fest solves that terrible problem, bringing delicious food from the screen to its viewers mouths. Can you think of a better event? We really can't.
This competitive film festival is reviewed by esteemed judges who are members of the food and film communities, and awards are presented in categories like Best Food Porn Film, the Audience Choice Award, the Best Short Film, and Best Super-Short Film.
If you love eating and you love watching movies, make sure you get out to this festival. Past events have included a viewing of The Mud and The Blood which was proceeded by an oyster roast on a rooftop in Brooklyn with 15,000 South Carolina oysters.
Sounds absolutely delicious to us. Get your tickets here.
Check out 14 Things You'd Be Crazy to Miss This October in NYC.
[Feature Image Courtesy of Fine Dining Lovers]