2026 Submissions Are Now Closed

Film Submission Categories

• NYU Documentary: Documentaries created by current NYU students or alumni
• NYU Narrative: Narrative films created by current NYU students or alumni
• Open Documentary: Documentaries from filmmakers of any background
• Open Narrative: Narrative films from filmmakers of any background

NYU Pitch Contest

The 6th Annual NYUSFF featured the return of the pitch contest. NYU students and alumni submitted ideas for sports-related projects — feature films, short films, and television series — and finalists delivered live pitch presentations to a panel of sports media professionals at the Cantor Film Center.

Sports Photo Competition

The 6th Annual NYU Sports Film Festival introduced its inaugural Sports Photography Competition. Photographers from around the world submitted still images capturing the intensity, beauty, and storytelling power of sport, with selected works featured at NYUSFF events.

Rules & Terms

Film Submission Guidelines

1. All films submitted into NYU-designated categories must be created and entered by NYU students or alumni. Films submitted to the wrong categories will be disqualified. In contrast, anyone, regardless of age or background, is eligible to enter into the Open (non-NYU) categories.
2. In order for a film to be considered for inclusion in the TV Special to air live in New York on SNY, the film must NOT contain any unlicensed or copyrighted footage or music/audio. Films from the NYU community that meet these requirements and can prove full ownership or licensing of all audio and visuals are automatically submitted for consideration unless specified otherwise, regardless of whether or not the film is chosen as an official selection.
3. Only short films (defined as under 30 minutes) will be considered for the SNY TV Special and other awards.
4. Only one (1) feature-length film (defined as over 60 minutes) will be selected and screened during the opening night of the festival.
5. Sport must be a central aspect of the film. (What qualifies as sports? Just about anything. Really. Whatever you think it means, we're 99.9% sure we agree.)
6. All projects must have been completed within the past three years (submitted projects made before 2022 will not be eligible).
7. Films must be submitted through FilmFreeway along with a link to an accessible version of the video (mp4, MOV, AVI), and additional information and materials must be provided as requested to remain in consideration for the screenings and awards.
8. Projects selected for the festival in previous years are NOT eligible, though projects submitted in prior years that were not selected are.

Photography Submission Guidelines

Photographers may submit up to three (3) photographs maximum. The submission fee is $10 USD for one (1), two (2) or three (3) photographs. Any submissions with more than three images will be disqualified. Images must be submitted in JPEG, JPG, or PNG format, with a maximum file size of 10 GB per submission.

Ten (10) officially selected photographs will advance to final jury judging. Once selected and approved, photographs will be featured online and may also be exhibited in a gallery at NYUSFF events.

If photographers of selected images would like to showcase their prints during the festival, they must provide their own physical prints for in-person display. Any selected images may instead elect to be shown online only if the photographer chooses not to provide a print. The NYU Sports Film Festival will not print any photographs.

During the festival, a jury composed of photography and film professionals will determine the winner of the NYUSFF Sports Photography Award.

Film Terms of Submission

All entrants must be authorized (have the legal right) to submit the film to the NYU Sports Film Festival. All visual and audio content, including music, of the film must be owned or licensed by the entrant for the film to be eligible to be screened at the festival as well as remain in consideration for inclusion in the SNY television special. Through submitting your film, you agree to grant NYUSFF the rights to present the film at the festival and in related media, including our television special on SportsNet New York. Additionally, entrants agree to provide their film in a format compatible with our screening equipment, and understand that NYUSFF may request additional materials or information as part of the selection process. The festival reserves the right to disqualify any entry that violates these terms or misrepresents ownership of content.

Photography Terms of Submission

Photographers retain full copyright of their images. By entering, participants grant the NYU Sports Film Festival a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to display submitted images on its website, social media channels, and promotional materials. NYUSFF retains the right to crop images where necessary for online channels. All images will be credited to the photographer whenever used.

Cropped images and images with adjusted coloring and lighting are eligible. The following are not permitted: adding, removing, or altering objects within the image; HDR, stitched panoramas, or composite images; and AI-generated or AI-manipulated imagery. Entries that exceed acceptable editing standards may be disqualified at the discretion of the jury.

If a recognizable person appears in a photograph, the photographer must be able to provide a model release upon request. If a minor is depicted, a release from a parent or legal guardian is required. Photographs depicting copyrighted artwork, property, or protected works must have appropriate permissions. Failure to provide required releases may result in disqualification.

Subjects must be treated with respect and dignity. No image should be captured at the expense of a subject's safety or well-being. Wildlife, people, and environments must not be harmed. Any special circumstances, including staged scenes, drones, baiting, or specialized equipment, must be disclosed. All photographs must comply with federal, state, and local laws.