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RAW - NYC Indie Fest: Where Films Keep It Real

Lights down, vibes up—RAW is the underground hangout for movies that give zero effs about fitting in. This ain’t your stuffy film fest. We’re here for the messy, bold, and *wildly* original stories that hit you right in the feels (or the gut).

about

Think:

🔥 No-budget passion projects that slap harder than Hollywood
🔥 Docs that don’t sugarcoat
🔥 Weirdo experimental shorts that make you go *“…wait, what?”*
🔥 And after-parties where filmmakers and fans geek out over cheap beer and cheaper pizza

RAW isn’t just watching movies—it’s feeling them.
Come for the flicks. Stay because you’re low-key obsessed.

Unfiltered. Unhinged. 100% Independent. 🎥✨

RAW NYC Indie Fest Awards: Celebrating Films That Bleed Bol

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The Gutpunch Award / Best Short and Feature Films

*For the film that leaves you breathless, bruised, and weirdly grateful.*
A story so visceral it rewires your DNA. No happy endings required.

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The Shoestring Maverick / No-Budget Film

Best film made with a budget smaller than your Netflix subscription.
Salute the no-budget genius who turned duct tape and desperation into art.

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Rebel Yell Award / Most Experimental Film

Most unapologetically loud, weird, or rule-breaking flick.
Because subtlety is overrated.

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The Midnight Mirage / Most Strange Film

Best "WTF did I just watch?" moment.
For films that melt brains and spark existential debates at 3 a.m.

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Truth Serum Prize / Best Documentary

Documentary that cuts deepest.
No spin, no fluff—just raw, uncomfortable, necessary truth

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Universal soldier

*Best one-person-army filmmaking.*
Wrote, shot, edited, and catered craft services? Respect.

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Best DoP

*Cinematography that makes chaos beautiful.*
Shaky cams, grainy film, and lighting powered by sheer vibes.

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The Ramen Fund Award / First-Time Filmmaking

Emerging filmmaker destined to blow up (but still eats cup noodles).
Talent so raw, even their student loans are jealous.

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Cry, baby, cry / Most emotion-provoking work

*Audience pick for the film that started chants, tears, or mosh pits.*
Voted by applause, screams, and spilled beer.

RAW NYC Indie Fest Rules: Keep It Real or Go Home

1. Submission Savagery

Films must be 100% independent-no studio backing, no corporate sugar daddies. If your budget could fund a Space launch, you're in the wrong place.

2. Freshness First

Films completed after January 2021 only. We want your latest, loudest, and least apologetic work.

3. No Filter, No FOMO

All genres welcome-narrative, doc, experimental, animation, or that thing you shot on a flip phone. But zero tolerance for hate speech, ads, or Al-generated snoozetests.

4. DIY or Die

Collaborations cool. Credit where it's due, but keep the indie hustle honest.

5. Tech Terror Tolerance

We screen only: mov/mp4, TikTok verticals. Just make it playable. If your file's a corrupted mess, we'll cry (and reject it).

6. Premiere? Maybe.

We prefer new work, but if your film's already premiered in a basement or a Zoom link, we'll still vibe with it.

7. Deadline Drama

Submit by latest deadline. Late entries? Hit us up with a wild excuse and a shot of espresso. We might cave.

8. Fees are non-refundable.

Sorry, but we need to afford everyday Ramen for our team.

Screening Surrender

If selected, you grant us rights to screen your film live in NYC. You keep all ownership. No NFTs, please.

10. Be Cool or Be Gone Respect the space, the crowd, and the chaos.

Fight club rules: no spoilers, no gatekeeping, no vibekilling. Break the rules? We'll roast you in the group chat. Questions? Howl at mailbox@filmfestivalraw.com