Chelsea Film Festival (CFF) is an international film festival and a non-profit organization based in New York which screens independent films from emerging and established directors. The festival offers a wide range of films, including documentaries and feature-lengths, focusing on the theme of “Global Issues”.

History

Chelsea Film Festival was founded in 2013 by French actresses Ingrid Jean-Baptiste & Sonia Jean-Baptiste.

An advisory board was set up to oversee the selection of the films and the operation of the festival.

The first edition of the Chelsea Film Festival presented nine feature length-films and eight short films, representing 13 countries and 17 first-time filmmakers, including seven in competition. Eight of the films at the Festival were United States premieres, and one was a world premiere.

Chelsea Film Festival 2013 poster

In March 2019, Chelsea Film Festival was featured in the in North America by the American Newspaper USA Today.

Awards

Awards are presented in several categories; the winning films are selected by a jury of film experts as well as the audience. The "Charging Bull" replica for a time was the official trophy, until 2021 when the Chelsea Film Festival presented Acrylic trophies.

Grand Prix Award

YearFilmDirectorNationality of Director
2025Death of My YouthTimo JacobsGermany
2021The ParentVlad FurmanRussia
2020Keeping the BeesEylem KaftanTurkey
2019BilchedJeremy CumpstonAustralia Australia
2013LICKSJonathan Singer-VineUnited States

Best Documentary Award

YearFilmDirectorNationality of Director
2025Deepfaking Sam Altman (feature)Adam Bhala LoughUnited States
2025(short)Jack HillyerUnited States
2024Sono Lino (feature)Jacob PatrickUnited States
2024The Final Copy of Ilon Specht (short)Ben ProudfootCanada

Audience Award

YearFilmDirectorNationality of Director
2021Surviving on LESTony AmatulloUnited States
2020GreyscaleYaniel PaulinoUnited States Dominican Republic

Best Director Award

YearFilm(s)Director(s)Nationality of Director(s)
2021The ParentVlad FurmanRussia
2020Keeping the BeesEylem KaftanTurkey
2019TicketYoh KomayaJapan
2013LICKS & Les Petits PrincesJonathan Singer-Vine & Vianney LebasqueUnited States France

Best Screenplay Award

YearFilmScreenwriterNationality of Director
2021The ParentAndrey Shishov, Christina Kuzmina, & Vlad FurmanRussia
2020Keeping the BeesEylem KaftanTurkey
2019BilchedHal CumpstonAustralia Australia
2013Halima's PathFedja IsovicBosnia

Best Actress Award

YearFilmActressNationality of Director
2021The ParentAngelina StrechinaRussia
2020Keeping the BeesMeryem UzerliTurkey
2019Rag DollShannon MurrayUnited States
2015Marry MeSirin ZahedBelgium
2013Halima's PathAlma PricaBosnia

Best Actor Award

YearFilmActorNationality of Director
2021The ParentVladislav Bulanov (Vlad Furman) & Mikhail PorechenkovRussia
2020A Case BlueStephen SchnetzerUnited States
2019Last KoanSchidor RahamanAustralia
2013LICKSStanley Doe HuntUnited States

Best Supporting Actor Award

YearFilmActor(s)Nationality of Director
2021East of Middle WestJoris JarskyUnited States
2020Keeping the BeesHakan KarsakTurkey
2019BilchedFrederick Du RietzAustralia Australia
2013LICKSDevon Libran & Koran StreetsUnited States

Best Supporting Actress Award

YearFilmSupporting ActressNationality of Director
2021The ParentMaria ShukshinaRussia
2020Donna Stronger Than PrettyBrittany MolnarUnited States
2019Rag DollStephanie ErbUnited States
2013Halima's PathOlga PakalovicBosnia

External links