Lights, Legacy, and the Heart of New York: ICP Entertainment Film Festival Opens Submissions for Its Most Ambitious Year Yet

 

New York City doesn’t just host stories, it breathes them. Every block, every skyline, every late-night hum of Times Square carries the pulse of dreamers who dare to create something unforgettable. And once a year, that pulse becomes a full-on cinematic heartbeat when the ICP Entertainment Film Festival takes centre stage.

Now, as the city prepares for another season of inspiration, the festival proudly announces that submissions for its 12th Annual edition officially open December 1, 2025. The call goes out not just to filmmakers, but to visionaries, risk-takers, and storytellers across the globe:
It’s your time. Go bold. Go fearless. Go win.

This is a festival built on vision and grit; – founded in 2014 by multi-award-winning filmmaker and humanitarian Richard Oliver Jr., alongside co-founder Veena Kondapalli, the ICP Entertainment Film Festival has evolved from a local creative gathering into one of New York City’s most culturally vibrant and internationally recognised indie film showcases.

ICP doesn’t merely screen films, it celebrates the creators who craft them, the communities that shape them, and the social conversations they ignite. Over the past decade, it has become a haven for diverse voices, global narratives, and cinematic courage.

Filmmakers can now submit their projects through the festival’s official portal: FilmFreeway.com/ICPEntFilmFestival

With 11 Short Film categories and 11 Feature Film categories, the festival will crown 22 Official Selection Award winners, each earning a mark of excellence known throughout the independent film world.

This past October, ICP Entertainment wrapped its 11th spectacular season, a three-day immersion of film, culture, and red carpet brilliance set in the luminous heart of Times Square. The festival lit up Saar Indian Bistro and The Producers Club Theater, pulling together celebrities, industry leaders, filmmakers, and supporters from across the globe.

This year’s winning lineup read like a catalogue of global voices and brave themes:

America, I Can’t Breathe — Best Black Lives Matter Film

Kay Pacha Initiative: The Amazon Phase 3 — Best Climate Change Film

LOX — Best Mental Illness Film

AI’s Silent Omissions — Best Humanity Film

Until The Last Minute — Best Music Video

I Am Duck — Best Animation

Out Of Order — Best Comedy

No Nation — Best Drama

The Axe Forgets — Best Horror

The Story of Megan Jacoby (Ep. 1–6) — Best Web Series

Maria — Best Documentary

Audiences were treated to a Michelin 5-star dining experience curated by celebrated chef Hemant Mathur, while the red carpet came alive with four cultural fashion themes — Indian, Haitian, African, and Palestinian — each a tribute to the global artistry the festival embraces.

The success of the 11th edition was not merely an event — it was a statement. A statement of resilience, unity, and the creative fire that keeps New York City’s artistic community thriving. Festival Founder Richard Oliver Jr. summed it up with heartfelt gratitude:

“God is good, and to Him we give all the honor, glory, and praise for giving us the faith and grace to host yet another successful year.”

To expand its reach and elevate its offering for the 2026 season, ICP Entertainment will launch a Seed & Spark crowdfunding campaign on March 3, 2026, with a goal of $30,000.
Seed & Spark, known for its filmmaker-first philosophy, emerged as the ideal partner after extensive research by the festival team.

This campaign aims to strengthen every pillar of the festival experience—from red carpet production and venue enhancements to global outreach and filmmaker support initiatives.

The Countdown to 2026 Begins. Mark your calendars: October 23–27, 2026. Times Square. New York City. Five days of film, fashion, culture, and celebration. Five days where every frame matters, every voice is heard, and every story finds its stage.

For inquiries on sponsorships, press opportunities, or volunteer roles, the festival welcomes the community to reach out at icpentnyc@gmail.com and for those wanting a glimpse of the magic, past highlights can be found at the official YouTube channel: youtube.com/therhymeimpersonator

The ICP Entertainment Film Festival invites filmmakers everywhere to step into the spotlight — not just as contestants, but as creators shaping the cinematic world of tomorrow.

Because in a city that never sleeps, the next great story is always waiting to be told.
And perhaps, this year, it’s yours.

ICP Entertainment Film Festival — Official Links

Leave a Comment