Independent cinema gets a bright marquee this fall as the 11th Annual ICP Entertainment Film Festival takes center stage in New York City’s Times Square, October 24–26, 2025. For over a decade, ICP Entertainment—founded by Richard Oliver Jr.—has celebrated filmmakers who dare to tell stories that move, provoke, and inspire. This milestone year promises not only a showcase of powerful films but also a heartfelt commitment to humanitarian causes.
More than just a festival, ICP’s annual event has become a platform where culture and conscience converge. In 2025, a portion of proceeds will go toward relief efforts in Haiti, Africa’s Congo, Sudan, and Gaza. That throughline lives in the visuals too: the red-carpet galas will feature Indian, Haitian, African, and Palestinian fashion themes—both a celebration of culture and a nudge to pay attention to struggles often sidelined in mainstream headlines.
Music fans get their moment as well. The festival crowns Best Music Video with Until the Last Minute by Ilya Noyabrev (Ukraine), and welcomes internationally acclaimed lyric soprano Oleksandra Hrabova, whose performances have captivated audiences around the world.
Festivities begin on Friday, October 24, 2025, with an Opening Red Carpet Gala at Saar Indian Bistro (241 West 51st Street). Guests will step into the flash of photographers, enjoy a three-course dinner prepared by Michelin-lauded Executive Chef Hemant Mathur, and toast the start of three unforgettable days.
On Saturday, October 25, 2025, the focus shifts to the big screen at The Producer’s Club Theater (358 W 44th St), where from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm audiences will watch the year’s 11 winning short and feature films. The screenings culminate in an awards ceremony honoring filmmakers across categories. The festival then closes on Sunday, October 26 with another red-carpet dinner gala, uniting fashion, fine dining, and community.
Every year, ICP Entertainment highlights the depth and diversity of independent cinema, and this year’s winners carry that legacy forward.
The comedy spotlight belongs to “Out of Order” by Guy Jacobson (USA), which captured Best Comedy. Clever and relatable, the film delivers the kind of laughter audiences crave while showcasing the talent that thrives in the independent film community.
Equally compelling is “Maria” by Abdelhakim Majed Abudaqen (Gaza), winner of Best Documentary. Intimate and clear-eyed, Maria brings Gaza’s struggles to life with humanity and honesty—an example of why documentaries remain essential tools for empathy.
Other winners range widely in style and origin:
– Until the Last Minute (Ukraine, Best Music Video)
– I Am Duck (USA, Best Animation)
– America, I Can’t Breathe (USA, Best Black Lives Matter)
– The Axe Forgets (Ireland, Best Horror)
– Kay Pacha Initiative: The Amazon Phase 3 (USA, Best Climate Change)
– No Nation (USA, Best Drama)
– Lox (USA, Best Mental Illness)
– The Story of Megan Jacoby (Germany, Best Web Series)
– AI’s Silent Omissions (Japan, Best Humanity)
Together, these films embody the festival’s ethos: storytelling without borders, art with a purpose.
Early-bird and VIP tickets are available now. Reserve seats and support the festival via FilmFreeway. Sponsors, VIPs, and celebrities can look forward to exclusive gift bags. For press and media inquiries, reach Veena Kondapalli at icpentnyc@gmail.com or 212-470-0871. Buying a ticket doesn’t just secure a seat—it helps fund relief for Haiti, Congo, Sudan, and Gaza.
Independent filmmakers often labor for years with limited resources to bring their visions to life. The ICP Entertainment Film Festival ensures those efforts are not just seen but celebrated—with red carpets, galas, and awards that validate their craft. At the same time, its charitable mission ties the glamour of Times Square directly to urgent humanitarian needs.
In honoring films like Out of Order and Maria, the festival reaffirms its place as a cultural bridge—uniting audiences, filmmakers, and global causes through the power of cinema.
This October 24–26, 2025, step into Times Square and experience a festival where stories and humanity shine brightest.
For details and RSVP, visit http://www.icpentertainment.org.
Tickets: https://www.filmfreeway.com/icpentfilmfestival/tickets
Trailer: https://youtu.be/julWsNS3CtI?si=286gsgVyjxiuGGF2