Los Angeles, CA — New Media Film Festival®, long recognized as a guiding force in the creative and technological evolution of modern storytelling, will celebrate its 18th edition June 2–3, 2027. Programming begins online June 2, followed by an in‑person gathering in Los Angeles on June 3 — a two‑day experience designed to welcome creators, innovators, and curious minds from around the world.
Since its inception, the festival has embraced the full spectrum of narrative expression. Classic formats — shorts, features, documentaries, pilots, scripts — stand proudly alongside emerging media such as VR, AR, AI‑assisted filmmaking, digital humans, Web3, and immersive environments. This intentional blend has made New Media Film Festival® one of the rare cultural spaces where traditional cinematic craft and next‑generation innovation meet in harmony.
“I’ve been to numerous film festivals over the years but nothing compares to the great, positive energy of New Media Film Festival®!” – EMMY® winner Richard T. Wilson
The Festival That Defined New Media Before the Industry Had a Name for It
Nearly two decades ago, when VR was niche, AI‑assisted filmmaking was not yet a headline, Web3 had no vocabulary, digital humans lived only in science fiction, and vertical cinema was an experiment, New Media Film Festival® stepped forward with a bold proposition: that “new media” deserved a home, a category, and a future. The framework it established has since influenced programming across the global festival landscape.
Equally essential is the festival’s enduring commitment to traditional cinematic forms. For 18 years, New Media Film Festival® has honored stories in every shape — from classic narrative features to boundary‑pushing immersive works — reflecting the full breadth of contemporary storytelling.
More than 400 industry leaders have participated, including Nobel Laureates, Academy Award winners, pioneering technologists, and executives shaping culture and innovation. Their presence has helped define the festival as a gathering place for creators working at the edge of possibility.
A Proven Platform for Discovery and Advancement
Projects showcased at New Media Film Festival® frequently go on to secure distribution, acquisitions, and global visibility — a testament to the festival’s ability to identify meaningful work before it reaches broader industry adoption. Its creator‑first ethos remains unwavering: no politics, no pay‑to‑play, and a commitment to elevating both emerging and established voices.
In a moment when “new media” is often used as a marketing phrase, New Media Film Festival® continues to stand apart as a genuine, supportive home for creators across disciplines — from traditional filmmakers to artists exploring the future of narrative form.
A Standout Close to 2026
The 2026 season welcomed globally recognized innovators including David Byrne, Pendulum, Wargasm, and former Walt Disney Imagineering creative executive Bob Weis, alongside an international slate of filmmakers, technologists, and multidisciplinary artists. Their participation reaffirmed the festival’s role as a destination for boundary‑breaking talent and a launchpad for influential storytelling.
Looking Ahead to the 18th Edition
The 2027 festival arrives at a moment of rapid transformation in the media landscape. AI is reshaping production workflows, immersive formats are redefining audience engagement, and creators are seeking platforms that understand the future — not simply respond to it.
New Media Film Festival® enters its 18th year with the same clarity of purpose that has guided it since its founding: to lead the evolution of emerging media while honoring the classic formats that remain foundational to the art of storytelling.
The upcoming program will feature world premieres, creator labs, immersive showcases, Q&A sessions, and a curated lineup that blends art, technology, and culture — an invitation to explore, imagine, and connect.
Submissions Now Open
Creators across all formats — classic and emerging — are invited to submit their work for the 18th annual edition.
About
The 2027 festival arrives at a moment of rapid transformation in the media landscape. AI is reshaping production workflows, immersive formats are redefining audience engagement, and creators are seeking platforms that understand the future — not simply react to it. New Media Film Festival® enters its 18th year with the same clarity of purpose that has guided it since inception: to lead the evolution of emerging media while continuing to honor the classic formats that remain foundational to the art of storytelling.