Bring a conversation, workshop, or idea to the cinema.
Nukhufest invites filmmakers, journalists, critics, artists, educators, technologists, cultural organizers, and other thoughtful voices to propose live programs for the 2027 theatrical festival.
A strong proposal does not have to be a traditional panel. It can teach a practical skill, surface an important question, introduce a new idea, create a useful conversation, connect communities, or give audiences a deeper way into independent film and creative culture.
Bring the idea, or help lead the room.
You may propose your own program, apply to moderate or host a Nukhufest conversation, or indicate that you are open to both. The same application covers all three possibilities.
Propose a Program
Bring a panel, workshop, presentation, conversation, demonstration, audience discussion, or screening-connected program to Nukhufest.
Moderate + Host
Join the pool of potential moderators and hosts for filmmaker Q&As, one-on-one conversations, panels, audience discussions, and other live festival programs.
Not every conversation needs four chairs and a moderator.
We are interested in formats that fit the idea. The program should be designed around what audiences will actually experience, learn, discuss, or participate in.
Moderated Panel
Multiple speakers exploring a focused issue, question, craft, or area of expertise.
Workshop
A practical learning session designed to give attendees knowledge, tools, methods, or experience they can use.
Conversation
A one-on-one or small-group discussion with enough depth to move beyond standard promotional talking points.
Presentation
A solo or collaborative talk, case study, lecture, demonstration, or visual presentation.
Audience Town Hall
A facilitated conversation where questions, experiences, and ideas from the audience become part of the program.
Screening + Discussion
A film, clip, trailer, or other approved media can introduce a larger conversation when the screening supports the topic.
Watch conversations from Nukhufest 2026.
Nukhufest programming extends beyond film screenings. These archival recordings show how filmmakers, journalists, organizers, moderators, and audiences can turn the theater into a space for deeper conversation.
Community Is Infrastructure: Building Independent Film Ecosystems
What changes when filmmaker community becomes more than networking and starts functioning as infrastructure?
A conversation about community as infrastructure, professional resources, collective power, sustainable leadership, institutional partnerships, economic security, and building filmmaker-led ecosystems beyond traditional gatekeepers.
WATCH FULL CONVERSATION ON YOUTUBE ↗
WHO STILL PAYS ATTENTION? Journalism, Cinema & Audience Attention
What happens to journalism, film criticism and independent cinema when attention itself becomes a commodity?
A discussion about the attention economy, independent media, criticism, freelance journalism, algorithms, AI, ownership, audience trust, cultural coverage, and the future of deep engagement.
WATCH FULL CONVERSATION ON YOUTUBE ↗Recorded live during Nukhufest 2026 at Cinema Village in New York City. These are archival event recordings documenting the conversations and people who participated in the festival.
Follow the questions independent creators are actually facing.
What happens to independent films after the festival circuit?
How do filmmakers build audiences without major marketing budgets?
How do artists build community when traditional institutions fall short?
What does sustainable independent distribution actually look like?
How are criticism, journalism, and film discovery changing?
How are new technologies changing authorship, labor, and creative practice?
How can filmmakers finance, produce, market, and distribute what comes next?
What can audiences, organizations, and creative communities build together?
These are examples, not required categories. We are interested in proposals that are specific, timely, useful, and connected to independent film, media, storytelling, culture, journalism, technology, craft, distribution, funding, criticism, community, or the future of creative work.
Start with the audience, not the résumé.
Expertise matters, but a successful program also needs a reason to exist in the room. We want to understand what makes the conversation useful now and what attendees should leave with.
A real question or purpose.
Focused ideas are stronger than broad industry conversations trying to cover everything at once.
Why does this matter now?
Tell us what has changed, what is unresolved, or why this subject deserves attention in 2027.
Give the audience something to take away.
Insight, practical knowledge, a new framework, access to expertise, or a better question can all be valuable outcomes.
Think beyond the stage.
When appropriate, consider questions, demonstrations, exercises, audience participation, or other ways to make the room part of the program.
Programming is not pay-to-play.
Program proposals are evaluated independently from commercial sponsorship. Buying advertising, sponsoring Nukhufest, or providing resources does not guarantee a speaking opportunity or control over editorial programming.
Selected programs may separately receive support from a commercial or community partner, but the topic, speakers, format, and editorial direction remain subject to Nukhufest programming approval.
Have something worth bringing into the room?
Apply to propose a program, join the moderator and host pool, or do both. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis while programming space remains available.
Earlier submissions provide more flexibility as the July schedule is developed.A proposal is the beginning, not a finished schedule.
Nukhufest reviews proposals on a rolling basis. Selected applicants may be contacted to refine the concept, adjust duration, confirm speakers, combine related ideas, or identify the best place for the program within festival week.
Tell us the idea.
Explain the topic, format, audience value, participants, relevant experience, and what you want people to leave with.
We evaluate the fit.
Proposals are considered for relevance, clarity, speaker quality, feasibility, audience value, schedule availability, and overall festival balance.
Selected ideas take shape.
We may work with you on timing, speakers, moderation, audience participation, media, technical requirements, or how the program fits into a larger festival block.
Confirm, promote, and gather.
Final participants receive schedule details, promotional coordination, venue logistics, and any agreed technical or program requirements before the event.
Cinema Village, Theater #1.
Nukhufest 2027 runs July 23 through July 29 at Cinema Village in Lower Manhattan. Selected live programs are planned for Theater #1 alongside film screenings, filmmaker conversations, workshops, and other festival events.
Stage setup, microphones, playback, visual presentations, seating configuration, recording, and other technical needs are confirmed individually for selected programs. Applicants should describe any required media or equipment in the form.
Before you submit.
Do I need to be a filmmaker to propose a program? +
No. We welcome relevant proposals from filmmakers, critics, journalists, artists, educators, technologists, cultural organizers, researchers, community leaders, industry professionals, and others with meaningful knowledge or experience to contribute.
Do I need all of my speakers confirmed before applying? +
No. You may submit confirmed speakers, proposed speakers, or a strong concept that still needs additional participants. Be clear about which people are confirmed and which are only being considered.
Can Nukhufest help find a moderator? +
Potentially. If your concept is selected and would benefit from a moderator, indicate that in the application. Nukhufest may suggest someone from its moderator and host pool when appropriate.
Can I apply only to moderate or host? +
Yes. You do not need to propose your own program. Use the same application and select the moderation and hosting option, then complete the questions about your experience, expertise, preferred formats, and availability.
Can a program include a film, clip, trailer, or presentation? +
Yes, when approved and appropriate to the program. Applicants are responsible for identifying the material they intend to show and confirming that they have the necessary rights or permission. Playback and technical requirements must be approved in advance.
Does media shown during a program have to be an Official Selection? +
No. A film, excerpt, trailer, visual presentation, or other media can be considered as part of a live program even if it is not participating in the Nukhufest film competition, provided the material supports the program and is approved.
Is participation paid? +
Do not assume that every program includes an honorarium, travel, accommodation, or reimbursement. Applicants should disclose any financial or travel requirements in advance. If support is available or separately arranged, those terms will be confirmed before participation.
Is there a submission deadline? +
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis while programming space remains available. Earlier submissions provide more flexibility while the July schedule is being developed. The festival may stop considering new proposals once sufficient programming has been confirmed.
Does sponsorship guarantee a panel or speaking opportunity? +
No. Sponsorship and editorial programming are separate. Commercial participation does not guarantee acceptance of a proposed panel, workshop, speaker, moderator, film, or other festival program.
Can a selected program change after submission? +
Yes. Final titles, speakers, durations, formats, dates, moderation, technical requirements, and program placement remain subject to Nukhufest approval and may change as the overall festival schedule develops.
What conversation should happen at Nukhufest?
Submit a program concept, tell us where your expertise could help another conversation, or do both. The best programs begin with a clear reason for people to gather.