named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
CFF Talks TV Series
Weekly Zoom-based talk show featuring conversations with creators and stars of popular TV series, with replays available on YouTube
Chelsea Film Festival
Annual international film festival showcasing independent films focused on global issues, featuring competitive categories and awards for narrative, documentary, and short films
Chelsea Film Institute
501(c)(3) organization providing equipment, training, and grants to support BIPOC filmmakers from NYC in producing their films
Kino & Vino Series®
Monthly screening series pairing film viewings with wine and networking receptions, held in partnership with Bow Tie Cinemas Chelsea
activities · 2 groups
What they do
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Film Festival and Screening Programming 3 activities
- Hosts year-round screening and discussion eventsProduces ongoing public events including the Kino & Vino Series®—a monthly screening program with Q&A sessions and networking receptions—and weekly virtual discussions with television creators, with recordings made available on YouTube.
- Manages film submission and programming process for festivalOperates a structured film submission process via FilmFreeway with tiered deadlines and fees for multiple categories including features, documentaries, shorts, and indie episodics, and programs accepted films according to format-specific duration limits.
- Organizes international film festival showcasing independent films on global issuesHosts an annual international film festival in New York City that programs and screens feature films, documentaries, short films, TV series, and virtual reality works by emerging independent filmmakers from the U.S. and globally, with a focus on global issues and requiring New York City premieres completed in the prior one or two years.
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Emerging Filmmaker Support Programs 2 activities
- Awards prizes and recognitions to filmmakersPresents annual awards including Grand Prix, Petite Prix, Best Documentary, Best Indie Episodic, and Audience Awards across narrative and international categories, as well as acting and directing honors, to recognize excellence in independent filmmaking showcased at the festival.
- Provides capacity-building support for BIPOC and emerging filmmakersOffers equipment, training, grants, and development opportunities such as the Screenwriting Incubator program to support BIPOC and independent filmmakers, particularly in producing and advancing their work for global audiences.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$194K
Contributions & grants$193K99%
Program service revenue——
Investment income——
Other revenue$4K
expenses
Total expenses$152K
Program expenses50%
Admin / overhead50%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$279K
Cash$227K
Investments$0
Liabilities$3
Net assets$275K
Liquid reserves18.0 mo
4 years on record · 2022–2025 · YoY revenue +34.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
board members · 3
- John Patrick Shanley — Director
- Pascal Chemin — Director
- Sonia Jean-Baptiste — Director
relationships · 10
Who they work with
- Bow Tie Cinemas Chelsea Partner — Partnered with the Chelsea Film Festival to launch the Kino & Vino Series® in November 2015.
- Chelsea Film Institute Network — Related 501(c)(3) organization that supports BIPOC filmmakers with resources and grants.
- Elizabeth Kemp Partner — Board member and acting coach contributing expertise to the festival's artistic direction.
- Emma Bell Partner — Co-host of the CFF Talks TV Series, conducting interviews with television creators and performers.
- FilmFreeway Partner — Platform used for film submissions to the Chelsea Film Festival.
- FilmFreeway Partner — Uses FilmFreeway as the exclusive platform for film submissions.
- John Patrick Shanley Partner — Board member and playwright/screenwriter/director providing creative leadership.
- Paul Calderon Partner — Board member and actor/director supporting the festival's mission.
- sponsorship@chelseafilm.org Partner — Point of contact for sponsorship inquiries and partnerships
- volunteers@chelseafilm.org Partner — Point of contact for volunteer engagement and coordination
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Artist-Audience Dialogue to Deepen Engagementmethodology: artist-audience dialogueBy facilitating live virtual conversations between creators and audiences, the festival strengthens understanding and critical engagement with film content, because direct interaction transforms passive viewing into active dialogue and learning.
- Experiential Learning Through Volunteer Involvementmethodology: experiential_learningBy involving volunteers in hands-on production work across year-round events, the festival builds practical skills and fosters commitment, because real-world experience produces deeper learning and organizational connection than observational or theoretical training.
- Support for Emerging Filmmakers Through Incubation and Recognitionmethodology: emerging-filmmaker-recognitionBy providing screenwriting incubators, grants, equipment access, and recognition through awards and honorable mentions, the festival lowers barriers for emerging filmmakers and amplifies underrepresented voices, because targeted support at critical stages of development increases equity and sustainability in the film industry.
- Thematic Curation for Awareness and Dialoguemethodology: theme-centered curationBy curating film programming around global issues, the festival increases public awareness and fosters cross-cultural dialogue, because focused themes direct attention to underrepresented perspectives and promote deeper engagement with complex social challenges.