The Big Apple Film Festival is set to return to Manhattan from May 12–15, 2025, with screenings held at Look Dine-In Cinemas, located at 657 West 57th Street. The upcoming edition offers a wide-ranging slate of independent films, including a curated Horror Shorts Program aimed at highlighting emerging genre filmmakers.

This year’s festival will present a mix of original dramas, comedies, and genre storytelling, with a focus on showcasing fresh creative talent. The addition of a dedicated horror shorts block signals a continued investment in innovative storytelling across the independent horror landscape.

Positioned as a key platform for rising filmmakers, the Big Apple Film Festival continues to connect audiences with independent cinema in the heart of New York City. The full schedule and ticket information are available through the festival’s official channels.

Official selections include:

A RARE GRAND ALIGNMENT (NYC Premiere – United States) Directed and written by Cinqué Lee, Executive Produced by Spike Lee. In the winter of 1982, three American boys found themselves stranded in a cable car with a dead body, midair in the mountains of Norway, during a rare celestial event. The film stars Roman Griffin Davis, Felix Jamieson, Gustaf Skarsgård, Kristofer Hivju, Charlie Price, and Samuel Small.

Taste the Revolution (NYC Premiere – United States) Directed, written, and produced by Daniel Klein. A sharp and prescient satire twenty-five years in the making, Taste the Revolution follows two aspiring filmmakers as they chronicle the story of a charismatic revolutionary, Mac Laslow (Oscar®-Winner Mahershala Ali), and the group of disillusioned college students drawn together one summer to change the world. The film features performances by Alexander Bilu, Jeremy Dubin, Jen Nails, Jeremy Beiler, and Colin Trevorrow.

Martyr of Gowanus (NYC Premiere – United States) Directed, written, and produced by Brian Meere. Set in Brooklyn in 2001, Martyr of Gowanus follows Gavin Macklin, a 30-year-old housepainter who gets entangled in a conflict with a local teenager, Angel, over a stolen fishing rod. Featuring performances by Sawyer Spielberg, Holt McCallany, Dean Scott Vazquez, Briana Aponte, Adam Cropper, and Liam Obergfoll.

Roads of Fire (NYC Premiere – United States) Directed by Nathaniel Lezra. Roads of Fire delves into the global migrant crisis, exploring the $35 billion migrant smuggling trade through interwoven stories of a smuggler, a refugee family, and volunteers on the frontlines.

Down to the Felt (NYC Premiere – United States) Directed and written by Jon Osbeck. In Down to the Felt, a charming underdog gambler, with his back against the wall, strikes a desperate deal with a devout hitman, agreeing to be killed in two weeks — only for life to start dealing him unexpected victories. The film stars Michael Stahl-David, Michael Weston, and Scottie Thompson.

Thirsty (NYC Premiere – United States) Directed and written by Emily Abt. Thirsty follows a determined woman as she embarks on a high-stakes political campaign, balancing the seductive pull of politics with her own moral compass. Starring Jamie Neumann, Sung Kang, and Kyra Sedgwick.

Killing Mary Sue (NYC Premiere – United States) Directed and written by James Sunshine. Killing Mary Sue tells the story of a corrupt senator who arranges for the murder of his erratic, burnout stepdaughter — only for her to discover her natural talent as an untouchable killer. Featuring Sierra McCormick, Dermot Mulroney, and Jake Busey.

Destiny (NYC Premiere – United States) Written, directed, and produced by Clarence Fuller. Destiny follows a gold digger on the verge of losing her inheritance, who becomes entangled with an unhoused man whose idea of justice is killing drug dealers. The film stars Jahlil T. Hall and Isabella Farrell.

Voices Carry (NYC Premiere – United States) Directed by Ellyn Vander Wyden and Abby Brenker. Voices Carry follows Sam and Jack, who move to Sam’s childhood home on a New Hampshire lake, facing career struggles, past trauma, and suspicious neighbors. Featuring Gia Crovatin, Jeff Ayars, Jeremy Holm, and Geraldine Singer.

A Comedy of Errors (NYC Premiere – United States) Directed by Noel Michelle Leon and Mickey Gooch. A Comedy of Errors retells Shakespeare’s classic story of two sets of identical twins separated at birth, leading to a whirlwind of mistaken identities and joyous reunion. Featuring Siobhan Hogan Fallon, Andy Dick, Brian Ohalloran, Luke Null, and Judy Gold.

Butterfly (NYC Premiere – United States) Directed and written by Andrew Dante Hillmedo. Butterfly follows Jericha, a teenage girl from NYC, as she navigates family struggles, gang violence, and fragile friendships, with dance offering a path toward hope. Featuring Jesenia Pineda, Demi Mills, and Taalib Dibinga-Robinson.

The Absolutely Amazing, Wonderful, Frightening, Threatening Edge of Tomorrow (NYC Premiere – United States) Executive Produced by Barry Alexander Brown (Do the Right Thing, BlacKkKlansman). Directed by Springna Zhao and Hayden McComas, featuring performances by Beeple, Grimes, and Refik Anadol.

ANTON (NYC Premiere – United States) Directed, written, and produced by Alexis Karl. ANTON is an experimental Brooklyn Folk Horror film about a gambler whose apartment transforms into a forest, blurring magic and menace. Featuring Adam Torkel, Shawn Thomas III, and Rigo Garay.