It’s here and it’s been going for 10 years, the NYC Web Fest (NYCWF) 2023 is just months away and it has announced it’s six jurors whilst also announcing that it’ll be returning to New York. The 2023 jury will consist of six industry professionals, including writers, producers and performers. Once again NYCWF is accepting web series, pilot episodes, and short films to screen November 10-12, 2023, returning to an in-person festival in New York since before the pandemic. 2020 & 2021 were virtual festivals and 2022 was held in Miami Beach.
Joining the panel this year are Flatbush Misdemeanors Star Dan Pealman, Filmmaker and Intimacy Co-ordinator Jamie Monahan, South African Actor Tshepo Ramasia, Film Writer and Reporter Judith Davis, Filmmaker and Actress Julie Cavaliere, and Filmmaker Heidy Torres. The festival is currently open to submissions and as always, the NYCWF is set to become a huge highlight of the year.
“There have been so many challenges in both the festival community and the creative community these past few years,” said NYCWF founder Lauren Atkins. “The one thing that remains true, is the need for artists to tell their stories. While it has always been an honor to showcase their work, having filmmakers continue to support this festival despite the many recent difficulties, is especially humbling.”
There have been some exciting new editions to the team for this year, with former Programming Consultant Zerelda Nothnagel taking over as Director of Programming and Laurie Nothnagel coming on as Programming Consultant. In addition, 2022 Best Supporting Actress Samantha Casesa has joined as Sales Director, in charge of partners and sponsorships. Lindsay Pugh has returned again, this time also as a Programming Consultant. Robert Watson and MelimeL are also back as Social Media Director, and web designer, respectively.
Keeping in the tradition of past festival participants joining the jury, every member of this year’s panel, with the exception of Tshepo Ramasia and Judith Davis are former, NYCWF nominees, (Davis was a juror in 2021). “It’s very important to us to have an international and diverse jury with varied experiences screening creators’ work. I’m so thrilled with the team we have this year, our tenth anniversary in New York will be very special,” said Lauren Atkins.
With the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, the festival is careful to ensure that all guidelines are being met, and will only be screening projects in agreement with the Notice of Non-Struck Work. Terms of the Notice can be found here.
To celebrate the return to the Big Apple and to add some cheer to a dismal few months in lieu of both the Actors and Writers strikes, NYC Web Fest is hosting a networking event called “Summer Staycation” in Manhattan, on Wednesday, August 30, 2023.
Just like the previous years, the festival will include web series, pilot episodes, and short films. Submissions are open until the end of August, and more details can be found on the NYC Web Fest’s website.
2023 NYC Web Fest Jury
- Julie Cavaliere – Filmmaker / Actress
- Judith Davis – Film Writer / Reporter
- Jamie Monahan – Filmmaker / Intimacy Co-ordinator
- Dan Perlman – Comedian / Actor
- Tshepo Ramasia – Actor
- Heidy Torres – Filmmaker
Julie Cavaliere
Julie Cavaliere is a writer, director, producer, and actor. She began her career working for Scott Rudin and quickly accelerated her experience in the industry working with top producer Morris S. Levy’s M.E.G.A. Films. After years of honing her skills in several areas of the entertainment industry, she has recently launched her own production company, Very Cavaliere Productions which is dedicated to telling stories centered around the human experience from unique, often overlooked points of view. She most recently wrote and directed Reimagined’s first volume: Nyssa which world premiered in competition at the Venice International Film Festival (La Biennale) in 2022.
Her work has been featured by The Guardian, Inc. Magazine, Medium/Authority Magazine, Variety, Deadline, The Wrap, Funny or Die, CollegeHumor, Elizabeth Banks’ WhoHaHa, and has been in competition at several festivals including The Venice International Film Festival (directorial debut), and most recently, the Tribeca Festival. Selected acting credits include Person of Interest, Blindspot, as well as a recurring role on Cop Show opposite Colin Quinn and Jerry Seinfeld and FBI: Most Wanted on CBS.
Judith Davis
Judith Davis is a published freelance writer and web content manager with a 20-year career. She has been a content freelancer for Disney, Time Warner, Viacom, News Corporation and various other media sites. She has been hired by independent production companies to rewrite and polish scripts, and she has worked as press for high-profile film festivals such as Sundance Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, and NY Film Festival, just to name a few. As a juror, she has worked with the American Black Film Festival, AAWIC Film Festival, Ocktober Film Festival, and NYC Web Fest
Jamie Monahan
Jamie Monahan is an award-winning filmmaker, director, producer, and actress. She successfully produced and directed Almost Maine at The Shell Theater and produced Swingtime Canteen (Off-Broadway) at Cherry Lane Theatre. She directed and produced the award-nominated short film The Wishing Tree, and assistant directed the celebrated short, Anatomy Of An Orchid. She produced and cast both the original proof of concept for Adaptive Studios’ Astral and the Sundance New Voices Lab Finalist Flat Earth and she executive produced Triad and produced Below The Belt. Jamie Monahan executive produced, wrote, directed, and starred in the original sci-fi series Lucid, garnering a Best Pilot nomination at NYC Web Fest, digital distribution from DUST, and acceptance into the Sundance Institute TV Writing program. Her latest project Legacy, earned finalist status at the Sundance 2020 Episodic Makers Lab. Jamie Monahan recently completed Levels 1, 2, and 3 of IDC’s Intimacy Coordinator training, fostering intimate safe spaces for performers.
Dan Perlman
Dan Perlman is a comedian, writer, and director from New York City. He co-created, wrote, and starred in Showtime’s critically acclaimed comedy series, Flatbush Misdemeanors. Dan Perlman made his directorial debut in the Flatbush episode, “Boomerang”, which Vulture praised for its “masterful direction”. Dan Perlman also wrote and directed the award-winning short film, Cramming.
Dan Perlman first co-created the prize-winning digital series Flatbush, which served as the foundation for the Showtime show. Made on zero budget, the first installment became Oscar-qualified after winning Grand Jury Awards in its film festival run.
As a stand-up, Dan Perlman has been featured on Comedy Central and was named one of the New Faces at the Montreal Just For Laughs Festival. Dan Perlman is a regular at the Comedy Cellar in NYC and headlines venues across the country. His writing has also appeared in The New Yorker.
Tshepo Ramasia
Tshepo Ramasia is an actor from Johannesburg, South Africa. He stepped into the entertainment world in 2014 first as a DJ while moonlighting as an events coordinator and international artist booking agent. In 2015, Tshepo Ramasia went to work as a talent manager at D’ Xclusive Sounds in Johannesburg, managing signed talent appearances and schedules. In the same year, Tshepo Ramasia debuted as the support lead character “Mack” on SABC 2’s award-winning Telenovela Keeping Score.
In 2017, Tshepo Ramasia decided to fully pursue his acting career, enrolled and graduated with a Diploma in Drama from the New York Film Academy. Tshepo Ramasia has since been expanding his acting experience. Upon his return to South Africa in 2021, Tshepo Ramasia has since featured in award-winning soapies such as The Queen and other feature films on Netflix. His latest projects are: Kings of Joburg Season 2 (Netflix) 2023 Savage Beauty Season 2 (Netflix) and Unmarried (DSTV, South Africa)
Heidy Torres
A dynamic force in cinema, Heidy Torres is a screenwriter, director, and actor known for her powerful storytelling. Her acclaimed short film, Getting Aria Back has garnered global recognition, earning her mentions and awards in prestigious film festivals. As a judge, Heidy Torres brings her expertise and discerning eye, shaping the future of cinema with her innovative vision.
Submissions Are Still Open
You can submit your web series, pilot episode, and/or short film to NYC Web Fest now; you have until the end of August, which is when submissions close. The NYCWF was founded by Lauren Atkins in 2014, after recognising there were several festivals showcasing digital series on the west coast, but nothing in New York.
Lauren Atkins said about the NYCWF: “Our goal is to make this festival the premier home for digital producers on an international level. An organic space where creators can showcase their talent, network with other artists, and learn from industry insiders.”
The NYC Web Fest 2023 will take place on November 10-12, 2023.