Festival dossier
New York, United States · Est. 1997 · High structural score (80–100) for legitimacy and industry clout — not limited to Oscar-qualifying festivals
Strong legitimacy signals
Tier A score for legitimacy and industry clout. Still confirm deadlines, fees, and categories on the festival site before paying.
The Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival & Lecture Series is an annual Brooklyn-based festival founded in 1997 that is dedicated to showcasing narrative, documentary, experimental, and animated films produced, directed, or written by women of color and non-binary filmmakers of color. It is notably the first Academy Award-qualifying film festival for narrative shorts dedicated to women of color, providing a critical pathway for these filmmakers to gain Oscar consideration. The festival's significance lies in its mission to address industry representation gaps by screening over 5,000 films from women of African, Caribbean, Latino, Asian, Indian, and Native American descent while offering workshops and panels to advance their careers.
Last updated Aug 27, 2026
No red flags found
Founded
1997
Venue
270 West 96th Street New York, NY 10025
Screenings
Physical screenings confirmed
Award Categories
2
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