Chain Theatre

08/26/2026

When the interns take over...

Shout out to our incredible team on-site who makes it all happen and to our interns and who joined us this summer from the CUNY Career Launch program! None of this is possible without you!

08/25/2026

Thank you to for the shout out on 2026 Award Winners for this year!

Full article here:
https://patch.com/new-york/east-village/chain-film-festival-crowns-its-2026-award-winners-nodx

08/21/2026

Looking for rehearsal space? Book at the Chain!
Online booking available at chaintheatre.org
- Free Wifi
- Tables, chairs, rehearsal cubes, and music stands.
- Clean bright spaces!
- Piano available upon request (no additional charge!)

All in the heart of midtown Manhattan. Rates are $25-$30 an hour.

08/17/2026

2026 Award Winners!
Congratulations to all the filmmakers in this year's fest! We cannot wait to see what you create next.

Signature Awards
Each year the Chain NYC Film Festival gives signature awards that capture the spirit of the festival.

Best of Fest - HOW WE SEE
New York Filmmaker Award - Brian Di Lorenzo
Helena Weinrauch Humanitarian Award - WON’T BE DISPLACED
Filmmaker Favorite - BLANK SLATE
Audience Choice - JOAN’S TEETH
Personal Stories - WOOLY BULLY
Original Ideas - ONCE MORE FOR SAFETY
New Work - FATAL NEGLIGENCE
Best International Feature- WHITES WASH AT 90
Best Horror Feature- WOOZY
Best Documentary Feature- THE LAST MESSAGE
Best Comedy Feature- IRREGULAR
Best Narrative Feature- PAUL & GREG & AMELIA

Best Web Series- House of the Seven Gables
SUPER SHORTS
Best Super Short Doc- Boots on the Ground for Art
Best Super Short Drama- The End of the Hall
Best Super Short Comedy - Buzz Buzz

SHORT FILMS
Student- With an End in Mind
Experimental- White Meat: Appetizer
Suspense- The Es**rt
Sci-Fi- Upstairs
Thriller- Entering
Animation - The Ottoman
International- In the Room
Cinematography- Stoptime Rag
Ensemble- Cahill's Lanes
Actor - Francisco Solorzano—The Shave
Actress - Kathleen Turner—Joan's Teeth
Writer - Penny B. Jackson & Melissa Skirboll—$13
Director of Doc Short- Christiane Arbesu—How We See
Director of Narrative Short- Sara Gaston—Coyote
Doc Short- One Fighting Irishman
Comedy Short - Rain Was Not in the Forecast
Drama Short - Trouble

FEATURES
Cinematography Feature
Island of Dreams

Ensemble Feature
irregular

Actor Feature
Christopher Ryan—Paul & Greg & Amelia

Actress Feature
Tara Westwood—Stop Time

Writer Feature
Joey Bicicchi—Woozy

Director Documentary Feature
John Bacon—We Grew Up: Kids in Adult Prisons

Director Narrative Feature
Marko Nabersnik—Whites Wash at 90

08/16/2026

Chain NYC Film Festival is known for our signature talkbacks.
Here are just some of the memorable moments caught on film this fest.

Final day of the fest!

08/06/2026

08/06/2026

08/04/2026

Watch on the go!
Summer One-Acts available for streaming on any laptop, phone, or Roku device!

Check out the livestream hub at chaintheatre.org

Photo: Talkback of LAST NERVE by Maggie Fern

08/03/2026

Missed the show?

Check out the Livestream hub for the encore performances available now through August 9th!

Photo: Talkback of SPARKLE IN THE GRAY by Robert Strand




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08/02/2026

Encore! Encore! Livestream Encores start today!
One more chance to see the plays and learn about the process of creating them in each talkback after the performance.

Congratulations to all the artists on a great closing weekend!

Encore livestreams shows for the summer fest NOW through Sunday, August 9th.

Check out our website for more details.