On the Big Screen for the First Time: My Film Festival Experience
Wow, what a week it has been! The 2026 New York Short Film Festival just wrapped up, and I am still riding the creative high. I was so honored that my first short documentary film, Art For The Soul: A Creative Journey for Well-Being, was officially selected to screen among so many incredible films.
The festival kicked off on Thursday night with a party at Skinny Bar & Lounge, where I had the chance to meet so many talented filmmakers and hear their stories - how their films came to life, what drove them to make them, and what it took to get them made. Some were scrappy and self-funded, others supported by grants and fundraising. The paths were all different, but the passion was the same. We are all storytellers who want to share our work with the world, and that energy in the room was electric.
My film screened on May 16, 2026 in Shorts Block 5 at 7:30pm at Cinema Village in Manhattan. There were six films in the block - all different stories, all beautifully crafted. Seeing Art For The Soul: A Creative Journey For Well-Being on the big screen for the first time was an absolute thrill! Any imposter syndrome I had walked in with quietly faded. I thought - I actually did this. And I can only get better from here. My mind was already spinning with ideas about what I would do differently and how I would elevate every stage of the process - development, production, post. (Can you tell I'm a project manager? HA!)
At the end of the screenings, the filmmakers were invited on stage for a panel discussion. Getting to share my inspiration and the why behind this film with the audience was a moment I will not forget.
Several people have asked where they can watch the film online. While I appreciate the enthusiasm, I won't be posting it publicly until my festival run is complete. I'm still submitting to festivals with screenings later this year and into 2027, so it may be a while before it officially lands on YouTube. Stay tuned - I'll be sure to announce it when the time comes!
What's Next
The festival lit a fire. I am actively developing my next projects - including the pitch deck and script for my next documentary short, as well as narrative short and feature film projects. The stories are taking shape and I cannot wait to bring them to life. Stay tuned - hopefully the next big screen moment is not too far away!
