Conch Shell International Film Festival In New

The Conch Shell International Film Fest (CSIFF) will return to New York City from October 9–11, bringing Caribbean and Caribbean diaspora filmmakers together for three days of film screenings, industry conversations, professional development and community events.

The fourth annual festival, presented by Queens-based nonprofit Conch Shell Productions, will feature 47 films from 14 countries, including Jamaica, Haiti, Dominica, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, Aruba, Curaçao, Canada, Colombia, France, the United Kingdom and the United States.

This year’s festival is being held under the theme “Our Culture Lives in Our Stories,” reflecting its focus on films exploring Caribbean identity and the experiences of people across the region and its global diaspora. The festival’s programming includes stories centered on migration, separation, belonging, generational memory, and resilience.

The festival will open on Friday, October 9, at HB Playwrights Theatre in Manhattan’s West Village, where industry panels and professional-development sessions will be held. The program will move to Regal UA Midway in Forest Hills, Queens, on October 10 and 11 for film screenings, filmmaker conversations, red-carpet events and the awards presentation.

Among the festival’s competitive programming, 24 films have received nominations across nine award categories, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Documentary, Best Animation and categories recognizing cinematography and performances. The nominated films represent a range of Caribbean and diaspora perspectives and filmmaking styles.

The festival also provides opportunities for filmmakers to connect with audiences, fellow artists and industry professionals through panels, workshops, networking events and filmmaker discussions. Organizers say the goal is to strengthen the visibility of Caribbean-heritage storytellers and help create connections that can support their continued work.

Founder and Producing Artistic Director Magaly Colimon-Christopher has described the festival as a space for the diversity of Caribbean storytelling to be seen and experienced beyond traditional portrayals of the region. The festival’s 2026 lineup reflects stories that extend beyond the Caribbean itself, including experiences shaped by migration and life in the diaspora.

CSIFF26 will conclude a weekend celebrating Caribbean cinema and the filmmakers contributing to its growing presence in New York and beyond. Festival passes and individual screening tickets are available through the festival’s official website.