Festival of Cinema Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Our organization is an Arts & Culture Not for profit charitable organization. We have held a successful 10-day Arts & Cultural Independent film festival in Forest Hills Queens since 2017. The event screens over 100 independent films from around the world, showcasing the work of emerging filmmakers. In addition to screenings the event hosts seminars, workshops, panels and guest speakers. The competitive festival ends with an award ceremony where 17 award statuettes are distributed amongst the winning filmmakers. On average the event attracts 2100 attendees every year.
- Income
- $115,753
- Spending
- $88,162
- Reserves
- -4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 56%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 21 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 42484% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 24% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (1)
- $88,162 spent. The 2025 Festival of Cinema NYC screened over 110 independent films from local filmmakers and filmmakers around the world. The 10-day event took place in Forest Hills, Queens at the Regal UA Midway movie theater and additional free public programming at the Queens Library at Forest Hills. With 43 Physical events, guests included writer/director Chris Kentis, and special industry guests that included casting director Amy Gossels, and acclaimed cinematographer Dejan Georgevich A.S.C. . Over 10 workshops, seminars and presentations were offered at the library and included a fundraising workshop, a cinematography seminar, a casting workshop, and a writing seminar. The festival culminated with an Awards Dinner Ceremony where awards were given in 18 categories to the over 100 filmmakers, writers, and artists in attendance.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 2016.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.