The First Run Festival is an annual event showcasing over 120 intermediate and advanced projects in film, video, and animation.[citation needed] It is presented by the Kanbar Institute of Film & Television. and held in New York City.[citation needed] The event first ran in 1986.[1] The selection runs a gamut of undergraduate and graduate films ranging between narratives, documentaries and animation produced during the filmmakers' time in the program.[citation needed] The work is evaluated by a trio of juries: a three-judge Undergraduate Intermediate panel looks at submissions from junior level courses; Graduate and Undergraduate Industry each have six-judge panels.[citation needed] The selections are then sent toward the respective faculty panels to announce the final top three winners.[citation needed]
This annual week-long festival begins with the Craft Awards Ceremony and Wasserman Finalists Announcement and culminates with the Wasserman Awards Ceremony featuring the Charles and Lucille King Family Foundation Awards.[citation needed] The students' films and videos compete annually for over $50,000 in cash awards.[citation needed] Following First Run each year, the Wasserman Award finalist films and videos are screened in Hollywood for industry professionals and the public.[citation needed] Past years' showcases had been held at the Directors Guild of America.[citation needed]
