NEW YORK, June 12, 2026 – The Follow Your Heart Film Festival concluded its New York edition at AMC Empire 25 in Times Square.
NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, November 3, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — When a film festival draws nearly 3,000 submissions from across the globe, the judging process becomes as much a test of endurance as it is of taste. The Follow Your Heart Film Festival wrapped its New York edition at AMC Empire 25 in Times Square on June 12, 2026, gathering directors, actors, producers, cinematographers, and other industry professionals for screenings, panel discussions, and a celebration of independent filmmaking.
The festival’s latest season saw 2,988 submissions arrive from more than 90 countries, including international co-productions spanning six continents. From that expansive pool, an international jury narrowed the field to 70 finalist projects, weighing storytelling, direction, performance, and visual execution with considerable care.
Festival Founder and Director Oxana Nechaeva and Festival Producer Ava Golban opened the awards evening by welcoming guests and thanking the filmmakers, jury members, volunteers, and partners who made the event possible. The ceremony began with the festival’s official anthem, performed by vocalist Veronika Znamenskaya with pianist Ilya Ishchenko accompanying.
Behind every memorable film performance lies a team of artists whose work often goes unnoticed by audiences. Makeup artists, screen makeup designers, and hairstylists shape how a character is perceived from the very first frame, communicating age, historical period, living conditions, and emotional state without a single word of dialogue. Whether an actor appears polished and glamorous or weathered and exhausted depends on the dramatic demands of the story, and the artist’s job is to craft an appearance that feels authentic on camera. Texture, the way makeup interacts with lighting, and continuity across scenes all factor into a film’s overall believability.
That specialized perspective was represented on the jury by Alena Neuimin, a New York-based makeup artist, hairstylist, and founder of LEMONDY NYC. Her background brought a nuanced understanding of screen appearance and how character design supports a director’s creative vision.
The submissions included historical dramas and other genres where makeup and hairstyling carried significant weight. Judging such films requires evaluating whether character appearances ring true for the period, circumstances, and dramatic arc of the story. Neuimin’s expertise proved especially relevant in this regard, offering insight into makeup as a component of cinematic artistic language and its role in visual authenticity.
With such a substantial pool of entries, the festival relied on specialists from a range of creative disciplines. Neuimin contributed knowledge of facial proportions, textures, naturalism, and visual expression to the deliberation process. Her input complemented the rest of the jury’s expertise while underscoring the importance of the behind-the-scenes professionals who help shape what audiences see on screen.
Neuimin brings nearly a decade of experience in the American beauty industry to her work. Her bridal beauty agency, LEMONDY NYC, grew from a solo practice into a Manhattan studio with a network of approximately 50 makeup artists and hairstylists. Her portfolio spans bridal projects, editorial assignments, and entertainment productions, and she also mentors beauty professionals, offers practical training, and sets quality standards within her team.
The full international jury for the season included Oxana Nechaeva, Ava Golban, Alexander Gorbaty, Vladimir Borisov, Henry Lipatov, Inna Bagryantseva, Ihor Shovkoplias, Natalia Nagornaya, Vitaliy Tovchucha, Elizaveta Kozlova, and Victoria Unikel. Several members, including Shovkoplias and Kozlova, had previously served during the festival’s January season in Miami and returned for the New York edition, a continuity that strengthens professional bonds and deepens the festival’s community of industry experts.
A standout moment of the program came with the presentation of Unknown Vysotsky: A Truthful Story, a documentary by filmmaker Anatoliy Balchev, who attended as a special guest. The film, which explores the life of poet, actor, and musician Vladimir Vysotsky, drew a warm response from festival audiences.
This season marked the introduction of the Best Feature Film category, broadening opportunities for participating filmmakers. Among the features represented was Qazhymuqan from Kazakhstan, directed by Kanagat Mustafin.
When the awards were handed out, Pome from the United States took home Best Feature Film, and its director, Horaine Harbin, was named Best Director. Malena Sadaka earned both Best Actress and the Audience Choice Award. Colin Glascott received Best Cinematography for The Lullaby. Other winners included Hop(i)e in the Best AI Film category and Ornithomancy for Best Comedy. Run the Show, a co-production from Colombia and Spain, picked up awards for Best Color Grading and Best Costume Design.
Infinity, from Syria, was honored for Best Story Concept. Balchev and his documentary received recognition in the Special Guest of the Festival category.
After the ceremony, casting director Adrienne Stern, stunt coordinator Roberto Lopez, and filmmaker Albert Rudnitsky took part in an industry panel. Their conversation touched on the future of theatrical exhibition, independent production, audience engagement, and the role of short films. Strong scripts, a clear artistic vision, and a sincere commitment to the story emerged as recurring themes, and the panelists urged emerging filmmakers to cultivate their own creative voices and pursue stories they genuinely believe in.
Through the festival’s partnership with VUGA Foundation and VUGA TV, participants also heard about international distribution opportunities and programs designed to help independent projects reach audiences beyond the festival circuit.
The event received support from Allaiya Rusalina, Radio USA, Tsar Varvatsi Caviar, Empero Gourmet House, and DOM Film Production.
Follow Your Heart aims to be more than a platform for screenings and awards. The festival’s mission centers on supporting emerging talent and helping young filmmakers take their first steps into professional cinema. By bringing in established directors, producers, and casting directors, the festival facilitates knowledge exchange, professional networking, and future collaborations. It offers emerging filmmakers a stage to share their work, connect with audiences and creative partners, turn ideas into productions, and build sustainable careers through their art. Follow Your Heart helps new voices find the confidence to tell stories that reflect our world, deepen our understanding of one another, and make it more beautiful.
Why it matters: With nearly 3,000 submissions from over 90 countries, this festival season demonstrates the continued global appetite for independent cinema and the expanding opportunities for filmmakers working outside traditional studio systems. The introduction of the Best Feature Film category and the emphasis on behind-the-scenes crafts like makeup and hairstyling signal a broader recognition of the many disciplines that contribute to compelling storytelling.
DOM PRODUCTION
Oxana Nechaeva
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