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.^{[1] [2]}The event first ran in 1986.^[3] 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; the Graduate Industry and Undergraduate Industry panels each have six judges.^{[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]}