The Manhattan Film Festival (MFF) is an annual film festival that was founded in 2006 by filmmakers Philip J. Nelson and Jose Ruiz, Jr. MFF is currently operated by Mr. Nelson and a team of filmmakers, journalists and exhibitors. It was founded as the Independent Features Film Festival. MFF is an annual event held at large venues such as Symphony Space, Quad Cinema, and the Academy Theater at Lighthouse, in addition to smaller venues like the and the Hunter College Lang Auditorium, where the festival holds its closing awards ceremony.