In starting CUNYFF, Cowen hoped to foster a "sense of community and to promote cross campus projects" among students at CUNY's various four-year commuter colleges.

[1] CUNYFF's inaugural festival was held on March 29, 2009 at the Macaulay Honors College and screened 14 CUNY student films to over 150 attendees.

CUNYFF 2010 was sponsored by Thirteen, HBO, and the New York City Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting.

CUNYFF 2012 took place on March 14–18 with opening night workshops, camera demos, and a resource fair at the Skylight Room of the CUNY Graduate Center.

A special "Kickstarter Panel" with past CUNYFF filmmakers and a representative from Kicstarter.com convened on March 16 at Macaulay Honors College, 35 West 67th St, New York NY.