Launched in 2005 by Project 59 at 59 Franklin Street in Tribeca, the 59 Seconds Video Festival is an alternative festival and one-time art project.

Through a series of open calls, artists were encouraged to submit 59 seconds long works that incorporated number 59 in any manner. 59 videos at a time, 59 seconds each were shown 59 times around the globe. The audience rankings were then used to select the 59 best videos.

The 59 Seconds Festival is a play off as well as a metaphor for the short video format. While sampling an emerging international video art scene, it introduced participating artists to as broad an international audience as possible; sharing a unique collection of works and providing an exchange of ideas and information.