The Future of Film: NewFest on AMC+
Future of Film: NewFest is a collection of short films curated by NewFest, New York’s leading LGBTQ+ film and media organization. These films elevate LGBTQIA+ voices on film across a variety of experiences and genres.
Future of Film: NewFest is a collection of short films curated by NewFest, New York’s leading LGBTQ+ film and media organization. These films elevate LGBTQIA+ voices on film across a variety of experiences and genres. Streaming exclusively on AMC+ in celebration of LGBTQIA+ Pride Month to spotlight LGBTQIA+ stories and filmmakers through a curated collection of narrative and nonfiction short films.
2026 Featured Short Films:
GRANDMA NAI WHO PLAYED FAVORITES, directed by Chheangkea (Cambodia/France/USA, 2025)
During her chaotic family’s Qingming visit, dead Grandma Nai sneaks away from her peaceful afterlife after overhearing that her queer grandson is about to get engaged to a woman.
THEM THAT’S NOT, directed by Mekhai Lee (USA, 2025)
Sound & Scene Cohort Grantee
Andrea “Drea” Stoney finds herself at her grandmother’s repass. But Drea is sticking out like a sore thumb. Her visit is complicated by the arrival of her father, Samuel, released for the day on a furlough to say goodbye to his late mother. The two strangers, bound by blood, are forced to reconcile with each other before his inevitable return to prison.
RAINBOW GIRLS, directed by Nana Duffuor (USA, 2025)
When San Francisco’s tech boom pushes them to the margins, a group of young black trans women decide to push back, staging an audacious heist that turns luxury into resistance.
RIIS, directed by Kendall Alex Payne (USA, 2025)
Casey, a hopeless romantic, brings friends to Jacob Riis beach for a chance encounter with an Instagram crush. When the moment slips away, a chaotic search unfolds, leading to unexpected connections and a deeper understanding of love and community.
BETTY ST. CLAIR, directed by Syra McCarthy & Kyle Casey Chu (USA, 2025)
In the backstage green room of an all-AAPI drag show, Betty St. Clair struggles to keep her chaotic drag troupe on task. But when Betty takes the stage to host, a surprise guest soon threatens to derail everything.
→NewFest Sets LGBTQ Shorts Collection For AMC+ ‘Future of Film’ Pride Month Initiative
2025 Featured short films:
CITY OF DREAMZ, directed by Imani Celeste (USA, 2023)
NewFest36 Selection
Four Black art students tell stories of community, divine intervention, and the artistry that led them to this very moment…smoking weed in a cramped apartment trying not to get caught.
GENDER REVEAL, directed by Mo Matton (Canada, 2024)
NewFest36 Selection
Rhys, a people pleaser, winds up at their boss’ gender reveal party with their two partners. The trans throuple soon realizes that they are dealing with more than they were prepared for and their ability to survive the event comes into question.
HOT SEAT, Sohrob Nayebaziz (USA, 2024)
NewFest36 Selection
Recipient of NewFest36’s Short Film Jury Special Mention
Asher realizes a chair they threw out is worth thousands and will stop at nothing to get it back.
LOVIN’ HER, directed by Day (Canada/USA, 2024)
NewFest36 Selection
The breadth of a trans woman’s life is shown as she navigates the complexities of a fading memory. Blending the past and present, glimpses of her struggles with love and her evolving gender identity showcase a heartfelt portrait of humanity.
MnM, directed by Twiggy Pucci Garçon (USA, 2023)
NewFest Pride 2024 Selection
Chosen sisters Mermaid and Milan, emerging runway divas in the drag ballroom community celebrate their joy, siblinghood, and unapologetic personas. The documentary explores the power & beauty of being nonbinary in a community that prizes gender “realness.”
ZARI, by Shruti Parekh (USA/India, 2024)
NewFest36 Selection
Recipient of NewFest36’s Short Film Grand Jury Prize and Narrative Short Audience Award
American teen Neelu feels like a fish out of water amidst preparations for her sister’s wedding in Delhi until she forges a brief and unexpected connection with Zeyb, a quiet sari store clerk who moonlights as an internet drag queen.
2026 Featured Short Films:
GRANDMA NAI WHO PLAYED FAVORITES, directed by Chheangkea (Cambodia/France/USA, 2025)
During her chaotic family’s Qingming visit, dead Grandma Nai sneaks away from her peaceful afterlife after overhearing that her queer grandson is about to get engaged to a woman.
THEM THAT’S NOT, directed by Mekhai Lee (USA, 2025)
Sound & Scene Cohort Grantee
Andrea “Drea” Stoney finds herself at her grandmother’s repass. But Drea is sticking out like a sore thumb. Her visit is complicated by the arrival of her father, Samuel, released for the day on a furlough to say goodbye to his late mother. The two strangers, bound by blood, are forced to reconcile with each other before his inevitable return to prison.
RAINBOW GIRLS, directed by Nana Duffuor (USA, 2025)
When San Francisco’s tech boom pushes them to the margins, a group of young black trans women decide to push back, staging an audacious heist that turns luxury into resistance.
RIIS, directed by Kendall Alex Payne (USA, 2025)
Casey, a hopeless romantic, brings friends to Jacob Riis beach for a chance encounter with an Instagram crush. When the moment slips away, a chaotic search unfolds, leading to unexpected connections and a deeper understanding of love and community.
BETTY ST. CLAIR, directed by Syra McCarthy & Kyle Casey Chu (USA, 2025)
In the backstage green room of an all-AAPI drag show, Betty St. Clair struggles to keep her chaotic drag troupe on task. But when Betty takes the stage to host, a surprise guest soon threatens to derail everything.
→NewFest Sets LGBTQ Shorts Collection For AMC+ ‘Future of Film’ Pride Month Initiative
2025 Featured short films:
CITY OF DREAMZ, directed by Imani Celeste (USA, 2023)
NewFest36 Selection
Four Black art students tell stories of community, divine intervention, and the artistry that led them to this very moment…smoking weed in a cramped apartment trying not to get caught.
GENDER REVEAL, directed by Mo Matton (Canada, 2024)
NewFest36 Selection
Rhys, a people pleaser, winds up at their boss’ gender reveal party with their two partners. The trans throuple soon realizes that they are dealing with more than they were prepared for and their ability to survive the event comes into question.
HOT SEAT, Sohrob Nayebaziz (USA, 2024)
NewFest36 Selection
Recipient of NewFest36’s Short Film Jury Special Mention
Asher realizes a chair they threw out is worth thousands and will stop at nothing to get it back.
LOVIN’ HER, directed by Day (Canada/USA, 2024)
NewFest36 Selection
The breadth of a trans woman’s life is shown as she navigates the complexities of a fading memory. Blending the past and present, glimpses of her struggles with love and her evolving gender identity showcase a heartfelt portrait of humanity.
MnM, directed by Twiggy Pucci Garçon (USA, 2023)
NewFest Pride 2024 Selection
Chosen sisters Mermaid and Milan, emerging runway divas in the drag ballroom community celebrate their joy, siblinghood, and unapologetic personas. The documentary explores the power & beauty of being nonbinary in a community that prizes gender “realness.”
ZARI, by Shruti Parekh (USA/India, 2024)
NewFest36 Selection
Recipient of NewFest36’s Short Film Grand Jury Prize and Narrative Short Audience Award
American teen Neelu feels like a fish out of water amidst preparations for her sister’s wedding in Delhi until she forges a brief and unexpected connection with Zeyb, a quiet sari store clerk who moonlights as an internet drag queen.
