Arizona Queer Film Access Initiative
NewFest provided complimentary virtual access to NewFest37 for Arizona residents who lost access to their LGBTQ+ film festival
When Phoenix’s Desperado LGBTQ+ Film Festival was forced to cancel its annual event — a direct result of the current administration’s executive order targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs — Arizona lost critical access to queer stories.
NewFest refused to let that happen.
To ensure Arizona audiences don’t lose access to queer cinema, NewFest launched the Arizona Queer Film Access Initiative in collaboration with Desperado.
From October 9–21, 2025, Arizona residents received complimentary virtual access to a curated selection of films from NewFest’s 37th Annual New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival
“As the country’s largest LGBTQ+ film festival, we have a responsibility to show up when access to queer stories is threatened. We refuse to stand by in the face of attempts to silence queer voices.”
-David Hatkoff, NewFest Executive Director
“Desperado is very grateful for this opportunity presented by NewFest. We are adapting to new challenges, but our vision remains the same and we look forward to gathering again in 2026 to celebrate queer film, build community, and support LGBTQ+ artists and audiences.”
-Dale Heuser, co-coordinator of Desperado
NewFest refused to let that happen.
To ensure Arizona audiences don’t lose access to queer cinema, NewFest launched the Arizona Queer Film Access Initiative in collaboration with Desperado.
From October 9–21, 2025, Arizona residents received complimentary virtual access to a curated selection of films from NewFest’s 37th Annual New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival
“As the country’s largest LGBTQ+ film festival, we have a responsibility to show up when access to queer stories is threatened. We refuse to stand by in the face of attempts to silence queer voices.”
-David Hatkoff, NewFest Executive Director
“Desperado is very grateful for this opportunity presented by NewFest. We are adapting to new challenges, but our vision remains the same and we look forward to gathering again in 2026 to celebrate queer film, build community, and support LGBTQ+ artists and audiences.”
-Dale Heuser, co-coordinator of Desperado