How to Fest at NewFest38!

October 15th – October 25th, 2026

Both! The Festival will include in-person screenings and events throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. Select films and programs will be available to stream virtually from anywhere in the United States.

No! All films on the virtual platform will be available to watch throughout the United States.

This year’s festival will have in-person screenings at five venues:
SVA Theatre – 333 West 23rd Street, New York, NY 10011
The LGBT Community Center – 208 W 13 St, New York, NY 10011
BAM Rose Cinemas – 30 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Nitehawk Cinema Prospect Park – 188 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Nitehawk Cinema Prospect Park – 188 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Museum of the Moving Image (MOMI) – 36-01 35th Ave, Queens, NY 11106

NewFest adheres to New York City guidelines and will continue to monitor and adapt as COVID-19 circumstances evolve to provide a safe experience for all NewFest filmmakers and audiences.

Yes, the printed program guide will be available at festival venues, and the virtual program guide will be available on our website by September 25th, 2025.

Contact us via email at contactus@newefest.org

Member and Patrons can now redeem and purchase tickets to any NewFest38 Screening!
You must be a member or patron to purchase a ticket at this time.
Tickets go on sale for the public on Monday, September 21 at 11am EST.

TICKETS
General Admission Ticket: $19.50
Centerpiece Ticket: $29.50
Opening Night + Party Ticket: $75
Closing Night + Party Ticket: $65
Dyke Nyte Screening + Party: $29.50
4 Ticket Package: $70.20
6 Ticket Package: $99.45
10 Ticket Package: $165.75
Dolly Double: $35
Voice and Visibility Award (Conversation with Cynthia Nixon): $40
All-Access Streaming Pass: $95
Individual Film Streaming Tickets: $14.50

You can become a NewFest member and enjoy discounts and benefits throughout the year at newfest.org/join!

All badge and ticket purchases are final upon payment and non-refundable.

Contact us via email at boxoffice@newfest.org

Log into Elevent on the NewFest page using the account you used to purchase your membership, and navigate to the Calendar or Festival Program. Select the film you’d like to redeem or purchase a ticket for.

You will see the option to purchase a ticket, or redeem one using your member benefits if you have any available to use.

Please select the option you prefer and proceed through the payment process. If redeeming member benefit tickets, you will check out as usual, though there will be no money owed for the member benefit tickets at the end of the transaction.

During the member presale, you will use this exact same process to redeem or purchase tickets before they are available to the general public. If instead of the option to add tickets to your cart, you instead see an alert indicating there are no tickets available it likely means that you are not logged in with the account used to purchase your membership. Please check your login information and try again. If you’re still having trouble, please reach out to use at members@newfest.org for assistance.

Once you have redeemed all of our member benefit tickets for a given event, when you log bag in to purchase more tickets, you will see an alert that indicates that your ticket maximum has been reached.

Whether you have redeemed your full allotment of member benefit tickets or not, you are welcome to purchase additional tickets using your member discount. To do so, add general admission tickets to your cart like you normally would and proceed through the payment process. Your discount will be automatically applied.

NewFest now longer sells passes to the festival. With a membership you’ll receive the equivalent to the festival pass benefits from previous years, plus more!

For Questions About Membership Contact: membership@newfest.org

Redeeming Tickets
If you cancel or let your membership lapse, any unused member benefit tickets will no longer be valid. Any member benefit tickets that you have already redeemed for tickets to individual films will still be valid to use.

Access
If you cancel or let your membership lapse during a ticket presale period, you will lose access to the remainder of that presale period until you renew your membership.

Discounts
If you cancel or let your membership lapse, you will no longer be able to use your membership discount on tickets and other products until you renew your membership.

This means that advance tickets for a screening are no longer available. Rush Tickets are tickets that are sold after all expected attendees have entered the theater and there are empty seats to sell (Like a stand-by line for a flight).

This year’s festival will have in-person screenings at five venues:
SVA Theatre – 333 West 23rd Street, New York, NY 10011
The LGBT Community Center – 208 W 13 St, New York, NY 10011
BAM Rose Cinemas – 30 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Nitehawk Cinema Prospect Park – 188 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Museum of the Moving Image (MOMI) – 36-01 35th Ave, Queens, NY 11106

For events where there are no longer advanced tickets available for purchase – we highly encourage guests to make use of our successful Rush Sales policy. Rush Sales Lines will form at the venue approximately 45 minutes prior to the scheduled event start time. Admission will begin approximately 10-15 minutes before the event’s start time based on availability. Admission is not guaranteed. Rush Sales are limited to one (1) ticket per person. We accept the following payment methods: cash or credit card.

PLEASE NOTE: Each venue may have a slightly adjusted rush plan based on Venue and COVID restriction, please check in with venue and box office staff for exact instructions and ensure you are waiting on the correct line.

NewFest continues to work towards making all film programming accessible to its audiences. All of our theaters are accessible by elevator and can accommodate wheelchair seating. If you need wheelchair accessible seating for any festival event, please speak to the Venue Manager upon arrival.

For more information on accessibility by venue, please visit our Venues page. For information on our accessibility policies and supports available per film, visit our Accessibility page.

If you need reasonable modifications due to a disability, including need for communications in an alternate format for any festival event, please contact us at contactus@newefest.org

There are a number of hotels within walking distance of our venues. Click here for a map of hotel options in and around our venues in Manhattan, and click here for a map that displays hotel options in and around our Brooklyn venues.

SVA Theatre: Water, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for sale.
The Center: No concessions for sale.
Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM): Food and drink is available for sale.
Nitehawk Cinema Prospect Park*: Food and drink is available for sale.

MOMI: Food and drink is available for sale.

Outside food and drinks are not permitted at any festival venue.

*Per NiteHawk’s policy, NewFest must meet a per-seat food-and-beverage minimum of $17.50 at screenings. To help us meet this minimum, we encourage you to purchase food and beverages at the screening, not at the bar, which does not count toward the minimum.

For more information on each venue, visit our Venues page.

To guarantee admission all members and ticket holders must be present in line at the venue at 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. We reserve the right to sell any empty seats after that time. Late seating is at the discretion of the venue management team and is not permitted 30 minutes after the start time of any screening or event.

All Sales Are Final. No Refunds. No Exchanges. All Rights Reserved.

Check out all virtual films here!

To purchase a Pass, visit Passes

You can access the programming through the NewFest Virtual Festival on-demand platform at watch.newfest.org. Log in using your Elevent email address and password (the same credentials you used to purchase this pass). If you received a complimentary pass and don’t already have an existing Elevent account, please register at goelevent.com in order to access the screening portal. On the platform, when you have selected a program you would like to view, click on the Watch Now button. You will have access to start streaming on Oct 9 at 12 PM EST through Oct 21 at 11:59pm EST.

Note: Just as physical screenings have limited seating capacity, because of agreements with filmmakers and distributors, there are a limited number of views allowed for each film. In the event that a film reaches that predetermined limit, it will be marked as Sold Out.

Your Pass allows for single access to NewFest Virtual Festival and is not shareable. It only allows for one view per film at a time.

Refunds are not available. Before completing your order, please ensure that your browser and device are compatible for streaming. Please refer to the Technical Requirements at the end of this FAQ before purchasing a ticket. All sales are final.

Please visit newfest.org/events to view our full list of films. When you find a film that you would like to watch, simply click on the Get Tickets button. Add your ticket to the cart, and check out. Tickets are subject to availability, so please book yours in advance to avoid disappointment.

If you purchase your ticket prior to October 9, you will have access to start streaming films on October 9 at 12 PM EST through October 21 at 11:59pm EST. Films will only be available for 48 hours after pressing Play for the first time.

For all films purchased after October 9 at 12 PM EST, you will receive a Virtual Access email from us (donotreply@mail.goelevent.com) immediately following purchase that unlocks access to that film on our NewFest Virtual Festival on-demand platform, watch.newfest.org. Press Play and enjoy!

Note: Just as physical screenings have limited seating capacity, because of agreements with filmmakers and distributors, there are a limited number of views allowed for each film. In the event that a film reaches that predetermined limit, it will be marked as Sold Out.

Tickets may be purchased for other people, but the voucher code associated with the ticket cannot be used more than once. A voucher code will unlock the film when it is entered, and the viewer will only have 48 hours to complete the film after pressing Play for the first time.

Yes, we are offering a discount for Members. For existing members, you can purchase an individual streaming ticket for $10.

Refunds are not available. Before completing your order, please ensure that your browser and device are compatible for streaming. Please refer to the Technical Requirements at the end of this FAQ before purchasing a ticket. All sales are final.

Just like with our in-person screenings, each screening is subject to capacity, so there is a finite amount of tickets available for each film. Please ensure you purchase your tickets early to avoid disappointment.

Streaming Ticket confirmation emails are sent automatically when an order has been made. If you do not receive within a few minutes, please check your junk or spam folders. If you purchase your ticket prior to October 9, you should receive your virtual access email on October 9 around 12pm ET.

For all films purchased after October 9 at 12 PM EST, you will receive a Virtual Access email from us (donotreply@mail.goelevent.com) immediately following purchase that unlocks access to that film on our NewFest Virtual Festival on-demand platform, watch.newfest.org. If you do not receive within a few minutes, please check your junk or spam folders.

If you need any assistance beyond this, please contact boxoffice@newfest.org

Once you press ‘Play’ on your film, you will have 48 hours to view it or until the film’s availability window ends. You can start it and re-watch it within this 48-hour viewing window unless its availability ends before then.

Yes! NewFest has an app, which is available for free download on AppleTV, Roku, FireStick and Google Chromecast. You can also port your computer or phone to your television through a variety of methods. Please see the Technical Requirements section below for more information.

For NewFest, streaming simply refers to watching a program over your Internet connection, such as watching something on Netflix or YouTube, rather than downloading a video file to your computer. The program is immediate and available on demand with any device that is connected to the Internet.

You will need to be based in the US, have a valid email address, a NewFest Virtual Festival Pass or individual ticket, and a computer, mobile phone, tablet, or Apple TV, Roku, or Firestick connected to or on your television. For additional Technical Requirements, please see the next section.

After purchasing your NewFest Virtual Festival Pass or ticket, and logging into watch.newfest.org, simply click on your desired selection, then click on the Play button to begin.

Currently you may stream through the following web browsers: Google Chrome, Safari, Microsoft Edge, and Opera. For both PC and Apple computers, we recommend that you use the latest version of your browser.

Note: Internet Explorer and Firefox are not supported with this platform.

 

NEWFEST App on Apple TV (Apple TV HD/Generation 4 or higher only), Roku (Software minimum v9.2.0 b4000), or Amazon FireStick(All Versions)

FOR PASS HOLDERS
Go to watch.newfest.org/pair on your computer/phone/tablet, you will need to login to watch.newfest.org using the username and password you registered with upon purchasing your pass. In the NEWFEST app on your AppleTV or Roku device, select the login option ‘MEMBER LOGIN, Login with My Pass’, and then enter the code displayed on your TV in the designated area on your computer. If you do not already have our app downloaded, search for ‘NEWFEST’ in the Roku channel store and click ‘Add Channel’ OR search for ‘NEWFEST’ in the Apple TV store and click ‘Get the App.’

FOR INDIVIDUAL TICKET HOLDERS
Go to watch.newfest.org/pair on your computer/phone/tablet. You will need to login to watch.newfest.org using the username and password you registered with upon purchasing your pass. In the NEWFEST app on your AppleTV or Roku device, select the login option ‘Login with My Ticket Voucher’, enter the ticket voucher number (this number is located in your Virtual Access email, below the ‘View on Cinesend’ button) and then enter the code displayed on your TV in the designated area on your computer. If you do not already have our app downloaded, search for ‘NEWFEST VIRTUAL FESTIVAL’ in the Roku channel store and click ‘Add Channel’ OR search for ‘NEWFEST VIRTUAL FESTIVAL’ in the Apple TV store and click ‘Get the App.’

 

Screen Sharing (Chromecast & Apple TV)

You may stream films on Chromecast or Apple TV (all generations) by screen sharing your smartphone, tablet, or computer on the same Wi-Fi network. Instructions for screen sharing using your Apple TV using AirPlay can be found here. For information on screen sharing using your Chromecast, click here.

For more information, please refer to the Technical Requirements at the bottom of this FAQ.

Based on individual rights from content licensors, the majority of our films will be available for Pass and Ticket-holders to stream beginning at 12 PM (EST) on Thursday, October 9. All programs must be watched by 11:59pm ET Tuesday, October 21.

Yes. You may watch a program as many times as you like for the duration of your Pass or Ticket. However, please note that each film has a limited overall number of views available, and if it reaches that predetermined limit, it will no longer be available and be listed as Sold Out.

The NewFest Virtual Festival platform uses DRM technology to prevent downloading as a security measure. All programs may only be watched while streaming. It is not possible to download a program.

For security reasons, you must view your program on the same Wi-Fi network or Internet connection. Once you start your stream in one location, you cannot continue viewing it in another location or on a different network. For example, if you start watching at home and try to restart at a friend’s house, you will receive this error message. Alternatively, you can only use different devices in one location if they are using the same network. For example, if you start watching on a TV and switch to a tablet or laptop, they both need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

If you believe you’re receiving the message in error, please contact boxoffice@newfest.org

Yes, to the best of our abilities. You may reach our staff via email or over the phone to address questions about the NewFest website and NewFest Virtual Festival. Please note, however, that we are unable to troubleshoot issues with equipment or other technologies, and ask you to refer to the Technical Requirements below for more information. NewFest support is available at boxoffice@newfest.org

You can watch content on PCs running Windows 7+, and Intel-based Macs running OSX 10.12+. You can also watch films on Android tablets and phones using Chrome, and on iPhones and iPads using Safari.

Windows 7, Windows 8.1

Supported browsers: Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Opera. We recommend using the latest version of your browser. Internet Explorer and Windows 10 is not supported.

Mac OSX 10.12 or later

Supported browsers: Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Opera. We recommend using the latest version of your browser. Internet Explorer is not supported.

You can download the NewFest app through an Apple TV (4th gen or higher), Roku (4th gen or higher) and Firestick device. Please note, you must be using an Apple TV device, not Apple TV+, to access the NewFest app.

Yes, you can watch programs using Safari on iOS 11.2 or later.

Note: The “Screen Mirroring” feature cannot be used – please ensure you turn off Screen Mirroring if you encounter trouble playing content. Additionally, you cannot use a lightning to HDMI adapter to connect to your TV. Try using AirPlay instead if you have a compatible TV or streaming box.

Yes, you can watch programs using Chrome on Android 6.0 or later.

You can Chromecast to a 3rd generation or newer Chromecast stick.

Make sure your Chromecast devices is on the same Wi-fi network as your mobile device

After the video is playing, tap the “Cast” icon in the bottom right corner of the video player. If the icon doesn’t appear, unfortunately casting is not supported on your device.

Make sure you’re using Google Chrome as your browser.

After the video is playing, tap the “Cast” icon in the bottom right corner of the video player. If the icon doesn’t appear, unfortunately casting is not supported on your device.

You can AirPlay from most browsers if you have an AirPlay compatible TV or streaming box by selecting the AirPlay button in the bottom right-hand side of the player. If the icon doesn’t appear, unfortunately casting is not supported on your device.

Compatible streaming boxes include AppleTV Gen4 and above, and select Roku HD streaming devices running the most up-to-date software.

Maybe. Unfortunately many built-in Smart TVs’ web browsers don’t support protected content playback. If you get a black screen or error message, it’s likely that your TV is not compatible. Try another method to get the video onto your TV.

You can directly connect your laptop or computer using an HDMI cable, by following these steps:

–Make sure your computer is close enough to your TV for the HDMI cable to reach.
–Connect one end of the HDMI cable into your computer.
–Plug the other end of the cable into an available HDMI port on the TV. Take note of the HDMI input number.
–Using the TV’s remote control, set the TV to the HDMI input that matches the port you connected the cable to.
–If your computer’s display does not automatically appear on your television screen, you may need to have the computer manually detect the display:

Windows: Right-click on the desktop and select “Display Settings” > “Detect” > “Multiple displays”, and select “Duplicate these displays”), and click Apply.

Mac: Go to the Apple Menu and choose “System Preferences”. Choose “Displays”, and hold down the “Option” key to show the “Detect Displays” button. Click on “Detect Displays” while holding down the Option key.

Use the password reset option on the login page on watch.newfest.org to reset your password. You will need access to the e-mail address you use to log in.

We use adaptive bitrate streaming which means the streaming quality will automatically adjust based on your internet speed. If your internet connection is poor or inconsistent you may experience problems during playback. If you’re on wifi, try moving closer to your router.

You likely have “Screen Mirroring” turned on in your device settings. Please turn off the screen mirroring setting and start AirPlay by selecting the AirPlay button in the bottom right-hand side of the player.

If you have an external display or TV connected with an HDMI cable, try disconnecting it. If videos play after it is disconnected, then unfortunately the display or cable doesn’t support encrypted video. Try another method.

Some Chromecast versions cannot support transitions from one video to another. If this happens, turn off casting and re-start it once the film starts playing.