Past Events

Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan star in Francis Lee’s stunning landmark of world cinema

Opening Night: AMMONITE (Drive-In)

Kate Winslet will virtually present Francis Lee with the inaugural NewFest World Queer Visionary Award prior to the Opening Night drive-in screening. This film exclusively played at The Queens Drive-In, Corona Park. Part of The 32nd Annual New York LGBTQ+…

Winner of this year's Teddy Award at the Berlinale, this exhilarating and romantic drama looks at the challenges of young immigrants and celebrates the importance of community

Closing Night: NO HARD FEELINGS

An exhilarating and balanced look at the challenges of young immigrants and the importance of community, this gorgeous drama captured the top prize at the 2020 Teddy Awards. This Closing Night film premiered Tuesday October 27 at 8PM and remained…

A stirring hybrid of contemporary dance performance and intimate character study that examines the on-and-off-stage lives of 15 young dancers

IF IT WERE LOVE

A singular and stirring hybrid of contemporary dance performance and intimate character study, this Teddy Award-winning docu-essay from Patric Chiha reveals the human layers beneath Gisèle Vienne’s stunning, kinetic choreography. Chiha examines both the on- and-off-stage lives of 15 young…

A heart-racing lesbian character-study-turned-thriller that ratchets up the tension and refuses to let go

WHITE LIE

A campus celebrity known for her bravery battling cancer and overwhelming medical bills, Katie Arneson isn’t exactly your average college student. The thing is — her claim of illness is all a lie. Katie’s scheme has worked so far, but,…

SHORTS: BEYOND THE BINARY

BEYOND THE BINARY is back for another year of brief stories made by, about, with, and for trans people. This short program has everything: hitchhiking robots, sad strip clubs, animated dogs in space, and more, resulting in a varied and…

SHORTS: GIRLS LAUGHING, LOVING, FIGHTING, F**KING

Who hasn’t loved a messy dyke? This varied collection of Girls shorts runs the gamut from breaking in to breaking up, taking delight in all the complications in between. Ill-advised, achingly romantic, and perfectly chaotic adventures await many ages, genders,…

SHORTS: HEIRLOOMS + HISTORIES

Queer people connect across generations, both in front of and behind the camera, in this intergenerational celebration of identity and wisdom. Whether it's a bisexual mother documenting her trans son's birthday wishes, a history of indigenous trans healers that crosses…

SHORTS: BEAUTIFUL BOYS, BEAUTIFUL JOURNEYS

This year’s Boys shorts program focuses on vast journeys of the heart, mind, soul, and body. Not only are these boys and their journeys beautiful, but the filmmaking is as well, in this eclectic and inclusive mix of fun, sexy,…

SHORTS: FREE TO BE ME

Through an inclusive, celebratory, and inspirational collection of short films, this program is curated specifically for LGBTQ-identified high school audiences, providing access for LGBTQ+ youth to see themselves reflected on screen while promoting media literacy and encouraging self-worth and expression.…

SHORTS: TIL WE (CAN) MEET AGAIN

We miss being in the same place as you! The survival of LGBTQ-inclusive physical spaces are essential for our community to connect and thrive, so gather round for this diverse collection of shorts that celebrate a time when we could…

SHORTS: EVERY BODY + BOOTY!

Everybody, rock your booty! Rejoice in the loving, intentional, explorative, and kinky relationships queer and trans people have to their own bodies. Shorts include a sexually explicit heartfelt farewell to titties, a moving tribute to breathplay, an animated dive into…

SHORTS: BLACK FAMILY MATTERS

Family, both the one we’re born into and the one we make for ourselves, is always complex. From an energetic time-traveling short about family secrets, to shorts that navigate identity with the sometimes-strained support of loved ones, this shorts program…

SHORTS: DREAM A LITTLE DREAM WITH ME

Nightmares, daydreams, and fantasies collide in this otherworldly genre shorts program best enjoyed with the lights firmly flipped off. From vibrant visions of the future to contemporary anxieties coming to life, this collection promises to surprise, delight, befuddle, and bewilder…

SHORTS: THE GAG’S ALL HERE (2.0)

The gag’s all here AGAIN with a second helping of queer laughs and good cheer to keep you giggling through tears of joy! From deadpan commentaries on oppressive office culture to a French musical finale (and some uproarious Rachel Dratch…

A timely and powerful depiction of a Black high school student forever changed by an encounter with the police

THE OBITUARY OF TUNDE JOHNSON

A bold, moving, and palpably political story, THE OBITUARY OF TUNDE JOHNSON speaks directly to the #BlackLivesMatter movement and calls for police reform in our country in a profoundly human way.This Spotlight film will premiere Monday October 19 at 8PM…

An immersive and inspiring portrait of Kelet, a Finnish ballroom star and trans model who aspires to one day grace the cover of Vogue magazine

KELET

An immersive and inspirational documentary portrait of one woman's passion, persistence, and perseverance, KELET proves both the undeniable charm and star power of its eponymous subject and the talent of its filmmaker.This Spotlight film will premiere Saturday October 24 at…

Ellie just wants to ask her high school crush to the prom, but things get complicated (and hysterical) when she's granted a Fairy Gaymother in the form of her dead aunt to help her do so

ELLIE & ABBIE (& ELLIE’S DEAD AUNT)

Top-of-her-class Australian high schooler Ellie (Sophie Hawkshaw) has no problem coming out, really. Like, according to her, five people in her year are gay. Her only issue is finding an acceptably cool way to ask her crush (the über-charming Zoe…

A dazzling and witty look at the iconic NYC artist and the city he loved, featuring never-before-heard archival audio and new interviews

KEITH HARING: STREET ART BOY

Keith Haring is undeniably a New York queer icon whose work continues to move and inspire. This Spotlight film will premiere Sunday October 25 at 8PM and remain available through the end of the Festival Through a dazzling dash of…

A triumphant documentary that captures the journey of historic lesbian publication Curve Magazine and its trailblazing founder

AHEAD OF THE CURVE

Tracing the legacy of the groundbreaking publication Curve Magazine, Jen Rainin and Rivkah Beth Medow's triumphant documentary reminds contemporary audiences of the importance of LGBTQ representation in media. This Spotlight film will premiere Sunday October 18 at 8PM and remain…

She may be at a shiva, but a self-absorbed recent college grad can only focus on her own bisexual drama in this delightful cringe comedy

SHIVA BABY

Through delicately crafted humor, NYU alum Emma Seligman’s feature directorial debut is an exciting new entry into the bisexual canon, as well as a touching and hilarious look into queer Jewish adolescence and finding oneself in the 21st century. This…

A trans activist returns to his long-abandoned New Zealand hometown to reconnect with his roots, loves, and estranged father in this vivacious portrait of coming into one's own

RŪRANGI

The last thing trans activist and educator Caz (Elz Carrad) wants to do is return to his long-abandoned hometown in rural New Zealand.This Spotlight film will premiere Wednesday October 21 at 8PM and remain available through the end of the…

A tender and unconventional tale of a widow who uncovers clandestine loves and finds new purpose in a UFO-obsessed Chilean town

FORGOTTEN ROADS

After her husband dies unexpectedly, meek 70-year-old Claudina (Rosa Ramírez) makes the journey to her daughter and grandson’s house in Lautaro, Chile. While she certainly doesn’t expect much from rooming in a house somewhat hostile to her presence, a budding…

A heartwarming tale of overcoming prejudice and fostering unexpected connections in the 1980's Midwest

GOSSAMER FOLDS

Alexandra Grey (EMPIRE) turns in a star-making performance as the lead in this heartwarming tale of overcoming prejudice and fostering unexpected connections. When 10-year-old Tate (Jackson Robert Scott) is relocated with his harried mother (Sprague Grayden) and adulterous father (Shane…

An eerie snapshot of rising right-wing bigotry in Poland, this galvanizing documentary examines the symbolic meaning of rainbows and public art

THE FLASHPOINT

An eerie snapshot of rising right-wing bigotry in Poland, this galvanizing documentary centers the symbolic meaning of the rainbow while providing a thought-provoking analysis of the power we bestow upon certain emblems. Julita Wójcik was surprised to see how quickly…

A unique and fascinating look at genderqueer Amber, thrillingly told through the lens of their own Snapchat, Instagram Stories and DM's

ALWAYS AMBER

An invitation into the social-media-driven world of its titular character, ALWAYS AMBER will stand as a unique artifact of this era of living one’s life online. Hannah Reinikainen Bergeman and Lia Hietala’s feature directorial debut explores teenage trans/non-binary identity with…

An adorable gay rom-com that spotlights the cultural significance of being gay, horny and Muslim in the U.S. and beyond

BREAKING FAST

The gay romcom is alive, well, and approached with the perfect balance of sexiness and cultural significance in Mike Mosallam's feature directorial debut BREAKING FAST. Devout Muslim Mo (Haaz Sleiman) is heartbroken after being dumped by his long-time partner when…

A sexy, intergenerational tango between a middle-aged New Yorker and a handsome young Israeli

SUBLET

Tony Award-winner John Benjamin Hickey (“The Normal Heart,” “The Inheritance”) stars in this crowd-pleasing comedy-drama of exploration and self-discovery. When Michael (Hickey), a New York Times travel writer on assignment in Tel Aviv and at a crossroads in life, arrives…

An intimate look at the legacy of an underappreciated Black legend of New York City's Broadway

MAURICE HINES: BRING THEM BACK

Legendary Broadway and dance superstar Maurice Hines takes the much-deserved spotlight in this delightful documentary that wonderfully weaves together his past as a performer and his present as a teacher and mentor. This intimate look at Maurice’s life gives us…

Two queer Irish high schoolers hatch the perfect plan to get their families and bullies off of their backs – become each other's beards!

DATING AMBER

This outrageous 1990s-set Irish satire centers on closeted queer high-schoolers Eddie (Fionn O’Shea, NORMAL PEOPLE) and Amber (Lola Petticrew), who hatch a perfect plan to get their bullies and families off of their backs — pretend to date each other…

An intimate and engaging doc capturing the lives of six gay men living in the South

MAKING SWEET TEA

Every Southerner takes a different approach to making sweet tea, just like every Southern gay Black man takes their own approach to “spilling tea” about their lives, loves, and friendships. Author, scholar, and playwright E. Patrick Johnson takes us on…

The work, lives and personal journeys of two iconic American artists coalesce with creative combustion in this innovative dual-portrait documentary

TRUMAN & TENNESSEE : AN INTIMATE CONVERSATION

Breakfast at Tiffany’s. A Streetcar Named Desire. In Cold Blood. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. The work, lives, and personal journeys of iconic American artists Truman Capote and Tennesee Williams coalesce with creative combustion in this innovative dual-portrait documentary.…

A woman wins the Green Card lottery, and must navigate leaving behind the only home she knows in this intimate autobiographical drama

WELCOME TO THE USA

How do you choose yourself when everyone around you seems content to stagnate in their own complacency? In her gorgeous, topical narrative feature debut, Kazakh filmmaker Assel Aushakimova paints a heartbreaking and hopeful portrait of a journey she knows intimately,…

Henry Golding stars as man returning to his birthplace in this romantic and lusciously lensed Vietnam-set travelogue

MONSOON

Henry Golding (CRAZY RICH ASIANS) stars as Kit, an exploratory soul returning to modern Vietnam for the first time since his family emigrated during his childhood. As Kit navigates reacclimatizing to a country in which he cannot speak the language…

The queer outlaws of the San Francisco leather scene take center stage in the hottest history lesson you'll have all year

BLOODSISTERS: LEATHER, DYKES, and SADOMASOCHISM

The leatherdykes are coming! The leatherdykes are coming! Resurfacing 25 years after its initial premiere (and its New York Premiere at NewFest!), this “first documentary on the subject” (The New York Times) remains as relevant, and enticing as ever. With…

A tender and heartbreaking portrait of two older, closeted Hong Kong men falling in love

TWILIGHT’S KISS

Lovingly demonstrating that sexual discovery has no expiration date, and frankly exploring a variety of very real issues older gay men face, TWILIGHT’S KISS is a tender and heartbreaking reminder that we only have one life, so we might as…

A tender portrait of an underground electronic music legend enjoying a late-in-life career renaissance

KEYBOARD FANTASIES: THE BEVERLY GLENN-COPELAND STORY

Lovingly stitched together from contemporary interviews, family photos, and archival footage, KEYBOARD FANTASIES: THE BEVERLY GLENN-COPELAND STORY is a stunning ode to its titular star, his legacy in electronic music, advocacy for transgender rights, and current work as a 76-year-old…

A young Jewish man is caught between thrilling private trysts and his repressive family in this thoughtful drama set in 1980s Brooklyn

MINYAN

Living in Brooklyn in the 1980s is full of contradictions for Jewish rabbinical student David (Samuel H. Levine, Broadway’s THE INHERITANCE). The young gay man is caught between two worlds: the thrilling private trysts he throws himself into with abandon,…

A lonely factory worker's sexual fantasies come to life in this hardcore journey of desire and neon-soaked dreams

DRY WIND

Fantastical sexual exploits that infuse hardcore reveries with surprising tenderness help lonely factory worker Sandro (Leandro Faria Lelo) pass the long days and scorching heat of inland Brazil’s dry summer season in writer-director Daniel Nolasco pulsating, neon-infused Tom of Finland-come-to-life…

A moving and darkly comic look at two women who find keeping their love secret has its consequences

TWO OF US

Nina and Madeleine have enjoyed a domestically blissful life in the South of France for decades, but when one of the women faces a medical emergency, the pair’s clandestine relationship arrives at a crossroads. An all-too-rare depiction of sexually vital…

A heartwarming portrait of hilarious 65-year-old transgender New York comedian Julia Scotti

JULIA SCOTTI: FUNNY THAT WAY

Julia Scotti, a hilarious 65-year-old transgender New York comedian, discovers the beauty of her own life after she transitions in her late 40s in this humorous and heartwarming portrait by documentarian Susan Sandler. Following Julia’s journey as she makes her…

A starry and sensitive tale that explores the dynamic between conservative families and transgender kids

COWBOYS

Featuring gorgeously layered dramatic work by an all-star ensemble including Steve Zahn, Ann Dowd, and Jillian Bell, the lovingly crafted COWBOYS is a sensitive and compelling look at parental responsibility and the lengths we go to for those we love…

A riveting documentary that unravels the myth of the man scapegoated for singlehandedly spreading the AIDS epidemic to North America

KILLING PATIENT ZERO

Scapegoated as “Patient Zero” at the center of the AIDS epidemic, Gaëtan Dugas was the handsome, openly gay French-Canadian flight attendant characterized as singlehandedly spreading AIDS to North America. In this riveting documentary, director Laurie Lynd sets out to dismantle…

A teenage trans social media star is taken far out of her element in this charming and spirited MEAN GIRLS-esque high school comedy

ALICE JÚNIOR

Winner of the top prize at Mix Brasil, this one-of-a-kind charmer infuses the spirit of classic high school films such as MEAN GIRLS and THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER with an electricity that will leave you buzzing with warmth…

The intimate and romantic saga of two beautiful Chilean men on very different life paths

THE STRONG ONES

In the mood for love? THE STRONG ONES tells the romantic saga of a fisherman and an architect in the beautiful landscape of Southern Chile as they find love at the edge of the world. This confidently directed festival favorite,…

Two teenage boys meet on the coast of Normandy and begin a life-changing summer in a sexy and electric ode to youth from celebrated French auteur François Ozon

SUMMER OF 85

The new masterpiece from celebrated French auteur François Ozon, SUMMER OF 85 is a nostalgic look at first loves and reckless adolescence sans the rose-colored glasses we've come to expect from traditional coming-of-age stories.This Spotlight film will premiere Saturday October…

Two young men try to make a complicated relationship work in this sexy and moving New York City-set tragicomedy

CICADA

Emerging New York talent Matthew Fifer co-directs, co-writes, produces, and stars in this powerfully intimate, sexy, and tragicomic debut feature, based on his own real experiences and those of his co-star/co-writer Sheldon D. Brown. When the philandering Ben (Fifer) meets…

A Jewish teenager navigates toxic friendships and crushes in the wake of her classmate's suicide in this acerbically sincere (or is it sincerely acerbic?) dark comedy

TAHARA

Sometimes first loves are beautiful culminations of innocent flirtation and yearning sighs; other times, they’re set at Hebrew school after a classmate’s suicide and the result of years of gaslighting. Brooklyn-based director Olivia Peace’s feature debut is a bitingly dark…

A madcap, style-shifting comedy webseries that explores queer sexuality and the Asian-American experience in New York City

SIDEWAYS SMILE

The premiere season of this outrageously fun, style-shifting local series follows young Brooklynite Alex, who, open-minded as she may be, has never had an orgasm! Prompted by her sex-positive roommate Dara to enroll in a class that helps explore her…

A heartwarming webseries that celebrates life, Queer friendship, and the beauty of Queer spaces in fabulous New York City

DINETTE

Welcome back to the Diner! (Don’t worry if it’s your first time here, you’ll catch on quickly!) Following a hit first season that premiered at Tribeca in 2018, the regulars have returned to the Brooklyn-based eatery for a second helping…

Fall in love with your new favorite, binge-worthy series via our Global Episodic Showcase

GLOBAL EPISODIC SHOWCASE

Fall in love with your new favorite, binge-worthy series via our Global Episodic Showcase! These global pilots--from NYC all the way to Nigeria--showcase the best of upcoming queer talent in the form of web series, Television series, and docu-series. This…

This star-studded HBO Max docuseries honors LGBTQ icons with never-before-seen archival footage and stylistic depictions that bring to life the gripping and true backstories of rebellious leaders and unsung heroes

EQUAL

This star-studded HBO Max docuseries honors LGBTQ icons with never-before-seen archival footage and stylistic depictions that bring to life the gripping and true backstories of rebellious leaders and unsung heroes. Cast: Jamie Clayton, Cole Doman, Theo Germaine, Sara Gilbert, Alexandra…

Based on the play of the same name, this filmed-in-quarantine adaptation explores the casting process surrounding an iconic gay character in a new Broadway revival

NORA HIGHLAND

This film will premiere Monday October 26 at 8PM ETBased on the play of the same name, this adaptation into a screenplay was shot entirely on computers during the COVID-19 Pandemic. NORA HIGHLAND explores the casting process surrounding an iconic…

This fascinating documentary takes viewers inside the David-versus-Goliath struggle that led the American Psychiatric Association (APA) to remove homosexuality from its manual of mental illnesses in 1973

CURED

This fascinating documentary takes viewers inside the David-versus-Goliath struggle that led the American Psychiatric Association (APA) to remove homosexuality from its manual of mental illnesses in 1973. Viewers meet the key players who achieved this victory, along with allies and…

A Brazilian trans advocate fights to keep her community safe from Bolsonaro’s hate-filled regime in this powerful personal documentary

YOUR MOTHER’S COMFORT

Ele não - not him. That’s one thing of which Indianara Siqueira, trans sex worker and founder/mother of the lifesaving communal LGBT Casa Nem in Rio de Janeiro, is certain. No to the potential election of an authoritarian, sexist, homophobic,…

Brooklyn Boys Shorts + CICADA (Drive-In)

Emerging New York talent Matthew Fifer co-directs, co-writes, produces, and stars in CICADA, a powerfully intimate, sexy, and tragicomic debut feature, based on his own real experiences and those of his co-star/co-writer Sheldon D. Brown. When the philandering Ben (Fifer)…

A teenage girl and her gay uncle take a road trip back to their hometown in this hilarious and heartfelt tale from Academy Award-winner Alan Ball

UNCLE FRANK (Sneak Preview Drive-In)

Academy Award-winner Alan Ball’s heartfelt and hilarious road movie travels from the bohemian scene of post-Stonewall New York City to rural South Carolina, following Frank’s journey from hitting rock bottom to acceptance and forgiveness and, finally, reintegration into his family…

A benefit for The NewFest Future Fund and the New York City Anti-Violence Project

All Trans BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN Screenplay Table Read

Part of The 32nd Annual New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival Watch on Facebook Watch on YouTube Donate to The NewFest Future Fund and NYC Anti-Violence Project The film, which originally featured Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal in the lead roles,…

A Jewish teenager navigates toxic friendships and crushes in the wake of her classmate's suicide in this dark comedy

TAHARA (Award Encore)

Winner of the NewFest 2020 Feature Directorial Debut Black LGBTQ+ Filmmaker Award; director Olivia Peace Sometimes first loves come out of innocent flirtation; other times, they blossom at Hebrew school after a classmate’s suicide and years of gaslighting. Director Olivia…

A tender portrait of an underground electronic music legend enjoying a late-in-life career renaissance

KEYBOARD FANTASIES: THE BEVERLY GLENN-COPELAND STORY (Award Encore)

Winner of the NewFest 2020 Grand Jury Award for Documentary Feature Stitched together from contemporary interviews, family photos, and archival footage, KEYBOARD FANTASIES: THE BEVERLY GLENN-COPELAND STORY is a stunning ode to its 76-year-old star, his legacy in electronic music,…

A woman wins the Green Card lottery and must now navigate leaving home behind in this autobiographical drama

WELCOME TO THE USA (Award Encore)

Winner of the NewFest 2020 Grand Jury Prize for International Narrative Feature How do you choose yourself when everyone around you is stagnated by complacency? In her narrative feature debut, Kazakh filmmaker Assel Aushakimova paints a portrait of a journey…

Two young men try to make a complicated relationship work in this sexy NYC tragicomedy

CICADA (Award Encore)

NewFest 2020 U.S. Narrative Jury Special Mention Emerging New York talent Matthew Fifer co-directs, co-writes, produces, and stars in this tragicomic debut feature, based on his own life experiences and those of his co-star/co-writer Sheldon D. Brown. Part of NewFest…

A documentary look at the struggle that led the American Psychiatric Association (APA) to remove homosexuality from its manual of mental illnesses

CURED (Award Encore)

Winner of the NewFest 2020 Audience Award for Documentary Feature This fascinating documentary takes viewers inside the David-versus-Goliath struggle that led the American Psychiatric Association (APA) to remove homosexuality from its manual of mental illnesses in 1973. Part of NewFest…

SHORTS: AWARD ENCORES

NewFest 2020 Award-Winning Shorts Featuring audience award winners and jury prize recipients, this stunning collection of LGBTQ+ stories – featuring work from Black Family Matters, Beautiful Boys and Beautiful Journeys, Heirlooms and Histories, and Beyond the Binary shorts programs –…

Follow the work of Dr. Jess Ting at the groundbreaking Mount Sinai Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery

BORN TO BE: Virtual Conversation

We co-presented a virtual discussion with director Tania Cypriano and subjects Mahogany, Jordan, and Dr. Jess moderated by Jude Dry of Indiewire, hosted by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Watch the HRC film talkback here! Rent BORN TO BE via…

Based on a biography of Cristina "La Veneno" Ortiz, the HBO Max series revives the legacy of a Spanish trans icon

VENENO: Advance Screening & Panel

We streamed Chapters 7 & 8 of VENENO before they premiered on HBO Max, then hosted a panel discussion with the cast! Watch the panel below or on YouTube Panelists: Javier Calvo (Executive Producer, Creator, Writer, Director) Javier Ambrossi (Executive…

CIRCUS OF BOOKS' Rachel Mason in conversation with TRANSPARENT's Joey Soloway

ALL IN THE QUEER FAMILY: Virtual Conversation

We hosted a conversation between Emmy Award-nominee Rachel Mason (director, CIRCUS OF BOOKS) and Peabody and Emmy Award-winner Joey Soloway (creator/director, TRANSPARENT) about the importance & dynamics of LGBTQ families, Jewish identity, and the cathartic and complex art of telling…

A documentary series exploring an audacious 1970s auto scam centered around a mysterious entrepreneur

THE LADY AND THE DALE: Virtual Premiere + Q&A

After our Virtual Premiere of HBO's THE LADY AND THE DALE – a four-part documentary series from Emmy-winning producers Mark and Jay Duplass – we hosted a Q&A with the creators! Watch the conversation below or on YouTube Panelists: Zackary…

Cult favorite SEARCH PARTY is back for Season 4!

SEARCH PARTY: Advance Screening + Q&A

We streamed Episodes 7 & 8 from Season 4 of SEARCH PARTY before they premiered on HBO Max, then hosted a Q&A with the series creators and cast! Watch the conversation below or on YouTube Panelists: Alia Shawkat (Cast/Producer) John…

Two farmers' wives find themselves irrevocably drawn to each other in this 19th century romance

THE WORLD TO COME: Advance Screening + Q&A

"Mona Fastvold's queer period romance finally arrives following major acclaim at the Venice Film Festival" – IndieWire. We hosted an Advance Screening of THE WORLD TO COME, followed by a Q&A with the director and cast! Panelists: Mona Fastvold (Director)…

Award-winning documentary on Bayard Rustin, remembered best as the organizer of the 1963 March on Washington

LGBTQ Movie Night: BROTHER OUTSIDER

Five years in the making and the winner of more than 25 awards — including the Audience Award at NewFest in 2003 — BROTHER OUTSIDER: THE LIFE OF BAYARD RUSTIN illuminates the life of Bayard Rustin, a visionary activist who…

A chronicle of four friends in London during a decade in which everything changed, including the rise of AIDS

IT’S A SIN: Advance Screening + Panel

A sensational new limited series about friendship in 1981 London, from Emmy-nominated writer/executive producer Russell T Davies (“Queer as Folk”, “A Very English Scandal”, “Years and Years”) We streamed Episodes 1 & 2 of IT'S A SIN before they premiered…

An award-winning, in-depth look at the life of musician and trans icon Billy Tipton

NewFest Presents: NO ORDINARY MAN

"The future of trans cinema” – Indiewire. For decades, the life of American Jazz musician Billy Tipton was framed as the story of an ambitious woman passing as a man in pursuit of a music career. In NO ORDINARY MAN,…

Cinematographer-turned-director Bruno Santamaría captures rural Mexico through its residents, landscapes, and community traditions

NewFest Presents: THINGS WE DARE NOT DO

Winner of the Jury Prize for International Documentary, Chicago International Film Festival. Three hours from Tepic, the capital of the state of Nayarit, is El Roblito, a small town of a few hundred inhabitants surrounded by mangroves. Cinematographer-turned-director Bruno Santamaría…

Meet the daring queer artists behind one of Brooklyn’s most popular and groundbreaking performance groups

NewFest Presents: A NIGHT AT SWITCH N’ PLAY

Winner of the Audience Award for Best Documentary, NewFest. You are cordially invited to a night at Switch n’ Play! Come along for the ride as they display their own unique blend of Burlesque and drag, and navigate how gender…

A dark, playful ensemble dramedy about a group of high school students exploring their sexuality in a modern world

GENERA+ION: Advance Screening + Panel

High school students explore modern sexuality, testing deeply entrenched beliefs about life, love and the nature of family in their conservative community. We streamed the Season 1 Part 1 Finale of GENERA+ION before it premiered on HBO Max, then hosted…

Looking back on the Harlem Renaissance from the lens of an elderly Black writer who meets a gay teen in a NY shelter

Queering the Canon: BROTHER TO BROTHER (2004)

“Breathtaking! A fascinating and absorbing tale” – The Hollywood Reporter. Taking its title from the incantatory chant which begins Marlon Riggs’ experimental documentary TONGUES UNTIED, this empowering drama stars Anthony Mackie as an art student contending with racism and homophobia…

Drag queens and AIDS-afflicted radicals form an activist group to confront homophobic politicians

Queering the Canon: CHOCOLATE BABIES (1996)

“An audacious feature debut” – Variety. A band of queer, self-described “raging, atheist, meat-eating, HIV-positive, colored terrorists” fight back against homophobic conservative politicians on the streets of New York in Stephen Winter’s wild guerrilla satire. Part of Queering the Canon:…

A father returns home from prison, struggling to reconnect with his family and accept his trans daughter's identity

Queering the Canon: GUN HILL ROAD (2011)

“A beautiful, compelling, sometimes harrowing family drama” — San Francisco Chronicle. Bronx native Rashaad Ernesto Green made his feature debut with this gritty family drama. After three years in prison, Enrique returns to the Bronx to discover that his wife…

Heartfelt comedy about an Indian-American lesbian who decides to be a surrogate for her sister's baby

Queering the Canon: CHUTNEY POPCORN (1999)

A woman. Her girlfriend. A sister. Her husband. Their baby. Director Nisha Ganatra (Late Night, Cosmopolitan) won multiple Audience Awards on the festival circuit for this feature debut – an expertly-crafted comedy about Reena, an Indian-American lesbian who impulsively decides…

Lesbian New York parents realize a corporation is peddling toxic cat food in this experimental drama

Queering the Canon: FRESH KILL (1994)

Official Selection at Berlin International Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival. Taiwanese-born new media visionary Shu Lea Cheang directs this avant-anarcho eco-satire in which a lesbian couple living on Staten Island find themselves ensnared in a conspiracy involving a ghost…

A retired hairdresser embarks on a journey for one last job to style a dead woman’s hair for her funeral

NewFest Pride: SWAN SONG

“Heartfelt salute to a real-life local legend” – The Hollywood Reporter. Writer-director Todd Stephens (EDGE OF SEVENTEEN, GYPSY 83) brings you the charming story of retired hairdresser and local bar performer Pat Pitsenbarger, who has given up on life in…

Exuberant slam poetry musical follows the lives of 25 young Angelenos over the course of a single day

NewFest Pride: SUMMERTIME

“Most inspirational movie to hit the indie circuit this year” – Variety. Over the course of a hot summer day in Los Angeles, the lives of 25 young folks intersect. A skating guitarist, a tagger, two wannabe rappers, an exasperated…

A surprise reunion in southern France reignites passion and jealousy between former polyamorous lovers

NewFest Pride: MA BELLE, MY BEAUTY

Winner of the NEXT Audience Award at Sundance. The sun-kissed MA BELLE, MY BEAUTY focuses on the lives of Lane, Bertie and Fred, who once shared a polyamorous relationship in New Orleans. The lovers had a balance that worked... until…

Two young men share a brief yet joyous romantic encounter in modern-day Berlin

NewFest Pride: BOY MEETS BOY

“The next great gay love story” – i-D Magazine. Harry has been partying for 48 hours when he meets Johannes on the dance floor of a club in Berlin. With 15 hours left until Harry’s flight back to London, Johannes…

Rabble-rousing documentary set in 1980s post-punk London tells the unheralded story of a community of activist dykes

NewFest Pride: REBEL DYKES

Charting the explosive 1980s era when punk met feminism, REBEL DYKES arrives in all its ass-kicking, leather-wearing glory! This rabble-rousing documentary follows a tight-knit group of friends who met at Greenham Common peace camp and went on to become artists,…

A decade after breaking up, college exes Kris and Naomi catch up on their complicated lives, loves, and Kris’ transition

NewFest Pride: SEE YOU THEN

Official Selection, SXSW 2021. Kris, a trans computer programmer, and Naomi, an Asian-American performance artist, used to date in college. A decade after abruptly breaking up, they meet for dinner to catch up on their complicated lives, relationships, and Kris’…

Showcase of the finest contemporary LGBTQ+ short films, presented with Vimeo

NewFest Pride: Shorts Showcase

For the third consecutive year, NewFest & Vimeo are collaborating on a bold showcase of the finest contemporary LGBTQ+ short films from around the globe – from narrative to hybrid docs to animation – in celebration and support of our…

Screenplay table read of LEGALLY BLONDE, featuring an all-queer cast

NewFest Pride: Queer LEGALLY BLONDE Table Read

Virtual table read event for LEGALLY BLONDE, featuring an all-star queer cast! Free + suggested donation. WATCH ON YOUTUBE Event proceeds benefitted The NewFest Future Fund, to support NewFest and its programs for LGBTQ+ youth, filmmaker resources, and year-round screening…

A celebration of Pride 365 with a showcase of short films and a live Q&A with the filmmakers

Pride Family Shorts

Join NewFest and Trinity for a celebration of Pride 365 with a showcase of short films and a live roundtable Q&A with the filmmakers! Featuring the works of both award-winning filmmakers and emerging LGBTQ+ storytellers, this uplifting collection of short…

Join NewFest, BAM, and Autostraddle for a conversation with critics and filmmakers about a genre all too absent from trans cinema: rom-coms.

Queering the Canon: Where Are All the Trans Rom-Coms?

NewFest, BAM, and Autostraddle discuss the lack of trans rom-coms in this free panel conversation!

Follow 5 young women on journeys of self-discovery in NYC's male-dominated skate scene

NewFest Pride: BETTY Season 2 Premiere + Q&A

NewFest and HBO presented the virtual premiere of BETTY Season 2: Episodes 1 & 2, along with an exclusive post-screening Q&A! Free RSVP. BETTY follows five young women on journeys of self-discovery against the backdrop of New York City’s male-dominated…

Commissioned filmmakers throughout the U.S. record Pride parades and marches in June 1977

BuzzFeed Pride: GAY USA

Filmmaker Arthur Bressan commissions filmmakers throughout the United States to record Pride parades and marches in June 1977. Filmed in a single day on June 26, 1977 in multiple locations throughout the country, this film documents Pride parades across the…

A group of LGBTQ youths of color unite to form a safe gathering space in NYC's underground ballroom scene

BuzzFeed Pride: KIKI

“Exhilarating – a must-see” – NY Times. 25 years after PARIS IS BURNING introduced the art of voguing to the world, KIKI revisits New York City’s thriving underground ballroom scene. Free RSVP | Part of BuzzFeed Pride Get a glimpse…

Vibrant lesbian love story between two teenage girls in Nairobi, Kenya

BuzzFeed Pride: RAFIKI

Winner of the NewFest 2018 Audience Award for Narrative Feature. Bursting with the colorful street style and music of Nairobi’s vibrant youth culture, RAFIKI is a tender love story between two young women in a country that still criminalizes homosexuality.…

Four trans men prepare to take the stage at the only all-trans bodybuilding competition in the world

BuzzFeed Pride: MAN MADE

Winner of the NewFest 2018 Audience Award for Documentary Feature. An affecting and honest portrait of four transgender men as they prepare to step on stage at the only all-trans bodybuilding competition in the world. Free RSVP | Part of…

A bisexual woman in NYC struggles to become an ideal Persian daughter and hip young Brooklynite

BuzzFeed Pride: APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR

“Authentically ironic, adorably wistful” – NY Times. A bisexual Brooklynite from a traditional Persian family struggles with her identity and the disintegration of her relationship with her girlfriend. Free RSVP | Part of BuzzFeed Pride Shirin is struggling to become…

A retired hairdresser embarks on a journey for one last job to style a dead woman’s hair for her funeral

Outdoor Screening: SWAN SONG with Rooftop Films

Join us and Rooftop Films for an outdoor screening of star-studded comedy drama SWAN SONG, our NewFest Pride 2021 Audience Award winner! Date: Saturday, July 31st. Venue: The Old American Can Factory Address: 232 3rd Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215 Part…

A Spanish teacher and her student develop an unexpected friendship

Outdoor Screening: LANGUAGE LESSONS with Rooftop Films

Join us and Rooftop Films for an outdoor screening of comedy drama LANGUAGE LESSONS, the award-winning collaboration between Natalie Morales and Mark Duplass! Date: Wednesday, September 1st. Venue: Green-Wood Cemetery Address: 500 25th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11232 Part of Rooftop…

Anthology series exploring love in all of its complicated and beautiful forms, as well as its effects on human connection

MODERN LOVE: Advance Screening + Q&A

A co-production of Amazon Studios and the New York Times, each episode of romantic comedy series MODERN LOVE brings to life a different story inspired by the newspaper's popular Modern Love column – featuring a star-studded cast! RSVP to stream…

The hilarious, critically acclaimed comedy series about a family chasing fame is BACK for a second season!

THE OTHER TWO: Advance Screening + Q&A

“Funnier and gayer than ever in Season Two” - them. After our exclusive Advance Screening of Episodes 1 - 4 of HBO Max's THE OTHER TWO, we hosted a Q&A with the creators and cast – moderated by writer/comedian Pat…

The unsung story of the queer women behind some of country music’s greatest hits

INVISIBLE: GAY WOMEN IN SOUTHERN MUSIC (Documentary Centerpiece)

Documentary Centerpiece

Deeply moving and triumphant, INVISIBLE gives center stage to the lesbian women who have long been hidden behind the curtain of the country music industry, all while working with big-name artists and making major contributions to the scene.

A XXX documentary about kink, safe sex, and the independent porn studio that championed them both at the height of the AIDS epidemic

RAW! UNCUT! VIDEO!

New York State Premiere. As the HIV/AIDS epidemic ravaged gay communities with little help from politicians, a small pornography studio did what they could: promote safe sex through hardcore kinky porn. RAW! UNCUT! VIDEO! tells the extraordinary story of Palm…

Get ready to laugh and have your heart warmed by this premiere collection of the best in web series

EPISODIC SHOWCASE NewFest2021

Discover your next binge-worthy series with our episodic showcase! Get ready to laugh and have your heart warmed by this premiere collection of the best in web series. From the return of a gay film from years back to a…

A riveting and intimate documentary about Pete Buttigieg’s campaign to be the first openly gay U.S. president

MAYOR PETE (Opening Night Film)

A riveting documentary from award-winning filmmaker Jesse Moss (BOYS STATE), MAYOR PETE brings viewers inside Pete Buttigieg’s campaign to be the youngest U.S. president, providing unprecedented intimacy with the candidate, his husband Chasten, and their ambitious team.

Tickets includes entry to the Opening Night Party

Celebrate the 30th anniversary of this rare behind-the-scenes look at Madonna during the 1990 international tour for "Blond Ambition"

MADONNA: TRUTH OR DARE: 30th Anniversary

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, this seminal documentary chronicles Madonna's controversial "Blond Ambition" international tour in 1990 from its kick-off in Japan to the North American leg of the tour with significant stops in Los Angeles, Detroit, Toronto, and New York.…

John Cameron Mitchell’s exuberant exploration of life, sex and happiness in NYC still shines fifteen years later in this 4K restoration

SHORTBUS: 15th Anniversary 4K Restoration

World Premiere of 4K Restoration. An exuberant exploration of life, sex and happiness in New York City, SHORTBUS still shines fifteen years later in this delicious 4K restoration. The second feature from John Cameron Mitchell (HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH)…

Explore the unique bonds queer and trans people form with spirituality, religion and divinity

SHORTS: SENSE & SPIRITUALITY

Institutional religion and the LGBTQ+ community are often treated as oil and water, but this collection of short films throws those preconceived ideas out the window. Featuring a blend of narratives and documentaries about gay angels, inclusive mosques, and an…

Electric queer stories about seeking refuge – in found family, friendship, and new parts of the world

SHORTS: FINDING REFUGE

Countless LGBTQ+ individuals and communities around the world are unable to travel freely or are forced to leave their homes. SHORTS: FINDING REFUGE illuminates queer stories of seeking refuge – in found family, friendship and entirely new countries. These uplifting…

These encounters might be brief but the promise of romance is in the air, so invite your crush and prepare to swoon together

SHORTS: BRIEF ENCOUNTERS

It starts with a look across a crowded cafe or inside a train cabin — the encounters in this collection of shorts might be brief, but they leave an indelible mark. These prospective lovebirds flirt, fight, and f*ck, but mostly…

Get immersed in the healing magic of queer sex, touch, and desire

SHORTS: ALWAYS A PLEASURE

* This program contains sexually explicit material. Get immersed in the healing magic of queer sex, touch, and lust with SHORTS: ALWAYS A PLEASURE, a sensual program that prioritizes and destigmatizes LGBTQ+ desire. Mixing the experimental with the explicit, this…

Travel through time, fly out into space, and awaken your imagination with stories of queer futurity

SHORTS: THE FUTURE IS QUEER

Awaken your imagination, travel through time and be flung into space with SHORTS: THE FUTURE IS QUEER, an eye-popping program that looks beyond the present world and places queer folks at the center of new frontiers. WITNESS Dir. Joie Lou…

A dark, campy, and downright bizarre short film program for the thrillseeker in you

SHORTS: QUEER FEAR

An Uber ride. A camping trip. A first date. These could be sites of terror for anyone, but, in these films, they are particularly scary for our queer protagonists. Showcasing a diverse assortment of styles, tones, and subject matter, SHORTS:…

Dive into the gender-expansive world of trans filmmakers and their resonant stories

SHORTS: BEYOND THE BINARY

We’re back with another year of trans shorts by trans filmmakers with SHORTS: BEYOND THE BINARY! From futuristic media therapy to impossible decisions about what to wear, this stunning selection of short films offers up a wide variety of stories,…

Relationship drama, therapy in the back of a rideshare drama – you want it, lesbians will give it to you!

SHORTS: DYKE DRAMA!

Relationship drama, genre melodrama, coming out drama, and therapy-in-the-back-of-a-rideshare drama — you want drama, lesbians will give it to you. Whether you’re recovering from mommy issues, a burning unrequited touch, or a first date that seems to last for all…

Eclectic stories of dudes and dilemmas showing just how fun (and messy!) finding the right connection can be

SHORTS: I KNOW WHAT BOYS LIKE

Seize the moment with this sexy mixtape of dudes and dilemmas that explores the fun, messy complexities of finding the right connection. From crushing on your soccer mate to pre-Grindr cruising the streets of New York City, this genre-spanning program…

Inspirational and affirming shorts curated specifically for LGBTQ+ youth and teen audiences

SHORTS: QUEER KID POWER

In partnership with the NYC Department of Education For the fourth consecutive year, NewFest is delighted to collaborate with New York City’s Department of Education and participating schools on an inclusive shorts program curated specifically with LGBTQ+ youth and teen…

A rural sheep farmer’s quiet life in South Korea is disrupted by surprise visits from his lover and twin sister

A DISTANT PLACE (International Centerpiece)

International Centerpiece

Jin Woo lives a simple country life, spending his days working on a local farm and keeping a watchful eye on his adventurous young daughter. When his city-dwelling lover comes to visit, Jin Woo starts to envision their future as a family before the surprise arrival of his twin sister threatens to complicate his dream.

An aspiring performer rekindles a bond with their ailing grandmother (the late great Cloris Leachman) in this intimate dramedy

JUMP, DARLING

New York State Premiere

Featuring one of the final screen performances from the late, great, Oscar-winning icon Cloris Leachman, JUMP, DARLING tells the story of aspiring performer Fishy Falters (Thomas Duplessie), who is trying to eke out a career at a small-town bar while crashing with his ailing yet still feisty grandmother (Leachman).

A Hollywood-obsessed mother and her gay son move from 1980s USSR to the United States

POTATO DREAMS OF AMERICA (U.S. Centerpiece)

U.S. Centerpiece

Obsessed with old Hollywood movies and concerned for her son’s future in 1980s USSR, Lena becomes a mail-order bride and moves to the United States. Though she hopes to give her son Potato a better life, things veer off course when his burgeoning sexuality and love of New Queer Cinema clash with his new father’s political and religious points of view.

In 1990s Serbia a group of friends and couples misbehave at a child’s birthday party, airing out their grievances and indulging in hidden passions

CELTS

New York State Premiere. In 1990s Belgrade, a group of friends and couples gather to celebrate a child’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-themed birthday and play out their own frayed relationships. With the Yugoslav Wars taking place in the background, the…

An angsty teenager realizes family vacation isn’t so bad when she meets her first crush in this hilarious feature

SWEETHEART

New York State Premiere. Rebellious and angsty teenager AJ sets out on her family vacation with exceedingly low expectations, but what starts out as the trip from hell turns out to be a summer of awakening when she unexpectedly meets…

French superstar Nicolas Maury directs himself as an actor fleeing to his mother’s countryside home to recover from a break-up

MY BEST PART

New York State Premiere. French superstar Nicolas Maury (KNIFE + HEART, Netflix’s CALL MY AGENT) directs himself as Jérémie, an actor fleeing to his mother’s countryside home after a break-up with the adoring Albert (Arnaud Valois). Now that the relationship…

An exuberant NYC community fights the U.S. prison system while dancing for liberation to classic house tracks

BRING DOWN THE WALLS

North American Premiere. This galvanizing documentary examines the U.S. prison system through the lens of house music, telling the story of a political collective and anti-incarceration dance party in Lower Manhattan. Filmmaker Phil Collins joins with Black queer artists and…

A kid questioning their gender swaps bodies with a beloved babysitter, leading to a hilarious quest across NYC to get back to the way things were and imagine the way things could be

HOMEBODY

East Coast Premiere. Melanie’s last afternoon babysitting 9-year-old gender-questioning Johnny takes an inexplicable, unpredictable, and absolutely hilarious turn – her body is inhabited by Johnny’s spirit. Now, Johnny gets to live as Melanie for a day, which seems fun at…

A sumptuous romance between two Soviet Air Force recruits during the Cold War, based on true events

FIREBIRD

New York City Premiere

FIREBIRD is based on the true story of two Soviet Air Force recruits who fell in love at the height of the Cold War. Sergey, a sensitive young private, and Roman, a high-ranking fighter pilot with a promising military career, risk their lives and livelihoods to be intimate on and off the base before Roman’s wife comes between them, evoking a toiling tale of love and betrayal.

During a hot Brazilian summer, 13-year-old Joana uncovers hidden truths about her family and herself

THE FIRST DEATH OF JOANA

New York State Premiere. Joana, 13, is faced with life’s harsh realities after the sudden death of her beloved great aunt. During long, hot summer days in southern Brazil, she begins to investigate why her aunt never dated anyone and…

Two sex workers fall in love while working at a Berlin brothel in a candid drama of unparalleled intensity

BLISS

New York State Premiere. Two sex workers bond while working at a Berlin brothel in director Henrika Kull’s perceptive character study. Wielding vastly different temperaments, Sascha and new-hire Maria navigate the economic pressures of the job and their growing affection…

A sensitive and illuminating portrait of intersex identity from Filipino director J.E. Tiglao

METAMORPHOSIS

New York City Premiere. Despite being born with an intersex body, teenager Adam has lived all of their young life as a boy. After they start menstruating, Adam has to confront new reactions from their conservative family and judgemental schoolmates,…

A college freshman obsessively climbs the ranks of her school’s rowing team in this Tribeca award-winner

THE NOVICE

With few friends, mediocre grades, and nothing to lose, queer college freshman Alex Dall (Isabelle Fuhrman) signs up for the rowing team. What begins as an exciting new hobby quickly turns into an unhealthy obsession as she climbs the ranks…

A closeted Romanian policeman tries to diffuse a protest at a queer film screening in this subversive thriller

POPPY FIELD

New York State Premiere. While enjoying a visit from his long-distance boyfriend, a closeted Romanian policeman is called to diffuse a heated situation at a local movie theater. Turns out a conservative group is protesting a queer film screening and,…

The world fell in love with BeBe Zahara Benet as the first-ever winner of RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE, and now the legendary queen has even more to say

BEING BEBE: THE BEBE ZAHARA BENET DOCUMENTARY

New York State Premiere. BeBe Zahara Benet has been a show-stopping trailblazer ever since winning the very first season of RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE. But even after two impressive showings on the Emmy-award winning reality competition, including an All Stars season,…

A Two-Spirit teenage dancer fights for inclusion at Powwows around New England and beyond

BEING THUNDER

East Coast Premiere. Two-Spirit teenager Sherenté Mishitashin Harris from the Narragansett tribe performs traditional dance at Powwows around New England, but not everyone is supportive of Sherenté’s inclusion in the ''girls'' category. BEING THUNDER is the stirring story of Sherenté’s…

An uptight lawyer falls in love with a free-spirited musician, but dynamics shift when one of them begins to question their gender

UNDER MY SKIN

New York State PremiereDespite their obvious differences, Denny and Ryan — an eccentric musician and a straight-laced lawyer — are drawn to each other like magnets. But when Denny begins to question their gender, sexuality, and relationship with Ryan, the…

A poetic visual representation of George Matthew Johnson’s memoir about growing up Black and non-binary

ALL BOYS AREN’T BLUE

New York City Premiere. In a poetic visual reading of George Matthew Johnson’s intimate memoir, Dyllon Burnside (FX’s POSE), Bernard David Jones, and Thomas Hobson play Johnson at pivotal stages of their life to recount their experiences growing up Black,…

An innovative hybrid narrative-documentary about trans Latina sex workers in Queens, NY

CAER (CAUGHT)

New York State Premiere. A trans Latina sex worker is arrested in a sting operation in Queens, NY, but this time it’s all a staged recreation, and when ''Cut!'' is shouted off-camera, the actors relax before the next take. Merging…

Two young men share a brief yet joyous romantic encounter in modern-day Berlin

BOY MEETS BOY

NewFest Pride Encore! Harry has been partying for 48 hours when he meets Johannes on the dance floor of a club in Berlin. With 15 hours left until Harry’s flight back to London, Johannes offers to help him print his…

The director of a low-budget queer thriller tries to solve a violent murder mystery that is threatening his set

CUT!

North American Premiere. Marcos is a struggling director desperate to produce his low-budget queer take on Italian Giallo thrillers. But when the cast and crew begin to die gruesome deaths, he becomes both a prime suspect for investigators and the…

A non-binary child, their father, and a stranger form tenuous connections in this award-winning drama

FIRSTNESS

New York State Premiere. A maladjusted father, his non-binary child Tavi, and a stranger out on parole are all seeking connection in director Brielle Brilliant’s feature debut. When Tavi and the older man begin to form a sweet yet unconventional…

The previously untold story of Connie Norman, a beloved and confrontational ACT UP spokesperson in early 90s Los Angeles

AIDS DIVA: THE LEGEND OF CONNIE NORMAN

New York State Premiere. As the self-appointed “AIDS DIVA” and ACT UP/LA spokesperson in early 90s Los Angeles, Connie Norman stood proudly in her fluid and evolving LGBTQ+ identities. Both beloved and confrontational, Connie’s rants and intersectional politics were heard…

After two decades apart, a young woman reappears to profess her devotion to her teenage sweetheart — but is it all just the workings of a love spell?

LOVE, SPELLS AND ALL THAT

New York State Premiere. After two decades of radio silence, Eren reappears out of thin air to profess her devotion to her teenage sweetheart. But could this sudden reunion simply be the workings of a love spell cast 20 years…

A dinner party among friends takes a disastrous turn when long-held secrets bubble to the surface

LEADING LADIES

New York State Premiere. Lies, lust, drugs, and debauchery — and that’s all before dessert! In this sexy new feature from NewFest alum Ruth Caudeli (EVA + CANDELA, SECOND STAR ON THE RIGHT), five friends come together for a night…

A Teddy Award-winning interpretation of a gay man’s past life during the Lebanese civil war

MIGUEL’S WAR

U.S. Premiere. In this Teddy Award winner from Berlinale, Miguel returns to Lebanon after 37 years to reflect on his experience growing up queer during the civil war. Having spent the years since leaving as an out gay man in…

An irresistible exploration of a little-known painter’s legacy and mysterious disappearance from the iconic 1980s downtown art scene in NYC

MAKE ME FAMOUS

World Premiere. Edward Brezinski worked alongside Keith Haring, David Wojnarowicz, and Jean-Michel Basquiat in the Lower East Side art scene, but never reached the same level of success as his contemporaries. MAKE ME FAMOUS uncovers why such a well-connected yet…

A rabble-rousing documentary set in 1980s post-punk London tells the unheralded story of a community of activist dykes

REBEL DYKES

NewFest Pride Encore! Charting the explosive 1980s era when punk met feminism, REBEL DYKES arrives in all its ass-kicking, leather-wearing glory.This rabble-rousing documentary follows a tight-knit group of friends who met at Greenham Common peace camp and went on to…

Six trans women travel to a rural town in Spain to explore the natural landscape and uncover their innermost selves

SEDIMENTS

New York State Premiere. Six trans women travel to a rural town in Spain to become one with nature and participate in a communal experience that leads to emotionally vigorous conversation and conflict. As the women discuss the evolution of…

A decade after breaking up, college exes Kris and Naomi catch up on their complicated lives, loves, and Kris’ transition

SEE YOU THEN

NewFest Pride Encore! Kris, a trans computer programmer, and Naomi, an Asian-American performance artist, used to date in college. A decade after abruptly breaking up, they meet for dinner to catch up on their complicated lives, relationships, and Kris’ transition.…

Hilarious hijinks ensue when a group of classic film collectors pursue a long-lost film in this homage to 1930s comedies starring Charles Busch

THE SIXTH REEL

New York State Premiere. A zany romp and a whodunnit all in one, Charles Busch’s THE SIXTH REEL is an outrageous homage to 1930s madcap comedies. Legendary New York theater icon Busch co-writes, co-directs and stars in the film as…

A Sundance award-winning animated documentary tells the story of an Afghani immigrant and his journey to safety in Denmark

FLEE (Closing Night + Party)

Amin Nawabi has never told anyone how he and his family left Afghanistan. A bureaucratic system built to criminalize immigrants has forced asylum seekers like Amin to hold back for safety; but years later, re-settled and thriving in Denmark, he’s opening up for the first time.

Tickets include entry to the Closing Night Party

On a summer day during New York’s Harlem Renaissance, two school acquaintances unexpectedly reunite

PASSING (New York Centerpiece)

New York Centerpiece

On a stifling summer day in 1920s New York City, Irene Redfield (Tessa Thompson) unexpectedly reunites with her old school acquaintance Clare Bellew (Academy Award nominee Ruth Negga). With the simple unzipping of a dress and a furtive glance, a Pandora’s box of temptation clicks open in this Sundance Film Festival sensation.

A decade since its release, Academy Award nominee Dee Rees’ debut feature remains an enduring exploration of a Black, queer ​​17-year-old

PARIAH: 10th Anniversary

A decade since its release, this powerful portrait of a young lesbian coming into her own continues to be celebrated as a monumental influence by critics and filmmakers alike. The debut feature from Academy Award nominee Dee Rees (MUDBOUND) remains…

After moving into their new Upper East Side apartment, two roommates’ lives are upended by the lingering impact of its infamous former owner

THE SCARY OF SIXTY-FIRST

A cheap Upper East Side apartment seems like a dream for roommates Addie (Betsey Brown) and Noelle (Madeline Quinn), but when the apartment’s odd history indicates it all might be ''too good to be true,'' the pair begin unraveling the…

A group of bold, non-conformist youth fight against rampant LGBTQ+ discrimination in today’s Nigeria

THE LEGEND OF THE UNDERGROUND

Struggling against rampant LGBTQ+ discrimination in Nigeria, a new generation of non-conformist youth use social media, underground radio, and any other resources at their disposal to fight for their right to live out loud. THE LEGEND OF THE UNDERGROUND follows…

Communication is key in these candid shorts about expressing yourself, reconciling differences, and reaching greater understanding

SHORTS: WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND?

The stories in SHORTS: WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND? prove that caring is sharing and show the immense value in listening to the people you love, or even those you’ve just met. THE FIRST TIME Dir. Soleil Burgess & Camille Ora-Nicole,…

Panel conversation celebrating Indigenous, Two-Spirit, and First Nation visibility in film and TV

Panel: Centering LGBTQ+ Indigenous Voices and Perspectives Onscreen

Join us for FREE to hear from filmmakers premiering their work at the festival as we celebrate Indigeneous, Two-Spirit, and First Nation visibility in film and television! Panelists will speak to their Native and LGBTQIA+ experiences, discuss the importance of authentic representation, and consider industry initiatives to support future projects.

Join us for our first ever Film Feast and enjoy a contemporary classic along with a multi-course meal!

THE WEDDING BANQUET (Film Feast)

Special Film Feast Event! Ticket price includes a 3-course meal themed to the film. Gay landlord Wai-Tung Gao agrees to marry his tenant Wei-Wei, a struggling artist, to help her obtain a green card and appease his conservative parents back…

RSVP for Exclusive Access to Episodes 1 & 2, followed by a conversation with the cast

TWENTIES Season 2: Screening & Conversation

From creator, writer, and executive producer Lena Waithe and Hillman Grad Productions comes TWENTIES, the GLAAD Media Award-nominated series critically acclaimed for its first-time portrayal of a masculine-presenting queer woman of color as the lead in a primetime show. The…

Coming-of-age story that follows the journey of a genderfluid millennial straddling various identities

SORT OF: Advance Screening & Conversation

U.S. Premiere After our U.S. Premiere of Episodes 1 and 2 of the breakthrough HBO Max series SORT OF, we hosted a one-on-one conversation between the show’s co-creator/star Bilal Baig and filmmaker Fawzia Mirza. SORT OF follows the journey of…

Former RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE contestants recruit small town residents for a one-night-only drag performance!

WE’RE HERE Season 2: Advance Screening & Conversation

World Premiere After our Advance Screening of the much anticipated second season of the Emmy-nominated and GLAAD Award-winning unscripted series, we hosted an exclusive panel with the cast and creators. In Episode 2 (“Selma”) and Episode 3 (“Del Rio”), famous…

RSVP for exclusive access to Episode 1 of Season 2, followed by a conversation with creators and cast

HIGHTOWN Season 2: Advance Screening & Conversation

Join us for this FREE advance screening of Episode 1 of Season 2, followed by an exclusive conversation with the creators and stars. In the second season of HIGHTOWN, the picture-perfect version of Cape Cod clashes with its off-season reality of drug addiction and despair in this compelling series from Starz.

Panel conversation with queer women and non-binary cinematographers working behind the camera in film and TV

Panel: Queer Lens on Lens: Spotlight on Women and Non-Binary Cinematographers

Join NewFest and ReFrame for a FREE conversation with queer women and non-binary filmmakers who have made immense contributions to the craft of cinematography in film and television. Hear their compelling experiences working on recent projects as they discuss the significance of queer representation behind the camera and encourage emerging filmmakers.

Docuseries following filmmaker Ry Russo-Young as she turns the camera on her past to explore the meaning of family

NUCLEAR FAMILY: Screening & Conversation

After our Advance Screening of the HBO documentary series NUCLEAR FAMILY, we hosted a conversation with the filmmaker and featured cast! This three-part documentary series from HBO follows filmmaker Ry Russo-Young as she turns the camera on her own past…

Afterparty for an evening of films featuring women and non-binary filmmakers

Event: Women’s Night Out

We hosted an afterparty at the bar at Ace Hotel New York to celebrate women and non-binary filmmakers! This was a free event. Guests received one drink ticket.This event followed the screenings of SHORTS: DYKE DRAMA!, SWEETHEART, SEDIMENTS, and INVISIBLE.

A Hollywood-obsessed mother and her gay son move from 1980s USSR to the United States

POTATO DREAMS OF AMERICA (Award Encore)

NewFest 2021 U.S. Narrative Feature Jury Special Mention

Obsessed with old Hollywood movies and concerned for her son’s future in 1980s USSR, Lena becomes a mail-order bride and moves to the United States. Though she hopes to give her son Potato a better life, things veer off course when his burgeoning sexuality and love of New Queer Cinema clash with his new father’s political and religious points of view.

A Teddy Award-winning interpretation of a gay man’s past life during the Lebanese civil war

MIGUEL’S WAR (Award Encore)

Winner of the NewFest 2021 Documentary Feature Grand Jury Award

In this Teddy Award winner from Berlinale, Miguel returns to Lebanon after 37 years to reflect on his experience growing up queer during the civil war. Having spent the years since leaving as an out gay man in Spain, Miguel is back to remember the relationships that shaped him as a son, lover, and soldier.

A struggling trans actor goes on an adventure of self-discovery after the death of his close friend and captain of his lesbian bowling league

DEATH AND BOWLING (Award Encore)

Winner of the NewFest 2021 Hornitos Tequila #TakeYourShot Award for First-Time Feature Filmmaker; director Lyle Kash

Struggling actor X’s lesbian bowling league Lavender League Bowling Club is the only thing keeping his head in the right lane as he faces the daily struggles of demanding auditions, demeaning roles, and shady characters. But when the team’s matriarch and captain unexpectedly passes away and an intriguing stranger arrives, X finds himself on a new journey toward introspection, acceptance, and love.

A sensitive and illuminating portrait of intersex identity from Filipino director J.E. Tiglao

METAMORPHOSIS (Award Encore)

NewFest 2021 International Narrative Feature Jury Special Mention

Despite being born with an intersex body, teenager Adam has lived all of their young life as a boy. After they start menstruating, Adam has to confront new reactions from their conservative family and judgemental schoolmates, leading to a new exploration of their authentic identity.

The unsung story of the queer women behind some of country music’s greatest hits

INVISIBLE: GAY WOMEN IN SOUTHERN MUSIC (Award Encore)

Winner of the NewFest 2021 Audience Award for Documentary Feature

Deeply moving and triumphant, INVISIBLE gives center stage to the lesbian women who have long been hidden behind the curtain of the country music industry, all while working with big-name artists and making major contributions to the scene.

A poetic visual representation of George Matthew Johnson’s memoir about growing up Black and non-binary

ALL BOYS AREN’T BLUE (Award Encore)

Winner of the NewFest 2021 Audience Award for Narrative Feature

In a poetic visual reading of George Matthew Johnson’s intimate memoir, Dyllon Burnside (FX’s POSE), Bernard David Jones, and Thomas Hobson play Johnson at pivotal stages of their life to recount their experiences growing up Black, queer, and non-binary.

A rural sheep farmer’s quiet life in South Korea is disrupted by surprise visits from his lover and twin sister

A DISTANT PLACE (Award Encore)

Winner of the NewFest 2021 International Narrative Feature Jury Award

Jin Woo lives a simple country life, spending his days working on a local farm and keeping a watchful eye on his adventurous young daughter. When his city-dwelling lover comes to visit, Jin Woo starts to envision their future as a family before the surprise arrival of his twin sister threatens to complicate his dream.

Catch up on festival favorites from the newest wave of emerging queer filmmakers!

SHORTS: Award Encores

NewFest 2021 Award-Winning Shorts

Featuring audience award winners and jury prize recipients, this eclectic collection of LGBTQ+ stories – featuring work from shorts programs Queer Kid Power, Finding Refuge, Sense and Spirituality, and I Know What Boys Like – provides a chance to catch up with festival favorites from the newest wave of emerging queer filmmakers.

We hosted an exclusive conversation with the creators & writers behind HBO Max’s SEARCH PARTY: Season 5!

SEARCH PARTY: S5 Conversation with Creators + Writers

Once you're done binging the new and final season of HBO Max's modern comedy classic SEARCH PARTY, check out our exclusive, virtual panel with the creative team behind the series!

Available to watch now on the event page or YouTube

Award-winning true crime doc about the deaths of two Black gay men at the home of influential politico Ed Buck

NewFest Presents: GEMMEL & TIM

“Must-See” – IndieWire

Award-winning true crime documentary GEMMEL & TIM explores the lives and untimely passings of Gemmel Moore and Timothy Dean, two Black gay men who both died from meth overdoses at the home of West Hollywood politico Ed Buck.

Their deaths at the now-infamous apartment sent shockwaves through the LGBTQ+ community. The ensuing media circus cooked up a spicy concoction of sex, drugs, race and politics, but had no appetite for the in-depth human stories of who these individuals truly were.

An innovative hybrid narrative-documentary about trans Latina sex workers in Queens, NY

NewFest Presents: CAER (CAUGHT)

A trans Latina sex worker is arrested in a sting operation in Queens, NY, but this time it’s all a staged recreation, and when “Cut!” is shouted off-camera, the actors relax before the next take. Merging fiction and documentary, Nicola Mai’s innovative hybrid feature explores the epidemics of U.S. incarceration and deportation, making room for the women at the center of the violence to tell their own stories.

Created in collaboration with the TRANSgrediendo Intercultural Collective, a grassroots nonprofit defending the rights of trans Latina migrant women in New York City, CAUGHT (CAER) expresses this struggle for justice and recognition and calls its audience to urgent action.

Five scrappy queer comic book artists journey from DIY work to international acclaim

NewFest Presents: NO STRAIGHT LINES

Celebratory documentary NO STRAIGHT LINES profiles five queer comic book artists whose careers progressed from the DIY underground scene to the international stage.

Offering an uncensored window into LGBTQ+ lives from the 1970s onward, the film follows the scrappy cartoonists as they navigate the AIDS crisis, workplace discrimination, and the everyday pursuits of love, community, and a good haircut. Their work and personal stories are sure to make you laugh, as well as appreciate how they helped to pioneer a queer comics underground against all odds.

Join us in-person for the Season Finale Premiere of HBO Original series SOMEBODY SOMEWHERE, followed by a Q&A with the cast and creators!

SOMEBODY SOMEWHERE

NewFest Member Exclusive: Join NewFest, HBO Max and GLAAD for the Season Finale Premiere of SOMEBODY SOMEWHERE, followed by a Q&A with the cast and creators at Nitehawk - Prospect Park!

Tickets include in-person screening and cocktails followed by a Q&A with star, executive producer, comedian and singer Bridget Everett, co-creators/EPs Hannah Bos and Paul Thureen (writers from HBO’s HIGH MAINTENANCE), and cast members Jeff Hiller and Murray Hill

An all-star cast anchors this nostalgic time capsule of a gay gaggle as they navigate the ups-and-downs of friendship and love in Los Angeles.

Queering the Canon: THE BROKEN HEARTS CLUB

An all-star cast anchors this nostalgic time capsule of a gay gaggle from Greg Berlanti (LOVE SIMON) as they navigate the ups-and-downs of friendship and love in Los Angeles in THE BROKEN HEARTS CLUB.

Maria Maggenti’s enchanting 1995 lesbian rom-com shows how young love can still flourish amidst the hardships of class, culture, and coming out.

Queering the Canon: THE INCREDIBLY TRUE ADVENTURE OF TWO GIRLS IN LOVE

Maria Maggenti’s enchanting 1995 lesbian rom-com shows how young love can still flourish amidst the hardships of class, culture, and coming out.

This playful and heartfelt NYC-set feature finds a Chinese-American surgeon falling for a ballet dancer and reconciling generational divides with her mother.

Queering the Canon: SAVING FACE

The playful and heartfelt NYC-set feature debut from writer/director Alice Wu (THE HALF OF IT) finds a Chinese-American surgeon falling for a ballet dancer and reconciling generational divides with her mother.

A candid and authentic celebration of queer men of color in search of love, this groundbreaking rom-com explores the universal aspects of friendship and romance in dynamic and surprising ways.

Queering the Canon: PUNKS

A candid and authentic celebration of queer men of color in search of love, this groundbreaking rom-com from writer-director Patrik-Ian Polk (NOAH’S ARC) explores the universal aspects of friendship and romance in dynamic and surprising ways.

Passion blossoms between a middle-aged school secretary and basketball coach in this delightfully offbeat 90s crowd-pleaser.

Queering the Canon: LATE BLOOMERS

Passion blossoms between a middle-aged school secretary and basketball coach in this delightfully offbeat 90s crowd-pleaser set in conservative Texas suburbia.

Successful New York artist Henry Hart returns to his small Montana hometown to care for his ailing grandfather and falls in love

Queering the Canon: BIG EDEN

Successful and single New York artist Henry Hart (Arye Gross) is suddenly summoned to return to his small Montana hometown to care for his ailing grandfather.

An unapologetic, modern day rom-com showcasing a diverse, multicultural examination of queerness and romance.

NewFest Pride: FIRE ISLAND (Opening Night Film + Party)

Inspired by the timeless pursuits from Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice, the story centers around two best friends (Joel Kim Booster and Bowen Yang) who set out to have a legendary summer adventure with the help of cheap rosé and their cadre of eclectic friends.

An unapologetic, modern day rom-com showcasing a diverse, multicultural examination of queerness and romance.

NewFest Pride: FIRE ISLAND (Late Night Encore)

Inspired by the timeless pursuits from Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice, the story centers around two best friends (Joel Kim Booster and Bowen Yang) who set out to have a legendary summer adventure with the help of cheap rosé and their cadre of eclectic friends.

The Emmy Award-winning Max Original is back for more, with Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and Ava (Hannah Einbinder) setting out on tour.

HACKS Season 2: Advance Virtual Screening + Panel

In Season 2 of the Emmy Award-winning breakout hit, the dark mentorship between legendary Las Vegas comedian Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and her young, entitled writer Ava (Hannah Einbinder) continues to evolve as the two travel across the country workshopping Deborah’s new stand-up act.

A charmingly honest portrait of three young women exploring their sexuality that breathes new life into the coming-of-age genre with sensitivity and wit.

NewFest Pride: GIRL PICTURE

Inspired by the timeless pursuits from Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice, the story centers around two best friends (Joel Kim Booster and Bowen Yang) who set out to have a legendary summer adventure with the help of cheap rosé and their cadre of eclectic friends.

A vibrant reimagining of the groundbreaking British series set in New Orleans

NewFest Pride: QUEER AS FOLK

A vibrant reimagining of the groundbreaking British series set in New Orleans featuring an ensemble of breakout performances.

A moving Two Spirit odyssey about young Link, who finds community and budding romance as he searches for his birth mother and reconnects with his Indigenous heritage.

NewFest Pride: WILDHOOD

A moving Two Spirit odyssey about young Link, who finds community and budding romance as he searches for his birth mother and reconnects with his Indigenous heritage.

Return to the Pynk and your favorite characters for a sizzling second season of the sensational series from Pulitzer Prize winner Katori Hall

NewFest Pride: P-VALLEY

Return to the Pynk and your favorite characters for a sizzling second season of the sensational series from Pulitzer Prize winner Katori Hall

An award-winning crowd-pleaser from celebrated late filmmaker Jean-Marc Vallée that follows Zac through the 1960s and 1970s as he struggles to reconcile his emerging identity with his father's values.

NewFest Pride: C.R.A.Z.Y. (2005)

An award-winning crowd-pleaser from celebrated late filmmaker Jean-Marc Vallée that follows Zac through the 1960s and 1970s as he struggles to reconcile his emerging identity with his father's values.

An all-star cast of trans artists and actors use a talk-show format to resurface the legacy and stories of mid-century trans lives.

NewFest Pride: FRAMING AGNES

After discovering case files from a 1950s gender clinic, an all-star cast of trans artists and actors use a talk-show format to resurface the legacy and stories of mid-century trans lives in this Sundance award-winner.

A rare look at queer history and gender studies through a living icon who studied queer space from urban gay bars to Fire Island, encompassing amazing archival footage and inspiring intergenerational testimonials.

NewFest Pride: ESTHER NEWTON MADE ME GAY

A rare look at queer history and gender studies through a living icon who studied queer space from urban gay bars to Fire Island, encompassing amazing archival footage and inspiring intergenerational testimonials.

Presented by Chevrolet, this docu-series and conversation tackles some of the LGBTQ community’s most important issues.

NewFest Pride: AUTHENTIC VOICES OF PRIDE: Screening & Conversation

This docu-series and conversation tackles some of the LGBTQ community’s most important issues.

Season 2 of GENTLEMAN JACK remains delightfully witty and again uses the real life diaries of Anne Lister – part of which were written in code in 1834 Yorkshire, UK – as its source.

NewFest Pride: GENTLEMAN JACK Season 2

Season 2 of GENTLEMAN JACK remains delightfully witty and again uses the real life diaries of Anne Lister – part of which were written in code in 1834 Yorkshire, UK – as its source, with every part of Lister’s story based in historical fact and the five million words she wrote in her journals.

Get your wig out of the box and rock out to this iconic queer classic on Governor's Island!

NewFest Pride: HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH (2001)

Get your wig out of the box and rock out to this iconic queer classic!

A delightfully modern coming-of-age story that follows Kelsa, a confident high school girl who is trans, as she navigates through senior year and a budding romance.

Special Screening: ANYTHING'S POSSIBLE

A delightfully modern coming-of-age story that follows Kelsa, a confident high school girl who is trans, as she navigates through senior year and a budding romance, in this rom-com directed by Billy Porter (POSE).

Save the date for the 34th Annual New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival!

The 34th Annual New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival

Save the date for the 34th Annual New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival! 150+ films in-person throughout NYC and streaming virtually throughout the US, plus panels, parties and much more!

Frankie Gonzales-Wolfe attempts to make history as the first openly trans elected official in Texas

A RUN FOR MORE

This intimate documentary follows Frankie Gonzales-Wolfe — organizer, executive, military wife, and daughter of immigrants — as she attempts to make history as the first openly transgender elected official in Texas. In her race for San Antonio city council, boundary-breaker…

LGBTQ Nation’s “Authentic Voices of Pride presented by Chevrolet” is a 360-degree program tackling some of the LGBTQ community’s most important issues

Authentic Voices of Pride, presented by Chevrolet

LGBTQ Nation’s “Authentic Voices of Pride presented by Chevrolet” is a 360-degree program tackling some of the LGBTQ community’s most important issues, bringing context and original reporting to the community and allies on these topics by profiling how real people,…

An androgynous teen forges a complicated bond with the bully at their new school in this retro 1980s throwback

BEFORE I CHANGE MY MIND

It’s 1987 and when new kid Robin shows up for their first day of school, it seems everyone wants to know if they’re a boy or a girl. Robin, however, remains largely unbothered, keeping their attention focused on one person:…

A provocative and unflinchingly honest examination of homophobia in Black spaces

BLACK AS U R

With unflinching honesty, Brooklyn-based filmmaker Micheal Rice interrogates the homophobia that characterizes many Black spaces. In the same week and same city that George Floyd was murdered in 2020, a young Black trans woman named Iyanna Dior was beaten by…

Dark comedy about two longtime friends and drag queens growing up and apart

CHRISSY JUDY (New York Centerpiece)

Besties by day and cabaret drag partners by night, two longtime pals find themselves at a crossroads when one of them couples off and moves away from New York. As the duo drifts apart, the remaining queen must reinvent himself…

A seemingly unbreakable bond between two 13-year-old boys is suddenly torn apart in this Cannes Grand Jury Prize winner

CLOSE

Thirteen-year-olds Leo and Remi are best friends with a seemingly unbreakable bond — that is, until it’s suddenly torn apart, with world-shaking consequences for both boys and their families. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival,…

Darkly hilarious tale of a Moroccan-Dutch man coming out to his family after years of keeping up appearances

EL HOUB – THE LOVE

Having spent decades hiding his sexuality from his family, Moroccan-Dutch Karim decides to come clean after his father catches him in bed with a man. What follows is a series of darkly hilarious and unflinchingly frank conversations between Karim, his…

An author interviews her nephew, a former male model and pansexual influencer, for her next book

I’LL SHOW YOU MINE

Having built a career examining her own trauma, an author sits down to interview her nephew about his history as a hugely successful male model and pansexual influencer. As the wine flows, inhibitions are loosened, distant memories come into sharp…

A man searches for answers about the radical life and mysterious death of his brother, a Vietnam veteran who died abroad in 1972

JIMMY IN SAIGON

Filmmaker Peter McDowell and executive producer Dan Savage’s JIMMY IN SAIGON is a loving documentary about the radical life and mysterious death of the director’s eldest brother, Jim. Chronicling the story of the Vietnam War veteran, who died in a…

Inspiring documentary about Cambodia’s only LGBTQ+-inclusive soccer team

LOTUS SPORTS CLUB

Filmed over the course of five years, LOTUS SPORTS CLUB is an inspiring coming-of-age-story about the only LGBTQ+-inclusive soccer team in Cambodia. 61-year-old Pa Vann — the coach and father figure — established the Kampong Chhnang team in 2009 to…

Powerful documentary about conservative, Christian mothers who have become fierce LGBTQ+ advocates after accepting their queer children

MAMA BEARS

Meet the “mama bears,” a network of conservative, Christian mothers whose profound love for their LGBTQ+ children has turned them into fierce advocates for the entire queer community. Spread across the country but connected through private Facebook groups, these fierce…

A young trans woman in Barcelona searches for love, community, and her place in the world

MY EMPTINESS AND I

Working at a queer call center in Barcelona after relocating from France, sensitive dreamer Raphi helps others navigate mental health crises as she works through her own challenges, including coming to terms with being a trans woman in a brand…

A sensitive, vulerable New York story that explores the relationship of two Black gay men

NANA’S BOYS

A sensitive, vulerable New York story that explores the relationship of two Black gay men. On the morning of his 30th Birthday, Amari struggles to make decisions on what’s next and defining his purpose. Q is on track to become…

A remarkable story of uncovering the past of two women who fall in love at a concentration camp in 1944 and reunite to spend the rest of their long lives together

NELLY & NADINE (Documentary Centerpiece)

This extraordinary documentary follows opera singer Nelly Mousset-Vos and writer Nadine Hwang, who met and fell in love while imprisoned in Ravensbrück, a German concentration camp, in 1944. Despite being separated in the last months of the war, they later…

A poppy yet profound musical parable for the Grindr era

SHALL I COMPARE YOU TO A SUMMER’S DAY

A poppy yet profound musical parable for the Grindr era? Yes please! Driven by a soundtrack of Egyptian pop songs, director Mohammad Shawky Hassan draws on his own personal love diary, Shakespearean sonnets, and folktales from Scheherazade’s One Thousand and…

T4T 4 Trans Films!

SHORTS: A VERY TRANS TIME

Trans people are not a monolith, and our T4T shorts program — trans stories as told by trans filmmakers — demonstrates this tenfold. Get a real and complex glimpse into just some of these experiences through a collection of varied…

Connect with the art of performance as a means of expression in this captivating collection of international shorts

SHORTS: ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE

ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE…and all us queer folks are merely players. Connect with the art of performance as a means of expression in this captivating collection of international shorts. Allow these empowering films that tell dynamic stories of artists…

Dig up and dive into hidden queer histories that started revolutions, saved lives, and changed society

SHORTS: EXCAVATING OUR HISTORY

To this day, many queer stories remain untold. Those who came before us not only lived, loved, and made art, but also sparked revolutions and transformed society. Yet we still do not know so much of this history. Take a…

We’re all mad as hell and NOT going to take it anymore in these eerie tales of rage and release

SHORTS: MAD AS HELL

Life is tough right about now. There’s angst. There’s rage. We are all mad as hell and NOT going to take it anymore. Find solidarity and solace in this furious collection of shorts that confront our torment and attempt to…

Take a ride on the wild side with kinky shorts about queer sex, labor, love, and activism

SHORTS: SEXUAL HEALING

We’re taking you for a ride on the wild side with SEXUAL HEALING — a kinky shorts program about queer sex, labor, love, and activism. Watch as the characters across this group of films overcome trauma in the bedroom, repeal…

Punk singer Grrrilda is turning 50 and all she wants is a reunion with her ‘90s riot grrrl band

VULVEETA

Former lead singer Grrrilda Beausoleil is turning 50 and the best birthday present she can imagine is a reunion with her riot grrrl band. Now all she has to do is convince the bandmates she abandoned 20 years ago that…

Travel through time with experimental shorts that may just answer your existential questions (and leave you with several more!)

SHORTS: EXPERIMENTS ON EXISTENCE

At what point does one arrive — or are we in a constant cycle of arriving? Do we ever truly come of age? The shorts in EXPERIMENTS ON EXISTENCE may just answer your existential questions and will likely leave you…

Short film program curated for LGBTQ+ youth and teens, in partnership with the NYC Dept. of Education

SHORTS: I LIKE ME FOR ME

In partnership with the NYC Department of Education For the fifth consecutive year, NewFest is delighted to collaborate with NYC’s Department of Education and participating schools on an inclusive shorts program — curated specifically with LGBTQ+ youth and teen audiences…

Uproarious mix of comic stories with one aim: to lift your spirits and make you chuckle

SHORTS: LAUGHING MATTERS

Dive into a hilarious mix of silly and savvy stories with one aim: to lift your spirits and make you chuckle. From laugh-out-loud knee slappers to satires of a darker variety, this collection of shorts is all about delivering pure…

A Black family in Brazil tries to keep their dreams alive after the election of right-wing president Bolsonaro

MARS ONE

A working-class Black family tries to keep their spirits up after the election of a right-wing president in Brazil’s official selection for the Oscar’s International Feature Award. As they figure out ways to cope and continue dreaming in the months…

Harry Styles and Emma Corrin star in a beautifully crafted story of forbidden passion and betrayal in 1950s and 1990s Britain

MY POLICEMAN (International Centerpiece)

Global pop star Harry Styles demonstrates he’s got leading-man chops in this story of forbidden romance and changing social conventions, also starring THE CROWN’s Emma Corrin, David Dawson, and queer icon Rupert Everett. Styles takes the lead as a young…

Dynamic, sexy, behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the iconic International Male catalog, which changed the way men looked

ALL MAN: THE INTERNATIONAL MALE STORY

Narrated by Matt Bomer, ALL MAN: THE INTERNATIONAL MALE STORY journeys across three decades of the International Male catalog’s unlikely but lasting impact on fashion, masculinity, and sexuality in America. Gene Burkard, a once-closeted Midwesterner and GI, found freedom in…

An epic, emotional, and interconnected story about internationally renowned artist and activist Nan Goldin from Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Laura Poitras

ALL THE BEAUTY AND THE BLOODSHED (Closing Night Film & Party)

Winner of the 2022 Golden Lion, the highest prize given to a film at the Venice Film Festival, this stunning documentary is an epic, emotional, and interconnected story about internationally renowned artist and activist Nan Goldin. Directed by Academy Award®-winning…

After months of self-imposed lockdown, hypochondriac Francisco wants to have sex — but only if it’s as safe as physically possible

FOLLOW THE PROTOCOL

Francisco is a bit much — at least according to his boyfriend, friends, and social media followers, who are all getting annoyed with his call-out posts and COVID anxieties. When his boyfriend breaks up with him, Francisco decides it’s time…

A handsome drifter falls in love with a charismatic hustler in the big city of Sydney

LONESOME

A handsome country boy running from a small-town scandal finds himself down and out in the hustle and bustle of Sydney, Australia, where he meets a charismatic city lad for a late-night hookup that changes the trajectory of his life.…

Academy Award®-winner Dustin Lance Black explores his upbringing and pays powerful tribute to his mother, who became the inspiration for his activism

MAMA’S BOY (Opening Night Film & Party)

HBO original documentary MAMA’S BOY centers around the upbringing of the Academy Award®-winning screenwriter of MILK, Dustin Lance Black. Traveling back to the places where he grew up, Black explores his childhood roots, gay identity, and close relationship with his…

Rousing documentary about the rise of LGBTQIA+ pro wrestlers past and present

OUT IN THE RING

Ry Levey’s rousing documentary explores the rise of LGBTQIA+ professional wrestlers past and present, combining archival footage and interviews with current and former wrestling performers, historians, and fans. This highly entertaining film uncovers the history of queer visibility in the…

Andrea Riseborough, Harry Melling and Demi Moore star in a neon-lit fantasia about newlyweds who find themselves on diverging sexual journeys

PLEASE BABY PLEASE

Upon moving into their new apartment building, newlyweds Suze (Andrea Riseborough) and Arthur (Harry Melling) become infatuated with the seductive strangers they meet in the neighborhood, including their posh upstairs neighbor (Demi Moore, in an unforgettable performance). As they get…

Join NewFest and Instagram for this compelling conversation with established and emerging LGBTQ+ artists and activists

Reel Storytelling with Instagram (Panel)

Join NewFest and Instagram for this compelling conversation with established and emerging LGBTQ+ artists and activists. Hear their experiences and expertise on using social media tools (such as Instagram Reels) and get inspired to tell your own story and share…

Psycho-sexual drama about a law student who defends women in abuse cases by day, and turns to livecam sex work at night

RULE 34

Simone is living a double life — criminal law student and women’s rights activist by day, and live sex-cam performer by night. As she develops a passion for defending women in abuse cases, her dark impulses for a more dangerous…

Gather your BK besties and and celebrate stories from our community with a delectable collection of Brooklyn-set shorts

SHORTS: BROOKLYN BRUNCH

Gather your BK besties and and celebrate stories from our community with a delectable collection of narrative, animated, and documentary Brooklyn-set shorts! Stories of queer folks painting their next masterwork, eavesdropping on a sexy neighbor, and stumping for love at…

Fun, flirty, and complicated short films that are all about the boys

SHORTS: WHERE THE BOYS ARE

Let’s hear it for the boys with short films that show off how gay relationships can be fun, flirty, and complicated — all at the same time. From romances and fleeting hookups to the intricacies of platonic friendships, this program…

Two night owls navigate love, isolation, and disability in this romantic series

SLEEP WITH ME

Harry spends her nights DJing at the local radio station, dispensing advice to the broken-hearted. As a wheelchair user, she’s learned to ignore societal isolation and now practices hyper-positivity to help others find love. When she meets Luna, a cagey…

Two best friends try to survive a night of drugs, bugs, and obscene intimacy in Carter Smith’s queer horror nightmare

SWALLOWED

Childhood best friends Benjamin and Dom (Cooper Koch and Jose Colon) reunite over an evening of dancing and debauchery, but their fun plans get disrupted when a young drug dealer (Jena Malone) arrives with mysterious supplies and suspicious intentions. As…

In its 30th anniversary year, Tom Kalin’s revisionist approach to the Leopold and Loeb murder case remains a galvanizing and thought-provoking work

SWOON (30th Anniversary)

Premiering at the 1992 Sundance Film Festival, SWOON reimagines the controversial 1924 murder case involving lovers Leopold and Loeb, with writer/director Tom Kalin, co-writer Hilton Als, and pioneering producer Christine Vachon dramatizing the hot-blooded relationship between the notorious pair and…

Join us for our second annual Film Feast and enjoy a contemporary classic along with a paired multi-course meal.

THE BIRDCAGE (Film Feast)

The arrival of a young apprentice disrupts the marriage between a closeted Moroccan tailor and his wife

THE BLUE CAFTAN

Halim is one of the few enduring maalems, or master tailors, in one of Morocco’s oldest quarters. Along with his wife Mina, he runs a traditional caftan store and services demanding clientele. But when a talented apprentice is hired to…

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, this dazzling doc captures the singular artistic outrageousness of a flamboyant ensemble of San Francisco hippies

THE COCKETTES (20th Anniversary)

As the psychedelic ’60’s began evolving into the gay ’70’s in San Francisco, a flamboyant ensemble of hippies known as The Cockettes decked themselves out in gender-bending drag and tons of glitter for a series of legendary midnight musicals. With…

In a small Brazilian town in 1983, three friends come together to try and survive the first wave of the AIDS epidemic

THE FIRST FALLEN

At the turn of 1983 in a small Brazilian town, a group of LGBTQ+ friends ring in the New Year with no idea of what’s lurking in the future. When biologist Suzano realizes a terrible sickness is disrupting his body,…

A young gay Black man finds unexpected support and camaraderie after he joins the Marines

THE INSPECTION (U.S. Centerpiece)

Rejected by his mother and with few options for the future, a young gay Black man decides to join the Marines. Doing whatever it takes to succeed in a system that would cast him aside, Ellis (Emmy and Tony award-nominated…

Queer musician Brandi Carlile ushers her idol Tanya Tucker back into country music stardom

THE RETURN OF TANYA TUCKER – FEATURING BRANDI CARLILE

Hell-raising country music legend Tanya Tucker defied standards and left her mark on the genre. Decades after her moment in the limelight, queer icon and Grammy Award-winning Americana star Brandi Carlile takes it upon herself to write and produce an…

Season 2 of the Emmy Award-winning social satire is set at an exclusive Sicilian resort.

THE WHITE LOTUS (Season 2 Advance Screening)

See the first episode of the second season of the Emmy Award-winning THE WHITE LOTUS before anyone else! Season 2 of the Emmy Award-winning social satire is set at an exclusive Sicilian resort and follows the exploits of various guests…

Three young queer people spend a sunny afternoon drifting through a dystopian São Paulo

THREE TIDY TIGERS TIED A TIE TIGHTER

Gustavo Vinagre’s new film humorously follows three young queer people in São Paulo as they navigate late-stage capitalism and an odd pandemic that erases your short-term memory. Winner of the Teddy Award at this year’s Berlin International Film Festival, THREE…

Dishy documentary about London’s post-punk era and the outsized personalities that shaped the late 1970s New Romantics art movement

TRAMPS!

Rising from the ashes of the punk revolution, a fresh subculture of flamboyant artists and fashionistas emerged on the streets of East London in the late 1970s. Known as the New Romantics, they came dressed to the nines — be…

An odd couple of outsiders hit the road on a border-defying search for their place in the universe

UNIDENTIFIED OBJECTS

Peter is an introverted New Yorker with dwarfism who prefers to hide from the world in his city apartment. But an unexpected visit from his upbeat, eccentric neighbor Winona forces him out of his shell and onto an impromptu road…

Indigenous LGBTQ+ artists and activists rally around their community in the Amazon rainforest to fight for environmental and social justice in Brazil

UÝRA – The Rising Forest

This captivating documentary follows Uýra, a trans-indigenous artist traveling through the Amazon rainforest on a journey of self-discovery. Collaborating with village communities along the way, they use performance art, ancestral messages, and exquisite transformations — often created from materials found…

Five (almost) 30-year-old queer artists navigate life and heartache in New York City in this episodic musical series

WAY DOWN

The road to rock bottom is littered with broken dreams for a group of pushing-30 NYC artists in this captivating episodic musical series. These down-and-out East Village denizens pursue their passions, navigate messy relationships, and unsuccessfully communicate their needs to…

A brilliantly bizarre and comedic adventure told through stop motion from producer Jordan Peele and the director of THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS

WENDELL & WILD

From the delightfully wicked minds of director Henry Selick and producer Jordan Peele comes an animated tale about two scheming demon brothers who enlist the aid of tough teen Kat to summon them to the Land of the Living. But…

Celebrate the fabulous legacy of Olivia Newton-John by belting out the tunes of this mesmerizing musical fantasy at a community sing-along

XANADU Sing-Along

Warm up your vocal cords, strap on your (figurative) skates, and grab some glow sticks for this community sing-along experience. There’s no better (or queerer) way to celebrate the fabulous legacy of the late Olivia Newton-John than by giving yourself…

A galvanizing documentary about Pedro Zamora, trailblazing AIDS activist and ‘90s queer icon from MTV’s The Real World

KEEP THE CAMERAS ROLLING: THE PEDRO ZAMORA WAY

For many young people growing up and watching MTV’s The Real World in the early 1990s, Pedro Zamora was the first openly gay man with AIDS they’d ever seen. Much more than a reality TV personality, Zamora was a trailblazing…

A rare look at queer history and gender studies through a living icon who studied queer space from urban gay bars to Fire Island, encompassing amazing archival footage and inspiring intergenerational testimonials

ESTHER NEWTON MADE ME GAY

A celebratory documentary that explores the life and times of a trailblazing cultural anthropologist and expert on LGBTQ+ spaces. Drawn to the drag scene as a student in the 1950s and identifying as both butch lesbian and between genders, Esther…

Join NewFest for a screening of the New York Premiere of two short films that feature intergenerational themes, followed by a conversation, sponsored by AARP NY

Looking Back and Moving Forward: Screening & Conversation

Join NewFest and AARP New York for the New York premiere of two short films that feature intergenerational themes, followed by a compelling conversation with select filmmakers whose work is featured at #NewFest34. Hear their stories as connections are made…

Join NewFest and Netflix for an exclusive virtual conversation with YOUNG ROYALS creator Lisa Ambjörn and actors Edvin Ryding & Omar Rudberg

YOUNG ROYALS Season 2 – Exclusive Conversation

Join NewFest and Netflix for an exclusive virtual conversation with YOUNG ROYALS creator Lisa Ambjörn and actors Edvin Ryding & Omar Rudberg. In Season 2 of YOUNG ROYALS, winter break has passed and Prince Wilhelm and the rest of his…

The New Class: Celebrating Emerging Queer Voices

This is an incredibly exciting time for new queer voices in film and television. Celebrate the four recipients of NewFest’s New Voices Filmmaker Grant, a program launched this year in partnership with Netflix, by screening their recent short films and…

The New Voices Filmmaker Grant Showcase

This is an incredibly exciting time for new queer voices in film and television. Celebrate the four recipients of NewFest’s New Voices Filmmaker Grant, a program launched this year in partnership with Netflix, by screening their recent short films and…

A provocative and unflinchingly honest examination of homophobia in Black spaces

BLACK AS U R: Award Encore

A galvanizing documentary about Pedro Zamora, trailblazing AIDS activist and ‘90s queer icon from MTV’s The Real World

KEEP THE CAMERAS ROLLING: THE PEDRO ZAMORA STORY: World AIDS Day Encore

For many young people growing up and watching MTV’s The Real World in the early 1990s, Pedro Zamora was the first openly gay man with AIDS they’d ever seen. Much more than a reality TV personality, Zamora was a trailblazing…

Powerful documentary about Christian mothers who have become fierce LGBTQ+ advocates after accepting their queer children

MAMA BEARS: Thanksgiving Encore

Celebrate short films from our 2022 recipients of New Voices Filmmaker Grant, presented in partnership with Netflix.

New Voices Filmmaker Grant Showcase: Encore

This is an incredibly exciting time for emerging queer talent in film and television. Celebrate the four recipients of NewFest’s New Voices Filmmaker Grant, a program launched this year in partnership with Netflix, with a screening of their recent short…

Catch up on festival award winners from the newest wave of emerging queer filmmakers!

NEWFEST34 SHORTS: Award Encore

Featuring audience award winners and jury prize recipients, this eclectic collection of LGBTQ+ stories – featuring work from shorts programs I Like Me For Me, A Very Trans Time, All the World's a Stage, and more – provides a chance…

In a small Brazilian town in 1983, three friends come together to try and survive the first wave of the AIDS epidemic

THE FIRST FALLEN: Award Encore

At the turn of 1983 in a small Brazilian town, a group of LGBTQ+ friends ring in the New Year with no idea of what’s lurking in the future. When biologist Suzano realizes a terrible sickness is disrupting his body,…

An odd couple of outsiders hit the road on a border-defying search for their place in the universe

UNIDENTIFIED OBJECTS: Award Encore

Peter is an introverted New Yorker with dwarfism who prefers to hide from the world in his city apartment. But an unexpected visit from his upbeat, eccentric neighbor Winona forces him out of his shell and onto an impromptu road…

Indigenous LGBTQ+ artists and activists rally around their community in the Amazon rainforest to fight for environmental and social justice in Brazil

UÝRA – THE RISING FOREST: Award Encore

This captivating documentary follows Uýra, a trans-indigenous artist traveling through the Amazon rainforest on a journey of self-discovery. Collaborating with village communities along the way, they use performance art, ancestral messages, and exquisite transformations — often created from materials found…

WE’RE HERE Season 3: Advance Screening + Q&A

Despite a public battle with St. George’s City Hall, the show must go on as Bob, Eureka, and Shangela help Toni, a trans teen struggling with being misgendered… even at home; Gaby, who left the Mormon church after coming out…

SORT OF Season 2: Advance Finale Screening + Q&A

Advance Screening + Q&A | Season 2 Episode 7 "Sort Of Opening" Episode 8 "Sort Of Janazah" The eight-episode second season of SORT OF is the season of love. Love includes your friends, family, work, romantic love and, most importantly,…

A playful and mesmerizing documentary on the extraordinary Mexican/Chicanx performance artist Guillermo Gómez-Peña.

NewFest Presents: 100 WAYS TO CROSS THE BORDER

A playful and mesmerizing documentary on the extraordinary Mexican/Chicanx performance artist Guillermo Gómez-Peña's 40-year career of radical artistic practice alongside his international troupe La Pocha Nostra. Director Amber Bemak presents the philosophical frameworks of an artist with highly impactful, innovative artistic interventions on that border, and presents a unique portrait of his beloved troupe La Pocha Nostra.

This joyous documentary tells the story of the Black queer origins of rock n’ roll and celebrates the innovator – the originator – Little Richard.

NewFest Presents: LITTLE RICHARD: I AM EVERYTHING

This joyous documentary tells the story of the Black queer origins of rock n’ roll and celebrates the innovator – the originator – Little Richard.

Join NewFest for a virtual conversation with 2023 Academy Award® Nominees Lukas Dhont (CLOSE) and Laura Poitras (ALL THE BEAUTY AND THE BLOODSHED)

In Conversation: LUKAS DHONT & LAURA POITRAS

Join us for a conversation between 2023 Academy Award® nominees LUKAS DHONT (CLOSE) & LAURA POITRAS (ALL THE BEAUTY AND THE BLOODSHED).

“The free, ardent, spontaneous creativity of BORN IN FLAMES emerges as an indispensable mode of radical change.” — The New Yorker

Queering the Canon: BORN IN FLAMES (1983)

“The free, ardent, spontaneous creativity of BORN IN FLAMES emerges as an indispensable mode of radical change.” — The New Yorker

“Groundbreaking when it premiered back in 2001, and it still feels just as fresh and original today” –QUEERTY

Queering the Canon: BY HOOK OR BY CROOK (2001)

“Groundbreaking when it premiered back in 2001, and it still feels just as fresh and original today” –QUEERTY

This ravishing film follows Eddie, a trans woman navigating a love triangle in the gay bar scene alongside a revolutionary student movement

Queering the Canon: FUNERAL PARADE OF ROSES (1969)

Set in the queer underground of 1960s Japan, this ravishing film follows Eddie, a trans woman navigating a love triangle in the gay bar scene alongside a revolutionary student movement.

Young punk lovers take a highway to hell after picking up a devilishly handsome drifter in this rapturous restoration of Gregg Araki's iconic 90s work

Queering the Canon: THE DOOM GENERATION (1995)

Young punk lovers take a highway to hell after picking up a devilishly handsome drifter in this rapturous restoration of Gregg Araki's iconic 90s work

An audacious musical satire of love and loss, sex and science, history and hysteria in the age of AIDS

Queering the Canon: ZERO PATIENCE (1993)

An audacious musical satire of love and loss, sex and science, history and hysteria in the age of AIDS.

Queering the Canon: Radical Queer Cinema’s Past, Present, and Future (Virtual Panel)

For this year's Queering the Canon, NewFest and BAM turn their eyes to the totally radical. But what does that mean in today’s media and cultural landscapes that have substantially changed since the days of Gregg Araki and Lizzie Borden?

Kick off Pride Month with NewFest Pride, June 1 - 5 at SVA Theatre!

NewFest Pride

Kick off Pride Month with NewFest Pride, June 1 - 5 at SVA Theatre!

The history of New York’s Meatpacking District, told from the perspective of transgender sex workers who lived and worked there.

NewFest Pride: THE STROLL (Outdoor Screening)

The history of New York’s Meatpacking District, told from the perspective of transgender sex workers who lived and worked there.

Two teenage Mexican-American loners in 1987 El Paso explore a new, surprising friendship and the tough road to self-discovery

NewFest Pride: ARISTOTLE & DANTE DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE

Two teenage Mexican-American loners in 1987 El Paso explore a new, surprising friendship and the tough road to self-discovery.

An androgynous teen forges a complicated bond with the bully at their new school in this retro 1980s throwback

NewFest Pride: BEFORE I CHANGE MY MIND

An androgynous teen forges a complicated bond with the bully at their new school in this retro 1980s throwback

Two unpopular queer high school girls start a fight club to hook-up with their cheerleader crushes before graduation in this raucous romp

NewFest Pride: BOTTOMS

Two unpopular queer high school girls start a fight club to hook-up with their cheerleader crushes before graduation in this raucous romp.

A young girl recounts growing up with her queer dad in '70s and '80s San Francisco in this star-studded drama

NewFest Pride: FAIRYLAND (Opening Night Film & Party)

A young girl recounts growing up with her queer father in '70s and '80s San Francisco in this star-studded drama

This personal and moving documentary illuminates the decades-spanning work of author & activist Jewelle Gomez and her contributions to LGBTQ+ women of color communities

NewFest Pride: JEWELLE: A JUST VISION

This personal and moving documentary illuminates the decades-spanning work of author & activist Jewelle Gomez and her contributions to LGBTQ+ women of color communities.

In this Sundance award-winner, Feña is swept through a day-long series of ups and downs as people who seemed to disappear when he transitioned are suddenly back in his life

NewFest Pride: MUTT

In this Sundance award-winner, Feña is swept through a day-long series of ups and downs as people who seemed to disappear when he transitioned are suddenly back in his life.

Writer/director/star Julio Torres and Academy Award®-winner Tilda Swinton team up for this New York-set absurdist comedy about career dreams, bureaucracy, and the art world

NewFest Pride: PROBLEMISTA

Writer/director/star Julio Torres and Academy Award®-winner Tilda Swinton team up for this New York-set absurdist comedy about career dreams, bureaucracy, and the art world.

This riveting documentary follows the story of tireless researchers who trace the origins of homophobia amongst Christians to a grave mistranslation of the Bible in 1946

NewFest Pride: 1946: THE MISTRANSLATION THAT SHIFTED CULTURE

This riveting documentary follows the story of tireless researchers who trace the origins of homophobia amongst Christians to a grave mistranslation of the Bible in 1946

Join us for a conversation with Josh Bonzie of SAINT X

NewFest Pride: SAINT X: Conversation with Josh Bonzie

The series, which is told via multiple timelines, explores and upends the girl-gone-missing genre as it explores how a young woman's mysterious death during an idyllic Caribbean vacation creates a traumatic ripple effect that eventually pulls her surviving sister into a dangerous pursuit of the truth.

CODED: THE HIDDEN LOVE OF J.C. LEYENDECKER: Screening + Panel

Free Screening + Conversation Join NewFest, American LGBTQ+ Museum, and New-York Historical Society for a screening & conversation Directed by Emmy Award-nominated Ryan White, this powerful short documentary focuses on J.C. Leyendecker, one of the most prominent artists of his…

EVERY BODY is a revelatory investigation of the lives of intersex people

EVERY BODY: Advance Screening

Free Advance Screening EVERY BODY is a revelatory investigation of the lives of intersex people. The film tells the stories of three individuals who have moved from childhoods marked by shame, secrecy, and non-consensual surgeries to thriving adulthoods after each…

A raw depiction of the lives of four black trans sex workers as they confront the dichotomy between the black community and themselves.

KOKOMO CITY (Outdoor Screening)

Free Outdoor Screening Fort Greene Park KOKOMO CITY is the feature directorial debut of two-time Grammy-nominated producer, singer and songwriter D. Smith. This wildly entertaining and refreshingly unfiltered documentary passes the mic to four Black transgender sex workers in Atlanta…

Celebrate NYC Pride with an illuminating showcase of LGBTQIA+ stories from around the world.

SHORTS: Queerly Beloved (Outdoor Screening)

Free Outdoor Screening Fort Greene Park Queerly beloved, we are gathered here today for an unforgettable night of shorts that showcase the varied and vivid experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community. Watch as a nonbinary new parent clashes with the clueless…

For the very first time, told in their own words, the amazing story of how, in four years, Wham! dominated the charts around the world with timeless and classic pop songs.

WHAM! (Outdoor Screening)

Free Outdoor Screening Industry City – 33 35th St, BK 11232 In 1982, the best of friends and still teenagers - George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley as Wham! set out to conquer the world. By June of 1986 they played…

This sexy and true to life rom-doc dating series follows four single folks from NYC on an introspective, eight-city dating app journey, as they explore personal issues around sex, relationships, love and connection.

SWIPING AMERICA: Advance Finale Screening + Q&A

Free Advance Screening Episodes 7 + 8 This sexy and true to life rom-doc dating series, SWIPING AMERICA, follows a group of diverse singles from New York City (Ashleigh, Kesun, Krishnanand, Reagan) on an introspective, eight-city dating app journey, as…

A 1990s serial killer targeting gay men in New York City ignites LGBTQ+ activism in this riveting HBO Original four-part documentary series

LAST CALL: WHEN A SERIAL KILLER STALKED QUEER NEW YORK

A 1990s serial killer targeting gay men in New York City ignites LGBTQ+ activism in this riveting HBO Original four-part documentary series

A solitary writer discovers that his late parents have reappeared at his suburban childhood home

ALL OF US STRANGERS (Closing Night Film & Party)

Follow nonbinary drag artist Marti Cummings in their groundbreaking run for New York City Council

QUEEN OF NEW YORK (New York Centerpiece)

Star-studded biopic shines a spotlight on Bayard Rustin, the extraordinary activist and organizer of the 1963 March on Washington

RUSTIN (Opening Night Film & Party)

Curated for high schools, LGBTQ+ teens and youth GSA networks, in partnership with the NYC Department of Education and GLAAD

SHORTS: QUEER TEEN MAGIC

Two films featuring Urvashi Vaid and the fight for LGBTQ+ Justice

Urvashi Vaid + A SIMPLE MATTER OF JUSTICE (Screening + Conversation)

An insightful documentary about the intersection of sexual life and disability within the queer space

ACSEXYBILITY

An award-winning meditation on the pointless violence affecting LGBTQ+ communities in Medellín, Colombia

ANHELL69

A young teenager and his family are haunted by a mythic forest creature in Argentina

ALMAMULA

Observe five years in the lives of masc-presenting BIPOC New Yorkers

THE AGGRESSIVES: The Original (2005)

New 4K restoration of Isaac Julien’s queer classic, in which two underground DJs seek community and romance in 1970s London

YOUNG SOUL REBELS (1991): 4K Restoration

A call of faith and resilience in the fight for safe LGTBQIA+ spaces within the Black church from Emmy Award® winner Nneka Onuorah

TRUTH BE TOLD

Get ‘Closer to Fine’ with this celebrated Sundance doc about the iconic folk-rock band Indigo Girls

IT’S ONLY LIFE AFTER ALL

A queer married couple's life unravels when their foster child returns to his birth mother

THE MATTACHINE FAMILY

Young lovers on intertwined paths connect across identities in Toronto

THIS PLACE

A trans man and his cisgender, straight friend take a weekend trip that pushes the limits of their longtime relationship

SUMMER SOLSTICE

Passion blossoms between two young men in a juvenile reform center

THE LOST BOYS

A surprising and sizzling collection of sapphic short films, all directed by women and nonbinary filmmakers — followed by our Women’s Night Out Party!

SHORTS: WOMEN’S NIGHT OUT REMIX

An aspiring writer’s family vacation echoes the experience of many young trans individuals as she navigates autonomy, love, and belonging

SOMETHING YOU SAID LAST NIGHT

This powerful program expands beyond genres, identities, and preconceptions for an augmented expression of our Trans+ (trans, non-binary and intersex) community

SHORTS: TRANS+ REALISM

Gather your Brooklyn buds and sink into your seat with this Mary Jane-tinged mixtape

SHORTS: WAKE & BAKE BRUNCH

A perceptive program highlighting the ties that bind – exploring a variety of ongoing connections with parents, siblings, and lovers

SHORTS: WE CARRY THE LOVE

Dive in and delight in this comic collection of laugh-out-loud shorts

SHORTS: MAKE ‘EM LAUGH

This sensational shorts program showcases the unbreakable link between queerness and pop culture

SHORTS: POP! GOES THE CULTURE

Sex parties, sex workers, thirst traps, and a bit of sweet surreal romance sprinkled in for flavor

SHORTS: FRISKY FRIDAY EPISODICS

Boys, men, and masculine bodies meet each other in explosive encounters that are as ephemeral as they are meaningful

SHORTS: LOOKING FOR MISTER RIGHT NOW

Outsized personalities, emotions, and imaginations take center stage

SHORTS: DRAMA QUEENS

21-year-old artist Gena stages radical public performances in Russia to protest Putin’s government

QUEENDOM

Lose yourself in a waking delirium in this genre-fluid, gender-bending program, a treat for the unconstrained mind!

SHORTS: AFTERNOON DELIRIUM

A remarkable true story of tenacity, friendship and the triumph of the human spirit, starring Annette Bening and Jodie Foster

NYAD (U.S. Centerpiece)

Paul B. Preciado’s heralded film essay reimagines Virginia Woolf's Orlando with an all-trans and gender non-conforming ensemble, embracing transformation and playful triumph

ORLANDO, MY POLITICAL BIOGRAPHY

A comedy series based (very) loosely on the true adventures of an 18th century would-be pirate

OUR FLAG MEANS DEATH: Season 2

A love letter to the mosaic of queer lives in Saigon, a city that is as liberating as it is oppressive

MÁ SÀI GÒN (MOTHER SAIGON)