The 37th edition of Newfest kicks off next month in October, bringing some cinematic rebellion to the New York LGBTQ Film Festival.
Running Oct. 9-21 in Manhattan and Brooklyn, the hybrid festival will feature 130 films from 29 countries, bookended with Richard Linklater‘s Blue Moon as the opening night film, before closing the festival with the New York City premiere of David Michôd’s Christy.
Other highlights at this year’s festival include writer/director Annapurna Sriram’s Fucktoys (U.S. Centerpiece), Ryan White’s Come See Me in the Good Light (Documentary Centerpiece), Filipe Matzembacher and Marcio Reolon’s Night Stage (International Centerpiece) and Oriel Pe’er’s A Deeper Love: The Story of Miss Peppermint (New York Centerpiece).
The festival will also feature the NYC premiere of Kirsten Stewart’s directorial debut The Chronology of Water, an Episodic Highlight of Netflix’s Boots and anniversary screenings of Sunset Boulevard (1950), Desert Hearts (1985) and The Celluloid Closet (1995).
“Celebrating queer stories is an act of rebellion—one that challenges erasure and insists on visibility,” said NewFest Executive Director David Hatkoff in a statement. “This festival has always been a space for resistance, celebration, and community, which is all the more vital as LGBTQ+ stories come under attack. The stakes are high—let’s watch films, push back, and have a damn good time doing it.”
NewFest Director of Programming Nick McCarthy called this year’s lineup “a tribute to triumphant stories that center the LGBTQ+ community,” adding: “We’re thrilled to feature new and legacy films that boldly celebrate personal expression and at times defy categorization, while addressing vital topics that include the transformative power of art, immigration, and our enduring lineage. We look forward to engaging artists and audiences in conversation as we amplify the best in queer cinema from around the world.”
See the full lineup below for Newfest’s 37th New York LGBTQ Film Festival.
Opening Night Film & Party
BLUE MOON, directed by Richard Linklater (USA, Ireland)Richard Linklater directs Ethan Hawke, Andrew Scott, and Margaret Qualley in a witty, bittersweet tale unfolding at Sardi’s on Broadway’s most historic opening night: Oklahoma!.
Closing Night Film & Party
CHRISTY, directed by David Michôd (USA)Based on remarkable true events and starring Sydney Sweeney and Ben Foster, CHRISTY tells the story of a small-town boxer who becomes a champion — and a rare queer sports icon — while fighting her fiercest battles outside the ring. New York City Premiere
U.S. Centerpiece
FUCKTOYS, directed by Annapurna Sriram (USA)Award-winning at SXSW and Fantasia, FUCKTOYS explodes with sex, satire, and fantasy — a riotous, heartfelt comedy packed with eccentric characters, wild visuals, and the energy of a cult classic in the making. New York Premiere
International Centerpiece
NIGHT STAGE, directed by Filipe Matzembacher & Marcio Reolon (Brazil)In this neon-soaked erotic thriller, an ambitious actor and a rising politician enter a dangerous affair of public sex and private secrets — a passion that threatens to consume them both. New York Premiere
Documentary Centerpiece Screening
COME SEE ME IN THE GOOD LIGHT, directed by Ryan White (USA)This Sundance Festival Favorite captures poet Andrea Gibson’s cancer journey and love story with wife Megan Falley — a tender, life-affirming portrait that now serves as a moving tribute following Gibson’s passing earlier this year.
New York Centerpiece Screening
A DEEPER LOVE: THE STORY OF MISS PEPPERMINT, directed by Oriel Pe’er (USA)This intimate, uplifting documentary celebrates Miss Peppermint, a radiant NYC nightlife icon and rising trans activist. With unwavering determination and the support of her chosen family, she brightens her own path to success. New York Premiere
Special Events
2025 New Voices Filmmaker Grant Showcase – Screening & ConversationCelebrate the four recipients of the 2025 New Voices Filmmaker Grant, a program NewFest launched in 2022 in partnership with Netflix as part of the Netflix Fund for Creative Equity, with a screening of their recent short films. Join us as we share the auspicious work from 2025 grantees MG Evangelista, Shuli Huang, Farah Jabir, and Kevin Xian Ming Yu, and hear what’s to come in their future projects and emerging careers.
Netflix’s BOOTS: Screening & Conversation with Star Miles Heizer, Showrunners and MoreJoin NewFest for a screening of Netflix’s new coming-of-age series, BOOTS. After episode one, creator and co-showrunner Andy Parker, showrunner Jennifer Cecil, and star Miles Heizer will be joined by one of the show’s veteran advisors Leon Ingleright. Together, they’ll explore the importance of sharing LGBTQ+ military stories, the depiction of resilience and brotherhood in boot camp, and how real-life experiences from the show’s veteran advisors helped inform the series. Don’t miss this powerful conversation about transformation, authenticity, and the ongoing challenges—and vital importance—of telling LGBTQ+ stories in and out of uniform.
Legacy Screening + Events
THE CELLULOID CLOSET (1995), directed by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman (USA)Narrated by Lily Tomlin and based on Vito Russo’s landmark book, this classic 1995 documentary traces a century of LGBTQ+ representation on screen. 30th Anniversary Screening. Presented in partnership with the American LGBTQ+ Museum.
DESERT HEARTS (1985), directed by Donna Deitch (USA)Nearly four decades since its release in April 1986, join us in revisiting Donna Deitch’s classic of lesbian cinema – and one of the greatest love stories of all time.
MAMMA MIA! (2008), directed by Phyllida Lloyd (USA)In our first-ever audience-chosen musical screening, a young bride invites the three men who may potentially be her father to her Greek wedding, all set to the irresistible music of ABBA.
Film Feast: MY BEAUTIFUL LAUNDRETTE (1985), directed by Stephen Frears (UK)Celebrate the 40th anniversary of Stephen Frears’ groundbreaking queer classic, pairing romance, politics, and neon flair in Thatcher-era London — served with a thematically curated multi-course meal at NewFest’s 5th annual Film Feast. 40th Anniversary Screening
Mocktail Matinee: JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS (2001)Rediscover the purr-fect all-girl rock band in this outrageous satire nearly 15 years after its very millennial release in 2001 at our inaugural mocktail matinee celebration.
1950 Best Actress TrifectaThis tantalizing triple feature is your chance to relive one of the most iconic Academy Award Best Actress races on its 75th anniversary, when Judy Holliday won in an upset over the heavily favored Gloria Swanson and Bette Davis.ALL ABOUT EVE (1950), directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz (USA)In Joseph L. Mankiewicz’s iconic showbiz satire, Bette Davis plays an aging actress who takes a younger fan under her wing, unaware the fan’s ruthless ambition will threaten her own career. 75th Anniversary ScreeningBORN YESTERDAY (1950), directed by George Cukor (USA)A junkyard tycoon hires a journalist to educate his mistress, only for her to outgrow him. Judy Holliday’s Oscar-winning turn is an effervescent highlight of classic Hollywood comedy. 75th Anniversary ScreeningSUNSET BOULEVARD (1950), directed by Billy Wilder (USA)In Billy Wilder’s enduring masterpiece, Gloria Swanson plays Norma Desmond, a silent-movie star who hires a hapless screenwriter to mount her ultimately doomed comeback. 75th Anniversary Screening
Narrative Features
AT THE PLACE OF GHOSTS, directed by Bretten Hannam (Canada)Siblings Mise’l and Antle must confront a past that still haunts them. Only by returning to Sk+te’kmujue’kati (the Place of Ghosts), can they face what lingers in the shadows and begin healing. U.S. Premiere
BEARCAVE, directed by Krysianna B. Papadakis and Stergios Dinopoulos (Greece, UK)Set in the green mountains of Greece, in a rural town attached to tradition, two longtime girlfriends are confronted with a bond that is suddenly shifting into a deeper attraction. North American Premiere
BLUE FILM, directed by Elliot Tuttle (USA).A jaded fetish camboy agrees to spend a night with an anonymous client, only to discover a darker, more complicated connection from their shared past in this daring chamber drama. North American Premiere
THE CHRONOLOGY OF WATER, directed by Kristen Stewart (USA)Kristen Stewart’s stunning directorial debut charts the journey of Lidia Yuknavitch, a scholarship swimmer who reconciles her turbulent upbringing and resurfacing trauma through the art of literature. New York City Premiere
DREAMERS, directed by Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor (UK)In a UK detention center, asylum seekers Isio and Farah find solace in new romance amid the fear and uncertainty of an inhumane process. This is a queer romance that shines defiantly against the cruelty of an unjust system. New York Premiere
FANTASY, directed by Kukla (Slovenia, North Macedonia)In Slovenia, three friends defy conservative norms, but their bond unravels when they meet Fantasy, a transgender woman who ignites new desires and forces them to reconsider who they are — and to each other. U.S. Premiere
FOUR MOTHERS, directed by Darren Thornton (Ireland, UK)When his friends skip town, gay novelist Edward is left caring for four strong-willed older women in this warm, witty Irish drama. New York City Premiere
IF YOU ARE AFRAID YOU PUT YOUR HEART IN YOUR MOUTH AND SMILE, directed by Marie Luise Lehner (Austria)Winner of the 2025 Teddy Jury Prize, this moving drama follows a deaf mother and her 12-year-old child in Vienna as they navigate identity, survival, and solidarity in the face of systemic exclusion. East Coast Premiere
IN TRANSIT, directed by Jaclyn Bethany (USA)In a small Maine town, two adrift women discover unexpected passion when one models for the other. Jennifer Ehle and Alex Sarrigeorgiou shine in Jaclyn Bethany’s hushed yet deeply felt drama of art and desire. North American Premiere
I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST, directed by Tommy Dorfman (USA)Tommy Dorfman, in her directorial debut, brings to life the colorful story of Ben, a nonbinary high school teen on a journey of self discovery while confronting a conservative upbringing.
JASON AND SHIRLEY REVISITED, directed by Stephen Winter (USA)In this world premiere, director Stephen Winter revisits the ghosts of Jason Holliday and Shirley Clarke, unveiling new footage and reframing a legendary 12-hour film shoot through a fresh and radical gaze. World Premiere
LESBIAN SPACE PRINCESS, directed by Emma Hough Hobbs & Leela Varghese (Australia)With silly humor full of in-community jokes, the Teddy Award-winning LESBIAN SPACE PRINCESS is an animated sci-fi adventure for any queer person who has ever feared they weren’t cool enough. New York City Premiere
LOVE LETTERS, directed by Alice Douard (France)Paris, 2014. Under French law, Céline must secure testimonies to adopt the child carried by her wife in this moving Cannes drama about love, identity, and the evolving meaning of motherhood. North American Premiere
OTHER PEOPLE’S BODIES, directed by Alan Brown (USA)On vacation, Olivia and Seb are visited by an old friend and his boyfriend. Over the weekend, long-buried grudges and simmering sexual tensions resurface, threatening to upend their fragile peace. World Premiere
QUEENS OF THE DEAD, directed by Tina Romero (USA)In this all-star zombie flick, an undead outbreak encroaches on Brooklyn’s wildest queer party, and a ragtag group of staff and drag performers must team together to save the world before showtime.
QUEER AS PUNK, directed by Yihwen Chen (Malaysia, Indonesia, France)Queer Malaysian punk band “Shh…Diam!” (“shut up!”), with its trans frontman Faris, electrifies audiences with defiant music, confronting anti-LGBTQ oppression while building community, joy, and resistance across borders. U.S. Premiere
QUEERPANORAMA, directed by Jun Li (Hong Kong, USA)A quietly bold drama about a gay man who impersonates past lovers to find himself. Long, intimate scenes explore identity, desire, and the fragile performances of early connection.
SAME, AGAIN, directed by Ruth Caudeli (Colombia)A raw, improvised ensemble drama about a theater group reckoning with hidden abuse and homophobia, revealing the pain they’ve buried—and the power of finally speaking out. North American Premiere
SAUNA, directed by Mathias Broe (USA, Denmark)Johan, a struggling bathhouse employee, falls for a trans man he meets on a hookup app. Their bond forces Johan to confront his biases and his struggle with self-love in Mathias Broe’s bold debut from Sundance. New York Premiere
THE SERPENT’S SKIN, directed by Alice Maio Mackay (Australia)Anna, a young trans woman with supernatural powers, meets a seductive tattoo artist who shares her cursed gift. Together they plot, fuck, and unleash their inner demons to the world. New York Premiere
SHE’S THE HE, directed by Siobhan McCarthy (USA)When high-schooler Alex convinces his best friend Ethan to pretend to be trans to get girls, Ethan discovers she isn’t pretending. Chaos, comedy, and self-discovery collide in this sweetly subversive queer teen romp. East Coast Premiere
SUMMER’S CAMERA, directed by Divine Sung (Republic of Korea)Summer captures her first crush through her late father’s camera — only to uncover photographs that reveal his hidden past, sending Summer on a journey that transforms her understanding of love and family. East Coast Premiere
WE ARE FAHEEM & KARUN, directed by Onir (India)Across borders and against tradition, two men fall into a romance as forbidden as it is irresistible. This sensual, swoon-worthy drama dares to imagine love thriving where prejudice prevails. East Coast Premiere
Documentary/Nonfiction Features
NIGHT IN WEST TEXAS, directed by Deborah S. Esquenazi (USA)In 1981, James Reyos, a gay Apache man, was wrongly convicted of murdering a priest. Peabody-winning journalist Deborah S. Esquenazi’s searing documentary follows the decades-long fight to clear his name. East Coast Premiere
NIÑXS, directed by Kani Lapuerta (Mexico, Germany)Fifteen-year-old Karla, growing up trans in rural Mexico, shares her story with filmmaker Kani Lapuerta, together creating a tender, intergenerational portrait of adolescence filled with courage, humor, and authenticity. East Coast Premiere
ROCK OUT, directed by Dustin Lance Black (USA, UK)Oscar winner Dustin Lance Black’s vibrant documentary uncovers the hidden queer influence behind heavy metal, punk, and rock-and-roll — proving that even the loudest, toughest genres have always been deeply, defiantly queer. North American Premiere
SECOND NATURE, directed by Drew Denny (USA, The Netherlands, Costa Rica)In its world premiere, SECOND NATURE challenges the notion that queerness is unnatural, by turning to nature itself — and the science that dismantles the myth of the gender binary. World Premiere
Shorts Programs
SHORTS: ALL ABOUT THE TA trans-led, nonconforming program of bold, unfiltered short films — original, smart, and brilliantly made. Rooted in community, resistance, and care, these radical works center self-determination beyond mere survival. Dissident bodies come together to claim space, embrace each other, and create futures. ALL ABOUT THE T means no compromise. Join us at Nitehawk following the screening + Q&A for the Trans+ Mixer at 8:15pm! A ticket to this screening grants 1 free drink ticket.Features the short films:ARE YOU SCARED TO BE YOURSELF BECAUSE YOU THINK THAT YOU MIGHT FAIL? directed by Bec PecautFLASH SALE directed by Autumn BoxleyA KIN SIN directed by GulzarMOONBEAMS directed by Elo Santa MariaPUPPIES PUPPIES (JADE GUANARO KURIKI-OLIVO): RADICAL TRANSPARENCY directed by Drew de PintoPUREBRED directed by Caleb J. RobertsRED LIGHT GREEN directed by Eva WuROPE directed by Lucas Manuel-Scheibe
SHORTS: AVANT QUEERThese bold films offer inventive visions that expand the possibilities of cinema while illuminating the spectrum of queer experience. Through experimental narratives, striking aesthetics, and complex queer characters, each work pushes the medium forward with daring originality. Themes of family, connection, and transformation are woven throughout, showing how emotion and innovation can converge to reimagine both storytelling and queer life.Features the short films:GRANDMA NAI WHO PLAYED FAVORITES directed by ChheangkeaHOUSTON, WE HAVE A CRUSH directed by Omar Ben ShacharTHE IMMACULATE HONEY directed by Mauricio Calderon RicoONE DAY THIS KID directed by Alexander FarahSPA NIGHT directed by Jeremy FeightSTRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE directed by Deborah Devyn ChuangTWO BLACK BOYS IN PARADISE directed by Baz Sells
SHORTS: DYKE NYTEDyke drama and lesbian longing abound in this eclectic program of eight sapphic shorts — from chaotic meet-cutes at Riis Beach to a newly out woman’s double date panic, a couple’s painting debate, and a fearless barrel racer’s return to love.Join us after the screening for our annual Dyke Nyte Party, sponsored by HBO Max. This year’s event will be held at Magic Hour Rooftop Bar and Lounge (Moxy Times Square) – show your ticket from the screening to get a free drink!Features the short films:2 GIRLS KISSING directed by Noah SchamusCALAMITY JANE directed by Robin CloudDOUBLE DATE directed by Hannah WolfGIRLFRIEND GIRLFRIEND directed by Sara WernerHAPPY PLACE directed by Sara MongeNEW ACQUISITION directed by Caledonia AbbeyRIIS directed by Kendall Alex PayneSEEK NO FAVOR directed by Elle Clay & Leilah Weinraub
SHORTS: FOOD, GLORIOUS FOODBreak bread with us at our annual Brooklyn Brunch as we share stories of how food — messy or magical — shapes our lives. From unexpected dinner guests to home-cooked comfort, absurd family shenanigans, mysterious meal pals, and more, this nourishing, chaotic collection proves we are what we eat. And this time, we’re really cooking.Features the short films:CARROTICA directed by Daniel Sterlin-AltmanCONEY ISLAND BABY directed by Fernando LopezTHE EATING OF AN ORANGE directed by May Kindred-BoothbyHOME directed by Donja R. LoveIN THE FLESH directed by Emily Frances KaplanLONG PORK directed by Iris DukattMEAL PAL directed by Chen XieSUNDAY SAUCE directed by Matt Campanella
SHORTS: HERE COME THE DOLLSAn audacious shorts program celebrating the vision and brilliance of trans women and those who love them. From vengeful resurrections to satanic rituals, shoplifters waging war on capitalism to secret cults, shadow selves to harrowing births, these genre-defying films crown the Dolls as auteurs, protagonists, dreamers, and disruptors.Features the short films:ARTIFICE directed by Theo RoseBIRTH OF THE HIVE QUEEN directed by Tempest CreationDOLLS directed by Geena RoceroTHE DYSPHORIA directed by Kylie AoibheannMISS directed by Alexandra StergiouPURPLE PATROL! directed by Jessica Q. MooreRAINBOW GIRLS directed by Nana DuffuorTRANSVENGEANCE directed by Kaye Adeladie
SHORTS: IF YOU WANNA BE MY LOVERBOYGet ready, boys. Sexual and romantic desire between men fuels this shorts program, capturing the thrill, ecstasy, and heartbreak of wanting. From bathhouse shadows and Fire Island feuds to forbidden hookups, interstellar love, and erotic rituals, these films revel in fantasy, taboo, and longing. Features the short films:BRIEF SOMEBODIES directed by Andy ReidFAN LETTER directed Zeb DaemenA GARDEN UNDER THE EARTH directed by Pedro LavinLISBON directed by Matthew Jacobs MorganORION’S QUEST directed by Steven ChewPINING directed by David JaffeTHE UPPER ROOM directed by Joel PerezWITHIN A QUIET BODY directed by José Manuel Vélez
SHORTS: IN YOUR FACE!Screw respectability. These shorts are outrageous, loud, and unapologetically over the top. Brimming with style, big ideas, and even bigger characters, they’re impossible to ignore: bright-colored neo-noirs, surreal nightmares, stomach-turning comedies, and queer visions that defy categorization. They’re here, they’re queer — and unforgettable.Features the short films:ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?! directed by Zen PaceATTAGIRL! directed by KlimovskiBLUE VIOLET directed by Josie CharlesTHE FLAMINGOS ON THE WALL directed by Ben EvoryFREE THE BUNS directed by Blanche EnakaLA DICHOTOMIE directed by Suzie Toot, Dan Ingram, Oscar RusoNEST directed by Willem KollerPORELESS directed by Harris Doran
SHORTS: LAUGH RIOTFrom hilarious romps to sharp satire, this collection of comedies will have you laughing through the toughest times. A botched robbery, a shooting range gone wrong, family chaos, and even gay Jesus himself appear in films that prove humor thrives in the wildest situations.Features the short films:BUGGED directed by Keiran Altmann & Katie SchillerCLEAN SLATE directed by Emily May JampelGAY JESUS directed by Aaron JinMANGO CHILE PIE directed by Karan SunilMUNCHIES directed by Brittany Alexia YoungSHE RAISED ME directed by Ben LewisTHEY’RE PACKING directed by Noah Wolfe & Gabi Carrubba
SHORTS: THE QUEER REBELLIONFrom ACT UP’s historic protests to today’s Black trans leadership, these shorts spotlight queer defiance across decades and identities. Whether through street activism, Black trans euphoria, or experimental visions of liberation, THE QUEER REBELLION celebrates community power, radical imagination, and the refusal to be erased.Features the short films:AMERICAN PROBLEMS, TRANS SOLUTIONS directed by Naz HabtezghiECHOES: THE B SIDE directed by Mars Storm RuckerHUSTLEWEEN directed by Samara Pérez SantiagoSILENCE = DEATH directed by Trace Pope
SHORTS: QUEER TEEN POWERNow in its eighth year, NewFest is thrilled to collaborate with NYC’s Department of Education on this uplifting shorts program curated for LGBTQ+ teens. These upbeat, affirming films — from intergenerational bonds to magical drag foxes — give queer youth the chance to see themselves on screen and feel inspired to tell their own stories. The in-person screening of this program on Thursday, October 16th at 4pm is open exclusively to LGBTQ+ students and staff, youth organizations and school GSAs. Registration is free. For GSA leaders, students and school staff, please contact [email protected] with your information to inquire and receive a registration form. Presented in partnership with the NYC Department of Education.Features the short films:BABA I’M FINE directed by Karina DandashiDANDELION directed by Fiona ObertincaDRAGFOX directed by Lisa ‘Lee’ OttA FRIEND OF DOROTHY directed by Lee KnightONE FOR THE TEAM directed by Rain Valdez
EPISODIC SHOWCASE
This bold collection of episodic pilots offers a first glimpse into worlds of desire, history, fantasy, and comedy — leaving you eager for the binge-worthy seasons ahead.Features the episodic pilots:ALL THE THINGS I LEAVE YOU directed by Jade CastroCOMMITTED directed by Monica RaymundDADDIES BOI directed by Jason Avezzano DENIM directed by TEDRADIVINE INTERVENTION directed by Kelly McCreadyTHE MISADVENTURES OF BUCKY & BEENE directed by Lisa M. Thomas
VIRTUAL EXCLUSIVES
SHORTS: SOUND & SCENE SHOWCASE ENCORE (Virtual Exclusive) Celebrate an encore from NewFest Pride of the films created as part of Sound & Scene: NewFest + Concord QTBIPOC Short Film Initiative, a program NewFest launched last year in partnership with Concord Originals.Features the short films:ASHA directed by Moitri GhoshBETTY ST. CLAIR directed by Syra McCarthyMIÉNTEME (LIE TO ME) directed by Nico BlancoTHEM THAT’S NOT directed by Mekhai LeeTAKE A LOOK AT ME directed by Kevin Xian Ming Yu
A NIGHT LIKE THIS (Virtual Exclusive)A chance encounter on a winter night in London leads to an emotionally candid exploration of finding oneself with the help of a stranger.
ONLY GOOD THINGS (Virtual Exclusive)A farmer and a lonely motorcycler collide into each others lives as the two fall in this beautifully bold journey from writer/director Daniel Nolasco (DRY WIND, NewFest32)
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