New York, NY — The 37th Annual New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival, NewFest, is set to return, celebrating the power of storytelling and the vibrant diversity of the LGBTQ+ community. Founded in 1988, NewFest is New York’s largest presenter of LGBTQ+ film and media and the largest convener of LGBTQ+ audiences in the city.
The festival’s mission is to give voice and visibility to the wide scope of LGBTQ+ experiences through films and programs that entertain, educate, and empower. Over the decades, NewFest has become a cultural cornerstone for filmmakers, audiences, and allies alike.
NewFest has proudly presented the world theatrical premiere of Paris Is Burning, a groundbreaking film that continues to influence and inspire generations. The festival has also hosted New York premieres of iconic titles including Hedwig & the Angry Inch, High Art, Boy Erased, God’s Own Country, Celluloid Closet, And Then We Danced, Rafiki, The Watermelon Woman, Trevor, Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt, The Stroll, Bottoms, Problemista, and Kokomo City.
In addition, NewFest has offered audiences advanced screenings of award-winning and culturally significant films such as Carol, Moonlight, Call Me By Your Name, Love, Simon, Welcome to Chechnya, Rocketman, The Kids Are All Right, Weekend, Red, White & Royal Blue, Women Talking, The Other Two, Somebody Somewhere, and Passages.
NewFest has long been a platform for some of the most celebrated voices in film. Filmmakers who have screened their work at the festival include Todd Haynes, Lisa Cholodenko, Cheryl Dunye, Greg Berlanti, Rhys Ernst, John Cameron Mitchell, Luca Guadagnino, David France, Barry Jenkins, Sidra Smith, Gregg Araki, Billy Porter, Andrew Ahn, Alice Wu, Julio Torres, Emma Seligman, Ira Sachs, and Chase Joynt.
This year’s festival will continue to uplift bold stories, groundbreaking creators, and powerful narratives that reflect the richness of the LGBTQ+ experience.
For more information, visit newfest.org.