Panels/Events

BIPOC QUEER FILM CANON KIKI

Presented in Partnership with GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics

Be prepared to create your winter watchlist of LGBTQ films! Join film critics and experts for this of must-see LGBTQ films from the past.

Moderator: Farihah Zaman Panelists: Tre’vell Anderson, Valerie Complex, Jourdain Searles, Kyle Turner

Monday October 19 at 1PM EST

MY GIRL FRIDAY VIRTUAL DANCE PARTY

Presented in partnership with House of Yes and The Mixx

NewFest partners with House of Yes to throw a virtual dance party to close out My Girl Friday, a selection of films by and about the women, women-identifying, and non-binary members of the queer community.

Friday October 23 at 10PM EST

RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Jackie Cox joins NewFest to host a virtual queer trivia night, where folks from across the country can partner with friends to test their knowledge of all sorts of LGBTQ arcana.

Saturday October 17 at 10PM EST

ALL TRANS BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN SCREENPLAY TABLE READ

The film, which originally featured Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal in the lead roles, tells the story of two young men – a ranch-hand and a rodeo cowboy – who meet in the summer of 1963, and unexpectedly forge a lifelong connection, one whose complications, joys, and tragedies provide a testament to the endurance and power of love. Free plus suggested donation.

Cast: Leo Sheng (THE L WORD) as Ennis, Brian Michael Smith (911: LONE STAR) as Jack, Jen Richards (TALES OF THE CITY) as Alma, Alexandra Grey (EMPIRE) as Lurleen, Sam Feder (Director of DISCLOSURE) as the narrator, Mal Blum, Mars Dixon, Theo Germaine, Jordan Gonzalez, Drew Gregory, Vico Ortiz, Jes Tom

Event proceeds will be split between The NewFest Future Fund, to benefit NewFest and its programs for LGBTQ+ youth, filmmaker resources, and year-round screening programs, as well as the New York City Anti-Violence Project (AVP), currently celebrating its 40th anniversary. AVP empowers LGBTQ and HIV-affected communities and allies to end all forms of violence through organizing and education, and supports survivors through counseling and advocacy. The live event will be available to stream for free with a suggested donation, and will be available to watch on NewFest’s Facebook and YouTube channels.

The event is produced in collaboration with #MakeItGay live reads, founded by Gaby Dunn during quarantine to reimagine typically white, straight, cis and male films into ones with diverse casts of various queer people. The organization has produced an all-black cast, all-queer THE BREAKFAST CLUB, a bisexual female-led OCEANS 11, and a reading of CLUE, even gayer than the original.

Featuring an all-star trans cast, this virtual live-read event for Ang Lee’s BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN will take place on Sunday October 18 at 6PM EST / 3PM PST

THE BOYS IN THE BAND: UP CLOSE & PERSONAL

NewFest Executive Director David Hatkoff sits down with THE BOYS IN THE BAND cast members and director for an in-depth look at the new adaptation of Mart Crowley's smash hit play.

Panelists: Joe Mantello, Brian Hutchison, Tuc Watkins Presented by

Monday October 19 at 6PM EST

CENTERING BLACK QUEER + TRANS VOICES IN FILM

Join NewFest Programmer Desmond Thorne and filmmakers premiering their work at NewFest as we celebrate our favorite films by and about the Black LGBTQ+ experience on film and discuss the importance of authentic representation and industry pipeline issues, as well as what we want to see in Black Queer + Trans narratives in the future!

Moderator: Desmond Thorne Panelists: Seyi Adebanjo, Sheldon Brown, Robin Cloud, Terrance Daye, Nyala Moon, Cai Thomas

Tuesday October 20 at 6PM EST

FILMMAKER VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLE WITH NYWIFT (NEW YORK WOMEN IN FILM & TELEVISION)

Hear from the narrative, documentary, and episodic filmmakers featured at NewFest this year as they discuss their work from funding to completion to the film festival landscape.

Moderator: Barbara Vásconez Panelists: Hang Nguyen (director, SIDEWAYS SMILE), Olivia Peace (director, TAHARA), Susan Sandler (director, JULIA SCOTTI: FUNNY THIS WAY)

Wednesday October 21 at 1PM EST

GLOBAL LGBTQ ADVOCACY

As David France’s recent documentary WELCOME TO CHECHNYA spotlighted, film is an essential storytelling medium that provides awareness of, and access to, these vital stories. Join us for a conversation with leaders in the field, who are standing up for the visibility of our LGBTQ siblings around the globe.

Moderator: Adam Eli Panelists: Kimhali Powell (Executive Director, Rainbow Railroad), Maria Sjödin (Deputy Executive Director, OutRight International)

Friday October 23 at 1PM EST

HBO MAX'S EQUAL: AN INTERGENERATIONAL CELEBRATION OF LGBTQ+ ICONS

Featuring the directors and select cast from HBO Max’s groundbreaking docuseries EQUAL, this conversation focuses on the celebration of intergenerational and intersectional approaches the show takes to making LGBTQ Icons + legacies visible.

Moderator: Adam Golub (Creative Director, The Generations Project), Stephen Kijak (director), Kimberly Reed (director), Anthony Rapp, Theo Germaine

Presented by

Wednesday October 21 at 6PM EST

LGBTQ GATHERING SPACES IN THE TIME OF COVID

The Atlantic writer Spencer Kornhaber moderates a conversation focusing on the ways community gathering spaces, historic sites, and queer-owned businesses have been affected by COVID, and the pandemic’s broader impact on the queer community, including its young people.

Moderator: Spencer Kornhaber Panelists: Glennda Testone (Executive Director, The LGBT Community Center), Eric Vaughan (Manager of LGBTQ Programs, Office of Safety and Youth Development, NYC Department of Education), Andria Wilson (Executive Director, Inside Out)

Tuesday October 20 at 1PM EST

QUEER THE VOTE: A CONVERSATION ABOUT ELECTIONS AND LGBTQ RIGHTS

A conversation with New York City Council Member Carlos Menchaca and Marti Gould Cummings, the first non-binary candidate for NYC City Council, around the importance of LGBTQ candidacy, advocacy, and leadership in elections and elected office.

Moderator: Wyatt Harms, Buzzfeed LGBTQ Panelists: City Council Member Carlos Menchaca, NYC Council Candidate Marti Gould Cummings

Thursday October 22 at 1PM EST

SPEAK OUT: JOURNALISM THROUGH AN LGBTQ LENS

NBC OUT’s Editorial Director Brooke Sopelsa in conversation around the importance of LGBTQ+ journalists in media and the vital critical lens that LGBTQ+ journalists contribute to the national and global news cycle.

Moderator: Brooke Sopelsa (Editorial Director, NBC OUT) Panelists: Kate Sosin (Journalist, The 19th), Ebone Bell (Editor-in-Chief, TAGG)