NewFest36 Virtual Program Guide

TICKETING & FESTIVAL INFORMATION

ATTENDING NEWFEST VIRTUALLY

Virtual All-Access Streaming Pass $95

Individual Film Streaming Tickets $14.50

ATTENDING NEWFEST IN-PERSON

Silver Pass: $350

Gold Pass: $750

Diamond Pass: $1500

In-Person General Admission Ticket: $19.50

In-Person Centerpiece Ticket: $27.50

In-Person Opening Night + Party Ticket: $75

In-Person Closing Night + Party Ticket: $75

WHERE TO SEE IN-PERSON SCREENINGS

SVA Theatre: 333 West 23rd Street, New York, NY 10011

The LGBT Community Center: 208 W 13 St, New York, NY 10011

BAM Rose Cinemas: 30 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217

Nitehawk Cinema Prospect Park: 188 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn, NY 11215

*VENUE BOX OFFICES WILL OPEN 1 HOUR BEFORE THE FIRST SCREENING OF THE DAY AND CLOSE 30 MINUTES AFTER THE START OF THE LAST SCREENING OF THE DAY. WILL CALL TICKETS CAN BE PICKED UP AT ANY BOX OFFICE LOCATION WITH A VALID PHOTO ID.

HOW TO BUY TICKETS AND PASSES ONLINE: NewFest.org

OVER THE PHONE: (929) 480 - FEST

October 7-9, 2pm-6pm; October 10-22, 2pm-9pm

FOOD & BEVERAGES AT SCREENING VENUE

SVA: No outside food or drinks may be brought into the venue; concessions including snacks and drinks are available for sale.

Nitehawk: No outside food or drinks may be brought into the venue; food and drink is available for sale.

BAM: No outside food or drinks may be brought into the venue; food and drink is available for sale.

The LGBT Community Center: No outside food or drinks may be brought into the venue.

VENUE ACCESSIBILITY

SVA: SVA accommodates wheelchair seating and provides listening devices for the hearing impaired. For a listening device, locate the house manager or visit the office immediately to the left upon entering the building.

Nitehawk: Nitehawk theaters are accessible by elevator and can accommodate wheelchair seating. To ensure that the wheelchair seating is available for your showing, please contact prospectpark@nitehawkcinema.com. Assistive listening and closed captioning devices are available for most movies and may be obtained at the manager’s office.

BAM: All BAM venues are wheelchair accessible. Accessible seats cannot be reserved in advance. Audio amplifying headsets are available at all films upon request. If you require accommodations, contact BAM Ticket Services at 718-636-4100 or let an usher or BAM staff member know when you arrive.

The LGBT Community Center: The LGBT Community Center is wheelchair accessible and can accommodate wheelchair seating.

HOW TO RUSH AT NEWFEST!

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

*PLEASE NOTE: Each venue may have a slightly adjusted rush plan; please check in with venue and box office staff for exact instructions.

ADMISSION & SALES POLICIES

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

*ALL SALES ARE FINAL. NO REFUNDS. NO EXCHANGES. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

FESTIVAL GUIDELINES & THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Content may not be suitable for all ages. Children under the age of 12 years old are not permitted at any festival event due to this reason.

• Saving space in line or saving seats within the theater for other guests is not permitted.

• Any and all audio or video recording and/or photography is strictly prohibited at the event.

• NewFest is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment for its staff and guests. The festival reserves the right to refuse service and maintains a zero-tolerance policy regarding harassment of any kind. If you are found in violation of this policy, you will be asked to leave and not return. You will not be issued a refund.

• By attending any NewFest screening or event, you give NewFest permission to use your image or likeness for marketing and promotional purposes, both digital and print.

• Please remember to be a good film-goer: silence or turn off your electronic devices prior to the film presentation, no talking during the film, and don’t forget to turn in your completed Audience Award ballots immediately following the screening.

HELP DESK SUPPORT

Please visit newfest.org/festival/faq for the answers to all your questions about virtual and in-person attendance for this year's festival. If you need more assistance please email us at boxoffice@newfest.org or call us at (929) 480 - FEST October 7-9, 2pm-6pm; October 10-22, 2pm-9pm.

HOW TO STREAM BASICS

What do I need to have to be able to watch NewFest, virtually?

You will need to be based in the US, have a valid email address, a NewFest virtual Festival Pass or ticket, and a computer, mobile phone, tablet, or Apple TV (device not the app), Amazon Fire Stick, or Roku on your television. For additional Technical Requirements, please visit https:// newfest.org/festival/faq.

HOW DO I STREAM A PROGRAM?

After purchasing your Festival Pass or Individual Film Streaming Ticket, and logging into our on-demand platform at watch.newfest.org, simply click on your desired selection, then click on the play button to begin.

WHEN CAN I BEGIN STREAMING?

Based on individual rights from content licensors, the majority of our films will be available for Pass and Ticketholders to stream beginning at 12 PM (EST) on Thursday, October 10 All programs must be watched by 11:59 PM Tuesday, October 22.

STAFF & BOARD OF DIRECTORS

YEAR ROUND STAFF:

David Hatkoff, Executive Director

Nick McCarthy, Director of Programming

Gina Hsu, Development Manager

Monisha Gandhi, Producer

Arieta Palevic, Marketing & Communications Manager

Rachel Newkirk, Social Media Manager

Kim Garcia, Technical Director & Programmer

Natalie Polanco, Production Manager

Julia Maddox, Operations Associate

Jen Jacoby, Audience Services Manager

Nikaya Manley, Development Coordinator

FESTIVAL STAFF:

Anita Raswant, Programming Manager

Murtada Elfadl, Senior Programmer

Anto(n) Astudillo, Programmer

Jorge Molina, Assistant Programmer & Industry Coordinator

Bill Curran, Director, Industry & Special Events

Trey Jordan, Lounge Coordinator

Zack Solomon, Venue Operations Manager

Anna Peters, Venue Operations Assistant

Roni Polsgrove, Production Coordinator, Screenings

June Buck, Production Coordinator, Special Events

Molly Grace Fulton, Publications Manager

Kir Alshanetsky, Publications & Design Editor

Hannah Tymann, Festival Coordinating Associate

Lee Comer, Email Marketing Coordinator

Brittney Dias, Content Marketing Coordinator

Jason Lemos, Marketing Coordinator

Michelle Reiss, Community Outreach Coordinator

Kim Moran, Senior Manager, Filmmaker Relations

Patrick Carnes, Filmmaker Relations Manager, Shorts

Leticia Bianco, Filmmaker Relations Assistant

Amy Currul, Volunteer Manager

Johnny LeMaire, Box Office Supervisor

Rachel Cox, Virtual Exhibition Manager

Isabella Jackson, Virtual Exhibition Assistant

Dustin Ersek-Mull, Technical Coordinator

Frankie Murphy, Print Traffic Coordinator

PROGRAM DESIGNER

LuisMarquesDesign.com

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jane Sasseen, Co-Chair

Ellery Washington, Co-Chair

Josh Schiowitz, Treasurer

Adam Natale, Secretary

Mike Balaban

Bill Berman

Ann Bradstreet Brown

Thomas Dima

Michael Dinwiddie

Afua Kafi-Akua

Mathew Lasky

Ronald Lense

Sandy Markman

Aviva Michelman-Dumas

Kyle Pickett

Isabel Sandoval

Ramón Torres

Andrew Uriarte

Ron Simmons - In Memoriam

SCREENING COMMITTEE

Jared Abbott

Cameron Asharian

Andrea Betanzos

Patrick Carnes

Netti Covrigaru

Jeffrey Crowley

Anisse Elias

Rian Grey

Mara Kleinberg

Aniko Kovecsi

Maksym LaRouche

Leon Lister

Chris Mardirossian

Maeve Murphy

Olivia Pearson

Jerry Portwood

Oscar Ramirez

Jude Schoenfeld

Chynah Thomas

Kristina Valada-Viars

Paige “PM” Yancey

MAJOR DONORS & PASSHOLDERS

NEWFEST THANKS OUR MAJOR DONORS, MEMBERS, AND PASSHOLDERS

Our donors, members, and passholders are the heart of our NewFest community. Support from individuals allows us not only to present the annual New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival, but also to offer two more annual series, Queering the Canon and NewFest Pride, additional year-round programs, and support artist development initiatives. As a non-for-profit organization, we’re proud to offer community-based screenings and events throughout the year that bring us together to share stories, open minds, celebrate the LGBTQ+ experience, and support the next generation of queer filmmakers. Thank you to all of our Annual Members, as well as the following individuals:

MAJOR DONORS

Michael Dinwiddie & Vincent Parham

Richard Fye

Bob Ouimette

Josh Schiowitz

DIAMOND MEMBERS

Mike Balaban

Bill Berman & Patrick Forbes

Ann Bradstreet Brown

Earl Brown

Thomas Dima

Michael Dinwiddie & Vincent Parham

Richard Fye

Afua Kafi-Akua

Mathew Lasky

Ronald Lense

Sandy Markman

Aviva Michelman-Dumas & Jill Harris

Adam Natale & Jeremy Goodwin

Bob Ouimette

Kyle Pickett

Isabel Sandoval

Jane Sasseen

Josh Schiowitz

Ramón Torres & Michael Karp

Andrew Uriarte & Marc Parees

Ellery Washington & Reuben Walker

DIAMOND PASSHOLDERS

Anonymous

Rob Anderson

Milly Glecker & KA Hogan

Gregory Pratt

Steve Seidmon

Santos & Weiss

GOLD PASSHOLDERS

Meghann Garmany

Darrell M.W. George & Scott Turner

Michael Gordon

Dave Miller

Isaac Oliver

Ryan Thompson

Richard Pleak & Jon Weatherman

SILVER MEMBERS

Aydrian Howard

Joe Kaiser

Kevin McAnarney

Michele McEnroe

Aaron Oom

Neal Rosenberg

Paul Travis

Timothy Warmath

SILVER PASSHOLDERS

R S Barton

Chris Carter

John M. Davis & Thomas C. Clark

Clarke Griffith

David Levithan

Daniel V Patton

Steven Thomas

Member and passholder listings as of September 15, 2024

AN AIRLINE BUILT FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY.

United for Business offers access to reduced airfare, special rates for media equipment, and a dedicated entertainment support desk.

Learn more at united.business/entertainment.

SPONSORS

LEAD HOTEL PARTNER

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WELCOME LETTER

Welcome to NewFest36!

As the largest queer film festival in the country, NewFest takes our mission to provide a safe and joyful space for queer audiences to celebrate queer stories very seriously. In our festival’s 36th year, we are thrilled to share films that inspire empathy, delight, discovery, and connection, and a lineup that honors the incredible diversity and creativity of the LGBTQ+ community.

The New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival is taking place this year on the cusp of a historic election, and the creative campaign for our festival is a statement: I’m coming. It’s cheeky, but it is also an earnest declaration that as queer folks we plan to show up for ourselves and each other. Time and again throughout NewFest’s history the LGBTQ+ community has needed to raise our voices and fight for our rights. We know how to do this. And we know it’s more effective when we do it together.

This year’s festival will give you a chance to channel, and perhaps escape, some of the anxiety you may be feeling by providing 12 days of community, connection, and FUN! If you’ve been to a previous edition of this festival or one of our many other year-round events, you know how magical it feels to experience LGBTQ+ stories in an environment intentionally designed for queer audiences. Whether at a film screening or a social event like Women’s Night Out or our T4T Mixer, there’s nothing like knowing you’re in a space that was made specifically for you.

If you’re a NewFest first-timer, welcome! We promise we’ll be gentle. :)

Even after 12 days of queer film and community, we know you’ll be wanting more, so please consider becoming a NewFest Member and join us at our other flagship festivals NewFest Pride and Queering the Canon, as well as at our frequent advance screenings and community events. Let’s keep the queer party going all year long!

We are so grateful to our generous sponsors, the incredible NewFest Board of Directors, and the dedicated Festival and year-round teams, for making this year's event possible.

And thank you for being a part of the NewFest community. We are so glad you came.

Enjoy the Festival!

All the best,

David Hatkoff Executive Director

A NICE INDIAN BOY

Dir. Roshan Sethi, 96 min, USA/Canada

THURSDAY, 10/10 AT 7PM, SVA

It’s awkward love-at-first-sight when shyly confident doctor Naveen Gavaskar (Karan Soni, ABBOTT ELEMENTARY, DEADPOOL) meets dreamy Jay (Tony Award winner Jonathan Groff) on his hospital’s picture day. The two men have more in common than meets the eye, and as their relationship quickly develops, the couple faces their biggest challenge: the approval of Naveen’s family.

Written and directed by Independent Spirit Award winner Roshan Sethi and featuring a dynamic ensemble—including sterling support from wry comedians Sunita Mani (EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE) and Zarna Garg—this jubilant rom-com leads to cathartic moments of love and support befitting of an old-fashioned, yet refreshingly modern, happy ending.

CAST: Karan Soni, Jonathan Groff, Sunita Mani, Zarna Garg, Harish Patel, Peter S. Kim, Sas Goldberg

ALL TICKETS TO THE OPENING NIGHT FILM INCLUDE AN INVITATION TO THE OPENING NIGHT PARTY

SLATE (54 W 21ST ST, NEW YORK, NY) FOLLOWING THE SCREENING.

EMILIA PÉREZ

Dir. Jacques Audiard, 132 min, France

SUNDAY, 10/20 AT 6PM, SVA

THEATRE

From renegade auteur Jacques Audiard comes this double Cannes prize-winning powder keg of a film – an audacious fever dream that defies genres and expectations. Through liberating song, dance, and bold visuals, this odyssey follows the journey of four remarkable women in Mexico, each pursuing their own happiness and hopes of liberation.

Fearsome cartel leader Emilia (Karla Sofía Gascón) enlists Rita (Zoe Saldaña), an unappreciated lawyer stuck in a dead-end job, to help fake her death so that Emilia can finally live authentically as her true self on a path to personal and holistic emancipation against all odds. Written and directed by Audiard (RUST AND BONE, A PROPHET), this exhilarating pop opera features sterling support from superstar co-stars Selena Gomez, Adriana Paz, and Edgar Ramírez.

CAST: Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, Adriana Paz, Edgar Ramírez

ALL TICKETS TO THE CLOSING NIGHT FILM INCLUDE AN INVITATION TO THE CLOSING NIGHT PARTY

SLATE (54 W 21ST ST, NEW YORK, NY) FOLLOWING THE SCREENING.

NEW YORK CITY PREMIERE

HIGH TIDE

Dir. Marco Calvani, 101 min, USA

MONDAY, 10/14 AT 7:30PM, SVA THEATRE

As the season comes to an end on the shores of gay mecca Provincetown, a Brazilian drifter and a sensitive American hunk he meets on the beach begin to fall in love. As their relationship grows deeper, HIGH TIDE reveals itself as a complex and inventive narrative about how issues like immigration and race can come between lovers. Deeply attuned to the local idiosyncrasies of its town and community, the film is filled with frank discussions about taboo subjects like interracial sexual objectification and queer alienation. Buoyed by its sterling ensemble, including Academy Award winner Marisa Tomei (MY COUSIN VINNY), film and theater veteran Bill Irwin (RACHEL GETTING MARRIED) and Independent Spirit Award winner Mya Taylor (TANGERINE), HIGH TIDE will leave you longing for the halcyon days of summer.

CAST: Marco Pigossi, James Bland, Mya Taylor with Marisa Tomei and Bill Irwin

NEW YORK CITY PREMIERE

THIS FILM WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A Q&A

BIRD

Dir. Andrea Arnold, 119 min, UK/USA/France/Germany

TUESDAY, 10/15 AT 7:30PM, SVA THEATRE

This latest cinematic venture from Academy Award-winning auteur Andrea Arnold (AMERICAN HONEY, FISH TANK) is a bold and evocative exploration of a fractured world told through the untainted eyes of youth. Nykiya Adams is mesmerizing as Bailey, a resourceful teenager living on the fringes of Kent, England. Her innocence stands in stark contrast to the shadowy dealings of her father (Academy Award nominee Barry Keoghan, SALTBURN) and the so-called protectors who claim to fight for justice despite their violent methods. The film features standout performances by Adams, Keoghan and Franz Rogowski (PASSAGES), who bring textured depth to their complex roles. Nominated for the Queer Palm at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, this deeply personal film captures both the haunting and hopeful aspects of its setting with striking empathy and ingenuity.

CAST: Nykiya Adams, Barry Keoghan, Franz Rogowski

LIZA: A TRULY TERRIFIC, ABSOLUTELY TRUE STORY

Dir. Bruce David Klein, 104 min, USA

THURSDAY, 10/17 AT 7PM, SVA THEATRE

Liza (with a Z!) Minnelli has always been larger than life. As the daughter of two titans within Hollywood history, she was born with showbiz running through her veins. With interviews with the singular star at its center, this divine documentary dives into the ups and downs of Liza’s life and career, exploring how she became a cultural icon in the worlds of film, theater, music and fashion. Featuring intimate interviews with the likes of Mia Farrow, Chita Rivera, Ben Vereen, Joel Grey, John Kander and Darren Criss, LIZA: A TRULY TERRIFIC ABSOLUTELY TRUE STORY is a heartfelt, sweeping and sparkling portrait of one of the most electrifying entertainers the world has ever seen.

CAST: Mia Farrow, Ben Vereen, Chita Rivera, John Kander, Lorna Luft, Joel Grey

NEW YORK PREMIERE

FANATICAL: THE CATFISHING OF TEGAN AND SARA

Dir. Erin Lee Carr, 99 min, USA

WEDNESDAY, 10/16 AT 8PM, SVA THEATRE

Tegan and Sara ascended to global fame as one of the most influential queer indie rock bands of their generation. They worked hard to cultivate an inclusive and passionate fanbase around the world. Listeners were drawn to the duo's beautifully confessional lyrics, but there was more than just the music. Fans found within the community the only safe space to come out and be queer during a time when few bands would declare allyship, let alone celebrate their own queer identity. But a bad actor took advantage of the community's trust and comfort, and Tegan and Sara's world turned upside down when Tegan's personal files were hacked in 2011, revealing the dark side of fame and fandom.

Fresh off its premiere at TIFF and directed with compassion by filmmaker and investigator Erin Lee Carr (BRITNEY VS. SPEARS), this searing documentary is a sprawling yet intimate story of how Tegan's identity was stolen and weaponized in a complex catfish scheme to ensnare members of this community.

CAST: Tegan Quin, Sara Quin, Erin Lee Carr, Jenny Eliscu

ASOG

Dir. Seán Devlin, 99min, Canada, Philippines

An innovative film that astonishes with its dynamic tone and vibrancy, ASOG is a surprising piece of trans cinema, combining road movie and docu-drama with sharp wit and emotional depth. Set in the wake of a devastating typhoon, the film follows REY, a nonbinary Filipino school teacher, on an exhilarating road trip to a drag pageant. Along the way, REY navigates a landscape scarred by climate change while handling a romantic relationship that must endure the storm’s aftermath and becoming a guardian to a young student searching for his father. Executive produced by Adam McKay and Alan Cumming, ASOG offers a unique exploration of solidarity and recovery. Co-writer and director Seán Devlin’s visionary work is a must-see for fans of LGBTQ+ cinema.

CAST: Jaya, Arnel Pablo, Ricky Gacho Jr.

BABY

Dir. Marcelo Caetano, 107 min, Brazil/France/The Netherlands

NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE

SATURDAY, 10/12 AT 9PM, SVA THEATRE

At 18 years old, Wellington has been released from a juvenile detention center in São Paulo. With no family, friends or resources to survive on his own, he turns to Ronaldo, a beguiling and experienced older man who introduces him to new and exciting ways to survive in the underbelly of the city. The fun doesn’t last, however, as the passion in their relationship inevitably turns tumultuous. The bustling streets of Brazil come to life with dizzying vibrancy, allure and danger in this sublime feature from this year’s Cannes Film Festival. BABY presents the city as a journey of self-discovery, with desire, emotion and pain hiding in every corner.

CAST: João Pedro Mariano, Ricardo Teodoro, Ana Flavia Cavalcanti, Bruna Linzmeyer, Luiz Bertazzo, Marcelo Varzea, Patrick Coelho, Kyra Reis, Baco Pereira, Sylvia Prado, Ariane Aparecida, Victor Hugo Martins, Kelly Campelo

EAST COAST PREMIERE

CABO NEGRO

Dir. Abdellah Taïa, 74 min, France/Morocco

SATURDAY, 10/19 AT 9PM, SVA THEATRE

Suddenly stranded in a resort villa they cannot afford when their expected host never arrives, Soundouss and Jaâfar must figure out ways to make money—fast. Set in the titular, eerily tranquil Moroccan beach enclave, this beguiling feature from Abdellah Taïa (SALVATION ARMY) is both a sly examination of upended expectations, homophobia and sex tourism and an ambiguously sexy vacation thriller. Reckoning with queerness within the prism of Arabic and Muslim culture, Taïa adds artistic rigor to confront age-old beliefs while maintaining a compassionate gaze for all his characters.

CAST: Youness Beyej, Oumaima Barid, Julian Compan

NEW YORK PREMIERE

THIS FILM WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A Q&A

CARNAGE FOR CHRISTMAS

Dir. Alice Maio Mackay, 70 min, Australia

WEDNESDAY, 10/16 AT 7:30PM, NITEHAWK PROSPECT PARK

In this festive nightmare, sharp-witted true crime podcaster Lola returns to her conservative hometown for the first time since transitioning. Her Christmas homecoming is fraught with tension as she confronts both the ghosts of her past and a far more sinister horror in the present: a vengeful serial killer emerging from the grave to wreak havoc on the entire town. With each murder more grotesque than the last, Lola must unearth the killer’s dark secrets before her Christmas turns into a massacre. Australian talent Alice Maio Mackay (SO VAM, T BLOCKERS) returns with her fifth feature, completed at the age of 18 and edited by the remarkable Vera Drew (THE PEOPLE’S JOKER). Resourcefully low-budget, CARNAGE FOR CHRISTMAS delivers a thrilling and chilling trans horror that will captivate all audiences.

CAST: Jeremy Moineau, Dominique Booth, Tumelo Nthupi, Zarif, Olivia Deeble, Joe Romeo, Yassica Switakowski, Lewi Dawson, Alyssa Peters, Lisa Fanto, Iris Mcerlean, Toshiro Glenn, Molly Ferguson, Cassie Hamilton

OIN US IN THE LOUNGE AFTER THE PROGRAM FOR THE T4T MIXER, SPONSORED BY HINGE!

NEW YORK PREMIERE

DRIP LIKE COFFEE

Dir. Anaiis Cisco, USA, 91 MIN

WEDNESDAY, 10/16 AT 7PM, BAM ROSE CINEMA

Set against the vibrant tapestry of historic Brooklyn, DRIP LIKE COFFEE follows Kali, a dedicated barista, whose world transforms when she meets up-and-coming photographer Mel. Struggling to emotionally support her needy boyfriend, Kali finds moments of delight through intimate conversations and sharing delicious coffee notes with Mel. NewFest alumna Anaiis Cisco directs this sensual exploration of Black women’s love stories, celebrating the life-altering impact of genuine chemistry and challenging mainstream narratives with its honest portrayal of romance and self-discovery.

CAST: Artwell-Freeman, Kashanie Lagrotta-Butler, Ralphy Lopez, Brittney Jenkins

NEW YORK PREMIERE

THIS FILM WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A Q&A

DUINO

Dir. Juan Pablo Di Pace, Andrés P. Estrada, 108 min, USA/Argentina/Italy

SATURDAY, 10/12 AT 6PM, SVA THEATRE

CO-PRESENTED BY

Thirty years after spending a summer in an international school, artistically frustrated film director Matías (writer and co-director Juan Pablo Di Pace) receives an unexpected wedding invitation that reconnects him with old friends. Reunited with Swedish dreamboat Alexander for the first time since their elusive and undeclared first love, Matías is forced to face the demons of his past and close a chapter that still haunts him. Past and present are intrinsically linked in this delightfully romantic drama, as the decisions made under the spell of youth carry sobering repercussions decades later.

CAST: Juan Pablo Di Pace, Santiago Madrussan, August Wittgenstein, Krista Kosonen, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson

THIS FILM WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A Q&A

EXTREMELY UNIQUE DYNAMIC

Dir. Harrison Xu, Ivan Leung, Katherine Dudas, 68 min, USA

THURSDAY, 10/17 AT 7:30PM, NITEHAWK PROSPECT PARK

Two friends—self-proclaimed movie nerds and unabashed potheads—decide to make a film together. Embracing a vast array of storytelling tropes, EXTREMELY UNIQUE DYNAMIC creates a sharply satirical look at the current state of filmmaking and contentcraving Hollywood. The jokes come hard and fast but the heart of the film lies in the affectionate camaraderie between the two leads. Marked by deft and charismatic performances, snappy and hilarious dialogue, and an insider’s knowledge of the film industry, this sly stoner romp is uproariously funny and exactingly critical—it loves filmmaking too much to not see its foibles.

CAST: Harrison Xu, Ivan Leung, Hudson Yang, Nathan Doan

THIS FILM WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A Q&A

GONDOLA

Dir. Veit Helmer, 85 min, Germany/Georgia

FRIDAY, 10/11 AT 6:45PM, NITEHAWK PROSPECT PARK

In the mountains of Georgia, two cable car attendants pass one another every day. As knowing glances turn to real feelings, the two women’s love story plays out like a delightfully whimsy Wes Anderson film without the dialogue. When the romantic gestures are this sweeping, no words are necessary.

CAST: Nino Soselia, Mathilde Irrmann

HIDDEN FLORA

Dir. Ryan Rox, 93 min, USA

FRIDAY, 10/11 AT 7:30PM, NITEHAWK PROSPECT PARK

Meet Roxii, a lovelorn teen in New Mexico looking for romance and navigating the layers they must shed to embrace their true identity. From nurturing crushes on friends to a string of flings as they fool around with skater boys, Roxii has moxie in spades, but what they yearn for most is to find connection and trust. With her auspicious debut feature, director Ryan Rox transforms personal experiences into a powerfully punchy cinematic journey that offers a fresh, bold and empathetic exploration of self-discovery. Rox presents a vivid narrative that resonates with profound authenticity and emotional depth, capturing the complexities of transformation and rebirth with stylish panache.

CAST: Luca Silver, Nick Check, Jaxon Inge, AJ Tumminaro, Madison Junchaya, Charleigh Tallman, Walker Stovall, Jeffery McKnight, Kalorie Karbdashian-Williams, and Ryan Rox

THIS FILM WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A Q&A

NEW YORK PREMIERE

I DON'T UNDERSTAND YOU

Dirs. Brian Crano, David Craig, 96 min, USA/Italy

SATURDAY, 10/19 AT 9:30PM, SVA THEATRE

Andrew Rannells and Nick Kroll bring their signature comedic flair to this SXSW sensation about a vacation that spirals deliriously out of control. As married couple Dom and Cole set off to Italy in an effort to reconnect after 10 years of marriage and before bringing home their adopted child, they encounter a series of hysterical and increasingly intense cultural barriers that threaten to upset their best-laid plans. Featuring cameos from Amanda Seyfried and Morgan Spector, I DON’T UNDERSTAND YOU is a starstudded, pitch-black, raucous good time.

CAST: Nick Kroll, Andrew Rannells, Morgan Spector, Amanda Seyfried, Nunzia Schiano

THIS FILM WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A Q&A

LAYLA

Dir. Amrou Al-Kadhi, 100 min, United Kingdom

MONDAY, 10/14 AT 6:30PM, SVA THEATRE

LAYLA is your ticket to the vibrant world of London’s queer nightlife, where a young British-Palestinian drag performer lights up every stage with their beguiling presence. As Layla finds themselves drawn to an unexpected new beau, they face pivotal decisions about their identity and how to best honor their true self in front of their friends and family.

This Sundance sensation draws from nonbinary director Amrou Al-Kadhi’s personal experiences exploring queer identity and racial politics as a drag performer. Weaving mesmerizing performances with heartfelt storytelling, the film offers a courageous and insightful exploration of self-love and authenticity.

CAST: Bilal Hasna, Louis Greatorex, Safiyya Ingar, Darkwah, Terique Jarrett, Sarah Agha, Rebecca Lucy Taylor, Baby

LILIES NOT FOR ME

Dir. Will Seefried, 99 min, USA

FRIDAY, 10/11 AT 6:30PM, SVA THEATRE

In 1920s England, a young novelist (Fionn O’Shea, DATING AMBER, HANDSOME DEVIL) has been institutionalized because of his sexuality. As he tells his story to a sensitive nurse, he reveals the love he shared with a handsome doctor who became convinced their shared ‘condition’ could be cured. Writer/director Will Seefried’s bleedingly romantic debut feature shines an unflinching light on a dark and mostly unknown period of gay history. Evoking a handsome Merchant Ivory-esque production with a dash of gothic flair, LILIES NOT FOR ME is a reminder that despite the many attempts throughout history to change queer folks at their very core, passion and love have always persevered.

CAST: Fionn O'Shea, Robert Aramayo, Erin Kellyman, Jodi Balfour and Louis Hofmann

OUT

Dir. Dennis Alink, 93 min, The Netherlands/Germany

WEDNESDAY, 10/16 AT 7PM, SVA THEATRE

Tom and Ajani yearn for the moment they can leave their small-minded, rural town in the Netherlands and be open about their relationship and identities. But when the two young men move to Amsterdam to enroll in film school, they find themselves enmeshed in an explosive and relentless queer scene that challenges their ideas of who they are and what they want. Dripping with sleek style and shot in sumptuous black and white cinematography, OUT presents gay nightlife as a seductive creature that lures newcomers in and turns everything upside down, especially for those unaccustomed to a world that not only embraces you, but desires you.

CAST: Bas Keizer, Jefferson Yaw-Frempong Manson, Robbert Rodenburg, Fjodor Jozefzoon

THIS FILM WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A Q&A

EAST COAST PREMIERE

PONYBOI

Dir. Esteban Arango, 103 min, USA

SATURDAY, 10/12 AT 9:30PM, SVA THEATRE

This exhilarating neo-noir feature based on the NewFest31 award-winning short film is a wild, neon-lit ride through the underbelly of New Jersey. Breakthrough writer and producer River Gallo stars as Ponyboi, who is forced to navigate the intricate terrain of gender affirmation within a perilous battle for survival at some of the Garden State’s shadiest locations, from laundromats to mob dens to 24-hour diners. When they become entangled in a drug deal on Valentine’s Day that goes horribly wrong, chaos and violence erupt and Ponyboi must confront both personal and existential trials.

CAST: River Gallo, Dylan O'Brien, Victoria Pedretti, Murray Bartlett, Indya Moore

THIS FILM WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A Q&A

NEW YORK PREMIERE

QUEENS OF DRAMA

Dir. Alexis Langlois, 115 min, France/Benelux

MONDAY, 10/14 AT 7:30PM, NITEHAWK PROSPECT PARK

An outrageous musical satire inspired by the American pop frenzy of the early 2000s (think Britney and Christina), QUEENS OF MY DREAMS charts the rise and fall of new star Mimi Madamour and her passionate, rage-fueled love affair with punk icon Billie Kohler. Featuring an iconic cast, including Asia Argento (MARIE ANTOINETTE) and Alma Jodorowsky (BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR), this film vividly dissects the turbulence of toxic relationships—whether between fans and their idols or within passionate queer love affairs. Director Alexis Langlois (THE DEMONS OF DOROTHY, NewFest33) embraces unapologetically glittery and gaudy aesthetics to make his newest film a visual feast.

CAST: Louiza Aura, Gio Ventura, Asia Argento, Alma Jodorowsky, Bilal Hassani

EAST COAST PREMIERE

ROOKIE

Dir. Samantha Lee, 94 min, Philippines

SUNDAY, 10/13 AT 12:45PM, NITEHAWK PROSPECT PARK

Starting a new high school is rough for shy basketballer Ace, especially when she is recruited for volleyball against the wishes of popular team captain Jana. But is it competition causing the tension, or the feelings that start to develop between the two athletes? As the team’s athletic performance continues to improve, Ace and Jana unite to fight for justice, both on and off the court. Director Samantha Lee (BILLIE AND EMMA, NewFest31) serves up teen romance with heartfelt charm, showing how connection empowers us to face any challenge. Come for the zingers and stay for the revelation of what it means to stand up for yourself.

CAST: Pat Tingjuy, Aya Fernandez, Agot Isidro

THE QUEEN OF MY DREAMS (NEWFEST PRIDE ENCORE)

Dir. Fawzia Mirza, 97 min, Canada/Pakistan

Grad student Azra feels worlds apart from her seemingly rigid mother yet uncovers their unexpected connections on a trip to Pakistan in this vibrant festival favorite (TIFF, SXSW) from writer/director Fawzia Mirza. Spanning three decades in the life of a Pakistani-Canadian family, this delightful dramedy explores intergenerational connections between mothers and daughters, East and West, and home and away. Infused with humor, romance, music, and Bollywood fantasy, THE QUEEN OF MY DREAMS shows the expansive journey of women seeking to define and decide their own paths, while simultaneously learning—or remembering—how to love.

CAST: Amrit Kaur, Nimra Bucha, Hamza Haq, Ayana Manji, Gul-e-Rana, Ali A. Kazmi, Meher Jaffri

THROUPLE

Dir. Greyson Horst, 92 min, USA

FRIDAY, 10/11 AT 9PM, SVA THEATRE

Michael stumbles into the street after a disappointing night out in the city and meets married couple Georgie and Connor. It’s 2024, so naturally, the three decide to go home together. But what starts out as a frisky no-strings-attached encounter slowly evolves into a new, exciting and much more complicated relationship, replete with insecurities and judgment alongside the deep bond that they’ve formed. THROUPLE is an offbeat romantic comedy that equally celebrates and closely examines a new kind of relationship dynamic emerging in the queer community. With a largely local cast and crew, the film is deeply embedded in NYC life, full of characters as eclectic and infatuating as the city itself.

CAST: Michael Doshier, Jess Gabor, Tristan Carter-Jones, Tommy Heleringer, Stanton Plummer-Cambridge, Taylor Turner, Bethlehem Million, Nicky O, Mini Horrorwitz

TOPS

Dirs. Ames Pennington, Jos Bitelli, 70 min, United Kingdom

THURSDAY, 10/17 AT 6:45PM, NITEHAWK PROSPECT PARK

“What TOP did you wanna wear after TOP surgery?” That’s the sincere question posed by filmmaker Ames Pennington, posing as a deadpan TV host, as they barrel into the homes of interviewees in a desperate attempt to make their first trans friend. This brash, satirical faux documentary nods to early aughts reality shows such as “MTV Cribs,” leading to a campy and chaotic romp that sparkles with affirmation for the trans-masc experience.

CAST: Maz Murray, Yaz Senghor, Elliot Davis, Oskar Marchock

NEW YORK PREMIERE

THIS FILM WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A Q&A

WHAT A FEELING

Dir. Katharina Rohrer, 110 min, Austria

FRIDAY, 10/18 AT 6:45PM, SVA THEATRE

A classically crowd-pleasing rom-com about two women meeting in middle age, WHAT A FEELING earns both laughs and pathos. The confident and sexy Fa, who is of Persian heritage and semi-closeted to her otherwise supportive family, crosses paths with Marie Theres—recently separated from a long, suffocatingly bourgeois marriage to a man—at just the right time. While sparks immediately fly, the two women experience the push-pull of being caught between family expectations and their romantic fervor. With chemistry to spare between its stars and an ebullient tempo, the raucous and poignant WHAT A FEELING will leave audiences with full hearts and an overwhelming desire to hit the dance floor.

CAST: Louiza Aura, Gio Ventura, Asia Argento, Alma Jodorowsky, Bilal Hassani

THIS FILM WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A Q&A

YOUNG HEARTS

Dir. Anthony Schatteman, 100 min, Belgium/Netherlands

SUNDAY, 10/13 AT 4:30PM, SVA THEATRE

Elias is at the verge of adolescence, fighting for his father’s attention while navigating schoolyard friendships and could-be romances. When openly queer teen Alexander moves in across the street, the two develop a fast and deep friendship. However, Elias’ feelings start to grow deeper, and he realizes that he might be falling in love for the very first time—with all the excitement, confusion and joy that it entails. YOUNG HEARTS portrays the aches of a first romance with remarkable sincerity and openness, and is an affirming reminder of the dizzying journey that is young adulthood. Directed and co-written by Anthony Schatteman in collaboration with his bestie co-writer Lukas Dhont (CLOSE, NewFest34), this sincere story shows that while coming out may be easier for new generations, there is no avoiding your first heartbreak.

CAST: Lou Goossens, Marius De Saeger

THIS FILM WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A Q&A

THE FOLLOWING FILMS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO STREAM THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES DURING NEWFEST36:

A HOUSE IS NOT A DISCO ALOK ASOG

DALTON’S DREAM

DRESSED IN BLUE (1983)

DRIP LIKE COFFEE

DUINO

EPISODIC SHOWCASE

GONDOLA*

HIDDEN FLORA

I’M NOT EVERYTHING I WANT TO BE LESVIA

LIFE IS NOT A COMPETITION, BUT I’M WINNING LOOKING FOR LANGSTON & TONGUES UNTIED MEANWHILE

NEW VOICES FILMMAKER GRANT SHOWCASE OUT

SHORTS: BESTIES BRUNCH

SHORTS: BOY, SO CONFUSING

SHORTS: CARIBBEAN PRIDE POWER

SHORTS: COMEDY COMES OUT

SHORTS: LET’S DO THE TIME WARP AGAIN

SHORTS: LOVE IS STRONGER THAN SHAME

SHORTS: QUEER LIVES ACROSS TIME & AMERICA

SHORTS: QUEER TEEN MOXIE

SHORTS: T4TRANSGRESSIVE

SHORTS: TLC (TRANS LOVING CARE)

SHORTS: WOMEN’S NIGHT OUT

SOMEBODY SOMEWHERE SEASON 3 (EPS 1+2) TEACHES OF PEACHES*

THE QUEEN OF MY DREAMS THE SILENCE OF MY HANDS THIS IS BALLROOM TOPS

VENENO (SEASON 2: DRESSED IN BLUE) WHAT A FEELING

Join us after the screening of SHORTS: WOMEN’S NIGHT OUT on October 12th at Magic Hour Rooftop Bar and Lounge from 9:00PM-12:00AM.

Join us after SHORTS: T4TRANSGRESSIVE on October 16 at Nitehawk’s Trees Lounge from 8:30-11:00 PM.

SPONSORED BY HINGE

Passholders get exclusive access to the lounge during the festival, located in Chelsea within walking distance from SVA Theatre and The Center.

The Festival Lounge is open every day from 1:30-7:30, and is the perfect spot to grab a complimentary cocktail, have a meeting, or both – if that’s the vibe. Recharge + Relax between screenings with complimentary snacks, refreshments, and free WiFi.

A HOUSE IS NOT A DISCO (NEWFEST PRIDE ENCORE)

Dir. Brian J. Smith, 90 min, USA

Captured through a lens both loving and compelling, this SXSW Official Selection spends a year in the life of the world’s most iconic “homo-normative” community: Fire Island Pines. Situated 50 miles from New York City, this storied queer beach town finds itself in the midst of a renaissance as a new generation of homeowners reimagine The Pines for a new, more inclusive era.

Filmed like a Frederick Wiseman documentary on magic mushrooms, A HOUSE IS NOT A DISCO features a large cast of unforgettable eccentrics, activists, drifters and first-timers as they reflect on the legacy of The Pines while preparing their beloved village for the biggest challenge it has faced since the AIDS crisis: rising seas caused by climate change. Via queer paradise, director Brian J. Smith beautifully balances a powerful exploration of how far we’ve come with how far we’ll go.

DALTON'S DREAM

Dir. Kim Longinotto, Franky Murray Brown, 90 min, United Kingdom

In 2018, a young musician from rural Jamaica named Dalton Harris became the first Black man and foreigner to win “The X Factor” UK and, with it, a lucrative record deal that promised to transform his life.

Filmed over four years, this coming-of-age documentary follows Dalton as he struggles for fame, love and acceptance while simultaneously battling dangerous public allegations about his sexuality and spiraling mental health. Charting an extraordinary rise, the film follows Dalton’s new life in London as he starts to write more personal, revealing lyrics while coming to terms with his difficult upbringing and the fear and shame he experienced growing up in a very homophobic atmosphere in Jamaica.

CAST: Dalton Harris

I'M NOT EVERYTHING I WANT TO BE

Dir. Klára Tasovská, 90 min, Czech Republic/Slovakia/Austria

MONDAY, 10/14 AT 6:45PM, NITEHAWK PROSPECT PARK

Spanning from the Prague Spring of 1968 to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, this documentary reveals what it meant to be a queer artist during a tumultuous time in European history. Entirely based on the archival work and diaries of Czech photographer Libuše Jarcovjáková, I’M NOT EVERYTHING I WANT TO BE probes how making art can free someone from repression—whether familial, structural or self-imposed. The film follows Jarcovjáková—whose work is reminiscent of Nan Goldin—as she comes into her own, discovering both her identity and sexuality. In charting this vibrant, sad and ultimately cathartic journey, I’M NOT EVERYTHING I WANT TO BE tells the story of one self-described ordinary person who became an extraordinary artist.

CAST: Libuše Jarcovjáková

LADY LIKE

Dir. Luke WIllis, 88 min, USA

THURSDAY, 10/17 AT 8PM, SVA THEATRE

CO-PRESENTED BY

NewFest alum Luke Willis (POOL BOY, NewFest33) returns with his debut feature documentary: the story of Lady Camden, fan favorite and runner-up of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 14. Willis goes behind the scenes to explore Camden’s journey from dancer to wildly popular drag queen, serving as a portrait of both their commanding drag artistry and the person behind the persona. Camden comes into their own in front of Willis’ perceptive lens, revealing heartache and complicated familial relationships while maintaining the wit and creativity that viewers fell in love with on television.

CAST: Lady Camden, Nina West

THIS FILM WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A Q&A

LESVIA

Dir. Tzeli Hadjidimitriou, 78 min, Greece

FRIDAY, 10/11 AT 7PM, SVA THEATRE

Since the 1970s, lesbians from around the world have been drawn to the Greek island of Lesvos, birthplace of the ancient Greek poet Sappho. Chronicling 40-plus years of lesbian communion, this expansive documentary reveals that what once seemed like paradise is actually simmering with tensions between the visitors and the local residents. With both groups claiming ownership of lesbian identity, filmmaker Tzeli Hadjidimitriou—a Lesvos native and lesbian herself—finds herself caught in the middle, exploring this liminal space to work through four decades of love, community, conflict and what it means to feel accepted.

THIS FILM WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A Q&A NEW YORK CITY PREMIERE

LIFE IS NOT A COMPETITION, BUT I'M WINNING

Dir. Julia Fuhr Mann, 79 min, Germany

FRIDAY, 10/18 AT 7:30PM, THE LGBT CENTER

In a moment when LGBTQ+ athletes have been making headlines across the world, this imaginative and essential docu-essay features a chorus of queer athletes taking over an Olympic stadium to reclaim sport as a space of true inclusivity. Presenting an alternative kind of hero’s journey where queer voices take center stage, LIFE IS NOT A COMPETITION BUT I’M WINNING breaks the silence around the oppression endured by athletes throughout Olympic history. An official selection of the Venice Film Festival, the film spotlights underrepresented figures who have faced discrimination simply for existing beyond the binary and racist standards established at the origins of the Athens Games. This radical perspective envisions a vibrant community where all bodies—those of women, trans individuals, intersex people and people of color—are celebrated and embraced.

CAST: Annet Negesa, Amanda Reiter, Caitlin Fisher, Daniel Marin Medina, Chun Mei Tan, Eva Maria Jost, Jakob Levi Stahlberg, Oumou Aidara, Greta Graf

2024 FILM SCHEDULE

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11

OCTOBER 13

MONDAY, OCTOBER 14

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15

OCTOBER 16 THEATERS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17

18

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20

NEW VOICES FILMMAKER GRANT SHOWCASE 88MIN DRESSED IN BLUE 98MIN TALENTED MR. RIPLEY (FILM FEAST) 139MIN

MEANWHILE

Dir. Catherine Gund, 88 min, USA

SATURDAY, 10/19 AT 6PM, THE LGBT CENTER

A docu-poem in six verses about artists breathing through chaos, MEANWHILE is a dynamic collaboration between Jacqueline Woodson (text), Meshell Ndegeocello (soundscape), Erika Dilday (support), M. Trevino (structure) and Catherine Gund (direction). Combining vivid depictions of how artists express themselves with historical and observational footage, the film is a rare cinematic mediation about identity, race, racism and resistance as they shape our shared breath.

CAST: Ivy Joan Young, Jessica Maffia, Nate Lewis, Daniel Alexander Jones, Josh Quat, Shamel Pitts, Tushrik Fredericks, Julianne Vanderhoop, Teresita Fernández, Jesse Krimes, Mel Chin, William Kentridge, Dána-Ain Davis, LaFredia Davis, Marc White, Beverly Price, Marie Lloyd Paspe, Ching-I Chang, Natalie Diaz, Amber N. Ford

REAS

Dir. Lola Arias, 82 min, Argentina/Germany/Switzerland

THURSDAY, 10/17 AT 7PM, BAM ROSE CINEMA

A breathtakingly imaginative nonfiction musical that took this year’s Berlin Film Festival by storm, REAS explores the vital dynamics fostered between long-term and newly admitted inmates at a women’s prison in Buenos Aires. Through fantastical yet grounded re-creations of day-to-day life in the prison—including budding romances, voguing workshops and the formation of a rock band—the formerly incarcerated non-professional ensemble delivers a compelling performance that challenges and affirms their ostensibly oppressive experiences. Anchored by themes of memory, hope and transcendence, REAS is a collaborative work of reclamation, charting the persevering power of community and the exhilarating catharsis that comes from the combined strength of human spirit and artistic expression.

CAST: Yoseli Arias, Ignacio Amador Rodriguez, Estefy Harcastle, Carla Canteros, Noelia Perez, Paulita Asturayme, Laura Amato, Pato Aguirre, Cinthia Aguirre, Julieta Fernandez, Silvana Gomez, Daniela Borda, Jade De la Cruz Romero and Bettna Otaso

TEACHES OF PEACHES

Dirs. Philipp Fussenegger, Judy Landkammer, 102 min, Germany

SUNDAY, 10/13 AT 7PM, BAM

Iconoclastic alt queer rocker Peaches is at the center of this propulsive and entertaining documentary. Mixing archival footage, interviews with both new and long-time collaborators, and behind-the-scenes rehearsals from the 20th-anniversary concert tour for seminal album TEACHES OF PEACHES, this film retains—and revels in—the avant-garde edge of this one-of-a-kind musician. Featuring electric concert footage alongside candid and funny testimonials, TEACHES OF PEACHES shows the evolution of one seminal artist.

CAST: Peaches, Chilly Gonzales, Leslie Feist, Shirley Manson, Charlie Le Mindu, Black Cracker

THE SILENCE OF MY HANDS

Dir. Manuel Acuña A., 80 min, Mexico

SATURDAY, 10/12 AT 12:45PM, NITEHAWK PROSPECT PARK

Saira, an immigrant living in California, and Rosa, the first deaf law student in Guadalajara, Mexico, are trying to make a longdistance relationship work. When an unexpected illness threatens their fragile relationship, the two women rely on their trust and deep level of communication to face their challenges head-on.

CAST: Rosa María Casillas Madrigal, Sai Yunuen Medina Soria

THE WORLD ACCORDING TO ALLEE WILLIS

Dir. Alexis Manya Spraic, 98 min, USA

SATURDAY, 10/19 AT 6PM, SVA THEATRE

Even if you haven’t heard Allee Willis’ name, you’ve definitely heard the iconic songs she’s written, including Earth, Wind & Fire's "September,” Pet Shop Boys’ “What Have I Done to Deserve This?” and the most famous sitcom theme of all time for Friends. Having sold over 60 million records, Willis is a Grammy Award-winning songwriter and artist who’s made an outsized impact on pop culture with little recognition to show for it. THE WORLD ACCORDING TO ALLEE WILLIS is an overdue celebration and charming love note from life partner Prudence Fenton and her many colorful friends, as well as a joyous dive into her zany LA parties— frequented by Elvira, Paul Reubens, Debbie Harry, and Cyndi Lauper—that reminds us to “never let the lyric get in the way of a groove.”

CAST: Cyndi Lauper, Lily Tomlin, Prudence Fenton, Paul Reubens, Michael Patrick King, Patti LaBelle, Pet Shop Boys, Pamela Adlon, Paul Feig, Mark Mothersbaugh, Bruce Vilanch

THIS FILM WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A Q&A EAST

THIS IS BALLROOM

Dirs. Juru and Vitã, 92 min, Brazil

MONDAY, 10/14 AT 7PM, BAM ROSE CINEMA

Join the ultimate celebration of freedom and self-expression with THIS IS BALLROOM. The beats never cease in this trans-led documentary that transports viewers directly to the pulsating heart of the vibrant ballroom scene in the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro. The film captures the unique energy of Brazilian ballroom, which bursts with the same explosive energy that propelled the ballroom scene during its early days in New York City . Directed by locally immersed artists Juru and Vitã, this stimulating experience will have you “holding that pose” throughout a euphoric musical and cinematic journey.

CAST: House Of Alafia, House Of Blyndex, House Of Bushidö, House Of Cabal, House Of Cazul, Casa De Cosmos, Casa De Dandara, Casa Dy Fokatruá, House Of Império, Casa De Lafond, House Of Mamba Negra, House Of Raabe, 007s

DRESSED IN BLUE (1983)

Dir. Antonio Giménez Rico, 98 min, Spain

TUESDAY, 10/15 AT 7PM, BAM ROSE CINEMA +STREAMING

DRESSED IN BLUE is a groundbreaking film showcasing the lives of six trans women in post-Franco Spain. Framed around an elegant ladies’ luncheon, this documentary allows the women to take center stage in presenting their life stories and dreams, as well as letting audiences in on intimate footage of trans feminine routines—hip padding, hormones, waxing and breast augmentation.

These dolls are as vicious as they are glamorous, arguing and reading each other for filth about everything from fur coats to money. DRESSED IN BLUE stands as an iconic piece of trans cinema. Join NewFest in celebrating 40-plus years of this classic with stunning 4K restoration, bringing the film back to the big screen in all its original splendor.

CAST: Lorenzo Arana Orellano, Rene Amor Fernandez, Jose Antonio Sanchez Sanchez, Francisco Perez de los Cobos Avila, Juan Muñoz Santiago, Jose Ruiz Orejon Casado

ELVIRA: MISTRESS OF THE DARK (1988)

Dir. James Signorelli, 96 min, USA

FRIDAY, 10/11 AT 9:30PM, SVA THEATRE

Elvira (enduring queer icon Cassandra Peterson) busts out in this exceedingly witty camp classic. When Elvira suddenly inherits a mansion from her dearly deceased great-aunt, she hits the road to claim an easy-flip fortune in hopes of funding a headlining Las Vegas show. But what greets her upon arrival is a dilapidated house, a poodle, a mysterious recipe book and a puritanical city council (headed with prig-perfection by Edie McClurg) hell-bent on censoring Elvira’s (ahem) modern attributes.

Never one to back down, Elvira endears herself to an open-minded subset of the townspeople, charming them with her nonjudgmental spirit and tenacious wit, all the while courting the local hunk, defying a sinister uncle and mounting a popular pop-up Midnight Movie presentation at the downtown moviehouse. ELVIRA: MISTRESS OF THE DARK is a madcap, fish-out-of-water romp of the highest order—filled with a love of throwback genre cinema alongside unpleasant dreams and pleasant screams.

CAST: Cassandra Peterson, Edie McClurg, W. Morgan Sheppard, Daniel Greene, Jeff Conaway, Susan Kellermann

LOOKING FOR LANGSTON & TONGUES UNTIED: 35TH ANNIVERSARY DOUBLE-BILL

Dir. Isaac Julien and Marlon T. Riggs, 100 min, USA

FRIDAY, 10/11 AT 7PM, BAM ROSE CINEMA

CO-PRESENTED BY

In LOOKING FOR LANGSTON, a self-described meditation on the life of Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes addresses the possible, possibly imagined, life of the author as a gay man. At the height of the AIDS crisis, Marlon Riggs made TONGUES UNTIED, a necessary and highly influential documentary about being Black and gay in America. Using poetry, slang and, most amusingly, snap language (look it up), Riggs captures the desire, rage, desperation and joy of Black gay men.

THE MATRIX (1999): 25TH ANNIVERSARY

Dirs. Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski, 136 min, USA

FRIDAY, 10/18 AT 9PM, SVA THEATRE

Lilly and Lana Wachowskis’ iconic, Academy Award-winning ’90s sci-fi epic will have you questioning whether your dreams are real as Neo (Keanu Reeves) battles dysphoria within his dronish life. When an alluring stranger (Carrie-Anne Moss) leads him to the forbidden underworld, he is awoken to the shocking reality of humanity and introduced to a liberating band of rebels. From sartorial trend setting to its innovative visual effects and resurgent trans symbolism, THE MATRIX, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, is both a product of its time and totally timeless. As Lilly told Screen Rant last year: “We were like, ‘Hey, let’s write this action film,’ and then we got our trans all over it.” Calling all queers and cyberpunk freaks to come celebrate the legacy of this legendary film—sunglasses encouraged.

CAST: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Joe Pantoliano

THIS QUEER + TRANS-FORWARD 25TH ANNIVERSARY SCREENING — IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LILLY WACHOWSKI — IS COMMITTED TO ENGAGING AND HIGHLIGHTING TRANS AND GENDER-AFFIRMING SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS.

PECKER (1998)

Dir. John Waters, 87 min, USA

SATURDAY, 10/12 AT 2PM, BAM ROSE CINEMA

Happy-go-lucky amateur photographer Pecker (Edward Furlong) can’t help but lovingly capture the gritty charm of everyday Baltimore with his modest camera. After successful DIY shows at local sub shops and laundromats, Pecker’s candid portraits capture the eye of a rarefied NYC curator (Lili Taylor), kickstarting a windfall that brings Pecker, his no-nonsense beau (Christina Ricci) and his eccentric family to the Big Apple—and into the belly of the elite art world.

THIS FILM IS PART OF JOHN WATERS THREESOME, A TRIO OF FILMS BY THE ICONIC QUEER FILMMAKER PLAYING AT BAM ON SATURDAY OCTOBER 12.

CAST: Edward Furlong, Christina Ricci, Bess Armstrong, Mary Kay Place, Martha Plimpton, Brendan Sexton III, Mink Stole, Lili Taylor

FEMALE TROUBLE (1974): 50TH ANNIVERSARY

Dir. John Waters, 92 min, USA

SATURDAY, 10/12 AT 8PM, BAM ROSE CINEMA

John Waters’ saga of delinquency spans the wretched life of self-proclaimed “thief and shit-kicker” Dawn Davenport (Divine, who delivers an all-out powerhouse performance for the ages). Following Dawn’s voyage from her teenage flight from home after ruining her family’s Christmas (“I asked for cha cha heels—black ones!”) to her unholy rise filled with shocking glory, Dawn disrespects everyone in her path with a crooked smile. Whether chastising her unwanted daughter, taunting rival neighbors or becoming the face of the fascistic Lipstick Beauty Salon, Dawn claws and fights for some peace of mind throughout her hilariously loathsome journey through life.

THIS FILM IS PART OF JOHN WATERS THREESOME, A TRIO OF FILMS BY THE ICONIC QUEER FILMMAKER PLAYING AT BAM ON SATURDAY OCTOBER 12.

CAST: Divine, David Lochary, Mary Vivian Pearce, Mink Stole, Edith Massey

POLYESTER (1981)

Dir. John Waters, 84 min, USA

FRIDAY, 10/12 AT 5PM, BAM ROSE CINEMA

Camp icon Divine stars as Francine Fishpaw, a frustrated housewife whose domestic life isn’t exactly what she imagined. Her husband is a cheating louse, her daughter is heavily involved with bad boys, and her son is making local news as a notorious foot-stomper. As her husband exclaims, “Well this whole world stinks, so get used to it!” Coincidentally, Francine has a particularly perceptive sense of smell. (Upon the film’s release, writer/director John Waters revived the tradition of Odorama with scratch‘n’sniff cards—conjuring a film that asked the audience to stop and smell the roses…or gasoline…or flatulence.) This delirious melodrama is one of Waters’ finest achievements and a perfectly pungent parody of Douglas Sirk’s so-called “women’s pictures.”

THIS FILM IS PART OF JOHN WATERS THREESOME, A TRIO OF FILMS BY THE ICONIC QUEER FILMMAKER PLAYING AT BAM ON SATURDAY OCTOBER 12.

CAST: Divine, Tab Hunter, David Samson, Edith Massey, Mink Stole

THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY (FILM FEAST)

Dir. Anthony Minghella, 139 min, USA

TUESDAY, 10/15 AT 6:45PM, NITEHAWK PROSPECT PARK

Join us for our fourth-annual Film Feast and savor the 25th anniversary of a contemporary classic paired with a thematically curated multi-course meal, all while enjoying a large glass of wine for a bloody good time!

Featuring one of the most beautiful casts ever assembled, director Anthony Minghella’s adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s lavish novel follows budding sociopath Tom Ripley (Matt Damon) after he is hired by the wealthy father of a recent Princeton grad to go to Italy and convince his son Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law) to return home.

CAST: Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law, Cate Blanchett, Philip Seymour Hoffman

ALOK (SCREENING & CONVERSATION)

Dir. Alex Hedison, 60 min, USA

SUNDAY, 10/13 AT 2PM, SVA THEATRE

Alok Vaid-Menon is an internationally acclaimed nonbinary author, poet, comedian and public speaker. This thought-provoking short documentary from director Alex Hedison explores the way Alok personifies limitless expression of self, following them as they challenge societal norms and inspire viewers to embrace personal freedom beyond the binaries that divide us. Featuring Dylan Mulvaney, Chani Nicholas and other cultural change makers, produced by Natalie Shirinian, Elizabeth Baudouin and Meggan Lennon, and Executive Produced by Jodie Foster, this is a compelling portrait of a very modern icon.

THERE WILL BE AN EXTENDED CONVERSATION FOLLOWING THE IN-PERSON SCREENING WITH ALOK VAID-MENON, DIRECTOR ALEX HEDISON AND PRODUCERS ELIZABETH BAUDOUIN, NATALIE SHIRINIAN AND MEGGAN LENNON.

ROTTEN TOMATOES LAB: CRITICS

EDITION – AMPLIFYING LGBTQ+ PRESS AND INDEPENDENT FILMS (PANEL)

SUNDAY, 10/13 AT 3PM, SVA THEATRE

PRESENTED BY

LGBTQ+ press are central to generating buzz around movies that tell queer stories. How can filmmakers, critics and journalists work together to amplify independent queer titles? This Rotten Tomatoes Lab: Critics Edition at NewFest36 will aim to address this and many other questions by providing meaningful and tangible career advice.

SOMEBODY SOMEWHERE SEASON 3 (EPS. 1+2) BRUNCH SCREENING + Q&A

Dir. Robert Cohen, 58 min, USA

U.S. PREMIERE CO-PRESENTED BY

The Peabody Award-winning and critically acclaimed third and final season of the HBO Original comedy series SOMEBODY SOMEWHERE, starring, written, and executive produced by comedian and singer Bridget Everett returns Sunday, October 27th (10:30-11:00 p.m. ET/PT) on HBO and will be available to stream on Max.

From Mighty Mint, Duplass Brothers Productions, and executive producers Bridget Everett, Hannah Bos and Paul Thureen, the series follows Sam (Everett), a true Kansan on the surface, but, beneath it all, struggling to fit the hometown mold. Grappling with loss and acceptance, singing is Sam’s saving grace and leads her on a journey to discover herself and a community of outsiders who don’t fit in but don’t give up, showing that finding your people, and finding your voice, is possible. Anywhere. Somewhere. In season three, we see growth against all odds.

JOIN US FOR A Q&A FOLLOWING THE SCREENING WITH THE CAST AND CREATORS

VENENO SEASON 2: DRESSED IN BLUE

Dirs. Claudia Costafreda, Mikel Rueda, Ian de la Rosa, 86 min, Spain

SUNDAY, 10/13 AT 6PM, SVA THEATRE

The first season of VENENO on HBO Max became an international cultural phenomenon. In Season 2, intrepid journalist Valeria (Lola Rodriguez) is struggling to follow up on her life-changing investigation into the life of Cristina “La Veneno” Ortiz Rodrigo. When she discovers that the history behind the trailblazing 1983 Spanish trans documentary DRESSED IN BLUE has been lost to time, she decides to track down that film’s subjects in order to learn their stories and carry on their legacy. Featuring Episodes 1 and 2 of the limited series.

AFTER ENJOYING VENENO SEASON 2: DRESSED IN BLUE, JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL LEGACY SCREENING OF THE HD RESTORATION OF DRESSED IN BLUE (1983) ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15TH AT 7PM AT BAM.

SATURDAY, 10/19 AT 2PM, NITEHAWK PROSPECT PARK THIS PROGRAM WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A Q+A

SHORTS: BESTIES BRUNCH

Runtime: 89 min

SUNDAY, 10/13 AT 12PM; NITEHAWK PROSPECT PARK

+STREAMING

Grab your best buds and join us at our annual Brooklyn Brunch as we celebrate the vibrant and vital role friendship plays in our queer lives. Good Judy’s unite around a collection of hilarious and huggable stories that feature a dream blunt rotation, transmasc skater bois, a wacky motel stay, havoc in the Hamptons, a flirty Friendsgiving meal and more! Teamwork makes the dream work, and we all need to get by with a little help from our friends.

CITY OF DREAMZ

Dir. Imani Celeste, 12 min, USA

Four Black art students tell stories of community, divine intervention, and the artistry that led them to this very moment…smoking weed in a cramped apartment trying not to get caught.

DARK ROAST

Dir. Mark Marquez, 9 min, USA

When a small, Queer/Trans-BIPOC Cafe, ran BY the community FOR the community is being threatened to be evacuated by a Monstrous Franchise, it is up to our Baristas to keep their lights and bites in business before construction starts…by any means necessary.

SYDNEY AND KIM

Dir. Hazel Katz, 16 min, USA

After 25-year old Sydney is released from the hospital following a major facial surgery, her best friend Kim cares for her at a motel during her recovery. As Kim’s flirtation with the motel manager escalates, Sydney’s resentment begins to boil over.

LOST BOIS

Dir. Devyn Galindo, 4 min, USA

Lost Bois is a hedonistic and gritty exploration into the lives of three rebellious trans bois. Buckle up, and embrace chaos.

HONEYMOON

Dir. Alkis Papastathopoulos, 24 min, Greece/France/Cyprus

After a traumatizing event involving the cops, Fay is leaving Greece for good. Sandra accompanies her to the bus station, taking this time as a chance to say goodbye. As they are traveling by bus across the country, a transphobic attack by two co-passengers leaves them stranded on a highway in the middle of nowhere.

AND THEN THERE WAS HER

Dirs. Alexander King, Nyala Moon, 9 min, USA

In a heartwarming Friendsgiving dinner, two women from different worlds, one masculine and one transgender, find love and acceptance amidst the holiday chaos. Sometimes, the most beautiful connections happen when we least expect them.

FISHBOWL

Dirs. Isabel Perry, Adam Yates, 15 min, USA

Two late-twenty-somethings — and former high school theatre department legends — house-sit in the Hamptons, where they try their best to avoid their exes and keep a goldfish alive for the weekend.

SHORTS: BOY, SO CONFUSING

Runtime: 108 min

SATURDAY, 10/19 AT 6:30PM; SVA THEATRE

+STREAMING

Sometimes it’s so confusing to be a boy—especially when you’ve got the hots for another boy. A cruising glance in a cinema. The paranoia hidden in lust. The judgment underneath the romance. The melancholy that comes with sex. This shorts program zeroes in on the unbridled excitement, unrestrained urges and disconcerting fear that comes with desiring another body— whether for an hour or a lifetime.

DREAM FACTORY

Dir. Alex Matraxia, 7 min, United Kingdom

Dream Factory is an experimental short that explores the historical role of cinemas as cruising sites, as well as the relations between nostalgia and fetish when navigating queer history, cultural memory, and the tactility of the past.

THE JOB

Dir. Frédéric Moffet, 15 min, Canada/USA

An exploration of the erotic archive of Canadian photographer and entrepreneur John Phillips who worked in the 1990s for gay male magazines in the USA. The film chronicles the impact of the AIDS pandemic on the photographer’s life at the dawn of the digital revolution.

HOT SHEET MOTEL

Dir. Alexandria Lane, 12 min, USA

Two semi-truck driving cowboys cross truck routes in the night; leading to a fateful meeting at a local honky tonk.

COME AS YOU ARE

Dir. LaQuan Lewis, 16 min, USA

A young man grapples with the weight of concealing his HIV+ diagnosis. Navigating the challenges of love, stigma, and self acceptance. In a poignant journey that is brought to a boiling point where he is forced to face reality.

PIGEONS ARE DYING, WHEN THE CITY IS ON FIRE

Dir. Stavros Markoulakis, 21 min, Greece/Netherlands

On the warmest day of the year, two boys meet. A few hours later a pigeon gets trapped with them. During this heatwave, all creatures dream of escaping from the city that's burning.

THE VARIABLE

Dir. Ezra Li, 9 min, USA

An “ethnically ambiguous” actor struggles to adjust to stereotypes projected onto him during the audition process.

GREAT LOVE STORIES ONLY LAST A FEW MOMENTS

Dir. Raul Perez, 2 min, Brazil

Amidst the tunnels of the New York City subway, two men cross paths in a serendipitous encounter. What begins as a simple boy-meets-boy moment evolves into a captivating exchange of flirtation. Yet, not everything is what you see.

KEYHOLDER

Dir. Christian Hendricks, 16 min, USA

A young man is caught up in a series of strange and invasive events that he can’t seem to escape, but isn’t sure if he wants to.

8 MINUTES 20 SECONDS

Dir. Harris Doran, 9 min, USA

The sun goes out and there are only 8 minutes and 20 seconds of sunlight left on earth. Max must race against time to reconcile with his ex-boyfriend in order for them to be together in the last moments of sun.

SHORTS: CARIBBEAN PRIDE POWER

Runtime: 72 min

SUNDAY, 10/13 AT 4PM; BAM ROSE CINEMA

+STREAMING

Champion queer expression and reconciliation with this vivid showcase of Caribbean LGBTQ+ experiences, joys and reclamations. This inspiring collection of short films, capturing stories across the diaspora, reaffirms the value in finding community, concluding with a joyful cinematic celebration at the West Indian Day Carnival Parade.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO LIKE ME

Dir. Safiyah Chiniere, 10 min, USA

A woman who presents as masculine, grappling with insecurities that threaten to consume her whole being. It captures the moments when disownment can lead to crippling self-judgment, when you feel like nothing more than a shadow of yourself.

BLUE PANDORA

Dir. Alan González, 12 min, Cuba

A middle-aged transgender woman rejects a teenager who tries to win her over, but she gets an unpleasant surprise that makes her consider whether or not to give Roy a chance.

OUTSIDE CENTER

Dir. Eli Jean Tahchi, 20 min, Canada/Germany

After finding community on a rugby team in Munich, Jamaican-born Desmond tackles life by embracing his identity.

MISS HONEY: THE CATSUIT

Dir. Brandon R. Nicholas, 7 min, USA

Douglas Says experienced a fashion mishap, which "spirit" then led him to create his signature cut-out catsuit that was worn by NYC nightlife staple Moi Renee for the performance of his catchy bitch-track “Miss Honey”.

CARIBBEAN QUEEN

Dir. Sekiya Dorsett, 23 min, USA

"Caribbean Queen" is an inspiring short film that follows the journey of Q, a young Caribbean boy, who wants to become the Queen of the West Indian Day Carnival Parade. However, prejudice from family and the community threatens this dream and celebration of Caribbean culture. But with determination and the help of their lesbian bestie, Joe, they may just make it to the Parkway!

SHORTS PROGRAMS

SHORTS: COMEDY COMES OUT

Runtime: 90 min

FRIDAY, 10/18 AT 6:15PM; SVA THEATRE

+STREAMING

Laugh along with this collection of comedic short films that features such singular queer characters as a diabolical drag superfan, lesbian Jesus and a free-as-a-bird bisexual. Featuring familiar faces like Meg Stalter and Ginger Minj, this hilarious short program will make you cringe and giggle in equal measure!

STAN BEHAVIOR

Dir. Tyler C. Peterson, 15 min, USA

A drag queen (Ginger Minj) embarks on a quest for better workplace rights, but finds herself in a dicey situation when her new lawyer (Yvonne Zima), a tone-deaf straight woman, is revealed to be a drag super fan.

LESBIAN JESUS IS PREGNANT WITH VIBES

Dir. Reid Pope, 13 min, USA

Lesbian Jesus is 19. She is very famous thanks to TikTok. She’s touring the nation by bus with her mom and her girlfriend. She’s in a f*cked situation with her manager, Mark.

HOT SEAT

Dir. Sohrob Nayebaziz, 11 min, USA

Asher’s night takes a turn when they realize a chair they threw out is worth thousands.

LESBOPHILIA

Dir. Michelle West, 15 min, USA

When free-as-a-bird bisexual Eliana questions giving up the “D” at her ex-boyfriend’s funeral, her girlfriend Chase must decide how far she’s willing to go for love.

THERAPIST CRUSH

Dir. MJ Kaufman, 7 min, USA

Soul-searching transmasculine Frankie has a crush on his hot, new therapist, until one day things get too real.

WE MET AT CAMP

Dir. MC Plaschke, 16 min, USA

A young girl, confused about her sexuality, tries to prove to her summer camp bunkmates that her fake crush on the boy’s counselor isn’t so fake at all.

ILY, BYE

Dir. Taylor James, 13 min, USA

When an exciting job interview comes her way, Siobhan needs to keep her foot out of her mouth long enough to get her foot in the door.

SHORTS: LET’S DO THE TIME WARP AGAIN

Runtime: 92 min

SATURDAY, 10/19 AT 12:45PM; NITEHAWK

PROSPECT PARK

Queer people are time travelers. As a group that is constantly changing and growing, we are in daily communion with those that paved the way for us. This shorts program pays homage to the distinct relationship that queer people have with the past—both our own personal histories and our collective history. We are here now because of who we have been before.

YOUNG CLAUDE

Dir. Adithi Chandrashekar, Jerre Dye, 13 min, USA

While visiting their hometown grocery store, Claude is catapulted back to a pivotal childhood visit to that same market with their larger-than-life Dad. Memory knits the past to the present as Young Claude discovers that their hero is also human. YOUNG CLAUDE explores the complex relationship between father and child, the simple pleasures of youth, and the profound and sensory nature of grief.

THE CALLERS

Dir. Lindsey Dryden, 20 min, USA/United Kingdom

A love letter to queer possibility, THE CALLERS moves through time and around the UK to tell the intimate stories of people who have called Switchboard LGBT, England’s oldest LGBTQ+ phone helpline for over 50 years, seeking guidance on everything from where to find the nearest leather bar to how to come out, impress a new lover or mend a broken heart.

QUEER

Dir. Michael LaRocco, 5 min, USA

A gay man grapples with the fallout from being arrested in a gay bar in the backdrop of pre-Stonewall America.

GRACE

Dir. Natalie Jasmine Harris, 14 min, USA

Sixteen-year-old Grace prepares for her baptism in the rural 1950's South. When she learns she must repent before the ritual, Grace contemplates her romantic feelings toward her best friend Louise.

JOAN THE KID

Dir. Grace Hackney, Kat Silverosa, 13 min, Australia

When her detention project comes to life, Jo is taken on a whirlwind trip through history by the not-so-saintly Saint, Joan of Arc.

THE INVINCIBLE

Dirs. Suzie Léger, Noemi Sophia James, 10 min, Austria

Amidst the somber era of the rising National Socialism, a fervent bond evolves between Nelly, a Jewish artist, and Eugenie, her muse and paramour. They valiantly confront the looming threat by safeguarding their artistry and individuality, boldly resisting oppressive forces.

THE REMAINING SUNDAYS

Dir. Manolo Pavón, 17 min, Spain

August 1993. Dani has just turned 13. His family moves to a house in the suburbs. The discovery of an abandoned box in his new closet takes Dani to Miguel, a much-needed example missing in his life.

SHORTS: LOVE IS STRONGER THAN SHAME

Runtime: 82 min

SUNDAY, 10/20 AT 1PM; THE LGBT CENTER

+STREAMING

Queer people are born into a world that tries desperately to break our hearts. But we’re also a resilient bunch, and many of us learn to rise above the potential shame forced upon us. In these remarkably honest films, the protagonists are searching not just for themselves, but also for a chance to be celebrated for who they are by those they love. With open hearts, witty banter and determined spirit, they question the norms of culture. Featuring three fiction films and two documentaries—set across America, India, Morocco and China—this wise and ultimately uplifting program offers a holistic view of modern queer life.

MANTING

Dir. Shuyao Chen, 15 min, China/USA

Manting, a Chinese woman in her 60s, reconnects with the lesbian lover from her adolescence, and they spend a night roaming in the city.

IMOGENE

Dir. Katie Blair, 19 min, USA

Imogene is a single, free-spirited New Yorker in her 40s. Unprompted, her absurdly traditional family thrusts a pregnancy on her. But all that can be expected from Imogene is the unexpected.

IF I DIE IN AMERICA

Dir. Ward Kamel, 15 min, USA/Puerto Rico

A young man fights for a chance to grieve his husband after his traditional Muslim in-laws demand the body be sent back to the Middle East mere hours after the untimely death.

YOUR LOVE IS BURNING

Dir. Balkis Guetta, 13 min, Morocco

Izgar represents the new Moroccan generation. They constantly question society and redefine our vision of love. For them, leaving is not an option.

AMMA'S PRIDE

Dir. Shiva Krish, 20 min, India

Amma’s Pride is the poignant story of Srija, a trans woman from India, as she navigates the complexities of her marriage, fighting for its legal recognition while striving to sustain it—all with the unwavering support of her devoted mother, Valli.

THIS PROGRAM WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A Q&A

SHORTS: QUEER LIVES ACROSS TIME & AMERICA

Runtime: 74 min

SATURDAY, 10/19 AT 3PM; THE LGBT CENTER

CO-PRESENTED BY

This celebratory short film program, presented in partnership with the American LGBTQ+ Museum, captures a holistic portrait of queer life in the USA. Travel through history and our vast national landscape—from New York to Pennsylvania to Texas to California—and discover contemporary nonfiction films that center specific spaces alongside universal experiences we share as a community.

HERE COME THE DYKES

Dirs. Devon Blackwell, Paul Moakley, 15 min, USA

From 1979 to 1984, photographer Joan E. Biren (JEB) created a slideshow entitled Lesbian Images in Photography: 1850-the Present, aka The Dyke Show. She toured the USA and Canada in a beat-up VW van made by women, couch surfing and photographing the community of women she worked with. In this short documentary, JEB revives the show before donating it to the Leslie Lohman Museum of Gay Art.

TRANS HEAVEN, PENNSYLVANIA

Dir. Hansen Bursic, 12 min, USA

In the early 2010s, hundreds of transgender women took over a small American town each year for a legendary weekend-long party – one that changed their lives and the town forever.

DON'T CRY FOR ME ALL YOU DRAG QUEENS

Dir. Kristal Sotomayor, 9 min, USA

"Don’t Cry For Me All You Drag Queens" pays homage to the legendary Mother Cavallucci by weaving together the present and past to provide a striking portrait of belonging and memory.

BARBETTE + FONTAINE

Dirs. John-Carlos Estrada, Zak Zeh, 15 min, USA

A century apart, two Texas drag icons unite through art, resilience, and a shared legacy of self-expression & freedom.

MOTHER

Dirs. Meg Shutzer, Brandon Yadegari Moreno, 23 min, USA

In San Francisco, a city known for its vibrant gay community, nowhere feels like home to Malia Spanyol, a self-identified dyke who sets out to build a space for women and femmes.

SHORTS: QUEER TEEN MOXIE

Runtime: 89 min

THURSDAY, 10/17 AT 4PM; SVA THEATRE

+STREAMING

For the seventh consecutive year, NewFest is delighted to collaborate with NYC’s Department of Education and participating schools on this uplifting shorts program curated specifically for LGBTQ+ teen audiences. These affirming, upbeat short films from emerging filmmakers give young queer folks the opportunity to see themselves reflected on screen and inspiration to share their own stories. This year’s lineup features a varied mixture of narrative, nonfiction and animation—from a tarot card reader to a quinceañera to discoveries at camp and more!

The in-person screening of this program on Thursday, October 17th 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 gsafilm@newfest.org with your information to inquire and receive a registration form.

SATURDAY RITUAL

Dir. Sydne Horton, 12 min, USA

Cammie’s relationship with her soccer mates is put to the test when a psychic reveals a hidden truth.

¡NAILS!

Dir. Eliana Pipes, 5 min, USA

When Catalina develops a crush on a girl in her Quinceañera court her fingernails begin to grow at a superhuman pace — a blessing in Black and Latina beauty culture, but a curse for a lesbian (at first glance).

HELLO STRANGER

Dir. Amélie Hardy, 16 min, Canada

Between loads of laundry at the corner laundromat, Cooper shares the tumultuous story of her gender reassignment journey.

SCRAP FABRIC

Dir. Jake Muñoz Consing, 11 min, Philippines

Fearing her mother's disapproval, a trans teenage girl sews her own prom dress using her mother's retaso ("scrap fabric").

GRACE

Dir. Natalie Jasmine Harris, 14 min, USA

Sixteen-year-old Grace prepares for her baptism in the rural 1950's South. When she learns she must repent before the ritual, Grace contemplates her romantic feelings toward her best friend Louise.

BLUE BOY

Dir. Nik Dodani, 15 min, USA

After experiencing an otherworldly vision, an inquisitive Indian-American boy convinces himself that he's the reincarnation of the Hindu god Krishna. Turns out he's just gay.

BRIM BROOME BOULEVARD

Dir. PJ Magerko-Liquorice, 7 min, USA

In need of some retail therapy? Welcome to Brim Broome Boulevard! When a child wanders through a set of mysterious doors, they embark on a journey of self-discovery where fear and fashion intertwine.

WE MET AT CAMP

Dir. MC Plaschke, 16 min, USA

A young girl, confused about her sexuality, tries to prove to her summer camp bunkmates that her fake crush on the boy’s counselor isn’t so fake at all.

SHORTS: T4TRANSGRESSIVE

Runtime: 86 min

WEDNESDAY, 10/16 AT 6:45PM;

NITEHAWK PROSPECT PARK

Showcasing trans films that shatter expectations, this radical program reveals the power of our trans and gender nonconforming community as their stories unfold in vibrant New York City nightlife, gender reveal parties, futuristic T4T cities and post-apocalyptic and mythological worlds. Spotlighting bold, unapologetic narratives where trans characters take center stage, these films reveal unique and defiant stories of perseverance and transformation.

JOIN US IN THE LOUNGE AFTER THE PROGRAM FOR THE T4T MIXER, SPONSORED BY HINGE!

CHLOE AND JAME

Dir. Drew Burnett Gregory, 7 min, USA

Two transfeminine people confront their personal history and the histories that shaped them.

THIGH RISE

Dir. Maz Murray, 15 min, England

When sad trans guy Paul falls from his tower block window, he realizes he’s been living inside the boot of a giant, beautiful trans woman

ANNARCHY ARTIST

Dir. Tempest Creation, 9 min, USA

Annarchy Artist is a short documentary that observes a day in the life of the eponymous performer as she unveils the childhood roots of her artistic practice as a nightlife gogo dancer and drag queen.

CANDYLAND

Dir. David Gil, 12 min, USA

An American teenager indoctrinated to perceive gun violence as a game, and his hormonally-unbalanced trans-mother, are challenged by an inevitable adrenaline crash and by their addictive personalities on their journey to Candyland.

SATURN RISIN9

Dirs. Tiare Ribeaux, Jody Stillwater, 11 min, USA

Saturn Risin9 follows queer performance artist, Saturn, on their return home to the Bay Area. We follow their journey of perseverance centering self discovery, affirmation, healing and creative expansion poetically told through fantastical imagery and non-linear narrative.

NOTES ON A SIREN

Dir. Justice Jamal Jones, 12 min, USA/Grand Cayman

In short film Notes on a Siren, director Justice Jamal Jones transforms the myth of the Siren and the Sailor through the lens of Black queerness and transness – set against the backdrop of Palm Heights in the Cayman Islands.

FEBRUARY FOURTEENTH

Dir. Ezri Appel, 6 min, USA

Vignettes of trans life and love on Valentine’s Day among a close-knit group of partners and friends in Brooklyn, NY.

BINDERBURN

Dir. Atlas Acopian, 1 min, USA

I burned my binder to celebrate getting top surgery.

GENDER REVEAL

Dir. Mo Matton, 13 min, Canada

Rhys, a dedicated people pleaser, winds up at their boss’ gender reveal party with their two partners. The trans throuple soon realizes that they are dealing with more than they were prepared for and their ability to survive the event comes into question.

SHORTS PROGRAMS

SHORTS: TLC (TRANS LOVING CARE)

Runtime: 85 min

SATURDAY, 10/12 AT 12PM; NITEHAWK PROSPECT PARK

This empowering shorts program celebrates transgender lives with unapologetic declarations of self. Each film showcases how trans protagonists harness their inner strength to overcome obstacles and build supportive networks grounded in love and authenticity. Witness nuanced realities faced by Indigenous people and people of color as they navigate systems of care and mutual support within the trans community and tackle challenges like decolonizing womanhood, confronting transphobia in gay relationships, and advocating for transgender medical care at the highest levels of government. Each story resonates as a powerful testament to self-discovery and resilience.

PERSONAL MYTHOLOGIES

Dir. Susan O’Brien, 4 min, USA

Inspired by Greek mythology, Dominique presents the story of the Adarna Bird, an old Filipino folklore, illustrating metaphorically and physically how she crosses the ocean to become the present-day version of herself.

CLEMENTINE

Dir. Sally Tran, 15 min, USA

A late-blooming Trans woman must determine which path to take on her journey of decolonizing her womanhood.

TRANS ALCHEMY

Dir. Félix Endara, 8 min, USA

Through poignant narratives from individuals in Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Puerto Rico, “ALQUIMIA TRANS” offers a compelling testimony to the challenges and triumphs encountered by trans masculine individuals in the region.

ALL THE WORDS BUT THE ONE

Dir. Nava Mau, 18 min, USA

A dinner with her partner’s new boss becomes precarious when Maya realizes she’s also dining with someone from her past.

PILLOW CHOCOLATE

Dir. Charlie Tidmas, 9 min, United Kingdom

For transman Jamie, a one-night stand is more than just sex, it's a question of selfworth.

AFTER HOURS

Dir. Star Amerasu, 6 min, USA

Two transwomen chance encounter in the club bathroom, one at the end of her rope, one at the end of her shift working at the bar.

THE SONGS OF WATER

Dir. Song Hà, 10 minutes, USA

‘The Songs of Water’ is a meditative short documentary weaving eight transgender individuals' stories of care, chosen family, and resilience through the lens nature, inviting viewers to see themselves as part of humanity’s evolving biodiversity.

HI ADING

Dir. Dinaly J Tran, 2 minutes, Canada

“hi ading” is a poetic short that provides a glimpse into a love story. Speaking to their parents’ past selves, Dinaly asks and hopes that these past versions might help them realize that the decisions they may not understand are still made out of love.

SEAT 31: ZOOEY ZEPHYR

Dir. Kimberly Reed, 13 min, USA

When Zooey Zephyr was expelled from the Montana House of Representatives for speaking on a bill banning transgender medical care, she made a nearby bench her “office.

SHORTS: WOMEN’S NIGHT OUT

Runtime: 83 min

SATURDAY, 10/12 AT 7PM; SVA THEATRE

+STREAMING

Women’s Night Out is back! Get ready for seven sapphic shorts by women and nonbinary directors, featuring a stuck snowbank, fraying friendship, hellish driving lesson, self-assured sex worker, sari store clerk, hot summer heat and the realities of a fading memory at the end of a long-lived life.

JOIN US AFTER THE SCREENING FOR OUR WOMEN'S NIGHT OUT PARTY AT MAGIC HOUR ROOFTOP BAR & LOUNGE!

SHE KEEPS ME WARM

Dir. Lee Rach, 8 min, USA

Trapped in a snowbank, a recently broken-up couple find solace in a tender moment of intimacy before their rescue.

BRAIN FREEZE

Dir. Kelsey Comeau, 15 min, USA

Lifelong friends, Carrie and Rae grapple with their gray area friendship as they navigate coming of age apart.

KASBI

Dir. Farah Jabir, 12 min, USA

A middle-aged Pakistani housewife, in search of herself, hires a young, self-assured sex worker to keep her company for the night.

REALLY GOOD DRIVER

Dir. Alex Song-Xia, 8 min, USA

An Asian American mom teaches her grown-up child how to drive, forcing both to confront parts of the car, and themselves, they never have before.

ZARI

Dir. Shruti Parekh, 19 min, USA/India

American teen Neelu feels like a fish out of water amidst preparations for her sister’s wedding in Delhi until she forges a brief and unexpected connection with Zeyb, a quiet sari store clerk with a secret.

NIGHT SWIM

Dirs. Grace + Emily Potter, 6 min, USA

Night Swim is a soft and sweet love story, set against the hot summer heat in Austin, Texas.

LOVIN' HER

Dir. Day, 15 minutes, Canada/USA

A mature trans woman navigates the complexities of a fading memory, delving into the intricacies of love and the burgeoning of her evolving gender identity.

SHORTS PROGRAMS

NEW VOICES FILMMAKER GRANT SHOWCASE

Runtime: 88 min

TUESDAY, 10/15 AT 7:30PM;

NITEHAWK PROSPECT PARK

The New Voices Filmmaker Grant, in partnership with Netflix, was launched in 2022 to provide resources for emerging LGBTQ+ filmmakers. For the third year, NewFest is excited to celebrate the grant recipients of this program with a screening of their recent short films. Join us as we share the auspicious work from 2024 grantees Apa Agbayani, Angalis Field, Clementine Narcisse and Cai Thomas, and hear what’s to come in their future projects and emerging careers.

THE DALLES

Dir. Angalis Field, 12 min, USA

After a handsome cyclist passes through and asks for directions to a local cruising site, Cam takes it as an invitation to follow him.

BUST

Dir. Angalis Field, 11 min, USA

A trans cop with the NYPD goes undercover to make a drug bust.

BLUE MOON ANGELS

Dir. Clementine Narcisse, 10 min, USA

Dom, a lonely teenage girl, continuously helps cover up the murderous acts committed by her classmate and crush, Nora. As Dom helps Nora cover up another dead body, she finally decides to confess her feelings to Nora.

GIRL BLUNT

Dir. Clementine Narcisse, 11 min, USA

Two young women decide to use their newly found drug-dealing business to get revenge against a conniving man of their past.

QUEENIE

Dir. Cai Thomas, 19 min, USA

Queenie, a 73-year-young Black Lesbian and resident of the Marcy projects, navigates applying for the Stonewall Houses, NYC’S first LGBT Elder affordable housing.

SOMEWHERE ALL THE BOYS ARE BIRDS

Dir. Apa Agbayani, 11 min, USA/Philippines

Benjie's obsession with long-dead movie star Jaime Reyes leads him to the rooftop where the actor took his own life. Here, he summons Jaime's ghost for a conversation.

WHEN THE HOUSE LIGHTS COME ON

Dir. Apa Agbayani, 14 min, Philippines

In 2044, a middle-aged gay man finds himself ageing out of the Manila rave scene. A chance encounter with a mischievous ex-lover changes the tune of his last dance.

EPISODIC SHOWCASE

Runtime: 79 min

SUNDAY, 10/20 AT 4PM; THE LGBT CENTER

+STREAMING

In TV it’s all about how it starts. Pilot episodes serve as the first taste for the characters, world and storylines of an episodic series—an amuse bouche that lures viewers in and keeps them captive for whatever is to come. This showcase presents the first look into five different queer worldviews: a tyrannical regime in a future populated by robots; a vengeful coven of Millennial witches; a grieving brother with misguided priorities; a thriving queer community threatened by a dangerous cult; and a father and son rediscovering the meaning of family. After seeing these first episodes, you’ll be left wanting more of what comes next!

FRIENDS OF SOPHIA (EPISODE

1)

Dir. Alden Peters, 25 min, USA

In a dystopian future, citizens live and work in Company towers a thousand stories tall, bound by a strict contract to build robotics for a far-off war. Unsanctioned vices, especially relationships with the androids they build, are severely punished.

VITCH

(EPISODE 1)

Dir. Lily Richards, 16 min, USA

Party witch Theodora Thomas, who is totally dependent on her magic, is thrust into the real world when the new Wiccan Counsel cracks down on Witches using their powers. Now, Theodora must navigate life as an adult like everyone else… while being hunted by the world’s most famous witch hunter.

WHAT ABOUT ME?

(EPISODE 1)

Dir. William Lott, 9 min, USA

Following the death of a famous actor, his estranged twin struggles to pick up the pieces of both of their lives.

EVE'S RIB (EPISODE 1)

Dir. James Camargo De Alba, 9 min, Colombia

A group of young people in their final year of school are discovering their sexuality while a serial killer, believing himself to be sent from God, kills LGBTQ people and then marks them with a cross at the height of the rib.

THE BOY, THE QUEEN, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN (EPISODE 1)

Dirs. Ramon Te Wake, Damon Fepulea'i, 20 min, New Zealand

After a 3-year stint in prison for aggravated assault, Jacob is forced to reconcile his relationship with his father Max, who just happens to be the most famous drag queen in the country.

WIN A QUICK GETAWAY, A MIAMI ESCAPE, LOCAL EXPERIENCES, AND MORE!

Enter for a chance to win a warm escape to South Beach Miami’s luxurious landmark hotel The Betsy, a quick getaway to Shelter Island’s historic Ram’s Head Inn, a staycation experience right here in NYC, a NewFest Diamond Membership, and more!

MORE PRIZES + TICKETS AT NEWFEST.ORG/RAFFLE

Each recipient received $25,000 and is provided workshops with Netflix execs and a NewFest-paired creative mentor. The grantees’ work will be screened at the New Voices Filmmaker Grant Showcase at Nitehawk Prospect Park on October 15th at 7:30pm.

Submissions open for the new round of the Grant in January 2025! For more information, visit newfest.org/new-voices-grant

APA AGBAYANI

ANGALIS FIELD CLEMENTINE NARCISSE CAI THOMAS

Entertain. Educate. Empower.

We are proud to sponsor NewFest who gives voice and visibility to the wide scope of LGBTQ+ experiences through films and programs that entertain, educate & empower.

NewFest’s Black Filmmakers Initiative was created in 2020 in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and in recognition of the need to create opportunities for queer Black artists and uplift their voices. The Black Filmmakers Initiative supports Black LGBTQ+ filmmakers’ participation in NewFest, including festival submission fee waivers and travel support, and presents three Emerging Black LGBTQ+ Filmmaker Awards with cash prizes annually.

Make a gift today to support the next generation of Black LGBTQ+ filmmakers: NEWFEST.ORG/DONATE

AN ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP IS THE BEST WAY TO EXPERIENCE LGBTQ+ PROGRAMMING ALL YEAR ROUND!

A NewFest annual membership includes:

• Invitations to all members-only events throughout the year

• Invitations to advanced screenings, exclusive premieres, and parties

• Discounts to all year-round screenings and series, including NewFest Presents, Queering the Canon, NewFest Pride, and festival passes and tickets

• Discounts to all New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival screenings and passes

• Silver, Gold, and Diamond levels include festival passes

• Discounts on NewFest Merchandise

For more information, visit NEWFEST.ORG/JOIN