This story is brought to you by our partners at NewFest.
This Thursday, NewFest returns to New York City for its 36th annual film festival bringing together more than 140 films that showcase the vibrant creativity of the LGBTQ+ community.
The lineup prominently showcases films that address contemporary themes, including gender identity, the art of drag, and love that crosses borders, alongside a nostalgic look at some cherished classics of queer cinema. The festival puts a special emphasis on historically underrepresented voices and identities in the LGBTQ+ community, with 82% of the lineup by and about women, trans, non-binary, intersex, bi, Black, Indigenous, people of color and disabled creators. Roshan Sethi’s A Nice Indian Boy, which opened to critical acclaim at SXSW, will kick off the 12-day hybrid festival.
“This year’s expansive lineup is a bold testament to both the future and legacy of queer cinema,” says Nick McCarthy, NewFest’s Director of Programming.“We’re thrilled to showcase a marvelous mix of groundbreaking new films and amplify the landmark queer filmmakers that blazed trails before.”
"High Tide"Photo Courtesy of Strand Releasing
The festival’s U.S. Centerpiece, High Tide, is set in idyllic Provincetown and directed by Marco Calvani. The film weaves a beautiful narrative of a Brazilian émigré, played by Marco Pigossi as he navigates life and love as an immigrant in America. Pigossi is joined by a stellar ensemble cast that includes Marisa Tomei and Bill Irwin. Keep an eye out for Advocate Channel’s own Stephen Walker whose character Chris makes an appearance at a pivotal moment in the film.
"Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara"Photo Courtesy of Hulu
Documentary fans will love Erin Lee Carr’s premiere of Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara, which dives into the bizarre world of identity theft in the digital age. The documentary is a compelling exploration into the catfishing identity theft of Tegan from the beloved indie duo Tegan and Sara. The film examines issues around privacy, fame, and identity in our current chronically online society.
This year's festival honors cinematic legacy with a special retrospective dedicated to a “John Waters Threesome,” featuring three of the campy cornerstone’s iconic films: Female Trouble, Pecker, and Polyester. Additionally, cult favorites like Elvira: Mistress of the Dark and The Matrix will screen, offering a nostalgic look back at queer cinematic history. Audiences can also look forward to a stunning restoration of the 1983 documentary film Dressed in Blue.
"Bird"Photo Courtesy of MUBI
NewFest’s International Centerpiece, Bird, won its director Andrea Arnold the Prix de la Citoyenneté at the Cannes Film Festival, showcasing exceptional performances by Barry Keoghan and Franz Rogowski. Other notable titles include the New York Centerpiece film Liza: A Truly Terrific, Absolutely True Story, and Sundance hits Ponyboi and Layla. The comedy Extremely Unique Dynamic will provide plenty of levity with its sharp satire of today’s filmmaking landscape and Hollywood’s insatiable appetite.
"Layla"Photo Courtesy of Film4
NewFest continues to prioritize accessibility, offering an array of in-person screenings alongside an on-demand platform to ensure that audiences can engage with the festival from the comfort of their homes. Key venues include the SVA Theatre, The Center, Brooklyn Academy of Music, and Nitehawk Prospect Park.
“On the cusp of a historic election, the LGBTQ+ community is, once again, at a moment where we need to show up for ourselves and each other,” says David Hatkoff, NewFest Executive Director. “As the largest queer film festival in the country, NewFest takes the responsibility of providing 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.”
"Emilia Pérez"Photo Courtesy of Netflix
Jacques Audiard’s musical drama Emilia Pérez will close out the festival on October 20th. The film took home the Cannes Jury Prize and earned its star Karla Sofía Gascón the Best Actress award, alongside performances by Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, and Adriana Paz.
NewFest 2024 promises to entertain and inspire while fostering meaningful conversations around identity, community, and representation. Whether you are a longtime queer film lover or a novice enthusiast, don’t miss out on this vibrant, rich tapestry of queer storytelling.
Check out the full lineup and get your tickets and passes at: http://newfest.org/festival!
