NewFest38 is the 38th annual New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival, the largest LGBTQ+ film festival in the United States, running October 15–25, 2026 across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. It presents 144 films from 23 countries, including the NYC premiere of Cannes Best Director winner 'La Bola Negra' as its opening night film and Ira Sachs' 'The Man I Love' as its closing night film.
Screenings daily across multiple venues; virtual streaming Oct 15–30
Multiple subway lines depending on venue (e.g., SVA Theatre: 1/C/E at 23rd St)
NewFest38 is the 38th edition of the New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival, the largest LGBTQ+ film festival in the United States. It runs October 15 through 25, 2026, with screenings and premieres spread across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. If you cannot make it to a theater, select films stream on NewFest’s on-demand platform from October 15 through 30.
What is NewFest?
NewFest was founded in 1988, and this 38th edition marks nearly four decades as New York’s premier LGBTQ+ film organization. In that time it has grown into one of the most comprehensive forums for queer cinema anywhere, and the biggest festival of its kind in the country.
The fall festival is the flagship, but it is not the only thing NewFest does. The organization also runs NewFest Pride, an early-summer festival that kicks off Pride Month in the city. That event is separate from the October festival, so do not confuse the two when you are looking at dates.
What makes NewFest matter is scale and reach. It brings together narratives, documentaries, shorts, and special events under one banner, and it does so across boroughs rather than parking everything in a single Manhattan theater. For New Yorkers who care about queer film, these are the eleven days in October when the city’s screens are organized around those stories.
What’s on this year
The numbers first: NewFest38 presents 144 films from 23 countries. That is a lot to sort through, so start with the anchor titles.
Opening night on October 15 is the NYC premiere of ‘La Bola Negra,’ directed by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi. The film arrives with serious momentum, having won Best Director at Cannes and the People’s Choice Award at TIFF, as IndieWire reported when the lineup was announced.
Closing night on October 25 belongs to Ira Sachs. His new film ‘The Man I Love’ stars Rami Malek, Tom Sturridge, and Luther Ford. Sachs is a longtime New York filmmaker, so closing the city’s queer film festival with his latest feels like a fitting bookend.
Between those two nights, the festival has slotted in four centerpiece selections, per the official site:
- ‘Club Kid’ is the New York Centerpiece.
- ‘Clarissa’ is the International Centerpiece.
- ‘Elsinore,’ starring Andrew Scott, is the Spotlight Centerpiece.
- ‘What Will I Become?’ is the Documentary Centerpiece.
Premieres take place at five venues: SVA Theatre in Chelsea, BAM in Brooklyn, the Museum of the Moving Image (MoMI) in Queens, Nitehawk Prospect Park in Brooklyn, and the LGBT Community Center in Manhattan. Which film plays where depends on the schedule, so check the venue listed on your ticket before you head out.
Beyond the headliners, the full program covers features, documentaries, shorts, and special events. Specific guest appearances and Q&A details have not been announced in the materials available, so keep an eye on the festival’s schedule as the dates get closer.
Tickets and how to go
Individual tickets are on sale now through the festival’s website. If you plan to see more than a couple of films, the ticket packages are the smart move. A 4-ticket package takes 10 percent off general admission, and 6- or 10-ticket packages take 15 percent off. For a festival with 144 films, hitting six screenings is not hard.
Memberships are another route. Membership Plus starts at $145. Silver Star Membership, which includes a festival pass, starts at $500. If you are the type who wants to live at the festival for eleven days, the Silver Star tier is the one designed for you.
Prefer to watch from your couch? A virtual pass is available, and the streaming window runs October 15 through 30, giving you five extra days past the in-person close to catch up. Only select films stream, so not everything will be available online.
Getting there depends entirely on the venue. SVA Theatre is reachable by the 1, C, and E trains at 23rd Street. BAM, Nitehawk Prospect Park, MoMI, and the LGBT Community Center each have their own subway options, and since the festival spans three boroughs, build in travel time if you are trying to double up on screenings in one evening. Two films at two different venues on the same night is doable, but only if you are honest with yourself about the commute between Chelsea and Astoria.
A few practical tips. Opening and closing nights tend to be the hottest tickets at any festival, so grab those early if ‘La Bola Negra’ or ‘The Man I Love’ are on your list. Nitehawk serves food and drinks at your seat, so plan dinner accordingly. And if a screening you want sells out, the virtual pass may still get you access, depending on whether that title is part of the streaming selection.
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest queer film festival in the world?
That title belongs to Frameline, the San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival. NewFest is the largest LGBTQ+ film festival in the United States and one of the most comprehensive forums for LGBTQ+ film anywhere.
What movies are scheduled to be on the lineup for the 2026 New York Film Festival?
That question is about the New York Film Festival (NYFF), which is a separate event from NewFest. For NewFest38, the lineup features 144 films from 23 countries, opening with the NYC premiere of ‘La Bola Negra’ and closing with ‘The Man I Love.’ Centerpiece films include ‘Club Kid,’ ‘Elsinore,’ ‘Clarissa,’ and ‘What Will I Become?’ Full details are on the NewFest website.
Can anyone go to the New York Film Festival?
Again, that is NYFF, a different festival. NewFest38, the New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival, is open to the public and runs October 15 through 25, 2026. Individual tickets are on sale now, and a virtual pass is available for anyone who cannot attend in person, with streaming running October 15 through 30.
How much do tickets cost for NYFF shows?
NYFF is a separate event from NewFest. For NewFest38, individual tickets are on sale now, with ticket packages available at up to 15 percent off general admission. Membership Plus starts at $145, and Silver Star Membership, which includes a festival pass, starts at $500. A virtual pass is also available. Check the NewFest website for current pricing.
What is NewFest Pride?
NewFest Pride is NewFest’s annual early-summer LGBTQ+ film and media festival that kicks off Pride Month in New York City. It is separate from the main fall festival held each October.
What is the New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival?
The New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival, presented by NewFest, is the largest LGBTQ+ film festival in the United States and one of the most comprehensive forums for LGBTQ+ film in the world. Now in its 38th edition, running October 15 through 25, 2026, it features 144 films from 23 countries, including narratives, documentaries, shorts, and special events, screening at venues across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, with virtual streaming also available.
Which LGBTQ+ film festivals are happening in 2026?
Several major LGBTQ+ film festivals took place or are taking place in 2026, including Frameline in San Francisco (June 17 through 27), Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival (July 10 through 12), FilmOut San Diego (August 20 through 23), Reeling in Chicago (September 17 through 27), Out On Film in Atlanta (September 24 through October 4), and NewFest38 in New York City (October 15 through 25). NewFest38 is the one happening now, with tickets and a virtual pass available through the festival’s website.
