"At NewFest, an LGBTQ film festival becomes a form of resistance" --Entertainment Weekly

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Founded in 1988, NewFest: New York’s LGBTQ Film Festival is one of the world's largest annual celebrations of the year’s best queer films from the U.S. and abroad--featuring over 160 films from more than 30 countries, as well as special events that bring together filmmakers, celebrities, movie lovers, industry professionals, and the LGBTQ community.

Following its biggest and boldest festival yet, NewFest will celebrate its 32nd annual edition of New York’s LGBTQ Film Festival with seven days of premieres, panels, and parties that attract audiences, filmmakers, tastemakers, and leaders in both media and the LGBTQ community. NewFest's collection of narratives, documentaries and shorts portrays the diverse and compelling stories from across the LGBTQ spectrum.

As one of the world’s most venerable and respected LGBTQ festivals, NewFest's impact in terms of propelling and fostering filmmakers while celebrating their stories is historic and global. NewFest is distinctive among LGBTQ film festivals for the high quality programming, outstanding press coverage, community engagement, savvy audiences, and sensational parties, as well as how the festival channels the creative energy of New York City to celebrate queer stories. NewFest is a festival that is not to be missed!

New York's LGBTQ Film Festival is produced annually by NewFest, New York’s LGBTQ Film and Media Arts Organization. NewFest gives voice and visibility to the full spectrum of the LGBTQ experience by championing films, supporting storytellers, and engaging audiences in order to inspire dialogue, shift cultural bias and empower our diverse community.

Awards & Prizes

GRAND JURY AWARDS
Grand Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature
Grand Jury Award for Best Documentary Feature
Grand Jury Award for Best New York Short Film

AUDIENCE AWARDS
Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature
Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature
Audience Award for Best Documentary Short
Audience Award for Best Narrative Short

Rules & Terms

Films should be of interest to, and inclusive of, the queer community. We are seeking narrative, documentary, experimental, and animated films (both features and shorts) in 35mm, 16mm, or DCP (upon acceptance, NewFest will provide projection options for the specific venue in which the film will screen—IF THE FILMMAKER CANNOT PROVIDE THE CORRECT PROJECTION FORMAT, THE FILM WILL NOT BE SCREENED).

Rough cuts and works-in-progress are eligible for submission if the completed film will be ready for QC by September 1st, 2020. Please label the screener “Rough Cut” and specify what is missing (i.e. temp sound, needs color correction, etc).

By submitting your work to NewFest, you grant to NewFest a non-exclusive license to use an excerpt of your submission of up to two minutes in length, for promotional purposes only.

Still photos from your work are requested with your submission and are required for all films selected for the festival. Good stills make a difference in film placement and press coverage, particularly for short films. Even the shortest short can get press coverage or festival prominence with a captivating still. Stills must be in TIFF or JPEG format and 300dpi (dots per inch).

You are also encouraged to enclose a synopsis, production credits, press information, and other collateral regarding your film.

CERTIFICATION
I have read and agree to the festival submission and participation requirements and certify that I am authorized to submit this film NewFest. I hold NewFest harmless from damage to or loss of the print en route or otherwise during the course of the festival’s possession of the film.
8 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Nicolas Minas

    Wonderful people! They really strive to create a sense of community at this festival. So glad to have been a part of it.

    January 2020
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  • Asaf Yecheskel

    A great festival with a wonderful and passionate staff. We were fortunate to have the film “15 Years” as part of the 2019 festival. Thank you Newfest for a terrific experience.

    November 2019
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  • Joshua Michael Payne

    NewFest is it. Top quality films. Multiple screenings of many of the short film programs. Great parties and networking. One of my personal favorite all-time festival experiences. Loved being a part of this festival!

    November 2019
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  • Alexis Clements

    This festival was really a warm, friendly environment. The staff was wonderful. And premiering my film at this fest helped to drive a lot of press for the film, which was incredibly helpful.

    November 2019
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  • Matthew Montgomery

    This festival is just downright amazing. They bring together such an amazing group of films and filmmakers from all over the world and provide a space to actually talk to each other and meet new filmmakers. We screened our feature film, Devil's Path, there for two screenings and we sold out on our second screening. This is all due to the great marketing and promotion team at NewFest. The venue is awesome and the events that are part of the festival make it feel like a real community.

    January 2019
    Helpful