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

Submissions for NewFest's 34th edition of The New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival (October 14 - 25, 2022*) will open on February 11th, 2022.

To see event listings for our year-round virtual programming and receive updates on the festival, please visit our website, sign up for our mailing list, and follow us on social media. We look forward to hearing your story!

As part of NewFest’s Black Filmmakers Initiative, we are currently waiving festival submission fees for Black filmmakers with LGBTQ+ stories centering Black characters and perspectives. To request a waiver code, please email submissions@newfest.org with information on your completed and eligible project.

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Founded in 1988, The New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival is one of the world's largest and most respected annual celebrations of the year’s best queer films from the U.S. and abroad--featuring over 150 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 a breakthrough hybrid festival in 2021, which took place virtually and in-person throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn, NewFest will celebrate its 34th annual edition of The New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival in October 2022. With multiple days of premieres, panels, and parties, NewFest's collection of narratives, documentaries, shorts programs, and special events showcases the best in LGBTQ+ film and media.

NewFest is distinctive among LGBTQ+ film festivals for its high-quality programming, outstanding press coverage, community engagement, savvy audiences, and sensational parties. The festival’s impact in terms of propelling the work and careers of emerging filmmakers is historic and global, and uniquely channels the collaborative creative energy of New York City to celebrate queer films.

The New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival is produced annually by NewFest, New York’s leading LGBTQ+ film and media organization. NewFest gives voice and visibility to the full spectrum of LGBTQ+ experiences by championing films, supporting storytellers, and engaging audiences in order to inspire dialogue, shift cultural bias and empower our community.

*(due to ongoing regulations around COVID-19, exact format and dates within October 2022 are subject to change)

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

BLACK FILMMAKER INITIATIVE AWARDS
Feature Directorial Debut from a Black LGBTQ+ Filmmaker Award
Emerging Black LGBTQ+ Filmmaker Award

Rules & Terms

Films should be of interest to, and inclusive of, the LGBTQ+ 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, 2022. 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.
18 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Tristan Scott-Behrends

    Could not say enough good about NewFest. The curation is excellent and well reflects the talent and stories in our community. The entire team was so welcoming and went out of their way to make filmmakers feel included and welcome. Really good networking events that made it very easy to connect with the other filmmakers.

    November 2021
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  • Jennelle Williams

    So happy that my web series, Car Therapy, was featured in the Dyke Drama shorts block! Not to mention this was our first acceptance into a film festival on our first try :) It was so lovely being in the same company of so many other great filmmakers! I was not able to make the in person screenings but the programmers still made me feel very comfortable as I made my virtual appearance on the red carpet!

    November 2021
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  • Jane Stiles

    I love this festival so much. The work was top notch, the vibe was inclusive, and the people were warm and thoughtful. Hope to be back next year with a new film <333

    November 2021
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  • Benett Holgerson

    An incredible experience. The team puts in so much love and effort to this; the people involved are so kind and helpful, the programming was out of this world. I had a blast and felt so honored to be involved. Felt surreal and so happy to have something like this still be able to happen in person since the pandemic began. Thank you again for including my short film Close Up in your programming this year.

    November 2021
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  • Jose Manuel Velez

    Had an amazing first experience at NewFest this year. Just being able to share with other queer artists, talk about films, and watch their work; makes it completely worth it. There's a space for every queer voice creating content nowadays. I hope to participate more times in the future.

    November 2021
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