What defines the cinematic landscape of the 64th New York Film Festival?

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Running from late September to mid-October 2026, the 64th New York Film Festival showcases a diverse slate of world premieres. From crime dramas to experimental shorts, the event highlights new commissions and restored classics, offering a profound look at the evolving state of global filmmaking.

Presented by Film at Lincoln Center, the 2026 festival spans from September 25 to October 12. This edition marks a significant expansion with the introduction of 'NYFF Encounters' within the Spotlight Gala section. This new annual commissioning program tasks filmmakers selected for the Main Slate with producing an original short film during the festival itself. The inaugural production for this initiative is South of Tehran, directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho, which tracks Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi during the 2025 festival release of It Was Just an Accident. The festival's official poster was created by Canadian artist Marcel Dzama. This artwork draws inspiration from Georges Méliès's 1902 film A Trip to the Moon and Loie Fuller's Serpentine dance.

The festival's programming is diverse, featuring heavyweights like Tony Gilroy, whose musical drama Behemoth! serves as the centerpiece. The opening night film is James Gray's crime-drama Paper Tiger, while Ava DuVernay's documentary 14th concludes the event. The Main Slate features several notable first-time appearances, including Chris Rock and Luca Guadagnino, the latter of whom will see Artificial premiered. Other world premieres include Takashi Yamazaki's Godzilla Minus Zero and Jonathan Glazer's Joy of Joys. The lineup also features works by Paul Thomas Anderson and Tom McCarthy.

Preservation remains a core pillar of the event. The Revivals section celebrates the history of the medium through restored works, such as a 35mm North American premiere of a 4K restoration of The Devils (1971). Other technical highlights include the Spotlight Shorts program, which will be presented entirely in 35mm at the Walter Reade Theater. The festival's artistic direction is overseen by Dennis Lim, supported by a selection committee including Florence Almozini, Justin Chang, and Rachel Rosen. The full schedule for the Main Slate was revealed on 13 August. Additionally, the Spotlight Shorts program includes three world premieres.

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