NewFest, New York’s leading LGBTQ+ film and media organization, has just announced the full lineup for its fourth annual NewFest Pride summer film series running May 30th to June 3rd in-person in New York, with select titles available virtually throughout the United States.
NewFest Pride will showcase a mix of feature films, shorts, series, and Q+As, with an array of New York premieres including Brian J. Smith’s Fire Island documentary A House Is Not A Disco, which will open the festival, Fawzia Mirza‘s blissfully vibrant and cathartic The Queen Of My Dreams, Dominic Savage’s emotionally potent drama Close To You starring Elliot Page, wife and wife co-directors Tig Notaro and Stephanie Allynne’s refashioning of the romcom with a platonic female friendship at its centre, Am I OK?, and Mikko Mäkelä’s brooding sophomore feature Sebastian. There will also be advance screenings of Megan Park’s My Old Ass starring Aubrey Plaza, the first two episodes of Julio Torres’ (Los Espookys, Problemista) new HBO series Fantasmas, a virtual-only screening of Zacharias Mavroeidis’ Queer Lion-nominated The Summer with Carmen ( To kalokairi tis Karmen), and the world premiere of Matthew Fifer’s psychological thriller Haze.
Virtual audiences will also have a chance to catch an advance episode of Trixie Motel: Drag Me Home followed by a virtual Q&A conversation with Trixie Mattel, and the season 4 finale episode of HBO’s We’re Here, followed by a conversation with the show’s creators Johnnie Ingram and Stephen Warren, director Peter LoGreco, and hosts Sasha Velour, Priyanka, Jaida Essence Hall, and Latrice Royale moderated by GLAAD’s Dino-Ray Ramos. Virtual audiences will also have the opportunity to watch a selection of short films in the Black Queer Pride Shorts with Vimeo program. Individual tickets and all-access passes to NewFest Pride are now on sale at newfest.org.
NewFest will also present a free outdoor screenings of Beeban Kidron’s 1995 drag movie favourite To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar at The Rink at Rockefeller Center on June 1st and Gaga Chromatica Ball in the Meatpacking District at Gansevoort Plaza on June 3rd (RSVP).
Full lineup for fourth annual NewFest Pride summer film series – descriptions courtesy of NewFest
A House Is Not A Disco – directed by Brian J. Smith
Thursday, May 30th at 7:30pm, Opening Night Film & Party; SVA Theatre (also available virtually)
New York Premiere
A compelling, lovingly-captured portrait of Fire Island as queer paradise that sees past and present blur within the iconic beach town as it celebrates its collective legacy and redefines itself for a modern era.
My Old Ass – written and directed by Megan Park
Friday, May 31st at 6:45pm; SVA Theatre
Advance Screening
In this fresh coming-of-age story, an 18th birthday mushroom trip brings free-spirited Elliott (Maisy Stella) face-to-face with her wisecracking 39-year-old self (Aubrey Plaza). But when Elliott’s “old ass” starts handing out warnings about what her younger self should and shouldn’t do, Elliott realizes she has to rethink everything about family, love, and what’s becoming a transformative summer.
Haze – directed by Matthew Fifer
Friday, May 31st at 9:30pm; SVA Theatre
World Premiere + Q&A
A young journalist (Cole Doman) returns home to investigate the unsolved deaths at an abandoned psychiatric center. As he dances with the shadows of his past and a mysterious new man in his life, his family history and the town’s secrets begin to converge in this evocative psychological thriller.
Close To You – directed by Dominic Savage
Saturday, June 1st at 4:30pm; SVA Theatre (also available virtually)
New York Premiere + Q&A
Producer and co-writer Elliot Page stars in this emotionally observant drama about returning home as yourself and finding hope in potentially rekindled relationships
Fantasmas – directed by Julio Torres
Saturday, June 1st at 8:00pm; SVA Theatre
Advance Screening of Episodes 1 & 2
A delightfully wry new HBO comedy series from the imagination of creator, star, writer, executive producer and director Julio Torres (Los Espookys, Problemista)
The Queen Of My Dreams – directed by Fawzia Mirza
Sunday, June 2nd at 3:00pm; SVA Theatre (also available virtually)
New York Premiere + Q&A; Preceded by Women’s Afternoon Reception
Grad student Azra feels worlds apart from her seemingly rigid mother yet uncovers their unexpected connections on a trip to Pakistan in this vibrant festival favorite (TIFF, SXSW). Presented in partnership with Infinite Beauty: Muslim and MENASA Identity Onscreen. Read our exclusive interview with Fawzia Mirza.
Sebastian – directed by Mikko Mäkelä
Sunday, June 2nd at 6:30pm; SVA Theatre (also available virtually)
New York Premiere
A freelance writer and aspiring novelist on his way to ostensible success in London’s cultural spheres finds a different kind of exhilaration as a sex worker in this Sundance sensation. Read our review from Sundance.
Am I OK? – directed by Tig Notaro and Stephanie Allynne
Monday, June 3rd at 8:00pm; SVA Theatre (also available virtually)
New York Premiere + Q&A
Lucy (Dakota Johnson) and Jane (Sonoya Mizuno) have been best friends for most of their lives and think they know everything there is to know about each other. But when Jane announces she’s moving to London, Lucy reveals a long-held secret. As Jane tries to help Lucy, their friendship is thrown into chaos. Followed by an exclusive Q&A with co-directors Tig Notaro and Stephanie Allynne, and writer Lauren Pomerantz. Read our review from Sundance.
NewFest will present a free outdoor screening of Beeban Kidron’s drag movie favourite To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar at The Rink at Rockefeller Center on Saturday, June 1st at 8pm. The screening will be the first event in the Pride Summer Movie Nights series at Rockefeller Center, presented by NewFest and Universal Pictures. The screening series is part of Summer at The Rink, Rockefeller Center’s iconic ice-skating rink transformed into an urban community oasis with al fresco dining and a slate of dynamic cultural programming.
Feature Film Virtual Exclusives:
COMING AROUND – directed by Sandra Itäinen
Virtual Screening
A young queer woman stands at a crossroads with her devout Muslim mother in a clash between identity and tradition.
THE SUMMER WITH CARMEN – directed by Zacharias Mavroeidis
Virtual Screening
While enjoying a day at a clothing-optional queer beach, an aspiring filmmaker and their handsome friend collaborate on a screenplay in this whimsical summer treat. Read our review.
Episodic Series Virtual Exclusives:
Trixie Motel: Drag Me Home
Advance Virtual Screening and Virtual Q&A
After months of sweat, tears, and lash glue, Trixie Motel has officially been open for almost a year and Trixie Mattel and her partner David look to do something some might say is even scarier: moving in together and designing a dream home fit for two. Audiences will get an advance screening of Episode 1 (“Oh Honey, I’m Home”) of the new season, followed by an exclusive virtual Q&A conversation with Trixie Mattel.
We’re Here Season 4 Finale
Advance Virtual Screening and Virtual Q&A
Join NewFest and HBO for an advance screening of the Season Four finale episode, followed by an exclusive virtual conversation with co-creators and executive producers Johnnie Ingram and Stephen Warren, showrunner, director and executive producer Peter LoGreco, and cast members Sasha Velour, Priyanka, Jaida Essence Hall, and Latrice Royale, moderated by Dino-Ray Ramos (GLAAD). Read our We’re Here season 4 review.
Shorts Program Virtual Exclusive:
Black Queer Pride Shorts with Vimeo
Virtual Screening + Q&A
Join NewFest & Vimeo for a celebratory short film showcase by and about Black LGBTQ+ lives, joys, and experiences — from Sundance premieres to Staff Picks to NewFest festival favorites. Presented in partnership with Vimeo.
MnM – directed by Twiggy Pucci Garçon
An exuberant portrait of chosen sisters Mermaid and Milan, two emerging runway divas in the drag ballroom community. Celebrating their joy, siblinghood, and unapologetic personas, the film explores the power and beauty of being nonbinary in a community that can be both liberating and compartmentalized around gender.
GIRL BLUNT – directed by Clementine Narcisse
Two young women decide to use their newly found drug-dealing business to get revenge against a conniving man of their past.
GAUZE – directed by Kevaughn Reid
A meditative love story between an Airbnb host and his guest. Because of Amir, Noah felt something he never thought he would.
WONDERS – directed by Huriyyah Muhammad
Two hard-working moms are struggling to make a better life for themselves and their toddler, but their luck turns around when their baby gives them an unexpected gift.
GRACE – directed by Natalie Jasmine Harris
Sixteen-year-old Grace prepares for her baptism in the rural 1950’s South. When she learns she must repent before the ritual, Grace contemplates her romantic feelings toward her best friend Louise.
HOLD ON TO ME – directed by Te Shima Brennen and Rajvi Desai
Meet LaTravious Collins (aka Mother LaTravious), a mother to the community and the Executive Director of the Brooklyn Ghost Project.
SIS – directed by Miranda Haymon
In this surrealist black comedy, a woman’s curiosity in her ex-crush’s new girlfriend complicates after their cosmic meet-cute at a Brooklyn rooftop party.
Individual tickets and all-access passes to NewFest Pride are now on sale at newfest.org.
