As autumn colors sweep across New York City, the New York Film Festival 2025 returns to Lincoln Center. The festival runs from September 26 to October 13, transforming the city into a global hub for cinema. Presented by Film at Lincoln Center (FLC) in partnership with Rolex, this year marks the 63rd edition of the iconic event.
Founded in 1963, the New York Film Festival remains a beacon of cinematic innovation. This year, excitement is already building as festival passes are now on sale. Meanwhile, single tickets will become available on September 18. With a Main Slate of 34 films, along with Spotlight, Currents, and Revivals programs, NYFF63 invites audiences to engage with stories that challenge and inspire. At a time when cinema feels more essential than ever, the festival continues to unite global audiences.
A Main Slate of Cinematic Masterworks
Announced on August 5, 2025, the Main Slate anchors the New York Film Festival 2025. It showcases 34 films from around the world, spanning genres and perspectives. The festival opens with Luca Guadagnino’s After the Hunt, a psychological thriller starring Julia Roberts and Ayo Edebiri. The film explores ambition and betrayal, setting a powerful tone for the festival.
In addition, the Centerpiece selection highlights Jim Jarmusch’s Father Mother Sister Brother. This anthology weaves intimate family stories together with quiet humor. As a result, it marks a strong return for the acclaimed indie filmmaker.
The Main Slate offers something for every New York Film Festival 2025 attendee. For example, Kelly Reichardt’s latest film delivers a meditative look at American identity. Similarly, Laura Poitras presents a striking documentary that examines political divides. Meanwhile, Claire Denis returns with a French feature rich in sensuality and existential depth.
Furthermore, the lineup includes a sharp family dramedy from Noah Baumbach, an action-driven epic by Kathryn Bigelow, and a stylish revenge thriller from Park Chan-wook. Each arrives as a North American or U.S. premiere. Notably, Jafar Panahi’s It Was Just an Accident arrives after winning the Palme d’Or at Cannes 2025, standing as one of the festival’s most anticipated highlights.
Artistic Director Dennis Lim summarizes the slate’s spirit by emphasizing cinema as an art worth defending. Overall, the New York Film Festival 2025 reflects a world in transition, offering films that spark dialogue through imagination, resistance, and renewal.
Spotlight and Currents: Discovering New Voices
The Spotlight section, revealed on August 12, presents 12 feature films and nine shorts. It includes three world premieres, making it ideal for viewers seeking new perspectives. Among them, Richard Linklater’s Blue Moon blends Irish folklore with modern themes of identity.
Additionally, the Gala selection, Scott Cooper’s Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere, explores Bruce Springsteen’s creative life with emotional depth. Meanwhile, the short film Doomed and Famous by Bingham Bryant offers a sharp, satirical look at fame within New York’s art scene.
Revivals: Honoring Cinema’s Legacy
The Revivals program, announced on August 14, celebrates film history through 12 restored classics. Curated by Film at Lincoln Center programmers, it brings influential works back to the big screen. For New York Film Festival 2025 attendees, this section offers a rare opportunity to revisit cinema’s past.
Highlights include Mamoru Oshii’s Angel’s Egg in a new 4K restoration and T’ang Shushuen’s The Arch, a landmark of female-directed cinema. In addition, restored works by Satyajit Ray, Ramesh Sippy, and Erich von Stroheim enrich the lineup. Together, these films reintroduce timeless stories to modern audiences.
Beyond the Screen: Shorts, Archives, and Community
The New York Film Festival 2025 also supports emerging talent through its Shorts program. This initiative helps introduce the next generation of filmmakers. Meanwhile, the Views from the Avant-Garde section promises boundary-pushing experimental cinema.
Notably, the festival’s visual identity was designed by RaMell Ross, director of Nickel Boys. In addition, FLC’s online archive allows fans to explore over six decades of festival history, including rare photos and past programs.
Planning Your Visit: Tickets and Access
Festival passes remain available in limited numbers and include early access benefits. Meanwhile, single tickets go on sale on September 18 at noon ET. Additionally, Film at Lincoln Center members and pass holders receive pre-sale access starting September 2.
Screenings take place at premier venues such as the Walter Reade Theater and the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center. As a result, the New York Film Festival 2025 delivers an immersive and unforgettable theatrical experience.y
