Introduction: Your Guide to the 63rd New York Film Festival (NYFF63)
The New York Film Festival is officially returning for its 63rd edition, running from September 26 to October 13, 2025. For over six decades, NYFF has been one of the most anticipated film events on the global calendar. Unlike other festivals, there are no awards, trophies, or competitions. Instead, it’s a carefully curated showcase of the best in world cinema. The 63rd New York Film Festival is one of the marquee events under Upcoming film festivals NYC 2025.
This year’s New York Film Festival 2025 lineup blends acclaimed directors with exciting new voices, spanning everything from intimate dramas to politically charged thrillers. Organized by Film at Lincoln Center, NYFF remains a true celebration of cinema. As Artistic Director Dennis Lim said, “The films this year show that cinema can be an act of imagination, resistance, and remembrance.”
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know from the NYFF 2025 films, program highlights, ticketing details, venues, and FAQs to plan your perfect festival experience.
Key Dates
September 26 – October 13, 2025. That’s your window for NYFF63. It is two and a half weeks of premieres, discoveries, and packed screenings at Lincoln Center.
Overview
For more than six decades, the New York Film Festival (NYFF) has stood as one of the world’s most influential celebrations of cinema. Presented by Film at Lincoln Center, the festival is recognized for its curated, non-competitive format, where artistry takes precedence over awards. Each year, audiences experience an extraordinary range of filmmaking from established masters debuting their latest works to emerging voices redefining the medium. The 63rd New York Film Festival (September 26 – October 13, 2025) continues this legacy, offering a lineup that spans premieres, revivals, and bold new experiments, all presented in the heart of New York City.
What is the purpose of this guide?
This guide is your all-in, one-stop read on the New York Film Festival 2025 lineup (NYFF63): the key dates, marquee films (Opening, Centerpiece, Closing), a Main Slate breakdown with premiere statuses, highlights from Spotlight, Currents, and Revivals, plus how to attend—tickets, passes, membership perks, standby lines, venues and a clean FAQ so you can plan fast and book smart.
NYFF 2025 at a Glance: Key Information
- Festival Dates: September 26 – October 13, 2025
- Host: Film at Lincoln Center
- Location: New York City (primary venues: Alice Tully Hall, Walter Reade Theater, Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center)
Edition: 63rd New York Film Festival (NYFF63)
The Marquee Attractions: Opening, Centerpiece, and Closing Night Films
Like every year, the NYFF 2025 lineup puts its spotlight on three gala screenings; here are the three must-see films of NYFF 2025:
Opening Night:
After the Hunt (2025)
Director: Luca Guadagnino
Countries: U.S. (Primarily indicated)
Premiere Status: North American Premiere
Synopsis / Key Cast: A sharp psychological drama featuring Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri, Andrew Garfield, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Chloë Sevigny. The story follows a Yale professor whose life unravels after her student accuses a colleague of assault.
Centerpiece:
Father, Mother, Sister, Brother (2025)
Director: Jim Jarmusch
Countries: U.S., Ireland, France, Italy, Japan
Premiere Status: North American Premiere
Synopsis / Key Cast: A triptych about adult siblings reconnecting: Adam Driver & Mayim Bialik in rural New Jersey; Cate Blanchett & Vicky Krieps reunited with Charlotte Rampling in Dublin; Indya Moore & Luka Sabbat in Paris.
Closing Night:
Is This Thing On? (2025)
Director: Bradley Cooper
Country: U.S.
Premiere Status: World Premiere
Synopsis / Key Cast: A dramedy starring Will Arnett as a divorced stand-up comic reinventing himself in NYC, with Laura Dern as his ex, set against the city’s comic scene.
The Main Slate: The Heart of the Festival
The NYFF 2025 Main Slate showcases 34 films from 26 countries — the core of the New York Film Festival program 2025, featuring works destined to spark conversation.
Highlights include:
It Was Just an Accident (2025)
Director: Jafar Panahi
Countries: Iran, France, Luxembourg
Premiere Status: New York Premiere
Quick Synopsis: A revealing thriller of political repression and revenge, winner of the Palme d’Or at Cannes.
Sentimental Value (2025)
Director: Joachim Trier
Countries: Norway, France, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, UK
Premiere Status: (Assumed) New York Premiere; won Grand Prix at Cannes
Synopsis / Key Cast: A family drama featuring Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, and Elle Fanning; explores estranged siblings confronting their filmmaker father.
If I Had Legs I’d Kick You (2025)
Director: Mary Bronstein
Country: U.S. (implicit)
Premiere Status: New York Premiere
Synopsis: An absurdist meditation on motherhood and career, led by Rose Byrne in a Silver Bear–winning role.
A House of Dynamite (2025)
Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Country: U.S.
Premiere Status: North American Premiere
Synopsis: A taut political thriller about a missile alert sending a city into chaos, starring Idris Elba and Rebecca Ferguson.
Jay Kelly (2025)
Director: Noah Baumbach
Country: U.S./U.K./Italy
Premiere Status: New York Premiere
Synopsis: A reflective character study starring George Clooney confronting fame and regret.
Kontinental ’25 (2025)
Director: Radu Jude
Country: Romania
Premiere Status: North American Premiere
Synopsis: A satirical critique of gentrification and moral crisis via absurd humor.
Magellan (2025)
Director: Lav Diaz
Countries: Portugal, Spain, France, the Philippines, Taiwan
Premiere Status: U.S. Premiere
Synopsis: A sweeping, meditative epic with Gael García Bernal examining colonial power.
These NYFF 2025 dates and films represent the best of the New York Film Festival 2025, spanning diverse genres and global voices.
Beyond the Main Slate: Other Festival Sections
Spotlight
Special films and world premieres that command extra attention.
Here are some of the highlights:
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere (2025)
Director: Scott Cooper
Country: United States
Premiere Status: World Premiere
Synopsis / Key Cast: Jeremy Allen White stars as Bruce Springsteen during the making of his landmark Nebraska album. A portrait of artistry, solitude, and the struggle to create.
Anemone (2025)
Director: Ronan Day-Lewis
Countries: United Kingdom, United States
Premiere Status: World Premiere
Synopsis / Key Cast: Daniel Day-Lewis emerges from retirement to act in his son’s debut feature, a layered family drama with immense emotional weight.
Blue Moon (2025)
Director: Richard Linklater
Country: United States
Premiere Status: World Premiere
Synopsis / Key Cast: A New York–set musical drama centered on lyricist Lorenz Hart, starring Ethan Hawke, blending historical homage with Linklater’s distinct narrative rhythm.
La Grazia (2025)
Director: Paolo Sorrentino
Country: Italy
Premiere Status: World Premiere
Synopsis / Key Cast: A lush and soulful drama, marked by Sorrentino’s unmistakable visual grandeur and deeply personal storytelling.
Mr. Scorsese (2025)
Director: Rebecca Miller
Country: United States
Premiere Status: World Premiere
Synopsis / Key Cast: A five-part documentary portrait of Martin Scorsese, told through his own words, with interviews from collaborators and family.
Currents
The experimental, avant-garde wing of NYFF — formally daring works that expand the language of cinema.
Here are some of the highlights:
Dry Leaf (2025)
Director: Alexandre Koberidze
Countries: Germany, Georgia
Premiere Status: World Premiere
Synopsis: Entirely shot on a Sony Ericsson phone, the film reframes modern image-making through a poetic, everyday lens.
Toward a Fundamental Theory of Physics (2025)
Director: Victor Van Rossem
Country: Belgium
Premiere Status: World Premiere
Synopsis: A radical experiment filmed using a 3D time-slice rig, pushing scientific ideas into cinematic abstraction.
Short Films:
- Morning Circle — A study of isolation in East Berlin.
- Dooni — A disco-infused exploration of HIV/AIDS history and memory.
Revivals
A showcase of newly restored classics, bringing historic masterpieces back to the big screen, here are some of the highlights:
Sholay (1975)
Director: Ramesh Sippy
Country: India (1975)
Premiere Status: Restoration Screening
Synopsis: The landmark Bollywood action-epic, restored to its original glory for a new generation of audiences.
Days and Nights in the Forest (1970)
Director: Satyajit Ray
Country: India (1970)
Premiere Status: Restoration Screening
Synopsis: A meditative drama from Ray’s middle period, following four friends’ retreat into the countryside and their moral unraveling.
Talks & Special Events
Beyond screenings, NYFF 2025 dates bring an extensive program of panels, discussions, and masterclasses. These events bring filmmakers, actors, critics, and scholars together for in-depth conversations about craft, culture, and the state of cinema. Expect:
- Director Talks — one-on-one sessions with marquee filmmakers.
- Panel Discussions — roundtables on pressing themes in global cinema.
- Masterclasses — intimate, educational events led by acclaimed directors and craftspeople.
These Talks & Special Events offer festivalgoers the chance to go behind the scenes, connect directly with artists, and deepen their appreciation of the year’s most compelling works.
How to Attend: Tickets, Passes, and Membership Information
Ticket Sales Dates
- Member Pre-Sale: Opens September 2, 2025 (tiered access depending on membership level and pass holders).
- General Public On-Sale: Begins September 18, 2025, at 12 pm ET.
Types of Tickets and Passes
- Single Tickets – Available for individual screenings once public sales open.
- Festival Passes – Multiple options (e.g., 6-film, 12-film, Opening Night Plus, All-Access), some with added perks like waived ticket fees or VIP lounge access.
- Membership Benefits – Members who join by August 29, 2025, get early pre-sale access, discounts, free tickets throughout the year, and invites to member-only events.
Standby Lines
If a screening sells out, NYFF operates standby lines at each venue. Seats are released shortly before showtime once ticket holders are seated. Experienced attendees suggest arriving at least 2–3 hours early for high-demand films.
Where to Purchase
- Online: filmlinc.org
- In-person: Box offices at Alice Tully Hall and Walter Reade Theater.
Why the New York premieres of NYFF 2025 are a Must-Attend Event
The New York Film Festival 2025 lineup is one of the most anticipated in the world. From Luca Guadagnino’s Opening Night thriller After the Hunt to Bradley Cooper’s World Premiere Closing Night film Is This Thing On?, the schedule showcases both star-studded premieres and daring experimental works. Marquee Attractions: Spotlight screenings that set the tone for awards season.
- Global Cinema: Acclaimed auteurs like Jafar Panahi, Park Chan-wook, and Lav Diaz are anchoring the Main Slate.
- Innovation: The Currents program presents experimental and avant-garde visions.
- Cultural Dialogue: Talks, masterclasses, and panels that allow audiences to engage directly with filmmakers.
Conclusion: Prepare for a Cinematic Journey
Whether you’re drawn to the New York premieres at NYFF 2025, the rediscovery of restored classics in Revivals, or the bold experiments in Currents, the 63rd New York Film Festival schedule promises a rich, diverse experience. Once again, Lincoln Center will become the beating heart of cinema this fall—where movies aren’t just seen, but truly celebrated.
If you’re in New York this September and wondering what to do, this festival is undoubtedly part of the Best of New York Film Festival 2025, offering an experience that blends premieres, global voices, and cinematic discovery.
FAQ: New York Film Festival 2025
When is the New York Film Festival 2025?
A. September 26 – October 13, 2025.
What is the opening night film for NYFF 2025?
A. After the Hunt by Luca Guadagnino.
What films are in the NYFF 2025 Main Slate?
A. 34 titles from 26 countries — highlights include films by Jafar Panahi, Joachim Trier, Kathryn Bigelow, Noah Baumbach, and Bi Gan.
How can I buy tickets for the New York Film Festival 2025?
A. Through Film at Lincoln Center’s official website and box offices.
Where does the New York Film Festival take place?
A. Alice Tully Hall, Walter Reade Theater, and the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center in New York City.
