NEWFEST UNVEILS FULL LINEUP FOR THE 6TH ANNUAL ‘NEWFEST PRIDE’ SUMMER FILM SERIES
New York’s renowned LGBTQ+ film and media organization kicks off Pride month with the 5-day festival at SVA Theatre and streaming virtually throughout the US from May 28 - June 1, 2026
Highlights include:
Opening Night Film & Party: the New York Premiere of Adam Shankman’s STOP! THAT! TRAIN!, starring RuPaul, Ginger Minj, Jujubee, Brooke Lynn Hytes, Latrice Royale, Marcia Marcia Marcia and Symone
Centerpiece selection: Gregg Araki’s riotous Sundance hit I WANT YOUR SEX, starring Olivia Wilde and Cooper Hoffman making its New York debut
New York Premieres of Brydie O’Connor’s Sundance and Berlinale award-winner BARBARA FOREVER and Amy Jenkins’ moving documentary ADAM’S APPLE; screening of Adrian Chiarella’s breakout Sundance horror-romance LEVITICUS
HBO Max presents a free public outdoor screening of Crave Original series HEATED RIVALRY at Pier 17
Free public outdoor screening of THE BRITTNEY GRINER STORY, a powerful portrait of the iconic basketball star, presented in partnership with Rooftop Films and the Meatpacking Business Improvement District (Meatpacking BID).
NEW YORK, NY (April 30, 2026) – NewFest, New York’s leading LGBTQ+ film and media organization, has announced the full lineup for their sixth annual NewFest Pride summer film series. Taking place May 28 - June 1, NewFest Pride will once again serve as a dynamic kick-off to LGBTQ+ Pride Month, featuring in-person screenings at SVA Theatre, Q&A’s, an outdoor screening at Pier 17, social events, and virtual programming available nationwide. The announcement came today from NewFest’s Executive Director, David Hatkoff, and Director of Programming, Nick McCarthy.
"Our community doesn't wait for permission to celebrate, so we're starting Pride in May — calendar be damned," said NewFest Executive Director David Hatkoff. "NewFest Pride has always lived at the intersection of party and protest, and nothing captures that better than this lineup of anticipated premieres, community gatherings, and a free outdoor screening of HEATED RIVALRY at the iconic Pier 17. Five days: in person and virtual, indoors and out, and entirely on our terms."
“This year’s unapologetically dazzling NewFest Pride line-up signals a rousing call that contemporary queer cinema is fully alive and thriving,” said NewFest Director of Programming Nick McCarthy. “From award-winners and breakouts at Sundance, Berlinale, and SXSW to genre gems, dynamic documentaries, and riotous romps, the sterling slate showcases a robust variety of voices that are loud and proud. We look forward to hosting the New York Premieres of films that celebrate LGBTQ+ icons such as Barbara Hammer, RuPaul, Gregg Araki, and Brittney Griner alongside auspicious debuts from a new wave of filmmakers whose impact we’ll be hearing about for generations to come. Pride is a space to laugh, shout, reflect and — most importantly — gather together as a community to share our stories, engage in dialogue, and create an alchemy of effusive queer energy, insight, and bliss.”
Adam Shankman’s zany STOP! THAT! TRAIN!, starring RuPaul and a host of guest stars and queens from RuPaul’s Drag Race, is the Opening Night Film & Party of NewFest’s summer series. Joining STOP! THAT! TRAIN!, NewFest Pride will feature highly anticipated feature films making their New York Premiere, including: BARBARA FOREVER, director Brydie O’Connor’s loving portrait of trailblazing lesbian filmmaker Barbara Hammer, winner of Sundance’s editing award and Berlinale’s Teddy Award for Best Documentary, as well as the New York Premieres of films from filmmakers such as Alexandria Stapleton, Luchina Fisher, Mike Doyle, and Amy Jenkins.
The film lineup also includes a Centerpiece screening of Gregg Araki’s radical romp I WANT YOUR SEX – starring Olivia Wilde, Cooper Hoffman, Mason Gooding, Chase Sui Wonders, and Charli XCX – making its New York debut. Queer filmmaker Adrian Chiarella’s breakout horror-romance LEVITICUS, which caused a sensation out of Sundance resulting in the first major acquisition sale with NEON picking it up for worldwide distribution, will also screen at NewFest Pride. HEATED RIVALRY comes out(side) with an outdoor screening at Pier 17 of the hit Crave Original series, streaming on HBO Max, inviting audiences to relive the triumphant highs of episode five to usher in Pride month.
The festival will also include a shorts program celebrating Black Queer Pride, including a range of stories all set in New York City, and featuring three World Premieres.
Additionally, NewFest is partnering again with the Meatpacking BID and Rooftop Films for the New York Premiere of Alexandria Stapleton’s THE BRITTNEY GRINER STORY on Gansevoort Plaza in the Meatpacking District.
SVA Theatre is NewFest's partner on this event. The 6th annual NewFest Pride is supported by Signature Sponsor Gilead Sciences, Official Sponsors AMC Global Media and Hinge, Lead Hotel Partner Moxy Hotels, Event Sponsors Kickstarter, HBO, and The Travel Agency, Contributing Partners Brooklyn Brewery and T. Edward Wines & Spirits.
Individual tickets and all-access passes to NewFest Pride are now on sale at newfest.org.
See the full lineup here:
STOP! THAT! TRAIN!, directed by Adam Shankman
Opening Night Film & Party
Thursday, May 28th at 7:00pm; SVA Theatre
New York Premiere
Step aboard the glitzy Glamazonian Express in this star-studded, riotous ride from director Adam Shankman (HAIRSPRAY) that queers the parody genre in the grand, outrageous tradition of AIRPLANE!. As a catastrophic “Stormaganza” threatens to derail the high-speed train, coach-and-first class stewardesses, scientists, and President Gagwell (RuPaul) must work together to prevent disaster.
THE DADS, directed by Luchina Fisher
Friday, May 29th at 7:00pm; SVA Theatre
Also available virtually May 28 - June 1
New York Premiere + Q&A
As anti-trans legislation and hostility escalate in the United States, a group of dads build a nascent movement to support their trans and gender expansive kids in this feature documentary inspired by the eponymous, award-winning short.
LEVITICUS, written and directed by Adrian Chiarella
Friday, May 29th at 8:00pm; SVA Theatre
Romance and horror intertwine in this sublime Sundance sensation, as two teenage boys must escape a violent entity that takes the form of the person they desire most — each other.
BOOKENDS, directed by Mike Doyle
Saturday, May 30th at 4:00pm; SVA Theatre
Also available virtually May 28 - June 1
New York Premiere + Q&A
An aspiring novelist moves in with his grandparents after a bad breakup with his boyfriend as the two generations' life experiences, values, and philosophies collide in exasperating, funny, and heartbreaking ways. Featuring wry and heartfelt performances by Academy Award-winner F. Murray Abraham, Caroline Aaron, Noam Ash (who also wrote the screenplay), and Charlie Barnett.
BARBARA FOREVER, directed by Brydie O’Connor
Saturday, May 30th at 5:00pm; SVA Theatre
New York City Premiere + Q&A
A sublimely exhilarating exploration of the life, work, and legacy of iconic, pioneering lesbian filmmaker Barbara Hammer. Recipient of awards at multiple festivals, including Sundance and Berlinale.
I WANT YOUR SEX, directed by Gregg Araki
Centerpiece
Saturday, May 30th at 8:15pm; SVA Theatre
New York Premiere + Q&A
The newest film from legendary queer auteur Gregg Araki (THE DOOM GENERATION) in over a decade, this deliciously diabolical comedy-thriller toys with kinky dynamics, workplace boundaries, and the absurdity of the contemporary art world. Starring Olivia Wilde, Cooper Hoffman, Mason Gooding, Chase Sui Wonders, and Charli XCX.
ADAM’S APPLE, directed by Amy Jenkins
Sunday, May 31st at 4:00pm; SVA Theatre
Also available virtually May 28 - June 1
New York Premiere + Q&A
A transgender teen and his mother chronicle their lives, artistically weaving a rare and intimate portrait of a family in transition. Two decades of footage trace a boy’s path to manhood and his parents' vulnerability as they reckon with change.
Outdoor Screenings:
HBO Max Presents: HEATED RIVALRY Comes Out(side)
Sunday, May 31st; Pier 17 [Free Public Screening]
The smash hit Crave Original, available to stream on HBO Max, will have its open-air debut at Pier 17 with an outdoor screening of an episode of the award-winning series.
THE BRITTNEY GRINER STORY, directed by Alexandria Stapleton
Monday, June 1st at 8:00pm; Gansevoort Plaza [Free Public Screening]
Also available virtually May 28 - June 1
New York Premiere
This personal and profound odyssey follows basketball star Brittney Griner from her playing career and harrowing imprisonment in Russia through the extraordinary geopolitical battle to secure her freedom. Presented in partnership with Meatpacking Business Improvement District (BID) and Rooftop Films.
Shorts Program:
Black Queer Pride NY Shorts
Sunday, May 31st at 3:00pm; SVA Theatre
Also available virtually May 28 - June 1
With Filmmaker Q&A
Join us for NewFest Pride’s annual short film showcase that celebrates unapologetic Black LGBTQ+ joy, love, family, and excellence. All roads lead to "we" in this homegrown collection of stories that feature artistic aspirations, intergenerational connections, and budding romances – all set within the intimate interiors and out on the vibrant streets of New York City.
Featuring the short films:
FLY, directed by Carlton Daniel Jr.
New York Premiere
When a ballet company holds auditions for a competitive apprenticeship, a perfection-driven dancer has their world upended by a rival who rekindles their love for the craft.
JAYLAH, directed by Christina Batte
After receiving a call from her crush, a naive 17-year-old must decide between looking after her grandmother or losing her virginity.
HAIL MAYA, directed by Fredgy Noël
World Premiere
On her last night in the dorms, a faithful Catholic undergraduate trades salvation for sin, diving headfirst into a tangle of lust, love, and betrayal that confession can’t absolve.
IF YOU ONLY KNEW, directed by Safiyah Chiniere
New York Premiere
After losing someone dear to her, fem finds the courage to confront her Jamaican father about his absences. A conversation that leads to an unspoken truth.
ROAD RUNNER, directed by Yaz Josiah
World Premiere
Shot on 35mm and 16mm, Road Runner is an experimental meditation on moving incognegro through the world as a Black person of Trans experience—a portrait of what it means to honor ourselves now, in motion, before the world catches up.
FOR LOVE, directed by Micah Cyrus
World Premiere
Flustered with his static life in love and career, a mid 30s man takes a chance at romance with an affable beau from Mexico City after putting himself aside for nearly a decade.
Events:
Watch Party: New York Liberty Pride Night Game
Friday, May 29th at 7:00pm
NewFest will host a NY Liberty Game Watch Party on May 29th, inviting New York City's enthusiastic queer WNBA fans and the wider community. This event will celebrate the much-loved Liberty team and kick-off the excitement for the upcoming New York Premiere screening of THE BRITTNEY GRINER STORY, a highlight of NewFest Pride's programming.
Virtual Exclusives:
Barbara Hammer Through the Eyes of Others (Shorts Program)
Available virtually May 28 - June 1
The pioneering lesbian experimental filmmaker Barbara Hammer produced more than 80 films between 1968 and 2019; this program showcases an array of works that explore her artistic output, her as a being, and the ripple effects both continue to have. The filmmaker began this process herself while she was alive—AUDIENCE offers a playful array of snippets from conversations about her work with attendees of numerous screenings. The program goes on to move through films by filmmakers who were/are in conversation with Hammer—from engaging in her practices to making homages, writing letters, and (upon Hammer’s invitation) even using her footage. Curated and presented in partnership with MIX NYC.
IN TRANSIT, directed by Jaclyn Bethany
Available virtually May 28 - June 1
NewFest37 Audience Award winner for Best Narrative Feature
In a small Maine town, two adrift women discover unexpected passion when one models for the other. Jennifer Ehle, Alex Sarrigeorgiou, and Francois Arnaud (HEATED RIVALRY) shine in Jaclyn Bethany’s hushed yet deeply felt drama of art and desire.
Individual tickets and all-access passes to NewFest Pride are now on sale at newfest.org.
About NewFest
Founded in 1988, NewFest is New York’s leading LGBTQ+ film and media organization and the country’s largest LGBTQ+ film festival. NewFest champions LGBTQ+ stories and storytellers through film and media, creating an inclusive and joyful space where community gathers, industry connects, and creative expression thrives. Harnessing the power of visibility and authentic representation, NewFest sparks dialogue, fosters belonging, and drives meaningful social impact.
In addition to its flagship New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival — now in its 38th year —NewFest’s year-round programs include 5-day festivals NewFest Pride (June) and Queering the Canon (March). Artist development programs, including the Black Filmmakers Initiative (launched in 2020) and the New Voices Filmmaker Grant (created with Netflix in 2022), expand opportunities for underrepresented voices and ensure LGBTQ+ stories are seen, celebrated, and preserved. NewFest also works with the NYC Department of Education on programs for high school students. Learn more at NewFest.org.
About SVA Theatre
SVA Theatre is the cultural center of New York’s artistically-vibrant Chelsea neighborhood. The Theatre serves the School of Visual Arts, the arts and entertainment industries, and the community at large as a stage for the presentation of noteworthy artistic work. From film screenings to artist lectures to design conferences and more, SVA Theatre hosts a variety of events year-round, many of which are free and open to the public. Visit www.svatheatre.com for a full calendar of upcoming events.
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