New York Film Festival

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Arts & CultureNew York
Dates25 September–12 October 2026Confirmed listing
Duration18 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsNYFF opened its first edition on September
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

New York Film Festival in New York

The New York Film Festival (NYFF) is an annual, non-competitive film festival presented by Film at Lincoln Center in New York City, founded in 1963 by Richard Roud and Amos Vogel. Held each fall, it centers on a curated Main Slate of 25 to 30 feature films reflecting the current state of cinema, alongside sections for short films, retrospectives, restorations, and in-depth talks with filmmakers.

The New York Film Festival was founded in 1963, after newly appointed Lincoln Center president William Schuman traveled to the British Film Institute seeking advice on building a film festival in New York.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

NYFF opened its first edition on September 10, 1963, with Luis Bunuel's The Exterminating Angel, a program nearly sold out and organized by London Film Festival veteran Richard Roud alongside Amos Vogel of the influential Cinema 16 film society

02

The mystery stays covered

Unlike competitive festivals such as Cannes, NYFF has remained deliberately non-competitive throughout its history, built instead around a small, highly selective Main Slate chosen by a standing selection committee, a format that once included critics Susan Sontag and Andrew Sarris

03

The city starts moving

It has weathered real controversy, including a 1976 US Customs block on the premiere of In the Realm of the Senses and 1985 protests over Jean-Luc Godard's Hail Mary

04

The water draws everyone in

Longtime programmer Richard Pena led the festival for 25 years, introducing filmmakers including Hou Hsiao-hsien and Krzysztof Kieslowski to American audiences

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

NYFF's defining tradition is its non-competitive format: rather than awarding prizes

Water and renewal

Living ritual

the festival simply presents a curated slate intended to represent the year's most significant filmmaking

The sacred route

Living ritual

a structure unchanged since Richard Roud and Amos Vogel established it in 1963

The local code

Living ritual

Post-screening director and cast Q&A sessions

Tradition 5

Living ritual

a practice honored consistently by longtime programmer Richard Pena

Tradition 6

Living ritual

remain central to the festival experience

Tradition 7

Living ritual

standing selection committee model

Tradition 8

Living ritual

dating to 1966

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

25 September–12 October 2026

Getting around

For New York Film Festival, plan transport around the exact New York venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

NYFF runs in the fall, historically opening in September, when New York can range from warm afternoons to noticeably cool evenings, so layered clothing works best for moving between outdoor...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For New York Film Festival, stay near the part of New York you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Official ticket link is available. Confirm access rules before booking.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map40.71 N, 74.01 WOpen in Google Maps

New York, NY

Nearest airportLGA — LaGuardia
TransportFor New York Film Festival, plan transport around the exact New York venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor New York Film Festival, stay near the part of New York you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to New York via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near New York, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for September.Compare faresFestival gearNYFF runs in the fall, historically opening in September, when New York can range from warm afternoons to noticeably cool evenings, so layered clothing works best for moving between outdoor Lincoln Center plazas and cold, air-conditioned or drafty theaters. Daytime screenings call for standard festival-goer casual wear; opening night, centerpiece, and closing night galas tend to draw smarter, dressier attire since they include red-carpet arrivals. A light jacket or sweater is worth carrying for evening screenings regardless of daytime temperature.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is New York Film Festival?

New York Film Festival is listed for 25 September–12 October 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does New York Film Festival take place?

The festival is listed in New York, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

18 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

New York, NY

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLfilmlinc.org
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates25 September–12 October 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
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