The New York Film Festival has announced its complete Main Slate for the 55th edition, a 25-film program that spans five continents and includes a record number of works by female directors. Running from September 28 through October 15, the lineup was revealed after the festival had already named its opening, centerpiece, and closing night galas: Richard Linklater's Last Flag Flying, Todd Haynes' Wonderstruck, and Woody Allen's Wonder Wheel, respectively.
Among the selections are several titles that have already generated awards-season buzz, including Luca Guadagnino's Call Me by Your Name, Greta Gerwig's directorial debut Lady Bird, and Ruben Östlund's Palme d'Or winner The Square. The slate draws heavily from the year's major film festivals, with works that first screened at Cannes, Berlin, Locarno, and Sundance.
A Global, Balanced Selection
NYFF Director and Selection Committee Chair Kent Jones addressed the recurring question of thematic coherence in an official statement, noting that the committee simply chooses the best films they encounter. He observed that the resulting lineup reflects a wide geographic range, a mix of established and emerging filmmakers, and a balance between frankness and artistry. Notably, eight of the 25 Main Slate films were directed by women, a figure that stands out in a year when the broader industry has faced renewed scrutiny over gender representation.
The program includes two films by Hong Sang-soo — The Day After and On the Beach at Night Alone — as well as new works from Claire Denis (Bright Sunshine In), Agnès Varda and JR (Faces Places), and Aki Kaurismäki (The Other Side of Hope). Other international entries include Lucrecia Martel's Zama, Kiyoshi Kurosawa's Before We Vanish, and Joachim Trier's Thelma.
Highlights Across the Slate
The festival's Main Slate also features Sean Baker's The Florida Project, Dee Rees' Mudbound, and Chloé Zhao's The Rider, all of which have been praised for their intimate, character-driven storytelling. European cinema is well represented with Robin Campillo's BPM (Beats Per Minute), Arnaud Desplechin's Ismael's Ghosts, Philippe Garrel's Lover for a Day, Serge Bozon's Mrs. Hyde, Agnieszka Holland's Spoor, and Valeska Grisebach's Western. Alain Gomis' Félicité rounds out the selection, which also includes Noah Baumbach's The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected).
Jones, in his remarks, did not attempt to impose a unifying theme on the slate, instead pointing to the simple pleasure of presenting a diverse group of films. He noted the presence of two gala titles with the word “wonder” in their names, a coincidence he seemed to enjoy, but otherwise let the films speak for themselves.
The festival will open with Linklater's Last Flag Flying on September 28 and close with Allen's Wonder Wheel on October 15. Full details for each film, including ticketing and scheduling, are available on the festival's official website.
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