Overview
New Directors/New Films (ND/NF) is a curated film series presented jointly by Film at Lincoln Center (FLC) and The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City. Founded in 1972, it is one of the oldest continuous film series dedicated exclusively to emerging filmmakers. The 55th edition runs April 8 to 19, 2026, presenting 24 features and 10 shorts from more than 25 countries, including one world premiere, 17 North American premieres, four US premieres, and 12 New York premieres (Film at Lincoln Center, 2026 lineup announcement).
The 2026 edition opens with the New York premiere of Leviticus by Adrian Chiarella (Australia), which premiered in the Midnight section of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. The closing night film is the US premiere of Donkey Days by Rosanne Pel (Netherlands/Germany), which debuted at the 2025 Locarno Film Festival. The lineup includes films from TIFF, Berlin, Cannes, and Locarno, including Sho Miyake's Two Seasons, Two Strangers (Golden Leopard winner at Locarno) and Pete Ohs' Erupcja starring Charli XCX.
The institutional backing of FLC and MoMA gives ND/NF significant cultural authority. These are two of the most respected film institutions in the United States, and their combined curatorial judgment carries weight with critics, distributors, and industry professionals. A ND/NF selection is a mark of serious artistic recognition that often signals the early work of a filmmaker who will become a major figure in world cinema.
Submission Details
ND/NF does not operate a traditional open submission process. Films are selected by the curatorial teams of Film at Lincoln Center and MoMA through their ongoing engagement with the international festival circuit, relationships with sales agents and distributors, and direct outreach to filmmakers. The selection process is invitation-based.
The 2026 selection committee comprises:
- Feature committee: Dan Sullivan (Co-Chair, FLC), Tyler Wilson (FLC), Maddie Whittle (FLC), La Frances Hui (Co-Chair, MoMA), Rajendra Roy (MoMA), and Josh Siegel (MoMA)
- Shorts programmers: Katie Zwick (FLC) and Francisco Valente (MoMA)
Filmmakers or sales agents who believe their debut or second feature should be considered can reach out to the programming teams at FLC and MoMA through industry channels, but there is no public submission portal or entry fee.
Eligibility criteria (based on programming patterns):
- First or second feature films only
- Films typically have premiered at major international festivals (Sundance, Berlin, Cannes, Locarno, TIFF, Venice) before being selected
- Both narrative and documentary features are eligible
- Short films are programmed in curated blocks
Key Sections
- Features - 24 debut and second features selected by FLC and MoMA curators, screening at either FLC's Walter Reade Theater (165 W. 65th Street) or MoMA's Titus 1/Titus 2 theaters (11 W. 53rd Street)
- Shorts - 10 curated short films presented in two programs
- Opening Night - a high-profile New York premiere with filmmaker Q&A, 2026: Leviticus by Adrian Chiarella
- Closing Night - a US premiere with filmmaker Q&A, 2026: Donkey Days by Rosanne Pel
- Q&A Sessions - filmmaker conversations following screenings at both venues
- Press Screenings - advance screenings for critics and industry professionals
What Filmmakers Should Know
For first- and second-time directors, a ND/NF selection provides exposure to New York's most discerning audiences alongside coverage in major publications that review films at FLC and MoMA. The dual institutional platform generates significant press attention. Films selected for ND/NF are regularly reviewed by The New York Times, Variety, IndieWire, The Hollywood Reporter, and other major outlets.
ND/NF does not present competitive jury awards. Recognition is conveyed through selection itself, and the series presents an Audience Award voted on by attendees. The value of ND/NF lies in the curatorial endorsement and the exposure to New York's critical and industry community, not in prize money.
The series has introduced American audiences to the early work of filmmakers who subsequently became major figures in world cinema. Past selections have included debut or early works by Terrence Malick, Pedro Almodovar, Jane Campion, Wong Kar-wai, and many others. More recent editions have featured filmmakers like Sarah Friedland (Familiar Touch, 2025 opening night), Alex Russell (Lurker, 2025 closing night), and Adrian Chiarella (Leviticus, 2026 opening night).
Films selected for ND/NF often arrive with distribution already in place or secured shortly after. The 2026 opening night film Leviticus is a NEON release. The series functions less as a acquisition market and more as a critical launch platform for films that have already been picked up or are finishing their festival run.
Ticket pricing (2026):
- General public: $19 per screening
- Students, seniors (62+), and persons with disabilities: $16
- MoMA and FLC members: $14
- Opening Night (Leviticus): $25 general public, $22 students/seniors, $20 members
- VIP Pass available for multi-film packages
Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, March 13, 2026 at noon ET, with early-access opportunities for FLC and MoMA members on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at noon ET.
Major Awards
ND/NF does not present competitive jury awards. Recognition is conveyed through selection itself.
- Audience Award - voted by series attendees across all screenings
Festival History
New Directors/New Films was founded in 1972 as a collaboration between Film at Lincoln Center (then the Film Society of Lincoln Center) and The Museum of Modern Art. The series has operated continuously for over five decades, maintaining its identity as the most important curated platform for emerging directors in New York.
The series has screened the debut or early works of filmmakers who have defined modern cinema. The curatorial model has remained consistent: a joint committee of programmers from both institutions selects films through their engagement with the international festival circuit, ensuring that ND/NF represents a cross-section of the most distinctive emerging voices from around the world.
The 2025 edition (54th, April 2 to 13) presented 24 features and 9 shorts, including 20 North American or US premieres. The 2026 edition (55th, April 8 to 19) expanded to 10 shorts and added a world premiere to its lineup, reflecting the series' continued commitment to discovering new talent at the earliest possible stage.
Past Winners
ND/NF does not present competitive jury awards. Recognition is conveyed through selection itself, and the series presents an Audience Award voted on by attendees.
2026 Opening Night: Leviticus (Adrian Chiarella, Australia) - a queer horror romance that premiered in the Midnight section of Sundance 2026. Acquired by NEON in a seven-figure deal. Holds a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Theatrical release June 19, 2026.
2026 Closing Night: Donkey Days (Rosanne Pel, Netherlands/Germany) - debuted at the 2025 Locarno Film Festival. US premiere at ND/NF.
2026 Notable Selection: Two Seasons, Two Strangers (Sho Miyake, Japan) - won the Golden Leopard at Locarno 2025. US theatrical release by Several Futures in April 2026.
2025 Opening Night: Familiar Touch (Sarah Friedland, USA) - won Best Director, Best Actress, and Best First Film at Venice's Orizzonti section. Distributed by Music Box Films. Theatrical release June 2025.
2025 Closing Night: Lurker (Alex Russell, USA) - a suspense thriller about a retail worker obsessed with an indie musician.
Notable Alumni Films and Where They Ended Up
ND/NF has introduced American audiences to the early work of filmmakers who became major figures in world cinema. Past selections include debut or early works by Terrence Malick, Pedro Almodovar, Jane Campion, and Wong Kar-wai.
- Familiar Touch (Sarah Friedland, 2025) - won three awards at Venice Orizzonti before opening ND/NF 2025. Acquired by Music Box Films for US distribution.
- Leviticus (Adrian Chiarella, 2026) - NEON acquired distribution rights in a seven-figure deal after its Sundance premiere. One of the most talked-about indie horror films of 2026.
- Two Seasons, Two Strangers (Sho Miyake, 2026) - Locarno Golden Leopard winner. First proper US release for Miyake, distributed by Several Futures.
- Left-Handed Girl (2025 selection) - representing Taiwan in the Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film.
Submission Tips Specific to This Festival
ND/NF does not operate a traditional open submission process. Films are selected by the curatorial teams of Film at Lincoln Center and MoMA through their ongoing engagement with the international festival circuit. The selection process is invitation-based.
Filmmakers or sales agents who believe their debut or second feature should be considered can reach out to the programming teams at FLC and MoMA through industry channels. There is no public submission portal or entry fee.
The selection committee looks for films that have typically premiered at major international festivals (Sundance, Berlin, Cannes, Locarno, TIFF, Venice). Both narrative and documentary features are eligible. Short films are programmed in curated blocks.
The key to getting selected is having your film visible on the festival circuit. ND/NF programmers attend major festivals specifically to identify emerging talent. If your debut or second feature premieres at a top-tier festival, it may come to their attention naturally.
Industry Reputation Notes
ND/NF is widely regarded as the most important curated platform for emerging directors in New York. The dual institutional backing of Film at Lincoln Center and MoMA gives it significant cultural authority. A ND/NF selection is a mark of serious artistic recognition.
Compared to SXSW, which programs a broad range of emerging filmmakers alongside established industry programming, ND/NF is exclusively focused on debut and second features with an art-house sensibility. Compared to the Cannes Critics' Week or Venice's Orizzonti, which also spotlight emerging directors, ND/NF offers direct access to New York's critical community and major press outlets.
Films selected for ND/NF are regularly reviewed by The New York Times, Variety, IndieWire, and The Hollywood Reporter. The series functions less as an acquisition market and more as a critical launch platform for films that have already secured distribution or are finishing their festival run.
Watch
See Also
To calculate the return on your festival submission spending, use the Festival ROI Calculator. To estimate your probability of acceptance based on festival tier and film characteristics, use the Festival Acceptance Odds Estimator. For debut feature financing, see Film Financing Guide. For festival strategy, see Film Festival Strategy.
