New Directors/New Films
A prestigious New York City film series presented jointly by Film at Lincoln Center and MoMA, held annually in spring, celebrating debut and second feature films from emerging directors worldwide.
Overview
New Directors/New Films (ND/NF) is one of the most prestigious platforms for debut and second feature films in the world. Presented jointly by Film at Lincoln Center (FLC) and The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), ND/NF takes place annually in spring in New York City and has been operating since 1972, making it one of the oldest continuous film series dedicated to emerging filmmakers.
The institutional backing of Film at Lincoln Center and MoMA gives ND/NF an extraordinary 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.
ND/NF has introduced American audiences to the early work of filmmakers who have subsequently become major figures in world cinema. The series has screened debut or early works by directors including Terrence Malick, Pedro Almodovar, Jane Campion, Wong Kar-wai, and many others.
Key Sections
- Feature Films -- debut and second features selected by FLC and MoMA curators
- Short Films -- curated short film programs
- Q&As -- filmmaker conversations following screenings at Lincoln Center and MoMA
- Press Screenings -- advance screenings for critics and industry
What Filmmakers Should Know
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.
For first- and second-time directors, a ND/NF selection provides exposure to New York's most critical and discerning audiences alongside coverage in major publications that review films there. The dual institutional platform of Lincoln Center and MoMA generates significant press attention.
Major Awards
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.
- Audience Award -- voted by series audiences
Festival History
New Directors/New Films was founded in 1972 as a collaboration between Film at Lincoln Center and MoMA, two institutions with deep commitments to cinema as an art form. The series has operated continuously for over five decades, maintaining its identity as the most prestigious platform for emerging directors in New York.
See Also
For debut feature financing, see Film Financing Guide. For festival strategy, see Film Festival Strategy.
