The 55th edition of New Directors/New Films (ND/NF), the prestigious annual festival dedicated to the discovery of emerging cinematic voices, is scheduled to take place from April 8 to April 19. Co-presented by Film at Lincoln Center and The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the festival continues its long-standing tradition of introducing New York audiences to filmmakers who are pushing the boundaries of contemporary cinema. This year’s program features a diverse array of narratives, documentaries, and hybrid works that reflect the evolving landscape of global filmmaking. The festival will open with Adrian Chiarella’s queer horror feature, Leviticus, and conclude with the U.S. premiere of Roseanne Pel’s Donkey Days, a film that has already garnered significant attention on the international festival circuit.
Since its inception in 1972, New Directors/New Films has served as a critical platform for directors at the beginning of their careers. The festival has a storied history of identifying talent that later achieves global acclaim; past participants include luminaries such as Steven Spielberg, Pedro Almodóvar, Spike Lee, Ryusuke Hamaguchi, and Kelly Reichardt. By maintaining a selection process that prioritizes artistic risk-taking over commercial viability, the partnership between MoMA and Film at Lincoln Center remains a cornerstone of the independent film community.
Closing Night Spotlight: Roseanne Pel’s Donkey Days
The selection of Donkey Days as the closing night film marks a significant milestone for filmmaker Roseanne Pel. Following its world premiere at the Locarno Film Festival last summer, the film’s inclusion in the ND/NF lineup underscores its status as a provocative and highly anticipated work. Pel’s feature is a dark comedy that examines the intricacies of family dynamics through a lens that is both caustic and empathetic.
The film focuses on the competitive relationship between two adult sisters who are vying for the affection of their emotionally distant mother. Pel has described the work as a "lacerating portrait" and a deep dive into "female rage." The narrative utilizes a blend of naturalism and surrealism, a choice that has drawn comparisons to the Dogme 95 movement. This stylistic approach emphasizes raw performances and authentic environments, while occasionally veering into the uncanny to highlight the absurdity of the characters’ interpersonal conflicts.
In a promotional clip released ahead of the festival, Pel shared a lighthearted anecdote regarding the film’s title and its impact on her personal life. She noted that she has become a frequent recipient of donkey-themed gifts—ranging from socks and paintings to magnets—from friends and colleagues. While expressing gratitude for the gestures, Pel humorously requested that the trend cease, offering the film itself as the ultimate exchange for the audience’s attention.
La Frances Hui, a film curator at MoMA and the 2026 ND/NF co-chair, praised the film’s unique aesthetic. In an official statement, Hui noted that Pel "ingeniously blends Dogme-inspired naturalism with flashes of surrealism to create a work that is at once caustic and unexpectedly tender." This duality is expected to resonate with New York audiences who have historically embraced films that challenge traditional genre conventions.
Opening Night and Genre-Defying Selections
The festival will commence with Adrian Chiarella’s Leviticus, a film that sits at the intersection of horror and queer cinema. The selection of a genre-leaning film for the opening night reflects a broader trend within ND/NF to recognize the elevated artistry currently found in horror and speculative fiction. Leviticus is expected to set a bold tone for the twelve-day event, emphasizing the festival’s commitment to narratives that explore identity and societal tensions through imaginative frameworks.
Other notable entries in the 55th edition include John Early’s Maddie’s Secret, which is described as a "brilliant bulimia comedy." Early, known for his work in subversive comedy and television, brings a sharp, satirical edge to the program. The inclusion of Maddie’s Secret suggests a lineup that is unafraid to tackle sensitive subject matter through the lens of dark humor.
The festival also features Agon, directed by Giulio Bertelli. The film arrives in New York with significant momentum after winning the FIPRESCI Prize at the Venice Critics’ Week. Agon represents the high caliber of international talent that ND/NF seeks to curate, providing a platform for award-winning works that may not yet have secured broad domestic distribution. Additionally, Kevin Walker and Jack Auen’s Chronovisor is set to showcase the festival’s interest in "hypnotic hybrids"—works that blur the lines between documentary, fiction, and experimental video art.
A Global Perspective on Emerging Cinema
The 55th edition of New Directors/New Films maintains a strong commitment to internationalism, featuring works from a wide geographical spectrum. The lineup includes films that have been previously highlighted for their unique cultural perspectives and formal innovations:
- Erupcja by Pete Oh: A film that explores atmospheric storytelling and has been noted for its visual language.
- Cold Metal by Clementine Castor: A work that garnered attention at FIDMarseille for its stark portrayal of industrial and human landscapes.
- If On a Winter’s Night by Sanju Surendran: A narrative that recently appeared at the Busan International Film Festival, continuing the festival’s engagement with South Asian cinema.
- Next Life by Tenzin Phuntsog: An interview-driven exploration of memory and displacement that highlights the Tibetan experience.
The geographic diversity of the selections ensures that the festival acts as a barometer for global cinematic trends. By bringing these films to New York, ND/NF provides a rare opportunity for local audiences to engage with stories from regions and cultures that are often underrepresented in mainstream theatrical circuits.
The Selection Process and Curatorial Philosophy
The selection committee for New Directors/New Films is composed of curators from both MoMA and Film at Lincoln Center. This collaborative effort ensures a balanced perspective that weighs historical filmic traditions against contemporary innovations. The committee typically reviews hundreds of submissions and festival entries from around the world to narrow down a final selection that usually consists of approximately 25 to 30 feature films and a selection of shorts.
The primary criterion for selection is the "discovery" of a director who is making their first or second feature-length film. The curators look for a distinct directorial voice—a signature style or a unique way of seeing the world that suggests a long-term contribution to the medium. This focus on "newness" is what gives the festival its energy and its reputation as a "scout" for the film industry’s next generation of auteurs.
Industry Impact and the Evolving Festival Landscape
The role of New Directors/New Films extends beyond simple exhibition. For many of the featured filmmakers, an ND/NF slot is a catalyst for career advancement. The festival is heavily attended by critics, distributors, and talent scouts, making it a prime location for independent films to secure North American distribution deals.
In the current economic climate for independent film, where mid-budget and arthouse features face increasing challenges in reaching audiences, festivals like ND/NF are more vital than ever. They provide the "critical mass" of attention necessary to sustain a film’s life cycle beyond the festival circuit. For the filmmakers, the association with MoMA and Film at Lincoln Center provides a stamp of institutional approval that can be leveraged for future projects.
Furthermore, the 55th edition arrives at a time when the film industry is navigating the impacts of streaming and shifting audience habits. By focusing on the theatrical experience in venues like the Walter Reade Theater and MoMA’s Titus theaters, the festival reaffirms the importance of cinema as a collective, curated experience.
Timeline and Attendance Information
The 55th New Directors/New Films festival will take place from April 8 through April 19, 2026. Screenings will be held at both Film at Lincoln Center (located at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts) and The Museum of Modern Art (located in Midtown Manhattan).
The schedule typically includes filmmaker Q&As following many of the screenings, allowing for direct engagement between the creators and the audience. Tickets are expected to go on sale to the general public in late March, with early access provided to members of both sponsoring institutions.
As the festival approaches, the cinematic community anticipates that this year’s selections will continue the tradition of challenging the status quo. From the "female rage" explored in Roseanne Pel’s closing night feature to the "queer horror" of the opening night, the 55th edition of New Directors/New Films stands as a testament to the enduring power of new perspectives in the world of motion pictures.
