NewFest's 2020 Lineup Includes Summer of 85 and Kate Winslet

NewFest has announced its 2020 lineup.

The New York LGBTQ+ film festival will screen over 120 new features, short films, and episodic series virtually in its 32nd year.

Accessible from anywhere, the lineup includes Francis Lee's Ammonite, its opening-night film starring Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan, Alan Ball's Uncle Frank, Francois Ozon's Summer of 85, The Obituary of Tunde Johnson, Rurangi, Shiva Baby, Kelet, Nora Highland, Ahead of the Curve, and Keith Haring: Street Art Boy. The festival will close with Faraz Shariat's 2020 Teddy Award winner, No Hard Feelings.

On opening night, Winslet will present the festival's World Queer Visionary Award to Lee, a British director who previously helmed the modern gay classic God's Own Country. The ceremony will take place before the screening of Ammonite, a period lesbian drama, at a special event at the Queens Drive-In at Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

"With the presidential election right around the corner and a Supreme Court seat now open, it is more urgent than ever that queer stories be told and celebrated," said David Hatkoff, NewFest's executive director. "We have created an 11-day event that will meet and speak to this moment, delivering a thought-provoking, inspiring and joyful look at the LGBTQ community and the unique challenges it faces, while also paying homage to the incredible queer legacy that exists in NYC. We can't wait for audiences around the country to view these incredible films, and hopefully be inspired to raise their own voices in pride and protest on November 3 and beyond."

"Featuring the newest work from leading international auteurs, Academy Award winners, and emerging LGBTQ filmmakers premiering their work for the first time, this year's lineup channels themes that inform our community and society at large while confronting the edges of democracy and celebrating our strong history of LGBTQ ancestry that broke barriers before," added Nick McCarthy, the festival's director of programming.

"By highlighting portraits of hometown heroes and unsung global icons, celebrating the clear fact that All Black Lives Matter, standing up for the visibility of our LGBTQ siblings around the world, and encouraging intergenerational dialogue within our community, our 32nd annual program will raise human spirits by uplifting our diversity of voices."

NewFest will be held October 16 to 27 through the festival's on-demand platform. Individual tickets ($10-$12) and all-access passes ($95) can be purchased at NewFest.org. The programming includes virtual live events such as panels as well as select drive-in screenings ($45+ per car).

Watch the festival trailer below.