The New York Film Festival (NYFF) highlights the best in world cinema and takes place September 29th through October 15th, 2023. . An annual bellwether of the state of cinema that has shaped film culture since 1963, the festival continues an enduring tradition of introducing audiences to bold and remarkable works from celebrated filmmakers as well as fresh new talent. Here’s a round up of the films we’re most excited for the response out of New York!

MAY DECEMBER (DIR. TODD HAYNES)

The North American Premiere of the latest Todd Haynes film opens up the NYFF. May December reteams Julianne Moore with director Todd Haynes. The film also stars Natalie Portman and Charles Melton. The film is set twenty years after a notorious tabloid romance gripped the nation, a married couple with a large age gap buckles under the pressure when an actress arrives to do research for a film about their past. May December will release in select theaters on November 17^th and be available to stream on Netflix on December 1^st.  – Kenzie

PRISCILLA (DIR. SOFIA COPPOLA)

The first American screening of the story of an American icon’s lover, Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla is not one to miss. A24 was able to secure an interim agreement during the SAG-AFTRA strikes, allowing the stars – Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi– to appear alongside Sofia Coppola in a Q&A at NYFF. If their Venice Film Festival appearance serves as any indication, expect thoughtful answers if you’re lucky enough to attend. Speaking of Venice, Cailee Spaeny won Best Actress at the festival, an incredible accomplishment for an actress so early in her career. It will be interesting to see this performance that has been so highly praised, particularly for a filmmaker who tends to draw quiet, introspective performances from her actors. Priscilla is the centerpiece of the 2023 NYFF. – Madelyn

FOE (DIR. GARTH DAVIS)

NYFF is the world premiere of Garth Davis’ Foe. As someone who has not read the book the film is based on, I am very intrigued by the sci-fi premise of this marital story. “Academy Award Nominee: Paul Mescal & Academy Award Nominee: Saorise Ronan” together is so exciting; seeing these two powerhouses on-screen together is going to be incredible. This is the film I am most interested in seeing festival goer’s reactions to, other than a certain actor-turned-director’s biopic of course. – Madelyn

MAESTRO (DIR. BRADLEY COOPER)

What’s more New York than a Leonard Bernstein film? Bradley Cooper is back in the director’s chair with Maestro! The Netflix film stars Carey Muligan, Cooper, Maya Hawke, Matt Bomer and Sarah Silverman in a love story that follows the lifelong relationship between composer Bernstein (Cooper) and actress Felicia Montealegre (Mulligan). The film was co-written by Cooper and Josh Singer and produced by Cooper, Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, and more. The film will hit select theaters on November 22^nd and be released on Netflix on December 20^th. Mini Coopers, rejoice! – Kenzie

All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt (DIR. Raven Jackson)

All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt serves as Raven Jackson’s directorial debut. This looks to be a beautiful and unique project about a woman’s life in Mississippi. The last time audiences were able to view this film was during Sundance in January, so this will be the first time in months the film has been screened. Barry Jenkins produced this film, and if his previous taste in projects serves as any indication as to his taste– namely 2022’s Aftersun– we’re in for a treat. – Madelyn

Janet Planet (Dir. Annie Baker)

Janet Planet is Annie Baker’s directorial debut. The Pulitzer Prize winner crafts a coming of age mother-daughter story, something that always piques my interest. This story sounds very intriguing, described by NYFF as “a work of surreal tranquility”. While the film has previously been screened at Telluride, there is no set release date in sight. So, festival goers would be remiss to miss out on this one. – Madelyn

THE KILLER (DIR. DAVID FINCHER)

Film at Lincoln Center recently announced David Fincher’s The Killer as a last-minute Spotlight selection of the 61st New York Film Festival. Based on the French graphic novel series of the same name, The Killer stars Michael Fassbender, Arliss Howard, Charles Parnell, Kerry O’Malley, Sala Baker, Sophie Charlotte, and Tilda Swinton. Its plot follows the titular assassin who gets embroiled in an international manhunt after a hit goes wrong. The film will have a limited theatrical release on October 27thbefore streaming on Netflix on November 10th. Excited to see Fincher in the spotlight again! – Kenzie

The Beast (Dir. Bertrand Bonello)

Bertrand Bonello is no stranger to NYFF and The Beast has been making quite the festival run. The film, which stars Léa Seydoux and George MacKay, touches on modern anxieties of AI and incel culture. Another film about futuristic surgery starring Seydoux? I’m so in! – Kenzie

Tell Me a Riddle (Dir. Lee Grant)

This is a restoration of the 1980 film, directed by the fabulous Lee Grant. Lee Grant is most well known for her work as an actress, featured in classics such as Valley of the Dolls, In the Heat of the Night, and Shampoo. She is also a director, with a particular focus on documentary work. This is her directorial debut, and is historic for being a film directed, written, and produced exclusively by women. A story about an aging immigrant Jewish couple visiting their children in the face of death, this film is currently difficult to find online to stream. Hopefully with the new restoration this film will become more accessible. – Madelyn

FERRARI (DIR. MICHAEL MANN)

What better way to close the festival than a Michael Mann film! Ferrari stars Adam Driver as ex-racer Enzo Ferrari in the summer of 1957 as the Mille Miglia, a thousand-mile race across Italy, pushes his drivers to the edge. Ferrari also stars Penélope Cruz, Shailene Woodley, Sarah Gordon, Gabriel Leone, Jack O’Connell, and Patrick Dempsey. The Neon film will release in theaters on Christmas Day.