NewFest 2025: LGBTQ+ projects we're most excited to watch
Heightened Scrutiny; Plainclothes; Dreams in Nightmares
NewFest Pride is one of very few film festivals with a primary focus on celebrating queer content. Thankfully, the 2025 edition of the festival won't be any different.
The 37-year-old film festival, based in New York City, is presenting its annual Pride selection starting on Thursday, May 29. This year, the organization is presenting films that could become sizable box office successes, as well as indie darlings that have received acclaim at other festival circuits. These projects include the Tom Blyth and Russell Tovey-led Sundance Award-winning drama, Plainclothes, an advance screening of HBO Max's And Just Like That... season 3, as well as Jimpa featuring Academy Award winner Olivia Colman.
Since 1988, NewFest has proudly hosted global theatrical releases of seminal queer films such as Paris Is Burning, Hedwig & the Angry Inch, God's Own Country, Bottoms, and Problemista, to name a few.
Here's a list of LGBTQ+ films we're most excited to watch at NewFest Pride 2025.
Courtesy of NewFest
John Lithgow and Aud Mason-Hyde in Jimpa.
Olivia Colman and John Lithgow star in the festival's opening night film. Colman plays a filmmaker named Hannah, who takes her trans nonbinary teenage child (Aud Mason-Hyde) to visit their gay grandfather, affectionately nicknamed "Jimpa," played by Lithgow. Her child decides they want to stay with Jimpa for a year abroad, Hannah has to learn to let go and confront her past, as well as her idea of parenting. The film also premiered at the Sundance Film Festival to positive reviews.
More information about this screening of can be found on .
Courtesy of NewFest
Tom Blyth and Russell Tovey in Plainclothes.
Tom Blyth and Russell Tovey star in Plainclothes, a steamy drama about cruising in the 1990s inspired by real events. In the movie, Blyth plays an undercover police officer who lures gay men to fall into his trap and quite literally catches them with their pants down. Meanwhile, Tovey portrays a seductive queer cruiser who catches Blyth off-guard and makes him question his duties as a cop in contrast to his attraction to Tovey's character. Out reviewed the film at this year's Sundance, where it won the Special Jury Award for Ensemble Cast.
More information about this screening of can be found on .
Courtesy of NewFest
Dezi Bing, Denée Benton, and Sasha Compère in Dreams in Nightmares.
Starring Dezi Bing, Denée Benton, and Sasha Compère, Dreams in Nightmares has been making the rounds at film festivals, which included a world premiere at the 2024 BlackStar Film Festival in Philadelphia and a screening at the 2025 Berlin International Film Festival earlier this year. Through NewFest, New York City audiences will now get the chance to see Shatara Michelle Ford's sophomore feature that follows three Black queer friends embarking on a road trip to find their missing friend.
More information about this screening of can be found on .
Courtesy of NewFest
Elliot Page and Chase Strangio in Heightened Scrutiny.
With the relentless assault on transgender rights in the U.S. in the last few years, this documentary is particularly timely. Heightened Scrutiny follows Chase Strangio, an ACLU attorney who became the first trans person to argue in front of the United States Supreme Court. In this case, Strangio works to overturn Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth. The film features commentary and expertise from activists like Laverne Cox and Elliot Page, as well as journalists like Lydia Polgreen and Gina Chua.
More information about this screening of can be found on .
Courtesy of NewFest
Alan Cumming and Charlie Creed-Miles in Drive Back Home.
Legendary actor Alan Cumming, who's now also a reality TV superstar as the host of The Traitors, stars in Drive Back Home. The film centers on a man (Charlie Creed-Miles) from a small town in New Jersey — set in the 1970s — who is tasked with bailing his brother (Cumming) out of jail after being caught having sex with a man in a park. The brothers then set out on a road trip that tests their bond as they make their way back home.
More information about this screening of can be found on .
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
12 hours ago
- USA Today
When does 'Peacemaker' Season 2 come out? Premiere date, time, cast, where to watch
John Cena is back to spread more peace with Season 2 of "Peacemaker." Based on the character from James Gunn's 2021 film "The Suicide Squad," the series follows the "explosive escapades" of Peacemaker, "a compellingly vainglorious man who believes in peace at any cost, no matter how many people he has to kill to get it," according to HBO. In Season 2 of the series, Peacemaker "discovers an alternate world where life is everything he wishes it could be." However, it is also puts him in a position where he is forced "to face his traumatic past and take the future into his own hands." Cena, during a Season 2 panel for the action-comedy series at Comic-Con, said Peacemaker 'is going through a rough patch in life and thinks the grass might be greener on the other side.' 'That's something people can relate to," the actor had added. All eight episodes of "Peacemaker" Season 2 have been written by James Gunn, who also directed three episodes this season, including the first. "Peacemaker" is also the first original DC show to have its series premiere on HBO Max, according to HBO Max Head of Original Content Sarah Aubrey. Gunn, meanwhile, at Comic-Con teased that Season 2 is more extreme than the first and is definitely not for kids – there's a very sexual situation in the first episode that made actor Steve Agee (John Economos) think 'it's insane we're showing it on cable.' Watch 'Peacemaker' with Sling + Max Here's what to know about Season 2 of "Peacemaker," including the release date and cast. 'Peacemaker' Season 2: John Cena, James Gunn tease new season We've got room on the couch! Sign up for USA TODAY's Watch Party newsletter for more recaps of your favorite shows. 'Peacemaker' Season 2 release date Season 2 of "Peacemaker" is scheduled to premiere Thursday, Aug. 21 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Max. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle How to watch 'Peacemaker' Season 2 Season 2 of "Peacemaker" will be available to stream on Max, weekly on Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Season 1 of "Peacemaker" is also available to stream on HBO Max. Watch 'Peacemaker' with Sling + Max How many episodes will 'Peacemaker' Season 2 have? Season 2 of 'Peacemaker' will have eight episodes, according to HBO Max. 'Peacemaker' Season 2 cast New cast members include: Watch Peacemaker' trailer Contributing: Brian Truitt, USA TODAY Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@ and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
Boston Globe
14 hours ago
- Boston Globe
‘Shin Godzilla' is coming to HBO Max
In other words, it was fun to watch with a room full of other people getting a kick out of the mundanity of bureaucracy in action inside the world of a monster movie. But if you can't get to the Somerville Theatre, where Advertisement The list of movies comes courtesy of the streamer's partnership with the distributor GKIDS, and also includes the beloved animated film, 'Your Name.‚' about a young man and woman who swap bodies, as well as a series of films getting their North American streaming debut, such as 'Shin Godzilla' director Hideaki Anno's 'Love & Pop,' about a teenage girl who's dating older men for money (Anno is also know for creating the beloved anime series, 'Neon Genesis Evangelion'). Advertisement 'Shin Godzilla' won't be part of the first batch of movies hitting HBO Max on Sept. 1, but it's worth keeping an eye out for it. I'm a big proponent of seeing things in theaters when you can for the communal experience, but catching it on HBO Max is still a fine option. Lisa Weidenfeld is an arts editor at the Globe. Lisa Weidenfeld can be reached at
Business Insider
15 hours ago
- Business Insider
The best Disney Plus Bundles: How to save over 40%
When it comes to finding the best streaming services for your needs, you have a lot to choose from. The best Disney Plus bundles are designed to satisfy as much as possible under one discounted price. The bundles combine Disney Plus and Hulu, with the option to add-on either ESPN Plus or HBO Max. Taking advantage of the Disney Bundle will save you over 40% compared to subscribing to each service individually, no matter which bundle you choose. If you're considering getting either Disney Plus or Hulu, we recommend signing up for both, since bundle prices start at just $1 a month more than only subscribing to one service. Considering Disney Plus' content gaps when it comes to mature content and sports, bundling multiple services together also provides more to watch for viewers of every age, from animated Pixar films to gritty HBO dramas. Hulu supplements Disney Plus with a mix of network TV series, blockbuster movies, and original award-winning shows geared toward adults. The app has a massive back catalog of past seasons of network shows and also gets new episodes from ongoing ABC and FOX shows the day after they air. Meanwhile, ESPN Plus (soon to be just ESPN) adds select live football, tennis, golf, and basketball events, along with other sports. It's also the UFC streaming home in the US (for now), and subscribers are able to buy exclusive PPV fights through the app. HBO Max rounds out the coverage with critically acclaimed prestige films and TV shows like "The Sopranos," "The Last of Us," and the "Dune" franchise. We know it can sound a bit confusing, but the Disney Plus bundles are some of the best streaming deals on the market, so we're here to help clear up any questions you might have. Keep reading to explore a breakdown of costs, available bundling combinations, instructions on how to sign up, and info on what to do if you already have an existing subscription. Disney Plus/Hulu/HBO Max Bundle with Ads $16.99 $29.97 Save 43% This triple-value bundle gets you ad-supported access to Disney Plus, Hulu, and HBO Max for just $17 a month. That's $13 off the regular combined cost of all three services and provides you with a huge selection of shows and movies to enjoy. View at Disney Plus How much does the Disney Plus Bundle cost? There are six versions of the Disney Plus bundle, ranging in price based on ad-tier and the number of bundled services. The cheapest option is the ad-supported Disney Plus and Hulu bundle, which costs $11 a month. The most expensive combination is the ad-free Disney Plus, Hulu, and HBO Max bundle, which costs $30 a month. Rates most recently increased for Disney Plus, Hulu, ESPN Plus, and their respective bundles on October 17, 2024. Our Disney Plus price guide has full details on all Disney Plus plans and associated costs, but here's a breakdown of the current Disney Plus bundle prices: How to sign up for the Disney Plus Bundle If you live in the US, signing up for the Disney Plus Bundle with Hulu and ESPN Plus is as simple as visiting the Disney Plus website and selecting your desired plan. To sign up for the HBO Max version, just visit this website to get started instead. While Disney Plus is available globally, the bundles are confined to the US since Hulu and ESPN Plus are only supported in the US. After entering your email address and payment information, you can activate your account on each service. You can use the same account information across each platform and watch Hulu from the Disney Plus app and website. If you already have a Disney Plus, Hulu, or ESPN Plus account, this will serve as your MyDisney login for all Disney-owned services (unless you wish to sign up under a different email). Select HBO content is also available to watch from the Hulu app. Otherwise, you'll need to sign into the specific app — Hulu, Disney Plus, ESPN Plus, or Max — in order to view its relevant content. Disney Plus/Hulu/ESPN+ Bundle without Ads $26.99 $46.97 Save 43% View at Disney+ Disney Plus/Hulu/HBO Max Bundle with Ads $16.99 $29.97 Save 43% View at Disney Plus Disney Plus/Hulu/HBO Max Bundle without Ads $29.99 $51.97 Save 42% View at Disney Plus Can I get the Disney Plus bundles for free? While the Disney bundle does not offer a free trial, there are a few ways that you might be able to try it out for free. Though Verizon previously offered free access to the Disney Bundle with its 5G Play More Unlimited and 5G Get More Unlimited phone plans, this promotion is no longer active for new members. However, you can get a reduced rate on the ad-supported Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN Plus bundle with Verizon Unlimited plans. This will cost $10/month instead of the standard $17/month. The DirecTV MyEntertainment genre pack includes ad-supported Disney Plus, Hulu, and HBO Max. This month-to-month live TV streaming package, which costs $35/month and carries 50+ live entertainment and lifestyle channels, comes with a five-day free trial for new customers. Ad-supported Disney Plus is available through DirecTV's MyKids pack, which costs $20/month, offers 10+ family-friendly channels, and also includes a five-day free trial. The Hulu, Disney Plus, and ESPN Plus bundle is included in all Hulu + Live TV subscriptions (which we dig into below). This live TV package sometimes offers a free trial for its ad-supported tier, which means you can access all services for free for the duration of the trial. However, this free trial typically only lasts for three days before the subscription renews at the then-current monthly rate, unless you cancel before then. Can current subscribers upgrade to the Disney Bundle? Yes, current Disney Plus, Hulu, or ESPN Plus subscribers can upgrade any of their existing subscriptions to the bundle. You just need to sign up for the Disney Plus Bundle using the same email address on file for your current membership. You can also log into your existing account and explore other plan options, and make the switch from there. Disney will then adjust the bundle cost to account for your existing subscription fees. Though current HBO Max subscribers can upgrade to the bundle to get Disney Plus and Hulu included, remember that the HBO Max Ultimate Ad-Free plan is not included. That means current Ultimate members will see a downgrade in streaming quality if they choose to bundle, as only HD 1080p is available. To stream HBO Max in 4K UHD, you'll need to stick with the Ultimate Ad-Free plan, which isn't available as a bundle with another streaming service. Remember, however, that members who have existing subscriptions through special promotions — like Spotify's Student Plan with Hulu — are not eligible for an upgrade to the bundle. They'll need to cancel their subscription or sign up for the bundles separately with another account. Can you subscribe to Disney Plus bundles annually? One of our favorite ways to save on streaming services is by subscribing annually, which usually saves subscribers money each year compared to paying for 12 months on a month-to-month plan. However, none of the Disney Plus bundles offer annual options right now. You can subscribe to the Disney Plus ad-free tier annually for $160/year (a little over $31 in savings compared to paying month-to-month for a year), the Hulu ad-supported tier annually for $100/year (a little less than $20 in savings compared to month-to-month), or ESPN Plus annually for $120/year (a little over $23 in savings compared to month-to-month). Max also offers annual plans on all tiers of service, ranging from $100 to $210 a year. Can I watch Disney Plus, Hulu, ESPN Plus, or HBO Max content in the same app? Disney Plus allows you to watch select programming from Hulu and/or ESPN Plus on Disney Plus if you're subscribed to either of the streaming services. The Hulu option became available in December 2023 (and officially rolled out in 2024), and the ESPN Plus option became available in December 2024. You must subscribe through the bundle or trio plans or link your stand-alone accounts. Select Hulu and ESPN Plus programming is also available to watch on Disney Plus without a Hulu subscription. Once you log in, you can navigate to the ESPN Plus and Hulu content by clicking on the applicable tiles on the Disney Plus homepage. The tiles are right next to the Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar options, so it's easy to navigate. Disney Plus/Hulu/HBO Max Bundle subscribers can watch select HBO content from the Hulu app, but not all. With the HBO Max add-on, select titles like "Euphoria," "House of the Dragon," and "The Last of Us" can be found within the Hulu app. Non-HBO or HBO Max exclusive content, like the Studio Ghibli and Harry Potter libraries, cannot be found in the Hulu app. All four apps remain separate services for now. Will Disney Plus and Hulu become one app? In August 2025, a little less than two months after the Walt Disney Company purchased Comcast's stake in Hulu, Disney announced that it would be phasing out the Hulu app and fully integrating it into Disney Plus for a one-app experience in 2026. Nothing will immediately change, and there's no exact timeline for the change next year (yet), but the two oft-bundled services will eventually be available under a single app. Does Hulu + Live TV include the Disney Bundle? Hulu + Live TV plans come with Disney Plus, ESPN Plus, and on-demand Hulu automatically. Hulu + Live TV subscribers don't have to pay extra or adjust any options in order to get the bundle. The service also lets you stream more than 90 live TV channels. Check out our Hulu Live TV channels roundup to see the full lineup. Hulu + Live TV plans cost $83 a month for ad-supported on-demand streaming or $96 a month for ad-free on-demand streaming. The ad-free options extend to Hulu and Disney Plus, but Hulu + Live TV and ESPN Plus will always have ads due to the nature of live TV. This is the only bundle automatically included with Hulu + Live TV, and there's no option to swap ESPN Plus for HBO Max. Instead, you'd need to get an additional subscription to HBO Max, which will cost extra. To sign up for the Disney bundle with Hulu + Live TV, visit the Hulu + Live TV page.
