What Is 2019 New York Film Festival

Overview

The 2019 New York Film Festival (NYFF) was the 57th iteration of the prestigious annual event, organized by Film at Lincoln Center. It showcased a diverse lineup of 106 films from 56 countries, highlighting both emerging voices and established auteurs in global cinema.

This edition emphasized international storytelling, with a balanced mix of narrative features, documentaries, and experimental works. The festival served as a key cultural event in New York City’s fall arts calendar, drawing filmmakers, critics, and cinephiles from around the world.

• 106 films were selected for the official lineup, representing a broad spectrum of genres and cinematic styles from across the globe.
• The festival ran for 17 days, from September 27 to October 13, 2019, with screenings and events held primarily at the Walter Reade Theater and Rose Theater.
• 11 world premieres were featured, including high-profile titles like Marriage Story by Noah Baumbach and Little Women by Greta Gerwig.
• Films originated from 56 countries, with strong representation from France, Japan, South Korea, and the United States, reflecting the festival’s global reach.
• The Main Slate included 25 feature-length films, selected for their artistic significance and directorial innovation by the NYFF selection committee.

How It Works

The New York Film Festival operates through a curated selection process led by Film at Lincoln Center’s programming team. Each year, a committee reviews submissions and invites films based on artistic merit, cultural relevance, and directorial vision.

• Selection Committee: A panel of film experts and curators reviews hundreds of submissions and personally invites select filmmakers. The process is highly competitive and invitation-based.
• Main Slate: This core program features 25 carefully chosen films, often including Oscar contenders and award-winning works from other international festivals like Cannes and Venice.
• World Premieres: The 2019 festival hosted 11 world premieres, offering audiences first access to major films before global release.
• Special Sections: Categories like Spotlight, Revivals, and Convergence highlight documentaries, restorations, and genre-bending works outside the Main Slate.
• Lincoln Center Venue: Screenings took place at Lincoln Center in Manhattan, primarily at the Walter Reade Theater and Rose Theater, providing a prestigious urban setting.
• Public Access: Tickets were available to the public, though high demand for marquee films like Parasite and The Irishman led to rapid sellouts.

Comparison at a Glance

Compared to other major film festivals, the 2019 NYFF stood out for its curated, non-competitive format and focus on artistic excellence over commercial appeal.

The table illustrates that while NYFF is smaller in scale than festivals like Berlin or Toronto, it maintains a highly selective, non-competitive model focused on curation rather than awards. This distinguishes it from festivals driven by market activity or prize outcomes, positioning NYFF as a platform for cinematic artistry and critical discourse.

Why It Matters

The 2019 New York Film Festival played a pivotal role in shaping the year’s cinematic conversation, launching major award-season contenders and spotlighting underrepresented voices. Its influence extended beyond screenings to cultural commentary and industry momentum.

• Parasite premiered at NYFF before becoming the first non-English language film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture, highlighting the festival’s predictive power.
• Marriage Story gained critical acclaim at NYFF, helping propel its Oscar nominations for acting and screenplay.
• The festival provided a platform for international filmmakers, especially from Asia and Africa, increasing visibility for non-Hollywood cinema.
• NYFF screenings often influence U.S. distribution deals, with studios acquiring rights after successful festival showings.
• Its non-commercial focus fosters critical dialogue, attracting top film critics and scholars to panels and Q&A sessions.
• As a fall festival, NYFF helps set the awards season tone, with many selections later appearing on critics’ top-ten lists.

By bridging art and audience, the 2019 NYFF reinforced its status as a cornerstone of American film culture, offering depth, diversity, and directorial excellence in an era of increasingly commercialized cinema.