New York Film Festival 2025 Opens Showcasing Daniel Day-Lewis, Julia Roberts, Over 70 Films

The 63rd New York Film Festival, beginning in late September 2025, showcases over 70 films including fiction features, documentaries, and shorts across all five boroughs of New York City. The festival opens with "After the Hunt," directed by Luca Guadagnino and starring Julia Roberts, which explores complex issues of sexual assault and campus politics in the #MeToo era. This year's lineup also marks the return of Daniel Day-Lewis to acting in his son Ronan's directorial debut, "Anemone," alongside new works by auteurs Kathryn Bigelow, Noah Baumbach, and Joachim Trier. Festival artistic director Dennis Lim emphasizes the event's role in reflecting the current state of cinema and culture, highlighting films that engage with contemporary political and social issues. IndieWire's podcast recommends under-the-radar titles such as Bi Gan's "Resurrection" and Mamoru Hosoda's "Scarlet," illustrating the festival's diverse and international scope. The event continues to affirm film as a thriving art form despite industry challenges, with gala screenings and filmmaker talks enhancing the experience.