named programs · 2 · from sources
What they call their work
New Voices Filmmaker Grant
Artist development initiative funded by Netflix that awards $25,000 grants to emerging LGBTQ+ filmmakers, offering mentorship, networking, and professional development opportunities to advance their careers.
Sound & Scene: NewFest x Concord QTBIPOC Short Film Initiative
Annual grant program awarding $20,000 and production support to emerging QTBIPOC filmmakers to create short films incorporating licensed music from Concord’s catalog; includes mentorship and festival exhibition at NewFest Pride.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
-
Film Festival and Screening Programming 4 activities
- Curates and distributes LGBTQ+ film content through media partnershipsPartners with AMC+ to curate and stream annual collections of narrative and nonfiction short films by LGBTQIA+ filmmakers during Pride Month, including selections from the Future of Film: NewFest collections in 2025 and 2026.
- Delivers youth-focused LGBTQ+ film education and engagement programsConducts in-school and virtual LGBTQ+ short film screenings with filmmaker talkbacks for GSAs, diversity clubs, students, and families. Programs aim to promote media literacy, social responsibility, and visibility for LGBTQ+ youth through interactive discussions and role models.
- Hosts recurring curated film series and special eventsRuns a monthly curated film series highlighting diverse LGBTQ+ identities and hosts special events such as Pride celebrations, youth programs, and community gatherings including the NY Liberty Game Watch Party. Also organizes an annual retrospective series to expand the queer film canon and showcases underrecognized films.
- Organizes and presents LGBTQ+ film and media festivalsProduces and hosts the annual New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival featuring over 130 queer films, including narrative features, documentaries, and short films, with in-person screenings at the LGBT Center and virtual streaming options. Includes Q&A sessions with filmmakers and special guests, and extends access through encore and regional virtual screenings.
-
-
Film Production Funding and Fiscal Sponsorship 1 activity
- Awards grants to emerging LGBTQ+ filmmakersFunds emerging QTBIPOC and LGBTQ+ filmmakers through the New Voices Filmmaker Grant, providing $20,000–$25,000 per recipient to support the creation of original short films and professional development.
-
-
Emerging Filmmaker Support Programs 1 activity
- Provides mentorship and professional development for LGBTQ+ filmmakersOffers year-round capacity-building support including mentorship, peer cohort sessions, production guidance from script to post, and customized festival strategy consulting for grant-funded filmmakers.
-
-
Professional Conference Support 1 activity
- Supports Black LGBTQ+ filmmakers through access and financial assistanceProvides festival submission fee waivers, travel cost funding, and free event tickets to Black LGBTQ+ filmmakers and Black-led organizations. Ensures equitable access to NewFest programming and supports participation of Black voices in LGBTQ+ film.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$2.17M
Contributions & grants$1.25M58%
Program service revenue$873K40%
Investment income$49K2%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$2.15M
Program expenses87%
Admin / overhead11%
Fundraising2%
Salaries & benefits$825K
Grants paid out$100K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.50M
Cash$1.44M
Investments$0
Liabilities$382K
Net assets$1.12M
Liquid reserves8.1 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +14.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Hatkoff | Executive Director | 40 | $187K |
| Nick McCarthy | Director of Programming | 0 | $106K |
board members · 17
- Adam Natale — Board Director
- Afua Kafi-Akua — Board Director
- Andrew Uriarte — Board Director
- Ann Brown — Board Director
- Aviva Michelman-Dumas — Board Director
- Bill Berman — Board Director
- Ellery Washington — Board Director
- Isabel Sandoval — Board Director
- Jane Sasseen — Board Director
- Josh Schiowitz — Board Director
- Mathew Lasky — Board Director
- Michael Dinwiddie — Board Director
- Mike Balaban — Board Director
- Ramon Torres — Board Director
- Ronald Lense — Board Director
- Sandy Markman — Board Director
- Thomas Dima — Board Director
relationships · 14
Who they work with
- AMC+ Partner — Streaming partner for the Future of Film: NewFest short film collection during Pride Month.
- BAM Rose Cinema Partner — Hosts in-person screenings for the 'Queering the Canon: We're Out Here' film series.
- Concord Originals Partner — Collaborates on the Sound & Scene initiative to fund and support QTBIPOC filmmakers through financing and music licensing
- Daniel Nolasco Partner — Featured filmmaker whose work was showcased at the 37th Annual New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival.
- Desperado LGBTQ+ Film Festival Partner — Collaborated with NewFest to launch the Arizona Queer Film Access Initiative after Desperado's cancellation.
- Indiewire Partner — Media partner that published an announcement about the Black Filmmakers Initiative.
- LGBT Center Partner — Hosts in-person film screenings for NewFest Presents programs.
- MIX NYC Partner — Collaborates on a curated shorts program inspired by Barbara Hammer.
- Meatpacking Business Improvement District (BID) Partner — Co-presents an outdoor screening of THE BRITTNEY GRINER STORY.
- Netflix Partner — Collaborates with NewFest to fund and present the New Voices Filmmaker Grant.
- New York City Department of Education Partner — Partners with NewFest to deliver youth screening programs.
- PARIS IS BURNING Partner — Filmmakers associated with "Paris Is Burning" have screened at NewFest; the festival hosted its world theatrical premiere.
- Queer|Art Partner — Collaborates on programs supporting LGBTQ+ artists.
- Rooftop Films Partner — Co-presents an outdoor screening of THE BRITTNEY GRINER STORY.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Emergency Response to Protect Access to Queer Storiesmethodology: emergency_access_responseBy launching rapid-access film initiatives in collaboration with local partners when queer narratives are under threat, the organization protects cultural expression and ensures continuity of visibility, because safeguarding access to stories is essential to community resilience and resistance.
- Empowerment Through Youth and Emerging Filmmaker Supportmethodology: artist_developmentBy providing funding, mentorship, peer networks, and creative platforms—particularly for QTBIPOC and Black LGBTQ+ youth—the organization empowers emerging storytellers to develop their voices, because supporting early-career filmmakers amplifies underrepresented narratives and builds intergenerational artistic continuity.
- Intergenerational and International Storytelling for Cultural Continuitymethodology: intergenerational_artistic_dialogueBy curating film programs that connect pioneering and contemporary LGBTQ+ filmmakers across generations and geographies, the organization fosters artistic dialogue and cultural resilience, because shared narrative traditions strengthen community cohesion and validate diverse queer identities.
- Visibility Through Queer Cinema as Social Changemethodology: visibility_as_social_changeBy showcasing LGBTQ+ stories through film and media programming, the organization increases cultural visibility and representation, which it believes drives social transformation, fosters acceptance, and strengthens community identity—especially in non-urban and marginalized contexts.