New York City’s annual LGBTQ+ film festival will give Arizonans free access to screenings after a queer film festival in Phoenix shut down last month in response to a federal directive.
NewFest announced this week that Arizona residents will get complimentary access to a selection of the roughly 130 films slated for its 37th annual festival, which will run from Oct. 9 to 21 at venues in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
The move comes after Paradise Valley Community College in Phoenix canceled the long-running Desperado LGBTQ+ Film Festival, citing recent executive orders from the Trump administration targeting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
“Continuing with the festival this year could risk the loss of all federal funding to the district, including student financial aid and grants that support hundreds of employees and critical student services,” the festival’s organizers said in a July 14 statement.
NewFest, the country’s largest LGBTQ+ film festival, decided to step in. The organization typically charges $95 for virtual passes that allow audiences outside New York to stream films. This year, it will waive that fee for Arizona residents, according to Executive Director David Hatkoff.
“A lot of New Yorkers grew up in some other part of the country feeling isolated, feeling unseen, unloved and invisible,” Hatkoff said. “There are a lot of people who can identify with what it means to not have access to what New Yorkers sometimes take for granted. I just think if we’re not in solidarity with each other now, then what are we doing?”
Hatkoff said NewFest will take “a financial hit” by offering free passes in Arizona but is relying on donations to offset costs.
“If we are successful in getting many, many Arizonans to opt into this, then it will cost us more,” he said. “Which is a good thing in terms of the impact that we want this program to have. I can’t quite put a dollar amount on it yet.”
This year’s festival lineup, which will be announced Sept. 10, will include queer dramas, comedies, independent projects and star-driven productions, unified under a theme of rebellion and resistance in the current political climate, organizers said.
Since Trump's return to office in January, his administration has issued a series of executive orders rolling back DEI programs across the country, including protections and resources for LGBTQ Americans.
In response, New York lawmakers have passed legislation and secured funding to safeguard resources for LGBTQ residents.
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
