The 64th New York Film Festival Includes World Premieres by Jonathan Glazer, Tom McCarthy, Charlotte Wells, and Others

      Following their Main Slate announcement, the 64th New York Film Festival has revealed its Spotlight lineup, which includes the world premieres of Tom McCarthy’s A Statement, Jonathan Glazer’s Joy of Joys, and Charlotte Wells’ new short New York Never Let Me Down, the director of Aftersun. Also featured is the previously announced Spotlight Gala selection, Takashi Yamazaki’s Godzilla Minus Zero, and Kleber Mendonça Filho’s new short about Jafar Panahi, South of Tehran.

      Additional titles include Eleanor Coppola’s Making Marie Antoinette, Werner Herzog’s Bucking Fastard, Cristian Mungiu’s Palmes d’Or winner Fjord, Jesse Eisenberg’s The Debut, Jordan Firstman’s Club Kid, Noah Segan’s The Only Living Pickpocket, Albert Serra’s concert documentary on Ingrid Caven, Sixteen Moments of My Life, and more.

      Here’s a summary of Glazer’s new film: “This vibrant yet sobering documentary from Oscar-winning director Jonathan Glazer (The Zone of Interest, NYFF61) takes viewers behind the scenes at Abbey Road Studios as the recording of the Mercury Prize-nominated HELP(2) unfolds—a 2026 charity album from War Child Records aimed at assisting children in conflict zones globally. To create the film, Glazer enlisted the help of young schoolchildren from London, giving them digital cameras and the freedom to capture the studio sessions however they pleased. Their creativity mirrors footage from spirited children in war-torn regions like Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, and Yemen, who were also provided with cameras by Glazer. The resulting work, described by Glazer and his frequent music collaborator Mica Levi as ‘by children, for children,’ is a celebration of youthful curiosity amidst the harsh realities of the adult world. Featured artists from the album include Damon Albarn, Olivia Rodrigo, Cameron Winter, Arctic Monkeys, Beth Gibbons, Fontaines D.C., and Jarvis Cocker. An extended Q&A with Jonathan Glazer will follow the screening.”

      Here’s a synopsis for McCarthy’s A Statement: “In October 1980, just before a pivotal presidential election, a group of environmental activists, scientists, and U.S. policymakers gathered in a St. Petersburg, Florida hotel to discuss a concerning government study on the risks associated with carbon dioxide emissions and rising global temperatures. Their objective was to draft a statement suggesting how Congress should respond to this threat. However, reaching consensus on the phrasing proves challenging. Academy Award-winning writer-director Tom McCarthy has cleverly crafted a humorous, unsettling, and relevant recreation of these events, set in the same hotel where the actual meeting occurred, utilizing the conference's transcription to shape the screenplay. A remarkable ensemble cast—including Paul Rudd, Evan Peters, Amy Ryan, Paul Giamatti, John Turturro, Tatiana Maslany, Mary Catherine Garrison, Nina Arianda, and Zach Woods—brings to life this seemingly minor moment in history that had significant consequences for the fate of the world. It will be released by Sony Pictures Classics.”

      Explore the full lineup below and find out more information here.

      Spotlight Gala: Godzilla Minus Zero (Takashi Yamazaki)

      Bucking Fastard (Werner Herzog)

      Club Kid (Jordan Firstman)

      The Debut (Jesse Eisenberg)

      Edward Said: Between Worlds (Maiken Baird)

      Fjord (Cristian Mungiu)

      Iron Boy (Louis Clichy)

      Joy of Joys (Jonathan Glazer)

      Making Marie Antoinette (Eleanor Coppola)

      One More Time (Cindy Kleine and André Gregory)

      The Only Living Pickpocket in New York (Noah Segan)

      Sixteen Moments of My Life (Albert Serra)

      A Statement (Tom McCarthy)

      Spotlight Shorts

      NYFF Encounters: South of Tehran (Kleber Mendonça Filho)

      Masao Adachi Takes a Passport Photo (Kamal Aljafari)

      A Stolen Movie (Camilo Restrepo)

      Torino Shadow (Jia Zhangke)

      Screening Room (Morgan Fisher)

      New York Shorts

      The People’s Beach (J. Wortham)

      ee (Heather Landsman)

      The House Call (Eliza Barry Callahan)

      A Woman’s Place Is Everywhere (Fanny Texier)

      New York Never Let Me Down (Charlotte Wells)

      The 64th New York Film Festival is scheduled from September 25 to October 12, 2026, with passes currently available for purchase. Individual tickets will go on sale at noon on September 15.