The Lower East Side Film Festival Unveils Official Posters & Lineup

ScreenRant is excited to share a first look at the official poster for the 2026 The Lower East Side Film Festival, which will be back for its 16th year on April 30th. The festival has also announced its complete schedule of films and events, highlighting a range of exciting independent movies and activities happening downtown.

This year’s LESFF posters were created with a font inspired by the beautiful marquee sign of the Village East Cinema. The festival, which captures the energy of New York City, started in 2011 and has been expanding each year.

The festival features a diverse range of films, but it’s also packed with well-known actors and filmmakers. The opening night film, Run Amok, stars Patrick Wilson (known from The Conjuring), and the closing night documentary, Public Access, is executive produced by Benny Safdie (The Smashing Machine). The festival includes feature films, short films, and classic retrospectives – a complete list with descriptions (provided by the LESFF press release) is available below.

A Closer Look At The Lower East Side Film Festival’s Posters & Line-Up

Thursday, April 30th – OPENING NIGHT

BIG APPLE, SHORT FILMS – NEW YORK FILMMAKER SHORTS

6:30pm at Village East Cinema 181-189 2nd Ave

New York City needs no introduction – it’s arguably the best city on Earth, and these short films beautifully capture its energy. They showcase the diverse experiences of city life, from elegant parties to casual chess games in the park, from the memories of growing up in the Bronx to late nights out in Brooklyn. These films are a loving tribute to everything that makes New York special.

The film lineup includes Being Bublé, The Chessplayers of New York, Nervous Energy, The Nest, and Grown. Filmmakers will be present after the screenings for a question-and-answer session, and doors will open 30 minutes before each film begins.

OPENING NIGHT FILM + PARTY: NY PREMIERE – RUN AMOK

8:30pm at Village East Cinema 181-189 2nd Ave

This year’s festival kicks off with the New York premiere of Run Amok, a new film written and directed by NB Mager. The movie stars Alyssa Marvin, Patrick Wilson, Margaret Cho, Elizabeth Marvel, and Molly Ringwald, and tells the story of a teenager who uses art to process trauma. She creates a bold musical that deals with the lingering effects of a school tragedy.

Join us after the film for our Opening Night Party at Village East Cinema! Your ticket covers the movie and access to the party, which includes a free bar sponsored by our partners, a live DJ, and fun giveaways. We’ll have a Q&A session with the film’s cast and crew, and doors open 30 minutes before the movie starts. The celebration continues with an afterparty, also at Village East Cinema.

Friday, May 1st

THE 2026 FILMMAKER RECEPTION

2 – 4pm at ICP (The International Center of Photography)

You’re invited to the Filmmaker Reception at the Lower East Side Film Festival! Join fellow filmmakers for an afternoon of networking and conversation at the International Center of Photography Museum, which boasts three floors of exciting photography and visual art exhibits. The reception starts at 2pm on the first floor, followed by a chance to explore the museum’s exhibitions at 3pm. This event is sponsored by The Lo-Down Culture Cast. Filmmakers participating in LESFF 2026 can RSVP for free, and a limited number of tickets will be available to the public.

LIVING THE DREAM SHORTS

6pm at Village East Cinema

Everyone is just working hard to achieve their goals. We’re all pushing ourselves, giving it our all, to make our dreams a reality. These shorts are a fun reminder to aim high, but also to be practical and keep things grounded.

The films being shown are The Actor, Creator, You Will Enjoy This, Bent, and Choy: The Making Of. The filmmakers will be available for a question-and-answer session after the screening, and doors will open 30 minutes beforehand.

FEATURE FILM: NEW YORK CITY PREMIERE – OCCUPY CANNES

6:30pm at Village East Cinema

This documentary follows Lloyd Kaufman, the creator of The Toxic Avenger, and his team as they fight for independent filmmaking at the Cannes Film Festival. With independent voices being squeezed out of the industry, Occupy Cannes explores the exciting underground scene at the festival – a place where art, activism, and mainstream cinema collide.

Lily Hayes Kaufman’s film will be shown, and she’ll be here afterward to answer questions. The doors will open half an hour before the film starts.

IDENTITY CRISIS SHORTS

8:00pm at Village East Cinema

These short films delve into the complexities of identity, exploring everything from personal passions – like a love for death metal or hookah – to the relationships that define us, whether they’re crushes, friendships, or rivalries. They encourage us to reflect on who we are and how others influence us.

The film lineup includes Headbang, Hookah Head, Dressed to the Nines, All At Once, Short King, and Cake. The filmmakers will be available for a question-and-answer session after the screening, and doors will open 30 minutes beforehand.

FEATURE FILM: NY PREMIERE – DANNY IS MY BOYFRIEND

8:30pm at Village East Cinema

The new comedy Danny Is My Boyfriend is making its debut in New York City. It stars Mechi Lakatos and Lucy Sandler as two hilariously delusional women who find out they’ve both been seeing the same guy. Set in Los Angeles, the film is a fun, low-budget take on a classic revenge story.

Lucy Sandler and Mechi Lakatos wrote and directed this film, which stars Lucy Sandler, Mechi Lakatos, Brooke Smith, Eli Powers, Rachel Brunner, David Schedule, and Lauren Burns. The filmmakers will be here after the screening for a question-and-answer session, and doors will open half an hour before the film begins.

Saturday, May 2nd

FEATURE FILM: NY PREMIERE – THE HAND THAT FEEDS

3:30pm at Village East Cinema

This film is a deeply atmospheric and captivating experience. With simple but beautiful visuals and a powerful, immersive soundtrack, it takes you inside the mind of a hip-hop artist struggling with isolation. Mtume Gant, who wrote, directed, composed the music, and stars in the film, is a remarkably talented new filmmaker. The film also features strong performances from Kara Young, a Tony Award winner, and Chinaza Uche.

This film is written and directed by Mtume Gant, and stars Mtume Gant, Kara Young, and Chinaza Uche. The filmmakers will be present after the screening for a question-and-answer session. Doors will open 30 minutes before the film begins.

FEATURE FILM: NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE – CAN’T GO OVER IT

4:30pm at Village East Cinema

“Can’t Go Over It” is a charming and unique film about two queer friends whose yearly backpacking trip in the Adirondacks reveals subtle tensions in their relationship. Filmed entirely on location, writer/director Ethan Fuirst uses a realistic and intimate style to beautifully portray the funny and heartfelt experience of navigating friendship as people change and grow.

Ethan Fuirst wrote and directed this film, which features performances by Taylor Trensch and Susannah Perkins. The filmmakers will be available for a question-and-answer session after the screening, and doors will open half an hour beforehand.

STAY INDIE SPOTLIGHT: NEW YORK CITY PREMIERE – THE ARK

5:30pm at Village East Cinema

The LESFF’s Stay Indie Project is back for its second year! In partnership with BFD Productions, this program helps independent filmmakers get their stories made by providing resources, funding, and practical production assistance. This year, the project includes a special screening – the New York City premiere of the film The Ark.

The Ark follows a family in eastern Ukraine who bravely chooses to stay on their farm during the war. What starts with a simple favor – looking after a soldier’s goats – quickly grows into a remarkable rescue operation. Animals of all kinds, from cows and dogs to even a crocodile, begin arriving at Green Grove Farm, seeking safety and a fresh start. Soon, the family is caring for hundreds of abandoned animals, offering them refuge from the conflict.

Jeremy Chilnick and Viacheslav Rakovskyi directed this film, with Kyra Sedgwick narrating and also serving as an executive producer. It won’t be competing in the festival, but the filmmakers will be there to answer questions after the screening. The doors will open half an hour before the film begins.

FEATURE FILM: WORLD PREMIERE – HOMUNCULUS

7pm at Village East Cinema

Premiering to the world, Homunculus blends theater and film in a darkly funny and dreamlike look at love, self-importance, and the consuming nature of art. Director Owen Kirby’s first film plunges viewers into the chaotic relationship of Mimi and Clay. Mimi has asked her loyal assistant, Bootbutt, to sculpt her ex-boyfriend, which sets off a chain of romantic mishaps, confusion, strange encounters, and a thoughtful look at the creative process.

Owen Kibby directed the film, and Santiago Mallan and Kibby wrote it. The movie features Mitra Jouhari, Ruby McCollister, Jeremy Gill, Aitana Doyle, and Jake Innerst. The cast and crew will be available for a question-and-answer session after the screening, and doors will open half an hour beforehand.

FEATURE FILM: NY PREMIERE – THE PLAN

7:30pm at Village East Cinema

Jessica Barr’s first film, The Plan, is a gripping and darkly humorous story filmed in one continuous shot. It follows a group of young people whose ambitious goal to make a difference gradually falls apart as suspicion, attraction, and uncertainty take over. The movie isn’t so much about what they’re trying to do, but about the delicate relationships between them and how easily they can fray.

Jessica Barr wrote and directed this film, which features performances by Ryan Simpkins, An-Li Bogan, Eve Lindley, Percy Hynes White, Logan Miller, Jordan Hull, Frank Mosley, and Arkira Chantaratananond. The filmmakers will be available for a question-and-answer session after the movie, and the doors will open half an hour before the screening begins.

MIND F*CK SHORTS

9pm at Village East Cinema

Get ready for a bizarre and unforgettable late-night experience! It’s a chaotic mix of humor, discomfort, creepiness, and mind-bending strangeness – guaranteed to mess with your head in the best way.

The film lineup includes Potato Potato, I love Yuuu, Echelon, What the Heck is Going On, and The Debut. After the screening, the filmmakers will be available for a question-and-answer session. Doors will open 30 minutes before the film begins.

Sunday, May 3rd

IT’S COMPLICATED SHORTS

6pm at Village East Cinema

This film explores all the ups and downs of relationships—the joyful beginnings, the inevitable challenges, heartbreak, and the surprise of finding love again. You might even sense the filmmakers are drawing from their own personal experiences!

The films being shown are To Have and To Hold, Homebodies, Cottonmouth, The Hole, No Rush, and Stay Awhile. The filmmakers will be available for a question-and-answer session after the screening, and doors will open 30 minutes beforehand.

DOC SHORTS

7pm at Village East Cinema

These brief films offer a personal look at people’s dreams and ambitions. They’re a surprising, inspiring, and sometimes moving journey, and one story is so strange it’s almost unbelievable.

The film lineup includes Being Bublé, Bent, La Línea, and The Nest. Filmmakers will be available for a question-and-answer session after the screenings, and doors will open half an hour before the films begin.

GHOST WORLD 25-YEAR RETROSPECTIVE w/ CAST REUNION

8pm at Village East Cinema

The 2026 LESFF festival will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the popular film Ghost World, directed by Terry Zwigoff and starring Thora Birch, Scarlett Johansson, and Steve Buscemi. Based on a graphic novel by Daniel Clowes, the movie is still known for its witty, honest, and touching depiction of growing up and finding your place.

The film will be shown after a question-and-answer session with the cast. Doors will open 30 minutes before the movie starts. Please note this screening is not part of the competition.

Monday, May 4th – CLOSING NIGHT

CLOSING NIGHT FILM: NY PREMIERE – PUBLIC ACCESS

7:30PM at Village East Cinema

The 2026 LESFF will conclude with the New York premiere of Public Access, a new documentary directed by David Shadrack Smith and produced by Sara Crow and Anne-Marcelle Ngabiran. Executive producers include Wren Arthur, Steve Buscemi, and Benny Safdie. The film explores the exciting rise of public access television in New York City during the 1970s and 80s, showcasing how independent creators used the medium to champion free speech and paving the way for today’s world of online content creators.

David Shadrack Smith directed this film, with Sara Crow and Anne-Marcelle Ngabiran producing. Wren Arthur, Steve Buscemi, and Benny Safdie served as executive producers. The filmmakers will be available for a question-and-answer session after the screening, and doors will open half an hour beforehand.

2026-04-15 20:15