New York Film Festival Premieres Tom McCarthy’s ‘A Statement’

The 2026 New York Film Festival kicks off on Sept. 25 and runs through Oct. 12, offering a weekend of fresh premieres for film lovers. The festival unveiled its main slate today, setting the stage for a diverse Spotlight program that blends high‑profile features with short‑form work. Oscar‑winning Spotlight director Tom McCarthy’s latest film, A Statement, will receive its world premiere as part of the festival’s Spotlight lineup. Distributed by Sony Pictures Classics, the ensemble drama revisits a 1980 conference on the threat of climate change and features an all‑star cast that includes Paul Giamatti, John Turturro, Paul Rudd, Amy Ryan, Evan Peters and Tatiana Maslany. Also debuting in New York are Jordan Firstman’s Cannes‑sensation Club Kid and Jesse Eisenberg’s musical follow‑up to A Real Pain, titled The Debut. The Spotlight slate adds Cristian Mungiu’s Fjord, starring Renate Reinsve and Sebastian Stan, and Noah Segan’s Turturro‑starrer The Only Living Pickpocket. Werner Herzog returns with Bucking Fastard, which premiered in Venice and marks his first NYFF appearance since his 1982 closing‑night selection of Fitzcarraldo. Maiken Baird’s documentary Edward Said: Between Worlds follows its Toronto world premiere, while the late Eleanor Coppola’s behind‑the‑scenes look Making Marie Antoinette revisits Sofia Coppola’s 2006 feature. Further entries include Jonathan Glazer’s documentary Joy of Joys, chronicling the recording of a charity album for children in conflict zones, and Albert Serra’s Sixteen Moments of My Life. The Spotlight slate also presents ten short films, each offering world premieres from acclaimed filmmakers. The festival’s gala will feature the world premiere of Godzilla Minus Zero, rounding out a program that blends narrative cinema, documentary, and experimental work. With its blend of veteran directors and emerging voices, the 2026 New York Film Festival provides a compelling itinerary for anyone looking to spend a weekend immersed in contemporary cinema, from climate‑themed dramas to inventive shorts and a spectacular gala screening.