The New York Film Festival: A User's Guide
Where to eat, how early to show up, and how to say "NYFF" (you don't).
Hello from the Lincoln Center, where I’m practically living for the next few weeks. The New York Film Festival launches tomorrow, with a glitzy Opening Night launch for Nickel Boys. But press & industry screenings began a week ago, and I’ve been seeing as many films as physically possible (my full-time job has nothing to do with movies). I’m already about halfway through the films I plan to see, and I’m gonna send out some capsule reviews this weekend.
I put together an unvarnished, very opinionated guide to the fest, and with some recommendations of where to eat and drink before, after, or in between your screenings. Hope it’s helpful!
How to say NYFF
Most film festivals are referred to by the name of the city where it’s taking place.
“Are you going to Cannes this year?”
“That movie played well at Telluride.”
“They’re really stingy at the Sundance afterparties this time around.”
But no one says “I’m gonna see the movie at New York.”
I am neither a linguist nor an English major, so I don’t know if there’s a term to describe this (lack of) shortening. Perhaps it’s because most people who visit the South of France or a Utah ski town are not there to watch movies, so in the context of cinema-going, the listener understands the implicit “Film Festival.” The other major film festival that is held in a large city is the Toronto International Film Festival, which has the snappy shorthand of “TIFF.”
Spoken aloud, people just say “the New York Film Festival,” because nothing else works. I haven’t really heard anyone say “N-Y-F-F” out loud; the initialism only saves you two syllables and you sound like a goober. One critic I spoke to semi-ironically shortens it to “Niff” (mirroring “TIFF”), but it hasn’t caught on. Pronouncing it like “Knife” is willfully obtuse but would be cool if that became a thing.
Getting Tickets
Tickets for the year’s biggest movies sold out very quickly. It wasn’t like this last year, when the SAG strike limited how many actors could promote their films. This time around, with the likes of Tilda Swinton, Angelina Jolie, Elton John, and Daniel Craig gracing the stage at the Alice Tully Hall, it’s not surprising that screenings booked up so quickly.
There are standby lines, but for the hottest tickets you’ll have to queue up at least three hours early. If you’re within the first couple dozen people in line, there’s a very good chance you’ll get in, but there are no guarantees. That said, set up post notifications for the New York Film Festival on Twitter or check their subreddit. Various departments have ticket holds (for VIPs, the press, etc.), and they get released in the days leading up to the screening. When tickets do open up, there aren’t many, so be quick with that “Add to Cart” button! (It’s no longer available, but the festival also offers an Express Pass, which lets you cut to the front of the standby lines. Last year, everyone with the pass was able to see everything they wanted.)
If you’re thinking ahead to next year’s New York Film Festival, getting a membership or a multi-film pass gets you an advantageous presale window. The more you spend, the earlier you get to buy tickets. Film at Lincoln Center membership can be worthwhile if you’d attend their programming year-round. I’ve been a member for a few years and I don’t make as much use of it as I should, but the discounts and occasional screening invites come in handy.
Showing Up and Sitting Down
It’s important to be on time! For the most part, each screening has a brief introduction, and the movie will begin about 5-10 minutes after the listed start time. If there’s a Q&A, those usually last 20-25 minutes, so plan accordingly if you’re attending back to back screenings. All the theaters are more or less on the same block, so there isn’t much travel time to account for.
Seeing a movie in the massive, 1,000+ seat Alice Tully Hall feels like taking part in a special event. The Lincoln Center recognizes this, with the introduction of a $5 upcharge for screenings in that venue. This didn’t stop people from buying tickets. Seats are assigned in this venue. I’ve sat in pretty much every area in the Alice Tully Hall, and there aren’t too many bad seats in the house. The exception was that one year, I sat in the very last row of the balcony during Tár and the exit lights were kept on during the movie, which I found distracting. (Other rows in the balcony aren’t affected by this.) Box seats can have an awkward angle, as well.
Alice Tully Hall has security checks, and it can take some time to get through that if the line is long. But since seats are assigned, you can show up pretty close to the start time. They don’t sell concessions, which is either a feature or a bug, depending on who you are.
The other three theaters — the Walter Reade, the Francesca Beale, and the Howard Gilman — are general admission, so get there 15-20 minutes early if you are coming with a group or want to sit in a specific area. Concessions are sold in these venues, so you can snack on some popcorn and candy, or sip on coffee or beer. The Walter Reade is one of the best movie theaters in the city, and besides the first couple rows, every seat is a good one. I’m partial to the row at the bottom of the main section that has wheelchair spots; there’s a lot more legroom (and bathroom access!) when you sit there.
The screens in the Francesca Beale and the Howard Gilman are smaller, and the viewing angles are pretty crappy if you’re sitting on the sides. (In the Francesca Beale, my favorite seats are in the fourth or fifth row from the front.) The projection quality is just as good as the other auditoriums, and the Q&As would be more intimate.
Where to Eat and Drink Near the Lincoln Center
This is my shortlist of dining and drinking options in the area. I’m pretty much only here if I’m seeing a movie at the Lincoln Center or at the AMC so I’m always on the hunt for quick, good bites.
I have time for a proper dinner and okay with spending a lot of money
When I am near the Lincoln Center, I usually do not have time for a full-length dinner. But..
Usually, Tatiana quotes walk-ins a two to three hour wait time. That happens to be the length of the average movie + talkback. Could be worth a shot to put your name down on your way to the theater! (Haven’t been here yet but maybe this will be my year.)
El Fish Marisqueria has gotten strong recommendations from trusted friends. (Haven’t been here either.)
Café Luxembourg is classic French bistro fare, with a price to match.
They’ve lost their Michelin Star, but Marea’s famous octopus and bone marrow fusilli probably still hits. (I ate here once, way back in January 2021. I recall the pasta being terrific but very expensive.)
I have time for a proper dinner but do not want to spend a lot of money
🤷🏻
The area immediately surrounding the Lincoln Center is a black hole when it comes to great and affordable sit down restaurants. Although their locations across the street are enticing, avoid The Smith, PJ Clarke’s, and Cafe Fiorello.
You’ll have to venture into the high 70s or down to Hell’s Kitchen for anything that’s really great… If you have any recs for anything closer to Lincoln Center please tell me!
There are a couple places that friends have recommended to me, but haven’t been yet: Sushi Yasaka punches above its weight class for a neighborhood sushi joint, and Mediterranean restaurant Shalel is supposed to be very good (apparently ticketholders can get a free dessert if you spend at least $75).
And Old John’s Luncheonette delivers exactly what you’d expect a diner to do: perfectly good, not great, and relatively affordable given the neighborhood. I find myself here sometimes after a movie, but it’s never my first choice.
I want really good food that is take-out/casual
Charles’ Pan Fried Chicken is my favorite Southern-style fried chicken place in the city, and but this is where I get food most of the time that I’m in the area. For just $10 you can get two pieces of chicken (you can specify specific cuts) and a choice of side. If you’re really hungry, three pieces & two sides runs you $19. You’ll probably have to take your chicken dinner to the Lincoln Center campus, but on a nice day there’s a lawn to sit on, as well as semi-covered tables next to the Walter Reade.
The Migrant Kitchen is like Dig Inn but actually good. Get the lamb torta.
If it’s morning/daytime, there’s a Breads Bakery nearby, offering sandwiches, croissants, and babka.
Haven’t been to these places but they seem promising for Chinese food: EA Dumpling and La Dinastia
I have like fifteen minutes to eat and/or I am broke
Aforementioned Breads Bakery hits the spot but they are closed in the evening.
The Casbah food cart is great, and usually there until 11 PM-ish.
Gray’s Papaya for a $3 hot dog, which is great when you’re running late to a movie and have like ten seconds to eat but you need something to tide you over for a couple hours. (This happens to me a lot.) Cash only.
There is a McDonald’s next to the 72nd Street 2 / 3 station that is open 24/7 and has ample seating.
Haven’t been but Gnocchi on 9th and Pizza Collective seem promising for Italian fast food.
It is after 11 PM and I am hungry and want something quick
This is usually my case.
…McDonald’s it is. Or the slice shop next door.
I want to get a drink after the movie
For craft beer: Gebhard's Beer Culture is reliable.
For wine: Vanguard Wine Bar, which also serves light bites. Kitchen closes at midnight (10 PM on Sundays).
For cocktails: The Owl's Tail. If you feel like walking a mile north, Tiki Chick is great and they have $5 chicken sandwiches.
For saké, beer, and pool tables: Dark Bullet, which has an okay food offering that’s izakaya-ish.
For shots: Barcelona Bar 🤪
NYFF Cocktail Ideas
Purple is the festival’s brand color, so pretty much any drink with crême de violette should get you in the mood for NYFF. If you’re at home, try making a classic Aviation, a Water Lily, or Violet Hour, which fittingly riffs on the New York Sour.
In past years, Campari was a major sponsor and festival afterparties would feature their bright red branding, and there were spritzes aplenty. But they’re not on this year’s list of sponsors. I have no idea what cocktails will be served at festival afterparties without the support of Campari, and I do not have an invitation to this year’s Opening Night soirée. But I’ll ask around and figure out what the drink situation ends up being.
I like going to Épicerie Boulud for a coffee and pastry (when I need to read or be on my computer). Sometimes I might get a jambon beurre. They also have a bar, so you can stop for a quick wine glass, too.
will be attending 2-3 screenings per day myself, we should see if any of our tickets match and meet up !