NewFest Leader Steps Down After Record Growth

David Hatkoff, executive director of NewFest, will depart the New York City LGBTQ film festival on June 30 after a seven-year tenure. Hatkoff's departure follows the NewFest Pride event, scheduled from May 28 to June 1. He expressed that NewFest has been the most meaningful work of his professional life, highlighting the importance of queer stories being taken seriously. Under his leadership, the festival's budget expanded from $500,000 to almost $2.5 million, establishing it as the largest queer film festival in the United States. He also initiated two new festivals, Queering the Canon and NewFest Pride.

Lesli Klainberg, former executive director of NewFest from 2008 to 2011 and previously president of Film at Lincoln Center, has been appointed as the interim executive director. Klainberg, who also has ties to GLAAD and Outfest, stated that returning to NewFest feels like coming home. Her immediate focus will be supporting the staff, board, and filmmakers, and engaging the tri-state queer community in preparation for the October festival and the search for a permanent successor. The 38th annual NewFest is scheduled to take place from October 15-17 under Klainberg's interim leadership.