Your future faves revealed in a Newfest 2026 special — Plus Avatar, VisionQuest and dom Gillian Anderson

Hey! David here.

The LGBTQ+ film festival Newfest kicks off in New York City from October 15-25 and trust me when I say it's a good un.

If you're in the vicinity of Carrie Bradshaw's city, go get tickets for at least some of the 144 titles scheduled to screen including the biggest queer titles from Cannes, Venice and more.

If you're not there, some films will stream virtually on NewFest's on-demand platform from October 15-30. Ticketing info is available via www.newfest.org.

For readers not in the US? First off, congrats. Secondly, this is a perfect chance to find out about future faves which will head to local cinemas and streaming in the coming months.

Scroll further down to the Out Takes section for 10 Newfest picks you cannot afford to miss whether you get to see them at the festival or beyond. Feel free to tell your friends and look smart.

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Queer and Now

Everything new in the world of queer TV and film

— After Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender revealed that Fire Lord Zuko is a bisexual king, I was really hoping the new series Avatar: Seven Havens might double down on the gay shit.

Without spoiling too much, I can confirm that alphabet people do indeed reside within the Seven Havens, and I can also confirm that this is a fantastic show fans of the original will love. Check out the first three episodes from today on Paramount+.

— WandaVision and Agatha All Along were like regular Marvel shows, except they were actually good, and a big part of that is down to all the Mothering and Fagology that Wanda, Agatha and Wiccan brought to the table.

VisionQuest, the third and (probs) final chapter in Marvel's Maximoff run feels Maxi-Straight given the focus is on Vision this time. It doesn't help that bisexual hottie Ruaridh Mollica has said in interviews that his queer hero Speed, aka Tommy Maximoff, may not be explicitly referred to as bi within the show.

Still, fans of those previous shows can't afford to miss out on this one, even if it does end up being straighter than Joel McHale guest judging on Drag Race. Check it out on Disney+ from October 14.

— Big fan of Big Girls Don't Cry, a queer indie about a 14-year-old girl named Fergie Sid who wants acceptance from a group of older girls in New Zealand, 2006.

Lead actress Ani Palmer does a brilliant job of capturing the uncertainty of that age and the fake bravado that comes with it. Meanwhile, director Paloma Schneideman conjures up an incredibly personal and specific sense of place with her feature debut.

Paloma is also lovely in real life, I found out, when I met her at BFI Flare earlier this year. This is the definition of a hidden gem which shouldn't be hidden.

— Is Ben Affleck's Netflix film Animals actually gay? Well, that depends.

Does the idea of seeing Gillian Anderson wear an all-white power suit turn you on or make you scream Mother uncontrollably?

If the answer to either or both options is yes, you're a raging queer who should probably give this film at least a fleeting glance.

— Netflix's The Diplomat returns for its fourth season on October 15. It's essentially the "try not to say mother" challenge extended over eight whole episodes thanks to the powerhouse duo of Keri Russell and Allison EMMY-WINNING Janney.

That alone is enough to warrant a mention for Cruising Cinema (never mind that the show is actually great too).

43 Best LGBTQ+ Movies of 2026 Ranked (so far)

Plus where to watch them

In need of something new and extremely gay to watch? Look no further than my ranking of the 43 best LGBTQ+ movies released this year so far.

Check out the link below to see where your faves end up.

Queer Awakenings

You know, the hotties who "turned" you gay.

Being gay is NOT a choice. How do I know? Because I was always going to be gay after seeing this as a kid.

Dom Gillian Anderson strikes again!

The Truth is Out There and that truth is these X-Files hotties made queers of us all.

Case closed!

Out Takes - Newfest 2026 Special

Queer hidden gems you need to see

For this Newfest special, I've handpicked 10 films you need to see at the festival (and beyond), accompanied by summaries courtesy of the festival and my own thoughts in brackets.

BLACK BURNS FAST

Nerdy star student Luthando is on track for a normal academic year at her all-girls boarding school. But when the arrival of a new classmate ignites Luthando’s hidden desires, it threatens everything she thought she knew about herself.

(It's giving Heartstopper but lesbian and South African)

CLUB KID

A hard-partying New York City club promoter sees his whirlwind lifestyle upended by the arrival of the 10-year-old son he never knew he had, in this Cannes sensation from Jordan Firstman.

(Was Jordan Firstman quite annoying in I Love LA? Yes. Is this an extraordinary film he's directed? Absolutely)

COWARD

As the First World War drags on, two soldiers on the front lines find theatrical ways to escape the brutality of war together, even if only for a moment.

(Fighting and boy kissing? Gays just know how to do stuff).

ELEPHANTS IN THE FOG

In a Nepalese village populated by wild elephants, matriarch Pirati dreams of escaping to a “normal” life with the man she loves. But when her daughter disappears, she must investigate and choose between love and responsibility.

(Shines a powerful and essential light on the trans Nepali community)

ELSINORE

This is the deeply emotional and inspirational true story of Ian Charleson (played by Andrew Scott), a gifted actor whose greatest challenge becomes his greatest triumph.

(Andrew Scott Oscar when?)

MONTREAL, MY BEAUTIFUL

At 53 years old, a Chinese immigrant mother in Montreal breaks from duty and tradition when she falls for a young Québécoise woman, sending her on a journey of overdue self-discovery.

(Look up "Mother" in the dictionary and you'll see Joan Chen's performance in this film).

MOUSE

The summer before senior year, a sudden rift shatters Minnie and Callie’s friendship. Now, unsure of her identity, Minnie distances herself from her own mother to bond with Callie’s.

(I was devastated to miss this one at Berlin earlier in the year. Don't make the same mistake I did!)

TEST

An amateur bodybuilder in rural Ohio must confront a dysfunctional family, substance abuse, and his own emerging sexuality on his quest to become a champion.

(Brock Yurich gave his entire mind, body and soul to this film which he wrote and stars in)

TIGER

A 35-year-old gay masseuse is pushed to the edge as an escalating clash with his sister over property ownership blurs the line between right and wrong.

(Happy endings are harder to come by in this hidden gem from Japan that I really wish more people would see)

WHAT WILL I BECOME?

Directors Lexie and Logan travel across the United States, trying to understand their own trans boyhoods through community healing and the legacies of two young men lost to suicide.

(As vital as documentaries come)

NewFest - LGBTQ+ Film and Media | New York

NewFest is New York’s leading LGBTQ+ Film and Media organization, presenting The New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival annually.

NewFest

44 Best LGBTQ+ TV Shows of 2026 Ranked (so far)

Plus where to watch them

Do you want gay shit? Of course you do. Do you want to spend hours looking for it? Obviously not. Thankfully, I'm here to help with this ranking of the 44 best LGBTQ+ shows I've seen so far this year.

Check out the link below to see where your faves end up.

And just like that, we've come to the end of Cruising Cinema today. As a thank you for making it this far, here's Jonathan Bailey with a reminder to drink your milk. See you next Tuesday!

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