UPPER WEST SIDE — Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen, Danny Boyle, Michael Fassbender and Rachel Weisz are just some of the stars slated to appear at film screenings at the New York Film Festival, which opens this week at Lincoln Center.
The festival is full of much anticipated movies like "The Walk," about Philippe Petit's walk between the Twin Towers, new documentaries including one about Nora Ephron, restored films like "Heaven Can Wait," experimental films and virtual reality and interactive experiences.
This is the 53rd year of the festival, which is put on by the Film Society of Lincoln Center. The festival opens Friday, Sept.25 and runs through Oct. 11 with screening at several venues within the West 65th Street and Broadway campus.
Among other sought-after tickets at NYFF is a sneak peak of "Martian" on Sept. 27 at 9 p.m., the newest Ridley Scott movie featuring Matt Damon as an astronaut who gets left on Mars and a star-studded crew who then work to bring him home.
Because the offerings can feel overwhelming, we put together a guide to noteworthy screenings categorized by interest — really just the tip of the iceberg.
For the Literary Crowd
"Brooklyn"
Oct. 7 at 9 p.m. and Oct. 8 at 6 p.m.
Fans of Colm Toibin's 2009 novel "Brooklyn" can meet the writer in person at a screening of the new film based on his book.
"Carol"
Oct. 9 at 9 p.m. and Oct. 10 at 2 p.m.
Based on Patricia Highwater's 1952 novel "The Price of Salt," "Carol" stars Cate Blanchett and tells the story of a 1950s housewife who falls in love with a woman.
"Everything is Copy"
Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. and Oct. 3 at 12:30 p.m.
Director Jacob Bernstein profiles his late mother Nora Ephron in this new documentary and tribute produced by HBO.
Action Seekers
"The Walk"
Sept. 26 at 6 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 9 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.
Joseph Gordin-Levitt stars as Philippe Petit in this new film about Petit's walk between the Twin Towers. The film has been described as "heart stopping" and "like a heist" by the Film Forum.
"Bridge of Spies"
Oct. 4 at 6 p.m. and Oct. 5 at 9 p.m.
Steven Spielberg's new film tells the story of a Cold War exchange of a pilot for a soviet agent. Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, Amy Ryanand Mark Rylance will attend the Oct. 4 screening.
Romantic Comedy
"Maggie's Plan"
Oct. 4 at 9 p.m. and Oct. 5 at 6 p.m.
The film festival is hosting the U.S. premiere of this film that stars Greta Gerwig, Ethan Hawke and Julianne Moore.
Biopic
"Steve Jobs"
Oct. 3 at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Director Danny Boyle and stars Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet and Seth Rogen will attend both screenings of this new film, which chronicles the rise of Steve Jobs.
Local Interest
"In Jackson Heights"
Oct. 4 at 6 p.m.
Award-winning documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman turned his lens on this Queens neighborhood.
"The Witness"
Oct. 6 at 6 p.m. and Oct. 7 at 8 p.m.
The documentary tracks the efforts of Kitty Genovese's brother Bill to find out more about her murder, to track her life and remember her.
Politics and Foreign Policy Junkies
"Homeland (Iraq Year Zero)"
Oct. 5 at 5:30 p.m.
The film chronicles life before and after the U.S. invasion for Iraqis and is made by Iraqi filmmaker Abbas Fahdel.
"Where To Invade Next"
Oct. 2 at 9 p.m. and Oct. 3 at 3 p.m.
Michael Moore's new film looks at the direction the country is headed in from an outside perspective. Moore will be at a free Directors Dialogue on October 4.
Find the full schedule here.
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