The Micheaux Film Festival has added Lil Rel Howrey ( Get Out ), stand-up comedian ( HBO Special: Fighting Words ), and YouTube content creator Kinigra Deon as festival ambassadors for its 2025 edition, which runs from October 23 to 26.

"Maddie's Secret," the directorial debut of comedian John Early, will open the Discovery program at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. This section of the annual festival (celebrating its 50th year in 2025) premieres the first and second feature films from new directors.

TIFF's Discovery sidebar for first-time and emerging directors also includes world premieres of films by Eva Thomas with 'Nika & Madison,' Cato Kusters, Kunsang Kyirong and Zamo Mkhwanazi.

The Boston French Film Festival returns to the Museum of Fine Arts this summer from July 25 to Aug. 24. In its 29th year, the festival will deliver 15 new French-language films to New England over its month-long run.

The Desperado LGBTQ+ Film Festival debuted in 2009 and is hosted by a student club at Paradise Valley Community College, which receives federal funds.

The Greenpoint Film Festival is back on Aug. 6 with its “most daring lineup yet.” The five-day celebration of cinema is set to feature more than 100 independent films from around the world, telling stories rooted in both fact and fantasy.

First up: opening night, which will be celebrated with the North American premiere of Luca Guadagnino’s “After the Hunt.” The Opening Night gala of the 63rd New York Film Festival, presented in partnership with Rolex, will take place at Alice Tully Hall on Friday, September 26, with Guadagnino and members of the cast in attendance.

Alberto Barbera will announce this morning the lineup for this year’s Venice Film Festival, which runs from August 27-September 6. You can follow the announcement livestream below.