David Frances "How to Survive a Plague"

Starting March 21st independent film fans have the opportunity to view 28 feature length pictures and 12 short form films from around the world at the New Directors/New Films Festival in New York City. The annual event sponsored by the Film Society of Lincoln Center and the Musuem of Modern Art showcases the work of directors on the cusp of international stardom. Past festivals have featured some of the biggest names in film history including acclaimed filmmakers like Darren Aronofsky, Ken Burns, Spike Lee, Christopher Nolan, Kevin Smith and Steven Spielberg.

 
 
Nadine Labakis "Where Do We Go Now?"

The festival will run until April 1st and will screen all the films at both the Lincoln Center and the MoMA over the 12 days. Both sites will also host Q&A’s with the films’ director, and for the first time the festivities will close with a surprise film. The yet to be named feature won’t be announced until it’s premiered on closing night.

Adam Leons "Gimme the Loot"

One of the featured films that has been made public is Nadine Labaki’s Where Do We Go Now? (Et maintenant, on va où?). The film, which tells the story of women in a Lebanese village struggling to prevent religious conflict amongst their community, will open the festival at the MoMA on the 21st at 7 pm.  Other selected films include David France’s HIV/AIDS activism documentary How To Survive A Plague, and Adam Leon’s homage to graffiti art, urban adventure tale Gimme the Loot.

Cast and Crew of "Fear and Desire"

Breaking tradition and presenting another first for the 4 decade old festival, NDNF will unveil movie legend Stanley Kubrick’s first feature film, 1953’s Fear and Desire. The military drama had not been viewed publicly for nearly 40 years after its original release and has rarely been screened since reappearing at the Telluride Film Festival in 1993.

The New Directors/New Films Festival will run from March 21-April 1 at the Lincoln Center located at 165 West 65th Street and the Museum of Modern Art located at 11 West 53rd Street.

For a complete list of featured films, schedule, and ticket info click it.

Check out the trailers for Where Do We Go Now?, How To Survive a Plague, & Gimme the Loot [NSFW]: