NYFF director Kent Jones to step down

"Most of all I thank the filmmakers"

by Anne-Katrin Titze

Kent Jones: "Throughout its history, it has been a true home for the art of cinema - that was how it began with Richard Roud and Amos Vogel, that was how it remained with my predecessor Richard Peña, and that was how I’ve done my best to maintain it."
Kent Jones: "Throughout its history, it has been a true home for the art of cinema - that was how it began with Richard Roud and Amos Vogel, that was how it remained with my predecessor Richard Peña, and that was how I’ve done my best to maintain it." Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze

Film at Lincoln Center has announced this afternoon that Kent Jones, director of the New York Film Festival will "step down" following this year's program. Kent in his seven year tenure initiated the Spotlight on Documentary and Convergence sections and will stay on in an advisory role.

Kent Jones: "I thank my colleagues, I thank the board for sticking to the original mission, I thank our audiences, I thank our colleagues in the industry"
Kent Jones: "I thank my colleagues, I thank the board for sticking to the original mission, I thank our audiences, I thank our colleagues in the industry" Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze

The 57th New York Film Festival Opening Night selection is the world première of Martin Scorsese's The Irishman with Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, and Frank Sheeran; Centerpiece is Noah Baumbach's Marriage Story, starring Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver with Laura Dern, Ray Liotta, Alan Alda, Julie Hagerty, and Merritt Wever, and the Closing Night is Edward Norton's Motherless Brooklyn with Bruce Willis, Willem Dafoe, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Cherry Jones, Alec Baldwin, Bobby Cannavale, Leslie Mann, and Norton.

“At some point when I was pretty young and already deep into movies, the New York Film Festival became a beacon for me,” said Jones. “Throughout its history, it has been a true home for the art of cinema—that was how it began with Richard Roud and Amos Vogel, that was how it remained with my predecessor Richard Peña, and that was how I’ve done my best to maintain it. I thank my colleagues, I thank the board for sticking to the original mission, I thank our audiences, I thank our colleagues in the industry, but most of all I thank the filmmakers. It’s been a joy and an honour to present their work.”

“Beginning as a year-round programmer, Kent has shared his knowledge and passion for the movies with our Film at Lincoln Center audiences for almost twenty years,” said Film at Lincoln Center’s Executive Director Lesli Klainberg. “On behalf of the Board and staff, I’m delighted to support him as he continues into the next phase of his career, making more of his own cinematic dreams come true, and we can’t wait to enjoy the results.”

The 2019 New York Film Festival runs from September 27 through October 13.

Share this with others on...
News

Where crows are watching JP Davidson and Craig Russell on nature, belief, UK horror and The Cull

Truth and lies Sean Hogan on true crime documentaries, unknowable characters and The Dark Gets In

A walking contradiction Sinéad O'Shea on James 'Fergie' Chambers Jr and All About The Money

Unconventional families Milcho Manchevski on being blacklisted and making Sister Brother Manhole Cover

Expecting the unexpected Jordan Mark Windsor and Sean Wallace on Mum, I’m Alien Pregnant

Celluloid vampire Arthur Harari on Léa Seydoux, the mystery of ideas, and The Unknown

Patrick Stewart dies X-men and Star Trek actor was 86

More news and features

We're bringing you all the latest news and reviews from the Belfast Film Festival, Halloween Frightfest, the Cheltenham International Film Festival and the Leeds International Film Festival.



We're looking forward to the Thessaloniki International Film Festival, the French Film Festival and DOC NYC.



We've recently brought you coverage of the Scottish Queer International Film Festival, Newfest, the London Film Festival, the New York Film Festival, Grimmfest and Beyond Fest.



Read our full for more.


Visit our festivals section.

Interact

Don't forget that you can follow us on YouTube for trailers of festival films and more. You can also find us on Mastodon, Instagram and Bluesky.


It's a busy time for festivals and here's the latest:


Sundance Announces Legacy line-up of archive films


Frightfest Newcastle event announced for May 2027


French Film Festival UK Programme announced


Tallinn Black Nights Documentary line-up and Special Screenings announced


London Winners announced