"He probably saved my life". In a few powerful words, French director Olivier Assayas summed up the impact Richard Peña has  had on international cinema, presenting every year, for two and a half decades, some rare findings that would go a long way. "It changed my life" said documentary film maker Michael Moore, about his movie Roger & Me, "I got to have a career because Richard and his crew took the risk of showing it in his festival". Before the celebration night for the outgoing Program Director last Wednesday, Pedro Almodovar described what it meant for him to be selected for the New York Film Festival: "Every time your film shows at NYFF, it is a Baptism, a Celebration and an Epiphany..."

The evening of celebration provided the opportunity to learn more about Peña himself and his direction, which broadened the festival to Asia and Latin America. In addition, it offered an inside look at the epic arguments and the Homeric process of the selection committee. Read More.