Fall 2025’s entertainment calendar is shaping up to be deliciously overstuffed, darlings — and what a spectacular collision of high art and pop culture we’re witnessing. Between Lady Gaga’s jaw-dropping VMA nominations sweep and the New York Film Festival’s absolutely sumptuous lineup, autumn’s looking positively golden.
Let’s dish about Gaga first, shall we? Mother Monster’s nabbed an astounding 12 VMA nominations — her third time commanding the leader board, and honestly, who’s even surprised anymore? The woman’s visual artistry continues to leave jaws on the floor, even as we’re all still recovering from her holographic Super Bowl performance last February.
Hot on her stilettoed heels, Bruno Mars snagged 11 nods, while Kendrick Lamar’s 10 nominations have set the stage for what’s bound to be the most deliciously competitive VMAs in recent memory. The addition of Best Country and Best Pop Artist categories feels particularly timely, especially given the genre-bending explosion we’ve witnessed since streaming platforms ditched traditional categorization last year.
Speaking of categories — this year’s Artist of the Year lineup reads like a fever dream of contemporary music royalty. Bad Bunny, Beyoncé, Kendrick, Gaga, Morgan Wallen, Taylor Swift, and The Weeknd? Darling, the UBS Arena might just spontaneously combust from the sheer star wattage on September 7.
But let’s pivot to the more… shall we say, refined end of the spectrum? The New York Film Festival’s 63rd edition is serving up the kind of programming that makes cinephiles weak in the knees. NYFF Artistic Director Dennis Lim isn’t mincing words about the state of cinema: “Anyone who cares about film knows that it is an art in need of defending, like many of our core values today.” Truer words, Dennis. Truer words.
The festival’s main slate — 34 films from 26 countries — reads like a love letter to contemporary cinema. Claire Denis returns with “Desert Star,” which promises to be every bit as psychologically gripping as her previous work. Park Chan-wook’s “No Other Choice” looks set to deliver his signature cocktail of violence and social commentary, though perhaps with a dash more political bite than usual.
Noah Baumbach’s “Jay Kelly” feels almost meta in its casting of George Clooney as the last great movie star — particularly poignant given Hollywood’s ongoing identity crisis in the wake of last year’s AI actor rights debacle.
The crown jewel might just be Jafar Panahi’s Palme d’Or winner “It Was Just an Accident.” Created under the shadow of government restrictions, it’s both a masterpiece and a middle finger to censorship. Speaking of which, the festival’s decision to screen it simultaneously in Tehran via VR channels? Absolutely inspired.
Fresh voices are getting their moment too. Mary Bronstein’s “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” showcases Rose Byrne in her Silver Bear-winning role — and honestly, it’s about time someone gave Byrne material worthy of her range. Bradley Cooper and Kahlil Joseph’s debuts suggest the festival hasn’t lost its talent-spotting touch.
The VMAs’ jump to CBS alongside MTV marks a fascinating shift — remember when MTV was considered too edgy for network television? Meanwhile, NYFF’s expansion across the boroughs feels like a much-needed democratization of high culture. Art for all, darling. It’s about time.
Between Gaga’s pop cultural coronation and NYFF’s carefully curated celebration of cinema, autumn 2025 is shaping up to be a season where visual storytelling reigns supreme. Whether you’re here for the sequins or the subtitles (or both — no judgment), there’s something deliciously satisfying about seeing both ends of the cultural spectrum thriving simultaneously.
After all, isn’t that what entertainment should be? A gorgeous, messy, thought-provoking celebration of creativity in all its forms? Darlings, we’re in for quite a ride.
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