An Evening at the Heart of Festival Weekend
This year’s New Orleans Film Society Gala marked a meaningful milestone for NOFS and the broader film community. The Gala was fully integrated into the Oscar®-qualifying New Orleans Film Festival presented by Andscape—serving as an elegant opening to a weekend dedicated to film, music, and shared creative experience.
Hosted at the historic Civic Theatre, the evening brought together filmmakers, artists, and supporters to celebrate storytelling and the community that sustains it. The night honored Lucinda Williams with the Lifetime Achievement in Music and Film Award and Darcy McKinnon with the Lumière Award, recognizing her visionary leadership and enduring commitment to independent cinema. Together, their recognition underscored the lasting influence of Southern voices across disciplines and generations.
The night opened on a high note with the Patron Party. Boyfriend curated a stylish, high-energy soundscape that welcomed guests and established an atmosphere of effortless glamour and celebration. Attendees enjoyed Caviar Bumps from Altima Caviar and signature cocktails featuring spirits generously provided by Buffalo Trace Distillery. The menu showcased New Orleans’ rich culinary heritage, with a festive mix of passed hors d’oeuvres and family-style service that encouraged connection and conversation.
Contributing restaurant partners included:
Cochon Butcher • Altima Caviar • Commander’s Palace • Galatoire’s • Li’l Dizzy’s Café • Copper Vine Restaurant & Inn • Atchafalaya Restaurant • The Chloe • Pigéon Catering • Delachaise
The celebration continued with a powerful live performance by Nathaniel Rateliff and a lively, expertly led auction by Mark Romig.
Live Auction Highlights included:
- Private Dining Experience with Chef Justin Devillier — Won by Larry Dorfman (Atlanta, GA)
- Wellness Weekend Retreat at Collina House — Won by Lonnie Cooper (Austin, TX)
- Bahamas International Film Festival VIP Experience — Won by James Douglas Hislop (New Orleans, LA)
- One-of-a-Kind Michalopoulos Serigraph — Won by Larry Dorfman (Atlanta, GA)
- Golden Ticket Jazz Fest Package — Won by Rob Steinberg (Los Angeles, CA)
The Gala also played a vital role in advancing the New Orleans Film Society’s mission, with proceeds supporting year-round programs that nurture filmmakers, connect audiences, and strengthen the region’s creative ecosystem.
NOFS extends special thanks to our generous sponsors for helping make the evening possible: Liberty Bank (Patron Party Sponsor), Buffalo Trace Distillery (Liquor Sponsor), Element, and Positive Vibrations (Entertainment Sponsor).
Together, the evening reflected the spirit of the festival and the purpose behind it—honoring the work that has come before while investing in the voices and stories still to be told.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24: Judith Owen performs during the 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:Clint Bowie speaks onstage during the 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:Darcy McKinnon speaks onstage during the 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. McKinnon was honored with the Lumiere Award. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24: Lucinda Williams speaks onstage during the 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Williams was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for Music in Film. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:Boyfriend performs during the 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24: Nathaniel Rateliff performs during the 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24: Steve Rehage, Lucinda Williams and CC Adcock backstage the 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:Boyfriend performs during the 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24: Nathaniel Rateliff and Lucinda Williams backstage the 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24: Nicki Gilbert, Nathaniel Rateliff and Lucinda Williams backstage the 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24: Nathaniel Rateliff, Lucinda Williams and CC Adcock backstage the 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:Lucinda Williams and Judith Owen attend the 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. McKinnon was honored with the Lumiere Award. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24: Nathaniel Rateliff and Lucinda Williams backstage the 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24:The 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala takes place at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24: Dave Clements, Ani DiFranco, CC Adcock and Mike Napolitano backstage the 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 24: Lucinda Williams and Ani DiFranco backstage the 2025 New Orleans Film Festival Gala at the Civic Theater on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring)