Documentary 'Nova ’78' on 1978 New York Counterculture Festival Premieres in Portugal

The documentary "Nova ’78" brings to light previously unseen footage from the 1978 Nova Convention, a counter‑culture festival in New York that celebrated the life and work of writer William S. Burroughs. The film was co‑directed by Portuguese filmmaker Rodrigo Areias and American‑British director Aaron Brookner, using material originally captured by Howard Brookner and sound recordings by Jim Jarmusch.

The project showcases performances and appearances by a roster of 1970s avant‑garde figures, including Patti Smith, Allen Ginsberg, Laurie Anderson, Philip Glass, Frank Zappa, John Cage, Merce Cunningham, Timothy Leary and Brion Gysin. Its premiere takes place on 30 July 2026 at the Cinema Trindade in Porto, Portugal, followed by a streaming release on Filmin through a partnership with Nitrato Filmes. The event includes a live appearance by director Areias and a post‑screening discussion with audience members.

The documentary aims to capture the creative energy of the era without additional interviews, offering viewers a raw, “punk‑style” glimpse into a pivotal moment of Western cultural history.