George Clooney on his new film

''If you look at the film festivals, Venice is beautiful, Toronto is one of the precursors to the Oscars, and Cannes is a big gun,'' says George Clooney. ''But getting accepted to New York is certainly the most prestigious of them all.'' That's only one reason why Clooney decided to submit the 1950s-era newsroom drama Good Night, and Good Luck, which he directed, stars in, and co-wrote, to the 43rd New York Film Festival. ''I thought, This is a film that's about New York, and takes place in New York with a bunch of New York actors,'' he says. ''It seemed fitting.'' For the film's opening-night premiere on Sept. 23, Clooney, who's still recovering from recent back surgery, had to ricochet between two Lincoln Center screenings before heading to a late-night gala at Tavern on the Green. ''It's exciting, but it's going to be a long day,'' he said just before the big event. ''It's a two-vodka day.'' Only two? ''I didn't say the size of the glass.''