Hamptons International Film Festival

When the Hamptons International Film Festival (HIFF34) returns for its 34th year Oct. 2-12, it will be the host for five world premieres, a roster of star-studded “Spotlight” films, talent appearances, a special musical performance and a bevy of awards recognizing both lifetime and new contributions to the film industry. 

“This year in particular, there is a real mix of established people making films for a long time and doing their best work ever, and an exciting crop of new voices,” says Matthew Jackett, senior programmer for the festival. “We get to celebrate them and look at them in the same festival.” 

Jackett, in his fifth year at the festival, says there was no overall theme to the program. Each year, he says, regular programming includes themes of ongoing interest: conflict and resolution, environment, animal rights and films with a Hamptons focus. 

“Finding local films shot in the Hamptons is really special,” he says, calling out this year’s entries—both world premieres—Barbizon, which he describes as “a journey of self-discovery against a backdrop of beaches,” and Not Dead Yet about the second act for a displaced advertising agency veteran, directed by father-son team Eric and Nick Weber. 

The festival opens with the East Coast premiere of the much-loved ultimate underdog story, I Play Rocky, starring Anthony Ippolito as Sylvester Stallone as he fights for the role that became career-defining. Ippolito, HIFF34’s FLYTE Breakthrough Performer Awardee, is among the talent expected to appear at the festival. Past recipients include Stephanie Hsu, Emma Stone, Mahershala Ali, Jessica Chastain, Taraji P. Henson, Lupita Nyong’o, Adam Driver, Brie Larson and Timothée Chalamet.

World premieres: A mix of people-driven films, fungi and smartphones

A feature directorial debut by Jake Silberman, Barbizon is the unexpected trajectory of a sculptor at a crossroads in her life, who chooses a summer job teaching chess in the Hamptons over law school. In addition to its local credentials — shot in the Hamptons — Not Dead Yet is an offering in an expanding category called “Silver Market,” which features contemporary themes for the senior market. Definitely not your grandpa’s “On Golden Pond” kind of story, Not Dead Yet has an indie film vibe with an A-List cast from contemporary films. 

Maman Bibi Coco, an offering from French duo Célia Millat and Bastien Garcia in the Narrative Competition, is the reinvention story of a 30-something mother and wife, stalled in her life and at a turning point. 

The Drug in our Pocket, a documentary directed by Anne Sundberg, refers to the addictive nature of  Smartphones and their toll on young people. Also in the doc category, Kingdom Fungi follows four mycologists as they delve into the global world of fungi (mushrooms, molds and yeasts and other eukaryotic organisms).

Spotlight: showcasing established and new talent

Says chief creative officer David Nugent,  “Across our narrative, documentary and Spotlight selections, we’re seeing bold storytelling [with] … an exciting range of films, from highly anticipated premieres and ambitious new work to distinctive discoveries from emerging filmmakers.” 

Those selections include films with serious A-List cred: the U.S. premiere of Bunker, with Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz; The Man I Love, starring Rami Malek, Tom Sturridge and Rebecca Hall; and the U.S. premiere of A Talent For Murder, starring Helen Mirren, Alden Ehrenreich and Olivia Cooke. Emerging talent includes Misty Green’s star, Rosaline Eleazar, who stars with seasoned talent such as Chris Rock, Adam Driver, Daniel Kaluuya, and Anna Kendrick.

Club Kid, directed by and starring Jordan Firstman and Cara Delevingne, was a hit at Cannes and the showing at HIFF34 film will be accompanied by a post-screening conversation with Firstman.

The festival’s World Cinema Documentary offering features the East Coast premiere of Bleeding Hearts directed by Andrew Morgan. The music-driven love story about real-life couple and musicians Zella Day and Jesse Woods who are behind the emerging band, Chaparelle, will come to life when they perform at Stephen Talkhouse on Friday, Oct. 9

Lauds and Laurels: Tributes to talent

The festival will also pay homage to long-time East End resident and Academy Award nominee Bob Balaban, will receive the festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award, presented Sunday, Oct. 11. Balaban’s esteemed career in both film and television includes classics such as Gosford Park, Moonrise Kingdom, Best In Show, For Your Consideration and Close Encounters Of The Third Kind. Not only an actor, Balaban’s director credits include Bernard and Doris, The Exonerated, Georgia O’Keeffe and The Last Good Time.

Other awardees include:

Academy Award-winning filmmakers Phil Lord and Chris Miller with the Achievement in Directing Award for their work on Project Hail Mary, Amazon MGM Studios’ highest-grossing film of all time; Club Kid’s Firstman, who will receive the festival’s FLYTE Breakthrough Director Award; and Misty Green’s Rosalind Eleazar, who will receive a FLYTE Breakthrough Performer Award.

Last year Jackett says more than 30,000 people attended HUIFF33 over 11 days, with 250 filmmakers, 193 screenings. He is expecting similar numbers for this year. 

“It’s always challenging to pick through all the great films and find the ones to show,” he says. “It’s very exciting to find new voices and celebrate the careers of established and find creative ways to present our selections.”