Bringing the work of talented documentary filmmakers to new audiences, Hamptons Doc Fest provides a festive opening to the holiday season in the Hamptons. This year, the film festival celebrates its 17th year with a seven-day screening of 32 documentary films at both the Sag Harbor Cinema and Bay Stree Theater from December 5 to December 11.
“Join us for a week of looking back at a film classic like Michael Moore’s Roger & Me and moving forward with a dynamic line-up of just-out documentary films,” said Jacqui Lofaro, founder and executive director of Hamptons Doc Fest. “We are thrilled not only to showcase the extraordinary work of a diverse group of talented documentary filmmakers but also to recognize the people and organizations that make it all possible. Please come along for the ride. We think you’ll love the journey.”
The choice for the program’s cover and posters is a photo of the legendary filmmaking team of producer Ismail Merchant and director James Ivory from the Opening Night Film Merchant Ivory.”
“I chose this photo to represent this year’s film festival,” says Lofaro, “because Ismail Merchant and James Ivory made films that still ignite our minds as if we saw them yesterday. This photo of them reminded me of their incredible partnership and how that shared chemistry worked to create movie magic. We chose Merchant Ivory as our opening film to connect again with the stories, the scenes, and the music scores they brought to screens around the world.”
About Hamptons Doc Fest
While this year’s festival opens with Merchant Ivory, directed by Stephen Soucy, Hamptons Doc Fest is bringing audiences a rich and diverse collection of films from outstanding directors. Hamptons Doc Fest’s mantra is “all docs all day,” attracting film giants such as Matt Heinemann, Sam Pollard, Dawn Porter, Laura Poitras, Susan Lacy, Barbara Kopple, Stanley Nelson, Jr, Robert Kenner, and Frederick Wiseman to the documentary world and support emerging talent.
This year’s festival list of screenings includes A New Kind of Wilderness, Ernest Cole: Lost and Found, Roger & Me, and The Thinking Game, which are scheduled to play at the Bay Street Theater. Films set to screen at the Sag Harbor Cinema include Union, Mistress Dispeller, Daughters, and Black Table. The Closing Night Film will be The Bones at the Bay Street Theater on Wednesday, December 11 at 7 pm. The film was directed by Jeremy Xido and focuses on travels with paleontologists to unearth dinosaur fossils.
As in other years, Hamptons Doc Fest presents the Young Voices Education Program on December 9, hosting middle and high school students to understand the language of film within the context of art, history, and society. This year, the Take Two Film Academy will also conduct a workshop with students on the elements of filmmaking.
What Else to Look Forward to
Also occurring at this year’s festival will be the Pennebaker Career Achievement Award, which will be presented at a gala at the Bay Street Theater on Saturday, December 7, at 6:30 pm. This award will be presented to Oscar-winning filmmaker Michael Moore, whose influential debut film, Roger & Me, about the devastating effect of General Motors plant closures in Flint, Michigan, will be screened.
“We are so honored to present this year’s Pennebaker Career Achievement Award to Michael Moore,” said Hamptons Doc Fest artistic director Karen Arikian. “Through his unique ability to bring dark humor and biting satire to some of the very difficult topics he has tackled, he forever upended the way documentary stories were told, as well as the impact they can have on critical social issues.”
A festival pass, priced at $350, includes admission to all films at both venues, including the Opening Night Film and reception, the Impact Award and reception, the Pennebaker Career Achievement Award Gala with buffet reception, all other award films, and the Shorts & Breakfast Bites. For passes, visit hamptonsdoctfest.com.
