THE 12TH ANNUAL HAMPTONS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
OCTOBER 20-24, 2004
The 2004 HAMPTONS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, the 12th annual celebration of presenting films and filmmakers, programs and personalities and an outstanding opportunity for audiences to catch something out of the ordinary, will return to the East End on October 20th through 24th, 2004, in East Hampton, New York with additional venues in Sag Harbor, Southampton and our new location in Montauk.
The Hamptons International Film Festival was founded to celebrate the American independent film – long, short, narrative and documentary – and to introduce a unique and varied spectrum of international films and filmmakers to its audiences. It is a festival of culture from around the world that hopes to enlighten viewers, provide opportunities for filmmakers, and present inspired entertainment for all. This year our Director of Programming, Rajendra Roy, and his screening committee viewed hundreds of submissions and scoured the world’s festivals to put together a slate of films all fueled by an innovative spirit: the adventuresome, courageous, original and philosophical that defines the Hamptons film-going experience. This year’s event features 30 World Premieres, 18 US Premieres, 19 East Coast Premieres and 12 New York Premieres.
Executive Director, Denise Kasell, and Board Chairman, Stuart Match Suna, are at the helm to ensure that the slate of thought provoking as well as entertaining films and programs will fulfill the Festival’s mission to cultivate, stimulate and express the art of international independent film and be a forum for new artistic voices. “That mission is our reason for being,” states Kasell. “And within that mission, the impending election is like the elephant in the living room. We can’t ignore it. Without premeditation, many of our films are political even though not always about politics. The year’s films will play to our knowledgeable and sophisticated audiences who also must have the election and politics in the forefronts of their minds. We are thrilled to have the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences selecting the festival to be a qualifying venue for the Oscars short film category. And, of course, we thank our sponsors for supporting the Festival and helping stimulate and express the art of the independent film.”
This year, joining American Airlines and Altour International as presenting sponsors will be THE INDEPENDENT FILM CHANNEL (IFC), The First and Largest Network Dedicated to Independent Film. As a Presenting Sponsor, IFC will have a strong visibility at the Hamptons Fest, beginning with a Gala bash celebrating the network’s 10th birthday of presenting terrific independent films and programming at the Festival’s annual Saturday night party and awards ceremony.
“One of the essential functions of a film festival is that of safe haven for the ideas and images of filmmakers. The balance between the artist’s voice, the programmer’s orchestration and the audience’s perception is delicate one. This is particularly true in times of national and international political polarization. In crafting this year’s program, there has been a conscious effort to embrace the spectrum of intelligent and serious views contemporary filmmakers are projecting in their films, while at the same time remaining cogniscent of that fact that this is a celebration of cinema, not politics,” states programmer Rajendra Roy. “That said it would have been infantile to ignore that fact that this festival precedes, by mere weeks, one of the most closely observed US elections in recent history. I believe that we have found an amazing group of films that harmonize brilliantly with the times. Some fall squarely in the heart of the national debate, others provide a window onto the worldview of current events, and some provide a much-needed escape from the deafening drone of the mass media. Most compelling perhaps are those films that weave stories of inspirational lives with the lessons we can benefit from in these times of decision and change.”
The heart of the Hamptons International Film Festival commitment to American independent filmmaking has always been its Golden Starfish Award and the films in the competitions for Best Narrative Feature (over $180,000 in goods and in-kind services), Spike TV Best Documentary Award ($10,000 in cash and in-kind services) and Short Film Award ($5,000 in cash). The Hamptons International Film Festival also awards the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Film Prize in Science and Technology ($25,000 in cash); the Films of Conflict and Resolution Award ($10,000); the Kodak Award for Cinematography ($6,000 of goods and in-kind services); the Brizzolara Family Inspirational Film Award ($5,000 in cash); the Zicherman Family Foundation Award for Screenwriting ($5,000 in cash); Best Undergraduate and Graduate Student Films (eight $1,000 cash awards) sponsored by Ray-Ban; and, encouraged by our growing prestige in the area of world cinema, we are pleased to inaugurate the Golden Starfish International Award Competition with a prize of $10,000 for the GSA Best International Film. The Festival also presents Audience Awards in Best Narrative Feature Film, Best Documentary Feature Film and Best Short Film.
Along with the Golden Starfish Award films and the acclaimed Films of Conflict and Resolution, other returning programs will include the Spotlight Films, Films For Families, Youth Media, View From Long Island, World Cinema, A Conversation With…, Special Presentations and Panels with actors and filmmakers, and the Rising Stars program including the special Golden Starfish Award for Career Achievement in Acting to this year’s Rising Stars mentor. Also continuing is the International Forum, a hot-bed of festival activity, with international film organizations on hand to present films and participate in seminars, as well as providing the opportunity for our filmmakers to meet and work with a wide array of talented industry mentors.Of course, there are always a few new and exciting programs and additions planned as well. Among them is ‘Gray Matter,’ a new section for innovative and inventive cinema dedicated to the memory of Spalding Gray. Another is the ‘Industry Toast,’ which finds the Festival partnering with indieWIRE for this event where we celebrate a person or persons who best exemplifies the spirit of the independent film world and whose energy, vision, and acumen enhances the industry we are in and propels the art of film to greater heights. As the Hamptons/indieWIRE first ‘Toastee,’ we are proud and honored to fete industry veteran Marcie Bloom, most recently the accomplished co-President of Sony Pictures Classics.
From Wednesday, October 20th when the Festival Opens with a welcome greeting from Honorary Board member Kathleen Turner; through our Closing Night film on Sunday, October 24th, the East End of Long Island will be a very special and exciting place to be.
The Golden Starfish Feature Competition films, worth over $180,000 in goods and in-kind services to be used towards the next feature, include GSA Narrative
1. FIGHTING TOMMY RILEY - Directed by Eddie O’Flaherty (East Coast Premiere, USA, 35mm, 109mins – Friday, 7pm SAG, Saturday, 2:30pm UA 5, Sunday, 5pm MTK).
2. ILLUSION - Directed by Michael Goorjian (World Premiere, USA. DigiBeta, 106mins – Friday, 9pm UA 5, Saturday, 10:30am GH)
3. LIVING ‘TIL THE END – Directed by Amanda Goodwin (World Premiere, USA, DigiBeta, 98mins – Thursday, 8:30pm UA 4, Friday, 4:30pm UA 3)
4. MOST HIGH – Directed by Marty Sader (East Coast Premiere, USA, 35mm, 101mins – Thursday, 5:30pm UA 3, Friday, 5pm UA 2)
5. THE TOLLBOOTH – Directed by Debra Kirschener (World Premiere, USA, DigiBeta, 85mins , Friday, 8pm UA 6, Friday 1pm GH)
The Golden Starfish Features Jury includes producer Debra Hill, cinematographer Russell Fine, and actor James LeGros.
Five films compete in the Golden Starfish Documentary category, sponsored by Spike TV, with an award worth $10,000 in cash and in-kind services GSA Documentary
1. A TOUCH OF GREATNESS – Directed by Leslie Sullivan (NY Premiere, USA, DigiBeta, 54mins – Friday, 11am UA 5, Saturday, 1pm UA 6)
2. ARMY OF ONE (US Premiere, USA/Canada, DigiBeta, 70mins – Friday, 2:30pm UA 6, Saturday, 3:30pm UA 6)
3. HARDWOOD DREAMS – Directed by Fredric Golding (World premiere, USA, DigiBeta, 67mins – Thursday, 3:30pm UA 4, Saturday, 10am UA 4)
4. FOLLOWING SEAN – Directed by Ralph Arlyck (World Premiere, USA, DigiBeta, 88mins – Friday, 5pm UA 6, Saturday, 3pm UA 4)
5. THE UNTOLD STORY OF EMMETT LOUIS TILL – Directed by Keith Beauchamp (World Premiere, USA, DigiBeta, 75mins – Friday, 3:30pm UA 4, Saturday, 12pm UA 3)
The Golden Starfish Documentary Jury includes director Michael Almareyda, and Senior Vice-President Production and Acquisitions, for IFC Entertainment, a division of the Independent Film Channel, Caroline Kaplan.
Seven films compete in the Golden Starfish Shorts category with a $5000 cash prize.
GSA Shorts - 91 mins (Saturday, 12pm UA 5, Sunday 4:30pm UA 4)
1. ONE IN THE HAND – Directed by Michael Haas (World Premiere)
2. JUNEBUG & HURRICANE – Directed by James Ponsoldt (NY Premiere)
3. 3719 BROADLEAF AVENUE – Directed by Max Hoffman (East Coast Premiere)
4. WOW & FLUTTER – Directed by Gary Lundgren (East Coast Premiere)
5. EXTREME MOM – Directed by Joyce Draganosky (World Premiere)
6. SPRING – Directed by Laura Belsey (World Premiere)
7. OUR TIME IS UP – Directed by Rob Pearlstein (World Premiere)
The Hamptons Film Festival has always been a leading presenter of premiere international filmmaking. Our recent World Cinema presentations have included the Academy Award winning “Nowhere in Africa” as well as the nominated “Evil,” not to mention score of other North American premieres of films from around the globe. This year, we are inaugurating the Golden Starfish International Film Competition and will present the Golden Starfish Award for Best International Film with a prize of $10,000. The films selected for this inaugural competition are Golden Starfish International Film Competition
1. CAPRICCIOSA – Directed by Reza Bagher (US Premiere, Sweden, 35mm, 105mins – Friday, 12pm UA 2, Saturday, 11am UA 1, Sunday, 11am MTK)
2. AFTER THE DAY BEFORE – Directed by Attila Janisch (US Premiere, Hungary, 35mm, 119mins – Friday, 10pm UA 2, Saturday 1:30pm UA 1)
3. CALLING HEDY LAMARR – Directed by Georg Misch (US Premiere, Germany/Austria, Doc, 35mm – Friday, 4:30pm UA 5, Saturday, 5pm UA 5, Cancel SAG screening)
4. NICELAND – Directed by Fridrik Thor Fridriksson (US Premiere, Iceland, 35mm, 87mins – Thursday, 4:30pm UA 1, Friday 10am UA 1, Saturday, 1pm SAG)
5. MARRIAGES! – Directed by Velérie Guignabodet (US Premiere, France, 35mm, 101mins – Friday, 2:30pm, UA 2, Saturday, 3:30pm SAG)
Jury Members for the Golden Starfish Award for Best International Film are Director of the Berlin International Film Festival, Dieter Kosslick; actress Jennifer Tilly, and producer Christine Vachon.
Each evening, the HIFF presents Spotlight Films, high-profile films that are shown in advance of their theatrical release Spotlight Films
1. Opening Night - KINSEY – Directed by Bill Condon (East Coast Premiere – Wednesday 6:30pm UA 2, Wednesday 7pm UA 1 )
2. Closing Night – THE ASSASSINATION OF RICHARD NIXON – Directed by Niels Muller (USA/Mexico, US Premiere, 35mm, 105mins – Saturday, 6pm SAG, Sunday 2:30pm UA 1, Sunday 3pm UA 2)
3. MONDOVINO – Directed by Jonathan Nossiter (NY Premiere, USA, 35mm, 135 mins – Thursday, 7:00pm UA1, Saturday, 6pm UA 6)
4. Z CHANNEL – Directed by Xan Cassavetes (East Coast Premiere, USA, 35mm, 122mins – Friday, 7:30pm UA 3)
5. SEXUAL LIFE – Directed by Ken Kwapis (East Coast Premiere, USA, DigiBeta – Friday, 8:30pm UA 4)
6. WINTER SOLSTICE – Directed by Josh Sternfeld (Friday, 6:30pm UA 5, Saturday, 8:30pm SAG)
7. ONE BRIGHT SHINING MOMENT – Directed by Stephen Vittoria (World Premiere, USA, DigiBeta,123 Mins – Friday, 6:30pm GH)
8. UPSIDE OF ANGER – Directed by Mike Binder (New York Premiere, USA/Germany, 2004, 118 minutes – Friday 7:30pm UA 2, Friday, 8pm UA 1)
9. BIRTH – Directed by Jonathan Glazer (US Premiere, USA, 100mins – Saturday, 6:30pm UA 1, Saturday, 7pm UA 2)
10. IMAGINARY HEROES – Directed by Dan Harris (New York Premiere, USA/Germany, 112 minutes) – Saturday, 7:30pm UA 3, Saturday, 8pm UA 4)
Our Opening night film, director Bill Condon’s KINSEY, has also been selected as the 2004 recipient of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Film Prize in Science and Technology (which carries a $25,000 cash prize). The Sloan award is a year-round collaboration supporting filmmakers who turn their narrative talents to the realm of science and technology.
Films of Conflict and Resolution We are pleased to present the fifth annual Films of Conflict & Resolution program, consisting of films that are unique in their multi-faceted portrayals of conflict around the world. This year’s Films of Conflict & Resolution section is a showcase for works that use the medium of film to promote transformation. Every film in this program was made against industry odds, but with the belief that these stories, once viewed by audiences, would resonate with a potent message. This year we have seen an unprecedented number of personal films from all over the globe, portraying the violence, injustice, racism and prejudice that keep the fires of conflict raging, as programmers, we struggled to find films that offered a message of resolution as well. Our mission is to utilize the power of cinema to increase awareness and understanding of the human realities of war and conflict. We present current and archival work made by filmmakers from around the globe, who in the face of intense conflict, strive to illuminate the realities of the world around them -- and thus foster the process of peace and conflict resolution through their vision and their art. Films of Conflict and Resolution is sponsored in part by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Dan and Ewa Abraham and Tammy Abraham, and the Brizzolara Family Foundation.
Films Of Conflict And Resolution In Competition Conflict & Resolution Competition
1. BLUES BY THE BEACH – Directed by Joshua Fauden and Pavla Fleisher (World Premiere, Doc, USA/Israel, DigiBeta, 62mins – Friday, 2pm UA 3, Saturday, 5pm PAM)
2. SEEDS – Directed by Marjan Safinia and Joseph Boyle (NY Premiere, Doc, USA, 35mm, 98mins – Thursday, 3pm UA 3, Saturday, 2pm UA 2)
3. PROMISED LAND – Directed by Avi Herny (US Premiere, Israel/Germany, DigiBeta, 52mins – Thursday 12:30pm UA 3, Friday, 11:30am UA 3)
4. LITTORAL – Directed by Wadji Mouawad (US Premiere, Narrative, Canada/Lebanon, 35mm, 96mins – Saturday, 11:30am UA 2, Sunday, 1:30pm SAG)
5. PARALLEL LINES – Nina Davenport (NY Premiere, Doc, USA, DigiBeta, 98mins – Saturday, 2:30pm UA 3, Sunday, 5pm PAM)
6. PATRIOT ACT – Directed by Jeffrey Ross (World Premiere, Doc, USA, DigiBeta – Friday, 6pm UA 4, Saturday, 10pm UA 3)
The Films of Conflict and Resolution Jury is comprised of: filmmaker Jay Anania; actress Sally Kellerman; and director of the European Film Market Beki Probst.
Films Of Conflict And Resolution Out Of Competition: Conflict & Resolution Out of Competition
1. THE ANGRY SKIES – Directed by Casey Earl (World Premiere, Doc, USA/Cambodia, DigiBeta, 58mins – Sunday, 3pm GH)
2. HOSTAGES OF HATRED – Directed by Pierre Rehov (World Premiere, Doc, Israel/France, 52mins, Thursday, 2:30pm UA 6, Sunday 3pm UA 5)
3. IMAGINARY WITNESS: HOLLYWOOD AND THE HOLOCAUST – Directed by Daniel Anker (Doc, USA, 35mm, 90mins – Thursday, 5:00pm UA2, Friday, 9:30am, UA 2)
4. NOW OR NEVER – Directed by Lucio Pellegrini (Narrative, Italy – Thursday, 6pm UA 4, Sunday, 6:30pm SAG)
5. EAST TIMOR: BETRAYAL AND RESURRECTION – Directed by Theodore Folke (East Coast Premiere, Doc, USA/East Timor, DigiBeta, 80 mins – Thursday, 1pm UA 4, Sunday, 4:30pm UA 6)
6. FEMI KUTI: LIVE AT THE SHRINE – Directed by Raphaël Frydman (US Premiere, Doc, France, 90mins – Thursday 9:30pm UA 5)
7. NAPOLA – Directed by Dennis Gansel (US Premiere. Narrative, Germany, 35mm, 110mins – Friday, 4:30pm SAG. Saturday, 9:30am UA 3)
Films of Conflict and Resolution Sorts Program: Conflict & Resolution Shorts
1. GRAVITY - Directed by Erik Weigel (US, East Coast Premiere)
2. TO AND FRO – Directed by Jasmila Zbanich (Bosnia/Herzegovina)
3. I PROMISE AFRICA _ Directed by Jerry A. Henry (Kenya)
This year’s World Cinema Features include World Cinema
1. BEREFT – Directed by Tomothy Daly (USA, DigiBeta – Saturday, 7:30pm UA 5, Sunday, 2pm PAM)
2. THE CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA – Directed by Kevin Willmott (East Coast Premiere, USA, 35mm, 90mins – Saturday, 4pm UA 1)
3. SCHULTZE GETS THE BLUES – Directed by Michael Schorr (NY Premiere, Germany, 35mm)– Thursday, 7pm UA 5, Sunday, 9:30am UA 1)
4. ZOMBIE HONEYMOON – Directed by Dave Gebroe (World Premiere, Narritive, USA, DigiBeta, 83mins – Friday, 11pm UA 4)
5. MAIL ORDER WIFE – Directed by Huck Botko and Andrew Gurland (East Coast Premiere, USA, Narrative, , 35mm, 90mins – Friday, 5:30pm UA 1, Saturday, 4pm MTK)
6. SECOND BEST – Directed by Eric Weber (USA, East Coast Premiere, DigiBeta, 89mins) – Saturday, 5:30pm UA 4)
7. MOTHERS & DAUGHTERS – Directed by Hannah Davis and David Conolly (US Premiere UK, , 35mm, 83mins – Thursday, 5pm Sag, Friday, 12:30pm UA 1, Sunday, 2pm MTK)
8. SOUNDLESS – Directed by Mennan Yapo (US Premiere, Germany, 35mm, 96mins – Friday, 7pm MTK, Saturday, 9pm UA 1, Sunday, 12:30pm UA 2)
9. PASSPORT TO PARENTHOOD – Directed by Davor Dirlic and Nina Nola (US Premiere, Croatia/Australia, Doc, , DigiBeta, 56mins – Friday, 12:30 UA 6,)
10. LIPSTICK AND DYNAMITE – Directed by Ruth Leitman (USA, Doc, 35mm, 80mins – Saturday, 5pm UA 3)
11. THE VENETIAN DILEMMA – Directed by Carole Rifkind and Richard Rifkind (World Premiere, USA/Italy, Doc, , DigiBeta, 73mins – Thursday 4:30pm UA 5)
12. AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED – Directed by Pierre-Olivier Morna (France, Narr, 35mm) (Saturday, 1pm MTK, Sunday, 12pm UA 1)
13. HATLEY HIGH – Directed by Phil Price (East Coast Premiere, Canada, Narrative, 35mm, 89mins – Thursday 7:30pm Sag, Friday, 3pm UA 1, Saturday, 7pm MTK)
14. UNSCREWED – Directed by Leslie Shearing (USA, Narrative, DigiBeta, 75mins – Thursday, 7:30pm UA 6, Saturday, 8pm PAM)
15. CORN – Directed by Dave Silver (World Premiere USA, ,DigiBeta, 97mins – Friday, 10pm UA 6, Sunday, 4pm UA 3)
16. WEAPONS OF MASS DECEPTION - Directed by Danny Schecter (NY Premiere, USA, DigiBeta,100mins – Sunday, 12pm GH)
17. EVILENKO – Directed by David Grieco (US Premiere, Italy, 35mm, 113mins – Saturday, 9:30pm UA 2)
18. UNTIL THE NIGHT - Directed by Gregory Hatanaka (East Coast Premiere, USA, Narrative) Friday, 1:30pm UA 5
19. THE LAST VICTORY – Directed by John Appel (US Premiere, The Netherlands, Thursday 9:30am UA 3, Thursday 8pm UA 3)
20. FAR SIDE OF THE MOON – Directed by Robert Lepage (Canada 35mm 104mins) Thursday 7:30pm UA 2
21. THE BREAK-UP ARTIST – Directed by Vincent Rubino (World Premiere, USA) Friday 9pm UA 6
Another new program being inaugurated this year to present innovative and imaginative films is Gray Matter dedicated to the memory of our friend and supporter Spalding Gray. We hope that his legacy will inspire the next generation of artistic innovators to keep taking risks. 2004 Gray Matter films include
Gray Matter
1. WANG DANG – Directed by Tom Nonnan (World Premiere, Narrative, DigiBeta, 98mins – Friday, 1pm, UA4)
2. OPEN HOUSE – Directed by Dan Mirvish (NY Premiere, Narrative, DigiBeta, 93mins – Friday, 9:30pm GH. Saturday, 11am PAM)
3. TERRORISTS – Directed by Jay Martel (World Premiere, DigiBeta, 72mins – Saturday, 10pm UA 5)
4. BENITA RAPHAM – THEY WERE THE FUTURE – Directed by Benita Rapham (Shorts, 48mins – Saturday, 10am UA 5)
The popular View From Long Island section presents a group of films made by filmmakers from the area, highlighting the wealth of creativity and film resources on Long Island.
1. EDGE OF AMERICA – Directed by Chris Eyre (USA, 105mins, DigiBeta – Saturday, 2pm PAM)
2. ONE OF MANY – Directed by Sally Tisiga (France / Germany, Doc, 35mm, 93mins – Sunday 11am, UA 3)
3. MATTA: THE EYE OF A SURREALIST – Directed by Jane Crawford (East Coast Premiere, USA, DigiBeta – Thursday, 5pm GH)
4. POINT & SHOOT – Directed by Shawn Regruto (USA, DigiBeta, 85mins – Friday, 7pm PAM)
5. ESCAPE – Directed by Darko Lungulov (World Premiere, USA/Serbia/Montenegro, DigiBeta, 50mins – Thursday, 7:30 GH)
Films For Families is a selection of films devoted to delighting the child in all of us.
1. TOP OF THE WORLD – Directed by Bill Kern (World Premiere, USA, DigiBeta, 70mins – Sunday, 10am UA 5)
2. BLUEPRINTS FOR TOMORROW – School’s Program (World Premiere, USA,) Saturday, 1pm GH
Shorts Program #1 (Workers Comp) - 74mins (Sunday, 12:30pm UA 5)
1. RYAN - Directed by Chris Landreth (East Coast Premiere)
2. CRABWALK – Directed by Jeremy Saulnier
3. AUDITION – Directed by Thomas Collardea
4. FAKE STACY – Directed by John Chuldenko
5. THE MAGICIAN – Directed by Stacy Wall (World Premiere)
6. POL POT’S BIRTHDAY – Directed by Talmadge Cooley
Shorts Program #2 (Family) – 107 mins (Thursday, 2pm UA 5)
1. SPOONFUL OF SUGAR – Directed by Andrea Williams
2. WRIGLEY – Directed by Oliver Refson
3. LAST NIGHT – Directed by Sean Mewshaw
4. THANKSGIVING – Directed by Tom Donahue
5. TAME – Directed by Joseph Bullman (WORLD PREMIERE)
6. THE NAUGHTY LADY – Directed by Sorin Iarovici (East Coast Premiere)
Shorts Program #3 (International) - 93 mins (Friday, 10:30am UA 4)
1. CHINESE DREAM – Directed by Victor Quinaz
2. SUMMER OF THE SERPENT – Directed by Kimi Takesue
3. BURNING THE BED – Directed by Denis McArdle (NY Premiere)
4. SNOWBLINK – Directed by Sophie Barthes and Andrij Parekh (World Premiere)
5. HIC – Directed by Nick Reed
6. JUST THE TICKET - Directed by Tony Chance (World Premiere)
Shorts Program #4 (Romance) – 98 mins (Thursday, 5pm UA 6)
1. ONE NIGHT STAND - Directed by Emily Ting (NY Premiere)
2. FILTERS – Directed by John Fiorelli (World Premiere)
3. LOVE AQUARIUM – Directed by kA,RAMUU KUSH (East Coast Premiere)
4. ZAMBONI MAN – Directed by Seth Henrikson
5. MAESTRO – Directed by Doug Stradley (East Coast Premiere)
6. CONSENT – Directed by Jason Reitman (NY Premiere)
Shorts before Features (all tentative)
1. WHY A DUCK? – Directed by Doris Toumarkine
2. THE VIRILE MAN – Directed by David Zellner
3. SEVEN’S ELEVEN – Directed by Amy Iorio
4. HOPSCOTCH – Directed by Jae Song
5. PUSH – Directed by Tricia Nolan
6. DODGE CITY – Directed by Jeff Dell
7. VOTE AMERICA - Directed by Jeff Dell and Frank Ruccanova
8. THE CINNAMON PEELER – Directed by Veronica Tennant
Undergraduate and Graduate Student Film/Video Awards The student film category is a juried competition where eight young filmmakers receive $1,000 cash each sponsored by Ray-Ban. And, our audience will be able to get the jump on seeing the films of some remarkable young filmmakers at the beginnings of their careers (and the filmmakers will be able to experience a first-class venue before a savvy audience, not to mention all those glamorous parties). This year’s angst-ridden program is a highly entertaining one with subject matter stretching the length and breadth of America. (Saturday, 12:30pm UA 4)
1. REX STEELE: NAZI SMASHER – Directed by Alexander Woo
2. HUNGRY IN THE HAMPTONS – Directed by Sam Bridger Carroll
3. THE COUNSELOR – Directed by David Lebensfeld
4. CAT’S BAD HAIR DAY - Directed by Deby Wolfe
5. YOUNG AMERICANS - Directed by Todd Smith
6. PERILS IN NUDE MODELING – Directed by Karen Dee Carpenter
7. MY SCARLET LETTER – Directed by Karen Dee Carpenter
8. AMERICAN MADE – Directed by Sharit Raju
The Youth Media Program, curated by Children’s Media Project since 1999, brings the creative perspectives of young videomakers from across the globe to the Hamptons International Film Festival. This years program includes animations, live action narrative videos, documentaries and experimental works from the United States, Norway, Sweden, Egypt and the UK. For a second year, producers of DROP TV (Direct Revolution of Programming) Children’s Media Projects youth-produced television show ˆ will be documenting the Festival for an episode of their show. The Youth Media Program reveals an exciting happening: youth are not just consuming media messages but taking control and using the medium of video/film to express themselves creatively to let their voices, dreams, concerns, images, humor and imaginations to be seen and heard.
Rising Stars: Screen Acting Discoveries is the first major U.S. film festival program to focus on the generous and creative expression that emerging actors bring to the production of independent films. Now in its third year as a vibrant part of the Hamptons International Film Festival experience, the Rising Stars program continues to evolve significantly. Conceived as a means of celebrating the key role actors play in the making of independent films, Rising Stars has grown into a dynamic, enriched program. It feeds on the tremendous, expanding energy of the Hamptons festival both domestically and internationally to provide a platform for extraordinary acting talent. We are pleased to announce that this year Star Magazine will be a principal sponsor of the program, helping to raise its profile as an essential feature of the Festival. Once again we have invited five actors to participate, each with a diversity of experience, each uniquely gifted and talented. For 2004, we have expanded the program to include more informal, intimate gatherings in which Rising Star participants can meet and share creative ideas in a personal setting with the directors, producers, writers, veteran actors, and prominent industry executives who will be at the Festival this year. This year’s Rising Stars are Norman Reedus (Until The Night), Vinessa Shaw (Bereft), Aaron Stanford (Winter Solstice), Mark Webber (Winter Solstice) and Eugenia Yuan (Mail Order Wife). We are pleased that the participating actors will be invited again in February 2005 to the Berlin International Film Festival’s Talent Campus for the opportunity to develop further contacts with other artists working abroad. Once again, we invite Festival-goers to see in advance, and access in the depth, the work in independent films that will turn some of today’s finest actors into tomorrow’s Stars. Each year the Rising Stars are shepherded throughout the festival by an established mentor. This year we are honored to have Anthony Lapaglia serve as mentor to our Rising Stars. The Hamptons International Film Festival takes distinct pleasure in honoring Mr. Lapaglia with the Golden Starfish Award for Career Achievement in Acting. The Rising Stars program is directed by Lina Todd and Rajendra Roy.
This year the Festival is continuing its popular venue, the International Forum. Located on Main Street in the heart of the festival, the Forum will be a gathering place for international filmmakers, companies, and organizations, and will host a wide array of international partners here to introduce their films to American audiences and their countries to American filmmakers. HIFF Executive Director Denise Kasell has spent much of the last year honing this dynamic program venue. “Independent film is becoming the language of global communication and understanding. We’re here watching films from Afghanistan to Bolivia and Mexico to South Africa while they’re watching films from New York and Cleveland and Los Angeles and Tampa. It’s with this spirit of sharing of ideas and in cooperation with global partners that we created the International Forum. With the tent as home to the Forum and the hub of the festival, the Industry Mentor Forum is the prefect venue to bring these groups together.” Among the international partners joining us are the German Film Export Union; Unifrance; Telefilm Canada, and both the NYC & Suffolk County film commissions. The International Forum has become the place where our partners can take advantage of HFF’s unique ability to launch international films in the US. The International Forum tent will also be the site for festival panels, the daily Town Hall gatherings and other special happenings to be announced soon. The Industry Mentor Forum housed here, supports festival filmmakers, writers and actors by facilitating focused and informative industry mentoring meetings. Unlike traditional markets, the Forum's approach is to provide a targeted, low-pressure opportunity for filmmakers and artists to meet and network with industry mentors whose interests are relevant to their specific projects.
Each year, the Festival presents A Conversation With… (this year sponsored by New Line Cinemas/Fine Line Features) between a distinguished moderator and a surprise guest. Past guests have included Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Quincy Jones, Isabella Rossellini, Anjelica Huston, Richard Dreyfuss, Roy Scheider, Barry Sonnenfeld, Danny Aiello, Julian Schnabel, Harvey Keitel, Betty Comden, Faye Wray and Patricia Neal. Who will this year’s guest be? Join us Friday afternoon at historic Guild Hall to find out…
This year, HIFF will be presenting a series of Master Classes moderated by Chief Curator David Schwartz of the Museum of the Moving Image. Among them will be a Cinematography Master Class, sponsored by Kodak; and a Master Class in Political Ads from the Museum of the Moving Image’s current “Living Room Candidate” exhibition, where Vintage commercials range from Dwight D. Eisenhower's pioneering TV ads of 1952 right up to this year's Swift Boat slugfest will be viewed and discussed.
TO THE POINT: Women Telling Stories through Media is a joint venture of the Hamptons International Film Festival and New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT). In its second year, this series of shorts honors women’s voices and visions through film — narratives, documentaries, animated and experimental — and video. No more than 20 minutes long, these works explore the unique, personal stories of women — past, present, and future
NYWIFT Shorts : (Sunday, 2pm UA 6)
TO THE POINT
1. ZAHIRA: SHE WHO BLOSSOMS – Directed by Nina Rosenblum
2. HIGHWAY 403, MILE 39 – Directed by Mitch McCabe
3. BELLE – Directed by Ruth Sergel
4. ASYLUM – Directed by Sandy McLeod
5. DATE – Directed by Eva Saks
6. NO VERBAL RESPONSE – Directed by Helena Smith
And, of course, what would a film festival be without lots people carousing around the streets talking about film, with many opportunities to grab a writer, director, actor or producer and praise, or question, their work. All these enterprising film folk will be darting around town, in-and-out of theatres, and panels, and, lest we forget, parties: The Mondovino East End Wine Celebration, The Rising Stars reception, Opening Night bash, late-nights at Stephen Talkhouse, The IFC 10th Birthday Party, the Closing Night Audience Award reception and, of course, the HIFF Awards ceremony and other dinners, parties, receptions and festivities.
The Hamptons Film Festival (HFF) was founded to celebrate the American Independent film - long, short, narrative and documentary - and to introduce a unique and varied spectrum of international films and filmmakers to our audiences. The festival is committed to exhibiting films that express fresh voices and differing global perspectives, with the hope that these programs will enlighten audiences, provide invaluable exposure for filmmakers and present inspired entertainment for all.
All times, programs & venues subject to change.
Presenting Sponsors:
American Airlines, Altour International and The Independent Film Channel (IFC)
Host Sponsors:
Time Warner City Cable, Star Magazine
Patron Sponsors:
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Dan and Ewa & Tammy Abraham, FHM Magazine, Fine Line Features/New Line Cinema, Rega
Chatelin Bruno 
