Hamptons International Film Festival Lineup Announced
2008/09/29
The Hamptons International Film Festival was founded to celebrate independent film 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.
“The process of compiling the slate of films for the 2008 Festival was truly a process of discovery,” says David Nugent, Director of Programming. “The cross-section of films we are seeing this year represent unique and often unheard voices in film. From films made in China, Iran and Denmark, to those made right here in Montauk and East Hampton, I'm excited to be presenting our audiences global perspectives and local voices.”
This year’s Festival features 122 films including - 14 World Premieres, 23 North American Premieres, 18 US Premieres, 15 East Coast Premieres and 15 New York Premieres.
“Our aim this year was to begin to develop long-term partnerships - both here and abroad - in order to solidify the foundation of our festival and to broaden its reach and appeal,” says Karen Arikian, Executive Director. “I think, with this diverse program, and the many international guests we are expecting, we have achieved this goal.”
The heart of the Hamptons International Film Festival has always been its Golden Starfish Award and the films in the competitions for Best Narrative Feature (over $185,000 in goods and in-kind services), Best Documentary Award ($5,000 in cash) and Short Film Award ($5,000 in cash). The Hamptons International Film Festival also awards the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Feature Film Prize in Science and Technology ($25,000 in cash); the Kodak Award for Cinematography ($6,000 of goods and in-kind services); the Brizzolara Family Award for Films of Conflict and Resolution ($5,000 in cash); the Zicherman Family Foundation Award for Screenwriting ($5,000 in cash); Best Undergraduate and Graduate Student Films (five $1,000 cash awards); the Heineken Red Star Award; the Lifetime Movie Network Everywoman Filmmaker Award and the ¡Sorpresa! Youth Film Competition (a one-week scholarship to the New York Film Academy); new this year, RoC® Gold Standard Award for Female Feature Director and Caroline’s Comedy Emerging Talent Award ($7,500).
"The dedication and hard work of the entire Hamptons organization continues to be the backbone in creating such a prolific and first-rate event.” - Stuart Match Suna, HIFF Board Chairman.
On Wednesday, October 15th, the Hamptons International Film Festival is proud to open its 16th season with Matt Tyrnauer’s Valentino: The Last Emperor, chronicling the final days of the titular designer’s 45-years at the helm of his fashion dynasty. Tyrnauer’s unprecedented access paints an intimate portrait of a master artist struggling to preserve his craft within a business empire and forced to adapt to the changing pressures of modern commerce.
And to close the 2008 Festival, HIFF is honored to screen the Sony Pictures Classics film SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK (Us Premiere), starring Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine Keener, Samantha Morton, Dianne Wiest, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Emily Watson, Hope Davis and Michelle Williams. Phillip Seymour Hoffman leads an ensemble cast as a theater director losing control of both his life and his ambitious production in this directorial debut from Oscar-winning screenwriter Charlie Kaufman (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Being John Malkovich, Adaptation).
For more information and the full lineup of films visit www.hamptonsfilmfest.org.
