Hamptons International Film Festival Draws Stars and Crowds

Avid filmgoers flooded the Hamptons for the opening weekend of the 33rd annual Hamptons International Film Festival (HIFF), presented by Artemis Rising. As one ticket holder in East Hampton described the scene: “Lots of people here, every event filled. No seats at the bars from The Palm to Springs Tavern.”

Elizabeth Olsen – Eternity

The house was packed for HIFF’s opening-night world premiere of Eternity on Oct. 3, featuring star Elizabeth Olsen in attendance in East Hampton. On Saturday, Oct. 4, a conversation with Olsen, moderated by Kate Erbland, took place at the Sag Harbor Cinema.

In Eternity, a romantic comedy-drama, Olsen plays a newly deceased woman in the afterlife faced with the choice of spending eternity with either her soulmate, who died young, or the man she ended up spending her life with after her soulmate passed away. Olsen also serves as an executive producer on the film.

Ethan Hawke – Blue Moon

Ethan Hawke, star of Blue Moon, attended the screening of the film on Saturday, Oct. 4, in East Hampton and participated in a talk-back later that day with moderator Alison Stewart. Hawke’s performance as legendary lyricist Lorenz Hart has been described as magnetic, emotionally raw, and career-defining. Blue Moon marks Hawke’s ninth collaboration with director Richard Linklater.

That evening, Hawke spoke eloquently about the meaning of film and film festivals during a dinner held in his honor at Topping Rose House in Bridgehampton. In a speech captured on video and posted on Instagram by East Hampton Village Mayor Jerry Larsen, who attended the dinner with his wife, Lisa Larsen, Hawke said:

“Festivals like this are the vascular system of the whole movie industry. The film industry is part of the United States of America’s art, which I view as part of our collective consciousness and part of our psychiatric health … the stories that we tell to each other, the time we spend together, what we deem as important … I know how hard it is to throw an evening like this, I know how hard it is to throw a film festival. I’m so grateful to be the focus of this evening, but I know that it’s not about me—it’s about all of us, and about this festival having a long life and continuing to celebrate artists all over the world and to lift up voices. — Ethan Hawke

E. Jean Carroll – Ask E. Jean

E. Jean Carroll made a colorful splash on the red carpet, attending the East Coast premiere of her documentary Ask E. Jean on Oct. 4, followed by two talk-backs with director Ivy Meeropol. Also in attendance was Robbie Kaplan, the attorney who tried and won Carroll’s two civil sexual abuse and defamation lawsuits against President Donald Trump, awarding Carroll more than $88 million.

Ask E. Jean offers a glimpse into Carroll’s life and career, from her early days as Miss Cheerleader USA to her rise as a trailblazing journalist, author, and advice columnist.

Amanda Peet – Fantasy Life

A screening and talk-back for Fantasy Life took place on Oct. 4 and 5, featuring writer, director, and star Matthew Shear alongside actors Amanda Peet, Bob Balaban, and Alessandro Nivola.

Fantasy Life is an American comedy about a paralegal who gets laid off, begins babysitting his psychiatrist’s granddaughters, and falls for their mother. The film marks Shear’s directorial debut.

Sydney Sweeney – Christy

The festival’s centerpiece film, Christy, starring Sydney Sweeney, screened on Oct. 4 in East Hampton. Following the film’s U.S. premiere, Sweeney received the 2025 Achievement in Acting Award for her performance.

Based on true events, Christy tells the story of a small-town West Virginia woman who enters the boxing ring in a fight to reclaim her life. The film was directed by David Michôd.

Check back with Spark Hamptons for more highlights from the Hamptons International Film Festival, running through Oct. 13.