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The Hamptons International Film Festival Is Back (Oct. 3–13) with Sydney Sweeney, Kristen Stewart, Ethan Hawke, Big Premieres
The Hamptons International Film Festival is hosting its 33rd edition from October 3 to 13. The lineup is impressive. There are 85 features, 57 shorts, and enough premieres—12 world, 8 North American, 21 U.S., 20 East Coast, and 27 New York—to thrill even the most experienced moviegoer.
This year, the festival will introduce a new award: the Achievement in Casting Award. The first recipient is Bernard Telsey, who has shaped careers—and sparked debates—about casting choices. His work spans Broadway and Hollywood, including films like Across the Universe, Mary Poppins Returns, and Rachel Getting Married. He is also involved with this year’s productions, Kiss of the Spider Woman and Wicked: For Good. Telsey will receive the award on October 4, joined by actor Tonatiuh and director Bill Condon.
Kristen Stewart will also be present. Her directorial debut, The Chronology of Water, based on Lidia Yuknavitch’s memoir, will premiere on the East Coast. Stewart’s film is messy, raw, and deeply personal, which fits her reputation for avoiding the obvious.
“This year’s program shows the creativity and diversity that keep cinema a vital art form,” said David Nugent, the festival’s artistic director. This means it’s going to be good.
Highlights Worth Dropping Your Beach Chair For
The competitions feature strong entries. Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay’s Hysteria will have its U.S. premiere. Anthony Benna’s André Is an Idiot (yes, that’s the title) takes a darkly comic turn on a terminal diagnosis. Laura Poitras and Mark Obenhaus return with Cover-Up, which explores the career of journalist Seymour Hersh.
Signature programs cover various topics, from the climate crisis (A Life Illuminated, Turtle Walker, Yanuni) to conflict (The Eyes of Ghana, Love+War, The Voice of Hind Rajab). Werner Herzog makes an appearance, searching for elusive “Ghost Elephants” in Angola. Naturally.
Big Names, Bigger Stages
Opening night features Elizabeth Olsen in David Freyne’s Eternity. For closing night, there will be the world premiere of Maria Friedman’s Merrily We Roll Along, starring Jonathan Groff, Daniel Radcliffe, and Lindsay Mendez. In between, Sydney Sweeney stars in Christy, a boxing drama that earns her the festival’s Achievement in Acting Award.
Also, there’s a discussion with Ethan Hawke, an award for rising star Tonatiuh, and a nod for Breakthrough Director going to Eva Victor for Sorry, Baby. It’s shaping up to be a busy ten days.
A Local Angle
The Views from Long Island slate reflects local themes with films like Arthur Elgort: Models & Muses (shot by his son, Warren), On the End (a love story set in Montauk that critiques greed), The Secrets We Bury, and Thoughts of Infinity.
So yes, the Hamptons will be filled with stars, filmmakers, critics, and that one person who insists on explaining every film’s ending at the afterparty. Pass the Wölffer rosé—it’s going to be quite an experience.