This year’s 2020 Stony Brook Film Festival, will be offered virtually and over an extended 3 months. The Festival will showcase 24 new and independent films, all available to view online from September 10, 2020 through December 15, 2020.
Stony Brook Film Festival
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Stony Brook Film Festival Presents: ‘God Knows Where I Am’
The Stony Brook Film Festival, presented by Island Federal, is proud to present the Emmy-Award Winning Film God Knows Where I Am, on July 25th at 8 pm. The screening will be free and will feature a live Q&A with actress Lori Singer, and director Jedd and Todd Wider.
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Stony Brook Film Festival 2020 Postponed Due to COVID19
2019 Stony Brook Film Festival Grand Prize Winner Priya Ramasubban, Director, Chuskit with Stony Brook Film Festival and Staller Center for the Arts Director, Alan Inkles. (photo: Nick Koridis) Over continued concerns surrounding the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), the Staller Center for the Arts has postponed the Stony Brook Film Festival which was initially scheduled for July 16-25, 2020.
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Stony Brook Film Festival to Stream Award-Winning Short Films FREE Online
Italian Miracle directed by Francesco Gabriele This May, Stony Brook Film Festival will offer a series of award-winning short films from past Festivals for free online. The films will be released on Tuesdays and Fridays every week through June, with the first film released on May 5 at 12:00 pm.
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Stony Brook Film Festival 2019 Winners, CHUSKIT Wins Grand Prize
2019 Stony Brook Film Festival Grand Prize Winner Priya Ramasubban, Director, Chuskit with Stony Brook Film Festival and Staller Center for the Arts Director, Alan Inkles. (photo: Nick Koridis) Chuskit, directed by Priya Ramasubban, won the Grand Prize at the 24th annual Stony Brook Film Festival. “When the jury and the audience rank the same film the highest then it receives a Grand Prize,” says Alan Inkles, Festival Director. This is the second year in a row and the ninth time in the Festival’s 24-year-run that a film has received a Grand Prize.
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24th Stony Brook Film Festival to Lift Off With German Film BALLON
Balloon directed by Michael Bully Herbig Independent films from nearly twenty countries will be in the spotlight at the 24th Stony Brook Film Festival from Thursday, July 18 to Saturday, July 27. Produced by Staller Center for the Arts at Stony Brook University, the Festival lifts off with the New York premiere of Balloon, a German film based on the true story of two families who escaped East Germany on their homemade hot air balloon, and closes with another New York premiere of the French film Lola & Her Brothers.
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2018 Stony Brook Film Festival Awards: THE ETRUSCAN SMILE Starring Brian Cox Wins Grand Prize
The Etruscan Smile, starring Brian Cox won the Grand Prize at the 23rd Annual Stony Brook Film Festival. It also stars Rosanna Arquette, Thora Birch, JJ Field, Peter Coyote, Treat Williams and twins Aero and Boom Epps. The Etruscan Smile is based on the bestselling book La Sonrisa Etrusca by Jose Louis Sampedro, with the story being transposed to Scotland and the United States. In it, a rugged old Scotsman reluctantly leaves his beloved isolated Hebridean island and travels to the U.S. to seek medical treatment. Moving in with his estranged son and workaholic daughter-in-law, he finds his life being transformed by a new-found bond with his baby grandson.
Alan Inkles, founder and director of the Stony Brook Film Festival announced additional awards at a reception at Staller Center for the Arts, Stony Brook University on Saturday, July 28. “We received so many enthusiastic responses from our astute audience members over the ten days of the Festival. The Etruscan Smile was hailed as a favorite. I was fortunate to have Brian Cox reach out to us just as we were finishing our schedule. He had been to the Stony Brook Film Festival for his film The Carer and was keen on having the U.S. Premiere of The Etruscan Smile at Stony Brook.”
Th Stony Brook Film Festival has awarded eight Grand Prizes in its 23-year history. The Etruscan Smile is the ninth to receive a Grand Prize.
2018 STONY BROOK FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS
2018 Grand Prize
The Etruscan Smile U.S. Premiere – United States – 107 min Directed by Oded Binnun and Mihal Brezis. Written by Michael McGowan, Michal Lali Kagan and Sarah Bellwood. With Brian Cox (Braveheart, The Carer), Thora Birch (Ghost World), JJ Feild (Austenland), and Rosanna Arquette (Pulp Fiction).2018 Jury Award – Best Feature (tie)
Octav U.S. Premiere – Romania – 100 min Directed by Serge Ioan Celebidachi. Written by Serge Ioan Celebidachi and James Olivier. With Marcel Iures, Victor Rebengiuc, Eric Aradits and Alessia Tofan. The magical feature Octav centers on an elderly man returning to his family home after decades of absence. The apparition of his childhood sweetheart triggers a rewind to the life-changing events from his youth. As long-forgotten memories resurface, he begins to find answers to the questions that have cast a shadow over his life and gains clarity on decisions before him. Octav is a life-affirming story that celebrates the purity of childhood, love, and friendship. In Romanian with subtitles. Produced by Adela Vrînceanu Celebidachi. Edited by Mircea Olteanu. Director of Photography: Blasco Giurato. A Celi Films and Oblique Media Film production. From The Little Film Company.2018 Jury Award – Best Feature (tie)
Symphony for Ana East Coast Premiere – Argentina – 119 min Directed by Ernesto Ardito, Virna Molina. Written by Ernesto Ardito, Virna Molina and Gaby Meik. With Isadora Ardito, Rocio Palacin, Rafael Federman, Ricky Arraga, Vera Fogwill and Rodrigo Noya. Based on a true story, Symphony for Ana is about the bloodiest coup d’etat in Argentina, when the military dictatorship ‘disappeared’ 108 students from The National High School of Buenos Aires, known for being elite and prestigious. Ana is a student there, a teenager who just wants to fall in love, have lots of friends, and fight for a better world. Instead, she must choose her friends carefully as she navigates the power struggles and ever-changing allegiances in her 15-year-old world. This intense and superbly acted film features current students from The National High School of Buenos Aires. The hard-hitting story drawn from Gaby Meik’s book is history that should not be forgotten. In Spanish with subtitles. Produced by Ernesto Ardito, Virna Molina. Edited by Ernesto Ardito, Virna Molina. Director of Photography: Fernando Molina. An Ernesto Ardito and Virna Molina Film.2018 Audience Choice – Best Feature
The Guilty Denmark – 85 min Directed by Gustav Möller. Written by Emil Nygaard Albertsen and Gustav Möller. With Jakob Cedergren, Jessica Dinnage and Omar Shargawi. In this brilliantly suspenseful thriller, an alarm dispatcher and former policeman answers an emergency call from a kidnapped woman, when the call is suddenly disconnected. With the phone as his only tool, the dispatcher enters a race against time to save the endangered woman and find her kidnapper, but he soon realizes that he is dealing with a much more complicated crime than he first thought. A tense and restrained knockout performance by Jakob Cedergren keeps the audience riveted throughout the film. In Danish and English with subtitles. Produced by Lina Flint. Edited by Carla Luffe Heintzelmann. Director of Photography: Jasper Spanning. A Nordisk Film/SPRING production. From Magnolia Pictures.2018 Spirit of Independent Filmmaking
Thrasher Road East Coast Premiere – United States – 86 min. Written and Directed by Samantha Davidson Green. With Allison Brown and Christian Kohn. Samantha Davidson Green, the writer and director of Thrasher Road, attended the Stony Brook Film Festival with actress Allison Brown and Christian Kohn to represent the film. Ms. Green teaches film directing at Dartmouth College and Thrasher Road was her first feature film after making award-winning short films that have been featured at festivals worldwide. In this original, fresh road trip story, pregnant Chloe and her elderly dog, Thrasher, get an unwelcome rescue from Chloe’s father when her car breaks down in a trip across country. Stuck together in a car with thousands of miles ahead of them and thirteen years’ estrangement behind them, father and daughter start to reconnect. Shot on location from California to Mississippi to Vermont, this very indie road trip features a cast from across the country, and a heart as big as a huge, rusted-out, pickup truck. Produced by Maria Rosenblum, Jonathan Wysock. Edited by Karen Smalley. Director of Photography: Eric Leach. A BetwixtNbetween Films production.2018 Jury Award – Best Short
Unnatural East Coast Premiere – United States – 26 min. A film by Amy Wang. In every attempt for normality, 18-year-old James is perpetually confronted by his demon. “The core of this film is about hating who you are,” notes Amy Wang. In Unnatural, she introduces a reclusive teenager with a secret.2018 Audience Choice Award – Best Short
Internet Gangsters New York Premiere – United States – 6 min. A film by Sam Friedlander. SBFF alumnus and Deer Park native Eddie Alfano (Cops and Robbers) returns to star in a hilarious short as two New York hitmen in L.A. discover technology is the real enemy. As one of the many gems among the shorts that the SBFF audience rated highly, it was a standout. Image: (left to right) Emmy Award winning actor Brian Cox and Alan Inkles, founder and director of the Stony Brook Film Festival, at the U.S. Premiere of The Etruscan Smile, July 21, 2018. The Etruscan Smile won the Grand Prize at the 23rd Annual Stony Brook Film Festival Presented by Island Federal Credit Union. Credit: Nick A. Koridis
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Diverse Films from 19 Countries on 2018 Stony Brook Film Festival Program
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Aurora Borealis: Északi fény[/caption]
The 2018 Stony Brook Film Festival presented by Island Federal Credit Union presents films of great diversity this summer, both in their themes and their settings. The schedule for the ten-day Festival, held at Staller Center at Stony Brook University from July 19-28, is available online at stonybrookfilmfestival.com.
Alan Inkles, founder and director of the Stony Brook Film Festival, comments, “Films from nineteen different countries, from Scotland to Spain, Argentina to Afghanistan, and coast to coast across the United States, promise to take filmgoers on an extraordinary journey. We have carefully curated this Festival to give patrons a great mix of the best in new independent films. Many filmmakers and actors are coming to the Festival to represent their films and will take the stage for questions and answers. It’s a highlight of the Festival to hear from them.”
This year the Stony Brook Film Festival travels from a war-torn past to an embattled future, from light-hearted comedies to heart-stopping thrillers, and from modern class struggles to sexual abuse stories that feel straight out of the #MeToo movement. Some of the films take place over decades, while others unfold in real time. There are social-media addicted mobsters, Shakespearian partygoers, and a shoe-stealing soccer prodigy.
The opening night film, Shelter, is an international spy thriller from returning filmmaker Eran Riklis (Lemon Tree, Zaytoun) that follows an Israeli agent protecting a Lebanese informant in Germany, and features actress Golshifteh Farahani (best known to U.S. audiences from Paterson, and to Stony Brook audiences from My Sweet Pepperland and About Ella) as well as acclaimed Israeli actress Neta Riskin. (Thursday, July 19 at 8:00 pm)
The closing night film, Aurora Borealis: Északi fény, was directed and co-written by the incredible Márta Mészáros, who—with 65 directing credits to her name going all the way back to 1954—is one of Hungary’s most accomplished female directors. A film that is part mystery and part war-drama, it not only uncovers atrocities during the Soviet occupation of Hungary, it also confronts secrets from the past and the measures people will take to protect those they love. (Saturday, July 28 at 8:00 pm)
Premieres at the Stony Brook Film Festival
The World Premiere of Dean Darling on Saturday, July 21st at 4:00 pm is an ambitious, coming-of-age drama created by local, Long Island talent and shot entirely in Smithtown and Coney Island on a miniscule budget. The film was written and directed by Calogero Carucci and features Douglas Towers, Joel Widman and Allison Frasca. [caption id="attachment_29879" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]
The Etruscan Smile[/caption]
Acclaimed actor Brian Cox returns to the Stony Brook Film Festival in the U.S. Premiere of The Etruscan Smile, in which a rugged, old Scotsman who has reluctantly left his beloved Scottish Isle for medical treatment finds his life transformed by a new-found bond with his baby grandson. This gem also stars Thora Birch, JJ Field, and Roseanna Arquette, with several of the actors planning to be in attendance at the 9:30 pm screening on Saturday, July 21st.
Other U.S. Premieres include Octav, a nostalgic, life-affirming story from Romania (Saturday, July 21st at 7:00 pm), Outdoors, a captivating film about a city couple building a home in the country from Israel (Tuesday, July 24 at 7:00 pm), Growing Up, a riotous, romantic comedy from Spain (Friday, July 20 at 9:30 pm), and A Dysfunctional Cat, a quirky story about two Iranians navigating their arranged marriage—and a very bizarre cat—while living in Germany (Wednesday, July 25 at 7:00 pm).
Female Filmmakers at the Stony Brook Film Festival
Fourteen films are by female directors, with Growing Up written and directed by Spanish filmmaker Clara Martínez-Lázaro, and A Dysfunctional Cat, written and directed by Iranian-German filmmaker Susan Gordanshekan. Another female-helmed feature, The Tale, has writer and director Jennifer Fox recounting her personal story of sexual abuse at a very young age in an intense, unnerving and cathartic work starring Laura Dern, Elizabeth Debicki, Ellen Burstyn and Isabelle Nélisse (Friday, July 27 at 7:00 pm). Other women filmmakers include writer and director Isabel Coixet, whose film The Bookshop was adapted from the novel by Penelope Fitzgerald about a widow who puts her grief behind her and opens a bookshop in a small, seaside town in England (Friday, July 20 at 7:00 pm). Virna Molina, who co-wrote and co-directed Symphony for Ana, recounts the struggle of high school students during the bloodiest coup d’etat in Argentina (Thursday, July 26 at 7:00 pm). Writer and director Samantha Davidson Green, whose Thrasher Road is a big-hearted father/daughter road trip, screens on Sunday, July 22 at 9:30 pm. Skye Borgman, director of the documentary Abducted in Plain Sight, recounts the absolutely bizarre double-kidnapping of Jan Broberg in the 70’s (Sunday, July 22 at 4:00 pm). Female-directed short films have been chosen that will stretch boundaries and touch hearts– shorts by Amy Wang, writer/director/actress Ashley Grace, Tesia Walker, Jackie L. Stone, and Helen Crosse.Films with Heart and Films with Guts
Other selected films include My Brother Simple, a heart-warming and humorous story about a young man trying to take custody of his mentally-handicapped adult brother, screening on Sunday, July 22 at 7:00 pm. The Guilty, an edge-of-your-seat thriller from Denmark that takes place entirely in an alarm dispatch facility, screens on Monday, July 23 at 9:30 pm. Trauma, an intense documentary about the medics and pilots of a US Black Hawk medevac unit in Afghanistan screens on Tuesday, July 24 at 9:30 pm. Wednesday, July 25 at 9:30 pm showcases Funny Story, a dark comedy about a womanizing former TV star trying to reconnect with his estranged daughter. The emotional journey of A Boy, A Girl, A Dream unfolds in real time against the backdrop of the 2016 Presidential election on Thursday, July 26 at 9:30 pm. Other shorts include stories about a young woman with cerebral palsy falling in love, an Israeli patient finding out she has an Arab doctor, a foreman protecting her workers from the Department of Labor, and a law school student trying to explain a rather dire situation to police detectives. Images credit: The Etruscan Smile (Rosanna Arquette and Brian Cox pictured), photo credit: Po Valley Productions Aurora Borealis: Eszaki feny (Closing Night feature, Franciska Töröcsik pictured) photo credit: The Hungarian National Film Fund
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Stony Brook Film Festival Announces 2017 Awards, Catherine Eaton’s THE SOUNDING Wins Best Film
The 22nd Stony Brook Film Festival ran July 20 to 29, and had the largest attendance in the history of the Festival. The Sounding directed by Catherine Eaton walked away with the Jury Award for Best Feature.
Alan Inkles, founder and director of the Stony Brook Film Festival said, “It truly was a magical year where almost every feature and shorts filmmaker attended their screenings to represent their films and host
Q & As. When we add in the sales agents and distributors that attended, we saw our Filmmaker Lounge humming with energy and interaction among filmmakers, talent and industry. As for the films we showed, the audience scores were the best in our 22 years. Great films, great guests and packed houses nightly. It’s what I envisioned for Stony Brook when we started this festival and it was certainly achieved this year.”
Award Winners of 2017 Stony Brook Film Festival
2017 Jury Award – Best Feature The Sounding United States – 93 min Directed by Catherine Eaton. Written by Bryan Delaney and Catherine Eaton. With Catherine Eaton, Teddy Sears, Harris Yulin, Frankie Faison and David Furr. Writer-Director-Actress Catherine Eaton gives a stunning performance as Liv, a mysterious woman residing on an island off the coast of Maine who has chosen to remain silent for years. When she suffers a terrible loss, Liv suddenly begins to speak as she weaves a language out of Shakespeare’s words. After a series of events result in her being committed to a psychiatric hospital, Liv becomes a full-blown rebel, fighting for both her voice and her freedom. A powerful, uplifting drama. Produced by Catherine Eaton, Caitlin Gold, Veronique Huyghebaert, Aliki Paraschis and Jessica Vale. Edited by Marco Perez. Director of Photography: David Kruta. From Corsetless Productions. 2017 Audience Choice – Best Feature (tie) Fanny’s Journey France, Belgium – 94 min Directed by Lola Doillon. Written by Fanny Ben-Ami, Lola Doillon, Anne Peyrègne. With Léonie Souchaud and Cécile De France. In French with subtitles In 1943, after avoiding the authorities with other Jewish children in France for three years, 13-year-old Fanny and her sisters are quickly sent to an Italian foster home. When the Nazis arrive in Italy, their caretakers plan an escape to Switzerland. Suddenly left on their own, eleven children do the impossible. Based on a true story, this moving tale of bravery, strength, and survival features exceptional performances by the young cast. Produced by Saga Blanchard, Marie de Lussigny. Edited by Valérie Deseine. Director of Photography: Pierre Cottereau. A David-Films, Scope Pictures, France 2 Cinéma, Rhône-Alpes Cinéma, and Ce Qui Me Meut Motion Pictures production. From Menemsha Films. 2017 Audience Choice – Best Feature (tie) To the Edge of the Sky World Premiere – United States – 118 min Directed by Todd Wider and Jedd Wider. How far would you go to save your son’s life? To the Edge of the Sky follows four families as they fight the FDA to gain access to a potentially lifesaving drug for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a fatal disease their sons suffer from and the number one genetic killer of boys in the world. With a promising drug on the horizon, we witness the transformation of the mothers of four boys into “the rogue moms” as they become political activists and heroes during their righteous battle against time and the FDA. A challenging and uplifting documentary from Long Island brothers Todd and Jedd Wider (Client 9, God Knows Where I Am). Produced by Brian Ariotti. Edited by Mona Davis and Colin Nusbaum. Director of Photography: Gerardo Puglia. A Wider Film Projects film. 2017 Special Recognition by the Jury – Spirit of Independent Filmmaking Laura Gets a Cat United States – 83 min Written and Directed by Michael Ferrell. With Dana Brooke, Michael Ferrell, Jason Kravits (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt). Laura is a 30-something unemployed writer living in New York City and struggling with adulthood. She has a ‘weekend’ boyfriend she can’t commit to, friends who seem to have achieved their dreams, and a vivid imaginary life she uses to run away from reality. When she starts a new relationship with a coffee shop barista, real life proves too complicated and she tries to actually run away. Veteran stage actress Dana Brooke shines in this funny, fresh, poignant independent feature. Produced by Michael Ferrell, Chris Prine and Devin Sanchez. Edited by Chris Prine. Director of Photography: Paul Rondeau. From Living Boy Productions. 2017 Special Recognition by the Jury – Achievement in Social Impact Purple Dreams New York Premiere – United States – 72 min Directed by Joanne Hock. This inspirational documentary follows several students from the Northwest School of the Arts, in Charlotte, N.C., after it is chosen to be the first high school permitted to perform the musical The Color Purple. From auditions through opening night and beyond, the filmmakers follow these students as they pursue their dreams while struggling with homelessness, low-income neighborhoods, gang-related violence and single-parent households. A behind-the-scenes look at an amazing group of teachers and students who work relentlessly to put on a triumphant musical production that propels them into a world of opportunity they never expected. Produced by Robin Grey, Sara Patel. Edited by John Disher. Director of Photography: Joanne Hock. From GreyHawk Films. 2017 Jury Award – Best Short Across the Line World Premiere – Israel – 29 min In Arabic and Hebrew with subtitles A film by Nadav Shlomo Giladi A Jewish settler, hurrying home for Shabbat, encounters a stubborn Palestinian hitchhiker. 2017 Audience Choice Award – Best Short Just, Go! Latvia – 11 minutes A film by Pavels Gumennikovs In Latvian with subtitles A young man without legs chases down surprised purse snatchers for the girl he loves. Photo: July 29, 2017 Award winners at the Closing Night Awards reception, 22nd Annual Stony Brook Film Festival presented by Island Federal Credit Union L to R: Jury Award-Best Feature: The Sounding, Catherine Eaton, writer/director/actor/co-producer Audience Choice-Best Feature: To the Edge of the Sky, Todd and Jedd Wider, directors; (tie with Fanny’s Journey, director Lola Doillon, not pictured) Special Recognition by the Jury-Spirit of Independent Filmmaking: Laura Gets a Cat, Michael Ferrell, writer/director/actor/co-producer Special Recognition by the Jury-Achievement in Social Impact: Purple Dreams, Robin Grey, co-producer Jury Award-Best Short: Across the Line Nadav Shlomo Giladi Audience Choice Award-Best Short: Just, Go! Pavels Gumennikovs Photo credits: Nick A. Koridis for the Stony Brook Film Festival
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Stony Brook Film Fest Announces Guests, incl. TEXT FOR YOU’s Karoline Herfurth
The international list of guests coming to the 22nd Annual Stony Brook Film Festival includes filmmakers delivering unique background stories on moviemaking. U.S. filmmakers from across the country will also join with the many international filmmakers representing features and shorts.
Short films will also be represented by movie people from afar including guests from Israel (Across the Line, Thurs, July 27 at 7:00 pm), Armenia (The Simon’s Way, Mon, July 24 at 7:00 pm), Latvia (Just, go! Wed, July 26 at 9:15 pm), and Estonia (Snowgirl, Sat, July 22 at 4:00 pm).
On Opening Night at the U.S. Premiere of Welcome to Germany, (Thurs, July 20 at 8:00 pm) Picture Tree International’s Managing Partner, Andreas Rothbauer, will represent the film. Picture Tree is one of Germany’s leading sales agencies and brings two outstanding movies to Stony Book, Welcome to Germany and Hannah’s Sleeping Dogs (Thurs, July 27 at 9:15 pm).
From the United Kingdom, Waking David, (Fri July 21 at 7:00 pm) will be represented by director Kevin Nash and two actresses in the movie, Kristy Bruce and Harriet Madeley. The director and the three main actresses in Waking David collaborated to write the screenplay.
The family-friendly animated film, Ethel & Ernest, (Sat, July 22 at 4:00 pm) will have U.K. producer Camilla Deakin on hand to answer questions about the animated gem, featuring the voices of Jim Broadbent, Brenda Blethyn and Luke Treadaway.
The Sounding (Sat, July 22 at 7:00 pm) is one of the U.S. productions at the Festival, with many cast and crew on hand, including Catherine Eaton, director, co-writer and main actress in the film.
Representing an amusing account of romance, Love is Thicker Than Water (Sat, July 22 at 9:30 pm) is co-director and writer Ate Dejong, returning to the Stony Brook Film Festival for the second time. For those who have seen the National Geographic’s Genius series “Einstein” – you may be interested to know that the young actor playing Einstein, Johnny Flynn, stars in the film.
A World Premiere documentary, To the Edge of the Sky (Sun, July 23 at 4:00 pm) will bring Academy Award winners, Todd and Jedd Wider to the Festival. The Wider brothers, who grew up in Stony Brook, were the directors of To the Edge of the Sky, which reports on the disease Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and the mothers who are fighting to get drugs approved to help their son.
A delightful American indie, Laura Gets a Cat (Wed, July 26 at 7:00 pm) will have director, writer and actor Michael Ferrell on hand, along with Dana Brooke, who plays Laura, the 30-something unemployed writer in the film, as well as many cast members.
The Second Act of Elliott Murphy (Wed, July 26 at 9:15 pm) makes its U.S. Premiere, with rocker Elliott Murphy coming in from his home in Paris to represent the film and play a song or two live. Director Jorge Arenillas will be along to represent the compelling documentary about the singer songwriter’s life on the road.
Purple Dreams (Thurs, July 27 at 7:00 pm) is a documentary about the first high school given permission to perform the musical “The Color Purple.” Joanne Hock, director and producer, Robin Grey (a Stony Brook Alum) will be representing the documentary.
Closing Night’s feature, the U.S. premiere of Text for You (Saturday, July 29 at 8;00 pm) will have the lead actress Karoline Herfurth on hand for a Q&A after the screening. Ms. Herfurth is well-known in Germany and an audience favorite in that country. Following the screening is Stony Brook’s very own “Oscar” style awards ceremony.
Image: 2017 Stony Brook Closing Night, Text for You, Friedrich Mücke and Karoline Hurfurth.
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WELCOME TO GERMANY to Open, TEXT FOR YOU to Close 2017 Stony Brook Film Festival
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A highly selective slate of new independent films will screen at the 22nd Annual Stony Brook Film Festival taking place July 20 to 29, at Staller Center for the Arts at Stony Brook University. Many filmmakers are expected to attend throughout the Festival to represent their films at screenings and Q&As.
Alan Inkles, Stony Brook’s founder and director, notes, “U.S. Premieres from Germany open and close the Festival. Both are entertaining and timely, and were chosen for their ability to bring in the widest possible audience since they are definite crowd pleasers. The Opening Night feature, Welcome to Germany, (Willkommen bei den Hartmanns), from Picture Tree International, is a delightful comedy about politics, cultural identity, xenophobia and family issues. Closing Night’s feature, Text for You (SMS für Dich) is a romantic comedy directed, co-written and starring Karoline Herfurth, (Berlin ‘36, The Reader). From Beta Cinema, Text for You is about loss and finding love again. It’s the perfect film to end our ten day run.”
In addition to Karoline Herfurth’s Text for You, a notable number of films in the Stony Brook line up are by women filmmakers. Catherine Eaton of The Sounding is director, co-writer, producer, and the central actor in the drama from Corsetless Productions. The Sounding is a unique story about a woman who has chosen to remain silent for years and who suddenly begins to speak using only the words of Shakespeare.
Other women filmmakers whose work will be screened include Love is Thicker Than Water from Mulholland Pictures, co-directed by Emily Harris (with Ate de Jong), Menemsha Films’ Fanny’s Journey by Lola Doillon, director and co-writer, based on a true story of children escaping Nazis. Tonio is directed by Paula van der Oest, and was the Netherlands’ foreign-language Oscar submission this year. Others from women filmmakers are Media Luna Films Little Wing by Selma Vilhunen, and From the Land of the Moon, directed and co-written by Nicole Garcia from IFC Films. The documentary Purple Dreams by director Joanne Hock, along with producer, Robin Gray, a 1977 Stony Brook University alum, explores the story of the first high school permitted to perform the musical The Color Purple.
Shorts by female filmmakers include Speak by director, writer, actress Laura Seay. Game by Jeannie Donohoe; Snowgirl by Ilina Perianova; Who Sank Your Ships? by Ella Kohn; Oma by Daniella Rabbani, Real Artists by Cameo Wood, and Interrogation by YueCheng Liu are all films by women.
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To the Edge of the Sky[/caption]
The Stony Brook Film Festival is presenting the World Premiere of To the Edge of the Sky, a riveting U.S. documentary directed by Long Island brothers Todd Wider and Jedd Wider known for their docs Client 9, and God Knows Where I Am. Todd and Jedd Wider were producers of the Academy Award winning film, Taxi to the Dark Side.
To the Edge of the Sky follows four families as they fight the FDA to gain access to a potentially lifesaving drug for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a fatal disease the families’ sons suffer from and the number one genetic killer of boys in the world. The film focuses on the transformation of the mothers of four boys into “the rogue moms” as they become political activists during their righteous battle against time and the FDA. A Wider Film Projects film, it screens on Sunday, July 23 at 4:00 pm. To the Edge of the Sky will be preceded by a World Premiere of the short film Brothers by Zachary Fuhrer, also a Long Island filmmaker with roots in the community.
Stony Brook Film Festival is also presenting the U.S. Premiere of the documentary, The Second Act of Elliott Murphy. Originally from Rockville Centre, Murphy was an up-and- coming singer/songwriter who left for Paris three decades ago and who has become one of the most well known American rockers to tour regularly throughout Europe. The Second Act of Elliott Murphy follows his life on the road and includes interviews with Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen, who both count themselves among his fans.
In addition to coming to the Stony Brook Film Festival and representing the documentary about his life and career, Elliott Murphy plans on playing a few tunes after his Q&A.
In addition to films from 19 foreign countries, the 22nd Annual Stony Brook Film Festival presented by Island Federal Credit Union has more American Independent features and shorts this year than ever before. 15,000 tickets are expected to be sold this summer.
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Winners of the 20th Stony Brook Film Festival, HENRI HENRI Wins Best Film | TRAILERS
The French Canadian film Henri Henri, written and directed by Martin Talbot, with Victor Andrés Trelles Turgeon and Sophie Desmarais (Sarah Prefers to Run), won the 2015 Jury Award-Best Feature at the 20th Stony Brook Film Festival.
Raised in an orphanage, Henri has spent his life maintaining the lights of the convent he calls home. But now that the convent is closing, he is forced to learn how to survive in the real world. Armed with only innocence and sincerity, Henri sets out to bring light to all those he encounters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wcv-gAINMjU
Secrets of War (Oorlogsgeheimen) from the Netherlands that tells the story of best friends in a Nazi-occupied Dutch village, won the 2015 Audience Choice-Best Feature. It was directed by Dennis Bots, and written by Karen van Holst Pellekaan, based on the novel by Jacques Vriens. With Maas Bronkhuyzen, Joes Brauers and Pippa Allen.
Tuur and Lambert are best friends in a Nazi-occupied Dutch village who pass their days playing soldiers and exploring caves. When Maartje joins their class, the boys welcome her into their world of adventure and secrets. But the realities of war cause them to realize there are even deeper secrets to discover, with dire consequences for those who keep them. Secrets Of War puts both the danger and the humanity of wartime friendships squarely on the shoulders of three children who must face extraordinary circumstances with a maturity far beyond their years.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4Oc187S7OU
Winners of the 20th Annual Stony Brook Film Festival presented by Island Federal Credit Union
Henri Henri
2015 Jury Award-Best Feature
Stony Brook Film Festival hosted the New York Premiere of the charming feature film Henri Henri from French Canada. Written and directed by Martin Talbot. With Victor Andrés Trelles Turgeon and Sophie Desmarais (Sarah Prefers to Run). Produced by Caroline Héroux, Christian Larouche. From Seville International. Martin Talbot, Victor Andrés Trelles Turgeon and Sophie Desmarais attended the premiere screening. Accepting the award was Martin Talbot, presnt at the Closing Night Awards reception.
Secrets of War
2015 Audience Choice-Best Feature
Secrets of War (Oorlogsgeheimen) from the Netherlands that tells the story of best friends in a Nazi-occupied Dutch village. It was directed by Dennis Bots, and written by Karen van Holst Pellekaan, based on the novel by Jacques Vriens. With Maas Bronkhuyzen, Joes Brauers and Pippa Allen. Produced by David-Jan Bijker, Reinier Selen, Harro van Staverden. A Rinkel Film Production. From Film Movement. Director Dennis Bots sent an acceptance speech, noting that his grandmother was active in the Dutch resistance and that her stories inspired the film.
Thicker than Paint
Maryam Sepehri
2015 Achievement in Filmmaking
The New York Premiere of the documentary, Thicker than Paint, immerses the viewer in the life of an artist in Iran. Habibeh Bedayat is a mother, a teacher, a wife and a self-taught artist. Maryam Sepehri created a moving and very personal documentary, a complex story of sacrifice, creativity and the perseverance of the human spirit. Produced by Anita Alkhas and Payman Fotovat. Writer/director Maryam Sepehri from Iran attended the premiere screening and attending Closing Night to accept the award.
This Isn’t Funny
Paul Ashton & Katie Page
2015 Spirit of Independent Filmmaking Award
Paul Ashton and Katie Page had their hand in every aspect of the touching comedy This Isn’t Funny. They were the main actors with Paul Ashton directing. Together they wrote the screenplay and were among the producers, including Paul Ashton, Maria Menounos, Katie Page, Lije Sarki and Keven Undergaro. Filmmakers Paul Ashton and Katie Page attended the East Coast Premiere screening. Executive producer Pierce Cravens attended Closing Night to accept the award and a video acceptance was received from Paul and Katie. . An Easy Open Production. Distributed by Candy Factory Films.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bhl7cG0hz58
Cops & Robbers
2015 Audience Award-Best Short
The amusing short film featured a Long Island native in the lead role. Eddie Alfano plays an actor who would like to be the ‘bad guy’ in a film instead of a cop. Directed by Marco Ragozzino. Written by and starring Deer Park, Long Island’s Eddie Alfano, who attended the screening and was on hand to accept the award on Closing Night.
Day One
2015 Jury Award-Best Short
A short film written and directed by Henry Hughes, produced by Michael Steiner. The riveting Day One, a U.S. and Afganistan film, shares a harrowing experience of a woman interpreter on the first day of her job in that country.
The beautiful Closing Night film from Quebec, Canada, The Passion of Augustine, directed by Léa Pool, received recognition, with actresses Céline Bonnier and Valérie Blais attending the awards ceremony.