The Stony Brook Film Festival returns to Staller Center this July 20-29 for the festival’s 28th installment. The festival packs 36 films from more than 26 countries.
Click here for the full lineup and film schedule. Click here for festival passes.
Often referred to as “one helluva festival,” by advisory board member Brian Cox, attendees get to see world premiers and films from many different countries and cultures they can’t see anywhere else, neither streaming, online or in theaters.
This year, one of the summer film festival’s short films, called “The Red Suitcase,” is an Academy Award nominee.
The festival kicks off on July 20 with the U.S. premiere of the Dutch film “Sea of Time.”
“Led by Sallie Harmensen (SkyTV’s Devils), Reinout Scholten van Aschat, and of Danish stage and screen fame Elsie De Brauw, the harrowing, heartbreaking, and ultimately hopeful film is anchored by the powerhouse performances that examine enduring love in times of hardship,” according to a Staller Center announcement.
Many of the international films in this year’s Festival are threaded by this theme of love overcoming life’s difficulties, the festival organizers say. For instance, the Serbian film “Where the Road Takes You” subverts the Western trope of a stranger saving the girl. From Canada, the quirky comedy “I Like Movies” follows the transformation of a crabby teenage cinephile.
That’s just a taste of what’s in store for attendees, but other highlights include:
- A feature film documentary directed by a Stony Brook University professor about the nuclear power plant at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania.
- And another short film that has a rising film star who’s already famous on TikTock, Caitlin Reilly, who’s been invited to attend the film festival at the Staller Center. Click here for Reilly’s IMBD page.
- You can also learn more about the festival on Film Freeway.
About the experience
The organizers emphasize that the Stony Brook Film Festival is about the experience, along with the sheer entertainment of watching a movie or short film. And, the awards night.
Consider also, that many filmmakers and actors will be on hand for Q&A sessions after the screenings, with two private parties that Gold Pass members get to attend.
To further enhance the experience, for the first time ever, there will be an opening night party at the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame in Stony Brook. A Closing Night party is at Saghar in Port Jefferson. The Gold Pass also includes entry to all films, priority seating, and more.
Click here for all the ticket options, including for individual films.
