HIFF 2017 marks a very special and momentous year for the Hamptons International Film Festival. This year, it’s celebrating its silver anniversary, and the programming for the films and events have been announced. The annual event will take place Columbus Day weekend October 5-9 at various locations in and around The Hamptons. Tickets and packages will go on sale September 5.
Actress Julie Andrews is HIFF’s 2017 honoree
This year, actress Julie Andrews, the owner of The Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor who has been a staple and iconic actress in many films such as “The Sound of Music” and “The Princess Diaries” will receive a lifetime achievement award.
The first films announced for the festival include director Andy Serkis ("War For The Planet of the Apes") directorial debut “Breathe,” starring Claire Foy ("The Crown") and Andrew Garfield, about a couple who refuse to give up hope in the wake of a devastating disease. “After Louie” starring Alan Cumming as an NYC artist with survivor’s guilt set around the time of the AIDS epidemic & “LBJ” and “The Yellow Birds.”
HIFF 2017 programming
Executive Director, Anne Chaisson has said that she, HIFF Artistic Director David Nugent and the rest of her programming team have worked tirelessly to bring the best films to the silver screen at the festival.
Artistic Director, David Nugent explained that the films chosen, represent the challenges and complexities of our world with such adversity.
Some of the celebrity guests expected to attend the festival include Oscar-nominated director, Rob Reiner, who will be part of the signature program, “A Conversation With…” He is also the director of the film, “LBJ” (Lyndon B. Johnson). Woody Harrelson stars in the movie as LBJ, the former U.S. President, along with Alan Cumming.
Also coming is Vincent Gagliostro’s film, “After Louie” and the Toni Collette starring movie “The Yellow Birds” about two soldiers during the Iraq war.
Additional films that will be screened at the festival include the premiere of Ai Weiwei’s documentary film, “Human Flow,” about the global migrant crisis. Ruben Östlund’s “The Square” is a fictional portrayal of the art world starring Elisabeth Moss, Claes Bang and Dominic West.
Finally, based on her award-winning short, the U.S. premiere of Atsuko Hirayanagi’s “Oh Lucy!” about a lonely chain-smoking introverted woman who hooks up with an English teacher who ironically brings her out of her shell with a new look and new identity.
More information about HIFF 2017 is available their website.
