18th Annual Hamptons Doc Fest Will Screen 33 Films Over Eight Days

Film Still from “Everest Dark,” screening Tuesday, Dec. 9, 3 p.m. at Bay Street Theater.

Promising another festive opening to the holiday season, Hamptons Doc Fest celebrates its 18^th year with an expanded eight-day festival, screening 33 documentary films from December 4-11 in Sag Harbor, both at the Sag Harbor Cinema and the Bay Street Theater, and new this year, at the Southampton Playhouse.

“Our 2025 program is electric with real-life stories,” said Hamptons Doc Fest founder and executive director Jacqui Lofaro. “Join us for eight days of great documentary filmmaking crafted by talented creators who edit, not censor, who discover, not destroy. It’s testimony to free and frank expression—the voices we need.”

The Opening Night Film at Bay Street Theater on Thursday, December 4, at 7:30 p.m., followed by a cocktail reception, features “Steal This Story, Please!” (101 min.), a gripping portrait of journalist Amy Goodman and her unwavering commitment to truth-telling. The film poses the question, “What happens to democracy when the press surrenders to power?”

Closing Night Film is “Lost Wolves of Yellowstone” (2024, 93 min.) which will screen in IMAX at the new Southampton Playhouse, on Thursday, December 11, at 7:30 p.m. Directed by Thomas Winston, it tells the story of Mollie Beattie, the first female director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and how she brought wolves back to Yellowstone National Park, after a 50-year absence.

Alan Berliner, recipient of this year’s Pennebaker Career Achievement Award.

This year’s Pennebaker Career Achievement Award will be presented to Alan Berliner, at a gala buffet reception starting at 6:30 p.m. at Bay Street Theater on Saturday, December 6. After the award ceremony, his most recent film “BENITA” (81 min.) will be presented, an intimate portrait of the New York City filmmaker Benita Raphan.

And as before, the festival presents the Young Voices Education Program on Monday, December 8, where the Take Two Film Academy will conduct a workshop at LTV Studios in Wainscott on the elements of filmmaking for middle and high school students. After screening a short documentary, students will be able to direct, edit, operate cameras and perform on-stage. After the workshop, they will also tour the LTV studios.

New last year, Hamptons Doc Fest also launched a Hometown Heroes film contest, with the top three students winning a cash prize, and the top winner having the honor of premiering the film at the HDF’s Shorts & Breakfast Bites program on Sunday morning, December 8.

For all festival passes and tickets, visit Hamptonsdocfest.com