The 17th annual Hamptons Doc Fest screened 32 films from December 5-11 at the Sag Harbor Cinema and Bay Street Theater. This year’s festival included not only 32 documentary films but also special events such as numerous awards ceremonies, Q&A sessions with many of the film directors, cocktail receptions, breakfasts, a Young Voices program for middle and high school students, and new, this year, a “Hometown Heroes” Student Film Contest.
Heading this year’s 17th annual festival: Hamptons Doc Fest associate director Jackie Leopold, founder/executive director Jacqui Lofaro and festival manager Gillian Coyne.I Jim Lennon Photographer, Inc.
HDF Art & Inspiration Award recipient, “Musica!” HDF Art & Inspiration Award recipient, “Musica!” Kevin Miserocchi, right, director of the Tee & Charles Addams Foundation, presented the HDF Art & Inspiration Award to Jeffrey Friedman and Rob Epstein, directors of “Musica!” before its screening at Sag Harbor Cinema on December 5. The film went on to win the HDF 2024 Audience Award.
Q&A after Opening Night film “Merchant Ivory” on December 5 at Sag Harbor Cinema: left to right, director Stephen Soucy and James Ivory, being interviewed by Jeffrey Friedman and Rob Epstein. I Jim Lennon Jim Lennon Photographer, Inc.
Q&A after “Beyond the Gaze: Jule Campbell’s Swimsuit Issue” at Sag Harbor Cinema on December 6: cinematographer Gregory Gerhard, model Christie Brinkley and director Jill Campbell. I Jim Lennon Photographer, Inc.
HDF executive director Jacqui Lofaro, left and Susan Lacy, right, presenting the HDF Impact Award to Paulina Suarez, the Ford Foundation’s Program Officer for their JustFilms funding of social impact films, before the screening of “Union” at Sag Harbor Cinema on December 6. I Jim Lennon Photographer, Inc.
Chris Hegedus, D.A. Pennebaker’s partner and film co-director, presents the HDF Pennebaker Career Achievement Award to filmmaker Michael Moore at the Gala at Bay Street Theater on December 7. Moore unfortunately came down with COVID, so had to attend on Zoom. I Jim Lennon Photographer, Inc.
Before the Sunday, December 8, Shorts & Breakfast Bites program at Bay Street Theater, HDF education director Stephanie Anarumo and HDF associate director Jackie Leopold, presented prizes to the winners of this year’s new Hometown Heroes student film contest: left to right, 1st place winner/Sag Harbor Pierson H.S. ninth grader Zachary Browngardt, 2nd place Peggy DiSunno, 3rd place Ollie Dianora-Brondal, 4th place Finny Dianora-Brondal, Honorable Mention Leo Dekleva Hawker. I Jim Lennon Photographer, Inc.
Cynthia Lopez, CEO of NYWIFT (NY Women in Film & Television), left, and HDF executive director Jacqui Lofaro, right, presented the festival’s first Breakthrough Director Award to Angela Patton and Natalie Rae, directors of the film “Daughters,” screened at Sag Harbor Cinema on December 8. I Jim Lennon Photographer, Inc.
Andrew Botsford, left, who headed the Q&A’s for many of this year’s Hamptons Doc Fest films, interviewed Ziya Tong, science journalist and co-director of “Plastic People: The Hidden Crisis of Microplastics,” which screened on December 9 at Bay Street Theater and won this year’s HDF Environmental Award. I Jim Lennon Photographer, Inc.
