James Vanderbilt’s “Truth” To Headline 23rd Annual Hamptons International Film Festival

“We had the pleasure of having James Vanderbilt serve as a mentor in our Screenwriters Lab back in 2009, and we’re thrilled to have him back as the director of our Opening Night film,” said Hamptons International Film Festival (HIFF) Artistic Director David Nugent. “He’s made a sharp and insightful film with wonderful performances that makes audiences consider the ever-changing relationship between journalism and politics in today’s media.”

The former HIFF Screenwriters Lab mentor is returning to the festival to showcase his film, “Truth,” which will serve as the East Hampton Opening Night film on Thursday, October 8th. Starring Robert Redford, Cate Blanchett, Topher Grace and Elisabeth Moss, the biographical political drama is based on Mary Mapes’ 2005 memoir “Truth and Duty: The Press, The President And The Priviliege Of Power.” The film focuses on news anchor Dan Rather’s (Redford) final days at CBS News, a time during which Rather broadcasted a report about how President George W. Bush (who was running for reelection at the time) used preferential treatment to get out of fighting in the Vietnam War.

HIFF has also released the 2015 list of Narrative Competition feature films, which include Matt Sobel’s “Take Me to the River,” Ciro Guerra’s “Embrace of the Serpent,” Avishai Sivan’s “Tikkun,” Grímur Hákonarson’s “Rams,” and Diastème’s “French Blood.” This year’s Documentary Competition feature films will showcase the World Premiere of Jon Fox’s “Newman,” David Shapiro’s “Missing People,” Jean-Gabriel Périot’s “A German Youth,” Michael Madsen’s “The Visit” and Ilinca Calugareanu’s “Chuck Norris vs Communism.”

“This year’s line up once again demonstrates our outstanding programming team’s taste in film,” noted HIFF Executive Director Anne Chaisson. “We are back with smart, intriguing, and stimulating films from 10 countries from around the globe that continue to position our festival on a competitive landscape, while still staying faithful to our audience.”

The jury for the Narrative and Documentary Competition Awards consists of Michael H. Weber, writer of “500 Days of Summer and “The Fault in Our Stars,” Josh Charles, star of “The Good Wife” and “Masters of Sex,” Dan Guando, head of US Production and Acquisitions at The Weinstein Co., Marshall Fine, renowned author, journalist and film critic and Sarah Lash, acquisitions consultant at Conde Nast Entertainment.

The Hamptons International Film Festival will take place Thursday, October 8th through Monday, October 12th.

For more information, visit hamptonsfilmfest.org.