Hamptons Doc Fest Debuts Weekly “Fest Favorite” Series

Hamptons Doc Fest’s new “Fest Favorite” series will offer a virtual mid-week treat for all.

“We plan to stay connected to our documentary fans no matter what,” Jacqui Lofaro, Hamptons Doc Fest Executive Director, shared.

As East End organizations have been forced to go virtual to present programming due to the Coronavirius, every Wednesday, for the foreseeable future, Hamptons Doc Fest will feature a new “Fest Favorite” documentary film on their website. “We picked Wednesdays for our program because it’s called the ‘hump day’ or the middle in the week when we need a boost to get to the weekend,” Lofaro explained.

The series premiered on Wednesday, March 25 with Penny and Red: The Life of Secretariat’s Owner, which revolves around the life of Penny Chenery Tweedy, “the first lady of racing,” and her famous racehorse Secretariat, who won the Triple Crown. Viewers can watch the film for free on Hamptons Doc Fest’s website, thanks to Penny’s son and filmmaker John Tweedy, who directed the documentary. The website also features insightful opening remarks and a post film Q&A with John Tweedy and notable horse racing sports writer Bill Nack. It will remain on Hamptons Doc Fest’s website for several weeks.

Additionally, Hamptons Doc Fest is paying homage to four-time Tony Award-winning playwright Terrence McNally, who passed away on Tuesday, March 24 from complications of the Coronavirus, by making Terrence McNally: Every Act of Life available through its website. It can be viewed on Amazon Prime (for a fee) or on www.pbs.org. The film, which was directed/produced by Jeff Kaufman, was the Opening Night Film of the 2018 Hamptons Doc Fest. The screening’s post-film Q&A led by actor Harris Yulin, with McNally and his husband Tom Kirdahy, can be viewed on the Fest’s website.

“The charge from good storytelling, aka good docs, does that in spades,” Lofaro noted. “And at home, you can make your own popcorn.”

Hamptons Doc Fest will unveil a new “Fest Favorite” every Wednesday, so make sure to check back.

For more information, visit www.hamptonsdocfest.com.