“Author: The JT Leroy Story” And “Betting On Zero” Among Hamptons International Film Festival’s SummerDocs Series

This summer, the Hamptons International Film Festival (HIFF) SummerDocs Series will be returning for its eighth annual showcase of the best in documentary filmmaking. The screenings will run from Saturday, July 9th to Saturday, August 27th, and will open with a viewing of Author: The JT Leroy Story on July 9th at 7 p.m., followed by Betting on Zero on August 6th at 7:30 p.m.

“Now in its eighth year, the SummerDocs Series has become one of the most anticipated and respected film events in the New York and Hamptons summer calendar,” said Hamptons International Film Festival Co-Chairman and SummerDocs series presenter Alec Baldwin. “We are proud to once again screen some of the best in documentary filmmaking to our audiences and provide and insightful look into the process in conversations with leading filmmakers.”

David Nugent, Alec Baldwin, Hilaria Thomas, Dennis Quaid, Bob Balaban and Anne Chaisson attend day 1 of the 23rd Annual Hamptons International Film Festival at Guild Hall on October 8, 2015 in East Hampton, New York.(Photo by Matthew Eisman)

Some of the SummerDocs’ past selections including, Twenty Feet from Stardom, Last Days of Vietnam, The Cove, Searching for Sugar Man, and How to Survive a Plague, have gone on to receive Academy Award acclaim.

Following the screening of Author: The JT Leroy Story, the film’s director, Jeff Feuerzeig, will take part in a conversation led by Alec Baldwin and Hamptons International Film Festival Artistic Director David Nugent. Baldwin will also anchor conversations after the screenings of Betting on Zero with Director Ted Braun, and A Perfect Candidate with Directors R.J. Cutler and David Van Taylor.

“Each year we look to raise the bar and we’re excited at the lineup of outstanding documentaries curated for the 2016 SummerDocs series. Each of these films encompass thought-provoking subject matter that will engage and entertain audiences,” said Nugent. “For the first time in the series’ history we’re also including a classic documentary whose political subject matter will allow for a fascinating discussion in this sui generis election year.”

Baldwin will lead conversations following the screenings of Betting on Zero with Director Ted Braun, and A Perfect Candidate with Directors R.J. Cutler and David Van Taylor.(Courtesy Photo)

“Our mission is to deliver a cohesive film program to our loyal audience throughout the year,” added Hamptons International Film Festival Executive Director, Ann Chaisson. “Our popular summer season is integral in obtaining that goal and we are thankful to our partners at Guild Hall and the Southampton Arts Center.”

Additionally, the Hamptons International Film Festival will focus on budding filmmakers this summer during its Student Summer Filmmaking Workshops. The program gives students ages 8 to 15 the opportunity to learn about and make their own films, which are then showcased on screen for family and friends at the end of the week. Workshops will be held at Guild Hall on Monday, July 18th through Friday, July 22nd, and at the Southampton Arts Center on Monday, July 25th through Friday, July 29th.

“For the first time in the series’ history we’re also including a classic documentary whose political subject matter will allow for a fascinating discussion in this sui generis election year.” said Artistic Director, David Nugent. (Courtesy Photo)

The Southampton Arts Center will also partner with the Hamptons International Film Festival for free screenings of classic movies throughout the summer. The films will be screened on the Center’s lawn on Friday’s at 8:30 p.m. This year’s lineup includes National Lampoon’s Vacation on July 15th, Surf’s Up on July 22nd, Rocky on July 29th, The Candidate on August 5th, The Shining on August 12th, To Catch a Thief on August 19th, Tootsie on August 26th and Jaws on September 2nd.

Guild Hall is located at 158 Main Street in East Hampton. For tickets or more information, visit www.guildhall.org.