Hamptons-Based Arts Center Launching Year-Round Friday Night Film Series

Film buffs rejoice because starting Friday, February 16, Southampton Arts Center (SAC) will offer screenings of new releases, award-winning documentaries, best of fest selections, and other exciting viewings every Friday night.

“We know there is an audience for these critically acclaimed, less-commercial films and are excited to have such wide-ranging capabilities with our new system,” explained Amy Kirwin, Southampton Arts Center Director of Programs. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with Hamptons International Film Festival, as well as presenting with new partners such as Hamptons Take 2 Documentary Film Festival and Sag Harbor Cinema Arts Center.”

The programming comes after a major update to SAC’s theatre, which includes a brand-new screen, cozy new seating, a surround sound system, state-of-the-art projector, and digital cinema package (DCP).

“We’re thrilled to bring internationally acclaimed documentaries to Southampton – the films were selected to reach a broad audience and with the intention of stimulating lively conversation at Dine & Discuss,” added SAC Board Member Elyn Kronemeyer, who is responsible for bringing the annual Mountainfilm on Tour festival to the Hamptons.

Additionally, for moviegoers who want to make a night out of it, a special “Dine & Discuss” deal will be available, starting on Friday, February 23. Each Friday, a local eatery will offer a discount and/or a pre-fixe menu on the eve of the viewing. The first will take place at Union Cantina in Southampton, and other participating restaurants will be announced in the upcoming weeks.

The Divine Order, presented as part of the Hamptons International Film Festival’s Now Playing series, will screen on Friday, March 2. (Courtesy Photo)

“We are also very excited to debut Dine & Discuss – Continue the Conversation!” Kirwin added. “After each Friday night film, a local restaurant will host a communal table to allow attendees to discuss the film over dinner with other audience members.”

Several of the viewings will feature insight directly from the filmmakers and industry professionals, who will be in attendance.

Friday night films will kick-off on Friday, February 16 with Growing Farmers, presented with Peconic Land Trust. A panel discussion moderated by Meghan Harlow, Editor of Edible East End, with the film’s producer Michael Halsband, Trust’s Senior Manager of Agricultural Programs Dan Heston, farmers Fred Lee of Sang Lee Farms, Greg Kessler of The Hoppy Acre, and Jennifer Halsey-Dupree of the Milk Pail Farm will follow the 17-minute documentary.

Additional screening will include Dina, the Grand Jury Prize winner at Sundance Film Festival, on Friday, February 23, The Divine Order, presented as part of the Hamptons International Film Festival’s Now Playing series, on Friday, March 2, Step on Friday, March 9 (a Q&A and reception with Producer Steven Cantor will follow the screening), and A Suitable Girl, winner of the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival Albert Maysles Best New Documentary Director Award, on Friday, March 16.

Milton Glazer – To Inform and Delight will screen as part of the 2018 THAW­Fest on Friday, March 23. Presented with the Hamptons Take 2 Documentary Film Festival, a panel discussion with Filmmaker Wendy Keys and Walter Bernard, graphic designer and partner with Milton Glaser will follow.

The Sag Harbor Cinema Arts Center’s American Values Series will take over SAC on Sunday, February 18. (Courtesy Photo)

Faces Places will screen as part of Now Playing on Friday, April 6. Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story can be seen on Friday, April 13. The Climate Reality Project will present An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power on Friday, April 20 as part of Earth Days 2018. Loving Vincent, another Now Playing feature, can be seen on Friday, April 27. Now Playing returns with The Square on Friday, May 4. A special Mother’s Day weekend screening of Lady Bird will take place on Friday, May 11, and The Lavender Scare is screening on Friday, May 18. Presented with Hamptons Take 2 Documentary Film Festival, a Q&A with Director/Producer Josh Howard will follow The Lavender Scare screening. Blue Sphere Foundation will present Racing Extinction on Friday, May 25, with a special appearance by Shawn Heinrichs.

SAC will present a trio of Sunday centerpieces as well. The Sag Harbor Cinema Arts Center’s American Values Series will take over SAC on Sunday, February 18 for a screening of American Psycho, with a Q&A with special guest Laurie Anderson. Lotte Nielsen’s YAOI – A Trilogy will screen on Sunday, March 4. This screening is presented with The Watermill Center, and was made possible courtesy of the Danish Arts Foundation and the Hamptons LGBT Network. A Q&A with Nielsen and East End cast members will follow. Finally, as part of the 2018 THAW­Fest and presented with Hamptons International Film Festival, The Breadwinner will screen on Sunday, March 25.

Southampton Arts Center is located at 25 Jobs Lane in Southampton. For more information, call 631-283-0967 or visit southamptonartscenter.org.