The Stony Brook Film Festival (SBFF) has announced the schedule for its 30th anniversary, taking place from July 17 to July 26 at the Staller Center for the Arts. This year, the festival will feature 36 films from 19 countries, including world premieres and U.S. debuts.
The festival aims to offer more than just film screenings; it is a cultural experience. Each evening, two feature films are shown on a large screen at the Staller Center, each preceded by a short film. Many of these screenings are followed by Q&A sessions with filmmakers, cast, and crew.
The festival opens with “The Ties That Bind Us,” making its East Coast premiere. The film explores family dynamics through the story of a single woman forming relationships with two children in her apartment building.
Themes of family continue throughout the festival’s lineup. Films such as “Way Home” focus on a father’s struggle to bring his son back from Syria, while “Nawi” tells of a Kenyan girl’s educational dreams threatened by her father’s marriage plans for her. Other notable films include “Mazel Tov,” set in Argentina, and “The Umesh Chronicles” from India.
American independent dramas also have a strong presence this year. Finn Wittrock stars in “Westhampton,” filmed in Long Island by Christian Nilsson. JT Walker’s “La Gloria” features David Morse as an aging rancher near Mexico’s border. Joel Alfonso Vargas presents “Mad Bills to Pay,” depicting a young man’s challenges after moving his pregnant girlfriend into his family’s home.
Other films to watch include “Animale,” starring Oulaya Amamra in a Western/horror/mystery setting in France, and “Midas Man,” about Beatles manager Brian Epstein.
The festival concludes with Gala Gracia’s debut film, “The Remnants of You.” It follows a jazz pianist pausing her career after her father’s sudden death.
Pass options for SBFF include VIP Gold Passes, Regular Passes covering all ten days, and Flex Passes. Single tickets become available on July 1.
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