The 30th Annual Stony Brook Film Festival concluded on July 26, marking a significant milestone for the event. This year’s festival featured 36 films from 19 countries, with several premieres and in-person events drawing large audiences. Organizers reported that attendance returned to levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It was incredible to see the theater full and back to pre-COVID attendance,” said Stony Brook Film Festival Director Alan Inkles. “We had filmmakers from around the world for many U.S. premiere screenings. I am so grateful to all of them, including our terrific U.S. filmmakers, for having such an impact on our audience this year. Most screenings included tremendous applause, with some films receiving standing ovations. I’m so grateful for the support from our members, patrons, and donors who made our 30th Anniversary quite memorable.”
Ten awards were presented during the festival:
– The Jury Award for Best Feature went to “Mistura,” a film from the U.S. and Peru written and directed by Ricardo de Montreuil.
– The Jury Award for Best Short was awarded to “My Name is Dania,” an Israeli film by Lev Brodinsky.
– “Mad Bills to Pay,” written and directed by Joel Alfonso Vargas, received the Spirit of Independent Filmmaking Award.
– Christian Nilsson earned the Jury Award for Directing with his U.S. film “Westhampton.”
– The Audience Award for Best Feature was given to “Nawi,” a German-Kenyan collaboration directed by Toby Schmutzler, Kevin Schmutzler, Apuu Mourine, and Vallentine Chelluget.
– John Gray’s “A Guest in My Country” won the Audience Award for Best Short.
– The Opening Night Short was “Hearts of Stone,” a New York premiere from Belgium and Croatia by Tom Van Avermaet.
– The Opening Night Feature was “The Ties That Bind,” an East Coast premiere from France directed by Carine Tardieu.
– Vlad Bolgarin’s Moldovan film “Place Under the Sun” premiered as Closing Night Short.
– Gala Gracia’s Spanish film “Remnants of You” served as Closing Night Feature.
The festival highlighted international participation and celebrated independent filmmaking across multiple genres.
