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A stellar line-up of talent, including Marcia Gay Harden, Frances McDormand, Joel and Ethan Coen and John Turturro will fete Ben Barenholtz at The Hamptons International Film Festival / IndieWIRE Industry Toast on Saturday, October 9th during the festival. The festival will also present a special 20th anniversary screening of “Miller’s Crossing” the first film Barenholtz executive produced and Marcia Gay Harden’s first film, on Sunday, October 10th.



A revered figure among independent filmmakers, Barenholtz has been a key presence in the independent film world as an exhibitor, distributor, and producer since the late 1960s when he owned and operated New York City’s Elgin Theatre.


Ben Barenholtz’s innovative approach to the Elgin’s programming made it among the world’s most visionary and historically significant art houses. Barenholtz was the originator of the All Night Show of movies from dusk until dawn as well as the “Midnight Movie” with Alexander Jodorowsky’s “El Topo” followed by John Water’s “Pink Flamingos”. At the Elgin, Barenholtz relaunched the films of Buster Keaton and all the while discovering independent films by young American directors working outside the mainstream. As a distributor, he released many seminal debut films from directors such as David Lynch, John Sayles, Guy Maddin and Joel and Ethan Coen, as well as award winning foreign films such as Tacchella’s “Cousin cousine”. His producing record also includes the Coen’s Cannes triple crown award winner, “Barton Fink”, among many others.


“We are thrilled to be able to bring together such great talent to celebrate Ben and his achievements at this years’ festival. He’s had a great and lasting impact on our world of independent film – with more to come - and this celebration clearly shows how the community feels about him.” says The Hamptons International Film Festival Executive Director, Karen Arikian.


"Ben has been and remains a dynamic, key figure in the American indie scene," says indieWIRE Editor-in-Chief and Co-Founder Eugene Hernandez. "Joel and Ethan Coen, Frances McDormand, Marcia Gay Harden and the many others coming to the Hamptons to salute Ben are a testament to the major influence he's had on the community. It's an honor for us at indieWIRE to partner with HIFF and celebrate this icon," adds Hernandez.


The Industry Toast has honored those people who have played a significant role in the independent industry over the years. Past recipients have included Marcie Bloom, Bob Berney, Ted Hope and Wouter Barendrecht.


HIFF greatly appreciates the support of German Films for this event, as well as the on-going support from their corporate sponsors, which include Altour International, American Airlines among many others.