NCIndieSeen

The HAMPTONS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL is proud to announce its “Conversations With…” series along with The Golden Starfish Short Films in this year’s Competition. Now in its 18th year, The 2010 Hamptons International Film Festival runs from Thursday, October 7th through Monday, October 11th (including Columbus Day weekend) in East Hampton with additional venues in Southampton, Sag Harbor and Montauk. Festival headquarters are located at the beautiful c/o The Maidstone Hotel on Main Street in East Hampton.


The festival also announces the addition of the US premiere of Max Winkler's CEREMONY to the Spotlight Section. The comedy, starring Uma Thurman, Lee Pace and Michael Angarano, was shot on Long Island.

The Hamptons International Film Festival is proud to continue its popular “Conversation With…” series with Isabella Rossellini who will be attending the Festival to exhibit new episodes of her Sundance Channel short series, "Seduce Me", which is the follow up to her previous series, entitled "Green Porno".


Montauk resident Julian Schnabel will be attending the festival for both his “Conversation With…,” and for the US premiere of his new film MIRAL from The Weinstein Company which stars Freida Pinto, Willem Dafoe and Hiam Abbas.


James Franco will be attending the festival for both his “Conversation With…” and for his screening of Danny Boyle's new film 127 HOURS from Fox Searchlight, and for the East Coast Premiere screening of his competition short film THE CLERK”S TALE.


Stanley Tucci is attending the Festival as this year's Mentor for the Hamptons' signature Breakthrough Performers Program, which is a collaboration with European Film Promotion’s Shooting Stars initiative, highlighting the work of up and coming young actors. He will also take part in a “Conversation With…” where he will be recognized with an Outstanding Achievement in Acting Award.

The Golden Starfish Awards short film competition represents the finest achievements of the year in short form filmmaking. The winner will be announced at the awards ceremony on Sunday, Oct. 10 and will be awarded $1,000 in cash and will qualify for consideration at the 2010 Academy Awards.


”Our “Conversation With..” series will be one of the hot tickets of the festival again this year. To be able to sit back and listen to such distinguished guests as Schnabel, Franco, Tucci and Rossellini discuss their crafts is one of the things that really make our festival special,” states Director of Programming David Nugent. “We are excited to present such a great collection of short films from both emerging filmmakers, and distinct voices such as Neil LaBute, Cynthia Wade and Bill Plympton” adds Short’s Programmer, Cullen Gallegher.


As previously announced last week, the fest will open with the US Premiere of the Sony Pictures Classics BARNEY’S VERSION. The Festival's Southampton venue will kick off the following night with Tom Hooper's THE KINGS SPEECH. The US premiere of THE DEBT, featuring 2010 HIFF Rising Star Jessica Chastain, is the Centerpiece Film of the festival and HIFF alum Darren Aronofksy's chilling thriller BLACK SWAN is the Closing Film for the Festival.

For more information about the 2010 Festival, and to become a member, please visit the website at http://www.hamptonsfilmfest.org/