17th Annual Hamptons Doc Fest Opening Night Film Is ‘Merchant Ivory’ - 27 East

Arts & Living

Arts & Living / 2304044

17th Annual Hamptons Doc Fest Opening Night Film Is ‘Merchant Ivory’

authorStaff Writer on Nov 5, 2024

The 17th annual Hamptons Doc Fest, screening 32 films from December 5 to 11 at the Sag Harbor Cinema and Bay Street Theater, has announced that ticket sales opened on November 1 at hamptonsdocfest.com. This year, a photo of the legendary filmmaking team of producer Ismail Merchant and director James Ivory from the Opening Night Film “Merchant Ivory” has been selected for its program cover and posters.

“Merchant Ivory,” which will be screened on Thursday, December 5, at 8 p.m. at Sag Harbor Cinema, followed by a cocktail reception, is a tribute to their over 40-year personal and professional partnership that produced such film classics as “A Room With a View,” “Howards End,” and “Remains of the Day.” Both James Ivory (now 96 years old) and the documentary’s director Stephen Soucy will be live at the Cinema for the Q&A. Merchant died in 2005.

“I chose this photo to represent this year’s film festival,” says Hamptons Doc Fest founder and executive director Jacqui Lofaro, “because Ismail Merchant and James Ivory made films that still ignite our minds as if we saw them yesterday. This photo of them reminded me of their incredible partnership and how that shared chemistry worked to create movie magic. We chose ‘Merchant Ivory’ as our opening film to connect again with the stories, the scenes and music scores they brought to screens around the world.”

This year’s festival includes not only 32 documentary films but also special events such as numerous awards ceremonies, Q&As with a large majority of the film directors whose films are being presented, cocktail receptions, breakfasts, a Young Voices program for middle and high school students, and new this year, a “Hometown Heroes” Student Film Contest.

Find information about all the Hamptons Doc Fest documentary films and tickets at hamptonsdocfest.com for the seven-day festival, December 5 to 11.

You May Also Like:

Hamptons Film Festival Unveils Full Slate for 33rd Edition and Will Spotlight Long Island Stories, Honor Bernard Telsey and Premiere Kristen Stewart’s New Film

The Hamptons International Film Festival (HIFF) has announced the full lineup for its 33rd edition, ... 11 Sep 2025 by Staff Writer

From Hither Hills to Prague: The Sounds of the Season | 27Speaks Podcast

This week, the editors are joined by East Hampton reporter Jack Motz and Kurt Gottwald, ... by 27Speaks

At the Galleries for September 11, 2025

Montauk The Depot Art Gallery, 285 Edgemere Street, is presenting “All We See,” an exhibition ... 10 Sep 2025 by Staff Writer

Round and About for September 11, 2025

Music & Nightlife Mysteries, Deceptions and Illusions Allan Zola Kronzek, a sleight-of-hand artist, will perform ... by Staff Writer

U2 Tribute Band Unforgettable Fire Returns to The Suffolk September 27

Unforgettable Fire, considered the preeminent U2 tribute band in North America, will return to The ... by Staff Writer

Southampton Arts Center Presents Mountainfilm on Tour

Mountainfilm on Tour brings a selection of culturally rich, adventure-packed and inspiring documentary films curated ... by Staff Writer

Hamptons International Film Festival Expands to Southampton Playhouse With World Premiere of ‘Arthur Elgort: Models & Muses’ and Live ‘Nosferatu’ Screening

The Hamptons International Film Festival, presented by the Artemis Rising Foundation, announced Tuesday a new ... 9 Sep 2025 by Staff Writer

Big Stories in Small Packages: 'Mountainfilm on Tour' Returns to Southampton Arts Center

Every year, Southampton Arts Center hosts a unique one-day film festival that offers an intriguing ... by Annette Hinkle

'Endless Limits': Parrish Hosts Landmark James Howell Retrospective

James Howell was not one to reminisce about the past. His sight, and artist vision, ... by Michelle Trauring

Review: 'Leibisch’s Journey' Uncovers a Father’s Hidden Past

He’s a grown man when he hears his father, well into older age, speaking fluent ... 8 Sep 2025 by Joan Baum