Freebies Galore At Rowdy Hall

A general admission ticket to any regular screening at the Hamptons International Film Festival costs $15. Founders Passes—granting access to all films, panels and award ceremonies, without waiting in line—run $1,500 a pop.

But not all HIFF activities have a price tag attached. From Friday, October 9, through Sunday, October 11, the nonprofit film festival will host a slate of free Winick Talks at Rowdy Hall in East Hampton every morning at 10 a.m.—breakfast included, no ticket required. First come, first served.

The fifth annual series—which has been renamed for the late director/producer Gary Winick, who died in 2011—kicks off on Friday with a discussion by IFC Films President Jonathan Sehring about Mr. Winick as a innovator, as well as the past, present and future of filmmaking.

On Saturday, October 10, meet a handful of the competition filmmakers—Ilinca Calugareanu of “Chuck Norris Vs. Communism”; David Shapiro of “Missing People”; Jon Fox of “Newman”; and Vibeke Bryld of “Pebbles at Your Door.”

And wrapping up the series on Sunday, October 11, get up close and personal with three of the industry’s foremost casting directors, who include Ellen Lewis of “Bridge of Spies,” the festival’s closing night film; Richard Hicks of “Meadlowland,” starring Oliva Wilde and Luke Wilson; and moderator Bernie Telsey, the New York vice president of the Casting Society of America.

The 23nd annual Hamptons International Film Festival will kick off on Thursday, October 8, and run through Monday, October 12, with screenings, panel discussions and red carpet walks at theaters from Westhampton Beach to Montauk. For a complete schedule of events, visit hamptonsfilmfest.org.