Hamptons International Film Festival Awards Inaugural Scholarships

The Hamptons International Film Festival, with the support of the Hilaria & Alec Baldwin Foundation, is awarding $1,000 college scholarships to five graduating seniors from East End high schools and welcoming them to attend the festival this fall as special guests.

The recipients of the inaugural awards are Amanda Mintz of the Ross School in East Hampton, Sophie Rhind of Southampton High School, Gaby Arevalo of East Hampton High School, Eve Bishop of Pierson Middle-High School in Sag Harbor and Sarahi Negrete of Bridgehampton School.

In addition to their scholarships, each recipient will be given a Filmmaker Discovery Package that will grant them access to HIFF screenings and programs during the festival, October 5 through 9.

“Our youth are the next generation of storytellers, and it is important that HIFF continue to provide access to the filmmaking arts,” HIFF executive director Anne Chaisson said in a statement. “Our goal is to give students the opportunity to discover what inspires them, and to explore their dreams.”

Also new in 2017—the year of HIFF’s 25th annual festival—are two full-admission scholarships for students to attend the HIFF’s Summer Student Filmmaking Workshops held in East Hampton and Southampton. According to HIFF, the workshops aim to provide a creative outlet and a thorough introduction to filmmaking, giving students the tools to launch their own projects in the future.

“The aim of our Student Summer Filmmaking workshops is to cultivate fresh filmmaking talent in the Hamptons community and to encourage aspiring filmmakers to embrace their passion,” said HIFF manager of education and community outreach Marissa Friedes Cangiolosi. “We are excited to provide students with the chance to take the first step into the industry and learn from leaders in the entertainment world.”

The workshops will take place at Guild Hall in East Hampton from July 24 to 28 and at the Southampton Arts Center in Southampton Village from August 7 to 11. Applicants for the scholarships may apply at hamptonsfilmfest.org.