It's a Wrap on the Hamptons Doc Fest - 27 East

Arts & Living

Arts & Living / 2319025

It's a Wrap on the Hamptons Doc Fest

icon 9 Photos
Kevin Miserocchi, right, director of the Tee & Charles Addams Foundation, presented the HDF Art & Inspiration Award to Jeffrey Friedman and Rob Epstein, directors of “Musica!” before its screening at Sag Harbor Cinema on December 5. The film went on to win the HDF 2024 Audience Award. JIM LENNON

Kevin Miserocchi, right, director of the Tee & Charles Addams Foundation, presented the HDF Art & Inspiration Award to Jeffrey Friedman and Rob Epstein, directors of “Musica!” before its screening at Sag Harbor Cinema on December 5. The film went on to win the HDF 2024 Audience Award. JIM LENNON

Q&A for “Merchant Ivory,” the festival's opening night film on December 5 at Sag Harbor Cinema. From left, director Stephen Soucy and James Ivory, being interviewed by Jeffrey Friedman and Rob Epstein. JIM LENNON

Q&A for “Merchant Ivory,” the festival's opening night film on December 5 at Sag Harbor Cinema. From left, director Stephen Soucy and James Ivory, being interviewed by Jeffrey Friedman and Rob Epstein. JIM LENNON

A discussion followed “Beyond the Gaze: Jule Campbell’s Swimsuit Issue” which screened at Sag Harbor Cinema on December 6. Cinematographer Gregory Gerhard, model Christie Brinkley and director Jill Campbell were interviewed by Jeffrey Friedman and Rob Epstein. JIM LENNON

A discussion followed “Beyond the Gaze: Jule Campbell’s Swimsuit Issue” which screened at Sag Harbor Cinema on December 6. Cinematographer Gregory Gerhard, model Christie Brinkley and director Jill Campbell were interviewed by Jeffrey Friedman and Rob Epstein. JIM LENNON

HDF executive director Jacqui Lofaro, left and Susan Lacy, right, presented the HDF Impact Award to Paulina Suarez, the Ford Foundation’s Program Officer for their JustFilms funding of social impact films, before the screening of “Union” at Sag Harbor Cinema on December 6. JIM LENNON

HDF executive director Jacqui Lofaro, left and Susan Lacy, right, presented the HDF Impact Award to Paulina Suarez, the Ford Foundation’s Program Officer for their JustFilms funding of social impact films, before the screening of “Union” at Sag Harbor Cinema on December 6. JIM LENNON

Chris Hegedus, D.A. Pennebaker’s partner and film co-director, presented the HDF Pennebaker Career Achievement Award to filmmaker Michael Moore at a gala at Bay Street Theater on December 7. Moore unfortunately came down with COVID-19, so had to attend on Zoom. JIM LENNON

Chris Hegedus, D.A. Pennebaker’s partner and film co-director, presented the HDF Pennebaker Career Achievement Award to filmmaker Michael Moore at a gala at Bay Street Theater on December 7. Moore unfortunately came down with COVID-19, so had to attend on Zoom. JIM LENNON

Heading this year’s 17th annual Hamptons Doc Fest were associate director Jackie Leopold, founder/executive director Jacqui Lofaro and festival manager Gillian Coyne. JIM LENNON

Heading this year’s 17th annual Hamptons Doc Fest were associate director Jackie Leopold, founder/executive director Jacqui Lofaro and festival manager Gillian Coyne. JIM LENNON

Before the December 8 Shorts & Breakfast Bites program at Bay Street Theater, HDF education director Stephanie Anarumo and HDF associate director Jackie Leopold, presented prizes to winners of the Hometown Heroes student film contest. From left, first place winner, Sag Harbor Pierson H.S. ninth grader Zachary Browngardt, second place Peggy DiSunno, third place Ollie Dianora-Brondal, fourth place Finny Dianora-Brondal, Honorable Mention Leo Dekleva Hawker. JIM LENNON

Before the December 8 Shorts & Breakfast Bites program at Bay Street Theater, HDF education director Stephanie Anarumo and HDF associate director Jackie Leopold, presented prizes to winners of the Hometown Heroes student film contest. From left, first place winner, Sag Harbor Pierson H.S. ninth grader Zachary Browngardt, second place Peggy DiSunno, third place Ollie Dianora-Brondal, fourth place Finny Dianora-Brondal, Honorable Mention Leo Dekleva Hawker. JIM LENNON

Cynthia Lopez, CEO of NYWIFT (NY Women in Film & Television), left, and HDF executive director Jacqui Lofaro, right, presented the festival’s first Breakthrough Director Award to Angela Patton and Natalie Rae, directors of “Daughters,” which screened at Sag Harbor Cinema on December 8. JIM LENNON

Cynthia Lopez, CEO of NYWIFT (NY Women in Film & Television), left, and HDF executive director Jacqui Lofaro, right, presented the festival’s first Breakthrough Director Award to Angela Patton and Natalie Rae, directors of “Daughters,” which screened at Sag Harbor Cinema on December 8. JIM LENNON

Andrew Botsford interviewed Ziya Tong, science journalist and co-director of “Plastic People: The Hidden Crisis of Microplastics,” which screened on December 9 at Bay Street Theater and won this year’s HDF Environmental Award. JIM LENNON

Andrew Botsford interviewed Ziya Tong, science journalist and co-director of “Plastic People: The Hidden Crisis of Microplastics,” which screened on December 9 at Bay Street Theater and won this year’s HDF Environmental Award. JIM LENNON

authorStaff Writer on Dec 16, 2024

Jacqui Lofaro, founder and executive director of Hamptons Doc Fest, which celebrated its 17th year from December 5 to 11 with screenings at Sag Harbor Cinema and Bay Street Theater, has announced that the winner of the 2024 Brown Harris Stevens Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature is the uplifting film “Música!,” which was the first film to play on opening day, December 5.

“There’s always a bit of intrigue in guessing what film will win the Audience Award,” says Lofaro, “but when the tallies are in, we all say ‘of course that was the one.’ This year’s film program of 32 films was star-studded, so I congratulate directors Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman on their outstanding documentary and well-deserved award. And we thank Brown Harris Stevens for their continuing support of our mission and documentary film festival.”

The film had also been selected as the recipient of the Hamptons Doc Fest’s 2024 Art & Inspiration Award, sponsored by the Tee & Charles Addams Foundation. Full of music, it follows several passionate young Cuban musicians, including a pianist, a double bass player and a trumpeter, as they work to find success and fulfillment, whether in Cuba or abroad.

The directors, who both attended the festival and the Q&A at the Sag Harbor Cinema, had earlier won an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature with the film “Common Threads: Stories From the Quilt.” Bob Epstein had also won an Oscar for “The Times of Harvey Milk.” They had also won a Grammy for Best Music Film for “Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice.”

“It’s been a joy to see how ‘Música!’ resonates with audiences,” said Epstein and Friedman. “Receiving the Hamptons Documentary Festival Audience Award is a wonderful affirmation of that connection.”

For those interested in seeing the Q&A where Andrew Botsford interviews the directors, all of the Q&As from Hamptons Doc Fest’s 17th festival can be viewed on the website at hamptonsdocfest.com.

You May Also Like:

'Arias in Bloom': Verdi’s Greatest Hits Light Up the Leiber Collection

An intimate outdoor concert celebrating the iconic works of Giuseppe Verdi will take place at ... 20 Jul 2025 by Staff Writer

HamptonsFilm Appoints Richard N. Gladstein Executive Director; David Nugent Promoted to Chief Creative Officer

HamptonsFilm has appointed two-time Academy Award-nominated producer Richard N. Gladstein as its new executive director. David Nugent, who has led programming at the organization since 2007, has been promoted to chief creative officer. Gladstein will report to HamptonsFilm co-chairs Alec Baldwin and Randy Mastro, while Nugent will report to Gladstein. Gladstein, a veteran producer and educator, will oversee all strategic planning and year-round programming for HamptonsFilm and its annual Hamptons International Film Festival. His role will focus on enhancing community engagement, expanding industry partnerships and increasing the festival’s national and international visibility. “We are delighted to welcome Richard as our ... 17 Jul 2025 by Staff Writer

Round and About for July 17, 2025

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

Pop Art Star Nelson De La Nuez Headlines ‘Red Carpet’ Exhibition at East Hampton’s White Room Gallery

The White Room Gallery will present its latest exhibition, “Red Carpet,” from July 16 through ... by Staff Writer

Accordion Meets Improv: Sam Reider and the Human Hands To Perform on Shelter Island

Shelter Island Friends of Music continues its 2025 season with a free concert by composer, ... by Staff Writer

Artist Sean Scully Speaks at the Parrish Art Museum in Conjunction With 'Sean Scully: The Albee Barn, Montauk'

The Parrish Art Museum will present a special artist talk with internationally acclaimed painter Sean ... by Staff Writer

Let's Get Down to Business!

Get the back-history of East Hampton Village’s commercial district presented by East Hampton historian Hugh King and The Anchor Society founder Bess Rattray in a talk at East Hampton Library on Friday, July 18, at 6 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. What kinds of colorful, quirky, practical, and whimsical shops could be found “upstreet” in the decades before Prada, Vuitton and Valentino arrived? What was the business district’s retail culture like for shoppers 50 or 100 years ago? Travel back in time for a fun and informative virtual “walking tour” — with archival images, personal recollections, and video — ... by Staff Writer

At the Galleries for July 17, 2025

Montauk The Depot Art Gallery, at the Montauk railroad station at the corner of Flamingo ... by Staff Writer

Christopher Engel's First Exhibition Since Cancer Diagnosis: Radiance — The Light Within

Sitting in his East Hampton office at the Ross School last week, Christopher Engel reflected ... by Hope Hamilton

Hampton Theatre Company Launches Season 41 in October

The Hampton Theatre Company will kick off its 41st season this fall with a lineup of four productions, continuing the momentum from a landmark anniversary year. All performances will take place at the company’s longtime home at Quogue Community Hall. The 2025 to 2026 season includes “The Thanksgiving Play” (October 16 to November 2), “A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play” (December 12 to 14), the musical “I Do! I Do!” (March 12 to 29), and the fast-paced comic thriller “The 39 Steps” (May 21 to June 7). The season opens with “The Thanksgiving Play” by Larissa FastHorse, a satirical ... 15 Jul 2025 by Staff Writer