Sag Harbor Cinema’s ‘Projections’ Series Presents ‘The Bonackers Project’

Sag Harbor Cinema continues its “Projections” series on Sunday, December 14, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with The Bonackers Project, a free public event featuring a screening of the documentary “The Bonackers” followed by a moderated panel discussion and the panel discussion “The Bonackers Project: Currents of Memory & Meaning.” The conversation will explore the layered histories of the communities that have shaped the East End.

“The Bonackers” tells the story of the independent men and women whose families have fished and farmed the land and waters of the East End for nearly 400 years. Despite growing challenges, their wisdom and traditions unfold across boats, bays, farms and fields, accompanied by historic footage and photographs from Adelaide de Menil’s “Men’s Lives Project” and songs of the sea.

The panel will feature Joanne Friedland Roberts, director and producer of “The Bonackers Project”; Shane Weeks, director of research and education at the Metoac Indigenous Collective; Charlie Niggles, fisherman and farmer at Round Swamp Farm; and Stacy Myers, education director at the East Hampton Historical Society. François de Menil, principal and founder of FdM:Arch, documentary filmmaker and Sag Harbor Cinema board member, will moderate the discussion and audience Q&A.

Founded in 2021, the “Projections” series amplifies the work of East End organizations and cultural initiatives by providing a space for dialogue and audience engagement through the cinema’s facility, network and digital platforms.

“Producing and directing ‘The Bonackers’ documentary has been a deeply meaningful experience for me, recording the stories, struggles, traditions and history of the fishermen and farmers here on the East End of Long Island,” Roberts says. “I’m grateful for their trust and happy to be sharing this film as part of Sag Harbor Cinema’s ‘Projections’ series — the very series where I first met the film’s cinematographer, Julian Alvarez, and editor, Sam Hamilton.”

“We are very pleased to present ‘The Bonackers’ and provide a space for this important conversation about East End heritage and identity,” adds Genevieve Villaflor, Sag Harbor Cinema’s executive director. “The film captures the resilience and traditions of communities who have shaped our region for centuries, and the discussion that follows will help us all think more deeply about what these stories mean for our community today.”

Following the program, Canio’s Books will sell local-interest titles, including Peter Matthiessen’s “Men’s Lives” and other books about East End history. The East Hampton Historical Society will also share archival photographs on a digital touchscreen monitor, including images featured in the film.

The “Projections” series was created by Bill Collage, SHC education committee chair, and Villaflor. It is organized by Dr. Meghan McGinley Arnone, SHC director of education and grants management.

This event is free, but space is limited. Reservations can be made at sagharborcinema.org. Sag Harbor Cinema is at 90 Main Street in Sag Harbor. For more information, call 631-725-0010.