The 2023 HIFF Films Are Set

HamptonsFilm has announced the full slate of programming for the 2023 edition of the Hamptons International Festival, including the Closing Night presentation of Bradley Cooper’s “Maestro,” a towering and fearless love story chronicling the lifelong relationship between Leonard Bernstein and Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein.

Additional Signature Programming includes “A Conversation with…” Series with Paul Simon who will attend on behalf of Alex Gibney’s “In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon,” screening as this year’s Centerpiece presentation, and Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Todd Haynes, who will attend the festival on behalf of Netflix’s “May December,” and will receive HIFF’s Achievement in Directing Award.

HIFF also announced filmmaker Celine Song will attend the festival for a special screening of her latest narrative feature “Past Lives,” which follows two deeply connected childhood friends who drifted apart after one’s family emigrated from South Korea, as they reunite for one fateful week as they confront notions of love and destiny, and on October 11, she will receive the festival’s Breakthrough Artist Award during a Q&A after a special screening of the film.

Of particular local interest, the Views from Long Island section will include the world premiere of “Mary Heilmann: Waves, Roads, & Hallucinations.” Directed by Matt Creed, the film invites viewers into the extraordinary life of artist Mary Heilmann, who ranks amongst the most influential American abstract painters of her generation. Now in her 80s, Heilmann still questions how her creative practice coexists within a highly commercialized art world. The film follows Heilmann for seven years in her natural environments, from her studios in Bridgehampton and Tribeca to her installation at the Hamburger Bahnhof Museum in Berlin. Incorporating rare archival material, found footage, and original in-studio moments of Heilmann at work, the film creates an immersive odyssey into the mind and work of a legendary living artist.

“It is with great excitement that we are able to share the final additions to our well-rounded and diversified programming, including our Signature Programs, and additional spotlight and competition selections,” said HamptonsFilm Artistic Director David Nugent. “It is an honor to host so many talented filmmakers and artists as they share their stories with our film-loving community, including the legendary Paul Simon and accomplished filmmaker Celine Song.”

The full film programming lineup includes additional films to screen within the Spotlight section, Documentary and Narrative Competition titles, short film sections, as well as Signature Programs including Views From Long Island, Conflict and Resolution, and Air, Land & Sea.

The 31st Annual Hamptons Film Festival runs October 5 to 12 and with a lineup of films that are 49 percent female-directed and represent 42 countries from around the world. The festival had a record number of submissions this year and will screen 70 features and 46 shorts with eight world premieres, two North American premieres, 11 U.S. premieres, 13 East Coast premieres, and eight New York premieres.

For the full schedule and ticket information, visit hamptonsfilmfest.org.