The HAMPTONS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL is proud to announce the films, programs and special events that will make up the 2009 season. Now in its 17th year, this East Coast favorite comes to life against the fall back-drop as talent, industry and audiences participate in what has now become a premiere International Film Festivals. The 2009 Hamptons International Film Festival runs over Columbus Day Weekend –Thursday, October 8th through Monday, October 12th (including Columbus Day weekend) in East Hampton, New York with additional venues in Southampton, Sag Harbor and Montauk. Festival headquarters are located at the beautiful c/o The Maidstone Hotel on Main Street in East Hampton.

The Hamptons International Film Festival was founded to celebrate independent film and to introduce a unique and varied spectrum of international films and filmmakers to our audiences. The Festival is committed to exhibiting films that express fresh voices and differing global perspectives, with the hope that these programs will enlighten audiences, provide invaluable exposure for filmmakers and present inspired entertainment for all.

“In addition to a year of fantastic films, panels and events, this is also a year where we will be collaborating with many important organizations. We are thrilled to be working with Martin Scorsese’s World Cinema Foundation, Mira Nair’s Maisha Foundation, recognizing the 75th Anniversary of the New York Film Critic’s Circle, as well as continuing our long and fruitful partnership with the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, says Executive Director Karen Arikian. “Each of these organizations play a vital and unique role in advancing film and filmmaking in our world today. With the festival running for the first time over a holiday weekend, we are hoping many more people will be able to join us for an exciting five days of
top notch world cinema.”

“From the searing reality of our opening night film, to the imaginative whimsy of this our closer, this year’s program showcases a wide variety of viewpoints and voices from around the world” says Director of Programming David Nugent. “I continue to be impressed with the breadth and intensity of filmmakers in their drive to bring their visions the screen. “

This year’s Festival features 107 films including - 15 World Premieres, 10 North American Premieres, 18 US Premieres, 14 East Coast Premieres and 10 New York Premieres.

To learn more about buying tickets to this year’s Festival, please click here. To read the full press release, click here. To view the film guide, click here.

The Hamptons International Film Festival is proud to announce that it will honor iconic actress Sharon Stone this year with their annual Outstanding Achievement in Acting Award.

Additionally, Ms. Stone will participate in the festival’s Breakthrough Performers Program. This year, the Hamptons Film Festival will again pair their Rising Stars Program with the European Film Promotion’s renowned Shooting Stars initiative.

The Hamptons International Film Festival is dedicated to honoring outstanding new talent from around the world. The festival has chosen four extraordinary actors from North America and three from Europe. This year’s North American Rising Stars are Emmy Rossum (Dare, Phantom of the Opera), Zach Gilford (Dare, Friday Night Lights), Emma Stone (Paper Man, Superbad) and Rooney Mara (Tanner Hall, The Winning Season). The European Shooting Stars are Cyron Melville (Love and Rage, Fighter)) and Alba Rohrwacher (Giovanna’s Father, Good Morning Heartache, I am Love). This blend of culture and art will make for an explosion of talent and excitement in the Hamptons.

Ms. Stone will guide these talented actors at the mentoring brunch (past mentors have included Gena Rowlands, Joan Allen, Ellen Burstyn, Robert Altman, Miranda Richardson, Frances McDormand and current board member Alec Baldwin), as well as accompany them to the Breakthrough Performers Gala Reception, public symposium, and a “Conversation With…”

The Hamptons International Film Festival announced their Opening, Centerpiece and Closing night films for the 2009 festival.

Opening the festival is The Greatest, the directorial debut by Shana Feste starring Susan Sarandon, Pierce Brosnan, Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kravitz. It’s the story of a family that’s disintegrating as they deal with the death of their child and their surviving son’s drug use. The Greatest explores the ways in which love can persist and life can re-assert itself in the face of seemingly all-consuming tragedy.

The Centerpiece film is Solitary Man, directed by Brian Koppelman and David Levien, starring Michael Douglas, with Danny DeVito, Susan Sarandon and Mary-Louise Parker, Jesse Eisenberg and Jenna Fisher. Douglas stars in this tale of a New York businessman experiencing a mid-life slump so severe that it is more catastrophe than crisis.

Closing the festival is US premiere of The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus, directed by Terry Gilliam and starring the late Heath Ledger, as well as Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell who stepped in to assume Mr. Ledger’s role after he passed away during production. The film also stars Andrew Garfield, Christopher Plummer and Lily Cole. Doctor Parnassus is the proprietor of a traveling “Imaginarium” in which paying customers are invited to cross into a hallucinatory otherworld to uncover their true selves. Terry Gilliam gives free rein to his signature whimsicality in the Imaginarium’s rich, cartoonish, constantly shifting landscape, and the adventurous film brims with affectionate nods to its late star, Heath Ledger.

On September 4th at 8pm, Alec Baldwin will host the final film in the Hamptons Internationl Film Festival and Guild Hall’s SummerDocs Series WILLIAM KUNTSLER: DISTURBING THE UNIVERSE at Guild Hall in East Hampton, NY. The late civil rights attorney William Kuntsler was one of the most famous and controversial lawyers of the 20th century. Filmmakers Emily & Sarah Kuntsler explore their father’s odyssey from middle-class family man to left-wing activist to one of the most hated public figures in America. Directors Emily & Sarah Kuntsler and Gerald B. Lefcourt, co-counsel Chicago 8 and Black Panthers will be present for a Q&A with Alec Baldwin following the film.

Many thanks to Guild Hall and the Peter Jay Sharp Foundation for their support.

To purchase tickets, please visit Guild Hall’s Web site by clicking here.

Join us in celebrating the Hamptons International Film Festival this Saturday, August 22nd from 5-7pm at the Elie Tahari Flagship Boutique in East Hampton. Spend $300 at Elie Tahari and receive two Festival tickets! Also, enter to win two Spotlight Ticket packages. Please RSVP to 212.763.2034 or email rsvp@elietahari.com A percentage of sales from the event will benefit the film festival. We look forward to seeing you at the event!