HIFF 2018: First Films Announced!

With 50 days to go (!) until the 26th annual Hamptons International Film Festival, we are thrilled to unveil our first wave of programming for HIFF 2018! The slate will include three female-directed films out of our annual Screenwriters Lab, two Cannes jury prize winners, a lush take on Oscar Wilde’s final years, a documentary featuring some Long Island […]

2018 HIFF Screenwriters Lab Wraps Up

The 18th Annual HIFF Screenwriters Lab began last Friday with screenwriters and mentors arriving in Sag Harbor for a weekend of supportive guidance and collaboration. In between one-on-one mentor sessions, the group attended a Master Class in screenwriting from celebrated writer and mentor, James V. Hart, who has worked with Francis Ford Coppola, Robert Zemeckis […]

HIFF Screenwriters Lab: 2018 Selections & Mentors

HIFF is proud to announce the mentors and screenwriters for the 18th Annual Screenwriters Lab, which takes place April 6-8 in East Hampton and Sag Harbor. The Lab pairs up-and-coming screenwriters with established screenwriters, directors and producers for a series of one-on-one mentoring sessions. The three selected screenplays for 2018 are Esra Saydam’s THE MESOPOTAMIAN, Anu Valia’s […]

James V. Hart to Give Screenwriters Lab Master Class

For the third year, a key component of our annual Screenwriters Lab is the Master Class with an award-winning screenwriter. This year, HIFF is pleased to welcome James V. Hart, screenwriter of Robert Zemeckis’s CONTACT. James V. Hart (J.V.) was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, and grew up in Ft. Worth, Texas, on drive-in movies and Saturday matinees. His writing/producing credits […]

#HIFF Screenwriters Lab Alumnae Win Big at Sundance

It was a stellar year for HIFF Screenwriters Lab alumnae at the Sundance Film Festival! Three projects that came through the Lab in recent years—all from female writer/directors—took home coveted awards at Saturday night’s ceremony, including directing, screenwriting and acting awards. In addition, another of our past Lab participants was recognized for her sophomore feature. Christina Choe (2014 HIFF Screenwriters Lab) took […]