Hosted by Alec Baldwin, HIFF’s SummerDocs series brings the best in documentary filmmaking to the East End, all summer long. Tickets for the 6th Annual SummerDocs series are on sale now!
The first two titles of the summer have been announced. Life Itself, from director Steve James (Hoop Dreams), launches the series at Guild Hall in East Hampton on Saturday, June 21. Following the screening, Alec Baldwin will join Roger Ebert‘s widow Chaz Ebert in conversation. On Friday, July 25, the award-winning Keep On Keepin’ On will entertain audiences, followed by Alec Baldwin in conversation with director Al Hicks.
“Steve James’s entertaining and inspiring story about Roger Ebert is a fascinating look at a film critic who truly helped to shape our culture,” said series presenter Alec Baldwin. “Al Hicks’ Keep On Keepin’ On is a moving portrait of not only Clark Terry‘s legacy, but of how one person’s mentorship can make a difference.”
“After another year in which a SummerDocs selection has gone on to win the Oscar for Best Documentary (Twenty Feet From Stardom), we are excited to bring what we see as some of the most exciting voices in documentary films to the Hamptons,” said Artistic Director David Nugent.
Two more titles—scheduled for Saturday, August 16, and Friday, August 29—will be announced soon. Stay tuned!
Life Itself
Saturday, June 21, 8:00pm
Directed by Steve James
Acclaimed director Steve James (Hoop Dreams, The Interrupters) and executive producers Martin Scorsese (The Departed, Raging Bull) and Steven Zaillian (Schindler’s List, Moneyball) present Life Itself, a documentary film that recounts the inspiring and entertaining life of world-renowned film critic and social commentator Roger Ebert – a story that is by turns personal, wistful, funny, painful, and transcendent.
The film will be released by Magnolia Pictures on July 4th.
Keep On Keepin’ On
Friday, July 25, 7:30pm
Directed by Al Hicks
In his melodic debut, Australian director Al Hicks spent four years following the charming and sometimes poignant mentorship between jazz-legend Clark Terry and blind piano prodigy Justin Kaulflin, during a pivotal moment in each of their lives. At eighty-nine years old, ‘CT’ has played alongside Duke Ellington and Count Basie; his pupils include Miles Davis and Quincy Jones. But his most unlikely friendship is with Justin, a 23-year-old with uncanny talent but debilitating nerves. As Justin prepares for a competition that could jumpstart his budding career, CT’s failing health threatens his own. Beautifully nostalgic, with a reverence for the importance of finding your own sound, Keep On Keepin’ On celebrates an iconic musician while introducing one of equal vibrancy. It is a mentoring tale as inspirational as its subjects.
The film is produced by seven-time Academy Award® nominee Quincy Jones and Paula DuPre’ Pesmen (producer of the Oscar winning The Cove). The film was recently awarded two prizes at the Tribeca Film Festival: Best New Documentary Director (Al Hicks) and the Audience Award (Documentary). RADiUs-TWC film will be releasing the film.
Support for the screening of Keep On Keepin’ On is graciously provided by the Wall Street Journal.
The 2014 Summer Docs Audience Award is sponsored by Candescent Films.
Support for the SummerDocs series is also generously provided by Beach Magazine.
