The beautiful colors of autumn are almost upon us and it’s the perfect time to explore the various parts of New York State and attend an event you haven’t been to before. One of the most anticipated events coming to the East End of Long Island is the Hampton International Film Festival (HIFF) and already the excitement for this year’s list of films is growing. Film makers, writers, producers, directors, actors and celebrities come from all over the country and around the world to be part of this event. The 34th annual event takes place Oct. 2-12.
What is this HIFF all about? If you love films, want to see them before they are commercially released and while doing it you might even see celebrities in person, then this festival is for you!
In between going to the movies, dining at one of the charming restaurants for lunch or dinner, often one can spot a celebrity doing the same.
The Hamptons International Film Festival was founded to celebrate independent films, long, short, fiction and documentaries, and to introduce a unique, varied spectrum of international films and filmmakers to the public. These films are ones that may have already been featured at world famous film festivals like Cannes, Toronto, Sundance, Tribecca, and Berlin to name a few. Ardent followers and movie buffs will again this year be treated to outstanding films, the chance to see many of the actors appearing in them or directing, and the opportunity to attend workshops, lectures and seminars that delve into the world of film making. The films presented at HIFF are divided into categories, so topics will appeal to all interests. HIFF website defines their subject matter for each topic.
The categories are Conflict & Resolution, Compassion, Justice & Animal Rights, World Cinema Narrative Films, World Cinema Documentary Films, Narrative Competition, Shorts Program: 2026, Narrative Short Film Competition, Competition Documentary Air, Land, Sea Shorts Program: 2026, NWIFT: Filmmakers Calling the Shots, Shorts Program: Spark! Shorts for All Ages, Views from Long Island and Talks at Rowdy Hall.
This year there are 164 films and events being featured. We have been attending this wonderful film festival for more than twenty years and have seen scores of films that have gone on to be commercial successes and critically acclaimed. Some of the most successful films from the long list include “The King’s Speech,” “Black Swan,” “Toy Story 3,” “Waiting for Superman,” “Miral,” “Slum Dog Millionaire,” and “The Artist” among many others. Documentary, shorts and international films are also part of these richly diverse selections offered to visitors to the festival.
The festival passes and packages for 2026 are on sale now.
In addition to fine films the 34th HIFF continues with many of its special programs, our favorite is “Conversation with…,” where the audience attends a live discussion at a pre-selected venue, with a guest actor or filmmaker and moderator. It is fascinating to hear a one-on-one interview with a famous screen actor, director or legendary personality talking when not in a role they are typically in. Afterwards the audience can participate in the Q &A.
Past conversations over the years featured Steven Spielberg, Vanessa Redgrave, Robert Altman, Susan Sarandon, Dan Rather, Mayor Ed Koch, Richard Gere, Helena Bonham Carter, Martin Scorsese, and many more. This year’s guests attending “Conversation with” in separate programs are Ron Howard (Academy Award winning filmmaker), Jesse Eisenberg (actor, playwright, and filmmaker,) Amanda Seyfried (actress) and John Turturro (actor/filmmaker).
Too extensive to detail each film, here are a few that will be featured in special sections. The Opening Night film, “I Play Rocky,” will be shown Friday, Oct. 2 and is the East Coast premiere of Peter Farrelly’s ultimate underdog story, starring Anthony Ippolito as Sylvester Stallone. “I Play Rocky” chronicles the electrifying true events of a then-unknown actor named Sylvester Stallone who fought tooth and nail to prove his unshakable belief that he wasn’t just meant to write Rocky; he was meant to be Rocky Balboa. Ippolito will be appearing in person to receive a Breakthrough Performer Award.
One of the Spotlight selections, “A Talent for Murder,” will have its East Coast premiere. Directed by Anton Corbijn (UK, Italy), the 2026 film stars Alden Ehrenreich as a young New York publisher employee sent to Switzerland to persuade renowned writer Patricia Highsmith (Helen Mirren) to write one final installment of the Ripley anthology.
Other Spotlight selections include “Behemoth!,” “Elsinore,” “Josephine,” “The Liberation,” “Paper Tiger,” “Tenzing,” “Wild Horse Nine” and “Sara Bareilles: Good Grief.”
“Views from Long Island” will feature the world premiere of “Not Dead Yet,” directed by Eric Weber and Nick Weber and starring Richard Kind. The film follows Eliot Kelman (Kind), a veteran New York ad man forced out of his agency by its youth-focused culture. He retreats to the Hamptons, where he joins a group of rebellious seniors to launch a business for older adults.
The festival will close with WICKER, directed by Eleanor Wilson and Alex Huston Fischer. Set in a medieval English village, the film stars Academy Award winner Olivia Colman as an ostracized fisherwoman who commissions a husband made of wicker from the local basket maker, played by Emmy Award winner Peter Dinklage. Alexander Skarsgård plays the wicker husband, whose arrival sets off jealousy and upheaval in the village.
Taking place in venues throughout East Hampton, Southampton and Sag Habor, visitors can experience the charm of these seaside historic villages of Long Island's East End. Plan a several days stay at any of the charming hotels or guest houses. The Festival's intimate, informal atmosphere makes it an ideal destination for cinephiles. HIFF features an Opening Night film, Spotlight, Centerpiece and Closing Night Film as well as cocktail parties, workshops, lectures and presentations to join.
For up-to-date information about HIFF, how to purchase tickets, jobs at HIFF, purchasing merchandise or volunteering, visit hamptonsfilmfest.org.
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