HamptonsFilm, the home of the Hamptons International Film Festival, announced the lineup for its SummerDocs series this week, returning for its fifteenth year to East Hampton.
Two critically acclaimed documentaries will be featured, along with a free outdoor movie screenings series, which is set to include a handful of classic crowd pleasers, plus a third film to be announced. SummerDocs kicks off with a screening of the first featured documentary, The Eternal Memory, on Friday, June 16, at East Hampton’s Regal UA movie theater located on Main Street.
“We have a rich history of showing award-winning projects as part of the SummerDocs series, says HamptonsFilm executive director Anne Chaisson in a press release, “and it is a privilege to recognize the work of documentary filmmakers as we have over 15 summers.”
Directed by Maite Alberdi, The Eternal Memory is a love story at its core, following the decades-long journey of prolific Chilean couple Augusto Góngora, a journalist, and Paulina Urrutia, an actress, and the challenges they endure after Augusto’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis. The film was selected in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition after its premiere at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. The film ended up winning the Grand Jury Prize. Screening is on Friday, June 16, at the East Hampton movie theater at 7 p.m. and will include a conversation with Urritia and HamptonsFilm artistic director David Nugent afterward. Tickets are $35 and you can get yours here.
Starting on Wednesday, June 28, there’ll be free, yes FREE, outdoor screenings at the hamlet’s Main Beach as well as Herrick Park in East Hampton Village. The Goonies is the opening film for the series and showtime is at sunset. For a full list of when and where you can catch a free flick, click here.
On Saturday, July 8, it’s the screening of the second documentary, The Deepest Breath. Written and directed by Laura McGann and released by Netflix, the film explores the bond between Italian champion freediver Alessia Zecchini and Irish safety diver Stephen Keenan set against the backdrop of one of the most dangerous sports on Earth. McGann will be on hand for discussion after the 7 p.m. screening. Tickets are $35. To save your spot for the screening, click here.
Additionally this summer, HamptonsFilm will offer in-person film camps for students ages 8 to 15 from July 10 through July 14 in East Hampton as well as August 7 through August 11 in Southampton, with the Southampton Arts center.
“As we look ahead to summer, we are excited to share the robust and diverse slate of documentaries showcased at the landmark 15th annual edition of the SummerDocs Series,” says Nugent. “It is truly one of the highlights of HamptonsFilm’s year-round programming as we continue to bring topical issues to our audiences.”
