The 30th Annual Stony Brook Film Festival concluded on July 26, marking three decades of independent filmmaking. The event featured 36 films from 19 countries, including several premieres and in-person screenings. Attendance reached levels not seen since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It was incredible to see the theater full and back to pre-COVID attendance,” said Stony Brook Film Festival Director Alan Inkles. “We had filmmakers from around the world for many U.S. premiere screenings. I am so grateful to all of them, including our terrific U.S. filmmakers, for having such an impact on our audience this year. Most screenings included tremendous applause, with some films receiving standing ovations. I’m so grateful for the support from our members, patrons, and donors who made our 30th Anniversary quite memorable.”
Awards were given in several categories. The Jury Award for Best Feature went to "Mistura," a film from the U.S. and Peru written and directed by Ricardo de Montreuil. The Jury Award for Best Short was awarded to "My Name is Dania," an Israeli film by Lev Brodinsky.
"Mad Bills to Pay," written and directed by Joel Alfonso Vargas, received the Spirit of Independent Filmmaking Award as a New York premiere. Christian Nilsson’s "Westhampton" won the Jury Award for Directing.
Audience awards included Best Feature for "Nawi," a film from Germany and Kenya directed by Toby Schmutzler, Kevin Schmutzler, Apuu Mourine, and Vallentine Chelluget; and Best Short for "A Guest in My Country," a U.S. film by John Gray.
Special screenings included opening night short "Hearts of Stone" (Belgium/Croatia) by Tom Van Avermaet and opening night feature "The Ties That Bind" (France) directed by Carine Tardieu. Closing night selections were short film "Place Under the Sun" (Moldova) by Vlad Bolgarin and feature "Remnants of You" (Spain) written and directed by Gala Gracia.
The festival highlighted both international collaboration and local participation through its selection of films from various countries.