WHO WE ARE
The Hamptons Doc Fest introduces the best of the documentary genre to audiences for 10 days each December in the historic village of Sag Harbor, New York. The festival has expanded beyond its signature film festival to become a year-round arts organization that provides a platform for emerging and established filmmakers and offers screenings for local communities and schools to experience the art of visual storytelling. The festival is a must-stop on the festival circuit.
Our annual 10-day festival of ‘all docs all day’ welcomes filmmakers and documentary film lovers for dozens of screenings, discussions, panels, awards, and celebrations. In this intimate, walkable setting, festival goers enjoy the local area’s unique shops, restaurants, inns, museums, and parks. The inviting and friendly atmosphere of this filmmakers’ festival is conducive to connecting with other filmmakers and industry professionals. Our aim is to bring the work of talented and inspired documentary filmmakers to new audiences. We recognize and honor film and filmmakers who deserve a closer look.
WE CELEBRATE
Our special Gala honors documentary filmmakers with the prestigious Pennebaker Career Achievement Award. They have included luminaries such as Richard Leacock, Susan Lacy, D A Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus, Barbara Kopple, Stanley Nelson, Alex Gibney, Liz Garbus, Sheila Nevins and Frederick Wiseman. Our Filmmaker’s Choice Award is a peer selection to honor one of its own esteemed documentarians.
YEAR ROUND
In addition to our signature December doc fest, we screen important films year round. During the Spring we offer our Doc/Equinox environmental series. We launched a year-round FilmArts+Forum Outreach program providing festival films to East End libraries. We offer student workshops taught by acclaimed documentary filmmakers to inspire young filmmakers in the art & mechanics of the documentary. We partner with organizations, local museums and institutions to augment their programs with documentary film.
ADVISORY BOARD
Our advisory board consists of a group of 12 highly accomplished members of the documentary film community. Their input plays a key role in developing programs and incubating new ideas which will benefit filmmakers and audiences alike. We believe the work and experience of an Advisory Board offers the festival a wealth of creative input and connection. The intent is to gather, pollinate ideas and put them into practice for a growing and important documentary film festival.
As we always say, a good story can make a good documentary and a good story told with talent and heart makes a doc you’ll talk about after the theater lights come up.
Jacqui Lofaro
Founder and Executive Director, Hamptons Doc Fest
