The 30th Annual Stony Brook Film Festival Features Fine Cinema from Around the World

The 30th annual Stony Brook Film Festival (SBFF) is underway at the Staller Center for Arts, and movie lovers are in for a treat.

Held through July 26, the festival is showcasing 36 films from 19 countries, including world premieres, U.S. debuts and exclusive screenings that can only be experienced in person on Staller Center's 40-foot screen, the region's largest. Two feature films each evening - each preceded by a short film - are often followed by intimate Q&As with the filmmakers, cast and crew.

The examination of the strength and limits of family continues through many of the films in this year's festival, including the action-drama Way Home (July 18), that features a father struggling to bring his radicalized son back home from war-torn Syria; the challenging and inspiring drama Nawi (July 21), in which a young Kenyan teenage girl's dreams of attending high school are jeopardized by her father's plans to marry her off; the hilarious Mazel Tov (July 22), where a quick-talking, neurotic man who has been estranged from his siblings returns to Argentina to mend his broken relationships; and a thought-provoking reverie from India called The Umesh Chronicles (July 24), which follows a woman from a privileged background considering the very different life of the servant-boy who grew up with her.

Three American independent dramas are highlighted this year. Finn Wittrock gives a finely layered portrayal of a filmmaker plagued by his past in the offbeat and witty Long Island-based feature Westhampton (July 19), a beautifully shot tale of forgiveness and acceptance by Long Island native Christian Nilsson. Shot on location at his grandfather's scenic ranch near the border of Mexico, JT Walker's epic La Gloria (July 20) stars David Morse as an aged rancher struggling to earn the trust of an immigrant woman he accidentally wounded. Director Joel Alfonso Vargas has created a work of art that harkens back to the 1970s heyday of independent cinema with Mad Bills to Pay: (or Destiny, dile que no soy malo) (July 25), a film that explores the struggles of a 19-year-old man-child navigating his new responsibilities after bringing his pregnant girlfriend to live with his family in the Bronx.

Other must-see films include the unique Animale (July 24), featuring SBFF favorite Oulaya Amamra. In this Western/horror/mystery from the South of France, a bull-racer notices disturbing changes occurring around her following an injury. And music fans will enjoy the light-hearted biopic Midas Man about Beatles manager Brian Epstein.

Closing night July 26 features the American premiere of Gala Gracia's first feature film, The Remnants of You. This subtle film follows a woman putting her career as a jazz pianist on hold following the sudden death of her father.

Stony Brook Film Festival pass options include a VIP Gold Pass and a Regular Pass, granting access to all 10 days of the festival, and the Flex Pass. Single tickets are also available.

See the complete film schedule

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