30th Anniversary

Schedule

Thursday, July 17

Hearts of Stone

7:00 PM

Main Stage

New York Premiere 

Belgium, Croatia - 30 min

A city street artist who entertains people as a living statue keeps a watchful eye over Agatha, a real statue in the sculpture park she frequents.

A film by Tom Van Avermaet.

The Ties that Bind Us

7:00 PM

Main Stage

East Coast Premiere 

France - 106 min

A heart-warming and thought-provoking opening to our 30th anniversary.

Valeria Bruni Tedeschi delivers a brilliantly lived-in performance as Sandra, a 50-something, independent woman who works in a feminist bookstore, has no children by choice, and has carefully arranged her life to her liking. When Sandra first meets young Eliot, Eliot’s father Alex - a neighbor she barely recognizes from the same apartment building - is foisting him upon her urgently as he races off with his very pregnant wife to the hospital. Little do any of them realize, this will be the beginning of a very unusual relationship that brings the question of what defines family to the foreground. 

In French and Romanian, with subtitles.

Opening Night Party - Gold Passholders Only

9:30 PM 

Elaine's Restaurant and Bar

Join us for the Opening Night Party at Elaine's Restaurant and Bar, for Gold Passholders, VIPs, & Filmmakers only. Gold Pass will be required for entry.

Upgrade to a Gold Pass here.

Friday, July 18

Resaca

7:00 PM

Main Stage

United Kingdom - 11 min

A hungover man wakes up to a request for English lessons from someone he hopes will be a distraction, until reality knocks on his door. 

In English and Spanish, with subtitles.

A film by Joe Borg.

Mistura

7:00 PM

Main Stage

United States and Peru - 96 min

1960s Peru: Norma, a privileged French-Peruvian woman, watches her life quickly unravel after her husband's betrayal ostracizes her from elite society. Unsatisfied with the options she is given, she instead embarks on a daring culinary venture as she finds herself drawn to the people and communities she had been raised to disregard. Bárbara Mori brings amazing authenticity to the role of Norma, and Peruvian percussionist Pudy Ballumbrosio shines in his first feature role as Norma’s butler, Oscar.

In Spanish, with subtitles.

With Bárbara Mori, Pudy Ballumbrosio, Christian Meier,  Stefano Meier, Juan Pablo Olyslager and Hermelinda Luján. 

Quick Fix

9:30 PM

Main Stage

United States - 8 min

A classic Autozone-style commercial turns out to be a cover for a man who is trying to fix much more than just his car.

A film by Will Smart.

Way Home

9:30 PM

Main Stage

Denmark - 98 min

Christian is a menacing figure who speaks Arabic, is a military veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq, and has just been smuggled into Syria to fight. But it soon becomes evident that his real goal is to find his 17-year-old son Adam, who has been radicalized by ISIS, with the intention of bringing him home to Denmark. The harrowing journey through war-torn Syria tests Christian’s physical abilities and personal beliefs, as he pushes the limits of parental love.

In Danish, English, and Arabic, with subtitles.

Saturday, July 19

A Guest in My Country

7:00 PM

Main Stage

United States - 15 min

As an immigrant Uber driver takes an upscale couple across town, unexpected answers to seemingly innocuous questions reveal a rift.

A film by John Gray.

Westhampton

7:00 PM

Main Stage

United States - 94 min

Tom is a filmmaker perennially haunted by an accident he was involved in as a high school student in Westhampton, Long Island. Though he has made a moderately successful independent film about it, he believes both the film and himself to be a failure. When circumstances conspire, Tom must go back to the hometown he left years ago, forcing him to face old friends and a town he believes disdains him. But as present events are intercut with the B&W film Tom made, questions begin to arise about what really happened. Shot on location in Westhampton, filmmaker and Long Island native Christian Nilsson brings us this masterfully told tale about regret, forgiveness, and acceptance.

With Finn Wittrock (The Big Short), RJ Mitte (Breaking Bad),  Jake Weary, Amy Forsyth, and Tovah Feldshuh. 

We Do Our Best

9:30 PM

Main Stage

United States - 14 min

On a school night in New York City, a mother helps her daughter appear older to spend time together at a cocktail lounge, leading to a night of revealing truths and reflection 

A film by Hannah Rose Ammon.

Long Story Short (Feste & Freunde)

9:30 PM

Main Stage

Germany - 107 min

The thrill of early love, the awkwardness of a divorce, the wonder of childbirth, the soberness of a serious illness, and the challenges of parenthood all take a front row in this charming and witty drama. Join five long-time friends and their significant others as they come together for various gatherings –a New Year’s Eve party, a birthday celebration, a wedding, a baptism, even a funeral – over a particularly active three-year period. This perfect cast, filled with SBFF familiar faces, is sure to warm your heart and tickle your funny bone. 

In German, with subtitles.

Sunday, July 20

Blackmoll

7:00 PM

Main Stage

Germany - 19 min

A creative seven-year-old girl sets out to justify the mysterious world of her dementia-suffering grandmother. 

In German, with subtitles.

A film by Alessia Mandanici.

Never Alone

7:00 PM

Main Stage

Finland - 85 min

1942: With World War II's shadow looming over Central Europe, a group of Jewish refugees seeking to escape oppression arrive in Finland, hoping for a new beginning. But when Finland's alliance with the Nazi’s threatens their sanctuary, Abraham Stiller, a prominent Finnish-Jewish businessman, risks everything to protect the refugee community. From the celebrated director Klaus Härö of SBFF favorites The Fencer and My Sailor, My Love comes this powerful true story of resilience and defiance. 

In Swedish, Yiddish, Russian, Hebrew, English, Finnish, and German, with subtitles.

We Buy Houses

9:30 PM

Main Stage

United States - 8 min

A house flipper encounters an unexpected challenge at one of his properties, forcing him to reconsider his role in his community.

A film by Scott Burkhardt.

La Gloria

9:30 PM

Main Stage

United States - 120 min

Carson Tidwell is a 70-year-old, isolated widower who lives on his ranch near the Texas border. After fearfully firing his rifle into the dark to scare off an unseen trespasser, Carson realizes that he wounded a young El Salvadorian woman as she was trying to cross his land. Now he must decide how much he is willing to help her, knowing he risks being discovered by his son, who is a U.S. Border Patrol agent. Director JT Walker has created a very personal and thought-provoking film that seeks no easy answers, featuring superb performances from David Morse and Jaklyn Bejarano. 

In Spanish and English.

Monday, July 21

Miracle

7:00 PM

Main Stage

Russia - 7 min

In a locked basement, an autonomous robotic vacuum cleaner plays the unwitting hero as it pursues a rogue feather.

A film by Ilia Ivanov.

Nawi

7:00 PM

Main Stage

Germany, Kenya - 13 min

Living in rural Kenya, Nawi‘s aspirations of attending high school are shattered when she learns that her father has reluctantly agreed to marry her off for a substantial herd of livestock. Instead of obeying tradition, Nawi chooses to fight her impending marriage in any way she can think of. Though quite serious in theme, this film remains surprisingly hopeful, due in no small part to the spectacular performance of Michelle Lemuya Ikeny as Nawi.

In Swahili and English, with subtitles.

The Traveler’s Prayer

9:30 PM

Main Stage

United Kingdom - 9 min

A mother who is new to the ultra-Orthodox Jewish world makes her way to the front of a gender-segregated bus to protect her son. 

In Hebrew and Yiddish, with subtitles.

A film by Elkie Leonie Hershberg

Real Estate

9:30 PM

Main Stage

Israel - 109 min

Tamara and Adam are about to become parents, and their life is a mess. Facing evacuation from their apartment in Tel Aviv, Tamara decides to search for their new home in Adam’s hometown of Haifa. During one unforgettable day of apartment hunting, their search for a home becomes a tour of their passionate, impossible relationship. Rosovsky and Levin give subtle performances as opposites who both frustrate and love each other madly.

In Hebrew, with subtitles.

Tuesday, July 22

My Name is Dania

7:00 PM

Main Stage

Israel - 22 min

Dania good-naturedly strives to connect with his father, who lives in public housing for immigrants and suffers from Alzheimer's. 

In Hebrew and Russian, with subtitles.

A film by Lev Brodinsky.

Mazel Tov

7:00 PM

Main Stage

Argentina - 97 min

Living in the United States and estranged from his father and brothers, Darío travels home to Argentina to attend his sister’s wedding and niece's Bat Mitzvah. But his real goal of mending his broken family relationships is thrown into chaos by an unexpected and life-altering event. This hilarious, fast-paced dramedy races through themes of sibling rivalries, family expectations, pregnancies, weddings, funerals, and traditions. And at its center is the quick-talking and slightly neurotic Darío, who is trying desperately - and unsuccessfully - to keep his big mouth shut. 

In Spanish, with subtitles.

Chatter

9:30 PM

Main Stage

United States - 11 min

As Samia and Charlie’s chance encounter turns into an all-day first date, their inner voices threaten to derail the spark. 

In Arabic, English, French and Tagalog, with subtitles.

A film by Jessica Sherif.

Midas Man

9:30 PM

Main Stage

United Kingdom - 112 min

On Thursday, November 9th, 1961, a well-dressed businessman descended the stairs to the Cavern Club in Liverpool and changed the world forever. Thus begins the tale of Brian Epstein, the man who ‘discovered’ The Beatles and quickly becomes their manager, despite having no experience whatsoever. Epstein’s rise from obscurity to unprecedented global success is seen through the lens of his close-knit family, faithful friends, and a lifelong search for love. An amazing, true story about the ultimate outsider that reframes the story we all thought we knew.

Wednesday, July 23

Ebb & Flow

7:00 PM

Main Stage

Lebanon - 18 min

A high school student living in Beirut, navigating a world of bombings and political violence, is determined to have her first kiss. 

In Arabic, with subtitles.

A film by Nay Tabbara.

Ali Eats America

7:00 PM

Main Stage

United States - 91 min

Ali Allouche spent his junior year of high school in chemotherapy. Tired of hospital food, Ali and his mom, Lt. Col. Jennifer Danko, became obsessed with food shows and documentaries, eventually plotting out a map of all the restaurants across the United States they wanted to visit. To turn this dream into a reality, Jen launched a successful GoFundMe campaign, meeting their initial goal when the final $3600 was donated by Anthony Bourdain. This buoyant documentary travels from hospitals to greasy spoons, pizzerias, five-star restaurants, and back. An honest, heartfelt film about living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis.

Crab Claw

9:30 PM

Main Stage

United States - 8 min

When their relationship hits rock bottom, a couple seeks therapy to discover what exactly has come between them.

A film by Steve Sanders.

A World Apart

9:30 PM

Main Stage

Italy - 113 min

After one too many years of teaching the undisciplined children in Rome, Michele needs a break. He gets himself relocated to a remote village called Rupe, in the heart of the Abruzzo National Park. Looking forward to a peaceful existence, he finds he is faced with a completely different set of challenges, including scant resources, inappropriate clothing for mountain weather, and a vice principal who does not believe he will last longer than a week. This hilarious comedy will keep you laughing from beginning to end.

In Italian, with subtitles.

Thursday, July 24

3 Minutos

7:00 PM

Main Stage

United States - 5 min

Waiting for the results of a test, a young couple is compelled to take a quick but meaningful look at their relationship. 

In Spanish, with subtitles.

A film by Douglas Ryan.

The Umesh Chronicles

7:00 PM

Main Stage

Sweden - 124 min

Surrounded by books and music, the privileged young Radha has little contact with Sundar, the uneducated boy who lives with her family as a servant. And when Sundar unexpectedly runs away, she and her family simply move on with their lives. But when Radha runs into him years later, she wonders if Sundar has more freedom than she does. Featuring India’s most famous actor, Amitabh Bachchan, this gorgeously filmed portrait of middle-class India is filled with unforgettable images that haunt the imagination. 

In English, Hindi, and Kashmiri, with subtitles.

Wait to Tell Mother

9:30 PM 

Main Stage

United States - 12 min

A surprise pregnancy forces a woman to make a difficult decision alone, triggering memories of the one person she could always turn to - her father.

A film by Emma Elizabeth Steiger.

Animale

9:30 PM 

Main Stage

France - 98 min

Nejma works as a waitress in the South of France, but her passion is bull racing, a sport where the contestant must remove a trinket from a bull's horn - hopefully without getting gored. Though she behaves like she is one of the boys, she is only reluctantly given respect by her colleagues. After being injured following a celebration, Nejma notices disturbing changes occurring around her, as young men begin mysteriously dying. SBFF favorite Oulaya Amamra stars in this wildly unique film that is equal parts western, horror, and mystery. A must-see for the adventurous.

In French with subtitles.

Friday, July 25

Baquine Friends Forever

7:00 PM

Main Stage

United States - 13 min

After their relationship changes forever, Gary wanders through Brooklyn, deciding whether or not to attend his friend Carmen's party. 

A film by Jose Acevedo.

Mad Bills to Pay (Destiny, Dile que no soy malo)

7:00 PM

Main Stage

United States - 101 min

Rico, 19, lives with his no-nonsense mother and sassy sister Sally in a modest Bronx apartment in the heart of the Dominican-American community. Rico’s version of having a job is selling homemade cocktails out of a cooler on Orchard Beach while trying to evade local authorities. He squabbles with Sally, gets reprimanded by his mom, parties with his clients, and flirts with the local girls. But his endless summer life comes crashing down when his newly pregnant 16-year-old girlfriend Destiny moves in after being kicked out by her parents. Vargas creates a work of art, telling a compelling story while eliciting amazing performances from his cast. 

In English and Spanish, with subtitles.

Sweet Cesspool

9:30 PM

Main Stage

United States - 6 min

A ghostwriter in serious need of cash begins to have second thoughts about the suicide letter she was paid to write.

A film by Daniel Paredes.

Uncle Vanya - Bubble Waltz

9:30 PM

Main Stage

Hungary - 90 min

A modern retelling of Anton Chekhov’s play Uncle Vanya, set in the 1990s. Iván - aka Vanya - breeds cattle with his sister Mária and 18-year-old niece Szonja on an estate in the middle of nowhere, when their boring, peaceful life is turned upside down by the arrival of Iván's arrogant brother-in-law, Jakab, and his young and flirtatious second wife, Léna. Following the outlines of Chekhov’s story, this delightful feature has an imaginative take all its own. 

In Hungarian, with subtitles.

Saturday, July 26

Place Under the Sun

7:00 PM 

Main Stage

U.S. Premiere

Moldova - 20 min

A talented musician and his 8-year-old son struggle to find a place to sell vegetables at the biggest market in Moldova. 

In Romanian, with subtitles.

A film by Vlad Bolgarin.

The Remnants of You

7:00 PM 

Main Stage

U.S. Premiere 

Spain - 92 min

After four years of living in New York, Sara puts her budding career as a jazz pianist on hold following the sudden death of her father. Back in her childhood home - a sheep farm in the Pyrenees of Spain - Sara finds herself reunited with her older sister Elena, who now manages a livestock farm of her own. When the sisters inherit their father’s farm and flock, Elena is ready to sƒell, but Sara finds herself unable to move on. After visiting her grandfather, Sara postpones her upcoming concert and starts working on her father’s farm alone, as she desperately tries to hang onto his legacy. Actress Laia Manzanares gives an amazingly subtle yet powerful performance as Sara, and the evocative, melancholy solo piano score by Filipe Raposo beautifully ties together Sara’s jazz with the old farm home she finds herself back in. This masterful first film from writer and director Gala Gracia feels both deeply personal and strikingly universal at the same time. 

Closing Night Party - Gold Passholders Only

9:30 PM

Curry Club at SaGhar

Join us for the Closing Night Party at Curry Club at S?Ghar. For Gold Passholders, VIPs, & Filmmakers only. Gold Pass will be required for entry.

Upgrade to a Gold Pass here.

Buy Tickets and Passes

Date: July 17-26, 2025

Location: Staller Center For the Arts

100 Nicolls Rd, Stony Brook, NY 11794

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