“We are proud to present such a stellar program for this year’s 20th Anniversary edition of HIFF,” said Karen Arikian, Executive Director. “In addition to the incredible line-up of films this year, the Festival also has important new partnerships with industry leaders including the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, New York (BAFTA New York) and Variety. Thanks to the astute guidance of the Board of Directors, led by this year’s Honorary Chairman Alec Baldwin, and the commitment of our generous sponsors and patrons, we have been able to grow and fulfill our mission of the past 20 years: To exhibit the best and most thought-provoking independent films from around the globe.”

Among those expected to attend the Festival are: Richard Gere, James Schamus, Ann Roth, Mike Nichols, Alec Baldwin, Nathan Lane, Stevie Nicks, Alan Cumming, Trudie Styler, Sienna Miller, Ari Graynor, Melissa Leo, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Terry George, Steve Van Zandt, David Chase, Adepero Oduye, Justin Long, Jess Weixler, John Magaro, Fisher Stevens, Richard Kind, Harris Yulin, Steven Culp, Domnhall Gleeson (SHADOW DANCER), Bella Heathcote (NOT FADE AWAY), Boyd Holbrooke, Dree Hemingway (STARLET), Elyas M’Barek, Scoot McNairy (ARGO), Adam Driver (GAYBY), Alicia Vikander (A ROYAL AFFAIR) and Nate Parker

“From our first edition, up until today, we have remained committed to the goal of entertaining, enlightening and sometimes challenging the audiences whose appetite for great cinema remains as strong as ever,” says Director of Programing David Nugent.

Adding, “From the Palme d’Or winner at Cannes to our 22 World Premieres, to the film that just won that Audience Award at the Toronto International Film Festival a few days ago, the audiences in the Hamptons will once again sample what we feel are the best films from around the world.”

The heart of the Hamptons International Film Festival is its Golden Starfish Awards and the films in the Competition for Best Narrative Feature (over $125,000 in goods and in-kind services), Best Documentary Feature ($3,000 in cash) and Best Short Film ($1,000 in cash).  Jury participants include filmmakers Chris Hegedus, Susan Lacy, and Rachael Horovitz; New York Film Critic Circle members Thelma Adams and Joshua Rothkopf; and actress/filmmaker Trudie Styler.

This year’s Golden Starfish Award competition films in the Narrative category are THE ALMOST MAN, directed by Martin Lund; DEAD MAN’S BURDEN, directed by Jared Moshé; LA DEMORA, directed by Rodrigo Plá; KUMA, directed by Umut Dag; and LORE, directed by Cate Shortland.

The Golden Starfish Award competition films for Documentary are BAY OF ALL SAINTS, directed by Annie Eastman; COLOMBIANOS, directed by Tora Mårtens; EL HUASO, directed by Carlo Guillermo Proto; JASON BECKER: NOT DEAD YET, directed by Jesse Vile, and RISING FROM ASHES, directed by T.C Johnstone.

The Golden Starfish Award competition films for Short Film are ABIGAIL, directed by Matthew James Reilly; BYDLO, directed by Patrick Bouchard; DANCE MUSIC NOW, directed by Johan Jonason; THE RETURN, directed by Blerta Zeqiri; and THE CURSE, directed by Fyzal Boulifa.

As previously announced, the Festival’s Opening Night Film on Thursday, October 4th is the U.S. premiere of Liz Garbus’ LOVE, MARILYN; the October 6th Centerpiece Film is Ben Affleck’s ARGO; and the Closing Night Film is David Chase’s NOT FADE AWAY, which will screen on Sunday, October 7.

Other Spotlight films in the 2012 Festival include: FRANKENWEENIE, directed by Tim Burton; AMOUR, directed by Michael Haneke; THE DETAILS, directed by Jacob Aaron Estes; THE GIRL, directed by Julian Jarrold; A LATE QUARTET, directed by Yaron Zilberman; LAY THE FAVORITE, directed by Stephen Frears; RUST & BONE, directed by Jacques Audiard; THE SESSIONS, directed by Ben Lewin; SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS, directed by Martin McDonagh; SHADOW DANCER, directed by James Marsh; SMASHED, directed by James Ponsoldt; and WHOLE LOTTA SOLE, directed by Terry George.

Of the 60 World Cinema narratives and documentaries at the 20th annual edition, 15 are World Premieres, 3 are North American Premieres, 16 are US Premieres, 18 are East Coast Premieres and 9 are New York Premieres!

One of the highlights of this year’s Festival is the “Focus on UK Film” program, co-presented by BAFTA New York and HIFF, in association with BBC AMERICA and THE GREAT Britain Campaign. A slate of 20 British films will be featured during the Festival. Nine programs of short films will include works by Cynthia Wade, Lucy Walker, Don Hertzfeld, and Josh and Benny Safdie, while “Views from Long Island” will feature ten home-grown docs, features, and short films by local filmmakers. Three family-friendly programs, the Hot Docs Presents and the Pitch In projects – VIDAL V. BUCKLEY and DANCING AT JAFFA – are also highlights of the program.

Now in its 13th year, HIFF’s signature sidebar, Films of Conflict & Resolution (C&R), will showcase five films dealing with the realities of war, violence and crucial social issues around the world, including ONE DAY AFTER PEACE, BEYOND RIGHT AND WRONG, CALL ME KUCHU, WAR WITCH, and RISING FROM ASHES, the latter of which is the winner of the Brizzolara Family Foundation Award for a Film of Conflict & Resolution, presented in partnership with REACT to FILM. A screening of T.C. Johnstone’s RISING FROM ASHES, a film about five cyclists who come together to form the first Team Rwanda while racing for spots in the 2012 Olympics, will also kick off a discussion about “Post-War Conflict Zones” on Friday, October 5.

In addition to this C&R panel, HIFF will present a wide array of discussions throughout the five days. Featured “Conversation With” interviews include Richard Gere and Alan Cumming and “An Afternoon with Stevie Nicks” which will precede Dave Stewart’s and Nicks’ documentary, IN YOUR DREAMS: STEVIE NICKS,  on Sunday in Sag Harbor. The popular Rowdy Talks, casual morning discussions at Rowdy Hall, will focus on Kickstarter, local Long Island issues and subjects, and an interview with producer and 2012 HIFF juror Rachael Horovitz (MONEYBALL). The Kodak Cinematography Master Class with Robert Elswit (THERE WILL BE BLOOD, GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD LUCK, MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: GHOST PROTOCOL) and the Alfred P. Sloan Award Feature Film Panel and Screenplay Readings round out the program of panels and special talks.

With over 100 films, including features, documentaries and shorts, the festival is sure to, to attract film buffs of every genre! The festival headquarters is in East Hampton, and screenings will be at vast locations on the East End.

**For more information, the full line up of events and to purchase tickets please visit http://hamptonsfilmfest.org/