Local talent takes center stage at Huntington film fest
Huntington residents and film enthusiasts across Long Island can mark their calendars for the Made in Huntington Film & TV Festival this week.
Organizers have released the full schedule for the four-day event, set to celebrate local filmmaking talent from Thursday, April 3 through Sunday, April 6, at the Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington.
The inaugural festival promises a diverse viewing experience with 14 different screenings presented throughout the weekend. Each day offers a mix of feature-length films and curated collections of short films, grouped by genres such as humor, drama, documentary, arts, music and romance, all spotlighting creativity rooted in Long Island and particularly within the Town of Huntington.
“This festival offers area residents the unique chance to see locally-produced film and TV projects that they would not likely see anywhere else at this time,” said Huntington Town Supervisor Ed Smyth in a statement.
The festival kicks off Thursday, April 3, with a “Hometown Huntington” theme. A free opening ceremony hosted by Supervisor Smyth is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., as part of a media day and Meet the Filmmakers program, which the public is invited to attend. This is followed by a panel discussion with filmmakers and the first screening block, titled “Our Town,” at 2:30 p.m.
Later Thursday programming includes locally focused documentaries like “Northport Beatnik,” delving into the life of the author and former Northport resident Jack Kerouac.
For aspiring creators, an Industry Day program on Saturday morning offers valuable networking opportunities and insights. The program features three panel discussions with film and TV industry executives sharing advice on navigating the distribution landscape.
Throughout the weekend, attendees can catch a variety of local stories and recognize familiar Long Island scenes. Several screenings across the festival will conclude with engaging conversations featuring filmmakers and cast members.
The festival wraps up Sunday, April 6, with an awards ceremony and closing reception, set to take place at Newsday Studios in Melville. Hosted by NewsdayTV’s Elisa DiStefano, the event begins with a red carpet reception at 5:15 p.m., followed by the ceremony at 6 p.m., where nine awards will be presented. Viewers can catch the recorded ceremony streaming on NewsdayTV starting at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 7.
“We appreciate that Newsday is willing to host the awards ceremony and closing reception at their beautiful studios,” said Joe Schramm, the festival’s executive producer and the town’s director of film & television. “This offers the Town of Huntington the chance to show off just one of the several state-of-the-art television production facilities we have here.”
Tickets for individual screenings are $20, with discounts available for Cinema Arts Centre members. Tickets for the Industry Day program are $50 each. Full schedule details, program descriptions, and online ticket purchases are available at madeinhuntington.com.
