Stony Brook Film Festival Unveils Full Schedule for Landmark 30th Anniversary Year

Stony Brook, NY (June 9, 2025) – The wait is over! The Stony Brook Film Festival has officially released the full schedule for its milestone 30th anniversary, from July 17–26 at Staller Center for the Arts. This summer promises more bold, original storytelling that has defined the Festival for three decades. The 2025 Festival will showcase 36 films from 19 countries, including world premieres, U.S. debuts, and exclusive screenings that can only be experienced in person—on the region’s largest screen—at Staller.

This year's selections reflect the Festival's long-standing commitment to discovery, from gripping dramas and laugh-out-loud comedies to evocative documentaries and standout shorts. Tickets and passes are now available, and the full schedule is live at stonybrookfilmfestival.com. Whether you're a longtime supporter or a first-time attendee, this anniversary year is the perfect time to be part of something memorable.

[ABOUT THE FESTIVAL]

In a world where nearly every film is just a click away, the truly rare experiences—those that can’t be duplicated, downloaded, or streamed—are becoming cultural gold. For discerning cinephiles and those who simply appreciate the luxury of access, the Stony Brook Film Festival offers something that feels nearly extinct: exclusivity.

Every July, just a short drive from the Hamptons and Manhattan, this ten-night festival draws nearly 10,000 film lovers to Long Island’s North Shore. The Festival transforms its 1,000-seat Main Stage Theater into an international platform for independent cinema, showcasing premieres, undiscovered gems, and award-worthy narratives that won’t be found anywhere else. Not in theaters. Not online. These are premieres, one-of-a-kind screenings, and award-worthy stories shared only once, on a single screen, in a room filled with those savvy enough to secure a seat.

The Festival has welcomed icons like Brian Cox, Tilda Swinton, Steve Buscemi, Nathan Lane, and Mary Stuart Masterson, while premiering films from over 84 countries. Every film is chosen for one reason: it’s a story you can’t stop thinking about. These are gripping, emotional, deeply human stories—chosen not by trend, but by narrative power.

The Festival is more than a cinematic event—it’s a cultural experience. Two feature films each evening,—each preceded by a short film—are shown on the Center’s 40-foot screen, often followed by intimate Q&As with the filmmakers, cast, and crew. With four films (two features and two shorts) almost every night, it’s one of the best deals for a night out, averaging to be approximately $2.50 per film. The festival is an affordable yet elevated in-the-moment event shared by a like-minded audience who come for connection, discovery, and the feeling of being among the first and only ones to see something unforgettable.

[FILM HIGHLIGHTS]

The 2025 Festival Lineup boasts 36 films from 19 countries. It kicks off with the East Coast Premiere of The Ties That Bind Us, a beautiful, surprisingly realistic film in which a set-in-her-ways 50-something single woman finds herself in a slowly shifting relationship with two children who live in her apartment building. This intimate, poignant, and ultimately joyous film wrestles with the question of what defines family. [trailer]

The examination of the strength and limits of family continues through many of the films at this year’s festival, including the action-drama Way Home, that features a father struggling to bring his radicalized son back home from war-torn Syria [trailer]; the challenging and inspiring drama Nawi, 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, where a quick-talking, neurotic man who has been estranged from his siblings, returns to Argentina to mend his broken relationships – if he could only keep his big mouth shut [trailer]; and a thought-provoking and gorgeous reverie from India called The Umesh Chronicles, that follows a woman from a privileged background considering the very different life of the servant-boy that grew up with her [trailer].

Three fantastic American independent dramas highlight our weekends 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, a beautifully shot tale of forgiveness and acceptance by LI-native Christian Nilsson [trailer]. Shot on location at his grandfather’s scenic ranch near the border of Mexico, JT Walker’s epic La Gloria stars the excellent David Morse as an aged rancher struggling to earn the trust of an immigrant woman he accidentally wounded [trailer].  Director Joel Alfonso Vargas has created a work of art that harkens back to the 70’s heyday of independent cinema with Mad Bills to Pay: (or Destiny, dile que no soy malo), 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 [trailer].

The pleasing aroma of new culinary discoveries permeates two of our independent features. In the beautiful period drama Mistura, a privileged French-Peruvian woman embarks on a daring culinary venture with the very people she had been raised to disregard [trailer]. At the same time, in the uplifting documentary Ali Eats America, a teenage cancer patient plots a map with his mother of all the restaurants he wants to visit across the country [trailer].

Other can’t miss films include the wildly unique Animale featuring SBFF favorite Oulaya Amamra of Divertimento and Hard Shell, Soft Shell. In this western/horror/mystery from the South of France, a bull-racer notices disturbing changes occurring around her following an injury. Music fans will surely enjoy the surprisingly light-hearted biopic Midas Man about Beatles manager Brian Epstein. And everyone should put closing night on their calendar, as we feature the American premiere from Spain with Gala Gracia’s first feature film, The Remnants of You. This masterfully subtle film follows a woman putting her career as a jazz pianist on hold following the sudden death of her father, which showcases an evocative solo piano score by Filipe Raposo. All trailers here.

See the full film schedule below, or click here to learn more.

[PASSES & PARTIES]

Stony Brook Film Festival pass options include a VIP Gold Pass and a Regular Pass, granting access to all ten days of the festival, and the Flex Pass, with detailed information below. Single tickets are also available after July 1.

The Gold Pass includes VIP access to Opening and Closing Night parties, which include hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and a chance to mingle with filmmakers and festival goers alike. The Opening Night party will be hosted at Elaine’s Restaurant and Bar in East Setauket immediately following the Opening Night Feature film Q&A. This year's Closing Night party will be at Curry Club at SāGhar in Port Jefferson Village. This, along with guaranteed seating in a VIP reserved area of the theatre with filmmakers and actors, first admittance to the theatre for all screenings, and an exclusive festival gift, makes the Gold Pass (which is the price of one premiere screening at Sundance) a fantastic value and the best way to enjoy the entire festival experience!

The festival introduced the Flex Pass in 2023, quickly becoming one of the most popular pass options. The perfect pass for someone with a jam-packed summer, the Flex Pass grants access to any five days of the festival (excluding Closing Night). It is the perfect opportunity for film fest discovery with the added benefit of flexibility at an affordable price.

All passholders receive guaranteed Priority Seating, Q&As with filmmakers, voting eligibility for the Audience Choice Awards, discounts at partner locations, and a festival gift. Each pass has added perks at different levels. For more information, visit stonybrookfilmfestival.com/pass. Friends of Staller Members also get a reduced rate when using their Member discount at checkout. Learn more about membership here.

[FILM SCHEDULE]

OPENING NIGHT  |  Thursday, July 17, 2025

7:00 PM

Friday, July 18, 2025

7:00 PM

Saturday, July 19, 2025

7:00 PM

Sunday, July 20, 2025

7:00 PM

Monday, July 21, 2025

7:00 PM

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

7:00 PM

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

7:00 PM

Thursday, July 24, 2025

7:00 PM

Friday, July 25, 2025

7:00 PM

CLOSING NIGHT  |  Saturday, July 26, 2025

7:00 PM