The programming team worked very hard to carefully review and select the films included in this year’s lineup.
GIFF Programmer, Sam Kleiner said, “I am thrilled with this year’s lineup and can’t wait to share these films with our community. I am especially proud that Colleen and I accomplished our goal to have the work of female directors or writers featured in 50% of the films selected for the 2018 program. I can’t wait to showcase these inspiring women’s voices over our Festival weekend.”
With so many amazing films it can be hard to choose which ones to see. These are our 2018 CENTERPIECE films that you should not miss!
The Price of Everything: This film explores the labyrinth of the contemporary art world and the role of art and artistic passion in today’s money-driven, consumer-based society. The film exposes deep contradictions as it holds a mirror up to contemporary values and times, coaxing out the dynamics at play in pricing the priceless.
The Dawn Wall: Following the astonishing adventure of rock climbers Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgenson in January 2015, The Dawn Wall depicts their effort to climb the seemingly impossible 3,000 foot rock face of the same name in Yosemite National Park, California.
1985: Inspired by the award-winning short film of the same name, 1985 tells the story of Adrian, a closeted gay man returning to his hometown in Texas for Christmas during the first wave of the AIDS epidemic as he struggles to divulge his dire circumstances to his religious parents.
A Woman Captured: Watch as a European woman, kept as a domestic slave by a family for ten years, shows true bravery and courage as she escapes unbearable oppression to become a free woman again.
Eighth Grade: Written and directed by comedian Bo Burnham, this is a film that all students and adults can relate to. Join Kayla as she endures a tidal wave of contemporary suburban adolescence towards the end of her thus far disastrous middle school experience.
To see the complete list of films, please visit www.greenwichfilm.org.
As part of the festival weekend, please join us for thought-provoking panels and Q & A discussions, including a Spotlight on Tony Goldwyn and a celebration of Academy Award Winner, James Ivory.
Spotlight on Tony Goldwyn: Come celebrate the artistic and philanthropic work of Actor, Director, Producer, and Activist: Tony Goldwyn. Here, Tony will share his secrets on balancing a family and a successful career, while also covering life in a Hollywood dynasty, his career breakout roles in Ghost and Scandal, and directing his first feature film, A Walk on the Moon. Most importantly, Tony will discuss his involvement and inspirational experiences while working with Americares.
Spotlight on James Ivory: Join us as we sit with Oscar award winning Director James Ivory to discuss his start in the film industry, the formation of Merchant Ivory, how he discovered some of Hollywood’s A-List actors, and his favorite films to make.
Women at the Helm: A Conversation About Female Directors: Why have there only been five female nominees for Best Director? What stands in the way of women telling their stories? Join us as we pick the brains of leading female directors and industry professionals to talk about the challenges women face every day in a male dominated entertainment industry.
To learn more about the 2018 Festival including our Opening Night Party with a performance by the iconic Ms. Lauryn Hill, visit www.greenwichfilm.org.
A huge thank you to our sponsors of our Program Announcement Party – Richards, Val’s Putnam Wine & Liquor, LIFEWTR, DJ April Larken, and our media partners Moffly Media and Fairfield County LOOK.
We are also excited to announce that Aman, the Official Resort Partner of GIFF 2018, is offering our VIP Passholders a chance to win one of four trips to a resort in the USA or Caribbean.
Aman manages small luxury resorts worldwide, offering a guest experience that is intimate and discreet while providing the highest level of service. Since 1988, when flagship Amanpuri opened in Phuket, Thailand, Aman has established 31 resorts in Bhutan, Cambodia, China, the Dominican Republic, France, Greece, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Laos, Montenegro, Morocco, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Turkey, the Turks & Caicos Islands, the United States of America and Vietnam.
NORTH AMERICA & THE CARIBBEAN
A world within one country, the USA is as famed for its remarkable land formations in its starkly beautiful southwest, as it is for its national parks and phenomenal skiing. From Canyon Country in Utah to Jackson Hole and Yellowstone in Wyoming, the US is a land of contrasts and raw natural beauty. To its south lies another world in the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, where islands of unparalleled beauty include the Turks & Caicos and the Dominican Republic.
Amangiri, USA
Amangiri (peaceful mountain) is located on 600 acres in Canyon Point, Southern Utah. The resort is tucked into a protected valley with sweeping views towards the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Built around a central swimming pool with spectacular views, the resort blends into its dramatic surrounds of deep canyons and towering plateaus. Amangiri’s Aman Spa features a floatation therapy pavilion, a water pavilion with sauna, steam room, cold plunge pool and step pool, a fitness centre and a yoga pavilion.
Amangani, USA
Amangani (peaceful home) clings to the crest of East Gros Ventre Butte, some 2,135 metres above sea level, and affords magnificent views of the Grand Tetons and Snake River Valley. The resort evokes the atmosphere of the American West, from its redwood paneling to its blazing log fires. Amangani is an all-season resort. The winter highlight is skiing, while in spring, summer and fall the surrounding wilderness areas of Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks are amongst the many attractions.
Amanyara, Turks & Caicos Islands
Amanyara is a secluded beachside resort situated on the coast of Northwest Point on the beautiful Providenciales in the Turks & Caicos Islands. The resort borders the pristine reefs of Northwest Point Marine National Park, acclaimed for some of the world’s best wall and reef diving. With a contemporary layout and design, the timber-shingled Guest Pavilions and Aman Villas are tucked along the coast or situated inland on the edge of tranquil ponds.
Amanera, Dominican Republic
Overlooking the ocean and Playa Grande Beach from its cliff-top setting, Amanera is surrounded by jungle and framed by dramatic mountains. The 25-casita resort lies alongside the fairways of Playa Grande Golf Course and has a Beach Club, Cigar Lounge and Spa. Originally designed by golf legend Robert Trent Jones Sr, the golf course has been fully renovated by his son, Rees Jones. An idyllic base for discovering the north coast, Amanera’s experiences include kite-surfing, deep-sea fishing and horse riding on the beach.
