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Testimonials from Filmmakers


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Cox
"You run a helluva festival at Stony Brook. 
When there is such a passion as you engender, you cannot but be affected by it." 
Brian Cox, Actor, The Etruscan Smile

EdgeFROM AN OSCAR WINNING DIRECTOR:

"Stony Brook Film Festival is an incredibly well curated and intelligent film festival.   Supremely well run and organized, each film is shown once in a giant, state of the art theater to a routinely packed crowd.  Set in one of the most beautiful towns on Long Island and backed by a powerhouse university, the audiences are really smart and very welcoming. Don't miss this festival!"

- Todd Wider, Director, To the Edge of the Sky

Hasan Oswald, Higher Love
Stony Brook Film Festival 2020

"Wow, what a festival. We were lucky enough to screen at this year's festival and even managed to take home an award.

Although online for the first time, I can't speak highly enough about how this festival is run, and about those who run it. They put their whole hearts into this thing and it really shows.
 
Just an absolutely legendary festival and crew."

Lanie Zipoy, The Subject
Stony Brook Film Festival 2020

"Alan Inkles Oh, thank you again for your kind words and continual support. And, I cannot wait to see some of the films at this year's festival because your curation is top notch. I'm still thinking about the films I saw last fall and this spring. What a gift to the world you & the festival all."

"It doesn't get any better than the Stony Brook Film Festival. I would give the fest 10 stars, if I could. The programming is off the charts amazing. And, the fest's pivot to the digital world has been seamless. The communication is wonderful, and the dedicated team, including Alan Inkles and Kent Marks, are a filmmaker's dream. Truly. I look forward to making another film so I can submit it to this wonderful fest."

Chisa Hutchinson, The Subject

"Alan, we’re so lucky to have you as a friend and advocate. Know that we are Stony Brook fans for life!"

Nitzen Mager, A Scientist's Guide to Living and Dying

Stony Brook Film Festival 2019

"We were at Stony Brook with a short film, and now with our first feature. This festival does not disappoint. Possibly the best screening experience a filmmaker could ask for-- huge venue, huge built-in audience (no hustling to fill seats-- at all). We had a fantastic roundtable interview with fellow filmmakers, taped in front of a live audience. And the hospitality is first class. Really had a great experience and would absolutely recommend!"

Click here to view the 2019 Filmmaker Panel.

 Priya Ramasubban, Chuskit 
Stony Brook Film Festival 2019

“Imagine my surprise when I saw a BIG box at my doorstep this morning from Stony Brook. I was expecting just an award plaque but no...it was a box that kept giving!! I feel like how it must feel to go on Ellen and hear her say to look under your seats for something special' and how everyone squeals with joy!! You guys are something else! Thank you... thank you ...thank you... thank you!!  It is a very unique and warm festival and I'll remember it for a long time to come.”

Jonathan Bloch, Waiting Game 
Stony Brook Film Festival 2019

“I can't tell you how much being a part of this festival meant to me, the cast, the crew, and my family. I couldn't have imagined a better quality, and more welcoming festival to premiere at, especially on the coast where I grew up. The love and support shown for our film has been unmatched. The audience was so engaged, intelligent, and open. To be a part of the film community you have created, and well cared for in Stony Brook means more to me than you know. This experience has been one of the few times where I have felt truly embraced as a true filmmaker and artist. And I haven't even mentioned the hospitality shown, between the hotel, meals.”

Ramy A. Katz, Cause of Death 
Stony Brook Film Festival 2019

“I couldn't wish for a better festival to have the U.S premiere of Cause of Death in. The amazing dedicated crew, such warm hospitality, great atmosphere, and a great audience. Thank you so much for this incredible experience!”

Zack Gold, Debbie & Doug Drop Acid in the Desert 
Stony Brook Film Festival 2019

“This is one of the best festivals our team has ever been to! The hospitality, attention to the filmmakers and inclusion of the filmmakers was unparalleled to any festival. Set in a 1000 seat, state-of-the-art theater on one of the most beautiful screens in the state of New York - this is a festival that NEEDS to be on any filmmakers list.”

Cyrus Neshvad, Portraitist 
Stony Brook Film Festival 2019

“When my short movie was projected in front of an audience of 800 people, then I was just thinking: it's unbelievable! Great event!”

Maja Zdanowski, In God I Trust 
Stony Brook Film Festival 2019

“What can I say about the Stony Brook Film Festival? My main piece of advice is: if your film gets selected you MUST attend! It’s an Indie filmmakers dream festival.”

A ForemanDaniel Drummond, A Foreman 
Stony Brook Film Festival 2018

Stony Brook was a wonderful festival. By far the most hospitable of any festival organizations I've seen. The people responsible for the festival had a genuine love for film and filmmakers. Every screening was preceded by a filmmakers dinner where we got to meet other filmmakers and the programmers for the festival. Alan and his team truly care about packing the theater. Almost every screening was at capacity. All filmmakers were introduced by name before their films, and were treated to one of the most engaged audiences I've had the pleasure of screening to. Highly recommend submitting to and attending this festival.

Internet GangstersEddie Alfano, Internet Gangsters 
Stony Brook Film Festival 2018

This is the best film festival I've ever been to. It is an absolute, "Must Submit" festival for all filmmakers. I can't say enough good things about what Alan and his team do to make filmmakers feel special. From hotel accommodations, to great after-parties, to a packed house in a 1000-seat theater for the screening of your film. Stony Brook delivers an experience unlike any other festival I've been to, and it should be at the top of your submission list. 

SevenJames Morgan, Seven  
Stony Brook Film Festival 2018

Loved this festival - the format, the people behind it, fellow filmmakers and the lengths that the organisers go to in making filmmakers feel welcome, including accommodation in a beautiful harbour side hotel in Long Island. Extremely well attended by an audience that's clearly very passionate about film and the cinema space itself is huge. It was a privilege to screen there and very much hope to be back with a feature in the not too distant future!

 Amy Wang, Unnatural Unnatural
Stony Brook Film Festival 2018

It was an honor to play at Stony Brook this year! I could not say nicer things about the festival, it's people and the atmosphere. Stony Brook pairs your short film with a feature so that it is guaranteed a full crowd. The theatre it plays in seats over 1000 people and the shorts get their own personal Q and A at the beginning.

From the moment we landed at JFK, we were picked up by two amazing people and driven to our hotel in Stony Brook. The hotel was INSANE, right by the water front and then we were driven to and from the screenings. It's honestly the most welcoming and incredible festival I've ever been to. There is a dinner every night and then an after party after every screening every night where you can mingle with guests and filmmakers. I've never been to a festival quite like this.

Festival Formula, Ltd, Love & Spirit 
Stony Brook Film Festival 2018
Love Spirit

We are massive fans of Stony Brook Film Festival - they're brilliant and accommodating. We've had several clients screen there now, and with some of them attending from the UK they have nothing but heart-warming stories to tell. A reasonably priced, well communicated festival with a stellar line-up. Carry on being awesome!

Clara Martinez-Lazaro Alameda, Growing Up 
Stony Brook Film Festival 2018
Growing Up
The Stony Brook is amazing! The efficiency is astonishing compared to a lot of festivals, the communication is great and the hospitality is even more than I expected. I loved the experience and would go back anytime!

Catherine Eaton, The Sounding
Stony Brook Film Festival 2017

"crazy honored by Stony Brook Film Festival - #thesoundingfilm won the jury award for best feature from a host of amazing films by incredible filmmakers!  the curation of the festival was visionary and the filmmakers were treated like royalty - our entire team was so grateful - thank you #SBFF2017!  immensely proud!"

Jorge Arenillas, The Second Act of Elliott Murphy
Stony Brook FIlm Festival 2017

"As an independent filmmaker, sometimes you struggle for years to get your film done. Then it gets a limited release and nothing else happens. The world doesn't seem to notice. It can be depressing.  That's why fests like yours are so special. They restore our pride as filmmakers and get us back on our feet. The feedback that you get from that audience, that theater, that crew, refreshes your creative energy and makes you wish to get back home and start working on a new project. You have a treasure there in Stony Brook, and we are all happy to be part of it for a while. Simply put, thank you (all of you) for the most terrific week of my year."

Pavels Gumennikovs, Just, Go! 
Stony Brook Film Festival 2017

"The Stony Brook Film Festival is really brilliant! I have been travelling for eleven years around the world. This festival will be legendary. You should be proud of the festival, no…you MUST be proud!"

Michael Ferrell, Laura Gets a Cat 
Stony Brook Film Festival 2017

"Laura Gets a Cat was our second feature, and it is so motivating to receive this award. {Special
Recognition by the Jury- Spirit of Independent Filmmaking} Two thumbs up for the Festival, it’s an
inspiration."

Filmmakers

Testimonials from Filmmakers


FROM AN OSCAR WINNING DIRECTOR: Todd Wider, Director, To the Edge of the Sky

"Stony Brook Film Festival is an incredibly well curated and intelligent film festival. Supremely well run and organized, each film is shown once in a giant, state of the art theater to a routinely packed crowd. Set in one of the most beautiful towns on Long Island and backed by a powerhouse university, the audiences are really smart and very welcoming. Don't miss this festival!"Learn More(FROM AN OSCAR WINNING DIRECTOR: Todd Wider, Director, To the Edge of the Sky)

Hasan Oswald, Higher Love

Stony Brook Film Festival '20"Wow, what a festival. We were lucky enough to screen at this year's festival and even managed to take home an award.Although online for the first time, I can't speak highly enough about how this festival is run, and about those who run it. They put their whole hearts into this thing and it really shows. Just an absolutely legendary festival and crew."Learn More(Hasan Oswald, Higher Love)

Lanie Zipoy, The Subject

Stony Brook Film Festival '20" Alan Inkles Oh, thank you again for your kind words and continual support. And, I cannot wait to see some of the films at this year's festival because your curation is top notch. I'm still thinking about the films I saw last fall and this spring. What a gift to the world you & the festival all.""It doesn't get any better than the Stony Brook Film Festival. I would give the fest 10 stars, if I could. The programming is off the charts amazing. And, the fest's pivot to the digital world has been seamless. The communication is wonderful, and the dedicated team, including Alan Inkles and Kent Marks, are a filmmaker's dream. Truly. I look forward to making another film so I can submit it to this wonderful fest."Learn More(Lanie Zipoy, The Subject)

Chisa Hutchinson, The Subject

"Alan, we’re so lucky to have you as a friend and advocate. Know that we are Stony Brook fans for life!"Learn More(Chisa Hutchinson, The Subject)

Nitzen Mager, A Scientist's Guide to Living and Dying

Stony Brook Film Festival '19" We were at Stony Brook with a short film, and now with our first feature. This festival does not disappoint. Possibly the best screening experience a filmmaker could ask for-- huge venue, huge built-in audience (no hustling to fill seats-- at all). We had a fantastic roundtable interview with fellow filmmakers, taped in front of a live audience. And the hospitality is first class. Really had a great experience and would absolutely recommend!"Learn More(Nitzen Mager, A Scientist's Guide to Living and Dying)

Priya Ramasubban, Chuskit

Stony Brook Film Festival '19“Imagine my surprise when I saw a BIG box at my doorstep this morning from Stony Brook. I was expecting just an award plaque but no...it was a box that kept giving!! I feel like how it must feel to go on Ellen and hear her say to look under your seats for something special' and how everyone squeals with joy!! You guys are something else! Thank you... thank you ...thank you... thank you!! It is a very unique and warm festival and I'll remember it for a long time to come.”Learn More(Priya Ramasubban, Chuskit)

Jonathan Bloch, Waiting Game

Stony Brook Film Festival '19“I can't tell you how much being a part of this festival meant to me, the cast, the crew, and my family. I couldn't have imagined a better quality, and more welcoming festival to premiere at, especially on the coast where I grew up. The love and support shown for our film has been unmatched. The audience was so engaged, intelligent, and open. To be a part of the film community you have created, and well cared for in Stony Brook means more to me than you know. This experience has been one of the few times where I have felt truly embraced as a true filmmaker and artist. And I haven't even mentioned the hospitality shown, between the hotel, meals.”Learn More(Jonathan Bloch, Waiting Game)

Ramy A. Katz, Cause of Death

Stony Brook Film Festival '19“I couldn't wish for a better festival to have the U.S premiere of Cause of Death in. The amazing dedicated crew, such warm hospitality, great atmosphere, and a great audience. Thank you so much for this incredible experience!”Learn More(Ramy A. Katz, Cause of Death)

Zack Gold, Debbie & Doug Drop Acid in the Desert

Stony Brook Film Festival '19“This is one of the best festivals our team has ever been to! The hospitality, attention to the filmmakers and inclusion of the filmmakers was unparalleled to any festival. Set in a 1000 seat, state-of-the-art theater on one of the most beautiful screens in the state of New York - this is a festival that NEEDS to be on any filmmakers list. ”Learn More(Zack Gold, Debbie & Doug Drop Acid in the Desert)

Cyrus Neshvad, Portraitist

Stony Brook Film Festival '19“When my short movie was projected in front of an audience of 800 people, then I was just thinking: it's unbelievable! Great event! ”Learn More(Cyrus Neshvad, Portraitist)

Maja Zdanowski, In God I Trust

Stony Brook Film Festival '19“What can I say about the Stony Brook Film Festival? My main piece of advice is: if your film gets selected you MUST attend! It’s an Indie filmmakers dream festival.”Learn More(Maja Zdanowski, In God I Trust)

Daniel Drummond, A Foreman

Stony Brook Film Festival '18Stony Brook was a wonderful festival. By far the most hospitable of any festival organizations I've seen. The people responsible for the festival had a genuine love for film and filmmakers. Every screening was preceded by a filmmakers dinner where we got to meet other filmmakers and the programmers for the festival. Alan and his team truly care about packing the theater. Almost every screening was at capacity. All filmmakers were introduced by name before their films, and were treated to one of the most engaged audiences I've had the pleasure of screening to. Highly recommend submitting to and attending this festival.Learn More(Daniel Drummond, A Foreman)

Eddie Alfano, Internet Gangsters

Stony Brook Film Festival '18This is the best film festival I've ever been to. It is an absolute, "Must Submit" festival for all filmmakers. I can't say enough good things about what Alan and his team do to make filmmakers feel special. From hotel accommodations, to great after-parties, to a packed house in a 1000-seat theater for the screening of your film. Stony Brook delivers an experience unlike any other festival I've been to, and it should be at the top of your submission list.Learn More(Eddie Alfano, Internet Gangsters)

James Morgan, Seven

Stony Brook Film Festival '18Loved this festival - the format, the people behind it, fellow filmmakers and the lengths that the organisers go to in making filmmakers feel welcome, including accommodation in a beautiful harbour side hotel in Long Island. Extremely well attended by an audience that's clearly very passionate about film and the cinema space itself is huge. It was a privilege to screen there and very much hope to be back with a feature in the not too distant future!Learn More(James Morgan, Seven)

Amy Wang, Unnatura

Stony Brook Film Festival '18It was an honor to play at Stony Brook this year! I could not say nicer things about the festival, it's people and the atmosphere. Stony Brook pairs your short film with a feature so that it is guaranteed a full crowd. The theatre it plays in seats over 1000 people and the shorts get their own personal Q and A at the beginning.From the moment we landed at JFK, we were picked up by two amazing people and driven to our hotel in Stony Brook. The hotel was INSANE, right by the water front and then we were driven to and from the screenings. It's honestly the most welcoming and incredible festival I've ever been to. There is a dinner every night and then an after party after every screening every night where you can mingle with guests and filmmakers. I've never been to a festival quite like this.Learn More(Amy Wang, Unnatura)

Festival Formula, Ltd, Love & Spirit

Stony Brook Film Festival '18We are massive fans of Stony Brook Film Festival - they're brilliant and accommodating. We've had several clients screen there now, and with some of them attending from the UK they have nothing but heart-warming stories to tell. A reasonably priced, well communicated festival with a stellar line-up. Carry on being awesome!Learn More(Festival Formula, Ltd, Love & Spirit)

Clara Martinez-Lazaro Alameda, Growing Up

Stony Brook Film Festival '18The Stony Brook is amazing! The efficiency is astonishing compared to a lot of festivals, the communication is great and the hospitality is even more than I expected. I loved the experience and would go back anytime!Learn More(Clara Martinez-Lazaro Alameda, Growing Up)

Catherine Eaton, The Sounding

Stony Brook Film Festival '17"crazy honored by Stony Brook Film Festival - #thesoundingfilm won the jury award for best feature from a host of amazing films by incredible filmmakers! the curation of the festival was visionary and the filmmakers were treated like royalty - our entire team was so grateful - thank you #SBFF2017! immensely proud!"Learn More(Catherine Eaton, The Sounding)

Jorge Arenillas, The Second Act of Elliott Murphy

Stony Brook FIlm Festival '17"As an independent filmmaker, sometimes you struggle for years to get your film done. Then it gets a limited release and nothing else happens. The world doesn't seem to notice. It can be depressing. That's why fests like yours are so special. They restore our pride as filmmakers and get us back on our feet. The feedback that you get from that audience, that theater, that crew, refreshes your creative energy and makes you wish to get back home and start working on a new project. You have a treasure there in Stony Brook, and we are all happy to be part of it for a while. Simply put, thank you (all of you) for the most terrific week of my year."Learn More(Jorge Arenillas, The Second Act of Elliott Murphy)

Pavels Gumennikovs, Just, Go!

Stony Brook Film Festival '17"The Stony Brook Film Festival is really brilliant! I have been travelling for eleven years around the world. This festival will be legendary. You should be proud of the festival, no…you MUST be proud!"Learn More(Pavels Gumennikovs, Just, Go!)

Michael Ferrell, Laura Gets a Cat

Stony Brook Film Festival '17"Laura Gets a Cat was our second feature, and it is so motivating to receive this award. {SpecialRecognition by the Jury- Spirit of Independent Filmmaking} Two thumbs up for the Festival, it’s aninspiration."Learn More(Michael Ferrell, Laura Gets a Cat)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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