Stony Brook Southampton closed out the 31st annual Stony Brook Film Festival with a special screening at the Avram Theatre on 26 July, bringing a film, its makers and university leadership together for an evening of cinema and discussion.
Film screening and director Q&A
The festival finale featured Westhampton, written and directed by Westhampton native Christian Nilsson. The showing was free to the public and included a post‑screening question and answer session with Nilsson, hosted by Alan Inkles, director of the Stony Brook Film Festival. Festival organisers also reported that the film previously won the Jury Award for Directing at the Stony Brook Film Festival.
“From imaginative scriptwriting to the breathtaking cinematography and seamless editing, we are honored to host such dedicated and creative artists and filmmakers at our university …”
Stony Brook University President Andrea Goldsmith attended the screening and gave opening remarks. In doing so she emphasised the Southampton campus’s contribution to the university’s cultural offer on the East End and framed the festival as an example of the broader arts programming hosted there.
What the event means for Southampton
The screening reinforced the Southampton campus’s role as a venue for public arts events that draw local residents and visiting audiences. Festival programming was presented by Stony Brook Medicine and ties in with other seasonal offerings on the campus and across the area.
- Event: Stony Brook Film Festival finale screening of Westhampton — 26 July, Avram Theatre, Stony Brook Southampton
- Guest: Christian Nilsson (writer/director) — Q&A host Alan Inkles
- Attendance: Stony Brook University President Andrea Goldsmith gave opening remarks
Related campus arts programming
The article on the festival noted other cultural activities associated with the campus and region, underscoring a continuous calendar of events:
| Series / Event | Notes |
|---|---|
| Jazz Loft @ Southampton Summer Jazz Festival | Held 23–25 July |
| Jazz Loft @ Southampton Concert Series | Monthly concerts throughout the year |
| Stony Brook Southampton Dialogues | Discussion series including recent talks on quantum networking |
For Southampton residents, the festival’s conclusion on the campus is a timely reminder that the local university is an active provider of cultural programming. It also highlights opportunities to engage with visiting filmmakers and the broader artistic community without travelling far from the town.
