Catskill International Film Festival to Celebrate Sixth Season at Hurleyville Performing Arts Centre

Three days of films, filmmakers, music, comedy, red carpets and celebration will bring the Catskills together October 9–11.

There is something fitting, and perhaps even a little cinematic about the Hurleyville Performing Arts Centre preparing to close its doors at the end of October by going out with a celebration of art, culture and community. One of the venue’s final major events will be the Catskill International Film Festival (CIFF), returning October 9–11 for its monumental sixth season. And if the festival’s organizers have anything to say about it, HPAC’s final chapter will be one worth remembering.

Over three action-packed days, CIFF will showcase more than 45 Official Selections from filmmakers around the world, alongside talented artists from the local community. Adding an extra dose of excitement will be the special World Premiere screening of Charles Marinaro’s Where the High Ends on opening night.

CIFF is about much more than sitting in a dark theater and watching the credits roll. Throughout the weekend, festivalgoers will have opportunities to meet the people behind the projects through in-depth filmmaker Q&As, while aspiring and working creatives can gain valuable industry insight through the Casting Workshop and Page to Screen event. For those looking to make connections, exchange ideas or simply immerse themselves in the creative world, the festival promises plenty of opportunities to network with local, national and international artists. And then there are the parties. Guests are invited to step onto the red carpet, celebrate the festival in style and keep the energy going each night at lavish ballroom parties, with DJ Zeno behind the music. Live entertainment and comedy shows presented by Corner Store Comedy will add even more variety to a weekend already overflowing with creative energy.

Perhaps one of CIFF’s most entertaining traditions is putting some of the power directly into the hands of the audience. Festivalgoers will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite projects, making them an active part of the festival experience rather than simply spectators.

It is, in many ways, a three-day celebration of storytelling and of the people who dedicate themselves to telling those stories.

“Doing this Festival is a way to help artists around the world as well as the local community. Artists get an opportunity to show their hard work, and the community here sees a significant amount of people coming into the area and supporting local businesses” said Anthony Gagliardo, who has played an important role in bringing this year’s festival together and helping shape CIFF’s programming, partnerships and overall experience. His work with the festival reflects a commitment to creating opportunities for filmmakers and artists to connect with audiences while strengthening the creative community throughout the Catskills.

For Gagliardo and the CIFF team, this year’s festival also carries a special significance because of the venue.

“I believe wholeheartedly that our event this year will be bigger and better than ever,” Charles Marinaro said. “When Anthony and I were first scouting a location to host this year’s CIFF, HPAC was always at the top of our list.”

That choice was about more than finding a place with enough room for a film festival. For Marinaro, Hurleyville Performing Arts Centre has been part of his own creative journey for nearly a decade. “HPAC has always been known for its community-based art events over the years,” Marinaro said. “For nearly a decade, I have personally utilized this venue to host other World Premieres, networking film mixers and celebratory arts events. I have also attended other art showcases, concerts and film screenings. I will truly miss HPAC and what they represent for the community and what they've done for me personally. It’s so important to me to make sure we push HPAC’s legacy forward with a phenomenal event that guests will remember for years to come.”

For three days, the Hurleyville Performing Arts Centre will once again be filled with the things it has championed for years: movies, music, laughter, conversation, creativity and people coming together to experience art. There will be filmmakers arriving from near and far. There will be first-time festivalgoers discovering new stories. There will be red carpets, Q&As, workshops, comedy, live music, late-night celebrations and plenty of opportunities to make connections.

As the Catskill International Film Festival celebrates its sixth season, it is inviting audiences to do more than watch from the sidelines. Vote. Meet the artists. Ask questions. Discover a new favorite film. Dance at the party. Laugh at a comedy show. Celebrate the stories being told.

Most importantly, come celebrate a venue that has spent years giving artists a place to create, perform and connect.

The Hurleyville Performing Arts Centre may be approaching its final curtain, but CIFF is determined to make sure that curtain call is anything but quiet.

Catskill International Film Festival