First-ever film festival debuts in Sea Cliff

Posted Friday, June 19, 2026 9:00 am

Katie Taber, far left, moderated a documentary panel with ‘Peter Asher: Everywhere Man’ directors Dan Geller and Dayna Goldfine, ‘Beyond the Uniform: Stories of Vulnerability and Strength’ director Kirsten Kelly, and ‘The Dads’ editor Patrick Wright.

Julia Capitelli/Herald

A meet and greet for local professionals in the film industry and a panel were held at Campground Craft Beer Market on Sunday.

Julia Capitelli/Herald

Sea Cliff’s librarians Ann DiPietro, left, and Camille Purcell, center, participated in a post-film Q&A session after the showing of ‘The Librians.’

Courtesy Dan DiPietro

Mark Sobel, left, moderated a narrative panel with ‘Edie Arnold is a Loser’ writer/director Megan Rico, ‘On the End’ director Ari Selinger and ‘Buzzkill’ producer and Sea Cliff resident Fred Stroppel.

Julia Capitelli/Herald

‘Admission Possible’ executive producer Cynthia Wade introduced the film at the showing and held a post-film Q&A session.

Julia Capitelli/Herald

Sea Cliff’s Dan DiPietro held a Q&A session after ‘Lights, Camera, Sea Cliff!’, which he directed and edited, was shown on Saturday.

Julia Capitelli/Herald

A filmmaker’s lounge was open to festival attendees holding day passes throughout the weekend.

Julia Capitelli/Herald

By Julia Capitelli

Hundreds from Sea Cliff, New York City and beyond turned out for the Sea Cliff Arts Council’s first annual film festival. Featuring full length works and shorts, the festival took place in venues across the village on Saturday and Sunday after opening with a showing of “The Sixth Borough” on June 10 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.

St. Luke’s, Sea Cliff Elementary School and the arts council building were used for most film showings, with some extras at the Sea Cliff General Store, the Village Museum and Dimitry Studio. Panels were held at the arts council building and Campground Craft Beer Market. Films and shorts shown at the festival were made by both local filmmakers and those from elsewhere. All delt with topics related to community.

Filmmakers from Sea Cliff and beyond attended the festival, sat on panels and held Q and A sessions. The event was organized by Co-Directors Mark Sobel and Katie Taber, arts council Chief Operating Artist Meaghan Travis, arts council Chief Creative Office Noelle Fiallo-Evans and arts council Chair Kathleen DiResta. This year’s top sponsor was Branch Real Estate Group, a local and independent business owned by Sea Cliff resident Molly Deegan, with resident Jennifer DeSane as marketing director. Other sponsors included more Sea Cliff businesses as well as nonprofits and companies from outside the community.

Report an inappropriate comment

HELP SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM

The worldwide pandemic has threatened many of the businesses you rely on every day, but don’t let it take away your source for local news. Now more than ever, we need your help to ensure nothing but the best in hyperlocal community journalism comes straight to you. Consider supporting the Herald with a small donation. It can be a one-time, or a monthly contribution, to help ensure we’re here through this crisis. To donate or for more information, click here.