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The Syracuse International Film Festival (SIFF) begins on Thursday, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The festival’s opening day will feature screenings of “The Cookbook,” a short film set in central New York, and “Inside the Iranian Uprising,” a documentary.

SIFF will host a range of feature films, documentaries and shorts across seven screening days over two weeks. The festival’s final event is on Oct. 7. The festival will also include appearances from notable figures like stand-up comedian Lisa Lampanelli as well as filmmakers Devanny Pinn and Michelle Romano. Actor Alec Baldwin will make an appearance on Sept. 30.

Ahead of SIFF’s opening day, here is a rundown of what not to miss on each of the festival’s seven days.

Thursday, Sept. 28

“The Cookbook” tells the story of a young man who takes over his family’s Lebanese restaurant in central New York after his father has a stroke. The film will be followed by “Inside the Iranian Uprising,” which uses footage of Iranian protests to investigate the political upheaval in the wake of the death of Mahsa Amini, a woman who died in police custody after she was arrested for not wearing a hijab. “Inside the Iranian Uprising” previously appeared on PBS’s Frontline.
Where: The Tasting Room
When: 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Price: $10

Friday, Sept. 29

Friday will feature a series of screenings and two Q&A sessions at the Redhouse Art Center. The festival will show “Aurora’s Sunrise,” a partially animated documentary about Aurora Mardiganian, a survivor of the Armenian genocide who became a silent movie star. Attendees can also watch “Miles to Go Before She Sleeps,” a documentary that follows a retired teacher who fights back against a dog theft ring in China. The first Q&A will focus on music and film distribution with a panel that includes distributors Rob Schwartz, Tom Malloy and Ron Bonk. The second session will feature comedian-turned-life-coach Lisa Lampanelli in a discussion about her life in standup comedy.
Where: The Red House
When: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Price: $45 for GA or $75 for VIP

Saturday, Sept. 30

Join Alec Baldwin at Mohegan Manor in Baldwinsville for a Q&A session about his career in the entertainment industry. Baldwin will receive the festival’s annual Sophia Award, which honors outstanding creative achievement in independent cinema. His brother, Daniel Baldwin, is a past recipient of the award. Film icons Albert Maysles, Rob Reiner and Syracuse University alumnus Jerry Stiller have also received the award. There will not be a film screening due to the ongoing Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists strike.
Where: Mohegan Manor
When: 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (cocktail reception) 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (Q&A and Sophia Award)
Price: $30 for general admission, $45 for extra legroom or $60 for cocktail reception

Wednesday, Oct. 4

“The Black Mass,” filmmaker Devanny Pinn’s directorial debut, will be screened at Funk ‘n Waffles on Wednesday. The film is a horror movie set in Florida during the 1970s.
“The Black Mass” will be preceded by a Q&A with Pinn, who also co-produced the film and received story credit, and Michelle Romano, who co-produced and starred in the film.
Where: Funk n’ Waffles
When: 6 to 8 p.m. (cocktail reception) 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. (Q&A and screening)
Price: $25 for general admission or $60 for cocktail reception

Thursday, Oct. 5

The festival will showcase two films that focus on the LGBTQ community at The Tasting Room on Oct. 5. The first is a short called “Identity,” which touches on cyberbullying and gender exploration. “Identity” was filmed in collaboration with real middle and high school students to tell their stories. The second, “This is Not Me,” follows two trans people who must navigate the Iranian court system to begin their transition.
Where: The Tasting Room
When: 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Price: $5 (on sale from $10 until the day of the event)

Friday, Oct. 6

Buried Acorn Brewery will host a variety of screenings on Oct. 6. Titles include “Hope En Route,” a documentary short about a trucker during the COVID-19 pandemic, surreal animated short “Yellow Dove Aftermath” and “Are We There YET,” a short documentary about Christianity in modern America. The festival will also screen “The Nana Project,” the directorial debut of actress Robin Givens.
Where: Buried Acorn Brewery
When: TBD
Price: $30

Saturday, Oct. 7

The festival will wrap up with Horror Day. From 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., the festival will screen six Halloween-season classics like “Twilight” and “I Am Legend” at the Palace Theatre. Reckless Cinema, a film screening program curated by the Buffalo-based entertainment company After Dark Presents, will host the event.
Where: Palace Theatre
When: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Price: $25

Sharkey’s Banquets & Events will also host the festival’s high school film competition from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Former Syracuse University basketball player Mookie Jones will appear as a special guest. Mike Marano, a telecommunications professor at Cayuga College, will serve as the guest speaker. Local artist Mira Grimm will perform.
Where: Sharkey’s Banquets and Events
When: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Price: $10

Published on September 27, 2023 at 9:21 pm