Hallelujah, I'm Thin and Beautiful
Short | Canada | 4 Minutes | English

Does Leonard Cohen have an eating disorder? "I got fat on pasta and the starch of loneliness," he wrote of one Italian sojourn. Did In this animated musical-documentary, a taste of Cohen's statements about food and his body are served up and permitted to speak for themselves. The quotations are performed over an eccentric brass version of Cohen's most famous tune - restoring some of Cohen's pain and gravitas to its overused melodies. Director: Lucas Crawford. Theater A

Long Island Premiere The Blind Reggaetonera
Short | United States | 27 Minutes | English

THE BLIND REGGAETONERA chronicles the journey of Precious Perez, a young woman redefining what it means to live with a disability while giving back to her community. Through her story, we explore the intersection of music, vision, romance, disability rights, and the fight for equal access to education. As Precious pursues her dream, she also dedicates herself to educating and inspiring the next generation of blind children, showing them that the sky is the limit. Director: River Zhihui Zhang. Theater A

The Art of Being Different

Short | United States | 8 Minutes

“I'm a 15 year old girl with autism. The overwhelming pressure of junior high, unrealistic demands, sensory overload, bullying, isolation and constant need to mask caused me to completely shut down. During my grueling episode of burnout, I temporarily dropped out of school, took time to heal. When I returned, I found the strength to unmask and embrace my true self. My passion for drumming, my special interest, became a powerful source of inspiration that helped me move forward. However, unmasking isn't so easy when you no longer are sure who you are underneath after years of pretending and society is still not ready for those who are different,” - Director Marlow Jean Paniccia “THE ART OF BEING DIFFERENT will not only shed light on the realities of being an autistic teen in today’s world, but also highlight the power of resilience and self-acceptance. By sharing my journey, I hope to inspire others to embrace their authentic selves, no matter the obstacles. I am not a professional filmmaker, just a motivated teen that picked up my iphone and told a story to inspire change.” Director: Marlow Jean Paniccia (student at Ward Melville High School in Setauket) Theater A

After the screening: A live conversation with Director and Subject Marlow Jean Paniccia.



Four Hands
Short | France | 17 Minutes | French

FOUR HANDS is an intimate short that chronicles the profound relationship between Philippe Entremont, the legendary French classical pianist, and his 35-year-old Japanese protégé, Gen Tomuro. As Philippe, at 90, prepares to give his fi nal concert in Paris, the fi lm captures this emotional milestone. Together, the two pianists perform Schubert’s Fantaisie in F minor for four hands, followed by Philippe Entremont’s solo performance of Chopin’s Prelude, Op. 28: No 20 in C Minor which he chooses as his farewell piece. The fi lm follows Philippe and Gen’s shared journey, from rehearsals at a music conservatory to personal moments in Philippe’s home, all leading up to their fi nal performance together. It glimpses at how Entremont was mentored himself and recorded with Leonard Bernstein, and other maestros. Director: Hélène Sevaux. Theater A

After the screening: A live conversation with Director Hélène Sevaux.