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Excitement greets the 33rd Hamptons festival this October. Organizers announced on September 11 that the Hamptons Film Festival will introduce an inaugural casting award and hand the prize to Bernard Telsey, altering how festivals spotlight behind-the-scenes talent. The full lineup lists 85 features, 12 world premieres and an East Coast premiere for Kristen Stewart’s new film, signaling a stronger industry showcase. This matters now because the festival’s prizes and premieres often reshape awards-season chatter and indie sales strategies. Will filmmakers and casting directors treat Hamptons like a new career accelerator?
What changes now for filmmakers at the Hamptons festival in October 2025
- Hamptons Film Festival announced the 33rd edition runs Oct. 3-13, 2025; lineup includes 85 features.
- The festival will present an inaugural Achievement in Casting Award to Bernard Telsey, raising casting visibility.
- Organizers confirmed 12 world premieres and 27 New York premieres across the program.
Why unveiling a casting award hits the industry during awards season 2025
The timing matters because festivals in October shape fall critics’ attention and indie sales calendars. One concrete effect: by honoring casting, Hamptons publicly elevates a job usually discussed in trade pages, and that could nudge distributors to highlight casting teams in awards campaigns. Festival programmers now have another headline to sell to buyers. Short sentence for scan. Do casting credits become a new awards-season talking point?
Which reactions are already stirring among filmmakers and press today?
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Local programmers and industry observers praised the move, with HIFF artistic director David Nugent framing the award as recognition of “groundbreaking contributions.” The announcement has generated social buzz and reposts from major outlets.
Hamptons Film Festival Lauds 'Kiss Of The Spider Woman's Bernard Telsey With Inaugural Casting Award, Unveils Full Slate https://t.co/YqS9FUdfYU
— Deadline (@DEADLINE) September 11, 2025
A quick read: the industry noticed immediately. Do festivals now compete on who honors the crew?
What the lineup numbers reveal about Hamptons’ new profile in 2025
The slate skews toward premieres and market-ready films this year, suggesting a push to attract buyers. The mix of 85 features, 57 shorts, and a heavy premiere count signals programming that favors discoverable, saleable titles. One short scan sentence.
The numbers behind the shift at Hamptons 2025
| KPI | Value + Unit | Change/Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Features screened | 85 features | Large festival slate attracts buyers |
| World premieres | 12 premieres | Fresh titles for critics and markets |
| New York premieres | 27 premieres | Strong regional debut exposure |
These figures show a slate built to generate sales and awards-season buzz.
What this new casting prize could mean for careers and awards in 2025?
Elevating casting with an award gives casting directors a new public credential to show to studios and voters. That could translate into more credits highlighted in press kits and awards outreach, especially for films that debut at Hamptons. Quick thought. Will other festivals follow and create career pipelines for casting directors?
Sources
- https://deadline.com/2025/09/hamptons-film-festival-casting-award-full-slate-1236528687/
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Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.