Page Hurwitz’s OUTSTANDING: A COMEDY REVOLUTION to open the festival, Nathan Silver’s BETWEEN THE TEMPLES announced as closing night film
Celebrating its 26th year, the Provincetown International Film Festival (PIFF) announced today its lineup of narrative, documentary, and short films, as well as honorees for this year’s Filmmaker on the Edge and Excellence in Acting Awards. Andrew Haigh will be named 2024’s “Filmmaker on the Edge.” The acclaimed English writer/director is best known for WEEKEND, 45 YEARS, LEAN ON PETE and most recently ALL OF US STRANGERS, starring Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal. Haigh also wrote and produced the HBO series LOOKING and its film sequel LOOKING: THE MOVIE. Haigh will be in Provincetown to receive the award in conversation with resident artist John Waters on Saturday, June 15.
“Ever since his film, Weekend, screened at PIFF in 2011, we have been tremendously impressed with Andrew Haigh as his films embody both truth and desire while offering a deep, emotional connection and an original narrative voice,” said PIFF Artistic Director Lisa Viola. “We eagerly look forward to welcoming Andrew to Provincetown for a lively and memorable conversation about his exciting film career.”
PIFF also announced that Colman Domingo will be honored with this year’s Excellence in Acting Award. The Academy Award nominee, who was most recently seen in RUSTIN and THE COLOR PURPLE, will be in conversation with [moderator] to receive the honor. In addition, Domingo will be in town to support SING SING, his latest film also starring Paul Raci and Clarence Maclin. Directed by Greg Kwedar, the film follows Divine G (Domingo), who is imprisoned at Sing Sing for a crime he didn’t commit and finds purpose by acting in a theater group with other incarcerated men. When a wary outsider joins the group, the men decide to stage their first original comedy, in this stirring true story of resilience, humanity, and the transformative power of art, starring an unforgettable ensemble cast of formerly incarcerated actors.
“We are so happy to be honoring Colman Domingo for his incredible body of work, including his transcendent performance in SING SING,” said Anne Hubbell, PIFF’s Executive Director. “He exemplifies the commitment to creativity and community that fuels PIFF.”
OUTSTANDING: A COMEDY REVOLUTION from director Page Hurwitz is set to open the festival. The documentary explores the dynamic world of queer stand-up and examines the powerful cultural influence it has had on social change in America. The film includes a mix of rare archival materials, stand up performances, and interviews with a show-stopping lineup including Margaret Cho, Sandra Bernhard and Judy Gold who will be in town to present the film. This year’s festival will close with Nathan Silver’s BETWEEN THE TEMPLES. The film follows Ben (Jason Schwartman), a young widower and cantor at the local synagogue, who finds a sense of purpose and unexpected connection when Carla (Carol Kane), his septuagenarian elementary school music teacher who yearns to become a bat mitzvah, reenters his life. This year’s spotlight selections include DAUGHTERS, directed by Angela Patton and Natalie Rae, Ana Valia’s WE STRANGERS and ALL SHALL BE WELL from filmmaker Ray Yeung.
“We’re proud to once again shine a bright spotlight on films that speak to the interests and passions of our audience,” says Director of Programming Andrew Peterson. “From comedies and dramas to films that tackle social justice, environmental and political topics to documentaries that profile artists and activists, there’s something for everyone.”