[FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE] The Best Ideas in Medicine and Film: Stony Brook Medicine Joins as Presenting Sponsor of the Stony Brook Film Festival; Early Bird Passes on Sale Now.
STONY BROOK, NY — Stony Brook Medicine and the Staller Center for the Arts have announced a new presenting partnership for the 31st Annual Stony Brook Film Festival.
As Suffolk County’s premier academic medical center, Stony Brook Medicine brings together world-class patient care, research, education, and a deep commitment to community well-being. Supporting the arts is a natural extension of that mission—celebrating creativity, dialogue, and shared experiences that enrich life across our region.
The Staller Center for the Arts enriches campus and community life through diverse programming in music, dance, theater, film, and visual art. The Stony Brook Film Festival continues that tradition, bringing audiences together through compelling stories, filmmaker conversations, and shared cultural experiences.
“Stony Brook Medicine is proud to support the Stony Brook Film Festival and its longstanding tradition of bringing powerful storytelling to our community,” said Carol A. Gomes, MS, FACHE, CPHQ, Chief Executive Officer of Stony Brook University Hospital. “We recognize that health and well-being extend beyond clinical care. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to bettering the lives of people across Long Island through art that inspires, educates, and fosters meaningful dialogue."
With Stony Brook Medicine’s support, the Stony Brook Film Festival will continue expanding its reach and impact while bringing world-class independent cinema and community engagement to Long Island.
The 2026 Stony Brook Film Festival, presented by Stony Brook Medicine, will run July 16–25 at the Staller Center for the Arts on the campus of Stony Brook University.
“As institutions committed to education, innovation, and community engagement, this partnership reflects the meaningful role both medicine and the arts play in enriching people’s lives,” said Festival Director Alan Inkles. “The Stony Brook Film Festival has always been about bringing people together through storytelling, conversation, and shared experiences. We take pride not only in presenting premiere films from around the world—many of which cannot be seen anywhere else—but also in ensuring the festival remains accessible to the entire community through affordable pass options, so that anyone who wants to experience these films has the opportunity to do so.”
A limited number of discounted Early Bird Festival Passes are now on sale through June 9. Pass options include Gold, Regular, and Flex Passes, offering access to screenings, filmmaker Q&As, Audience Choice voting, and festival events. Individual tickets go on sale July 1.
Gold Passholders now receive VIP access to all official festival afterparties throughout the ten-day festival. Afterparties include the Opening Night Party at Elaine’s Restaurant in Setauket, a Friday night event hosted by Bagel Express Catering at St. George’s Golf & Country Club, a Saturday night party at The Bench in Stony Brook, and the Closing Night Reception at Curry Club at SaGhar in Port Jefferson. Gold Pass benefits also include priority theatre access, reserved VIP seating, a festival gift, and opportunities to connect with filmmakers, cast, crew, and fellow film lovers throughout the festival.
This year’s festival will feature 36 films from 19 countries, with the full lineup announced on June 10.
The Stony Brook Film Festival annually welcomes nearly 10,000 attendees and is recognized as one of the region’s leading showcases for independent cinema.
Key Dates
- Early Bird Passes on Sale: May 18–June 9, 2026
- Pass Prices Increase: June 10, 2026
- Festival Schedule Announcement: June 10, 2026
- Individual Tickets on Sale: July 1, 2026
- Festival Dates: July 16–25, 2026
Pass information and updates are available at: Stony Brook Film Festival Passes.
The Stony Brook Film Festival, produced by the Staller Center for the Arts at Stony Brook University and presented by Stony Brook Medicine, is independently funded through philanthropic support from individual donors, corporate partners including Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, LLP, Strata Alliance, News 12, WLIW, Davidow, Davidow, Siegel & Stern, LLP, and Suffolk County.
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About Stony Brook Medicine:
Stony Brook Medicine integrates and elevates all of Stony Brook University’s health-related initiatives: education, research and patient care. It includes five Health Sciences schools — Renaissance School of Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, School of Health Professions, School of Nursing and School of Social Welfare — as well as Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital, Stony Brook Children’s Hospital and more than 200 community-based healthcare settings throughout Suffolk County. To learn more, visit www.stonybrookmedicine.edu.
Contact: Samantha Clink | Samantha.Clink@stonybrook.edu | (631) 632-7233 StonyBrookFilmFestival.com