While October certainly shone as a film fest-heavy month in the Hudson Valley, with both the Woodstock Film Festival and Film Columbia celebrating 24 years, November holds a silver-screen surprise of its own in store. Story Screen Cinema, which opened in Hudson this summer, will host the first-ever Story Screen Music Film Festival (SSMFF) from November 13 to 17.
Cofounded by Jeremy Schonfeld, a Billboard-charting singer-songwriter, composer, and filmmaker, the festival will present a diverse array of films that explore the dynamic relationship between music and cinema. (Schonfeld also co-founded the annual Beacon Bonfire Music and Arts Festival). With a lineup that includes narrative films, documentaries, live performances, and animated shorts, SSMFF promises to offer a fun, music-filled experience for film and music lovers alike.
An Eclectic Film Lineup
The festival kicks off on Wednesday, November 13, with a 7pm screening of Tommy (1975), the iconic British psychedelic musical directed by Ken Russell. Based on The Who’s 1969 rock opera album, Tommy tells the story of a deaf, mute, and blind boy who becomes a pinball champion and spiritual leader. Audience members are invited to arrive early to play pinball in Story Screen Cinema’s retro arcade.
On Thursday, November 14, the festival will showcase 1-800-ON HER OWN, a documentary directed by Dana Flor, which provides an intimate portrait of groundbreaking musician Ani DiFranco. The 5pm screening is followed by the premiere of The Father Who Stayed, directed by musician and filmmaker Jeremy Schonfeld, at 8pm. This feature film, a poignant exploration of grief and healing, follows a single father mourning the loss of his daughter. A Q&A session with Schonfeld will follow the screening.
The lineup continues on Friday, November 15, with Flashdance (1983) at 6pm, a film that helped define the dance genre and featured one of the most celebrated movie soundtracks of all time. Later that evening at 8pm, fans can catch the musical comedy Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical (2005), starring Christian Campbell, Kristen Bell, and Alan Cumming. Campbell will be present for the screening.
For fans of classic music films, the festival offers Martin Scorsese’s The Last Waltz (1978) on Saturday, November 16, at 4pm, documenting The Band’s final concert with performances by rock legends such as Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell. That same evening at 7pm, attendees can watch Purple Rain (1984), starring Prince in his most iconic role.
Special Features and Events
The festival also includes a variety of special events and lesser-known films. On Saturday, November 16, at 12pm, Moment to Moment: The Making of The Violet Hour will give attendees a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of a Studio Cast Recording, featuring Broadway stars like Santino Fontana and Jeremy Jordan. On Sunday, November 17, the festival will feature assorted musical cartoon shorts at 12pm, showcasing animated works from the early 20th century to today.
Sunday’s programming will conclude with Dory Previn: On My Way to Where (2024), a documentary about the Oscar-nominated lyricist, at 7pm. Directed by Julia Greenberg and Dianna Dilworth, the film explores Previn’s transformation from Hollywood songwriter to cult artist in the 1960s Laurel Canyon music scene.
Tickets for individual screenings are $10 each, while a three-screening pass is available for $25. For $60, attendees can purchase a full festival pass, which includes access to all films and free popcorn for the week. Tickets can be purchased in person at Story Screen Cinema or online.
