The Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center presents its 2026 Summer Film Series — nine compelling films presented Monday evenings, each followed by dynamic post-screening conversations with filmmakers, talent, and experts, led by long-time host Andrew Botsford.
Continuing WHBPAC’s long-standing tradition of thought-provoking cinema, this season’s selections explore powerful narratives of reinvention, systemic breaking points, family duty, and unexpected homecomings. With appearances by directors, cast members, and local creators, each screening becomes more than a film — it becomes a community conversation.
“Cinema has a singular power to transport us, but this season, it also brings us fiercely home,” said WHBPAC film curator Allison Frost. “Whether we’re exploring global stories of resistance or celebrating filmmakers who grew up walking these exact streets, this lineup is a testament to the power of community. These are films that challenge us to look at our past, examine our structural breaking points, and laugh through the chaos together.”
The 2026 Lineup begins with a screening of “Speak.” on Monday, July 6, at 7:30 PM. The film follows five bold young voices on a high-stakes quest to win the “Super Bowl” of public speaking. Against the backdrop of a divided world, these teens rise with fire, wit, and unshakable humanity — delivering a masterclass in courage, conviction, and a resilient hope that refuses to be silenced. There will be a post-screening Q&A featuring a live appearance by cast member Mfaz Mohamed Ali and a virtual appearance by director Guy Mossman.
On Monday, July 13, there will be a screening of “Westhampton.” Tom Bell was responsible for a tragic accident in his youth that ruined his closest friends’ lives. Years later, Tom is forced to return to his hometown to face the people he wronged and a community that views him as a pariah. After being asked to screen his debut film — a semi-autobiographical feature about a devastating car crash — he realizes the demons he is holding onto are entirely his own. For the first time, Tom is returning to the real Westhampton. A post-screening live Q&A with writer/director Christian Nilsson will follow.
“Adult Children” will screen on Monday, July 20. Morgan is a sheltered 17-year-old struggling to define who she is in order to write her college entrance essay. When a family crisis provides a rare opportunity to spend time with her significantly older half-siblings, she hopes they will be able to shed some light on what it means to be an adult — only to be deeply disappointed when she discovers they are all just faking it. A post-screening virtual Q&A with writer/producer Annika Marks will follow.
On Monday, July 27, there will be a screening of “Unless Something Goes Terribly Wrong.” As America’s aging wastewater systems begin to fail, one plant and its motley crew of unlikely heroes do all they can to stay afloat. There will be a post-screening talkback featuring a virtual Q&A with director Alex Wolf Lewis.
“Paper Bag Plan” will be shown on Monday, August 3. After being diagnosed with cancer, Oscar realizes his overprotectiveness may be holding his son, Billy, back from gaining true independence. Determined to secure Billy’s future, Oscar helps him build the skills needed for a job as a grocery store bagger. Their heartfelt journey highlights the challenges and triumphs of fostering self-reliance, revealing the deep love between a father and son — and the courage it takes to let go. A post-screening virtual Q&A with writer/director Anthony Lucero will follow.
“Two Pianos” will screen on Monday, August 10. After years of self-imposed exile, pianist Mathias returns to France, where his former mentor, Eléna, has invited him to perform a series of concerts with her in his hometown of Lyon. Once a rising star of the French musical scene and Eléna’s prized pupil, Mathias has spent many years teaching and performing in Japan. Soon after his arrival, a chance encounter with a child who looks just like him throws Mathias into turmoil, threatening to drag him down, and leads him back to his first love, Claude. French master Arnaud Desplechin returns to some of his favorite themes — psychologically charged homecomings and unexpected reunions — in this sensual, Hitchcockian melodrama featuring one of Charlotte Rampling’s most delicious roles in years. There will be a post-screening discussion hosted by film moderator Andrew Botsford.
“Reading Lolita in Tehran” will be screened on Monday, August 17. As Islamic morality squads stage arbitrary raids in Tehran and fundamentalists seize hold of the universities, Azar Nafisi, an inspired teacher, secretly gathers six of her most committed female students to read forbidden Western classics. Unaccustomed to being asked to speak their minds, they soon remove their veils, their stories intertwining with the novels they read. Just like the heroines of Nabokov, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Henry James, or Jane Austen, the women in Nafisi’s living room dare to dream, hope, and love as we experience the complexity of individuals facing political, moral, and personal siege. Reading Lolita in Tehran is a remarkable exploration of women’s resilience in revolutionary Iran. There will be a post-screening discussion hosted by film moderator Andrew Botsford.
On Monday, August 24, “The Fisherman” will be shown. A traditional Ghanaian fisherman forced into retirement teams up with a bougie talking fish and his quirky associates on a whimsical adventure to Accra. Together, they chase their dream of owning a boat while learning to navigate the modern world without losing touch with their roots. A post-screening live Q&A with writer/director Zoey Martinson will follow.
The Series will conclude with a screening of “Viva Verdi!” on August 31. Oscar-nominated for Best Original Song, “Viva Verdi!” offers an intimate glimpse into the lives of celebrated opera singers and musicians living out their “third act” at Casa Verdi in Milan. Built by Giuseppe Verdi in 1896, this unique home serves as a place where retired virtuosos cohabitate with and mentor international music students, passing on a lifetime of artistry to the next generation. Enjoy a post-screening live Q&A with producer and writer Christine La Monte, p.g.a.
For tickets, visit whbpac.org.