We sat down with the founder and the team behind the Stony Brook Film Festival to ask them about what it takes to run a film festival, how they fell in love with movies and what celebrating 30 years of film exhibition means to them.
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Kent Marks grew up in the nomadic life of an Army Brat. Arriving in the Southwest as a teenager, he threw himself into the arts, pursuing a dubious future in music. He entered the Music Department at Stony Brook University and refused to leave until they gave him a PhD and a job. Now he works at the Staller Center where he ‘watches films for a living’ while residing minutes away with his more-talented wife and children.
Paul Newland has been working in the entertainment industry for close to 40 years with the last 26 at Staller Center for the Arts. Paul is the only member of the team with an IMDB credit for his groundbreaking work as "Mailman" in the 1997 indie feature "Playing with Mr. Greely" which screened at the Stony Brook Film Festival.
Alan Inkles is the longtime director of the Staller Center for the Arts at Stony Brook University, a role he has held since 1995. His journey to this position began after a knee injury performing Romeo in Romeo & Juliet off Broadway led him to Stony Brook University, where he took a part-time job at the Fine Arts Center, which eventually led to a full-time position and, later, the directorship. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in theater arts from Stony Brook University. Under Inkles' leadership, the Staller Center has become a cornerstone of Long Island's cultural scene. He founded the Stony Brook Film Festival 30 years ago, showcasing independent films on the university's large 40-foot screen. The festival has become a significant event, attracting filmmakers and audiences alike.
Inkles is known for his hands-on approach and personal touch. He is involved in all aspects of the center's operations, from booking performances to engaging with artists and audiences. His dedication to the arts and the Stony Brook community has earned him recognition and respect from colleagues and artists.
Throughout his tenure, Inkles has remained dedicated to providing high-quality performances and films and fostering a vibrant arts community at Stony Brook University.
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Jun 23 20251 hr and 31 mins