NARROWSBURG – Delaware Valley Arts Alliance (DVAA) is delighted to invite you to another weird and wonderful Big Eddy Film Festival! Now in its 15th year, Big Eddy Film Festival is a celebration of film, art and the rural imagination. This year’s theme is Stories from the Other Side: Magic, Delight, Outsiders, and The Unseen. Taking place over four days, multiple locations and featuring everything from documentary to animation and everything in-between, BEFF is a cinephile’s dream nestled in the heart of New York’s Sullivan Catskills. Full festival schedule announcement coming very soon: Bigeddyfilmfest.com.

NEW FESTIVAL DIRECTOR: LIZA BENNETT

Liza Bennett is an actor, writer, director, and community organizer based in Sullivan County. A graduate of the Juilliard School, she began her career in Steve McQueen's Oscar-winning 12 Years a Slave and later opposite Al Pacino in The Merchant of Venice on Broadway. She's since built a rich career across television, film, and theater.

Liza is co-founder and executive director of The Field Office 501(c)(3), a creative hub in the Delaware Valley dedicated to creative sustainability. Now, she's bringing that same spirit to the Big Eddy Film Festival and joining a legacy of championing adventurous storytellers. Liza shares, “I'm thrilled to join Big Eddy Film Festival in its 15th season, and to be of service to such a fantastic and fearless creative community. I can't wait to see you all at the movies!”

BEFF SOUNDCHECK EVENTS RETURN

These very special pre-festival meetups and film screenings are presented in partnership with local venues and serve as warm up events in the weeks leading up to the Big Eddy Film Festival. There will be two BEFF SOUNDCHECK events leading into this year’s festival.

The first event is Thursday, September 10^th at Bethel Woods Event Gallery, 200 Hurd Rd, Bethel, 6pm: Happy hour and live music. Then, at 7:30pm, there’s a Film Screening of If These Walls Could Rock (2025), Documentary Feature | 93 Minutes. This is a free event, but space is limited, attendees MUST RSVP in advance, details can be found at bigeddyfilmfest.com 

Synopsis: The untold story of the Sunset Marquis—the legendary West Hollywood hotel where rock stars checked in, partied hard, and made music history for more than six decades. The film features Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr, Slash, Dave Grohl, Sheryl Crow, Cyndi Lauper, Morrissey, Gene Simmons, Nile Rodgers, Roger Daltrey, Nancy Wilson, and many more.

Through rare archival footage, candid interviews, and unforgettable stories, the documentary explores the music, mayhem, and magic that made the Sunset Marquis one of rock ’n’ roll’s most legendary destinations.

The second event is Thursday, September 17^th at The Callicoon Theater, 30 Upper Main St, Callicoon, NY 12723. 6pm: Filmmakers meet-up at The Western Inn, then at 7:30pm there’s a Film Screening of Gypsy 83: The Director’s Cut (2026) Narrative Feature | 138 Minutes Q&A with director Todd Stephens.

Synopsis: Sandusky, Ohio is hell on earth for goth misfits and Stevie Nicks superfans Gypsy Vale (Sara Rue) and her younger, queer protégée Clive Webb (Birkett Turton). When they discover a New York City club is hosting a “Night of 1,000 Stevies,” the pair hit the road with high hopes that Gypsy will be able to perform. Along the way, they encounter other misfits who pave the way to their salvation, all while discovering profound truths about themselves. Co-starring John Doe of the legendary punk band X and the great Karen Black as a has-been lounge singer, Todd Stephens’s cult favorite puts a queer, outsider spin on both the road movie and the coming-of-age journey, with plenty of black eyeliner to spare.

For its 25th Anniversary, Gypsy 83 has been completely reimagined as a brand-new Director’s Cut, restored in 4K from the 35mm camera negative. Now featuring over 40 minutes of never-before-seen footage and containing more legendary goth songs from bands like The Cure, Cocteau Twins and Echo and the Bunnymen, the Director’s Cut is sure to satiate longtime fans and create a generation of new ones.

LOCATIONS

Tusten Theatre, 210 Bridge St, Narrowsburg, NY

Bethel Woods Event Gallery, 200 Hurd Rd, Bethel, NY 12720

The Callicoon Theater, 30 Upper Main St, Callicoon, NY 12723

ALL-ACCESS PASSES $150

The All-Access Pass is good for admission to all screenings and events by one individual, during the festival weekend, September 24-27, 2026. Pass holders will receive a personalized festival pass, 2026 tote bag, and discounts on other festival merch.

Passes may be purchased online at www.bigeddyfilmfest.com.