NARROWSBURG, NY — Big news: Narrowsburg is going Hollywood!

Expect glamorous, attractive people running around town in sunglasses, artistry being debated over espresso, and lots of people strutting about as though they’re walking the red carpet.

Cynics might say that’s every day in Narrowsburg—but it’s taken to a whole new level during the Big Eddy Film Festival, Thursday, September 24 through Sunday, September 27.

The Delaware Valley Arts Alliance (DVAA) is delighted to host the 15th annual festival, 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.” It takes place over four days at multiple locations and features everything from documentaries to animation and everything in between. 

Big Eddy is a cinephile’s dream nestled in the heart of New York’s Sullivan Catskills.

It’s been a tumultuous couple of years for the film industry, but change can lead to welcome surprises. That may well be the case for this year’s festival, which will be led by a new director.

Liza Bennett is an actor, writer, director and community organizer. A graduate of the Juilliard School, she began her screen career in Steve McQueen’s Oscar-winning  “12 Years a Slave” and appeared opposite Al Pacino in  “The Merchant of Venice” on Broadway. Since then, she has built a rich career across television, film and theater.

She is also the co-founder and executive director of The Field Office, a creative hub in the Delaware Valley dedicated to creative sustainability. 

Now she’s bringing that same spirit to Big Eddy and continuing its tradition of championing adventurous storytellers.

Says Liza, “I am in love with this community. My family and I were welcomed so warmly when we moved here. I’m continually moved by the creativity and kindness of my neighbors. This opportunity allows me not only to bring fantastic film to our area but to be of service to the people who have made Sullivan County our home.”

“The stellar work done over the last 15 years has carved a clear path to grow the impact Big Eddy can have in the filmmaking space,” she continued. “There is no reason we can’t be on the map as a wonderfully warm, weird and selective festival where filmmakers are offered meaningful resources and engaged, thoughtful audiences.”

The Tusten Theatre, 210 Bridge St. in Narrowsburg, will serve as the festival’s marquee location, but Big Eddy will cast its cinematic net far and wide. Other participating locations include the Callicoon Theater, the Cochecton Pump House and Blue Fox.

For the complete schedule, bookmark BigEddyFilmFest.com. An All-Access Pass costs $150. Individual film screening prices range from $15 to $20.

The festival is anchored by a Friday, September 25, 7 p.m. screening at the Tusten Theatre. Get tickets now for the documentary  “Bob and David Climb Machu Picchu.” Comedy legends Bob Odenkirk and David Cross will tackle one of the world’s most grueling hikes—and each other—in a high-altitude meditation on friendship, mortality and profoundly absurd comedy. A question-and-answer session with director Michael LaHaie will follow the screening, along with a glamorous festival party at the Cochecton Pump House.

Sunday’s festivities include a drag brunch (not included in the all-access pass) celebrating the documentary feature  “A House Is Not a Disco.” 

The film follows a year in the life of the world’s most iconic “homo-normative” community: Fire Island Pines. Located 50 miles from New York City, this storied queer beach town finds itself in the midst of a renaissance as a new generation of millennial homeowners reimagines the Pines for a more inclusive era.

The documentary introduces an unforgettable cast of eccentrics, activists, drifters and first-timers reflecting on the legacy of the Pines while preparing their beloved village for its greatest challenge since the AIDS crisis: rising seas caused by climate change.

Those looking for a more interactive experience can enjoy a fireside chat with filmmakers, an acting workshop and thoughtful programs exploring our community more closely. These include the always-popular “Rural Shorts” screening and films focusing on rural health care concerns.

Several screenings will begin with performances by Ramona Jan and Bill Fellenberg from the local storytelling group Yarnslingers.

Other featured films include  “Their Town,” “The Incomer,”   “Murderous,”  “Cookie Queens” and  “If I Go Will They Miss Me.” That last title alone should inspire attendance. If you don’t go, you’ll be missed!

Come to the Big Eddy Film Festival; take a seat; inhale some popcorn; and be part of the cinematic magic—sunglasses optional.