East Hampton - The Hamptons International Film Festival (HIFF) is proud to announce that "The Artist," a Weinstein Company release, will screen at Guild Hall in East Hampton on October 16 as the Closing Night Film of the Festival. However, as in previous years, the Festival will continue with screenings through the following day as well (Monday, October 17).

"The Artist" is set in Hollywood 1927. George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is a silent movie superstar. The advent of the talkies will sound the death knell for his career and see him fall into oblivion. For young extra Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo), it seems the sky's the limit - major movie stardom awaits. "The Artist" tells the story of their interlinked destinies. "The Artist" stars Jean Dujardin, winner of this year's Cannes Film Festival 2011 Best Actor award on behalf of the film, along with Berenice Bejo, John Goodman, James Cromwell, Missi Pyle and Penelope Ann Miller. The film is penned, produced and directed by Michel Hazanavicius. The Weinstein Company plans a November 23, 2011 release.

HIFF is also proud to announce Paramount Vantage's "Like Crazy" as this year's Centerpiece Film to screen in East Hampton on October 15. A love story is both a physical and emotional tale, one that can be deeply personal and heartbreaking for an audience to experience. Director Drake Doremus' film "Like Crazy" beautifully illustrates how your first real love is as thrilling and blissful as it is devastating. When a British college student (Felicity Jones) falls for her American classmate (Anton Yelchin) they embark on a passionate and life-changing journey only to be separated when she violates the terms of her visa. "Like Crazy" explores how a couple faces the real challenges of being together and of being apart. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize for Best Picture at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival and of the Special Jury Prize for Best Actress for Felicity Jones, "Like Crazy" depicts both the hopefulness and the heartbreak of love.

In addition, HIFF also proudly announces that Anton Yelchin will be honored as one of this year's Breakthrough Performers with additional honorees to be announced at a later date. The continued goal of the Breakthrough Performers Program is to highlight the work of up and coming young actors.

"'The Artist' is one of the most unique and charming films I've seen in a long time, and I can't wait to screen it. And the emotional honesty and moving performances of 'Like Crazy' heralds the arrival of so much new talent both in front of and behind the camera. I am proud to share these special films with our audience out east," says HIFF Director of Programming David Nugent.

Additionally, the festival announces that Lee Hirsch's hard-hitting, revelatory documentary about bullying among American youth, "The Bully Project," will receive the Brizzolara Family Foundation Award for a film of Conflict & Resolution. The Conflict & Resolution program has been a signature element of the Festival for 12 years, spotlighting films about the human realities of war and violence.

Kim Brizzolara, HIFF Vice Chair and one of the Conflict & Resolution program founders, remarked, "This year marks the first time the Conflict & Resolution award will be given to an American film focused on a topic that doesn't have to do with an 'international conflict.' This compelling, exceptionally well-made film shines a glaring light on the roots of violence, that are universal and in essence, at the heart of every conflict. 'The Bully Project' examines the effects of bullying - on the victims, their families, society - and on the bullies themselves. It shows where the responsibilities lie: with parent, peers, schools, society; but also demonstrates the courageous efforts made to transform the ways people think about, and try to resolve, an endemic problem."

In addition to screening the film, the Festival will host a panel discussion with director Hirsch and some of the top experts in the field of conflict resolution and school bullying. The Festival also plans direct outreach to local schools around the issues.

"The Conflict & Resolution section is a cornerstone of our program. The films in this programming section encourage dialog about critical topics, and provide a platform for our community to share discussion about issues affecting our world and our lives. The Bully Project exemplifies this mission, and we are honored to spotlight it in the Conflict & Resolution program," says Senior Programmer, Holly Herrick.

HIFF greatly appreciates the support from their corporate sponsors including, Altour International, American Airlines, The Wall Street Journal, Baume & Mercier, Prudential Douglas Elliman, Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, and Silvercup Studios.

The Hamptons International Film Festival headquarters are located at the beautiful c/o The Maidstone Hotel on Main Street in East Hampton.

The 19th Annual Hamptons International Film Festival will take place this year from October 13 through October 17. For further information on the 2011 Hamptons International Film Festival, click below.

About HIFF
The Hamptons International Film Festival was founded to celebrate the Independent film - long, short, fiction and documentary - and to introduce a unique, varied spectrum of international films and filmmakers to the public. The Festival is committed to exhibiting films that express fresh voices and differing global perspectives, with the hope that these programs will enlighten audiences, provide invaluable exposure for filmmakers and present inspired entertainment for all.