Films with Special Guests

Hope in Motion: Breaking Barriers with Autism Service Dogs shares powerful stories of connection, courage, and transformation, highlighting how BluePath dogs bring safety, independence, and joy to children with autism and their families. This documentary film (15 minute running time) will be followed by a short panel discussion and cocktail reception. Presented with BluePath Service Dogs.

Academy Award Nominee - Best Documentary Short Film. In this documentary short by Academy-Award nominee Joshua Seftel, reporter Steve Hartman and photographer Lou Bopp embark on a cross country journey to memorialize the bedrooms of children lost to school shootings, highlighting the urgent need for action against the rising epidemic of gun violence. A Q&A with the director Joshua Seftel follows the film, moderated by Janet Maslin.

Join us for an exceptional evening with Robert Stephan Cohen, one of the nation’s most respected and sought-after divorce attorneys. Known for representing notable figures such as Michael Bloomberg, Joni Evans, Melinda Gates, Rupert Murdoch, and Chris Rock, Cohen has become a leading voice in navigating some of the most complex and high-profile marital disputes of our time. In this rare appearance, Cohen will share insights from his decades-long career at the intersection of law, family, and public life—offering a candid look at the realities behind the headlines. The conversation will be followed by a screening of Heartburn, the Mike Nichols–directed classic written by Nora Ephron and starring Meryl Streep and Jack Nicholson. This sharp, funny, and bittersweet story follows a magazine writer who gives up her career for love and a charming newspaper columnist who can’t give up his old habits—proving that when romance and reality collide, heartburn is inevitable.

Veselka is the story of New York City's beloved Ukrainian restaurant Veselka and its father and son proprietors, Tom and Jason Birchard.  When Jason graduated college without a vision for his future, Tom brings him into the family business.  Jason learns that Tom's dedication to Veselka produces delicious food that satisfies a colorful cast of neighbors and newcomers, but this leaves little time for Tom to be “dad” at work. In 2020, Jason takes ownership of Veselka from his reluctant-to-retire father.  He has large shoes to fill, but Jason’s biggest challenge becomes the war in Ukraine.  He is unexpectedly thrust into the role of surrogate father to support his Ukrainian staff impacted by the war.  Jason must explore his past working relationship with his own dad to “feed” his war-torn team as he keeps his business afloat. For 70 years, Veselka has been the vibrant and welcoming heart of the community and now its role, and Jason’s, is more vital than ever. Narrated by Golden Globe Winner and Little Ukraine native David Duchovny. A Q&A with writer/director Michael Fiore and director of photography Bill Winters follows the film.