
The Twitterati were Tweeting that they were hoping for a rainy weekend to watch movies at the 4th Annual Berkshire International Film Festival, but, thankfully, the wet weather did not dampen the spirits of the guests at the opening night cocktail party at Pearl's in Great Barrington, which preceded a screening of William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe at the Mahaiwe around the corner. BIFF founder Kelley Vickery was universally praised for making the festival a major cultural force in just four years—as well as a great party.


Berkshire Property Agents co-founder Tim Lovett with actress and knitwear designer Karen Allen; Berkshire Museum education director Maria Mingalone and filmmaker Erica Spizz.

Photographer Jason Houston, who was the cinematographer for Cowboy Yoga, a short film that will be screened twice at BIFF, with his wife, Kimberly.


Berkshire Visitors Bureau communications director Carrie Saldo, Pearl's new owner, Jonathan Van Allen, and Berkshire Living's Amanda Rae Busch; Doug Shufelt, Benchmark Real Estate's Nancy Kalodner and Annie Selke of Pine Cone Hill.


Berkshire Creative's Helena Fruscio with Joshua Needleman of Chocolate Springs in Lenox, whose amazing chocolates were served at the party; Hunter Runnette with actress and bon vivant Hilary Somers Deely.

Berkshire Living editor-in-chief Seth Rogovoy with Nancy Fitzpatrick of the Red Lion Inn and Porches.


Molly Boxer and her sister Katy Baldwin; Berkshire Living's Mary Garnish and Alan Bauman.

Carole Murko of Heirloom Meals with Mark Johnson of Seven Salon in Stockbridge and Jim Finnerty.
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Matteline deVries-Dilling, founder of Lite Brite Neon, one of the evening's honoree of this year's Upstate Benefit adresses the gala from the Caboose's caboose.
- Karen Pearson. Courtesy Art Omi.
Olana senior vice president and landscape curatorMark Prezorski, president Sean Sawyer, The evenings honoree Kristin Gamble and New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett.
- Oxygen House Photo