BOOKENDS
An aspiring novelist moves in with his grandparents after a bad breakup with his boyfriend as the two generations' life experiences, values, and philosophies collide in exasperating, funny, and heartbreaking ways.
Description
New York Premiere
When aspiring novelist Nate is forced to leave his New York City life behind and move in with his grandparents after a bad breakup with his boyfriend, he is determined to escape the confines of retirement community living and his meddlesome grandparents’ relentless attempts to “improve” him. But when his Holocaust-surviving grandfather shows signs of cognitive decline and his grandmother refuses to acknowledge her husband’s early dementia, Nate finds himself torn between his desire to flee, confront family responsibilities, and enter into an unexpected romance with his grandparents’ handsome doctor.
Directed by NewFest alum Mike Doyle and featuring wry, heartwarming performances from Academy Award winner F. Murray Abraham, Caroline Aaron, Noam Ash (who also wrote the screenplay), and Charlie Barnett, BOOKENDS proves that intergenerational dialogue and a bit of perspective can conjure inspiring life lessons.
“Relationship woes and career crises converge in this sweet story about a millennial would-be writer who moves in with his open-hearted – and often very-direct – grandparents. As the colorful characters resist and reconcile their own intergenerational dynamics and stage in life, BOOKENDS opens its arms to become the cinematic equivalent of a warm hug.” –Nick McCarthy (Director of Programming)
The in-person screening will be followed by a Q&A
Part of NewFest Pride 2026
Director
Mike Doyle
Producer
Alon Shtruzman, Scott Einbinder, Noam Ash, Henry Russell Bergstein, Warren Ostergard
Writer
Noam Ash
Cast
F. Murray Abraham, Caroline Aaron, Noam Ash, Charlie Barnett