The Roundtable

The Roundtable Panel: a daily open discussion of issues in the news and beyond. Today's panelists are former New York 19th Congressman and NY Assemblyman John Faso, Former Mayor of the City of Albany, New York Kathy Sheehan, and Former Times Union Associate Editor Mike Spain.

The Roundtable Panel: a daily open discussion of issues in the news and beyond. Today's panelists are public policy and communications expert Theresa Bourgeois, Joseph Palamountain Jr. Chair in Government at Skidmore College Beau Breslin, and Professor of Government at Dutchess Community College and since 2023, she has been President of the World Affairs Council of the Mid-Hudson Valley Karin Riedl.

Today is the last day of the producer of The Roundtable Sarah LaDuke. She has worked at WAMC for 20 years and worked on the Roundtable for 18. Her career at WAMC has been amazing and extensive. She has done countless interviews with organizations, artists, musicians, Broadway stars, authors, and the list goes on. She also worked hard behind the scenes to make The Roundtable run smoothy all these years.She will be sorely missed, but her history and career at the station will live forever.

Barbara Kopple is an award-winning director and producer and here at BIFF she will be in conversation with Mary Mott after the Special 50th Anniversary screening of the Academy Award Winning Documentary ‘Harlan County USA’ at 2:15 p.m. today.Barbara Kopple is director of ‘Harlan County USA,’ and other world-class docs: ‘American Dream,’ ‘Bearing Witness,’ ‘Wild Man Blues,’ ‘A Conversation with Gregory Peck,’ ‘My Generation,’ ‘Running from Crazy,’ ‘Miss Sharon Jones,’ ‘Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing,’ and ‘Desert One.’

Tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. at The Mahaiwe in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, The Berkshire International Film Festival will present a screening of ‘The Choice.’Yotam Haim was an Israeli hostage mistakenly killed by IDF troops after escaping Hamas captivity in Gaza.The documentary film, ‘The Choice,’ follows his mother, Iris Haim’s search for meaning. The search led her to Dr. Edith Eger, an Auschwitz survivor whose story reshapes Iris’s path to healing.‘THE CHOICE,’ is directed by John David Coles who joins us now along with Iris Haim and her son, Tuval.

The Delegation of the European Union to the United States has selected the Berkshire International Film Festival as the inaugural U.S. festival partner for its newly launched Transatlantic Rising Stars Project. The initiative is designed to deepen cultural connections and spark creative collaboration between the EU and the United States.As BIFF enters its third decade, the partnership underscores the festival’s growing role on the international stage. Together with the European Union and U.S. based partners, the Transatlantic Rising Stars Project aims to elevate creative dialogue, broaden public engagement, and support the ongoing development of global artistic exchange.EU film directors applied to be a part of the 2026 cohort and we are joined by filmmaker and Film Program Director of the Transatlantic Stars Program Seanne Winslow; director of ‘SLEEPLESS CITY,’ from Spain, Guillermo Galoe; and director of ‘UNDER THE GREY SKY,’ from Poland, Mara Tamkovich.The EU films are screening during BIFF, and the Tea Talk featuring the five filmmakers is taking place on Saturday, May 30 at 3:00 PM right here in The Indigo Room at The Mahaiwe.

At this year’s Berkshire International Film Festival, actor Karen Allen is being honored for a career that has moved effortlessly between blockbuster adventure, comedy classics, independent film, and the stage. Allen became part of movie history as Marion Ravenwood opposite Harrison Ford in Raiders of the Lost Ark, while also leaving an indelible mark on audiences in films including Starman, The Sandlot, and Animal House.Speaking of Animal House, actor and director Peter Riegert is here, His sharp, grounded performances have made him one of the most recognizable character actors of his generation. From Animal House and Local Hero to Crossing Delancey and acclaimed television work, Riegert has built a career defined by intelligence, wit, and versatility.

Welcome to the Roundtable’s LIVE broadcast from the 20th annual Berkshire International Film Festival which kicked off last night. Now they will present a blockbuster lineup and celebratory weekend of films, events, and very special guests. The festival runs through May 31st in Great Barrington and Lenox.BIFF will honoring Award-Winning Actor Karen Allen and then will close with the Sundance Hit Documentary about global tennis icon and activist, Billie Jean King in 'Give me the Ball!' with director Elizabeth Wolff in attendance.Founder and artistic director Kelley Vickery is here with a preview. Janis Martinson, ED of the Mahaiwe and Ben Elliott, Creative Director of the Triplex, will be joining me.

Tig Notaro is an Emmy and Grammy nominated stand-up comedian, actor, writer, podcaster, and producer – ‘Rolling Stone’ named her one of the “50 best stand-up comics of all time.” But you don’t have to take Rolling Stone’s word for it – I’m telling you: Tig is the best. Put her on stand-up Mount Rushmore where she’s all 4 faces but with slightly different haircuts.She’s bringing her new stand-up tour to The Egg in Albany, New York for two shows on June 4 - tickets to the 9:30 show are available.