Closed: Boston’s Hamilton Co. Acquires Hill Estates For $175 Million

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Photo: The deal is done for Belmont’s Hill Estates, purchased by The Hamilton Company for $175 million

The Hill Estates, Belmont’s largest residential community, was acquired by The Hamilton Company on Wednesday, June 18, for $175 million, according to a June 19 press release from the Boston-based full-service real estate firm.

The 396-unit multifamily apartment complex on 14.7 acres off Brighton Street and two nearby commercial buildings were sold by the DiGiovanni Family of Belmont, which built the development in the 1960s. The Estates consists of five- and seven-story mid-rise apartment block-style buildings, two-story direct-entry townhomes, and garden-style buildings.

Hamilton will sell the pair of commercial office buildings totaling 16,000 sq. ft. at 26 Brighton St. and 90 Concord Ave. as they don’t mesh with the firm’s residential business plan.

The Hill Estates was put up for sale in January, followed soon by a purchase and sale agreement signed in mid-April by Hamilton’s Chairman and CEO Jameson Brown.

“This acquisition significantly expands our portfolio of high-quality residential properties to nearly 6,000 units in Greater Boston,” said Brown. “Belmont is one of the most desirable communities in the region, with excellent public amenities and convenient access to public transit and just minutes from Cambridge and downtown Boston.”

According to the press release, Hamilton will staff an on-site management office and operate all property management and maintenance functions for the units and common areas. Residents will also access Hamilton’s full range of online tenant services, including online rent payments, maintenance requests, and renters’ insurance.

The company plans to make significant capital improvements to the property, including renovating all units.

Founded in 1954 by Harold Brown, one of the true titans of Boston real estate, the firm has become one of New England’s largest privately held real estate organizations. It manages and leases nearly 1.5 million square feet of commercial space and more than 5,600 residential units, while developing and constructing residential and commercial projects throughout Greater Boston.

Belmont Opens Cooling Stations During Extreme Heat Advisory

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Photo: The extreme heat arrives this weekend and will last ’til midweek.

With daytime temperatures nearing triple digits and humidity on the rise through midweek, Belmont has opened cooling stations for residents seeking to get out of the heat:

  • Saturday and Sunday, June 21-22: Belmont Media Center, 9 Lexington St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for cooling, and the Underwood Pool on Concord Avenue will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Monday and Tuesday, June 23-24: The Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St., will be open from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and the Underwood Pool on Concord Avenue will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

What to do during extreme heat:

  • Never leave children or pets alone in a closed vehicle. Even with the windows cracked open, interior temperatures can rise almost 200°F within 10 minutes.
  • Slow down and avoid strenuous activity.
  • Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing. Light colors reflect heat and sunlight, and help maintain normal body temperature.
  • Drink plenty of water — even if you are not thirsty. Avoid alcoholic beverages and liquids high in sugar or caffeine. If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink, ask how much you should drink during hot weather.
  • Eat well-balanced, light, regular meals.
  • Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun. Do not leave pets outside for extended periods.
  • If you must be outdoors, limit your outdoor activity to the morning and evening hours. Try to rest often in shady areas so your body temperature can recover. Use sunscreen with a high SPF and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
  • If you do not have air conditioning, stay on your lowest floor, out of the sun. Avoid using your stove and oven.
  • Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath, or moving to an air-conditioned place, is a much better way to cool off.
  • If there are power outages during warm weather, you may need to take additional precautions or go to a cooling center or emergency shelter to stay cool.
  • Know the symptoms of heat-related illnesses and watch out for them. Call 9-1-1 to report emergencies.
  • Be a good neighbor. Check on family, friends, and neighbors, especially the elderly, those who live alone, those with medical conditions, those who may need additional assistance, and those who may not have air conditioning.

Citizens’ Petition Would Force Belmont To Name New Rink After The Old One

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Photo: What was once old is now new: a Citizens’ Petition would require the town to name the new skating rink and recreation center after the old one

In a move that would circumvent a newly written policy on naming Town assets that is expected to be approved by the Select Board on Monday, June 23, a Citizens’ Petition certified on June 18 would force the town to retain the name of the former dilapidated rink onto Belmont’s new municipal skating facility if the article is OK’d by members in a rare summer Special Town Meeting.

Submitted by resident Gail Harrington, the “Save the Skip” would require the new $30 million facility adjacent to Harris Field on Concord Avenue to continue being named for James ‘Skip’ Vigilrolo, a long-time Parks and Recreation Department employee, outstanding hockey player, and head coach of Belmont High School hockey for a quarter century. Vigilrolo died earlier this month at 95.

The petition states that in recognition [of] Viglirolo’s years of leadership, service, and contribution to Belmont, “by retaining the James P. “Skip” Viglirolo Rink, as the official name of Belmont’s newly reconstructed municipal rink and sports facility … for generations beyond to keep Skip’s legacy alive in our community.”

The successful petition, which secured 258 signatures, now triggers a scramble for the Town Clerk’s office to prepare for a Special Town Meeting – most likely a virtual meeting – that must be held 45 days from its certification. The final day for the STM will be Aug. 9.

The Citizens’ Petition is anticipated to be on the Select Board’s agenda at its June 23 meeting.

But before the “Skip” gets a debate in the heat of summer, supporters face a significant barrier similar to what collapsed an initiative by residents at the Spring Town Meeting in May to place limitations on town involvement at the town’s senior center located on Beech Street: Does the Town Meeting have the authority to name town assets, or does that power lie in the hands of Belmont’s three-member administrative board? 

“Town Meeting will need to know whether its vote is binding or merely advisory in nature,” said Elizabeth Dionne, overseeing her final meeting as Select Board Chair this Monday. Vice Chair Matt Taylor will succeed the Chair on July 1.

The drive to continue honoring Vigilrolo has been a feature of an online campaign and direct action by campaigners before the Select Board.

The Citizens’ Petition will be highlighted at this Monday’s Select Board’s meeting when the administrative body is expected to put the final touches on a detailed rewriting of the one-page naming policy currently on the books. Since Spring, the new naming policy for all town-owned buildings and properties has been earnestly underway. 

In preliminary and draft proposals, the Board has avoided naming town assets—including buildings, athletic facilities, and grounds and fields—requiring a high bar to achieve that honor.

The Board of Library Trustees and the Belmont School District have separate naming policies. 

Belmont Joined Millions Declaring ‘No Kings’ In Nationwide Protest [VIDEO]

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Photo: No Kings in Belmont

Hundreds of Belmontians and many from neighboring communities joined millions of fellow protesters across the country on Saturday, June 14, to declare ‘No Kings’ as they voiced their opposition to what they contend is President Trump’s administration’s promotion of growing authoritarianism in the country.

The noisy and lively protest occupied the Town Green adjacent to the First Church in Belmont, Unitarian Universalist across from the MBTA commuter rail underpass at the entrance to Belmont Center. Throughout the late morning, a continuous chorus of vehicle horns punched through the air to the delight of participants – many holding homemade signs – who lined the conversion of Concord Avenue and Common Street.

Belmont was one of 2,100 demonstrations in the US and overseas that brought out an estimated five million participants in a “national day of peaceful protest” against the policies of the Trump administration, highlighting its aggressive actions on arresting and deporting undocumented immigrants without due process.

Belmont High Girls Rugby Sweeps Past Lincoln-Sudbury For Seventh Straight State Title

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Photo: Here are your 2025 MIAA Division 1 Girls State Champions: Belmont High School

It’s seven heaven for the Belmont High Girls Rugby team, which secured its seventh consecutive MIAA Division 1 state championship title, sweeping past Lincoln-Sudbury Regional, 69-21, at Curry College in Milton on Saturday, June 14.

With the victory, Belmont completed the 2025 season undefeated with eight wins, as the Marauders outscored their opponents by a combined 463 to 28.

Senior Captain Robyn Tonomura-MacDonald holds the 2025 State Championship trophy for her teammates to see after Belmont High’s victory.

With 13 senior starters on a squad playing top-level rugby since each joined the team, Belmont had the skills and experience to come into the match as overwhelming favorites. With a significant advantage in running, speed, and tackling by the backs and front line, Belmont’s game plan was simple: Continue what they did all season and repeat.

“This team felt pretty clear cut [they would win the state title] from the beginning of the season,” said Belmont Head Coach Kate McCabe, who has led the Marauders since the inception of the girls’ program in the mid-2010s.

This year’s seniors had to compete so much with the seniors of two years before for any game time. “They were fully convinced, ready to go, saying, ‘this is our year, and we’re gonna do it’.”

After an exchange of possession, Belmont struck first as senior Lock Laila Lusis dove into try eight minutes into the game, with senior center Rebecca Michaud handling the two-point conversion.

The Marauders would double its lead with speedy senior Wing Anoush McCarthy turning the right edge into clear for the try, coming after Belmont built its running foundation from its front line. Low numbers, including senior Props Anika Gupta and Tabitha Kambazza, sophomore Lock Rebecca Christensen, and senior Number 8 Sadie Taylor, punished L-S with 10 to 20-meter runs while senior Flanker Lucy Hinds was a handful for the Warriors with a series of outstanding broken-tackle sprints.

“I’m so proud of them,” said McCabe of her front eight. “The off-loads, how they kept adapting to what they saw in front of them. We’ve been doing it in the second half of the season, and it came into play today.”

While L-S planned to hem in Belmont’s back line, the speed and elusiveness of McCarthy, Michaud, captain senior flyback Robyn Tonomura-MacDonald, senior Fullback Mira Gardner, and the decision-making senior scrumhalf Clarissa Field proved too talented to hold back.

Belmont would break open the match during five minutes as Kambazza powered her way into a try at the 19-minute mark. Three minutes later, Lusis had her second with relentless running, while Christensen finished off a series of quick passes, diving across the try line at 14 minutes to up the score to 31-0.

Gardner would finish the half scoring after eluding the Warrior backs around the edge to go up, 38-0. L-S would pound into try after time expired to come off the field 38-7.

The game’s highlight came early in the second half what a sideline official dubbed “a try of beauty,” as McCarthy, Gardner, and finally Michaud combined with a series of quick passes to open up L-S’s backs for a walk-in try. The Warriors would strike back with 27 minutes remaining to cut the score to 45-14 – the most points the Marauders gave up this season – but by this time, McCabe had taken off many of the seniors to allow the team’s role players an opportunity to participate in a state championship.

McCarthy was awarded her second score with a penalty try after an NFL-style tackle, while Michaud and junior wing Jil Costa finished the scoring for the Marauders. When L-S kicked the conversion after scoring their third try with no time left on the clock, teammates ran onto the field to hug and celebrate.

“There are a lot of people who love this program for good reason, because it’s such a great program,” said Tonomura-MacDonald after the match. “The coaches and athletes are so hardworking. We had a practice with our alumni a couple of days ago. It showed they appreciate the work you’ve done, because they know they’ve had such a good experience here.”

And like the past six times, the players lined up to have the MIAA winner medals hung around their necks while watching McCabe and their captain, Tonomura-MacDonald, receive the program’s seventh state champion trophy.

Belmont High Commencement Outran Rain As Approximately 350 From Class Of ’25 Graduate

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Photo: Caps head skyward at the 2025 Belmont High Commencement

Tara Westover certainly accomplished a lot attending Belmont High School. 

Honored with one of two School Committee awards for outstanding achievement at Belmont High School’s 2025 commencement held under threatening skies on Saturday morning, June 7, Westover undertook the most rigorous course load with a near-perfect GPA; she is a National Merit semifinalist, achieved a perfect score on the SATs, is a talented artist and rock climber, a volunteer with Habitat for Humanities who also found the time to publish an academic paper with her father and brother while being accepted at Harvard College to study maths. Whew!

While she could have spoken on any number of subjects, Westover decided to demonstrate the commonality of each graduate with their classmates in a game of elimination using their upraised hands. They would put down a finger with each “interesting thing” they did during the past four years.

“[Did] you complain when you first heard about the changes to the weekly schedule,” and “if you complained the phone hotels, or, as some people, but definitely not me, have called them phone prisons,” and “if you shopped for prom outfits during class,” she said.

At the end of the challenge, Westover asked the graduates to look around. “I hoped you noticed two things. One, that almost everyone had some fingers down, which highlights our connection, which we have through the school building, to our fellow Marauders, even with the ones we may not have met. And two, that not everyone has all their fingers down,” Westover observed. 

“There’s no one story of a Belmont High graduate,” said Westover, as the most impactful moments were in a new class, speaking to a teacher, or just hanging out with friends. 

“Though our paths converged here … the details of our roots have been different. We’ve each crafted our own unique story,” she said. And with high school ended, “a new chapter is beginning. Life is a collection of moments like the ones you’ve had in high school. Let’s each grab a pen and start writing the next chapter of our stories as Belmont High School graduates.” 

Belmont High Principal Issac Taylor welcomed the approximately 350 graduates and their families and friends to Harris Field. In his address, Taylor spoke of the advancements in global connectivity in the past 200 years through the development of international shipping, which, itself, represents one of the great dichotomies of history.

“[Shipping] led to the murderous eradication of hundreds of cultures and languages,” founded the international slave trade, and accelerated the destruction of natural habitats, “setting the stage for the climate and biodiversity crisis,” said Taylor. And yet it shrank the globe and made it more accessible, while leading to the pooling of human talent and resources, accelerating innovation and learning, resulting in “the mixing of languages and cultures that enrich our world today,” he said.

“Class of 2025, you face similar dichotomies,” said Taylor, with wealth and power flowing from the rapidly changing world ruled by computing, big data, and artificial intelligence. “It is all moving so fast, it’s hard to see what is really happening, how power is shifting, and what direction the world is going.”

Despite an unwritten future, Taylor said this graduating class has demonstrated “exemplify humanity at its best.”

“I observed as you looked after your friends and supported one another, expressing your love and care in dozens of languages. I have watched you celebrate the diversity and multiculturalism of your community through dance and play, through food and dress. I have heard you advocate against injustice and stay true to your beliefs, even when that means standing up to power, and I have taken great pride in your collaboration, courtesy, compassion and kindness,” Taylor said.

Class President Mark Guzelian spoke of the uniqueness of the senior class: the first to sell 587 prom tickets, to have a full senior thesis Capstone exhibition, and to NOT have a senior prank.

“In other words, we’ve not been first at very much … [S]o I went back to brainstorming, what makes the class of 2025 unique?” he asked. First, it “is all the people in it,” each contributes their own gifts – in sports, theater, music, and academic excellence – during the past four years.

“But all of us will go on to make greater contributions to society in our own way,” Guzelian said, whether running labs, getting advanced degrees, going on to trade school to learn skills that keep society functioning, starting businesses, or becoming teachers. He advised his classmates to face the challenges “thrown at us” with patience, which he said “is not much valued.” 

Saying that success will not be handed on a platter and that perseverance through challenges is necessary, Guzelian said, “We will need to have patience and not rush through life trying to achieve things when perhaps it’s not the right time. Just remember that sometimes patience will need to be part of the process.”

Honored with a School Committee award for outstanding achievement, Jordan McCarty—who was awarded the Yale Book Award, is a World Cup medalist in fencing, and is an outstanding jazz musician who will attend New York University—said his father advised him to “first do the things you have to do, then do the things you want to do.” 

While he and many in the class are “guilty of draining away time on our phones,” McCarty said. “Instead, what I would want is to spend my time with those close to me and make timeless memories with them. To me, this has begun to fall under the category of things I have to do. You have to be able to enjoy your time. So take a breather, enjoy the present, and appreciate all the little moments.”

“I believe true happiness comes from the connections you form with other people and how you spend your time with them. Time quickly becomes our most important asset, and is important how we use it in this world. The one thing you can’t get back is your time. So cherish the time that you do have, spend it with people you love, and don’t regret one moment. That’s all that matters,” said 

After a performance of Stephen Paulus’ “The Road Home” by the BHS Chorus, each graduate crossed the dais to receive their diploma and have dozens of photographs documenting their journey. Soon, caps were flung skyward as the ceremony would beat the rain by less than an hour. 

Here Are The Streets Belmont’s DPW Will Dig Up This Summer/Fall To Replace Water Mains

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Photo: Jay Marcotte, Belmont’s DPW director

The Select Board approved a $1.2 million contract to a familiar firm as part of Belmont’s long-running water main replacement program.

Belmont Department of Public Works Director Jay Marcotte announced to the Board at its Monday, June 9 meeting that Cedrone Trucking Inc. of North Billerica was the low bidder of seven firms that sought to undertake the 2025 replacement project. While the work will begin in fiscal ’26, it will be paid with last year’s funds.

“This is [fiscal] ’25 money,” said Marcotte. “We’re a year behind.”

The streets being dug up are:

  • Barnard Road
  • Jonathan Street
  • Worcester Street
  • Drew Road
  • Benjamin Road

The work will begin in mid- to late-July. The one peice of good news for residents anticipating is that once the streets are dug up and the pipes replaced, they will be in line for repair and repaving.

“This project is working in tandem with the pavement management program” so residents will have all work done over a short period of time,” said Marcotte.

This marks the 10th time over the past 11 years that Cedrone has won the job, which Marcotte was pleased with the decision.

“They’re a great company which we have a great relationship. They know what we want they actually are fairly proactive about getting it done,” said Marcotte.

Garvin Negoitates $1 Million In Donations To Secure Solar Array For New Belmont Skating Rink

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Photo: Three donations equaling $1 million will allow a roof solar array at the new municipal skating rink

The Belmont Select Board signed three Memoranda of Understanding at its Monday, June 10, meeting to accept $1 million in donations to install a solar array on the roof of Belmont’s new municipal skating rink. The goal is to keep operating expenses at the town’s sports facility down while reducing its carbon footprint.

Under the agreements, which were negotiated and finalized by Town Administrator Patrice Garvin, the town will receive funds from:

  • Belmont Hill School: $500,000,
  • the Belmont Day School: $200,000, and
  • Belmont Light Department: $250,000

“The goal has always been to operate the rink at an operational break even, meaning revenues that we come in will be used to offset any expenses we incur,” Garvin said back in May.

“I want to thank [Garvin] for really finding a way to bring all parties together to follow through … to get solar on the building” in a collaborative way, which has been a struggle in the past, said Board Vice Chair Matt Taylor.

While the construction of the $30 million Belmont Municipal Skating Rink is “on time and on budget,” that didn’t mean the promise of a rooftop solar panels was a certainty. With the rink under the financial guns – due to the uncertainty of tariffs imposed by Donald Trump on Canadian-made equipment and the reality of unexpected costs always around the corner – the Municipal Skating Rink Building Committee in April presented the Select Board two contingency plans to provide reduced solar coverage of one-third or half based on available money.

With the prospect of rooftop solar panels seeming less than confident, Garvin took up the challenge to secure the funds. “At the previous Special Town Meeting, I stated that we would find a way to put solar on the roof of the rink,” Garvin said on the first night of Town Meeting, May 12. 

In the spring, Garvin met with each of the largest “tenants” to discuss possible one-time contributions that would secure the renewable power component.

One area that Garvin discovered was not on any of the tenants’ radar was a formal PILOT – payment in leiu of taxes – agreement. PILOT has been a hot topic among residents in the past decade in the town’s attempt to increase revenue sources, especially from non-profits. Belmont Hill School – whose extensive and expanding land holdings are exempt from property taxes – has been reluctant over the years to discuss the subject, including in its rink talks with Garvin. 

“Generally, PILOT is not a word that anyone wanted to hear,” said Garvin. Rather than push for a binding and precedent setting agreement, the Town Administrator decided to use another word in her attempt to secure one-time funding for the panels. 

“As soon as I changed the topic to ‘donations,’ they were much more receptive,” said Garvin. After some give and take on the benefits for the schools – having a new in-town rink nearby (with some advantageous scheduling to boot) – the agreements were completed in June. 

No Discount On Rent

Garvin wanted to clarify that Belmont Hills half-a-million dollar contribution is not a “pay to play” agreement.

“There’s no discount” in renting ice time for their donation, said Garvin. “They will be renting the ice from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., three times per week. This is the current agreement [on ice time] at the prior rent agreed to many years before I was here as the Town Administrator,” said Garvin. “Belmont Hill will pay whatever that rated ice time is, which will gradually increase year over year,” she said. 

“The $500,000 donation will include a donation to the PV but also a prepayment of two seasons of ice time, meaning that we will waive the first two seasons” of the new rink. In 2027, the town and Belmont Hill will formalize a 20-year lease for ice time. 

Board Chair Elizabeth Dionne highlighted Belmont Day School’s $200,000 contribution, which “really is a true donation.” Noting the school will be using the rink for a minimum number of hours each week, “they’re asking for very, very little in return, and I’m appreciative of that,” said Dionne.

“Belmont Day is looking to have education initiatives with their students for science, technology, engineering, and math education,” said Garvin. 

Finally, the Belmont Light donation comes as the town agrees to sell any renewable energy credits (RECs) generated by the solar panels to the utility.

Garvin said the town has been planning the Belmont rink operations for some time, and getting to break even will be a three-step process, she said:

  1. Hiring a rink manager, Eric Harrington, on April 22. “He will be working with me to hire a staff to rent up ice time and to develop policies and procedures to run the ring,” said Garvin.
  2. Maximizing the rink’s revenue by locking in rents at market rates.
  3. Control operating costs. Solar is seen as key to minimizing the cost for the rink’s operation. And that component is best achieved by

“We need to work with the Recreation Commission to determine what the fees for that ice time will be,” said Garvin. “We plan to retain and secure long-term tenants that have used the rink for years and to maximize any utilization we can find to operate the rink.”

The complete solar array provides several benefits to the town’s bottom line and its residents:

  1. It makes good on a commitment to the residents to using renewable energy when the debt exclusion was passed in 2024 and to the Town Meeting Members when they were asked for additional funding to put solar panels on the rink’s roof.
  2. It reduces operating expenses by $7,000, an estimate calculated using Belmont Middle and High School solar generation as a matrix. “We’re also expecting increases in electricity for calendar year 2026, 2027 and 2028,” said Garvin.
  3. “We are challenged to find revenue to support the ring’s operations. So a path forward is the solar if we even want to attempt to break even on operations, and especially as costs increase year over year,” said Garvin. 

Rain Holds Off For Pride Celebration In Belmont

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Photo: Head of the parade at Belmont Pride Parade 2025

The threatening sky didn’t deter the joyous gathering of marchers who assembled on the Belmont Town Green on Saturday, June 1, as they came to participate in the Belmont Pride Parade and Celebration.

Seniors, kids, family, and friends commemorated the ongoing fight for equality with ice cream, activities, and the Freedom Trail Band.

The annual observation of Pride is indispensable because “every time an LGBTQ plus person is open about who they are, it helps others identify and understand who they are … and it gives people permission to be who they are,” said keynote speaker State Sen. Will Brownsberger Saturday. And it’s especially so in the current political climate.

“There’s a lot of bad things happening in our country right now,” said Brownsberger, “just the most barbaric things” pointing to mass deportations of undocumented immigrants and directives to with the intent to intimidate people, “to scare people into different kinds of behavior.”

“That is why I believe it’s very important that we not be intimidated, that we continue to feel joy in our everyday lives, and that we continue to feel pride in who we are,” he said, especially to the transgender community, which is under direct assault by the Trump administration.

“So I want to say ‘thank you’ to every single person I’ve ever met who has been out and every single person who is here today. It really matters that elected officials and community leaders who came out in support,” said Brownsberger, pointing out State Rep. Dave Rogers, Select Board Vice Chair Matt Taylor. Belmont Fire Chief Dave DiStefano, along with Middlesex District Attorney and Belmont resident Marion Ryan.

“One of the things that I spend a lot of my time on is really thinking about, in this very diverse county, how do we reduce the number of people, whoever feel and wonder, ‘Do I belong?” said Ryan. “And this today sends really a message of respect that everybody is valued in our community.”

Greg Paré brought his children from Quincy to spend the Saturday at Belmont Pride.

“We just wanted to support this celebration of all types of people,” said Paré. “It’s an important thing for our children to be here, see our values, and pass them on to [the children.]”

For Fran Yuan of the Belmont LGBTQ+ Alliance, Pride in Belmont is a coming together, “to affirm that we’re all in this together. It doesn’t matter who you are.”

“I think it’s important for people to know, whoever you are, whether you’re out or not, whether you feel safe or maybe you don’t feel safe. This is a place where you can feel like you are part of the community, no matter what,” she said.

Belmont World Film Presents Two Films During World Refugee Awareness Month June 9,16 [Trailers]

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Photo: Abou Sangaré as Souleymane, in Souleymane’s Story (Credit: Pyramide Distribution)

Belmont World Film is presenting two “buzz-worthy” films as part of its 23rd International Film Series FREEDOM ON FILM during World Refugee Awareness Month. The films will be screened on Monday, June 9 and 16.

Souleymane’s Story: The film is currently in release in Europe, but the only place you can see it in the US is at our screening on New England premiere, Monday, June 9, 7:30 PM at West Newton Cinema. A young immigrant from Guinea (Abou Sangaré) navigates the streets of Paris as a food delivery cyclist while striving to secure legal residency. With only two days to prepare for a critical asylum interview, he must balance the demands of his precarious job and the challenges of his uncertain status. This “storied” film won two awards at the Cannes Film Festival and four Cesar Awards, the French equivalent of the Oscars. Buy advanced tickets for Souleymane’s Story here.

Under the Volcano: New England premiere on Monday, June 16, 7:30 PM at West Newton Cinema. While enjoying the final day of their vacation in Tenerife, Spain, a blended Ukrainian family’s world is upended when news breaks of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, rendering their return to Kyiv impossible. Stranded on the island, they must navigate feelings of isolation, fear, and uncertainty, all while confronting the evolving dynamics within their family.

Belmont World Film is proud to partner with First Aid of the Soul, an organization providing accessible psychological support services to Ukrainians affected by the war. The NGO is hosting an optional pre-film reception from 6:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. in the theater mezzanine, learn more about the impact of First Aid of the Soul’s work. All proceeds directly supporting their critical mental health work.

Patrons can either purchase tickets for the screening only or for both the reception and the screening. BWF encourage you to consider attending the reception in support of this incredibly worthy cause (the screening ticket is included in the cost of the reception). 

Buy advanced tickets for Under the Volcano here

Individual Tickets are

  • $14 per ticket in advance (no fees)
  • $16 at the door (with cash or check)