ELLENVILLE, N.Y. — The Borscht Belt’s influence on American comedy and entertainment takes center stage in Ellenville this weekend as the third annual Borscht Belt Film Fest brings three days of films, filmmaker discussions and events celebrating the Catskills’ resort history.

The festival runs Nov. 6-8 at Shadowland Stages, featuring documentaries, narrative films and conversations with filmmakers and people connected to the region’s history.

Festival director Melody Gilbert said the event is built around four themes: film, community, culture and conversation.

“We’re not just showing movies, we’re trying to bring the community together to talk, to talk about culture, and have conversations,” Gilbert said.

Each screening is followed by a question-and-answer session with someone connected to the film. The festival also encourages audiences to continue those conversations at local businesses and cultural institutions.

Opening night features We Met at Grossinger’s, a documentary about the legendary Catskills resort that helped inspire the film Dirty Dancing. The festival will also present its first Legacy Award honoring the late Elaine Grossinger Etess, whom Gilbert described as a pioneering businesswoman and a central figure in the resort’s success.

The opening reception will also recognize actor Josh Mostel, son of comedian Zero Mostel, with the festival’s Mensch Award.

This year’s lineup explores the Borscht Belt’s influence well beyond the resort industry. Gilbert said the region’s influence can still be seen in contemporary comedy and popular culture.

“Every stand-up comedian that you see today had, you know, some influence from the Borscht Belt days,” she said.

The festival also aims to reach younger audiences who may not have experienced the resort era firsthand. Gilbert encouraged longtime visitors and former resort workers to bring younger family members to screenings.

“You don’t have to be Jewish to have spent summers in the Catskills,” she said, pointing to the universal themes of family, identity, food, love and laughter.