(GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.) – “Freeheld,” the new feature adaptation of the award-winning documentary of the same name by Berkshire filmmaker Cynthia Wade, gets a special pre-release screening at the Triplex on Sunday, October 4, at 4pm. A presentation of Berkshire International Film Festival, the film stars Julianne Moore, Ellen Page and Steve Carell, and was produced by Wade, who will be on hand for a post-screening q&a.

Wade’s 2007 film, “Freeheld,” garnered a closetful of awards, including an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject and the Sundance Film Festival Special Jury Prize.

The feature adaptation of Wade’s film, adapted by the screenwriter of “Philadelphia,” is the true love story of Laurel Hester (Julianne Moore) and Stacie Andree (Ellen Page) and their fight for justice. A decorated New Jersey police detective, Hester is diagnosed with cancer and wants to leave her hard-earned pension to her domestic partner, Andree. However, the county officials (“Freeholders”) refuse her request. Hard-nosed detective Dane Wells (Michael Shannon) and activist Steven Goldstein (Steve Carell) unite in Laurel and Stacie’s defense, rallying police officers and ordinary citizens to support their struggle for equality. Ellen Page reportedly came out publicly as a lesbian in part because of this film.

At Sunday’s screening, Wade will show the trailer for her original documentary, and then screen the feature film – already being touted as Oscar fodder for the two female leads. Afterwards, Wade will talk about the seven-year journey of adaptation and answer questions from the audience.