The Champlain Valley Film Series will present Knife Skills with special guest Nick August-Perna, the film’s co-producer, on Saturday, November 17, at 7:30 p.m. at the Whallonsburg Grange Hall. This is the inspiring story about the launch of a world-class French restaurant with a staff of men and women just out of prison who have never cooked or served before. With only a few months before they open, the restaurant’s founder, also an ex-convict, struggles to help fellow inmates create specialty dishes, learn French, and rebuild their own lives. The film, nominated for an Academy Award, will be introduced by Westport native Nick August-Perna who co-produced it. His documentary films on race, farm workers and for-profit education have appeared on PBS’ Frontline. August-Perna co-directed the film, The Swell Season. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for those under 18. The Whallonsburg Grange Hall is located at 1610 NYS Route 22, in Essex, New York.