The 13th Annual Bushwick Film Festival Announces Full Program
Participants to include:
Katori Hall (Starz’s P-Valley)
Deniese Davis (HBO’s Insecure & A Black Lady Sketch Show)
Shakira Barrera (Netflix’s Glow & Orange is the New Black)
Alia Shawkat (Fox/Netflix’s Arrested Development)
Roy Wood Jr. (The Daily Show w/ Trevor Noah)
+ more
“BFF gives, directors, cinematographers, and actors from around the world a platform to shine On"
–PopSugar
“The Bushwick Film Festival shines a light on indie filmmakers and diversity in the film industry.”
– NBC
“This is the moment that Brookylyn film buffs have been waiting for.”
– News 12
New York, NY – September 25, 2020 – The Bushwick Film Festival (BFF) is excited to announce the full program for its 13th Annual edition. Due to Covid-19 event restrictions, this year the festival is going virtual from October 21-25 and will include over 100 independent films from 30 different countries. Movies can be viewed at watch.bushwickfilmfestival.com, a secure streaming platform sponsored by Spectrum.
In addition to films, the festival features a 2-day movie industry conference with notable speakers, screenplay readings, industry mixers, movie trivia nights and a series of filmmaker Q&As. The most anticipated events, opening night and awards ceremony, will be presented in partnership with Chemistry Creative, Liman Video Rental and BRIC. The show will feature special messages from local celebrities and elected officials including Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, Assemblywoman Maritza Davila, Council Member Antonio Reynoso, MOME Commissioner Anne del Castillo, and President and CEO Designate of Empire State Development Eric Gertler. The opening night show and the awards ceremony will be free to watch and broadcasted on Facebook Live and other streaming platforms.
This year with a theme of transformation and a glowing butterfly used as a visual representation, the festival celebrates not only filmmakers for always reminding us of our inherent courage and perseverance through their characters, but also how much we continue to transform as a better global community.
Bushwick Film Festival prides itself on being a home for film lovers. Over the last decade, BFF has screened the works of nearly 500 independent filmmakers from Brooklyn and over 50 different countries, proudly shining a spotlight on womxn and diverse filmmakers. The BFF has grown into one of the most anticipated events in Brooklyn and is recognized for its contribution to the borough’s artistic, cultural, and economic growth.
“After 13 years, I still get so excited when the festival arrives. Working with my team to present the festival this year despite all the challenges, is a testament to our collective love and commitment to storytelling.” says Festival director Kweighbaye Kotee. We have an incredible lineup of films and great conversations in store!”
See below for the full program. For tickets and passes, please visit: watch.bushwickfilmfestival.com
The Jury for BFF 2020 includes:
Feature Narrative
Amanda Trokan, Director, Content Acquisition (HBO + HBO Max), WarnerMedia
David Ninh, Director of Press and Publicity, Kino Lorber
Julie Christeas, Producer, Tandem
Feature Documentary
Denae Peters, Program Officer, Perspective fund
Ximena Amescua, Artist Programs Coordinator, Firelight Media
Jordan Mattos, Founder, Aspect Ratio
Short Narrative
Marrie-Lou Nahhas, Actress, Orange is the New Black
Shakira Barrera, Actress, Glow & Orange is the New Black
Jason Sondhi, Co-Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Short of the Week
Short Doc + Web Series
Opal H. Bennett, Director of Filmmaker Development, DOCNYC
Florentina Almonte, Content Acquisitions Executive, Shorts TV International
Tamara P. Carter, Writer, HBO’s The Leftovers & Starz’s P-Valley
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BUSHWICK FILM FESTIVAL: FULL SCHEDULE
Feature Film Program
SANZARU | Dir. Xia Magnus, 86 min, Narrative, USA
Evelyn, a nurse from the Philippines, moves in to care for Dena, an elderly woman declining into dementia. When Evelyn's nephew, Amos, is forced to come stay with them, he develops a connection with Dena's enigmatic son. Mysterious forces haunt Dena, and her violent hallucinations begin to hint at a dark secret lurking in the house. As the two broken families find themselves dangerously isolated under one roof, Evelyn uncovers a haunting truth that threatens to resurrect everyone's past traumas.
BLANCO DE VERANO (SUMMER WHITE) | Dir. Rodrigo Ruiz Patterson, 87 min, Narrative, Mexico, Language: Spanish
13-year-old Rodrigo is a solitary teenager who finds solace in his intimate relationship with his mother, Valeria. She is his best friend, his protector, and his entire world. When her new boyfriend comes to live in their small house on the outskirts of Mexico City, however, Rodrigo finds his domain completely disrupted. He must decide if he should accept his new family or fight back and hurt the person he loves the most.
Ticket info for Blanco De Verano (Summer White): https://bit.ly/3iWzIfv
CICADA | Dir. Matthew Fifer, co-dir. Kieran Mulcare, 96 min, Narrative, USA
After a string of unsuccessful and awkward encounters with women, Ben goes “back on the dick.” Cicada follows Ben, a young bisexual man, as he comes out to the world and develops an intense relationship with Sam, a man of color struggling with deep wounds of his own. As the summer progresses and their intimacy grows, Ben’s past crawls to the surface.
THE LAWYER | Dir. Romas Zabarauskas, 97 min, Narrative, Lithuania & Serbia, Language: Lithuanian
Life drifts by for gay corporate lawyer Marius, his time spent teasing friends and chasing young lovers. One day, Marius’ estranged father dies. Mourning turns to love as the lawyer finds an unanticipated connection with a sex-cam worker Ali – a Syrian refugee stuck in Belgrade.
TAKE OUT GIRL | Dir. Hisonni Mustafa, 98 min, Narrative, USA
Tera Wong delivers Chinese food for her mother’s struggling restaurant located in the “Low Bottoms,” an infamous Los Angeles project. And everyone around her, including her unpredictable brother (Saren), are financially trapped in this crime and violence-ridden neighborhood. That is until, Tera takes a job from the local drug Kingpin, moving his “product” inside her takeout food boxes. With the cash rolling in, Tera intends to move the family restaurant to the suburbs and go clean. But after a series of tragic events, the dream that Tera built on a foundation of lies, may crumble.
CELESTE | Dir. Ben Hackworth, 90 min, Narrative, Australia
Hidden from the world at a crumbling estate in lush tropical Far North Queensland, Celeste anxiously reaches out to Jack, her late husband’s son, inviting him to return to the languid, sprawling family home for her much-anticipated recital. Jack’s reappearance after a long absence stirs up unsettling memories, pulling them both into a mutually precarious orbit.
ALBERTO AND THE CONCRETE JUNGLE | Dir. Chris Shimojima, 99 min, Narrative, USA
Alberto and the Concrete Jungle introduces us to a new memorable hero, Alberto Buenaventura, played by rising Puerto Rican actor Alejandro Santoni. Alberto is a digital nomad, living on the road, commitment-free, but due to absurd reasons, suddenly finds himself unable to leave New York. Follow him as he traverses the 5 boroughs, meeting diverse and colorful characters that complicate his escape plans and, in some cases, tempt him to settle down. Filmed guerilla-style in the middle of real street life, "Alberto" subverts, deconstructs, and modernizes the Indiana Jones adventure genre, turning it into an urban indie comic-opera. Original music score by acclaimed composer Ljova.
Ticket info for Alberto and the Concrete Jungle: https://bit.ly/3mZ9f3m
MILKWATER | Dir. Morgan Ingari, 101 min, Narrative, USA
Seeking direction and purpose, Milo rashly decides to become a surrogate and egg donor for an older gay man she meets in a bar. However, as Milo becomes increasingly attached to him, she starts leveraging the pregnancy as a means of staying embedded in his life.
TOPRAK | Dir. Sevgi Hirschhäuser, 105 min, Narrative, Turkey, Language: Turkish
Since the death of his parents, the teenage Burak has lived with his uncle Cemil and grandmother in a remote Turkish village. The small family unit has been trying to make a living by selling fruits. While the religious Cemil is satisfied to live his life in poverty, Burak struggles to leave for the city and attend university. When grandmother falls sick, both Burak and Cemil have to make tough decisions that will change their lives forever.
ASIMETRIJA (ASYMMETRY) | Dir. Maša Nešković, 93 min, Narrative, Montenegro & Serbia, Language: Serbian
A girl and a boy. A young woman and a young man. A middle-aged couple separating. The summer is boiling hot, streets of Belgrade are empty, stories of three couples intertwine almost randomly. As the narrative unfolds, a larger picture of only one couple emerges -- one couple in three key stages of their life.
THE DARK END OF THE STREET | Dir. Kevin Tran, 70 min, Narrative, USA
A sprawling mosaic of American life intertwined. On a single night, stories connect and disconnect throughout a suburban neighborhood where someone is killing people pets causing insecurities, anxieties, and violence.
写真の女 (WOMAN OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS) | Dir. Takeshi Kushida, 89 min, Narrative, Japan, Language: Japanese
One day, middle-aged photographer and retouching artist Kai encounters Kyoko, a beautiful woman and model with a huge and ugly scar on her body. Kyoko asks Kai if he can use his retouching skills to erase the scar in her modeling photos and create a perfect and flawless body. Although fascinated by her newfound “perfection,” Kyoko is also confused about what version of her photographs (touched up vs. real) she should share with the world. Torn by this crisis of identity, she falls into despair. Kai feels that only he can salvage Kyoko from her anguishes, and he is determined to love her at all costs.
DARK CITY: BENEATH THE BEAT | Dir. TT The Artist, 65 min, Documentary, USA
Dark City: Beneath The Beat is an audiovisual experience that defines the soundscape of Baltimore city. Inspired by an all original Baltimore club music soundtrack, the film spotlights local club artists, DJs, dancers, producers, and Baltimore’s budding creative community as they are realizing their life dreams. Rhythmic and raw, these stories illustrate the unique characteristics of the city’s landscape and social climate through music, poetry, and dance. From the city’s social climate to its creative LGBTQ community, Dark City: Beneath The Beat showcases Baltimore club music as a positive subculture in a city overshadowed by trauma, drugs, and violence.
Ticket info for Dark City: Beneath the Beat: https://bit.ly/305jfhv
THE UNIVERSALITY OF IT ALL | Dir. Andres Bronnimann, 90 min, Documentary, Canada, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Nicaragua, Syrian Arab Republic, UK, USA & Yemen
The Universality of It All is a feature-length documentary that focuses on the topics of human migration and inequality from a fresh and nuanced perspective. The filmmaker tells the story of his best friend Emad, a Yemeni refugee living in Vancouver, Canada, and by doing so, he ends up arriving to a profound realization about the interconnectedness of all the major events of the 21st century. The film takes the viewer on a journey around the world, analyzing different cases of migration from an economic and historical perspective, while simultaneously delving into the life, thoughts and experiences of Emad. This back-and-forth juxtaposition between narratives is what ultimately allows the audience to see the similarities and correlations that all migrations on earth share.
THE GRAND UNIFIED THEORY OF HOWARD BLOOM | Dir. Charlie Hoxie, 66 min, Documentary, USA
Howard Bloom spent much of the 1970s and ’80s as the publicist for iconic musicians like Michael Jackson, Prince, Joan Jett, Run DMC, and Aerosmith. When a rare disease left him housebound for 15 years, Bloom reinvented himself as an author, publishing several books on evolutionary psychology and humanity’s role in the universe. Now in his 70s, the eccentric philosopher readies an unfathomably long masterwork that will unify all of his unorthodox theories and makes plans for his legacy.
Ticket info for The Grand Unified Theory of Howard Bloom: https://bit.ly/3035NdW
THIS LAND, OUR VOICES | Dir. Julia Thompson & Kevin Bay, 45 min, Documentary, USA
How do we define America? How do we as Americans tell the history of where we come from and how that informs who we are? This Land, Our Voices is an anthology film composed of five shorts: "The Cost of Land," "Arikira," "Help is on the Way," "Queen of Kalispell," and "Young Bear PI." Each section tells the story of one American and their relationship to their land and their legacy.
NAVIGATING THRU | Dir. Lindsay Taylor Jackson, 88 min, Documentary, USA
Navigating THRU follows the journey of several women as they hike 2,200 miles along the Appalachian Trail.
MAURICE HINES: BRING THEM BACK | Dir. John Carluccio, 94 min, Documentary, USA
Maurice Hines: Bring Them Back is an intimate portrait of the charismatic song-and-dance man from his tap-dancing childhood to today. Maurice and friends — including Chita Rivera, Mercedes Ellington and Debbie Allen — tell tales from his seven-decade career, from Broadway to big screen. The film also sheds light on Maurice’s loving yet difficult relationship with his superstar brother, the late Gregory Hines. Ever battling the challenges of being a gay, black man in showbiz, Maurice shares his own story with humor and grace.
LOVEMOBIL | Dir. Elke Margarete Lehrenkrauss, 105 min, Documentary, Germany, Language: Bulgarian & German
Besides the dark highway roads of rural Germany, prostitutes from foreign countries work in old VW-Buses in the forest. ln, this uncanny world murder of one of the women takes place, forcing the women to take action.
TEDDY, OUT OF TUNE | Dir. Daniel Freeman, 67 min, Documentary Hybrid, USA
With a piano strapped to the back of his truck, a nomadic street musician drives 2,000 miles north to Canada on an emotional mission to spread his mother's ashes. Along the way he encounters a peculiar mix of friends and strangers that allow him to share more about his complicated history with mental health and abuse.
LES CHIENS-LOUPS (WOLFDOGS) | Dir. Domenic Leclerc, 92 min, Documentary, Canada, Language: French
Armed solely with the French writer La Fontaine's famous fable "The Dog and the Wolf", a resourceful actor spends six months in a working-class neighborhood teaching elementary school students the meaning of freedom.
Ticket info for Les Chiens-Loups (Wolfdogs): https://bit.ly/331i9W9
QUEEN OF LAPA | Dir. Theodore Collatos & Carolina Monnerat, *Special Screening, 74 min, Documentary, Brazil, Language: Portuguese.
Larger-than-life actress, cabaret performer, activist, and proud sex professional since the age of eleven, Luana Muniz - arguably one of Brazil’s most recognizable transgender personalities, shapes a new reality for a new generation of transgender sex workers in her hostel by providing a safe working environment in the dangerous neighborhood of Lapa in Rio de Janeiro. Queen of Lapa explores the day-to-day lives, quests for love, housemate rivalries in a turbulent political climate under matriarch Muniz’s watchful and guiding eye.
SHORT FILM PROGRAM
RECLAMATION: THE RISE AT STANDING ROCK l Dir. Michele Noble, Short Doc, USA | 23 min
The Native Nations unite to lead a peaceful resistance against the Dakota Access Pipeline which awakens the world.
Ticket info for Reclamation: The Rise at Standing Rock: https://bit.ly/337mKG2
DROP A PIN | Themed Shorts Block, 86 min
There are no travel restrictions at the Bushwick Film Festival — Oahu, Hawaii, the coffee hills in Costa Rica, the City of Lights, a living room in Los Angeles … that’s where we’re going.
Each location has its own culture, its own set of circumstances, its own predicaments, injustices, joys, questions. There are a trillion stories from around the world, seven of which populate this block. Don’t expect to come back the same as you went in.
Films Include:
THE GREAT FAIR | Dir. Andrew Wonder, Short Doc, United States
CAFÉ DE TEMPORADA | Dir. Maria Luisa Santos, Short Doc, Costa Rica, Language: Spanish
DAFA METTI (DIFFICULT) | Dir. Tal Amiran, Short Doc, France, Language: Wolof
KAMA'ĀINA (CHILD OF THE LAND) | Dir. Kimi Howl Lee, Short Narrative, USA
LEWISTON | Dir. David Shayne & Jacob Roberts, Short Doc, USA
COTTON CANDY | Dir. Fredgy Noël, Narrative, USA, Language: Haitian, Spanish
JESA | Dir. Kyungwon Song, Short Doc, Animation, Republic of Korea, Language: Korean
BLACK MAMBA | Themed Shorts Block, 95 min
Kobe Bryant recreated his form, donning the alter-ego “Black Mamba” to shed the weight of his unraveling private life while on the court, reclaiming his focus and agility from the state of turmoil he was in.
The real life humans in this block of films all have their own Black Mamba; that one thing that they needed in order to either survive or thrive; to feel whole. Tune in to see the fiery torch that Kobe passed along.
Films Include:
CONFESSIONS OF A RUNNER | Dir. Bachar Khattar, Short Doc, Lebanon
NATALIE'S POINT OF VIEW l Dir. Abigail Fuller, Short Doc, USA
SIGN AT ALL TIMES: A FILM ABOUT BRIAN ESTRADA l Dir. Andrew Leibman, Short Doc, USA
A PLACE TO BOWL l Dir. Gabe Jacobs, Short Doc, USA
SONNIE l Dir. Samuel Mirpoorian, Short Doc, USA
CORNER MAN l Dir. Lachlan Hinton & Jackson Devereux, Short Doc, USA
FINDING ELIJAH l Dir. Yolonda Johnson-Young, Short Doc, USA
I AGAINST I | Themed Shorts Block, 74 min
Sometimes we lie to ourselves, sometimes we stumble upon the truth. In this block we’ve got a yuppie couple pushing a pyramid scheme to an anti-capitalist punk rock band, a lonely isolated woman trying to connect with others via a new augmented reality device, and a trans artist that subtly challenges viewers to examine some of their most deeply held assumptions. Join us to see who in these films breaks on through to the other side (of themselves).
Films Include:
IMAGINARY FRIEND l Dir. Zachary Rubin, Short Narrative, USA
JOURNAL l Dir. Alexander Bliss, Short Narrative, USA
AUTOMATIC l Dir. Emma Doxiadi, Short Narrative, Greece
I AGAINST I l Dir. Shaun Seneviratne, Short Narrative, USA
JES FAN:INFECTIOUS BEAUTY l Dir. Jia Li, Short Doc, USA
THE TAXIDERMIST l Dir. Natalie Johnson, Short Narrative, USA
THE UNICORNS l Themed Shorts Block, 104 min
filmmaking unicorn (ˈfilm-ˌmā-kiŋ yü-nə-ˌkȯrn) n. An unusual, rare, or unique filmmaker.
Filmmaking unicorns are not a dying breed, not at Bushwick Film Festival anyway. The filmmaking unicorns in this block will test you — they’ll test your emotional durability, your sense of taste, your sanity. Under normal circumstances, we would only screen these kinds of films when the clock strikes midnight. This year you’ll have the opportunity to lose your s*** at any time of day you like.
Films Include:
MAKE A WISH l Dir. Dinh Thai, Short Narrative, USA
OTHERS l Dir. Grace Rex, Short Narrative, USA
TRAMP l Dir. Emelia Benoit-Lavelle, Short Narrative, USA
EAT THE RAINBOW l Dir. Brian Benson, Short Narrative, USA
MIDNIGHT COFFEE l Dir. Jaime Levinas, Short Narrative, USA
TUESDAY NIGHT FEVER l Dir. Chris & Lowe McKee, Short Narrative, USA
MY DINNER WITH WERNER l Dir. Maverick Moore, Short Narrative, USA
HOSS l Dir. Ryan McGlade, Short Narrative, USA
PAVING OVER PARADISE l Themed Shorts Block, 72 min
“The world is about to be swallowed by a black hole. Meteorites fall from the sky. Ocean waves take on enormous new heights. Chaos abounds in city streets as people confront their looming demise ..."
Take note, this is only a description for one(!) of the films in this block (see: A Hole) of environmentally-conscious shorts. Gangster-like corporations and government entities have wreaked havoc on our natural world and these films are here to provide the damning evidence.
Don't worry, you'll still find a surprising amount of optimism!
Films Include:
(YOU'LL MAKE IT IN) FLORIDA l Dir. Phil Chernyak, Short Narrative, USA
LUGAR ALUM (NO PLACE) l Dir. Gabriel Amaral, Short Narrative, Brazil, Language: Portuguese
RÖSTER OM VÅR TID (BY THE POWER PLANT) l Dir. Per Wichmann, Short Doc, Sweden, Language: German, Modern Greek (1453-), Polish
SUMMER IN THE CITY l Dir. Mojo Lorwin, Short Narrative, USA
A HOLE l Dir. Molly Murphy, Short Narrative, Animation, USA
WATER THE PLANTS (*THE NON-URBAN DICTIONARY VERSION) | Themed Shorts Block, 78 min
Relationships with family, friends, and lovers all require work, investment, and care in order to evolve and thrive. In the absence of fine-tuned attention, at one point or another, these relationships end up on the figurative chopping block. In other words, if you forget to water the plants, they die (so leave a note!).
Films Include:
BLACKHEADS l Dir. Emily Ann Hoffman, Short Narrative, Animation, USA
WALI & ZURI l Dir. Derrick Woodyard, Short Narrative, USA
DINNER l Dir. My Linh Le Tran, Short Narrative, Vietnam, Language: Vietnamese
WATERS OF MARCH l Dir. Chase Johnson, Short Narrative, USA
CARO COMES OUT l Dir. Brit Fryer & Caro Hernandez, Short Doc, USA
K.I.N.G. l Dir. Rashad Frett, Short Narrative, USA
DONUTS l Dir. Anu Valia, Short Narrative, USA
Ticket Info for Water the Plants (*The Non-Urban Dictionary Version): https://bit.ly/363mF8u
CHASING BUTTERFLIES l Themed Shorts Block, 76 min
When one ‘chases a butterfly’ they are after something — a person, a feeling, a memory — they can never get, that’s always out of reach … devastated yet? Hold on.
In this block we have both a story about an underground jazz club, as well as a gold digger that uses a magic spell to try to get her sugar daddy back. Still with us? We’ve got docs, comedy, science-fiction, and a period piece. Variety? Check. And most crucially, we have each filmmaker present — latent — stretching out their figurative hand, inviting you to grab hold so that you can experience the journey safely. Trust us, you’re in good hands.
Films Include:
I DO NOT SLEEP l Dir. Beppy Gietema, Short Narrative, USA
MARGO & PERRY l Dir. Becca Roth, Short Narrative, USA
AGUA 'E PANTY l Dir. Astrid Perez, Short Narrative, Dominican Republic, Language: Spanish
UTRANSFER l Dir. Giorgio Miraflor, Short Narrative, USA
FORMERLY FUNDAMENTALIST l Dir. Mike Musikanto & John Richie, Short Doc, USA
POST 398 l Dir. David Drake, Short Doc, USA
KISSING THE BEEHIVE: COMING-OF-AGE TALES l Themed Shorts Block, 65 min
Transformation hits in perhaps its most intensive form when we reach the precipice of adulthood. Young enough to embrace their optimism and maybe just old enough to have encountered enough knocks of life to know a little better. This block features films that examine the lives of courageous and curious young people with pluck. Moviegoing audiences can’t seem to get enough of watching them take their swing at life.
Films Include:
EAGLE l Dir. Jose Avecado, Short Narrative, USA
2 BLACK BOYS l Dir. Rachel Myers, Short Narrative, USA
斑馬魚 (ZEBRAFISH) l Dir. Bruce Lu, Short Narrative, Taiwan, Language: Chinese
SPARROW l Dir. Boris Krichevsky & Nikita Zarkh, Short Narrative, USA
MY HERO l Dir. Logan Jackson, Short Narrative, USA
BANANAS GIRL l Dir. Shayna Connelly, Short Doc, USA
Ticket Info for Kissing the Beehive: Coming-of-Age Tales: https://bit.ly/2RRbp6P
HELLO, CLARICE l Themed Shorts Block, 88 min
Have you ever looked closely at the movie poster for The Silence of the Lambs? No, that’s not a butterfly — that’s a Death's-Head Hawkmoth! …
Wait, let’s start at the beginning: one of the all-time great character and acting transformations belong to Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) in the aforementioned film. Released in 1991, The Silence of the Lambs still stands as a touchstone for actors, featuring an iconic expression of the power of self-transformation.
Although the different stages of transformation for a Death’s-Head Hawkmoth are fascinating within the context of that film, what we’re more interested in here are the women who appear front and center in these magnificent shorts. Each one of them on their own journey, pursuing growth and doing it on their own terms.
Films Include:
CURTAIN CALL l Dir. Angel Yau, Short Doc, Animation, USA
RENO l Dir. Daniel Fethke, Short Doc, USA
YAI NIN l Dir. Champ Ensminger, Short Doc, Thailand, Language: Thai
IN ACCESS l Dir. Jade Williams, Short Doc, USA
امرأة سورية (A SYRIAN WOMAN) l Dir. Khawla Al Hammouri & Louis Karim Sayad DeCaprio, Short Doc, Jordan, Language: Arabic
CHICK FLICKS l Dir. Tatiana Jorio, Short Doc, USA
IN THE PINK l Dir. Katharine Stocker, Short Narrative, United Kingdom, USA
STORM THE GATES | Themed Shorts Block, 110 Min
During an impassioned keynote speech at AFI’s Directing Workshop for Women, filmmaker Jill Soloway said the following: “Instead of waiting for the industry to change or waiting for the guys to change, instead storm the gates, grab hands with each other … snarl at the bases of those watchtowers like wild lady-dogs. Wrestle the male directors out of the chairs, then put the chair back up and sit in it!”
The courageous filmmakers in this block all examine power — who has it, who gets to wield it — and leave us asking what change can be achieved through self-determination. This is the must-see block of 2020.
Films Include:
SIXTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS l Dir. Symone Baptiste, Short Narrative, USA
SLAVE CRY l Dir. Jai Jamison, Short Narrative, USA
HIS-STORY l Dir. Anthony Colon, Short Doc, USA
SAY YOU WILL l Dir. Mariel Sosa, Short Doc, USA
ALINA l Dir. Rami Kodeih, Short Narrative, USA, Language: German & Polish
FLUNKYBALL l Dir. Tess Forestieri, Short Narrative, USA, Language: Arabic & German
FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION l Dir. Poppy Gordon, Short Narrative, USA
THE THIN BLUE VARIETY SHOW l Dir. Gretta Wilson, Short Narrative, Animation, USA
THE CLARINET l Dir. Anne Windsland, Short Narrative, USA
THE SUPER 8 FEELING (WEB SERIES / NEW MEDIA) l Themed Web Series / New Media Block, 128 min
In the words of Nicolas Cage, “The Super 8 feeling is what my brother and I used to feel when we made movies in the backyard with the camera our dad bought us when we were kids. I didn’t care about awards or money… It was simply because we loved making the movie and telling a story.”
The home movie has come a long way since portable video cameras became commonplace in the 80s and 90s. Today, artists are getting together with their friends and creating diverse multi-layered work. In this series, we spotlight profiles of nurses who otherwise may not have gotten one, gentrification comedies, and an artist by the name of Gazoo who defies almost all descriptions. Though disguised as a new medium, the web series has its roots in the Super 8 feeling and sits here as an intersection between the ancient, the old, and the new.
Web Series / New Media Include:
SIDEWAYS SMILE l Dir. Hang Nguyen, Web Series Narrative, USA
BEAM ME UP l Dir. Lana Boy & Matthew Charof, Web Series Doc, USA
A DIARY FROM THE FRONTLINE l Dir. Emma Watts, Web Series Doc, Italy, United Kingdom & USA
COUP! l Dir. Matthew Klaus Esolda & Brian Goodheart, Web Series Narrative, USA
DISLABELED l Dir. Brian McCarthy, Web Series Doc, USA
HOW TO FIRE SOMEONE (WITH JULES AND JONAS) l Dir. Mike Lars White, Short Narrative, USA
FREDERICK DOUGLASS BOULEVARD AKA FOOD & DRINK BOULEVARD AKA F.D.B. l Dir. Washington Kirk, Web Series Narrative, USA
Ticket Info for The Super 8 Feeling (Web Series / New Media): https://bit.ly/35ZetG8
Special Events
Movie Industry Conference October 24 & 25
The Streaming Revolution Continues
Writing for TV
How to get an Agent
Production: Post Pandemic and BLM
Social Media for Storytellers
From Book2Screen
Conversation with Award-Winning Writers
Conversation with BFF Alumni
Masterclass on Foley
Animation Studios
Tickets here:
Opening Night Show, Wed, October 21, 2020 8:00 PM | TUNE IN: https://bit.ly/32XE7cm
Opening Night Filmmaker Q&As, Wed, October 21, 2020 9:00 PM | TUNE IN: https://bit.ly/3jaXVPn
Industry/Filmmakers Meetings, Thurs, October 22, 2020, 10:00 AM | By invitation only
Live Music Daily, October 21 - 25, 2020 | IG Live https://bit.ly/3mJwe21
Industry Networking Event, Sat, October 24, 2020, 3:00 PM | RSVP (badgeholders only): https://bit.ly/3cp8Jql
Movie Trivia Night, Sat, October 24, 2020, 9:00 PM | RSVP: https://bit.ly/3hXpkCP
Screenplay Table Reading, Sat, October 24, 2020, 4:30 PM | RSVP: https://bit.ly/35Y9G7X
Awards Ceremony, Sun, October 25, 2020, 7:00 PM | RSVP: https://bit.ly/2Eyhi5D
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Press Contact:
Hayley Brinkman | Big Picture Media
195 Broadway, Suite 341. Brooklyn NY 11211
