October 25, 2023 (Brooklyn, NY) – The 16th Annual Bushwick Film Festival (BFF) is set to kick off next Wednesday, marking its 16th anniversary with an exciting lineup of films that embody the theme of "Sweet Sixteen."
As the festival unfolds, audiences will embark on cinematic journeys that delve into the profound nuances of coming-of-age, self-realization, and the search for autonomy. While turning 16 traditionally symbolizes growth and exploration, the festival reminds us that transformative moments can occur at any age. This year, BFF invites audiences to reflect on their own stories and defining experiences, as our carefully curated films shine a spotlight on pivotal narratives that reveal tales of change, self-discovery, and transitions into new phases of life.
With over 125+ films chosen this year from over 1000+ submissions, there are a handful of films that will be premiering for the first time at this year’s Bushwick Film Festival.
The critically acclaimed Brazilian film, Bittersweet Rain (Saudade Fez Morada Aqui Dentro), will be making its highly anticipated US premiere on the final day of the festival, Sunday, October 29th. This evocative coming-of-age tale explores the challenges of adolescence and the resilience of the human spirit while addressing themes of visual impairment and the LGBTQ+ experience in a small community. Partnering with The Bolivia Lab, a renowned institution dedicated to promoting South American films globally, the BFF looks forward to showcasing more Ibero-American cinema and fostering collaborations across regions.
The narrative feature film, Young Gun, will also be making its world premiere at the festival on Saturday, October 28th. The story follows an illegal immigrant father struggling to make ends meet when he accepts a contract to assassinate the UK branch leader of the KKK during a karaoke event. He confronts a maze of twisted challenges that test his survival instincts while striving to prove his devotion as a father.
The festival will be housing the world premiers of The Foreign Patriot, Q Train, Little Boxes, Sage, Hairpiece, Bushwick Jodi, The North American Premiere of Webseries Monologue, and the New York Premieres of A Real One, Andrew After Angola and Beat, to name a few.
Some additional film highlights from this year include:
Artist Unknown: a romantic comedy feature film that follows the story of Juniper, an insecure martial artist, who must find out the origins of a painting after two thieves try to steal it from her.
Darla in Space: a sci-fi comedy feature film that follows the story of Darla as she attempts to pay off a huge tax debt with the aid of a sentient, orgasm-granting kombucha mother.
All The Songs We Never Sang: a drama feature film that follows the story of Natsumi as she ventures from Tokyo to a small provincial island where her aunt Reiko lives. Reiko is an Ama-San, a traditional Japanese pearl diver who has been at odds with Natsumi’s mother, her twin sister, for years and has never met Natsumi before. The young girl has to find a way to heal those old wounds, reunite her family, and save herself from some big trouble she gets herself in.
Storming Caesar's Palace: a documentary that shares the story of how a group of ordinary low-income mothers launched an extraordinary grassroots movement for economic justice and Black women’s empowerment in the 1960s and 1970s. This film reveals the roots of today’s movements, highlighting the experiences of Black women organizers from one of the most challenging and forgotten feminist, anti-poverty movements in our history, and places it in the limelight, where it will inspire, embolden and honor the women whose courage, tenacity and dreams could not be quashed, against all odds.
Playing Sam: a narrative feature film that follows Samantha after a devastating breakup as she picks up the pieces to her broken heart and acting career to rediscover her essence as a modern Latinx actress.
Halloween (Psychological): it is time for spooky season! This collection of short films delve into the darker realms of human experience, offering spine-tingling tales that explore unsettling aspects of the psyche. With eerie atmospheres and unexpected twists, they will keep you engaged and intrigued.
Web Series: a collection of diverse stories of a variety of individuals as they navigate life’s complexities.
Through the Fire: a collection of shorts that take us on an inspiring cinematic journey that shows us that even in our darkest moments, there's always something for the better.
NY in Transit: a shorts block that features films with characters embarking on unique journeys, whether they're heading somewhere physically or experiencing new stages emotionally and psychologically, all within the ever-evolving backdrop of New York City.
Control: Life Unscripted: a collection of stories that revolve around characters who believe they have life firmly under their grasp, only to be confronted by unexpected twists and turns. In these films, the concept of control takes center stage, serving as a backdrop for humorous, poignant, and sometimes even shocking moments that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
In addition to the films and awards ceremony, the festival will feature a variety of different events including the Opening Night Red Carpet Reception, presented by Spectrum, on October 25th at Brooklyn Borough Hall, where guests can enjoy specialty cocktails by Johnnie Walker Blended Scotch Whisky. Additionally, there will be a Movie Industry Conference held at Be Electric Studios and a lively Sweet 16 Party at Lot 45.
The Movie Industry Conference offers a full day of networking opportunities, featuring two engaging panel discussions. "Film and AI: The Next Chapter" explores AI's evolving role in streamlining production processes and shaping creative decisions. "Strike: Unraveling the Economics of the Film Industry" delves into the economic challenges exposed by recent strikes and examines the historical economics of the industry, while envisioning future sustainability.
Over the past 16 years, BFF has showcased the works of nearly 1000 independent filmmakers from Brooklyn and more than 50 different countries. The BFF has evolved into one of Brooklyn's most highly anticipated cinematic events and is celebrated for its significant contributions to the borough's artistic, cultural, and economic development. Among the 125+ films featured in this year's programming, approximately 5 filmmakers will be honored with awards across various categories such as Best Feature (Narrative/Doc), Best Short (Doc/Narrative), and Best Web Series.
The Bushwick Film Festival is a crucial platform for emerging filmmakers to showcase their work to a diverse and global audience, both in New York City and internationally. With over 1000 yearly film submissions from 60+ countries, the festival draws 3,500 attendees annually and showcases the top 100 indie films from NYC and beyond. In addition to screenings, the five-day festival in October features a red-carpet opening, a movie industry conference, networking events, a screenplay competition, and a closing night awards ceremony.
City and State Elected officials have awarded the BFF for its contribution to Brooklyn’s cultural, artistic, and economic growth. Generous support from prominent organizations Spectrum/Charter Communications, Delta Airlines, Popsugar, Johnnie Walker, Caress, B&H Photo, Canon, Master Card, Hello Alice, IFundWomen, LVR, and local organizations has allowed the festival to: expand its public programming, and develop filmmaking programs for underrepresented storytellers in Brooklyn and West Africa.
As an MWBE organization, the festival belongs to the minority of only 12% of film festivals owned by women of color in the U.S.
