Press Releases
The 16th Annual Bushwick Film Festival Announces Award Winning Films
AWARDED $10,000 THROUGH STAND FOR THE ARTS AWARDS BY SPECTRUM AND OVATION TV
FEATURED ON NY1, DEADLINE, HYPERALLERGIC, GOTHAMIST, BROOKLYN MAGAZINE, BK READER, NEWS 12 BROOKLYN, PIX 11, NBC-4 AND MORE
November 8, 2023 (Brooklyn, NY) – The Bushwick Film Festival (BFF) celebrated its 16th edition this year from October 25th – October 29th, screening over 125+ films from Brooklyn and around the world. The festival included live screenings hosted by Williamsburg Cinemas, an Opening Night Red Carpet Reception, presented by Spectrum with specialty cocktails by Johnnie Walker Blended Scotch Whisky, on October 25th at Brooklyn Borough Hall. For the third consecutive year, Johnnie Walker has been a proud sponsor of the Bushwick Film Festival, demonstrating its commitment to nurturing storytellers, championing diversity, and encouraging bold strides forward. Other festival events included a Movie Industry Conference held at Be Electric Studios featuring engaging panel discussions and a lively Sweet 16 Party at Lot 45.
The festival culminated with an award ceremony this past Sunday, October 29th where over 10 films and filmmakers received awards. The award winners told bold stories, embodied the independent spirit, and featured extraordinary characters that reveal tales of change, self-discovery, and transitions into new phases of life.
This year’s jurors included Theo Rigby, (Founder/Director, iNation Media ), Danelle Eliav (Producer, Menashe, and Omara), Melody C Roscher (Writer/Director/Producer, Martha Marcy May Marlene and White Wedding), Petra Ahmann (Executive Producer, Silverline Cinema), Amenya Makuku (Head of Development and Production with Courtney Lee Mitchell's 4TH Power Films (KINDRED with FX; in development on UNCATCHABLE with Apple and Appian Way)), Courtney Andrialis-Vincent (Former VP, Production Management for Warner Bros Discovery Sports & Bleacher Report), Niki Williams (Senior Manager, Production & Development, Nickelodeon), and Kweighbaye Kotee (producer, Starlit Pictures, BFF Founder)
Below is the full list of winners:
FEATURE NARRATIVE CATEGORY
Best Feature Narrative
Darla in Space
Director: Susie Moon, Eric Laplante
Special Jury Prize
Bittersweet
Director: Haroldo Borges
Honorable Mention
Playing Sam
Director: Ramon Felipe Pesante
SHORT NARRATIVE CATEGORY
Best Short Narrative
The Old Young Crow
Director: Liam LoPinto
Special Jury Prize
The Vacation
Director: Jarreau Carrillo
Honorable Mention
Bodies Will Tumble and Roll
Director: Eli Vazquez
FEATURE DOCUMENTARY CATEGORY
Best Feature Doc
Storming Caesar's Palace
Director: Hazel Gurland-Pooler
Special Jury Prize
Estamos Unidos
Director: Alvaro Manuel Morales
Honorable Mention
Esu and The Universe
Director: Thiago Zanato
SHORT SERIES CATEGORY
Best Series
Story of Godia
Director: Mouayed Zabtia
Special Jury Prize
Awesome
Director: Paul Munger
Honorable Mention
Monologue
Director: Nick Clifford, Stef Smith
During the Opening Night Ceremony, Ovation TV awarded the Bushwick Film Festival a $10,000 check through the Stand For The Arts Awards, a partnership with Spectrum that recognizes local arts, cultural, and educational organizations and programs. Since the initiative started in 2017, Ovation TV and Spectrum have given out 70 awards totaling $700,000 towards arts education. Bushwick Film Festival is one of 10 organizations receiving support in Spectrum markets across the country. Select arts organizations are awarded $10,000 Stand For The Arts contributions based on the following criteria: support of creatives and artists via community-driven programming; as advocates for equity and access to the arts; and for providing accessible spaces for creative expression.
(Photo Credit: Dexterity Productions)
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.
The 16th Annual Bushwick Film Festival gratefully acknowledges the generous contributions of our sponsors, partners, grant benefactors and patrons:
Spectrum, Johnnie Walker, Ovation TV, Brooklyn Borough Hall, Pushing Forward Realty, Circa Brewing Co., Broadway Stages, Williamsburg Cinemas, Lot 45, World Owned, Be Electric Studios, Master Card, NAACP, Self-Portrait Project, Hello Alice, and IfundWomen donors.
About Bushwick Film Festival
The Bushwick Film Festival is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to discover emerging voices, share great stories, and build community through the power of film. As an MWBE organization, we are proud to be part of the 12% of film festivals in the U.S. that are owned by women of color. With over 1000 yearly film submissions from 60+ countries, the festival draws 5000 attendees and features the top 100 indie films from NYC and beyond. In addition to film screenings, the five-day festival includes a red-carpet opening, a movie industry conference, networking events, a screenplay competition, and a closing night awards ceremony.
The Bushwick Film Festival has received recognition from City and State Elected officials for its significant contribution to Brooklyn's cultural, artistic, and economic growth. With the generous support of our partners and sponsors, we are able to expand our free public programming and develop filmmaking programs specifically designed to empower and uplift underrepresented storytellers in the Brooklyn community.
About Johnnie Walker
Johnnie Walker is the world's number one Scotch Whisky brand (IWSR 2022 in value) enjoyed by people in over 180 countries around the world. Since the time of its founder, John Walker, those who blend its whiskies have pursued flavor and quality above all else.
Today's range of award-winning whiskies includes Johnnie Walker Red Label, Black Label, Double Black, Green Label, Gold Label Reserve, Aged 18 Years, and Blue Label. Together they account for over 21 million cases sold annually (IWSR, 2022), making Johnnie Walker the most popular Scotch Whisky brand in the world.
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Watch the Opening Night Video HERE
Download High Res Photos from the Opening Night Ceremony HERE (Credit: Dexterity Productions)
Download High Res Photos from Screenings HERE (Credit: Chris Kammerud)
View Opening Night Photo Booth Photos HERE
Press Contact:
Stephanie Estrada | Big Picture Media
C: 562.685.6707 | Stephanie@BigPictureMediaOnline.com
Samantha LaPare | Big Picture Media
C: 973.461.9345 | Sam@BigPictureMediaOnline.com
2019 BUSHWICK FILM FESTIVAL AWARD WINNERS AND PRIZES ANNOUNCED
Top Awards Go To The Ghost Who Walks, Bushwick Bill: Geto Boy, Feathers, Enforcement Hours, and Before We Wrap.
Brooklyn, NY – October 9, 2019 – The Bushwick Film Festival (BFF) celebrated its 12th anniversary this year with nearly 100 films, a dozen panels, special events, and nearly 3,500 attendees! The festival culminated with an awards ceremony at Syndicated Movie Theater where 23 films took home awards. The award winners told bold stories, featured extraordinary characters and embodied the independent spirit; reminding us of how films inspire, entertain and connect us.
This year’s jurors, invited in recognition of their accomplishments and commitment to the industry, did the hard job of choosing award winners in addition to selecting their own Special Jury Prize. Jurors for the Festival include: Faye Tsakas, VP Development & Production, Passage Pictures; Carlos Ibarra, Development Executive, 141 Entertainment; Mishka Brown, Executive Producer, Washington Square Films; Matt Grady, Founder, Factory 25; Brandi Payne, Crowdfunding Specialist, Seed & Spark; Alece Oxendine, Director of Industry & Festival Outreach, Columbia University; Richard Wolff, CEO, Breaking Glass Pictures; Casey Bader, Producer, El Dorado Pictures; Daniella De Jesus, Actress, Orange is the New Black; and Pawel Wieszczecinski, Founder, Kinoscope.
The Best Feature Narrative Award, presented by B&H and Canon, was a Canon camera package. The Best Feature Documentary Award, presented by Giant Pictures, was $5,000 worth of digital distribution services.
The Best Short Narrative and Short Documentary Awards, presented by Liman Video Rental (LVR), was $2,500 in rental credit for each filmmaker. The Best Web Series Award, presented by Mongo Media, was $2,000 worth of credit in services.
In addition to film awards, BFF presented its first Best Actor/Outstanding Performance Award to actress Annapurna Sriram for her role as Yazmine in the film Feral. Finally, the 3rd Rising Star Award—created to acknowledge a BFF alumnus who is achieving notable levels of success—went to Otoja Abit. The award is a testament to the recipient’s hard work and to the festival's continued commitment to give emerging filmmakers and creators a platform.
The complete list of award winners of the 12th Annual Bushwick Film Festival are as follows:
BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE: The Ghost Who Walks | Cody Stokes
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: Bushwick Bill: Geto Boy | Gregy Roman
BEST NARRATIVE SHORT FILM: Feathers | A.V. Rockwell
BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM: Enforcement Hours | Paloma Martinez
BEST WEB SERIES/NEW MEDIA: Before We Wrap | Elizabeth Charles
SPECIAL JURY PRIZE: NARRATIVE FEATURE: Happy Face | Stephane Gerin-Lajoie
SPECIAL JURY PRIZE: DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: Buckjumping | Lily Keber
SPECIAL JURY PRIZE: NARRATIVE SHORT: La Capa Azul (The Blue Cape) | Alejandra López
SPECIAL JURY PRIZE: DOCUMENTARY SHORT: Mi Madre Me Tiene Rabia (My Mother Resents Me) | Victoria Linares Villegas
SPECIAL JURY PRIZE: WEB SERIES/NEW MEDIA: Queering | Leticia De Bortoli
HONORABLE MENTION: NARRATIVE FEATURE: El Baile (The Dance) | Rino Arreaza
HONORABLE MENTION: DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: Warrior Women | Christina D. King & Elizabeth A. Castle
HONORABLE MENTION: NARRATIVE SHORT: PICK | Alicia K. Harris
HONORABLE MENTION: DOCUMENTARY SHORT: Come & Take It | PJ Raval & Ellen Spiro
HONORABLE MENTION: WEB SERIES/NEW MEDIA: Other Colors | Remoy Philip
PROGRAMMER’S CHOICE: NARRATIVE FEATURE: Vanilla | Will Dennis
PROGRAMMER’S CHOICE DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: General Magic | Sarah Kerruish & Matt Maude
PROGRAMMER’S CHOICE: NARRATIVE SHORT: Nettles | Raven Jackson
PROGRAMMER’S CHOICE: DOCUMENTARY SHORT: Fuck, it's Biology | Veronica Andersson
PROGRAMMER’S CHOICE: WEB SERIES/NEW MEDIA: Passing: A Family in Black & White | Robin Cloud
PROGRAMMER’S CHOICE: ANIMATED SHORT: שלווה/SHALVA (=Tranquility) | Danna Windsor
BEST ACTRESS/OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE: Annapurna Sriram as Yasmine in Feral
RISING STAR AWARD: Otoja Abit
The 12th Annual Bushwick Film Festival would like to thank the following sponsors:
Community Sponsors: B&H Photo, Canon, Office of the Brooklyn Borough President, NYC & Company Foundation, City Fresh Market, 100 Bogart, Push Forward Realty, Camber Property Group
Official Alcohol Sponsors: Brugal 1888, Partida Tequila
Official Beer Sponsor: Circa Brewing Co.
Beverage Partners: Chronicle Wines, Brooklyn Crafted, Essentia
Restaurant and Venue Partners: Syndicated, The Rookery, Chemistry Creative, House of Yes, Lot 45, 718 Studios, Gemelli, Bushwick Generator, Arancini Bros.
Production Partners: Liman Video Rental, Giant Pictures, Mongo Media
Media Partners: Bushwick Daily, Schneps Media, BKLYNER, BK Reader
Local Partners: North Brooklyn Arts Foundation
About the Bushwick Film Festival:
The Bushwick Film Festival (BFF) is an MWBE certified independent film, media, and event production company in Brooklyn, NY. The annual festival attracts over 3,500 attendees, as well as more than 1,500 film submissions from 60 countries around the world, contributing to the borough's cultural and economic growth. The festival is committed to community building, empowering underrepresented storytellers, and increasing diversity in film and other forms of media through year-round programming. Our year-round program includes free public screenings and events, hands-on film production workshops, and career training for young adults.
Bushwick Film Festival Names Circa Brewing Co. Its Official Beer Sponsor
Circa creates specially brewed Lunar Eclipse to be released at launch party on September 18 and only available at the 12th Annual Bushwick Film Festival
BROOKLYN, New York, August 27, 2019 (Newswire.com) - The Bushwick Film Festival (BFF) is proud to announce that Brooklyn’s own Circa Brewing Co. will be the Official Beer Sponsor of the 12th Annual Bushwick Film Festival. From October 2 through October 6, festival attendees will have the opportunity to not only enjoy Circa’s rotating supply of expertly made Belgian, German and American-style beers (including the ever-popular hoppy, hazy IPAs), but also taste Circa’s brand new release, Lunar Eclipse, brewed specially for the 2019 Bushwick Film Festival. BFF and Circa are pushing the envelope by merging the arts of filmmaking and beer brewing, providing festival-goers with a one-of-a-kind experience. Lunar Eclipse will make its debut at the BFF Launch Party and Official Beer Release on September 18, at Circa Brewing Co.’s beautiful downtown Brooklyn location. After the official launch of BFF, Lunar Eclipse will only be available for a limited time during the run of this year’s festival.
Working off of BFF’S 2019 ‘SPACE’ theme, Circa’s head brewer Drew Kostic has conjured up a blueberry-infused wheat beer that will be dosed with “Element X,” a secret ingredient that audiences will be invited to identify during the five-day festival week. The beer will carry a slight pinkish-blue hue from the addition of blueberries, which is reminiscent of the colors generated during the event it’s named after.
“Space exploration has always played a pivotal role in my life,” says Kostic. “From the tender age of 9, I was saving all my money to attend space camp—which I did twice—and reading and re-reading my favorite space travel books until their covers wore off. Since I still tell people daily that my life goal is to be the first person to brew beer in outer space, I consider this collaboration to be an extremely exciting chance to continue building my astronaut resume!” Kostic starred in the documentary Brewmaster, which will have a special screening during BFF, followed by a Q&A session with the audience.
Circa’s Brand Director, Myriam Lopez, and BFF’s Creative Director, Rah Crawford, teamed up on the vision for Lunar Eclipse’s label, which features the image of a mesmerizing pink lunar eclipse.
“At Circa, every beer tells a story and finding the right partner to collaborate with is essential to keep growing. When the opportunity came up to sponsor an international film festival with such a presence in the Brooklyn community we are proud to be a part of, it was a no-brainer. I’m so incredibly thrilled for this partnership between Circa and BFF. I hope it’ll mark the beginning of many brewing stories,” says Lopez.
BFF Founder and CEO Kweighbaye Kotee comments, “Creating an independent brewing company, film festival, or film is a moonshot that requires visionary thinking and courage to keep going. That’s why we are so excited to partner with Circa this year to celebrate this ethos and foster a community of dreamers and doers.” In addition to its traditional program of screenings, panels and networking events, festival attendees can also expect a variety of food, art, and tech events.
Select passes to the 12th Annual Bushwick Film Festival are now on sale, and individual tickets will go on sale September 1. For notifications about ticket sales and/or to receive 2019 festival updates, please visit: https://www.bushwickfilmfestival.com/tickets-on-sale-sept-1]
For press and industry accreditation, please visit https://www.bushwickfilmfestival.com/industry-accreditation.
About Circa Brewing Co.
Circa Brewing Co. is an independent brewery, event space and pizzeria in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn. Circa has adopted a novel approach to brewing and fermentation by brewing dynamic and innovative beer that is rooted in traditional practices and a no-holds-barred approach to Neapolitan-style pizza.
About Bushwick Film Festival
The Bushwick Film Festival (BFF) is an MWBE-certified independent film, media and event production company in Brooklyn, New York. Its annual festival attracts over 3,500 attendees, as well as more than 1,500 film submissions from 60 countries around the world, contributing to the Borough's cultural and economic growth. The festival is committed to community building, empowering storytellers, and increasing diversity in film and other forms of media through year-round programming. Its programming includes free public screenings and events, hands-on film production workshops, and career training for young adults so that they have the tools to enter a successful career in the media industry.
For press inquiries contact:
Tiffany Ruiz
press@bushwickfilmfestival.com
347-450-3464
B&H Photo, Canon & Bushwick Film Festival Present Bushwick Stories
A Free Five-Day Filmmaking Workshop and Festival Screening for Young Storytellers
Brooklyn, NY— B&H Photo, Canon and Bushwick Film Festival have teamed up to present Bushwick Stories—a five-day documentary filmmaking workshop for young storytellers in Bushwick followed by a screening of the youth-created films at the 11th Annual Bushwick Film Festival (Oct. 10-14).
Bushwick Stories seeks to empower local youth with the tools to tell their own stories and encourage them to see the film industry as a viable professional pathway. The hands-on workshop will teach up to 15 students between the ages of 16-24 the basics of filmmaking, lighting techniques and how to use professional digital video and audio equipment, while introducing them to inspiring film professionals. Students will learn how to collaborate together to shoot and produce their own mini-documentary to screen at this year’s Bushwick Film Festival.
The high cost of professional video and audio gear, plus the financial straits of many public arts and AV programs often puts filmmaking beyond the reach of many students in underserved areas. The program leverages B&H’s 45 years of experience as a provider of top-level counseling and gear in the photo, video and audio market and Canon’s iconic optical products, granting participants access to top-notch equipment and invaluable insights. Furthermore, participants will benefit from Bushwick Film Festival’s network of film professionals and work closely with the festival’s alumni and staff in the creation of their short doc.
“As a family-owned, NYC-based business, B&H is thrilled to provide aspiring young filmmakers with the chance to kickstart their careers. Investing in our local community is vital to the B&H ethos. We’re thrilled to support New York City as a natural birthplace for independent film and creative expression.”
“Representation in media and film really matters. It's so important for young people to see diversity on screen and to see themselves and their communities in the stories being told. That's why this is one of our most impactful initiatives and we are grateful to have the support and experience of B&H Photo and Canon.” Kweighbaye Kotee - Bushwick Film Festival Founder and CEO
The three companies are united in their desire to give back and empower storytellers. B&H has a long history of philanthropic work; their long standing support is essential to many local organizations and imaging partners that all bring something unique to the image-making community. Canon is committed to a business approach that is socially responsible and economically logical. It is engrained in their corporate philosophy of Kyosei—which is defined as “all people, regardless of race, religion or culture, harmoniously living and working together into the future.” Bushwick Film Festival was built from the fabric of its community, on the premise that everyone deserves access to possibilities and works to carefully leverage its growing influence to give back to the under-resourced parts of the community.
Bushwick Stories will be the first major partnership between Bushwick Film Festival and B&H Photo, now the festival’s official Community Partner. The program is a great opportunity for young storytellers to learn about the art of filmmaking, work with industry professionals and create their own short films!
Interested parties can apply online at www.bushwickfilmfestival.com/bushwickstories by August 14th for a chance to attend the free five-day workshop and create a short documentary about Bushwick as they see it.
Important Dates:
July 25, 2018: Submissions Open
August 14, 2018: Submissions Close
August 27-31, 2018: Workshop
October 14, 2018: Special Bushwick Stories Screening at the 11th Annual Bushwick Film Festival
More news to come via:
Website: bushwickfilmfestival.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BushwickFilmFestival
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BushwickFilm
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bushwickfilmfest
About B&H Photo:
B&H began as a "mom and pop" shop in 1973. After wife-and-husband partners (Blimie and Herman, respectively) opened the doors in Tribeca with one employee, their trademark dedication to candid selling and quality merchandise quickly attracted a loyal following of photo, video and audio professionals. At a time when shysters abounded, we developed a reputation for honesty and ethical business practices, and the word spread.
Today, as the USA's largest non-chain specialty electronics retailer, we deliver that same pioneering integrity via specialized showrooms, classes and tutorials, and as always, unparalleled inventory and service on a daily basis. We continue to expand to meet your needs with showrooms, classes, helpful educational and social media content, serving customers worldwide from our highly rated website, award-winning mobile Apps, catalogs and our 34th Street "SuperStore."
About Canon:
Canon U.S.A., Inc. is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions to the United States and to Latin America and the Caribbean markets. In the spirit of our corporate philosophy of Kyosei—all people, regardless of race, religion or culture, harmoniously living and working together into the future—Canon is committed to an approach to business that is socially responsible and economically logical. Canon seeks to be a truly excellent global corporation. For our customers, we offer the best products possible. Simultaneously, we strive to improve our relationships with local communities and to increase our respect for the environment as we contribute to the prosperity of the world and the happiness of its people.
About Bushwick Film Festival
Founded in 2007, Bushwick Film Festival (BFF) is a leading independent film and media company in Brooklyn. The festival is hailed as one of Brooklyn’s most influential cinematic events for its contribution to the borough’s artistic, cultural, and economic growth. The festival attracts film and entertainment industry leaders at national and international levels and showcases films created by the best and most diverse emerging independent filmmakers in Brooklyn and worldwide. We provide a platform for filmmakers to share their stories and present opportunities for them to make a living doing what they love. We provide spaces for audiences from all backgrounds to connect and discover new independent movies and experience unique cultural events. Please visit our website: www.bushwickfilmfestival.com
Press Contact:
Nathalie Thomas | Marketing Coordinator
nathalie@bushwickfilmfestival.com | o: 347.450.3464