News | Buffalo Niagara Film Commission

BUFFALO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2017: OCT 6-9th

Aug 16, 2017

(August 16, 2017) Buffalo, NY – The Buffalo International Film Festival (BIFF), a 501(c)(3) non-profit film festival serving Western New York is excited to announce its 2017 Festival dates, October 6-9th. All screenings and events are hosted locally in the city of Buffalo in partnership with The North Park Theatre, Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center, Squeaky Wheel Film and Media Art Center, with additional venues to be announced soon.

BIFF’s 2017 festival has continued to enjoy increased interest from the creators of top-tier global films, with a 45% increase in submissions, from over 45 countries. This year’s festival will also feature exciting new programming; including a series of multi-media installations around the city of Buffalo, industry and academic panels, parties and performances. BIFF will announce it’s full line-up in conjunction with the re-launch of its website on September 1, 2017.

BIFF would like to extend its deepest gratitude to outgoing Executive Director Ray Guarnieri and to founder and Board Treasurer, Renee Russell who have chosen to leave their roles ahead of this year’s festival. In 2015 Mr. Guarnieri took over for founder and former Executive Director Edward Summer after he passed away, and has worked tirelessly to transform the organization from a small, regional festival into the nationally competitive, eponymous festival that it is today. Ray’s 2 years of service have been deeply appreciated by the organization and we look forward to his ongoing contributions to the film community in Buffalo and beyond. After 11 years of service, Ms. Russell will be transitioning to Director Emeritus and the board will continue to seek her wise counsel as it transitions to new leadership. John J. Fink, BIFF’s former Director of Programming has been appointed as Interim Executive Director.

For more information, please contact:
John J. Fink @ info@buffalointernationalfilmfestival.com or 973-615-3124

COLD BROOK: A Look Back at Bill Fichtner’s Directorial Debut

Aug 9, 2017

(July 28th, 2017) Western New York Native and actor William Fichtner has wrapped up his directorial debut with the feature film Cold Brook. Locations in Western New York included the Buffalo History Museum, Buffalo State College, Main Street in East Aurora, and the Colonel Ward Pumping Station.

Cold Brook is “the story of two ordinary guys in a small town who embark on an extraordinary adventure. It’s a story about coming home; something everyone, everywhere has an innate desire to do.”

Along Fichtner himself, actors starring in Cold Brook included Kim Coates, Harold Perrineau, Brad Heinke, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Robin Weigert. Western New York natives Louis Mustillo and Charlene Amoia also returned home to take featured roles.

Behind the Camera with Cold Brook Producer Sara Shaak:

Behind the Camera with ‘Cold Brook’ Producer Sara Shaak from Buffalo Niagara Film Office on Vimeo.

Behind the Camera – Cold Brook Press Conference:

Behind the Camera_ The ‘Cold Brook’ News Conference from Buffalo Niagara Film Office on Vimeo.

CASTING CALL: The True Adventures of Wolfboy

Aug 9, 2017

Project: THE TRUE ADVENTURES OF WOLFBOY
Project Type: Feature Film
Union Status: SAG-AFTRA
Rate of Pay / Contract: Scale
SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS:
Email: wolfboycasting@gmail.com

DAY PLAYERS – LOCAL HIRES
Buffalo, New York – Local Hires – Authentic preferred. Please include headshots and size cards.
Director: Martin Krejci
Writer: Olivia Dufault
From the Producers of the Academy Award winning, Manchester By The Sea.
Audition Date(s): Begin 08/11/2017
Shoot Location: Buffalo, New York

Roles:
[ARISTIANA’S MOTHER]
45 to 50 years old, Caucasian female.
Uptight, insecure, middle class woman who pretends socially she is someone she’s not. She doesn’t accept her own child’s identity, worrying more about what other people would say.

[PERCY]
13 to 14 years old, all ethnicities male.
Lead bully, authentic, with balls to be rude to an unknown adult. No sense of discipline or humbleness. He is rude to the innocent as well as the respected. Foul language is his second language. Close friends of Buck and Dougie.

[PERCY’S MOM]
40 to 50 years old, all ethnicities female.
Single mom, worn down by life, she is trying to keep up but it’s tough, she knows she’s losing. She often finds help at the bottom of the bottle and blames herself for son Percy’s behavior. But Percy knows exactly how to use her.

[BARTENDER]
40 to 55 years old, all ethnicities male or female.
Very remarkable character, works in a bar full of eccentric and real individuals. They fit among the free spirits and the outcasts. Authentic bartender preferred.

[MR. SALTPETER]
45 to 65 years old, all ethnicities male.
Headmaster at a unique school for children with abnormalities, he is a kind looking, sincere man, with a comfort to his voice. Very passionate about making the world a better place for his students. Knows every child’s name.

[GAS STATION CASHIER]
20 to 45 years old, all ethnicities male or female.
True and original character, authentic cashier preferred.

[BUCK]
13 to 14 years old, all ethnicities male.
Bully, follower, authentic. No sense of discipline or humbleness. He is rude to the innocent as well as the respected. Foul language is his second language. Close friends of Percy and Dougie.

[DOUGIE]
13 to 14 years old, all ethnicities male.
Bully, follower, authentic. No sense of discipline or humbleness. He is rude to the innocent as well as the respected. Foul language is his second language. Close friends of Percy and Buck.

[CLOWN]
30 to 55 years old, all ethnicities male.
Works at a carnival, but see’s himself more as a waiter in a crowd than an entertainer. Not funny. A mere distain at what he does and just needs it to pay the bills.

[POLICE OFFICER]
20 to 50 years old, all ethnicities male.
Authentic police officer preferred.

[DOCTOR]
50 to 60 years old, all ethnicities male.
Delivers children, has been through the routine hundreds of times, thought he seen everything. Authentic doctor preferred.

[NURSE]
30 to 50 years old, all ethnicities female.
Works in the delivery room, handles children everyday, has been through the routine hundreds of times. Authentic nurse preferred.

Cappuccino Brings “Malaisia” Home

May 17, 2017

(May 17th, 2017) For his directorial feature film debut, seasoned New York City based producer Mac Cappuccino decided to bring “Malaisia” home to Buffalo. This dark indy comedy features a love triangle with a strange twist, stars Leonardo Santaiti (Allegiant, Sleepless) along with Sarah Baskin (Who Killed Chandra Levy?), and Josh Nuncio (Love Vampires).

Camera Operator Joe Blodgett uses an Alexa Mini mounted on a Ronan to follow Malaisia actor Josh Nuncio on Hertel Avenue.

Filming started with scenes at the Buffalo Arts Studio, and the North Park Theatre and will continue at a variety of signature Buffalo locations for the next few weeks.

Cappuccino discusses a scene with lead actress Sarah Baskin.

Cappuccino, a Lockport native and Canisius High graduate has held producer roles on a number of feature films including Clown, Arthur Newman, and Aftershock. As a director he also has two music videos to his credit for Young Squire and Tidus which he also brought home to shoot in Western New York.

(COVER PHOTO TOP- 1st AD Kyle Mecca, Script Supervisor Adrienne Caminer, Director Mac Cappuccino, and Director of Photography Stevie Ungureanu block a scene at The Buffalo Arts Studio.)

Buffalo Niagara Film Festival: Submission Deadlines Announced

Mar 7, 2017

(March 7th, 2017) Founder/President Bill Cowell of The Buffalo Niagara Film Festival has announced closing submission deadlines for this annual event which takes place September 20th-30th, 2017 at various W.N.Y. screening venues.

BNFF Founder/President Bill Cowell

Deadlines-

March 15, 2017 Late Deadline

April 15, 2017 Extended Deadline

May 15, 2017 Final Deadline

Submissions can be made now through the Film Freeway Website: https://filmfreeway.com/festival/BuffaloNiagaraInternationalFilmFestival

For more information email info@thebnff.com, call 716-432-1065, or see the Buffalo Niagara Film Festival official website: www.thebnff.com

2307: Winter’s Dream Scores Big at Berlin Film Fest

Feb 21, 2017

(February 21st, 2017) Shot on the frozen tundra of Lake Erie during the “Polar Vortex” of 2015, Ultramedia’s “2307: Winter’s Dream” “has scored sales to multiple markets at the Berlin Film Festival with Vertical Entertainment buying U.S. rights” according to an article in last weeks Variety Magazine. This will ensure a theatrical and VOD release.

Paul Sidu in scene which used Silo City as a backdrop.

Produced by Robert Beaumont and Directed by Joey Curtis “2307: Winters Dream” spent late February and early March of 2015 shooting this futuristic sci-fi adventure on the frozen beaches, and winter time post apocalyptic landscapes of Angola, Hamburg, and Buffalo.

A sunny day on the frozen Lake Erie.

A visual effects set up on the frozen Lake Erie.

Behind the scenes Winter’s Dream made full use of many of Western New York’s seasoned crew base including talents in the camera department like Shannon Madden, Joe Blodgett, Matt Nardone, Kyle Mecca, and Brett Roedel along with Key Grip Kash Costner. Buffalo’s Frank Coppola had set decorating duties along with a cameo appearance in the film.

The cast includes a break out role for Paul Sidhu (who also co-wrote the screenplay with Joey Curtis), along with Arielle Holmes, Timothy Lee DePriest, Anne-Solenne Hatte, Kelcey Watson, Brad Potts and Branden Coles.

Official Site: http://www.ultramedia.com/2307-winters-dream/

2307: WINTER’S DREAM | Teaser from ULTRAMEDIA on Vimeo.

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