Oct 10, 2025
BUFFALO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 2025 BIFF LEGACY GALA AND SPECIAL EVENT FILMS
Actor Stephen McKinley Henderson to receive 2025 BIFF Lifetime Achievement Award
Festival to open with the world premiere of Starbucks Union documentary BARISTAS VS. BILLIONAIRES, filmed in Buffalo with Oscar-nominated Director Mark Mori and Producer Alec Baldwin (and many more!) in attendance, and close with a special presentation of the historical drama THE PANIC, filmed in Buffalo and starring Cary Elwes, Colm Meaney, Cristiana Dell’Anna, and Malcolm McDowell. Director/Writer Daniel Adams, Stars Cristiana Dell’Anna and Anastasiya Mitrunen, and Producer Michael Mailer in attendance.
The Buffalo International Film Festival runs October 9-16, 2025
Tickets are on sale now
BUFFALO, NY (September 14, 2025) – The Buffalo International Film Festival, Western New York’s leading film festival, announces its 2025 opening, closing and BIFF Legacy galas. This year’s edition will feature more than 200 feature films, shorts and episodic works from 37+ countries from October 9-16th. Screening venues include the historic North Park Theatre, Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center, Buffalo Toronto Public Media (WNED Studios), and Burchfield Penney Art Center.
BIFF’s opening night gala on October 10th will be BARISTAS VS. BILLIONAIRES at the North Park Theatre at 7:15 PM Director/Writer/Producer Mark Mori, Producers Alec Baldwin and Bob Judson, Editor Leigh Anne Sides, Associate Producer Cat Miller, and Resource Producer Roberta Bryant will attend and participate in a post-screening Q&A. A growing number of documentary participants will also be in attendance at the event.
On Sunday October 12 at 7:00 PM., the festival will host BIFF Lifetime Achievement honoree Stephen McKinley Henderson for an extended conversation following a screening of Jim McKay’s EVERYDAY PEOPLE. The festival will also feature Henderson’s 2025 film, THE DUTCHMAN (also starring André Holland and Kate Mara), on Saturday October 11 at 4:45 PM, with Henderson inattendance for a live audience Q+A as well.
The festival closes on October 16 at 6:30 PM with the Special Presentation of Blue Fox Entertainment’s THE PANIC. Director/Writer Daniel Adams, Stars Cristiana Dell’Anna and Anastasiya Mitrunen, and Producer Michael Mailer will be in attendance for a post-film Q&A.
Tickets for select films and passes for this year’s edition are on sale now at buffalofilm.org.
OPENING NIGHT GALA
BARISTAS VS. BILLIONAIRES, directed by Mark Mori (USA), 72 minutes, USA, World Premiere
Director/Writer/Producer Mark Mori; Producers Alec Baldwin and Bob Judson; Editor Leigh Anne Sides; Camera Operator Rifat Choudhury; Co-Producer Dennis L.A. White; Associate Producer Cat Miller; and Resource Producer Roberta Bryant.
Documentary Participants Gianna Reeve, Angel Krempa, Gary Bonadonna, Will Westlake, and Richard Bensinger also in attendance.
Starbucks baristas in Buffalo, NY organize against corporate exploitation, sparking a nationwide uprising among working-class Millennials and Gen Zer’s as they challenge a powerful billionaire CEO. A gripping story of a new generation of diverse, young workers fighting for their right to unionize.
CLOSING NIGHT GALA
THE PANIC, directed by Daniel Adams, 120 minutes, USA, Special Presentation
Director/Writer Daniel Adams, Stars Cristiana Dell’Anna and Anastasiya Mitrunen, and Producer Michael Mailer in attendance.
The true story of the nationwide financial panic that erupted in October 1907 when the Knickerbocker Trust Company in New York went bust due to the actions of a group of unscrupulous bankers and businessmen. The ensuing chaos nearly brought down the American economy and led to the creation of the Federal Reserve six years later.
Filmed in various locations throughout Buffalo, the film stars Cary Elwes, Colm Meaney, Cristiana Dell’Anna, Justin Chatwin, Anastasiya Mitrunen and Malcolm McDowell.
BIFF LEGACY GALA
EVERYDAY PEOPLE (2004), directed by Jim McKay, 91 minutes, USA, Special Presentation
The screening will be followed by a live discussion and Q+A with Everyday People Star and BIFF 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Stephen McKinley Henderson
The closing of a popular neighborhood restaurant in Brooklyn affects employees who have dedicated their lives to the eatery.
Starring Stephen McKinley Henderson, Bridget Barkan, Jordan Gelber, Nelson George, Sydnee Stewart, Steve Axelrod, Ron Butler, Reg E. Cathey, Nathan De’Shon Myers, Billoah Greene, Kadijah Carlisle, and Polly Humphreys.
Stephen McKinley Henderson has called Buffalo home since he joined UB’s Department of Theatre and Dance in 1987. Equally active in theater and film, he came to prominence performing the plays of August Wilson. He has received nominations for two Tony Awards and a Drama Desk Award. In 2021, Vulture named Henderson as one of “The 32 Greatest Character Actors Working Today”.
He made his film debut in A Pleasure Doing Business (1979) and has since appeared in Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (2011), Lincoln (2012), Fences (2016), Manchester by the Sea (2016), Lady Bird (2017), Dune (2021), Causeway (2022), Beau Is Afraid (2023), Civil War (2024), and The Dutchman (2025). For television he has appeared in Law & Order (1995–2010), The Newsroom (2013), The Blacklist (2018), Wu-Tang: An American Saga (2019–2020), Devs (2020), The Madness (2024), and A Man on the Inside (2024).
ABOUT THE BUFFALO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Buffalo International Film Festival (est. 2006) champions regional, national, and international films that push the limits of independent cinema, presenting quality films from around the world. BIFF is committed to amplifying diverse voices and exhibiting cutting-edge programming in narrative, documentary and experimental film. A proud supporter of local filmmaking and the arts; BIFF also offers workshops, seminars, industry panel discussions, fiscal sponsorship and professional development opportunities, as well as an Offscreen series of art, music and performance.
For more info and to browse the full lineup of films, please visit buffalofilm.org.
Press Contacts:
John Fink, Artistic Director, 973-615-3124, john@buffalofilm.org
+
Anna Scime, Executive Director, 716-316-8510, anna@buffalofilm.org
Dec 2, 2015
(December 2nd, 2015) AVD productions is currently shooting their next short film “Beyond the Sea” aboard the decommissioned World War II Submarine the U.S.S. Croaker which is stationed at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval Park on the Buffalo Waterfront.
U.S.S. Croaker
Produced by Keith Lukowski and Andrew Dale, and directed by Vinny DiVirgilio “Beyond the Sea” tells the story of Jimmy, a sailor fresh from boot camp and thrown onto a submarine during WWII. After a routine restocking mission, a malaria outbreak wipes out the crew and strands Jimmy in the submerged vessel behind enemy lines. War quickly becomes the least of his problems. The story was written by both DiVirgilio and Dale.
Look for Beyond the Sea to hit festivals in 2016.
For more information: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/beyond-the-sea-a-short-film–2#/story
Aug 17, 2015
Filmmaker Peter McGennis introduces the movie “BIG” as part of the “NY Celebrates Film” series at Buffalo Harbor State Park.
(August 17th, 2015) It was a warm summer night in Western New York last Friday …. a perfect night for a free outdoor movie.
The Governors Office for Motion Picture and Television Development along with the New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Department sponsored a screening of the 1988 movie “BIG” starring Tom Hanks and directed by Penny Marshall.
The event was held at Buffalo’s newest state park, “Buffalo Harbor” State Park on Fuhrmann Boulevard.
Crowds gathered to watch the sunset over Lake Erie as a prelude to the big screen movie.
Lawn chairs, popcorn, food trucks and raffles were all part of the family fun as part of a statewide screening to salute the New York State movie industry as part of the “NY Celebrates Film” initiative established by Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Buffalo filmmaker Peter McGennis introduced the film and told the crowd that “Buffalo has been the perfect canvas” for his films. McGennis has shot a total of three movies in Western New York including Buffalo Bushido, Queen City and his latest film entitled Bubble Girl.
Four cities across the state participated by screening “BIG” on Friday night in various state parks… Buffalo, Syracuse, Albany and New York City.
A special tip of the Buffalo Niagara Film Office cap to state film commissioner Gigi Semone and state parks commissioner Rose Harvey for including Western New York in this salute to film-making in the Empire State.
Jul 10, 2015
(Cast and Crew of “Why I Murdered My Roomate” on set at The Dnipro Ukrainian Cultural Center. L to R: Robert Swedenhjelm (Sound), Seth Tyler Black (Props), Don Burns (DP), Lou Tomani (PA), Tilke Hill (Lead – EZ), Tate Ammons (Lead – Franklin). Photo by Michael W. Thomas)
(July 10th, 2015) Fractured Atlas presents the pilot episode screening of a half-hour dark comedy series, ‘Why I Murdered My Roommate.’ Featuring a cast and crew from Los Angeles, New York City and the Buffalo-Niagara region, the series tells the story of a woman named ‘EZ’ (Tilke Hill), a renegade performance artist on the run from the law. Cast members include Tilke Hill, Nicole Dionne, Dorian Electra, Tate Ammons, Kim Piazza, Margo Davis and Gary Brice. The series pilot was directed by Michael Pauly.
The screening will be held at 12:00 pm on Sunday, September
27 at the North Park Theatre located at 1428 Hertel Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14216.
After screening the episode, there will be a Q&A with cast and crew.
Tickets to to event are available online at
www.whyimurderedmyroommate.com
and include exclusive access to the After-Party.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the ‘Why I Murdered My Roommate’ production.
For further information and to view a trailer, visit:
www.whyimurderedmyroommate.com
Dec 17, 2014
(16 December 2014) A burned down church, and four runaway 12 year olds on bicycles are just two parts of this adventure produced by Brian and Brett Roedel. Find out what happens as they premiere this short film with a post film Q and A at the North Park Theatre on January 3rd at 11:30 AM.
The Bikers features dozens of local actors, filmmakers, and artists who have contributed to this project over the past 2 years.
The North Park Theater is located on 1428 Hertel Ave, Buffalo, New York 14216. Tickets are available at the theater box office for $5
Bikers Kickstarter Website
Nov 10, 2014
(November 10th, 2014) The Romans produced by Black Rose Films was a big winner at last nights Buffalo Dreams Fantastic Film Festival currently being held at Dipson Eastern Hills Mall Cinemas. Jon Cesar took home best performance by a Western New York Actor, Korey Green recieved best Western New York Director, and Romans as whole took home best Western New York Feature. The Romans will get an encore screening this coming Thursday, 11/13 at 9:30 pm due to last Fridays Sold Out Show.
(L-R) Romans Assistant Director Durand McCloud, Actor Tony Little, Actor John Caesar, Script Supervisor Sandy White, Writer/Director/Producer Korey Green, and Writer/Producer Larry Quinn.
Here is the complete list of winners following last nights awards ceremony:
2014 Dreamer Awards
Kim Piazza, WBBZ TV (Left), Awards Host; Isaac Ezban (Mexico) – Best Festival Feature, Best International Feature, Best Director, Best International Ensemble Cast (Center) and Greg Lamberson (Right).
Best Festival Feature – El Incidente/The Incident (Mexico)
Best Action Feature – 6 Bullets to Hell
Best Science Fiction Feature – Channeling
Best Horror Feature – The Drownsman
Best Thriller Feature – Julia
Best Comedy Feature – Spyfall
Best Director – Isaac Ezban, El Incidente/The Incident (Mexico)
Best Screenplay, Feature – Michael Louis Calvillo, Athena
Best Actress – Ashley C. Williams, Julia
Josh McKamie, Ryan Bellgardt (Oklahoma) – Josh McKamie, Ryan Bellgardt, Best Fantasy Feature, Army of Frankensteins
Best Actor – Stephen Kendrick, The God Question
Best Ensemble Cast – The Shower
Best Cinematography – Olivier Merckx, 6 Bullets to the Head
Best Special Make-Up Effects – Call Girl of Cthulhu
Best Visual Effects, Feature – Army of Frankensteins
Best Animated Short – Monstro!
Best Comedy Short: Hellyfish
Best Horror Short: Killer Kart
Best Science Fiction Short: Meet Your Maker
Best Fan Film: Star Wars: Bohemian Rhapsody
Best Music Video:
Mulligan’s Island (Gold)
Delica-m: Mean Something (Silver)
Shane Cole, Burn Away (Bronze)
Special Awards:
City of Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown (Center), along with Buffalo Dreams Co-Directors Greg Lamberson (Left) and Chris Scioli (Right) after receiving the Buffalo Dreams Local Service Award.
Local Service Award – Mayor Byron W. Brown
Local Hero Award winner J. Garrett Vorreuter
Local Hero Award – J. Garrett Vorreuter
Filmmaker to Watch winner : Hope Muehlbauer
Lynne Hanson (Left) receives Filmmaker to Watch award from Buffalo Dreams Co-Director Greg Lamberson.
Filmmaker to Watch Awards: Hope Muehlbauer, Lynne Hansen
Indie Genre Spirit Award – Aceifer Genovese (Left) with Greg Lamberson(Center) and Chris Scioli(Right).
Indie Genre Spirit Award – Aceifer Genovese
George Pal Visionary Award – Isaac Ezban
International Awards:
Best International Feature – El Incidente/The Incident (Mexico)
Best International Ensemble Cast – El Incidente/The Incident (Mexico)
Best International Horror Short – Waterborne (Australia)
Best International Science Fiction Short – Ruby’s Skin (UK)
Best International Fantasy Short – Henry and the Midnight Dentist
Best International Comedy Short: Happy Birthday, Mr. Zombie (Belgium)
Best Action Short: Watch Over Me (UK)
Best Visual Effects, Short – Orbit Ever After (Ireland)
Western New York Awards:
Best Western New York Feature – The Romans
Best Western New York Director, Feature – Korey Green, The Romans
Mattew Lorentz – Best Western New York Screenplay, B.O.Y.D.; Best Original Screenplay, Rin of Terror
Best Western New York Screenplay – Matthew Lorentz, B.O.Y.D.
Best Performance by a Western New York Actor – Jon Cesar, The Romans
Best Performance by a Western New York Actress – Tilke Hill, Elizabeth Bathory
B.O.Y.D. Best Western New York Ensemble Cast:(Left to Right) Kyle Scritchfield, Christopher Brechtel, Greg Lamberson, Christopher Scherr and Christopher Marriott
Best Western New York Ensemble Cast – B.O.Y.D.
Best Western New York Medium Length Film – Scope of Practice
Best Western New York Short – Road Test
Sign screenwriter Lou Rera accepts Best Western New York Director, Short Award for Joe Blodgett.
Best Western New York Director, Short – Joe Blodgett, Sign
Drew Bialy & Chris Greco – Best Western New York Short, Road Test
Best Western New York Screenplay, Short – Drew Bialy, Road Test
Rhonda Parker – Norah Parker, Best Student Film, Friends Don’t Let Friends – Date Friends and Buffalo Niagara Film Commissioner Tim Clark. Lamberson
Best Western New York Student Film – Friends Don’t Let Friends – Date Friends
Best Western New York Micro-Short/Best Micro-Short – Nigel Eastman
Best Western New York Music Video – Will Graver, Find a Little Boogie
Best Western New York Special Make-Up Effects Winner- Ken Cosentino
Best Western New York Special Make-Up Effects – Ken Cosentino and Matt Lord, Within
Best Original Screenplay Award
Rain of Terror – Matthew Lorintz (Gold)
Don’t Let the Bedbugs Bite – Ron Brawer and Shakir Farsakh (Silver)
Midnight Daisy – Jesse Vigil (Bronze)
Buffalo Dreams Fantastic Film Festival continues screenings throughout the week at the Dipson Eastern Hills Cinemas. For the latest listings (Click Here)
