17th Annual Buffalo Int’l Film Festival Announces Full Lineup of 160 Film Premieres from 30 Countries + Offscreen Events + Panels – in venues across Buffalo, NY
Highlights include made-in-WNY films The Puppetman, Heartbreak Falls, A Decade At DBs, WNY Stories, Local Portraits, 98 Degrees West, Tradition, Trauma & Tenderness, [six years], Starting from Zero,
Festival favorites include If You Were the Last, Maria Schneider, 1983, Fancy Dance, Chasing Chasing Amy, Kim’s Video, Alien Food, Eat Bitter, Only the Good Survive, unseen
Buffalo, NY, September 22, 2023: The 17th annual Buffalo Int’l Film Festival (BIFF) is excited to announce its 2023 festival lineup, which includes festival favorites from Cannes, Sundance, Hot Docs, SXSW, and Tribeca; and world, US, and regional premieres! The festival will present five days of film, art, music, performances, panels (and more!) from October 5–9th in Buffalo.
For the first time since the pandemic all of BIFF’s programming will take place in person, with the exception of hybrid events like panels and Offscreen art and performances that will be presented live and also live streamed. To better serve our community and accommodate for the growth that we’ve experienced these last few years, BIFF is thrilled to be extending our offerings to new neighborhoods within the City of Buffalo and working with new community partners, as well as long term collaborators.
In addition to the festival’s three core venues – the North Park Theatre (1428 Hertel Ave), Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center (341 Delaware Ave), and Burchfield Penney Art Center (1300 Elmwood Ave), and new for 2023 – BIFF will also present screenings and panels at Buffalo Toronto Public Media (140 Lower Terrace St), Mason O. Damon Theater at the Buffalo & Erie County Downtown Central Library (1 Lafayette Sq), The Buffalo History Museum (1 Museum Ct), and Journey’s End Cinema at the Tri-Main Center (2495 Main St #530).
BIFF 2023 Festival Trailer from Buffalo Int’l Film Festival on Vimeo.
We’re so excited to share this year’s program which offers a celebration of creativity and connection as we return to a fully in-person event. The line-up offers quality films for everyone from seasoned cinephiles to the next generation of movie lovers and makers. – John J. Fink, Artistic Director.
“We’re so thrilled and honored to present these phenomenal films to the WNY community, and to welcome new and old friends to our beautiful city for this year’s Buffalo Int’l Film Festival! Our team has been working hard for the last year to curate several highly anticipated titles, many of which will be accompanied by live filmmaker Q+As. There is so much incredible content – something for every age and taste. Everybody is invited to Buffalo’s city-wide celebration of cinema – we can’t wait!” – Anna Scime, Executive Director
Seats can be reserved for free programming, and tickets and passes can be purchased at buffalofilm.org or at each venue’s box office on the day of the screening. Tickets are $12 for all in person screenings, $7 for select matinees. BIFF also participates in Arts Services Inc’s Arts Access Program, which allows program participants to reserve free tickets to all festival events. BIFF’s popular All-Access Bison Pass is also on sale for $55 and provides access to the festival’s 150+ film screenings, official events, and more.
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SPOTLIGHT + CENTERPIECE FILMS:
OPENING NIGHT GALA
Director Kristian Mercado, and Producers Andrew Miano and Dan Balgoyen in attendance.
Friday October 6, 7:00pm – North Park Theatre
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ARTHOUSE SPOTLIGHT
MARIA SCHNEIDER, 1983 + THE PASSENGER
Director Elisabeth Subrin in attendance.
Friday October 6, 1:00pm – Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center Cinema
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CITY CENTERPIECE
Director Brandon Christensen in attendance.
Saturday October 7, 9:30pm – North Park Theatre
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LATE NIGHT SPOTLIGHT
Friday October 6, 9:30pm – North Park Theatre
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CLOSING NIGHT – DECOLONIAL SPOTLIGHT
Monday October 9, 7:00pm – North Park Theatre
*In celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Seneca/Haudenosaunee lands, this is a free screening. RSVP is encouraged and donations/pay-what-you-can welcome.
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SCREENINGS IN BUFFALO OCT 5-9:
*Alphabetical order – please check individual film pages for date/time/venue, and filmmakers in attendance.
Narrative Features:
Everybody Wants To Be Loved w/ Learning to Dance
Maria Schneider, 1983 + The Passenger
Where The Road Leads w/ Midnight Ride
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Documentary Features:
98 Degrees West – Zamir Discovers Bourdains America
I Like It Here w/ Gone Before Your Eyes
Kenyatta Do Not Wait Your Turn
Tradition, Trauma, & Tenderness
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Shorts Blocks:
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Free Film Programming:
BIFF Shorts: Racial Justice in View
Free Offscreen, Panel + Party Programming:
BIFF Offscreen: Cage Match Dress Rehearsals
Community-Focused Nonfiction Panel
In Focus + On Location: The Puppetman
*More exciting free programming (Offscreen art, music and performance events, panels, roundtables, workshops, parties + more) TBA soon!
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About Buffalo Int’l 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 to WNY residents and visitors. 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, please visit buffalofilm.org.
Press Contacts:
John Fink, Artistic Director, 973-615-3124, john@buffalofilm.org
Anna Scime, Executive Director, 716-316-8510, anna@buffaloifilm.org
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