__A Woman’s Work: The NFL’s Cheerleader Problem__

Opening Night Gala

Yu Gu (Dir.), 80 minutes, WNY Premiere, USA

Director Yu Gu in attendance.

Shining a spotlight on the NFL and its affiliate teams’ practices of wage theft and illegal employment of cheerleaders, Gu follows several legal developments from around the country, while also painting a portrait of divisions within the Buffalo Jills alumni community.

A Woman’s Work: The NFL’s Cheerleader Problem

This documentary shines a spotlight on the NFL and its affiliate teams’ practices of wage theft and illegal employment of cheerleaders.

Screening w/ Filmmaker Q&A

North Park Theatre

Come to BIFF's opening night party from 9pm-1am at [Duende](https://www.duendesilo.city/about) on site at Buffalo's favorite postindustrial wonderland –  [Silo City](http://www.silo.city/)!

Share some laughs and spirits with fellow filmmakers, film fanatics, creatives-of-all-stripes – and enjoy the musical stylings of the Adelphia Hookup Crew featuring KTE, Turkeyboy, DJ Teeth (Nastie Band) + Friends.

** Each Bison Pass holder will receive 1 drink ticket to exchange for a beer, glass of wine or nonalcoholic refreshment.*

Jump Off Party~

Come for some laughs and spirits with fellow filmmakers, film fanatics, creatives-of-all-stripes...

BIFF Parties

Duende

__BIFF Episodic__, 109 minutes

Comedic and dramatic short form, multi-arch storytelling.
_____

__Good Mourning__

Kelsea Claire (Dir.), 29 minutes, World Premiere, USA

Director Kelsey Ford in attendance.

After (sort-of) coming to terms with their failed acting careers, best friends Jackie (Jennifer Downses) and Dent (John Pena Griswald) stumble into day jobs as professional mourners with a grieving services company in this Buffalo-shot pilot.
_____

__Fakers__

Ryan DeNardo & Thaddeus McCants (Dirs.), 25 minutes, WNY Premiere, USA

Mark and T (Creators Ryan DeNardo & Thaddeus McCants), two dudes from Brooklyn who tell convenient lies to get ahead, learn a valuable lesson in this award-winning pilot. 
_____

__False Advertising__

Nick Porreca (Dir.), 17 minutes, WNY Premiere, USA

An arrogant ad exec (multi-hyphenate performer Cody Easterbrook) meets his match when an eleven-year-old girl arrives on his doorstep, claiming to be his daughter.
_____

__To The Madness__

Kyle Mosonyi (Dir.), 26 minutes, NY Premiere, USA

Two out of work actors decide to leave their go-nowhere lives behind to pursue their dreams in Los Angeles. 
_____

__M__

Javier Devitt (Dir.), 25 minutes, WNY Premiere, USA/Argentina

A young American couple traveling in Patagonia enter the woods with a local con man where they soon discover that something supernatural is in the wait.

BIFF Episodic

Comedic and dramatic short form, multi-arch storytelling.

Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center

__Live From The Astroturf__

Steve Gaddis (Dir.), 58 minutes, WNY Premiere, USA

Director Steve Gaddis and Micheal Penn in attendance.

40 years after the band parted ways, Alice Cooper reunites with the surviving members of the original band to perform a blistering set on a small, pink astroturfed stage at an independent music store in Dallas, TX. Steve Gaddis’ behind the scenes, award-winning rock doc provides an intimate visit with the band and their fans.


Screening with:

__Freedom__

Felipe Espinosa (Dir.), 13 minutes, NY Premiere, USA

Locked in a prison, an oppressed man struggles to pass the time in Felipe Espinosa’s dark thriller.

Live From The Astroturf w/ Freedom

40 years after the band parted ways, Alice Cooper reunites with the surviving members of the original band.

__BIFF Shorts: Life and Times__, 81 minutes

Captivating slices of life from exciting cinematic voices. 
_____

__HA:NA__

Isaadora Verissimo (Dir.), 14 minutes, NY Premiere, USA

A girl (Chrisin Muuli) struggles to piece together her identity through reflections of her master's past in Isaadora Verissimo’s haunting thriller.
_____

__Suncatcher__

Parker Craft (Dir.), 12 minutes, NY Premiere, USA

Living in the shadows of sunny Venice, California, a homeless professional (Eliza Croft) struggles to keep her head above water.
_____

__Girl Steals Painting__

Alexander Jeffrey (Dir.), 15 minutes, Northeast Premiere, USA

On July 4th, 1958, a young woman (Elizabeth Stenholt) arrives at a lavish mansion in New Orleans to reclaim an Edgar Degas painting that rightfully belongs to her.
_____

__Last Dream Before Sunrise__

Tom Albanese (Dir.), 11 minutes, NY Premiere, USA
Director Tom Albanese in attendance.

A grieving woman (Marian Frizelle) travels to an isolated cabin with a strange power in this moving, meditative drama from writer/director Tom Albanese.
_____

__Metronome (In Time)__

Scott Floyd Lochmus (Dir.), 13 minutes, WNY Premiere, USA

An elderly ailing maestro and a young piano prodigy venture out of their musical isolation in hopes of selling their beloved piano in Scott Floyd Lochmus’ moving wordless fable.  Festivals: Tribeca
_____

__Grace__

Alexia Oldini (Dir.), 6 minutes, WNY Premiere, USA

After she is evicted from her home, Grace (Shenell Evans) navigates a callous society built to exploit the precariousness of people like herself.
_____

__Elephantbird__

Masoud Soheili (Dir.), 15 minutes, NY Premiere, Afghanistan/Iran

A stranger traveling on a minibus to Kabul decides to take a detour in Masoud Soheili’s delightful drama. 
_____

__Liam and May__

Keith Murphy (Dir.), 19 minutes, NY Premiere, Canada
Director Keith Murphy in attendance.

In Keith Murphy’s handsomely crafted character study, Liam (Jason Acton), an Irish Army Intelligence Officer and wife May (Leanne Noelle Smith), an Opera star on the rise, navigate a contentious relationship as the country sits on the brink of World War II.


BIFF Shorts: Life and Times

Captivating slices of life from exciting cinematic voices.

__Float__

Phil Kibbe (Dir.), 82 minutes, WNY Premiere, USA

In the ultra-competitive indoor sport of elite, stunningly-designed model airplanes, a wild-card newcomer threatens to knock a teammate off his world champion throne in Phil Kibbe’s compelling look at the science and sport behind the F1D World Competition. 

Screening with:

__Backyard Astronaut__

Aron Safranyos (Dir.), 6 minutes, USA Premiere, Canada

A young man makes his unlikely dream of becoming an Astronaut come true in Aron Safranyos’s endearing drama. 

Float w/ Backyard Astronaut

In the indoor sport of stunningly-designed model airplanes, a newcomer threatens to knock a teammate off his world champion throne.

__Ovacik__

Aysegul Selenga Taskent (Dir.), 91 minutes, NY Premiere, Turkey

Told through the daily lives of residents in Ovacik and their Mayor Fatih Mehmet Maçoğlu’s efforts to create a sustainable economy via community-based agriculture, Aysegul Selenga Taskent offers an honest and heartfelt exploration of the political and social differences within Ovacik and Turkey at large. 

Ovacik

A portrait of the daily lives of residents in Ovacik and efforts to create a sustainable economy via community-based agriculture.

Squeaky Wheel

__Women in Film__

Join the female identifying filmmakers helping to create parity in the industry one film at a time in BIFF's fifth annual panel discussion about closing the gender gap. 

Guests include:
KT Curran (Writer/Director of Surviving Lunch)
Kelsey Claire (Producer of Good Mourning)

Moderated by Tilke Hill.

1:00pm - 1:45pm @ 230 Upton Hall, Buffalo State College

Women in Film

Join the female identifying filmmakers helping to create parity in the industry one film at a time.

Panel

Buffalo State College

__Nose to Tail__

Jesse Zigelstein (Dir.), 82 minutes, WNY Premiere, Canada

Director Jesse Zigelstien in attendance.

A fading culinary star (Aaron Abrams) is haunted by his demons as he struggles to keep his Toronto bistro afloat over a long day filled with private trials and public tribulations.

Screening with:

__The Dishwasher__

Nick Hartanto & Sam Roden (Dirs.), 12 minutes, WNY Premiere, USA

A chef at a fine dining restaurant sends his dishwasher (Kevin Balmore) onto the streets of New York to find the perfect authentic tortilla.  Festivals: Tribeca (Special Jury Mention, Best Narrative Short Film)

Nose to Tail w/ The Dishwasher

A fading culinary star is haunted by his demons as he struggles to keep his Toronto bistro afloat.

__The Fan Connection__

Mary Wall (Dir.), 93 minutes, NY Premiere, USA

Director Mary Wall in attendance.

Mary Wall’s moving documentary paints a portrait of multiple generations of Buffalo Sabres fans and how their unwavering devotion and fandom transcends their everyday lives. 

[Watch the Trailer](https://vimeo.com/332555118 "The Fan Connection Trailer")



The Fan Connection

A portrait of multiple generations of Buffalo Sabres fans and their unwavering devotion to their team.

__BIFF Shorts: Local Youth__, 70 minutes

Curated by Squeaky Wheel students, this program features family friendly works from makers under age 18. Free admission.

__The Happy Couple__
Joshua Stead-Dorval (Dir.), 1 minute, WNY Premiere, USA 

A dichotomy of thoughts between a "happy" couple. Starring Ridwhan Miah and Andrina Kirst as the couple.

__Noel’s Spaceship__
Sabrina Pena Young (Dir.), 6 minutes, WNY Premiere, USA

When the apocalypse hits, it's up to washed-up Nobel Prize winner Noel to save the world. -- Directed and Written by high schooler Kathryn Grace Hillestad. Cinematography by Judah Collins. Starring Gloria Hodge, Eleanor Collins, and Nathan Tilley.  Created by the students at the Rivendell Study Center, Noel's Spaceship was a collaborative work that the students wrote, filmed, and acted in during their spring 2019 semester. 

__Insomnia__
Xinyan Shen (Dir.), 4 minutes, WNY Premiere, USA

An eerie interpretation of insomnia.

__Norm and Elsie__
Andrina Kirst (Dir.), 6 minutes, WNY Premiere, USA

This is a loving tribute to Kirst’s grandparents, using photos that they were never able to print from their wedding in 1958. 

__Lana Turner and Frank O’hara__
Andrina Kirst (Dir.), 1 minute, WNY Premiere, USA

An exercise in tempo, focus, and color to a reading of Frank O'Hara's poem, appropriately titled "Poem". 

__The Interview__
Aleesha Chandhok (Dir.), 5 minutes, WNY Premiere, USA

A short film about a group of kids messing with a teacher.

__Art Film__
Jade Spencer (Dir.), 5 minutes, WNY Premiere, USA

Culture is not to be bought and sold. Culture is not to be displayed. Culture is not for other’s consumption. Culture is beautiful and unique.

__To Dance__
Anna Rozic (Dir.), 7 minutes, WNY Premiere, USA

This piece is a visual representation of how the art of dance has impacted the lives of students and teachers.

__Not 4 Nothing: But 4 Something__
Sergey Joseph (Dir.), 15 minutes, WNY Premiere, USA

A short film depicting one of WNY's most popular Indie bands "Not For Nothing"

__Bye__
Liam S. Rodriguez (Dir.), 3 minutes, WNY Premiere, USA

This video is a slideshow of images that describe the feelings Rodriguez went through while being emotionally abused. 

__Flint II__
Breanna Roberts(Dir.), 2 minutes, WNY Premiere, USA

Flint II is a short, experimental documentary about the ongoing crisis in Flint Michigan.

__The Importance of Hands__
Sumaili Shamu (Dir.), 2 minutes, WNY Premiere, USA

This short animation retells a tragic story to reveal the power of the simple things in life.

__Himbesha__
Kisanet Hadish & Haben Berhe (Dirs.), 3 minutes, WNY Premiere, USA

This short documentary looks at the power and function of a simple dish in the lives of people living on Buffalo’s West Side.

__Magnificent Machine__
Dominique Scruggs (Dir.), 1 minute, WNY Premiere, USA

An experimental illustration of a poem about the human form.

BIFF Shorts: Local Youth

Curated by Squeaky Wheel students, this program features family friendly works from makers under age 18. Free admission.

Below-the-line

This panel celebrates the behind-the-scenes talent that shoots, edits and otherwise enables screenwriters, directors, actors/subjects to bring their stories to life. 

Guests include:
Craig Pinckes (First AD, The True Adventures of Wolfboy)
Matt Quinn (Cinematographer, Clover & Electrician, Crown Vic)

Moderated by Tilke Hill.

2:00pm - 2:45pm @ 230 Upton Hall, Buffalo State College

Below-the-line

This panel celebrates the behind-the-scenes talent that brings cinematic stories to life. 

Archive

Oct 10-14 2019

Page 2 of 5

A Woman’s Work: The NFL’s Cheerleader Problem

7:30 PM Friday October 11, 2019

North Park Theatre

Screening w/ Filmmaker Q&A

Jump Off Party~

9:00 PM Friday October 11, 2019

Duende

BIFF Parties

BIFF Episodic

9:00 PM Friday October 11, 2019

Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center

Screening w/ Filmmaker Q&A

Live From The Astroturf w/ Freedom

9:45 PM Friday October 11, 2019

North Park Theatre

BIFF Shorts: Life and Times

11:00 AM Saturday October 12, 2019

Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center

Screening w/ Filmmaker Q&A

Float w/ Backyard Astronaut

11:00 AM Saturday October 12, 2019

North Park Theatre

Ovacik

11:30 AM Saturday October 12, 2019

Squeaky Wheel

Screening w/ Filmmaker Q&A

Women in Film

1:00 PM Saturday October 12, 2019

Buffalo State College

Panel

Nose to Tail w/ The Dishwasher

1:00 PM Saturday October 12, 2019

Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center

Screening w/ Filmmaker Q&A

The Fan Connection

1:15 PM Saturday October 12, 2019

North Park Theatre

Screening w/ Filmmaker Q&A

BIFF Shorts: Local Youth

1:30 PM Saturday October 12, 2019

Squeaky Wheel

Screening w/ Filmmaker Q&A

Below-the-line

2:00 PM Saturday October 12, 2019

Buffalo State College

Panel

Page 2 of 5

Sponsored By

2019

2018

2017

2016