BIFF Shorts: Next Gen
Virtual Screening
October 6-20, 2022
A family friendly lineup of thoughtful and fun, youth made shorts. BIFF partners with Squeaky Wheel Film & Media Art Center and their advanced track Saturday Cafe students to review submissions, and curate and organize this screening. 64 minutes.
“One Virus, Many Problems,” Bitangilayi Nzeba Joyce (Dir), 3 minutes 48 seconds, USA
A musical meditation on life in the pandemic.
“Growing Green,” West Side Studios, 9 minutes 56 seconds, USA
A short nonfiction film about urban farming, fresh foods, and the Massechusettes Avenue Project.
"DIVIDE.,” Henry Chambers + Liam Stine (Dir), 9 minutes and 56 seconds, USA
"DIVIDE." is a study of Buffalo's historic housing discrimination and how that discrimination affects the community we live in today. This short doc explores the practice of Redlining in the City of Buffalo and features interviews with community leaders and members.
"The Marshal and the Moor," Devan Sakaria (Dir), 5 minutes and 16 seconds, USA
In a world where Muslim people are ruthlessly persecuted, a young Muslim boy, Hannibal, commits a crime and faces off against the marshal in a game of chess for his life. Hannibal wins the game, but he can barely make it out the door before the marshal breaks his word, and Hannibal is shot.
“Ascension,” West Side Studios, 10 minutes 47 seconds, USA
A behind the scenes meta short with the cast and crew.
“Pandemic Progression,” Vera Arnold (Dir), 4 minutes 38 seconds, USA
Experimental interview about life in the pandemic, cross-cut with dance performance.
"Neath Thy Towers: Stories of Haunted Amherst," Aaron Connor (Dir), 4 minutes and 30 seconds, USA
Pulled directly from the real testimonies of Amherst students, this mini documentary brings you right into the hallowed halls, and tunnels; of this nearing century old high school. Created while the director was still a student at Amherst High School.
"THE CROWN NOBODY WANTED", The Tumo Center for Creative Technologies in Yerevan, Armenia Animation Students (Dir), 2 minutes and 32 seconds, Armenia
Kinetic Visual Storytelling Animation course taught by award winner filmmaker Gary Schwartz.
"Barmation,” Lend Purini, Sado Music, Eris Belegu, Rian Berlajolli, Anna Emra, Ema Shala (a.k.a. Kosovo Kids Animation Students) (Dir), 35 seconds, Kosovo
Kinetic Visual Storytelling Animation course taught by award winner filmmaker Gary Schwartz. PARTICIPANTS: Lend Purini, Sado Music, Eris Belegu, Rian Berlajolli, Anna Emra, Ema Shala
“Untitled,” Tech Arts for Girls (Dir), 36 seconds, USA
A stop-motion animated stroll through Canalside in Buffalo.
"Blinded by Foresight," Simon Fortner, Nick Trivelpiece, Jake Aretsky, The MPH Light and Magic Team (Dir), 9 minutes and 18 seconds, USA
Two crew members on a long-term voyage across the universe to find their god, conflict with each other when readings from their ship's computer start to vary. This sci-fi melodrama discusses the struggle between one's belief systems and finding ways to comprehend the unknown. All elements of this short film, from the 3D animations and soundtrack to the script, set, and actor direction, were developed entirely by the three directors who are recent graduates of the Manlius Pebble Hill School.
