The 2016 Buffalo International Film Festival (BIFF) will be held exclusively in Buffalo, utilizing the following film venues: The North Park Theater (1428 Hertel Avenue, Buffalo, 14216), Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center (341 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, 14202), and Squeaky Wheel Film and Media Art Center (617 Main Street, Buffalo, 14203).
BIFF has just released its Centerpiece Lineup for the four day festival (Oct. 7-10), which includes the opening feature of Tyler Hubby’s highly anticipated Tony Conrad: Completely in the Present (WNY Premiere -7:30PM, Friday October 7, North Park Theatre). The film is a documentary that tells the tale of the relationship between Hubby and Conrad. Conrad was respected throughout the world for his myriad experimental artistic talents (learn more). He passed away at the age of 76 this past April.
Other centerpiece features include:
- The Meredith Vieria-produced documentary Tower (winner – Best Documentary and Audience Award prizes at this year’s SXSW)
- Women Who Kill (winner of Best U.S. Screenplay award at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival)
- Made-in-WNY films Trew Calling
- World premiere of Alcholist
“The BIFF X lineup represents our commitment to diversity, great storytelling and the City of Buffalo as we present top picks from a vast swath of features and shorts submitted from 28 countries” said BIFF executive director Raymond Guarnieri.
BIFF will announce its full slate of films which will include over 35 features and 60 shorts on September 5th.
“Our entire lineup includes festival favorites, indie luminaries, WNY natives and other discoveries we can’t wait to share with our audiences” said BIFF programming director John J. Fink.
Also new this year, is the lower price BIFF Bison Pass. For $35 film lovers are given unlimited access to all screenings. The pass can be purchased at www.buffalointernationalfilmfestival.com.
Opening Night
Tony Conrad: Completely in the Present (Tyler Hubby)
Playfully tracing the life and times of experimental filmmaker, minimalist musician, community activist and long time University at Buffalo professor of Media Study Tony Conrad, Tyler Hubby’s comprehensive twenty year project incorporates archival materials, interviews with luminaries of the music and art world including Moby and Tony Oursler, as well as impromptu street performances by Conrad. (WNY Premiere)
Local Centerpiece Films
Trew Calling (Greg Robbins)
Orchard Park native, Tracey B. Wilson, stars in Greg Robbins’ tender, funny and uplifting drama as Trew (Wilson), a woman floundering through life until she encounters an unexpected visitor (Kevin Sizemore) who alters the course of what is to come. (North East Premiere)
Alcholist (Lucas Pavetto)
Bret Roberts stars as Daniel, an alcoholic who has hit rock bottom seeking a violent redemption as he obsessively follows the every move of his neighbor; in Lucas Pavetto’s chilling Niagara Falls-lensed morality thriller. (World Premiere)
Documentary Centerpiece Films
Bang: The Bert Berns Story (Brett Berns & Bob Sarles)
Narrated by Steven Van Zandt, son Brett Berns and (Kenmore, NY native) Bob Sarles trace the life and times of the legendary songwriter and record producer Bert Berns, the man behind smash hits including Twist and Shout, Here Comes the Night, Piece of My Heart, and Hang on Sloopy, launching the careers of many including Neil Diamond and Van Morrison in the process. (New York Premiere)
Tower (Keith Maitland)
Employing archival footage, verbatim performances, animation and interviews Keith Maitland’s award-winning Tower offers a comprehensive perspective of the nation’s first school shooting, the 1966 UT Austin sniper attack which killed 16 and wounded 32. Fifty years following the tragedy Maitland masterfully weaving tension, drama, violence and uncertainty as Tower captures a day that starts like any other until the unthinkable occurs. A Kino Lober release. (WNY Premiere)
Narrative Centerpiece Films
Zachma: Blindness (Ryszard Bugajski)
Haunted by her ruthless past, a former high-ranking security officer in Poland’s communist government seeks an audience with the Primate of the Polish Catholic Church as she seeks forgiveness in Ryszard Bugaski’s captivating drama. Presented by Polish Film Festival in Buffalo, with the support of the Permanent Chair of Polish Culture at Canisius College (US Premiere)
Women Who Kill (Ingrid Jungermann)
Ingrid Jungermann writes, directs and stars in this hilarious and morbidly curious comedy following the adventures of Morgan (Jungermann) who hosts a podcast with former girlfriend Jean (Ann Carr) where they report, investigate and argue about history’s most (in)famous female serial killers. When a mysterious love interest Simone (Shella Vand) enters Morgan’s life via her local grocery co-op she finds herself unexpectedly vulnerable as she navigates the terrain of a new relationship while investigating a string of mysterious occurrences in her Park Slope neighborhood. (WNY Premiere)