Amazing Fantasy Fest

Did you know that Vitascope Hall, built in Buffalo in 1896 in Buffalo, New York, was the first permanent movie theater in the United States, and is believed to be the first theater built for that purpose in the world? Buffalonians seated in the basement of what is now the Ellicott Square building saw their first motion picture, MISS JERRY, in this "phonograph hall."

The inaugural Amazing Fantasy Fest screened 83 films: 21 features and 62 shorts, one-third of them produced in Western New York. Most of the feature screenings were Word Premieres, New York Premieres, or Festival Premieres - and we don't even have a premiere status requirement (except for WNY features) - we just want the best films possible. All but ONE Official Selection were FilmFreeway submssions.

Our initial lineup included such great offerings as the the superhero thriller RICH INTERIOR LIVES, the supernatural western THEY CALL HER DEATH, Scooter McCrae's transgressive science fiction thriller BLACK EYED SUSAN, Skip Shea's arthouse horror FLORENCE, Ramzi Abed's experimental FIRST PERSON SAVIOR, Mel House's comedy-fantasy-drama INBETWEENING, and Adrian Esposito's subversive Troma-esque action-comedy SPECIAL NEEDS REVOLT.

The reason we received so many premieres is because the first AFF built upon 10 years of Buffalo Dreams Fantastic Film Festival and three years of Buffalo Screams Horror Film Festival. Festival Director Gregory Lamberson (an independent filmmaker for 40 years) has built relationships with many filmmakers over the years because he understands the challenges they face in bringing their projects to the screen. This second edition of AFF marks his 15th consecutive year as a festival programmer/director, and he now holds seniority among all film festival directors/programmers currently holing those titles in the Buffalo-Western New York region.

AFF wants bold, original visions in the genres of Horror, Science Fiction, Animation, Experimental, Action and Transgressive Cinema. We'll consider comedies and documentaries as long as they touch on any of the above. Our only Student Film category is for films produced by students in Western New York; other student films should be submitted in our regular categories.

AFF ran for seven days last year, after announcing six. We're announcing seven days, but expect the run to 10: nine days for the public, and one day of "Secret Cinema" programming for our sponsors.

What We Crave
Amazing Fantasy Fest wants the best “fantastic cinema” films available for our awesome audience: scary, thought-provoking, imaginative, fun, bold and brave. We don’t require your World Premiere – we just want great films. We do require the Buffalo Premiere for any features we select.

Welcome Filmmakers
We provide a welcoming and supportive atmosphere for attending filmmakers, and appreciate the time and effort of filmmakers who visit "the city of good neighbors" to present their work.

Local Films
We used to expand the parameters of our programming for local filmmakers to include all types of films--no longer. Local films must also fit our categories of Horror, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Action, Animation or Experimental cinema. We require the Buffalo Premiere of local features, and we require that you allow two weeks to pass after the conclusion of the festival before you hold another Buffalo area screening.

Theatrical Experience
We believe in providing independent filmmakers with a true theatrical experience, on a large screen with dynamic sound. We don't screen films online, which is antithetical to our philosophy of cinematic experience. We present films on one screen, with no counterprogramming, so movie lovers don’t have to choose between films; we show as much respect for our audience as we do for filmmakers.

Filmmaker Q&As
Every attending selected filmmaker will receive a Q&A.

Venue
Our home is the Dipson Amherst Theatre in Buffalo, New York. The main auditorium has 132 reclining seats, a large screen, and awesome sound. The theatre is located in a plaza with several places to eat, 10 minutes from hotels in one direction and 10 minutes from Buffalo-Niagara International Airport in the opposite direction.

If we extend our schedule, the additional days will be held at the Screening Room Cinema & Arts Cafe in nearby Amherst, New York.

Completion Window
All films eligible for the 2025 edition of AFF must have been completed no earlier than January 2024; features must not have screened previously in Buffalo; and all films must be unavailable online.

PROGRAM
Our full slate will be announced July 21st, and our full schedule will be available August 1st, giving filmmakers six weeks to prepare if they wish to attend.

SISTER FESTIVAL
AFF has a sister festival: Valkyrie International Film Festival, showcasing films of all types directed by women of all backgrounds, programmed by Tamar Lamberson and Kaelin Lamberson. VIFF is the only other festival in WNY with which AFF has a relationship. Submissions for VIFF are exclusively through FilmFreeway. Submissions to each festival must be made separately.