Brooklyn Film Festival (BFF), is a 10-day International, competitive festival. Discovering and promoting independent filmmakers at their first or second film is at the very center of the festival's year-round efforts. BFF’s mission is to provide a public forum in Brooklyn in order to advance public interest in films and the independent production of films; to draw worldwide attention to Brooklyn as a center for cinema; to encourage the rights of all Brooklyn residents to access and experience the power of independent filmmaking; and to promote artistic excellence and the creative freedom of artists without censure. BFF, inc. is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
The festival is for and by independent filmmakers. The organizers of BFF bring 22 years of festival experience to this annual event. BFF accepts submissions in six categories: Narrative Features, Documentary Features, Short Narrative, Short Documentary, Experimental, and Animation. Submissions are open from July to March of the following year. The final selection of 130+ films is announced in May, and the festival takes place in June. All the films that make up our final lineup come from submissions only. Each selected film plays twice at different venues. They are all eligible for several awards and the smallest film can win the top award: Grand Chameleon. In addition to our film programs, BFF also hosts multiple filmmaker parties and networking events at venues around Brooklyn and New York City.
Many of the award-winning films from the Brooklyn Film Festival have gone on to have theatrical releases, to have nationwide broadcasts on PBS and HBO, and to be nominated and awarded at both the British and the American Academy Awards.
Through the resources of our sponsors, BFF offers prizes totaling over $50,000 in film services and products. Our industry sponsors include NYC CAMERA COMPANY, ABELCINE, XENO LIGHTS, MEDIA SERVICES, NOBLE JEWELRY, BROOKLYN FILM SOCIETY, BLUETABLEPOST, MPE, LENTINI, BE ELECTRIC.
List of Awards:
GRAND CHAMELEON AWARD
This Award is intended to reward the film that best represents the festival theme.
Eligibility: chosen among the 6 winners of the 6 BFF film categories. Often improperly called Best Film of the Year, the Grand Chameleon is picked regardless of its length, category, or format.
Jury: This award is assigned by the Board of Directors of the Festival.
Prizes: Sponsored by Cinecall Soundtrack - Xeno Lights - Be Electric – Chameleon Statuette - Value about $10,500
BEST IN CATEGORY AWARD
Assigned to the best film in each category
Eligibility: All films in competition
Feature Narrative - Prize: Sponsored by AbelCine ($5,000 service)
Feature Documentary - Prize: Sponsored by Media Services ($300 service) - $2,500 credit towards camera rental at NYC Camera Co.
Short Narrative - $2,500 credit towards camera rental at NYC Camera Co. & Media Services ($300 service)
Short Documentary - $200 Cash Offered by Brooklyn Film Society
Animation - $200 Cash Offered by Brooklyn Film Society
Experimental - $200 Cash Offered by Brooklyn Film Society
Jury: Assigned by the panels of Judges.
BEST BROOKLYN PROJECT
Assigned to the best film shot in Brooklyn or by a Brooklyn director
Eligibility: All films shot in Brooklyn or by a Brooklyn director are eligible
Jury: Assigned by the BFF's Board of Directors
Prize: – $3,000 credit towards post-production equipment rental at MPE.
BEST PITCH AT BFF EXCHANGE
Assigned to the Director/Writer who offered the best content and performed the best pitch during the Pitch segment of BFFX
Eligibility: All films in competition are eligible. Submissions are open to all.
Jury: BFFX Producers
Prize: 10 hours with a Colorist at bluetablepost. Value $4,000
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BEST NEW DIRECTOR
Assigned to the best upcoming director
Eligibility: All filmmakers in competition are eligible
Jury: Assigned by the panels of Judges.
Prize: $200 Cash Offered by Brooklyn Film Society
SPIRIT AWARD
Films in which the festival recognizes its own spirit
Spirit Awards are assigned in each category (6)
Eligibility: All films in competition are eligible
Jury: Spirit Awards are assigned by BFF's Board of Directors
prize: Jewel by Noble Jewelry ($200)
CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE
Certificates are assigned for outstanding achievement in the following categories:
Production - Prize: $200 Cash Offered by Brooklyn Film Society
Screenwriting – Prize: $200 Cash Offered by Brooklyn Film Society
Cinematography - Prize: $200 Offered by Brooklyn Film Society
Editing - Prize: $200 Cash Offered by Brooklyn Film Society
Style/Wardrobe - Prize: Sponsored by G-Star Raw ($500 products)
Original Score - Prize: $200 Cash Offered by Brooklyn Film Society
Acting (female) -
Acting (male) -
Eligibility: All films in competition are eligible
Jury: Certificate Awards are assigned by the panels of Judges
AUDIENCE AWARD
Audience Awards are assigned in each category as follows:
Feature
Documentary
Short Subject
Animation
Experimental.
Eligibility: All films in competition are eligible.
Jury: Festival Audience.
