The Berkshire International Film Festival (BIFF) announces film selections that will screen from June 3rd through June 6th, 2010 in Great Barrington and Pittsfield, MA.
The film festival will feature some 75 US and international independent feature films, documentaries, and shorts. In addition BIFF will hold panel discussions, Q&A sessions with filmmakers, special screenings of the finalists from the Berkshire Student Film Festival, and a special tribute to award-winning actress Patricia Clarkson along with the screening of her new film “Cairo Time” releasing in August. This year’s festival will feature films from 18 countries and host over two dozen filmmakers. The fifth anniversary marks some new additions to past festivals, including the expansion into Pittsfield at the Beacon Cinema and the Little Cinema, Berkshire Bank’s sponsorship of the Next Great Filmmaker Award, and the Juried Prize Award for narrative and documentary films sponsored by GWFF.
Venues for all of the weekend-long events and screenings will include the Triplex Cinema, the historic Mahaiwe Theatre, and the Great Barrington Town Hall for the free kids film morning, all in downtown Great Barrington, MA. The venues in Pittsfield include two screens at the new state-of-the-art Beacon Cinema and the Berkshire Museum’s Little Cinema, celebrating their 60th season.
Special events throughout the weekend include, screenings of the winners from the Berkshire Student Film Festival (BSFF), the Berkshire Bank Award for short film, the Juried Prize Award for narrative and documentary filmmaking, WAMC’s The Roundtable live from the Triplex, free family film screenings, panel discussions, and a special screenplay reading of “Jidl” directed by Stephen Glantz and Bob Jaffe.
The first annual Juried Prize will kick-off during our fifth anniversary. The jury will be headed by actress Karen Allen, and includes actors David Rasche and Peter Reigert, past president of the Academy Sid Ganis with his producing partner and wife
Nancy Hult Ganis, Peter Herbst of the Lincoln Center Film Society Board, Ken Regan of Camera Five, and Award-Winning First Assistant Director and Producer, Mike Haley. There will be four films in competition, for both categories of feature documentary and narrative, and the award will carry a $5,000 prize to be presented on Sunday, June 6th at allium in Great Barrington.
“It is with great enthusiasm and excitement that we announce the 2010 line-up of films, events, and tributes. Our 5th anniversary marks a cornerstone year for all of those that have been involved with the festival; our dedicated board and staff members, the incredible audiences, our REEL FRIENDS society, the amazing volunteers, and of course the filmmakers that have had a home at the BIFF over the years,” remarked Executive Director Kelley Vickery. “With each year BIFF has matured and transformed itself to meet new challenges. This year is no exception with the introduction of year-round events for our REEL FRIENDS film society, our expansion into Pittsfield, the new annual Juried Prize sponsored this year by GWFF, and Berkshire Bank’s Next Great Filmmaker Award. With all the growth and change one thing remains the same, and above all BIFF continues to bring the best in independent film to our community.”
The festival will also have three short film programs which will showcase some 28 shorts from the Berkshires and around the world.
To learn more and buy tickets, visit the Berkshire International Film Festival online at www.biffma.com.
