THE BIFF REEL FRIENDS SOCIETY
ANNOUNCES A SPECIAL FILM EVENT!2017 All-Access Passes Sold-Out!
Kick-off the Memorial Day Weekend with THE BIFF REEL Friends Society special screening of THE HAPPY FILM at the Mahaiwe Theater on Friday, May 26th at 6:30PM with artist and co-director Stefan Sagmeister, co-director Ben Nabors and Dr. Sheenah Hankin in attendance. This event is generously sponsored by The Annie Selke Companies.
Austrian designer Stefan Sagmeister is doing well. He lives in New York, the city of his dreams, and he has success in his work, designing album covers for the Rolling Stones, Jay-Z and the Talking Heads. But in the back of his mind he suspects there must be something more. He decides to turn himself into a design project. Can he redesign his personality to become a better person? Is it possible to train his mind to get happier? He pursues 3 controlled experiments of meditation, therapy, and drugs, grading himself along the way. But real life creeps in and confounds the process: art, sex, love, and death prove impossible to disentangle. His unique designs and painfully personal experiences mark a journey that travels closer to himself than ever intended.
A fun and interactive panel discussion will follow the screening with Sagmeister, Nabors and Dr. Hankin. This is an event not to miss!
Tickets are $20 for the film and panel discussion and $50 for film, panel discussion and an “After Party” with Sagmeister, Nabors and Dr. Hankin at a private home. The “After Party” is generously sponsored by Kate and Hans Morris. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at the Mahaiwe Box Office or through the link below.
BIFF IS PROUD TO BE COLLABORATING WITH SANDY NEWMAN AND THE BERKSHIRE IMMIGRATION CENTER TO PRESENT
A FREE COMMUNITY SCREENING OF SALAM NEIGHBOR AT THE BERKSHIRE MUSEUM ON SATURDAY!
FREE THIS SATURDAY! A showing of the documentary film “Salam Neighbor,” depicting life in a Syrian refugee camp, is the centerpiece of UNITY IN DIVERSITY, an event organized by Sandra Newman, founder of Community Access to the Arts, in collaboration with the Berkshire Immigrant Center, and the Berkshire International Film Festival. The screening, which will be followed by a discussion and a reception, will take place on Saturday, April 22, at 5 p.m. at the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield. Admission is free and the event is open to the public.
The brief panel discussion after the film will be led by Sherwood Guernsey, a Four Freedoms Coalition founder and Outreach Chair for the First Congregational Church of Williamstown, and will feature voices from diverse backgrounds. The reception will include hors d’oeuvres, wine, and desserts from Berkshire restaurant owners and chefs, many of whom are immigrants from countries all over the world.
“I feel this film is very important to share with our community in the spirit of bringing together all races, religions, and cultures and to honor the values of inclusivity, respect, and equality that are at the heart of our local and national identity,” says Newman. “The response to this event has been very positive. I’m proud to live in a community that embraces the concept of unity in diversity.”
“We urge you to join us,” says Sherwood Guernsey, “to learn about and understand the Syrian tragedy and to reaffirm the Berkshires’ continuing belief in tolerance and respect for all peoples. Stand with us to support, not reject, our Syrian brothers and sisters.”
Those wishing to make a donation at UNITY IN DIVERSITY may do so by writing checks to The Berkshire Immigrant Center. For more information, call (413) 298-4756.
DATE: Saturday, April 22, 2017 TIME: 5.00 PM Screening with Panel Discussion and reception to follow PLACE: The Berkshire Museum PRICE: FREE
BIFF Announces Full Festival Line-Up
on April 26th!
2017 All-Access Passes Sold-Out!
The BIFF will announce all the films and events at the ANNOUNCEMENT PARTY, Wednesday, April 26th from 6 to 8 at Haven! Cocktails, appetizers and the announcement of the BIFF 2017 schedule – be the first to hear the exciting news of the opening and closing night films, the new special events, the short films for the Next Great Filmmaker Award, new parties and of course…the honoree! Enjoy a drink and delicious food from Shelly Williams and the Haven Team, while we reveal the full line-up of film and events! Don’t pass up this opportunity to gather with other BIFF-sters in celebrating the best in independent film! If you would like to attend the BIFF Announcement Party, you must be an Opening Night, Special Event or All-Inclusive Passholder, a Sponsor OR a REEL Friends Society Member at the Friends With Benefits, Producer or Executive Producer Level.
EARLY TICKET PURCHASE FOR THE BIFF REEL FRIENDS ONLY!
The BIFF will announce the FULL line-up of films and events on APRIL 26. This year, ALL BIFF REEL Friends will have priority access to purchasing tickets to BIFF films and events before they go on sale to the general public on APRIL 29! Take advantage of this opportunity so you don’t get shut out of the most popular films and events. Details to follow!
Stay up-to-date with BIFF events by subscribing to our calendar page, which allows you to import BIFF events into your phone’s calendar. If you have any questions please feel free to call the BIFF Office 413-528-8030.
About Berkshire International Film Festival The Berkshire International Film Festival aims to create a world-class festival as an integral part of the cultural fabric of the Berkshires. BIFF will showcase not only the latest in independent feature, documentary, short, and family films but also lively panel discussions and special events focusing on filmmakers and talented artists from both sides of the camera.
