BIFF Wraps 12th Festival

THE BERKSHIRE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL WRAPS THE 12TH LARGEST AND MOST SPECTACULAR YEAR!

Juried Prize and Best of Fest Audience Awards Announced!

June 5, 2017, Great Barrington, MA – Sunday, the Berkshire International Film Festival wrapped a spectacular festival, filled with luminaries such as Christopher Plummer, John Carroll Lynch, Karen Allen, Steven Cantor, Sheila Nevins, David Edelstein and Paul Krugman, among 40 filmmakers in attendance.  In addition, the BIFF announced the winners of the annual BIFF Juried Prize Award and the BIFF Audience Award.

The BIFFMA Jury

In the Juried documentary category, the winner was NOWHERE TO HIDE directed by Zaradasht Ahmed, and will be released by East Village Entertainment (EVE) film releasing soon. In the Juried narrative category the Israeli entry from Film Movement, BAR BAHAR or IN BETWEEN, was awarded the prize. The Jury prize is sponsored by GWFF USA and was presented at a brunch Sunday at allium Restaurant in Great Barrington. Serving on the BIFF Jury were actors Mary Kay Place, and Scott Cohen, Josh Braun of Submarine Entertainment, casting director Gretchen Rennell, screenwriter Maria Nation, Academy Award film directors Peggy Rajski and Karen Goodman, production designer and film director Kristi Zea, film executive Bob Harper, and film director and New York Film Festival director Kent Jones.

The Audience Award Winner was the closest in BIFF’s 12 year history with the Narrative Feature going to the Sundance hit PATTI CAKE$ directed by Geremy Jasper and distributed by Fox Searchlight. The Audience Award Winner for best documentary feature was a tie between TAKE MY NOSE….PLEASE! directed by Joan Kron and BENDING THE ARC directed by Kief Davidson and Pedro Kos.

Winners of the Next Great Filmmaker Award

The winner of the Berkshire Bank “Next Great Filmmaker Award” was Denmark’s Helene Moltke-Leth short film RUNNING THROUGH LIFEprovides an insight into the relationship between individuals, their community and technology and the desire to live balanced life.  The filmmaker was in attendance from Denmark, made a moving speech about being at the BIFF and winning this award.  After the ceremony, BIFF presented a sold-out screening of the buddy road trip comedy TRIP TO SPAIN starring Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon releasing in August by IFC.  The evening was also sponsored by Berkshire Bank.  Prior to the screening, patrons were invited to a party at Hotel On North.

Opening Night

Highlights of the 4-day festival included the opening night screening of the Sundance audience award-winning film STEP! The film was greatly received with an enthusiastic ovation to a packed house at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, and the audience enjoyed a wonderfulQ&A afterwards with the award winning producer, Steven Cantor. STEP will be released in August by Fox Searchlight.  The Opening Night party was held at the St. James Place with dinner, dancing and cocktails underwritten by Jane Iredale and catered by Rita Welch.  Saturday evening in Great Barrington, the BIFF honored legendary Academy Award winning actor, Christopher Plummer for his Achievement in Film.

Tribute Night with Christopher Plummer

In conversation with Chief NY Film Critic David Edelstein, Mr. Plummer shared with the audience wonderful and funny stories from his more than 7 decades in film and theater.  Upon accepting the award he generously praised the BIFF and said “you probably can’t realize how much this means to me.” Immediately following the conversation, BIFF screened his new film THE EXCEPTION directed by David Leveaux and released by A24. The tribute evening was generously sponsored by GWFF USA and the dinner party was held at the St. James Place catered by MAX Ultimate Food. The BIFF also presented its’ new initiative

Tea Talk at St.James Place

“TEA TALKS” including 3 talks from Sheila Nevins, President of HBO documentaries; Karen Allen and Kristi Zea honoring Carsen McCullers with their short films A TREE. A ROCK. A CLOUD. and DOMESTIC DILEMMA; and Sunday BIFF presented a screening of ALL THE PRESIDENTS MEN followed by a conversation with Paul Krugman and Dr. Alan Chartock.  Closing out the 12^th year, BIFF presented LUCKY followed by a conversation with director David Carroll Lynch, moderated by BIFF board member Mary Mott.  LUCKY will release this summer by Magnolia.

Screening a record 80 features, documentaries, and shorts, BIFF hosted over 40 filmmakers and offered free children’s programs, Berkshire filmmakers, and parties in the BIFF throughout downtown Great Barrington and Pittsfield including a delicious filmmaker cocktail party sponsored by the Red Lion Inn on the Mahaiwe Theater stage.

In its twelfth year, BIFF proudly presented the sixth annual Filmmakers Summit, a two-day industry summit offered to the 2017 film selection filmmakers. Offering a diverse, multi-dimensional program of panel discussions, lectures, and special events, lead by known industry professionals, the BIFF Filmmakers Summit is designed to celebrate and support the advancement of filmmakers and recognize film as a relevant and important medium.  Highlights of this years Filmmaker Summit was a studio visit with Douglas Trumbull, panels with Molly Thompson, Peggy Rajski, Diana Holtzberg, Elisabeth Holm and Gregory Rehm and the keynote address by Sheila Nevins.

Alan Chartock and Paul Krugman

Premiere Sponsors of the 2017 BIFF include the Triplex Cinema, the Beacon Cinema, GWFF USA, Jane Iredale, The Annie Selke Companies, Max Ultimate Food, Studio Two, The Red Lion Inn, Berkshire Bank and Townvibe. Presenting Sponsors include Karen Allen Fiber Arts, Berkshire Mountain Distillers, Stella Artois, Haven Cafe, Stonover Farm, Abbott’s Livery, Blantyre, The Barrington, Fairfield Inn and Suites and Carlo Huber Selections.

With nearly 800 film submissions this year, the Berkshire International Film Festival has quickly become a destination festival that filmmakers seek due to the enthusiastic audiences it attracts.

BIFF 2018 will be held May 31 – June 3, 2018….passes and submissions will open October 1, 2017.

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