THE BERKSHIRE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL WRAPS 18th YEAR PAYING TRIBUTE TO ACADEMY AWARD-WINNING SCREENWRITER AND DIRECTOR JAMES IVORY, SCREENING 70 FILMS, WITH DOZENS OF FILMMAKERS, TEA TALKS AND EVENTS!Juried Prize, Audience Awards and “Next Great Filmmaker” Awards Announced!
Sunday, the Berkshire International Film Festival wrapped a spectacular festival, filled with luminaries such as James Ivory, Fred Hechinger, Billy Zane, Sheila Nevins, Barbara Kopple, and the director and producers from the closing night film, as well as 40 filmmakers in attendance and hundreds of film lovers. Today, BIFF announces the winners of the annual BIFF Juried Prize Award, the BIFF Audience Award and the Berkshire Bank’s “Next Great Filmmaker” award. BIFF patrons watched films in-person at the newly renovated Triplex Cinema and the Mahaiwe Theater in Great Barrington and at the Lenox Town Hall, as well as online.
In the Juried Narrative category the film, GHOSTLIGHT, directed by Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson, was awarded the top prize. The cast from the film was in attendance to receive the award on Sunday. The film is being distributed by IFC, and is set to release in a few weeks. In the Juried Documentary category, the winner was THE COWBOY AND THE QUEEN directed by Andrea Nevins. Nevins was not in attendance but wrote “THANK YOU, Berkshire International Film Festival!! We couldn’t have been more honored to just have a spot in your lineup of beautiful films, but to be spotlighted by all of you with this extraordinary award, brought tears to our eyes. Thank you for seeing and hearing Monty’s quiet message of kindness. We hope this lovely honor helps it to spread. I know Monty will agree. So thank you again, we are over the moon!” The Jury prize was presented at a brunch on Sunday at Number Ten restaurant in Great Barrington. Serving on the BIFF Jury were actors Karen Allen, Michel Gill, Josh Braun of Submarine Entertainment, production designer Kristi Zea and director/writer Kent Jones, casting director Gretchen Rennell and PR and film executive Laura Sok of Track Shot.
The Audience Award Winner for narrative features also went to GHOSTLIGHT, and the Audience Award Winner for favorite documentary film was UNBROKEN directed by Beth Lane. In a statement, Lane said “It’s hard to find the words to express our joy over receiving the Audience Choice Award at BIFF. The community has shared so much love for our story and our hearts remain UnBroken. One audience at a time, we will build bridges by telling stories of hope, as together we combat antisemitism, bigotry and hate. Thank you BIFF for honoring UnBroken!”
The Audience Award winner for narrative short went to DOOMSCROLL, directed by Mikey Riva, Jr. and the Audience Award winner for documentary short was awarded to TEN TIMES BETTER, directed by Jennifer Rita Lin. Honorable mention is awarded to the narrative short THE BELL directed by Douglas Philip Gordon.
The winner of the 14th annual Berkshire Bank “Next Great Filmmaker Award” was presented to the short film BREAK/FIX. The film was directed by Liliana Tandon who was in attendance to accept the award announced by Mark Pedrotti of Berkshire Bank.
Highlights of the 4-day festival included the opening night screening of THELMA, with actor Fred Hechinger in attendance for a Q&A at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center. The Opening Night party was held under the BIFF tent with a foodie festival called “The Taste of BIFF” which highlighted offerings from area restaurants and caterers including The Breakroom at Greylock Works, Dare Bottleshop & Provisions, The Elm, Frankie’s, Haven Cafe, Juju’s, Mooncloud, Number Ten, The Old Inn on the Green, The Red Lion Inn, SoCo and SoMa. The delicious evening was sponsored by Berkshire Bank.
Saturday evening in Great Barrington, the BIFF honored the legendary Oscar Award-winning screenwriter and director, JAMES IVORY who for many years, worked extensively with his domestic as well as professional partner, Ismail Merchant, and screenwriter Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, and created Merchant Ivory Productions, whose films have won seven Academy Awards including A ROOM WITH A VIEW, MAURICE, HOWARDS END, THE REMAINS OF THE DAY and CALL ME BY YOUR NAME. The documentary film MERCHANT IVORY was screened, followed by director Stephen Soucey and James Ivory in conversation with WAMC’s Joe Donahue, generously sharing his stories from his rich and varied career. The tribute evening included a party under the tent with cocktails, dinner and jazz catered by Peter Platt and Old Inn on the Green. A private reception was held afterwards in Mr. Lang’s honor.
The BIFF also presented the seventh year of “TEA TALKS.” This year’s talk included: THE DOYENNES OF DOCUMENTARY FILM with a conversation between award-winning producer Sheila Nevins and academy award-winning director Barbara Kopple sharing stories from their illustrious careers.
BIFF had a special sneak preview screening of the narrative film INT. HALLWAY – NIGHT, directed and starring Billy Zane. Billy Zane was in attendance for a wonderful behind-the-scenes talk about the making of the film.
Closing out the 18th year, BIFF presented the SXSW hit film, DIANE WARREN; RELENTLESS about the legendary award-winning songwriter Diane Warren. The director and producers were in attendance for a Q&A after the film.
Screening 70 narratives and documentaries features and shorts during the festival, the BIFF also hosted more than 40 filmmakers and offered free children’s programs, Berkshire filmmakers work, and parties throughout downtown Great Barrington including a Filmmaker Party sponsored by Dare Wines and Bernay Art Gallery on Friday night.
In its eighteenth year, BIFF proudly presented the fourteenth annual Filmmakers Summit, a two-day industry summit offered to the 2024 film selection filmmakers. A diverse, multi-dimensional program of panel discussions, lectures, and special events, led 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. The event is generously sponsored by Mary Mott and Gordon Simmering and The Frances Davis Fund.
Premiere Sponsors of the 2024 BIFF include the Triplex Cinema, Studio Two, The Red Lion Inn, Berkshire Bank, The Frances Davis Fund, the Annie Selke Companies, Love Today Productions and Old Mill Road Media.
Presenting Sponsors include Karen Allen Fiber Arts, Berkshire Mountain Distillers, Stella Artois, Haven Cafe, Dare Bottleshop & Provisions, Abbott’s Livery, Greenhouse Yoga, Fairfield Inn and Granville House. BIFF’s festival partners include the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center and the Lenox Town Hall.
With over 1000 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.
The 18th annual BIFF will be held May 29 – June 1, 2025; submissions will open October 1, 2025 and passes will go on sale November 1, 2024.
BIFF IN THE NEWS!
SHEILA NEVINS – TEA TALK
https://www.berkshireeagle.
DIANE WARREN – CLOSING NIGHT
https://www.berkshireeagle.
COLD WALLET SCREENING
https://www.berkshireeagle.
BIFF IN THE BERKSHIRE EDGE!
https://theberkshireedge.com/
SUPPORT BIFF AND BECOME A REEL FRIEND MEMBER TODAY!
www.biffma.org