2026 BIFF Proudly Honors Award-Winning Actor Karen Allen
BIFF opens with STEAL THIS STORY, PLEASE! with award-winning journalist, author and investigative reporter Amy Goodman in attendance.
BIFF closes with the Sundance hit documentary about global tennis icon and activist Billie Jean King in GIVE ME THE BALL! with director Elizabeth Wolff in attendance.
Four Tea Talks include Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Barbara Kopple; Oscar-nominated documentary director Yael Melamede in conversation with author and filmmaker Kevin Smokler; acclaimed American screenwriter John Orloff known for BAND OF BROTHERS and MASTERS OF THE AIR; and European Union filmmakers discussing filmmaking across borders.
Plus, 75 international and domestic narrative features, documentaries, and short films hosting dozens of filmmakers.
GREAT BARRINGTON, MA: April 24, 2026 — The 20th annual Berkshire International Film Festival (BIFF) announces a blockbuster lineup and celebratory weekend of films, events, and very special guests. The festival runs from May 28 – 31 in Great Barrington and Lenox. Marked with strong international programming and an ongoing commitment to presenting the best in independent film, the festival brings together films, filmmakers, industry professionals and fans for a four-day celebration. The lineup features 31 documentaries, 29 narrative features, 29 short films, and a FREE animated shorts selection for kids. The festival brings stories from 27 countries including Germany, Greece, Norway, Netherlands, Estonia, France, Finland, Israel, Czech Republic, Finland, Canada, Luxembourg, UK, Spain, Hungary, Belgium, India, Italy, Portugal, Poland, Ireland, Sweden, Ghana, Korea, Iceland, Australia and South Africa. This year’s festival promises to not only transport film fans to foreign lands, but also deliver important, engaging, powerful and entertaining stories from around the United States. BIFF is also proud to continue their presence at the Lenox Town Hall where films will be presented throughout the weekend. And finally, BIFF will not only present a curated selection of feature films and four short film slots at the in-person festival, but also a selection of films can be screened virtually. For the complete selection of films and events, please visit: www.biffma.org.
“For our 20th anniversary, we’re presenting a dynamic lineup that spans the full spectrum of contemporary cinema, from acclaimed international voices to bold new talent,” said founder and artistic director Kelley Vickery. “This year’s program reflects the strength of global filmmaking and the continued growth of BIFF, bringing audiences an engaging mix of screenings, events, and filmmaker conversations—underscoring that independent film is thriving in the Berkshires.”
Notable talent represented in this year’s lineup of films includes Karen Allen, Amy Goodman, Willem Dafoe, Olivia Wilde, Cooper Hoffman, J. Alphonse Nicholson, Danielle Brooks, Lou Diamond Phillips, Greta Lee, Edmund Donovan, Jake Lacy, Tim Blake Nelson, Mireille Enos, Lois Smith, Cooper Raiff, Kaitlyn Dever, David Duchovny, Hope Davis, Will Poulter, Noah Centineo, Edward James Olmos, Cheech Marin, Dolores Huerta, Linda Ronstadt, Nick Offerman, Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald, Kevin Bacon, Clive Davis, Jimmy Messina, Oscar Isaac, Helena Bonham Carter, Steve Buscemi, Stephen Colbert, Oprah, John Waters, Peter Asher, James Taylor, Carole King, Eric Idle, Rory Culkin, Scott Cohen, Amy Stiller, Michael Madsen, and Jane Fonda.
Films with Berkshire connections include ADMISSION POSSIBLE, BORN THAT WAY, UNFINISHED SONG, THICKLY SETTLED, ROCKWELL COMES TO LIFE: THE RUNAWAY, HOUSE OF LIGHT, BARBARA PREY, PAINTING TO SCALE, MATERIAL MATTERS: THE ART OF DEE SHAPIRO, THE INVESTIGATOR, and I LOVE YOU MORE THAN DINOSAURS.
Thursday, May 29 — Opening Night at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, Great Barrington
Sponsored by Beacon Bank: The festival opens with the documentary film STEAL THIS STORY, PLEASE! Fiercely independent journalist Amy Goodman has spent three decades holding the powerful to account, reporting from war zones and the Democracy Now! newsroom. In STEAL THIS STORY, PLEASE!, Oscar-nominated filmmakers Carl Deal and Tia Lessin craft a riveting portrait of journalism’s power and peril in an era of corporate control and political attacks on truth.
Amy Goodman will be in attendance following the screening. After the event, BIFF will host a 20th birthday party with cake and a dance party with DJ Soren next door at the Indigo Room.
Prior to the opening night film, BIFF will present the 3rd annual “The Taste of the BIFF”, showcasing area restaurants in the Berkshires under the BIFF tent. This dinner-by-the-bite event includes The Elm, Frankie’s Ristorante Italiano, JuJu’s, Number Ten, The Old Inn on the Green, The Red Lion Inn, SoCo Creamery, Hand Crafted Catering & Events, Briskette & Birdie, and Robert Mondavi Winery. The Taste of the BIFF is a foodie festival within the festival.
Saturday, May 30 — Tribute Night at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center
BIFF honors award-winning actor Karen Allen: There are movie stars, and then there are the rare few who carry their stardom lightly—who pair a remarkable career with a deeply rooted sense of place and community. Karen Allen is one of those rare few. To audiences around the world, she is unforgettable as Marion Ravenwood in RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK—a performance of wit, grit, and undeniable charisma that helped redefine the modern action heroine. And yet, here in the Berkshires, Karen is known for something even more meaningful: her presence as a neighbor, a collaborator, and a cornerstone of the Berkshire International Film Festival. In honoring Karen Allen, we celebrate not only an accomplished actress with an extraordinary career, but a woman who has given deeply of herself to this community. The BIFF is very proud to honor and recognize her legendary career.
Saturday, May 30 — BIFF’s Popular Tea Talks at the Indigo Room
Sponsored by Guido’s and Mountain One: This festival favorite began eight years ago, and this year’s selection includes in-depth conversations with Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Barbara Kopple celebrating the 50th anniversary of her Academy Award-winning documentary HARLAN COUNTY; Oscar-nominated documentary director Yael Melamede in conversation with author and filmmaker Kevin Smokler after the screening of CHILDREN NO MORE: WERE AND ARE GONE; acclaimed American screenwriter John Orloff known for BAND OF BROTHERS and MASTERS OF THE AIR; and the five European Union filmmakers from the Transatlantic Rising Stars Program discussing filmmaking across borders.
Sunday, May 31 — Closing Night at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center
BIFF will close with the Sundance hit documentary film GIVE ME THE BALL! about the global tennis icon Billie Jean King, whose impact on tennis and equality resonates around the world. But the personal turmoil behind this transformational figure has in many ways remained hidden from view. It is the story of selflessness, struggle and triumph that shines an unforgettable light on a figure who is widely admired but, until now, never properly understood. Director Elizabeth Wolff will be in attendance following the screening. A closing night party will be held at Number 10 after the event.
“Kelley and I are thrilled about this year’s globally sourced program,” said Lillian Lennox, BIFF Film Programmer and Board Member. “We are blessed to have a dedicated team who work tirelessly to bring the very best independent narrative and documentary filmmaking to our audiences. Films that offer inspirational new voices and fresh perspectives. We look forward to seeing old friends and new at this year’s festival.”
Passes are on sale now. Single tickets go on sale for REEL Friends of BIFF on Friday, April 24 and to the general public on Monday, April 27, by visiting www.biffma.org.
In addition to the dozens of remarkable films, BIFF will host special events throughout the weekend including the Juried Prize Award for narrative and documentary filmmaking, free family film screenings, and panel discussions.
More About the Transatlantic Rising Star Program
TRSP: Five Films. Five Directors. One Rare Chance.
The European Union believes in film – in the stories that travel, the directors who tell them, and the audiences who deserve to see them. These five films have won awards across the world. Most American audiences will never have the chance to see them, but the BIFF audience does.
They are here as part of the Transatlantic Rising Stars Film Program – an EU initiative that brings exceptional European directors to the United States for two weeks of screenings, creative exchange, and high-level industry access. BIFF is where it begins.
The Jury
The BIFF’s 2025 Jury includes distribution guru Josh Braun and Dan Braun; director Kent Jones; actors Peter Riegert and Scott Cohen; film publicist Laura Sok; and production designer Kristi Zea. In competition are four documentaries and four films in the narrative category. The award will be presented during a brunch on Sunday, May 31 at the Granville House in Great Barrington. The films in narrative competition are: A MOSQUITO IN THE EAR, BROKEN VOICES, IF I GO WILL THEY MISS ME, and UNION COUNTY. The films in the documentary competition are: ADMISSION IMPOSSIBLE, GASLIT, ITALIAN WANNABE, and REMAINING NATIVE.
BIFF Filmmakers Summit
In 2026, the BIFF will host its sixteenth annual Filmmakers Summit—a two-day talent academy for this year’s filmmakers. This diverse, multi-dimensional program of panel discussions, lectures, special events, and breakout sessions is led by known industry professionals. Beginning on Wednesday, May 27, the Filmmaker Summit is a truly unique introduction to the festival for filmmakers. The Filmmakers Summit is sponsored by Mary Mott and Gordon Simmering. Scholarship awards to the Summit are donated by The Frances Davis Fund in memory of Estelle Davis who really appreciated a good movie.
The sixteenth annual “Next Great Filmmaker” Competition created and sponsored by Beacon Bank, will kick-off online voting on Monday, April 27. Voting will continue through May 27 and the winner will be announced at the Opening Night presentation in Great Barrington on Thursday, May 28 at the Mahaiwe. The films in competition are: ENDZGIVING, FARSI WITH MAMAN, I LOVE YOU MORE THAN DINOSAURS, JUST MY LUCK, SUSIEFLOWERS, and THEACTOR. www.biffma.org/nextgreat
The second annual “nexGen” Student Film Competition — In collaboration with Love Today Productions, BIFF has launched its second annual nexGen filmmaker competition. This initiative aims to discover emerging student filmmakers and highlight students’ talents in a festival setting, providing them with mentoring and potential job opportunities in a tough industry. Out of 85 submissions from colleges and universities across the US, we proudly introduce the first class of nexGen filmmakers: BEER RUN, directed by James Wright; ON THE TIDE, directed by Mimi Malicoat Bois; RAISED ELBOWS, directed by Gaspard Choquet.
BIFF Sponsors
Premiere sponsors of the festival include Beacon Bank, Studio Two, Roaring Brook Family Foundation, The Red Lion Inn, The Annie Selke Companies, The Triplex Cinema, Blackmagic Design, Old Mill Road Media, The Frances Davis Fund, Love Today Productions and the Granville House.
Presenting sponsors include Karen Allen Fiber Arts, Abbott’s Livery, Berkshire Mountain Distillers, Stella Artois, Haven Cafe, Warrior Trading, Prospect/The Cliff House and Fairfield by Marriott.
Supporting sponsors include Guido’s Fresh Marketplace, Mountain One, Nejaime’s Wine Cellars/Robert Mondavi Winery, and Curious Elixirs.
BIFF Media Partners – The Berkshire Eagle, The B Magazine, The Berkshire Edge, The Mountains Magazine.
Contact:
Kelley Vickery – kelley@biffma.org
Anne McLaughlin – anne@biffma.org
