FESTIVAL 2026
Dates:
May 29-June 7
SCREENING VENUES:
This year BFF will run both at a few physical venues and online. The main physical venue, BRIC in Fort Greene (647 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, 11217), will run on May 29 (Opening Night), June 1, 2, 5, and 6. 100 Sutton in Greenpoint (100 Sutton Street, Brooklyn, NY 11222) from June 1 – 5. Additional screenings will be held at Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg (80 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249) on May 30 and May 31. BFF will also be available online via BFF’s website (virtual event) from May 30-June 7 (24/7).
FILMS:
140 films will be competing for a total of 30 awards. NOTE: Even the smallest festival film can win the top festival award: The Grand Chameleon.
PROGRAM STRUCTURE:
BFF is an international competitive festival. Films are submitted as and divided into six categories: Feature Narrative (10 programs), Feature Documentary (8 programs), Short Narrative (8 programs), Short Doc (4 Programs), Experimental (2 programs), and Animation (2 programs). In total, BFF will show 140 films grouped into 34 two-hour programs.
INDOOR FILM SCHEDULE AT BRIC:
The indoor programs below will be presented in Fort Greene
647 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, 11217.
Schedule is subject to change.
May 29, Fri: 7:00pm (Opening Night)
June 1, Mon: 4pm, 6pm, 8pm
June 2, Tue: 4pm, 6pm, 8pm
June 5, Fri: 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, 8pm
June 6, Sat: 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, 8pm
INDOOR FILM SCHEDULE AT 100 SUTTON:
The indoor programs below will be presented in Greenpoint
100 Sutton Street, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Schedule is subject to change.
June 1, Mon: 430pm, 630pm, 830pm
June 2, Tue: 430pm, 630pm, 830pm
June 3, Wed: 430pm, 630pm, 830pm
June 4, Thu: 430pm, 630pm, 830pm
June 5, Fri: 430pm, 630pm, 830pm
INDOOR FILM SCHEDULE AT WYTHE HOTEL:
The indoor programs below will be presented in Williamsburg
80 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Schedule is subject to change.
May 30, Sat: 4pm, 6pm, 8pm
May 31, Sun: 4pm, 6pm, 8pm
ONLINE FILM SCHEDULE:
All BFF films will be shown online 24/7 from 1am on May 30 through 11pm on June 7.
THEATER PASSES & TICKETS:
The price for the Single Program Ticket is $25. The price for a Full Pass (including Opening Night screening and party), from May 1 – May 20, will be sold promotionally at $100. From May 21 onwards, the Full Pass will be $150. All theater tickets will be available via our site and at the venues. All tickets and passes purchased online can be picked up at the venue starting one hour before the show. BFF offers discounted single tickets to Seniors and Students in person ($15).
ONLINE PASSES & CATEGORY SALES:
BFF’s films online are divided in six categories. In our Virtual Festival, BFF sells films by category (i.e. 14 Feature Films are priced $50 in total) and not by individual film. Sales are priced without time limit restrictions and regardless the number of visualizations. That means that each (and all) of the (i.e.) 13 feature films can be played as many times as the viewer wants from May 30-June 7.
FULL SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN & SALE PRICES:
Theater Festival
Opening Night (includes Screening and Party with DJ, Appetizers, and Drinks): $40
Single Program: $25
Discounted Single Program Ticket for Seniors and Students (available at the venues only): $15
Full Festival Pass (34 Programs including Opening Night): $150 (at a promotional level, only $100 from May 1 – 20)
Online Festival
For the online festival, BFF will only sell films by category, not by individual films.
Category prices are as follows:
Full Online Festival Pass [35 Programs – 140 Films]: $90
Online Feature Narrative Category [14 Films]: $35
Online Feature Documentary Category [10 Docs]: $30
Online Short Narrative Category [7 two-hour Programs]: $30
Online Short Documentary Category [4 two-hour Programs]: $20
Online Experimental Category [3 two-hour Programs]: $20
Online Animation Category [3 two-hour Programs]: $20
AWARDS & PRIZES:
BFF awards (30 in total) will be associated to prizes totaling about $50,000 in cash, film services, and products. All films in the festival are in competition with a few exceptions. To participate to the competition, a film must be at least a NY Premiere. That said, all films, including the non-premieres, can participate in the Audience Award competition. The audience can vote for their favorite films both online and at the venues, where all the festival films are presented. While are still working on the prizes’ breakdown for 2026, check here a draft based on the last past festival: Awards & Prizes (reference).
FESTIVAL LOUNGE
Heaven on Earth
290 Nassau Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Round Table Brewery
245 S. 1st Street
Swing by before & after screenings to connect with other filmmakers. Badge holders receive 20% discount through the duration of the festival
EVENTS
BFF Exchange
Wednesday, June 3 – Thursday June 4
Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema
25 Washington Street 11205
THEME
“The Invitation” is the 29th Edition of the Brooklyn Film Festival. The core of human experience is a fundamental need to belong. Cinema is never created alone. It’s made by people, hand in hand and experienced, at its best, together. This year, BFF, is inviting you to experience new groundbreaking work by filmmakers from around the world and here in our borough. You’re welcome here. Join us.
NETWORKING & SPECIAL EVENTS:
To keep up with the festival developments check our Latest News page and the ongoing conversation on our Social Media.
FESTIVAL BACKGROUND:
Organized by the same people who brought to you the Williamsburg Brooklyn Film Festival and the Brooklyn International Film Festival, the 501(c)(3) Brooklyn Film Festival is an organization developed from 28 years of experience. Re-branded in 2010, the new BFF has been riding an enriched mission.
FILM SUBMISSIONS:
BFF accepts paperless entries via FilmFreeway.com from July 1 through March 13 of the following year. For DEADLINES, FAQ, rules, and to submit visit: faq
MISSION:
To provide a public forum in Brooklyn in order to advance public interest in films and the independent production of films.
To draw worldwide attention to Brooklyn as a center for cinema.
To encourage the rights of all Brooklyn residents to access and experience the power of independent filmmaking, and to promote artistic excellence and the creative freedom of artists without censure.
To promote, foster, stimulate, increase, and advance Brooklyn’s public interest in film through the following means:
- – To organize, sponsor, and present forums, lectures, and discussions related to the creation of independent films.
- – To conduct classes and workshops for the development of new filmmakers and the public exhibition of new and existing works.
- – To partner with like-minded organizations to exhibit new and existing works.
To support arts organizations with compatible missions.
To hold an annual competitive film festival in Brooklyn.
BROOKLYN FILM SOCIETY