2023 Tilke Hill W.i.P. Award

Please join us as we announce 2023's Tilke Hill W.i.P. Award winner!

BIFF wants to keep our friend's memory and spirit alive by supporting the amazing future works of the WNY community, and we're excited to introduce you to our 2023 winner during BIFF's Annual Awards Ceremony for Official Selections in Competition at this year's festival.

The grant supports the completion of a Western New York made Work in Progress (WNY W.i.P.) with a $1,500 award. The award supports short film and episodic media makers creating narrative work that is avant-garde and fearless in its approach.

A key member of the Buffalo Int’l Film Festival and our local arts community for many years, Tilke was a true multi-hyphenate – an actor, filmmaker, writer, teacher, and volunteer – ever curious and always working on an exciting new project. Her dedication to the next generation of storytellers in our community, and commitment to providing an inclusive and welcoming platform for filmmakers, performers, and curators, will forever remain a part of BIFF's DNA.

The Tilke Hill W.i.P. Award is a memorial grant created in honor of Tilke Hill. It's awarded in her name to strengthen and encourage the efforts of the WNY filmmaking community.

This award is open to anyone 18+ years of age residing in the WNY region. (defined here as Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates Counties, and neighboring Haudenosaunee Nations including: Seneca Nation (Cattaraugus, Allegany & Oil Springs), Tonawanda Seneca Nation, Tuscarora Nation, Six Nations of the Grand River, and other Haudenosaunee Nations in what is considered New York State)

The grant is open to the general public and currently enrolled students. Women, BIPOC, 2SLGBQTIA+ people, underrepresented individuals, and filmmakers who face systemic and structural barriers are encouraged to apply.

There is no fee to apply and everyone living in WNY that meets the afforementioned requirements, should feel encouraged to apply.

We will begin accepting submissions again on January 1 for 2024. The Next Deadline is July 28, 2024. This grant is supported by the WNY community and its larger public. A panel of film professionals and community members review applications and make selections each year.

To support this award fund in 2024 and beyond with a tax deductible donation, please visit: https://square.link/u/X1NhacmC