BIFF Shorts: Personal and Political

Fiction and nonfiction stories from around the world about the people trapped between the politics. 106 minutes.

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“Titanic, suitable version for Iranian families”

Farnoosh Samadi (Dir), 15 minutes, Iran, Western New York Premiere

In Persian w/ English subtitles.

A group of editors and censors grapple with how to edit James Cameron’s classic for broadcast television in a nation where the uncut version has been readily available.

A Manifest Pictures release.

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“Çürük”

Marion Molinari + Tuğçe Karabacak (Dir), 20 minutes, Turkey, Western New York Premiere

In Turkish w/ English subtitles.

Nora, a young transgender woman, received the "Çürük Raporu" at the age of 20, a certificate issued by the Turkish State categorizing her as a deviant citizen. With the looming 2023 presidential election, Nora hopes to stay alive, leave sex work behind and start a new life.

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“Palestine Islands”

Nour Ben Salem + Julien Menanteau (Dir), 23 minutes, Palestine, Western New York Premiere

In Arabic w/ English subtitles.

Maha, 12, is part of the last generation of Palestinian refugees from the Balata camp. To bring a smile back to her ailing, blind grandfather's face, she devises an elaborate plan to make him believe that the wall of separation has fallen and that a return to his native land is possible. With the help of her friends from the camp, the young girl takes him on a trip beyond the wall and to the sea.

A Manifest Pictures release.

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“For the People”

Waylon Wilson (Dir), 9 minutes, USA, World Premiere

Director Waylon Wilson and Composer/Consulting Producer Mia McKie in attendance.

A satirical take on the Indigenous healing films set against the backdrop of a global pandemic.

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“We Ride For Her”

Prairie Rose Seminole + Katrina Lillian Sorrentino (Dir), 18 minutes, USA, Western New York Premiere

An Indigenous women’s motorcycle group rides to end the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women while a member of their community searches for her missing sister and tries to heal her shattered family.

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“When Will It Snow”

Soot On (Dir), 22 minutes, Mongolia, Western New York Premiere

In Mongolian w/ English subtitles.

A woman named Ninjin suffers from depression for a long time and finally decides to commit suicide. So, she goes to meet two people she loves to say farewell.