BIFF Shorts: Spaces

Place-based nonfiction from Western New York, Southern Ontario and beyond. 69 minutes.

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“Terry’s Little Village”

Jack Kukolic (Dir), 7 minutes, Canada, US Premiere

Director Jack Kukolic in attendance.

Terry Wilson, a 70-year-old lifelong resident of Meadowvale Village, Ontario's first heritage district, recreates pieces of history in his backyard, passionately fighting to preserve a bygone era in a world that’s too anxious for change.

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“Beyond the White Cube”

Giulia Magno (Dir), 15 minutes, Italy, US Premiere

Visionary artists, architects, and curators such as Olafur Eliasson, Sebastian Behmann, Janne Sirén, Cathleen Chaffee, Holly E. Hughes, and Shohei Shigematsu join forces to reimagine the museum as inclusive arena where visitors actively participate in shaping the narrative. Their collective vision is to transform these historically elitist institutions into vibrant hubs of community engagement. This film chronicles their journey and efforts during the expansion project of the Buffalo AKG Art Museum.

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“Growing Up Absurd”

Ben Balcom (Dir), 15 minutes, USA, Western New York Premiere

Director Ben Balcom in attendance.

Key members of the Tolstoy College community speak to the ethos and history of the college, from its founding in 1969 to its dissolution in 1985. College F, known colloquially as Tolstoy College, was an anarchist educational community which operated within the University at Buffalo between 1969 and 1985.

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“The Last Cobbler”

Matan Berman (Dir), 15 minutes, USA, Western New York Premiere

Nearing retirement without a successor, the last independent shoe repairman in Ithaca balances his needs with those of the community, trapped between an ever-changing footwear landscape and his desire to simply take a few days off.

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“Pins and Needles”

Claire Beseler (Dir), 9 minutes, USA, Western New York Premiere

Director Claire Beseler in attendance.

In a private tattoo studio, a filmmaker experiences the wonder of human connection.

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“Bears Ears: Echoes of Time”

Daniel Richardson (Dir), 5 minutes, USA, Western New York Premiere

Director Daniel Richardson in attendance.

Embark on a visual journey through the vibrant deserts, rich forests, and ancient ruins of the region of southeastern Utah known as Bears Ears, while the battle for conservation and indigenous sovereignty continues on.

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“Serpentine”

Amanda Besl (Dir), 3 minutes, USA, World Premiere

Director Amanda Besl in attendance.

Inspired by the true story of a pet snake rescued after she was hurled from a moving car, this experimental film elicits empathy for a creature who can’t physically perceive the world through a human lens. As cars race down endless looping freeways, the abrupt end of a relationship is revisited, and the highway becomes the snake. Director Amanda Besl is a BIFF 2023 (To the Moon & Back) alumni.