BIFF Shorts: WNY Stories

Unique stories from around the block and around the region. 95 minutes.

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“Bloke with a Cell Phone”

Richard Fysh (Dir), 1 minute, World Premiere

Director Richard Fysh in attendance.

A flash satire that focuses its lens on our screen-obsessed culture.

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“Lemon Water”

Oscar James Heard III (Dir), 6 minutes, World Premiere

Director Oscar James Heard III in attendance.

A celebration of the resiliency, history, strength, boldness and creativity of African Americans throughout time.

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“My Friend Matty”

John Takacs (Dir), 8 minutes, New York State Premiere

Director John Takacs in attendance.

When young Nick (Luke Speakman) and his family move into a house that has been vacant for 20 years, they learn the hard way that things aren’t always what they seem.

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“When I See You”

Ben Richey & Tony Vescio (Dir), 10 minutes, World Premiere

Directors Ben Richey and Tony Vescio in attendance.

Terminally ill Roswell Park patient Aiden Lee Pickup records a special musical message for his three year old daughter.

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“Love and Rodents”

Mary Wall (Dir), 10 minutes, World Premiere

Director Mary Wall and DP Brandon Moran in attendance.

A comedy about about the lengths a never-hurt-a-fly woman devises to capture and release a rodent that has invaded her home before her ever practical wife, who has a big surprise date night planned, gets rid of it by any means necessary. Director Mary Wall is a BIFF 2019 alumni (The Fan Connection).

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“Apples to Oranges”

Trisha Pickelhaupt (Dir), 10 minutes, Western New York Premiere

Director Trisha Pickelhaupt in attendance.

Amid a beige backdrop of strip malls, parking lots, and weedless lawns; this essay filmed throughout Erie County playfully explores contemporary suburbia juxtaposed with 1950s ideals of the American Dream.

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“Portland is the New Portland”

Christopher Scamurra (Dir), 17 minutes, New York State Premiere

Director / Writer / Producer Christopher Scamurra, Writer / Producer / Composer Nicholas Reynolds, and Star / Composer Matthew Danger Lippman in attendance.

BEST WNY SHORT AWARD WINNER

A lonely musician in a small town creates a thriving underground music scene by inventing and posing as a multitude of bands. When Rolling Stone Magazine takes notice, his life unravels as he struggles to maintain the facade.

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“Geoffrey Show Live”

Daniel Swinton (Dir), 16 minutes, World Premiere

22 year old citizen journalist Geoffery Rogers has reported live from the streets of Rochester, NY for nearly a decade, building a following that becomes endangered due to his outspoken opinions, questionable reporting tactics, and a series of embarrassing legal problems that threaten to make him infamous before he can become famous.

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“The Waiting Room”

Jahaad Shairi (Dir), 12 minutes, Western New York Premiere

Director Jahaad Shairi in attendance.

BEST WNY STUDENT FILM AWARD WINNER

A nun struggles with her faith after briefly flatlining and coming back to life having seen nothing in death (particularly... God).