Festival Schedule

WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2025

8:15 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. — MORNING COFFEE — Hosted at the Block Island Maritime Institute by Kristin Carey, Kim Estes and Henry LeBlanc who discuss the day’s programming and introduce the first film block.

NARRATIVE SHORT FILM BLOCK: [BIMI VENUE](8:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.)

8:30 a.m. - 8:41 a.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “Gillyfish” — 11 mins. — Queer, Romance, Drama — When Gillian takes on her partner’s identity to confront their father, she finds a connection she didn't expect in the strange exchange she has with him. A short about healing by proxy, and stepping into new identities. Written & Directed by Sarah Sellman, Produced by Maya Korn, Starring Aoife Commons and Cat Coyle.

8:41 a.m. - 8:51 a.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “The Loop” — 10 mins. — Comedy — A comedy set in a New England park, where two equally hot-headed men battle over a park bench, setting off a series of chaotic events. Written & Directed by Mo Faisal, Produced by Tracy DiMascio-Faisal and Christopher Mikel, Starring Christopher Mikel, Ajay Jain, Laura Corda, Arvid von Taub, Josh Faisal and Tracy DiMascio-Faisal.

8:51 a.m. - 9:06 a.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “Artold Bernice's Cheek” — 15 mins. — Drama — After being tracked down by an art major doing a dissertation on him, an artist that disappeared from the public eye must make a reckoning with his past as the art major beings his future. Written & Directed by A.J. Ciccotelli, Produced by A.J. Ciccotelli and Margaret Leone, Cinematography by Joseph Kalet, Starring Ron Liguori, Johnny Beirne, Eric Stalowski, Ari Scarano, Dennis DaPrile, Margaret Leone and Leslie Hochman.

9:06 a.m. - 9:16 a.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “The Bench” — 10 mins. — Comedy, Drama, Sci-Fi — The Bench is a Sci-Fi, Dramedy, Twilight Zone-inspired short film about humanity, mortality, and how we spend the time we have left on earth. Written & Directed by Christopher Bowden.

9:16 a.m. - 9:31 a.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “Not The Same Clarence” — 15 mins. — Drama — A man must come to terms with his fathers Alzheimer's disease. Written & Directed by Brian Russell & Samuel B. Russell, Produced by Brian Russell, Samuel B. Russell and Lisa DeTullio Russell, Starring James Naughton, Greg Naughton, Delissa Reynolds, Sam Duncan and David A. Gregory.

9:31 - 9:51 a.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “NDE: Near Death Experience” — 20 mins. — Dramedy/Spiritual — When a comic's standup routine is interrupted by a mob hit, he has a spiritual experience that could change his life forever. Written, Directed & Produced by Dawn Natalia, Starring Ed Regine, Reagan Crichlow and Lawrence Natalia.

9:51 a.m. - 10:05 a.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “The Painter” — 14 mins. — Drama — An artist confronts his complicated past as he paints a portrait of the beachside house he grew up in. Written & Directed by Jimmy Martin, Produced by Carly Byers and Ted Omo, Starring Paul Wybieracki, Mike Gross, Chance Schlauder, Robert Blauner and Heather Huntington Stewart.

10:05 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. — Q&A with filmmakers.

10:45 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. — BREAK

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. — SCREENWRITING FORUM [Champlin’s Marina Café on the pier] — The 2025 Screenwriting Forum features the finalists in the BIFF screenwriting competition who discuss their scripts and their writing process. This is an educational forum that encourages public participation. Hosted by Henry LeBlanc and Kristin Carey.

12:30 p.m. - 1 p.m. — LUNCH BREAK

1 p.m. - 3 p.m. — NARRATIVE FEATURE FILM [BIMI VENUE] — “No Small Sacrifice” — 2 hours — Drama — No Small Sacrifice is a moving piece about two brothers and the difficult choices they must make about the family ranch. Written & Directed by James Douglas Burch, Produced by Zachary Burch and Sherry Willis Burch, Starring Travis Quentin Young and Mark Fite.

3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. — Q&A with filmmakers.

3:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. — BREAK

DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM BLOCK: [BIMI VENUE](4 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.)

4 p.m. - 4:20 p.m. — DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM — “Raised on Dirt: The Brock Pinkerous Story” — 20 mins. — 13-year-old Brock “Bam Bam” Pinkerous is a real-life racecar driver. He competes against men twice his size, racing 18-foot-long cars with 450 horsepower engines. Directed by Eric D Levesque and Francis Kelleher, Produced by Francis Kelleher, Starring Brock Pinkerous and Paul Pinkerous.

4:20 p.m. - 4:35 p.m. — DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM — “Interception: Jayne Kennedy — American Sportscaster” — 15 mins. — When a bronze-skin bombshell rocks the world of Sunday Morning Football, millions tune in. But few know the tumultuous story of Jayne Kennedy, the first Black woman to boldly tackle the racial lines of American sportscasting. Written & Directed by Safiya Songhai, Produced by Jayne Kennedy Overton, Safiya Songhai, Latena Hazard, Garland McLaurin and Michael L. Brown, Starring Jayne Kennedy Overton.

4:35 p.m. - 5:10 p.m. — DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM — “imago artists” — 35 mins. — Through eight artists' stories, this film explores the creative impulse that compels each one to draw, paint, take photos and play in the field of fine art. Directed by Katherine Reaves.

5:10 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. — DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM — “Malassada Day” — 18 mins. — A universal story about the importance of holding on to our culture and rituals, whatever they may be from wherever we came from, in an ever-changing society. This film focuses on the story behind Portuguese fried dough and the team of women who come together to make it. Directed by Dante Bellini, Jr., Produced by Holly Anne Tente.

5:30 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. — Q&A with filmmakers.

6:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. — BREAK

[*NIGHT PROGRAMMING AT CHAMPLIN’S MARINA & RESORT BEGINS]

NARRATIVE SHORT FILM BLOCK: [CHAMPLIN’S MARINA VENUE](7:15 p.m. - 10:15 p.m.)

7:15 p.m. - 7:32 p.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “South Shore” — 17 mins. — Drama/Thriller — South Shore captures a pivotal moment in the story arc of a reclusive, live-aboard sailor who comes face to face with the young immigrant man whom he suspects of a terrible crime. The script is adapted from “The Secret Sharer,” by Joseph Conrad, and influenced by real events on the South Shore of Long Island, New York. Written & Directed by Dexter Strong Buell, Produced by Kevin A. Lopez, Executive Producer Justine Lucas, Starring Dexter Strong Buell, Dylan Hernandez, Brandi Satterfield and Hassan Bradley.

7:32 p.m. - 7:47 p.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “Cherry Pie” — 15 mins. — Comedy/Thriller — In an otherwise uneventful restaurant, tensions rise between Lana, a no-nonsense manager, and Marty, a laid-back bartender, over small grievances like misplaced guitar cords and stolen cherry pie. When a mysterious man stumbles in, dies, and reanimates as a zombie, their day takes a surreal turn. Written, Directed & Produced by Pat Mulderrig, Starring Linzi Fenix, Eric Michael Cole, Greg Roman, and Chase Armayor.

7:47 p.m. - 8:07 p.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “Forgiving the Nightmare” — 20 mins. — Drama — After carrying deep pain for years, Mark faces the challenge to either be held by the nightmare of his past or forgive it. (Based on the book "Forgiving The Nightmare" by Mark Sowersby) Written & Directed by Henrique Franhani, Produced by Henrique Franhani and Michael Babcock, Cinematography by Kyle Loftus, Starring Marc Lucia, Scot Scurlock, Austin Lampe, Ryan Mullin, Kara C. Edmund and Marjha Grady.

8:07 p.m. - 8:27 p.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “What It’s Like To Be Okay” — 20 mins. — Drama/Comedy — When struggling actor Terry Moore puts his career before his family, he must find a way to make amends for his mistake and reconnect with his heartbroken daughter. Directed by Noah Bean, Written by Dennis Staroselsky, Produced by Dennis Staroselsky, Noah Bean, Veronica Rutelidge and Jaime Ray Newman, Starring Dennis Staroselsky, Lyndsy Fonseca, Chiara Staroselsky and Ashley Williams.

8:27 p.m.- 8:47 p.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “Steps” — 19 mins. — Comedy, Thriller — Tanner Slade, an extremely unlikable bro, is obsessed with counting his steps. On his way to a tropical, solo, drug-filled getaway, he is kidnapped, and wakes up in a room with a shock collar on. A voice over a loudspeaker explains that he can only take 50 steps every 24 hours, or he will be punished. He embarks on a journey where he must adapt his lifestyle, and conserve every step, in order to adhere to his captor’s demands. Written, Directed & Produced by Dan Bricker and Eytan Millstone, Starring Evan Williams and Vincent Cueva.

8:47 p.m. - 9:02 p.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “SIlverSizzle” — 14 mins. — Drama — Two recent widowers enlist the aid of a cemetery caretaker to find new love among widows visiting their departed spouses. Directed by Brian Russell, Written by Brian Russell and Ross Popick, Produced by Brian Russell and Lisa DeTullio Russell, Starring James Naughton, Boyd Gaines, Mike Boland, Kathleen McNenny and Sara Sessions.

9:02 p.m. - 9:27 p.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “Snowbird” — 25 mins. — Drama/Comedy — A self-taught rocket scientist invites a big city journalist out into the desert to cover a launch that will prove, once and for all, that the Earth is flat. Written & Directed by Patrick Curran, Produced by Patrick Curran, Devin Skrade, Jay Seals and Julia Schott, Cinematography by Shaun Dixon, Edited by Tim Dalton, Starring Lawrence Pressman, Ansuya Nathan, Greg Romero Wilson, and Stephen J. Lattanzi.

9:27 p.m. - 10:15 p.m. — Q&A with filmmakers.

10:15 p.m. - 1 p.m. — Opening Night Cocktail Party/Networking/Mixer at Champlin’s Marina & Resort, New Harbor (The Top Dock Bar on the pier)

THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2025

8:30 a.m. - 9 a.m. — MORNING COFFEE — Hosted at the Block Island Maritime Institute by Kristin Carey, Kim Estes and Henry LeBlanc who discuss the day’s programming and introduce the first film.

NARRATIVE STUDENT SHORT FILM BLOCK: [BIMI VENUE](9 a.m. - 11 a.m.)

9 a.m. - 9:10 a.m. — NARRATIVE STUDENT SHORT FILM — (Suffolk University) — “Coming Down Is The Hardsest Thing” — 10 mins. — Drama, Fantasy — Cubby, a 3-year old Bernedoodle, is in a funk. When his parents threaten to leave him behind for the first time, he must learn to do the impossible. Written & Directed by Kely Maloney, Starring Cubby Belfi.

9:12 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. — NARRATIVE STUDENT SHORT FILM — (Columbia University) — “Experts In A Dying Field” — 18 mins. — Drama — Following a botched first date, a young man seeks refuge amongst his 'family'. Upon learning that the 'expert' ways of these knock around guys are incorrect, he stands his ground and is inevitably launched back out in the real world where he truly belongs. Written & Directed by Mitchell Camarda, Produced by John Puma, Kevin Burns and Joe Rosenbloom, Starring Armand Assante, Dante Palminteri, Jake Cannavale, Peter Gaudio, Craig DiFrancia, Sidney Rosenberg and Maria Marinaro.

9:35 a.m.-9:40 a.m. — NARRATIVE STUDENT SHORT FILM — (New York University) — “Bird Poop” — 5 mins. — Comedy — A young couple discover each other after being pelted with bird poop. Written, directed and produced by Chase D. Markoff, Starring Violetta Fisco and chase D. Markoff.

9:40 a.m. - 9:55 a.m. — NARRATIVE STUDENT SHORT FILM — (Boston University) — “The Fairy House” — 14 mins. — Drama, Fantasy — A magical encounter helps young architect, Charlotte, rediscover her lust for life. Directed by Emma Weller & Zoe Moore, Written by Emma Weller, Produced by Veronica Harris and Lynne Asare-Bediako, Starring Emma Weller, Jojo and Michael Kaye.

9:55 a.m. - 10 a.m. — NARRATIVE STUDENT SHORT FILM — (Sacred Heart University) — “Elevator Pitch” — 5 minutes — Jane is on her way to pitch her new film when she suffers an anxiety attack. Written & Directed by Zachary J. Allen, Produced by Gabriel Calderon, Starring Katarine V. Maric.

10 a.m. - 10: 15 a.m. — NARRATIVE STUDENT SHORT FILM — (Fairfield University) — “Hammer” — 13 mins. — Drama, Thriller — A group of witch finders venture into the woods in search of a hoard a women. Written & Directeed by Em Merolla, Produced by Katja Berardino and Jacen Januseski, Starring Nicholas Wilder, Ellen Relac, Marko Ulaj and Nicholas Cummings.

10:15 a.m. - 11 a.m. — Q&A with the Filmmakers.

11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. — BREAK

SPOTLIGHT DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILMS BLOCK: [BIMI VENUE](12:15 p.m. - 3 p.m.)

12:15 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. — Special Programming Introduction

12:30 p.m. - 12:45 p.m. — [SPOTLIGHT] DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM — “Farther” — 14 mins. — Lori King, Amanda Fenner, and a dedicated team of friends conquered a challenging nearly 24-mile swim from Block Island to Montauk, New York. Lori's remarkable achievement marks her as the first person to successfully complete this epic aquatic journey. Directed by Drew Maloney, Produced by Amanda Fenner, Featuring Lori King.

12:45 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. — [SPOTLIGHT] DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM — “The Last Houseboat” — 30 mins. — The Last Houseboat is a heartfelt short documentary that delves into the history of a unique wooden vessel, lovingly crafted by a family patriarch in 1970. Anchored on the Rhode Island coast for over 50 years, the houseboat became more than a structure—it was a landmark, a cherished family tradition, and a symbol of connection across three generations. When unforeseen circumstances force the family to dismantle the beloved vessel, they confront a profound sense of loss while celebrating its enduring legacy. Directed by Colin D’Amelio, Written by Colin James, Produced by Fiona Egan and Matt Sola, with Music by Austin Friend.

1:15 p.m. - 1:35 p.m. — [SPOTLIGHT] DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM — “Shucking Tradition” — 18 mins. — “Shucking Tradition” is a testament to the resilience of forward-thinking New England women. They are not just working hard, but also proving themselves in their region's age-old oyster farming. Their new energy and perspectives are reshaping a tradition-bound, male-dominated maritime industry, inspiring us all. Directed, Filmed & Produced by David Helfer Wells, Consulting Editor Loulwa Khoury.

1:35 p.m. - 2:11 pm. — [SPOTLIGHT “Mary Donnelly” FILM] — DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM — “Lillian” — 36 mins. — Award winning filmmaker, Dante Bellini, Jr., tells the courageous, intimate, emotional and inspiring story of Lillian Chason, a gutsy Barrington, Rhode Island woman who battled the H1N1 virus, while her family rallied around her to try and keep her alive. The story highlights how a family chose love and community to deal with their despair. Written & Directed by Dante Bellini, Cinematography by David Zapatka, Jesse DuFault and Deven Bussey, Edited by Eric Latek and Joe Picozzi, and Music by Mauro Colangelo.

2:11 p.m. - 3 p.m. — Q&A with the Filmmakers.

3 p.m. - 4 p.m. — BREAK

SPOTLIGHT DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILMS BLOCK: [BIMI VENUE](4 p.m. - 6 p.m.)

4 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. — — [SPOTLIGHT] DOCUMENTARY FILM — Slatersville: America's First Mill Village - Episode 6: They Will All Be My Friends — 1 hour 15 mins. — "Slatersville: America's First Mill Village" retraces the 2 1/2 century history of the first industrialized mill village in the United States, located in the Blackstone Valley of northern Rhode Island. It has been filmed in seven states and the U.K. Written, Directed & Produced by Christian de Rezendes, Produced by Pat Horn Ferron and Gail Denomme.

5:15 p.m. - 6 p.m. — Q&A with filmmakers.

6 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. — BREAK

NARRATIVE SHORT FILM BLOCK: [CHAMPLIN’S MARINA VENUE](7:15 p.m. - 10 p.m.)

7:15 p.m. — 7:25 p.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “The Swim” — 10 mins. — Comedy — Inspired by their favorite olympic swimmer, two strangers prepare for their first ocean dip...despite not knowing how to swim. Written & Directed by Corrie Legge & Benjamin Algar, Produced by Corrie Legge, Edited by Benjamin Algar, Starring Corrie Legge and Benjamin Algar.

7:25 p.m. - 7:40 p.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “Kind Mother” — 15 mins. — Drama — An estranged mother arrives at the silent retreat that her daughter is attending. When the two women engage in an unusual - and fantastical - power struggle, limits are tested, generational trauma is brought to light, and together they must grapple with mortality and forgiveness. Written & Directed by Clare O’Connor, Produced by Clare O’Connor, Emma Sofia Fazzuoli and Geoffrey Prather, Cinematography by Jason Chiu, Starring Kristin Carey and Clare O’Connor.

7:40 p.m. - 7:53 p.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “Sweeps Week” — 13 mins. — Comedy — A clueless TV producer makes a life altering executive decision concerning one of his loyal actors in this comedy based on Steve Blackwood's days on a network soap opera. Written & Directed by Steve Blackwood, Produced by Beth Anderson-Song, Michael David Kehoe and Bob Tourangeau, Starring Steve Blackwood, Brian J. McDonald and Halle Curley.

7:53 p.m. - 8:03 p.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “The Day Keeper — 10 mins. — Comedy — A mockumentary about a lighthouse keeper who struggles to keep his own inner light shining. Directed by Mark Kiefer, Written by Mark Kiefer & Steve Young, Produced by Mark Kiefer & Steve Young, Starring Steve Young, Liam McNeill, Jason Reulet and Mark Kiefer.

8:03 p.m. - 8:18 p.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “Hold” — 15 mins. — Drama — An early morning phone call propels a mother and daughter on a path toward connection and the mysteries held in the act of letting go. Directed by Josiah Junqueira Spencer, Written by Kelly Strandemo, Cinematography by Conor Murphy, Produced by Laura Faith, Josiah Junqueira Spencer, Mary Willis White, and Stephen Bailey, Starring Debra Monk, Kelly Strandemo, John Jellison, Celia Au and Martin Fisher.

8:18 p.m. - 8:43 p.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “The Paradise Road” — 25 mins. — Drama/Romance/LGBTQ —Two women tie the knot and embark on a romantic excursion to a west coast sea-side town for a moment of happiness and seclusion before inevitably coming to terms with a life-altering decision. Written & Directed by Lisa Marie Tedesco, Produced by Aracely (Shelly) Rodriguez (Ro) and Lisa Marie Tedesco, Starring Mandahla Rose and Shelly Ro.

8:43 p.m. - 8:55 p.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “Night Session” — 12 mins. — Comedy — When a burglar unexpectedly runs into a homeowner during a theft, a simple robbery morphs into a makeshift therapy session with the burglar helping the homeowner process his impending divorce — all while the homeowner continues to help the burglar rob his apartment. Written & Directed by Ballard C. Boyd, Produced by Clara Peterson & Ballard C. Boyd, Starring Richard Kind, Joe Miles, David Ebert and Christiana Lopez.

8:55 p.m. 10 p.m. — Q&A with the Filmmakers.

10 p.m. - 1 p.m. — Day Two BIFF Filmmakers Celebratory Party at Champlin’s Marina & Resort (The Top Dock Bar on the pier)

FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2025

8:15 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. — MORNING COFFEE — Hosted at the Block Island Maritime Institute by Kim Estes and Henry LeBlanc who discuss the day’s programming and introduce the first film block.

NARRATIVE SHORT FILM BLOCK: [BIMI VENUE](8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.)

8:30 a.m. - 8:35 a.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “The Mud Hole” — 5 mins. — Drama/Historical — A family man reflects on an important time of his life when he left his gang friends for the summer and visited his Aunt in New Jersey. His Aunt surprises him with a trip to Asbury Park Beach and a hidden historical gem with the powers towards a positive and great future. Written & Directed by Margaret Leone, Produced by A.J. Ciccotelli.

8:35 a.m. - 8:51 a.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “Revelation” — 16 mins. — Drama/Crime — After a major trauma, a detective takes on a case that will test how ready she is to return to work. Starring: Michelle Mazza, Alfred C. Kemp, Catherine Curtin and Peter Gerety. Directed by Libe Barer, Written by Felise Garcia, Produced by Seth Chitwood, Starring Michelle Mazza, Alfred Kempe, Peter Gerety and Catherine Curtin.

8:51 a.m. - 9:08 a.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “Hope Ryder” — 17 minutes — Drama, Thriller — A woman meets a mysterious man who created something that changes her entire reality. Written, Directed & Produced by Matt Gorman, Starring Aurora Grabill, Fiore Leo, Kris Salvi, Sam Zilic and Patrick Baracken.

9:08 a.m. - 9:23 a.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “Medication” — 15 mins. — Drama, Thriller — Former cross-country champion and current physics PhD candidate, Leah, is visited by the apparition of a young girl who forces her to unlock a mystery. Directed by Missy Bell, Written by Missy Bell and Thomas L. Townsend, Produced by Michael C. Bell, Starring Dax Dupuy, John Burnett Hall, Ruth McLoughlin and Christopher Malcolm.

9:23 a.m. - 9:36 a.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “Bonecrusher” — 13 mins. — Drama/Historical — A true story: In 1923 drunken Mariachi music reels across a smoke-filled Mexican boxing stadium as two aging fighters — one white, one black — meet in the center of the ring. They are Jim “The Fireman” Flynn, who towers over his opponent, Sam “The Bonecrusher” Langford. They battle hard, exchanging lethal blows. When the fight’s over we realize that one of them has an astonishing secret. Directed by Jim Morrison IV, Written by Tate Young & Jim Morrison IV, Produced by alex Jordan and Jim Morrison IV, Starring Marc John Jefferies, Patrick Kerton, Pedro Salvin, Ache Hernandez, Alejandro Ampudia and Andres Romos Salido.

9:36 a.m. - 9:58 — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “Pickleball is Life: Dill With It!” — 22 mins. — Comedy — The tournament day is here! Three "besties" are compelled to participate in a high-stakes pickleball competition after they find themselves in a pickle. Now, their friendship and tenacity are consequently put to the ultimate test on the court. Directed by carol Ann DeMarco and Ethan de Aguiar, Written by Carol de Marco and Leigh Anne West, Produced by Seth Chitwood, Cinematography by Ethan de Aguiar, Edited by Ethan de Aguiar and Seth Chitwood, Starring Carol Ann DeMarco, Leigh Anne West, Catherine Curtin, Johanna Day, Sharon Lawrence, David Lansbury, Susan Gallagher, Tonya Pinkins, Count Stovall and Maleek Rae.

10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. — Q&A with filmmakers.

10:30 a.m. - 11 p.m. — BREAK

11 p.m. - 12 p.m. — SCREENWRITING FORUM [BIMI VENUE] — The 2025 Screenwriting Forum features the finalists in the BIFF screenwriting competition who discuss their scripts and their writing process. This is an educational forum that encourages public participation. Hosted by Henry LeBlanc and Kim Estes.

12 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. — BREAK

12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. — [SPOTLIGHT] DOCUMENTARY FILM [BIMI VENUE] — “Optics of Aging” — 55 mins. — In Optics of Aging stereotypes of ageism are dissolved and the beauty of aging is revealed through five elders who have shaped the landscape of Rhode Island and beyond. Their voices take flight against the backdrop of archival imagery that captures the vision of an earlier time. Directed and Produced by Michelle LeBrun, Edited by Ryan Bliss, Archive Footage Produced by Becca Bender, and Music Composed by Milana Cepeda.

1:30 p.m. - 2 p.m. — Q&A with filmmakers.

2 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. — BREAK

NARRATIVE SHORT FILM BLOCK: [BIMI VENUE](2:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.)

2:30 p.m. - 2:46 p.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “So You Want To Steal a Kidney” — 16 mins. — Comedy — Peaches has a big problem; she loves to gamble and she loves to spend money. All that fun comes to end when she has to pay a big debt, leading her to attempt the impossible in order to get the money — steal a kidney from an unsuspecting friend to settle the debt. Written & Directed by Kristen Falso-Capaldi, Starring Stacy Kendro, Nancy Vitulli, Chris Raffa, Christopher Mikael, Jay Burns, Ami Muehlberg, Stephen O’Neill Martin, and Brian Vincent.

2:46 p.m. - 3:11 p.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “He'll Be Home for Christmas (TV Pilot)" — 25 mins. — Drama — When a the father is granted the chance to come back to life to spend time with his family on Christmas Day, it's undetermined if his return is really a gift. Written & Directed by Seth Chitwood, Produced by Mark Anthony Hardy, Cinematography by Ethan de Aguiar and Dan Goldsmith, Starring David Lansbury, Pamela Jayne Morgan, Kimberlee Connor, Zack Ignoffo, Michael Dubuc, Mandy Mills, Courtney Brooks and Elsa Hancock-Happ.

3:11 p.m. - 3:25 p.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “Trumpet Gumbo” — 14 mins. — Drama — Hot off of a win of the country's largest television cooking show, Chef Buddy Bontemps finds himself under the tutelage of one of the greatest chefs in modern time. Having never been in a perfectionist's kitchen, he gets devoured. Written & Directed by Brad Courtemanche, Produced by Brad Courtemanche, Brit MacFarland, Miguel Antonio and Evan Hennessey, Starring John Fiore, Brandon Scales and Anthony Hoang.

3:25 p.m. - 3:35 p.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “The Ghost of Summers Past” — 10 mins. — Drama — A young woman confronts her abuser and finds her soulmate in an evening with friends. A silent film. Directed by A.J. Ciccotelli, Written by Tom Cavanaugh, Produced by A.J. Ciccotelli and Tom Cavanaugh, Cinematography by Joseph Kalet. Starring an ensemble cast.

3:35 p.m. - 3:50 p.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “Cascades” — 14 mins. — Drama — A couple walks towards a crossroads on the day of their 30th wedding anniversary. Written & Directed by Brian Russell, Produced by Brian Russell and Lisa DeTullio Russell, Starring Delissa Reynolds, Marc Romeo, Mike Boland and Michele Gramesty.

3:50 p.m. - 4:05 p.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “I Appreciate Your Concern” — 15 mins. — Drama — When a daughter finds her father passed out inside a chicken coop, she makes a desperate attempt to get him to stop drinking. Written & Directed by Jim Morrison, Produced by Stacey Morrison, Starring Lisa Dabrowski, Lily Conellan, Katie Schrader, Arthur Lane, Theresia Hand and Richard Gardini.

4:05 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. — Q&A with filmmakers.

4:45 p.m. - 6 p.m. — BREAK

[NIGHT PROGRAMMING AT CHAMPLIN’S MARINA BEGINS]

NARRATIVE FEATURE FILM (CHAMPLIN’S MARINA VENUE)(6 p.m. - 8 p.m.)

6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. — NARRATIVE FEATURE FILM — “Crookedfinger” — 1 hr. 30 mins. — Drama, Thriller — After the sudden deaths of her aging parents, Maria Gallucci returns to her childhood home on Cape Cod (Massachusetts). When Maria’s estranged brother Nico and his older girlfriend Sigrid show up to help sort out the estate, tensions rise about how to best sell the decrepit house, leading to unexpected, otherworldly complications. Directed by Julia Halperin & Jason Cortlund, Written by Jason Cortlund, Produced by Julia Helperin and Todd Remis, Starring Paula Jon DeRose, Welker White and Blake DeLong.

7:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. — Q&A with filmmakers.

8 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. — BREAK

NARRATIVE SHORT FILM BLOCK (CHAMPLIN’S MARINA VENUE)(8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.)

8:30 p.m. - 8:42 p.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “Top Sportsman” — 12 mins. — Comedy — Captain Dick Fisher is not a real captain, but that doesn’t stop him from hiring a cameraman to follow him around and play pretend for a while. Dick has grand aspirations of hosting his own fishing TV show, following in the footsteps of his long-lost dad. Directed by Oliver Sutro, Written by Oliver Sutro and Bennett Hrabovsky, Produced by Dylan Schmitz, Starring Bennett Hrabovsky and Rudy Babiken.

8:42 p.m. - 8:59 p.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — “Billy Somethin”— 17 mins. — Comedy, Crime — After a brutal loss shatters his boxing career, Billy ‘Captain Hook’ Benoit takes a shady side job to support his family, only to find himself roped into an underground world of crime, unlikely alliances, and second chances, fighting once again to prove his worth—this time, outside the ring. Directed by Brandon Scales, Written by Brahms Guignard, Starring Brahms Guignard, Jaime Hernandez, Naheem Garcia and Trisha Mondesir.

8:59 p.m. - 9:05 p.m. — NARRATIVE SHORT FILM — Don’t Go Outside” — 6 mins. — Drama, Thriller — Following a startling call from his mother warning him to stay indoors, Jason hears someone calling for help outside in the distance. Now, he must choose between staying safe in his welding workshop or venturing outside to help. Written, Directed and Produced by Michael James Hull, Starring Dixon Prewitt, F. Rex Styrpe and Loree Gold.

9:05 p.m. - 9:35 p.m. — Q&A with filmmakers.

9:35 p.m. - 10 p.m. — BREAK

10 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. — BIFF 2024 AWARD CEREMONY

10:30 p.m. - 1 p.m. — Closing Night “Martini Shot” Wrap Party at Champlin’s Marina & Resort, New Harbor, at the Top Dock Bar.

Please submit for biff 2026 when submission opens

Submit films or screenplays on Film Freeway