About the Festival

The Bushwick Film Festival (BFF) is one of Brooklyn's most influential and well-established independent film festivals. Now in its 16th year, BFF has showcased the work of over 500 independent filmmakers from more than 50 countries, reaching over 15,000 attendees.

Founded in 2007, the festival is a celebration of independent cinema that highlights emerging voices in film, with a particular focus on diverse perspectives and underrepresented communities. The festival features screenings, panels, workshops, and networking events that connect filmmakers with industry professionals and audiences.

Festival Highlights

• Over 30 film screenings including features, shorts, documentaries, and experimental works

• Industry panels and workshops with film professionals

• Networking events and filmmaker Q&As

• Opening night gala and awards ceremony

• Special focus on emerging filmmakers

2025 Festival Dates

October 1-5, 2025

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Kweighbaye Kotee is an entrepreneur, artist, and speaker. As the founder of the Bushwick Film Festival and Starlit Pics, her film industry expertise has led to speaking invitations at TEDx, JPMorgan Chase, SAG-AFTRA, Google, Blackstone, Lululemon, and top brands and universities. She co-produced a UN-backed women’s peace film festival in Liberia and led a Masterclass on film festival strategy in South America.

Kotee’s commitment to empowering underrepresented voices earned her recognition in a national Delta and PopSugar campaign, and she was selected by Lucy Liu for an IFundWomen Grant.

Born in Liberia, she moved to the U.S. during the civil war, attended public school in Newark, then Blair Academy for high school, and later graduated from NYU.

She is currently producing multiple projects sourced from BFF alumni and developing her first feature about an astronomer determined to bring the wonder and wisdom of the stars to
inner-city kids

Visit her website at www.kweighbaye.com

All BFF Filmmakers

Since 2007, the Bushwick Film Festival has partnered with over 100 organizations whose support has helped shape the festival into what it is today. From global brands like Netflix, Canon, Johnnie Walker, and B&H Photo to national leaders like Spectrum, and beloved local businesses like Lot 45 and Tony’s Pizza, these partners have all played a part in making the festival special.

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Nestled in the heart of northern Brooklyn, Bushwick is one of New York City’s most vibrant and creatively charged neighborhoods. Rich in history and culture, it was originally founded in 1661 by Dutch settlers as Boswijck, meaning “neighborhood in the woods.” Over time, it has been shaped by waves of immigrants from Germany, Italy, the Caribbean, and Latin America — each contributing to the area’s dynamic character.

Bushwick has long been a place of craft and innovation, once serving as the “beer capital of the Northeast” with dozens of thriving breweries in the 19th century. Today, that legacy of creativity lives on through its street art-lined avenues, repurposed industrial spaces, and a thriving arts scene that includes galleries, studios, pop-ups, and performances.

The neighborhood’s energy is defined by its diversity, resilience, and strong sense of community. Local businesses, family-owned eateries, and cultural spaces continue to foster connection and pride among longtime residents and newcomers alike.

Bushwick is more than just a neighborhood — it’s a living canvas, a crossroads of cultures, and a launchpad for creative expression. From its historic roots to its modern-day renaissance, Bushwick remains one of Brooklyn’s most inspiring and magnetic places to live, work, and explore.

To learn more about Bushwick, visit its Wikipedia page. To get involved locally, check out Community Board 4 and explore our elected officials listed below.

City Level (New York City):

• City Council Member (District 34): Jennifer Gutiérrez
  Represents parts of Bushwick, Williamsburg, and Ridgewood.

• City Council Member (District 37): Sandy Nurse
  Represents eastern Bushwick, Cypress Hills, and East New York.

State Level (New York State):

• State Assembly Member (District 53): Maritza Dávila
  Represents most of Bushwick and parts of Williamsburg.

• State Senator (District 18): Julia Salazar
  Covers Bushwick, Williamsburg, Greenpoint, and parts of Bedford-Stuyvesant.

Federal Level (U.S. Congress):

• U.S. Representative (NY-7): Nydia Velázquez
  Represents Bushwick along with parts of Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens.

You can now live chat us by clicking the blue chat box on the bottom right side of each page! We typically respond in a few minutes during office hours.

Bushwick Film Festival

620 Wilson Ave, PMB 33
Brooklyn, NY 11207  

Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday 10:00am – 6:00pm

Telephone
T: 347.450.3464

Email
For all inquiries, including sponsorship opportunities, submission information, and questions about volunteering or internships, please email us at: info@bushwickfilmfestival.com

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