Bushwick Film Festival announces Partnership with Award-Winning Animator Peter Ahern to Expand Animation
BROOKLYN, N.Y. — July 21, 2026 — The Bushwick Film Festival (BFF) today announced a creative partnership with award-winning animator and director Peter Ahern. Ahern will serve on the inaugural Animation Jury for the 19th annual festival, taking place October 7–11, 2026, in Brooklyn, New York. The partnership builds on BFF’s commitment to animation through expanded programming at this year’s festival.
A three-time Bushwick Film Festival alumnus and former programmer, Ahern’s work spans independent and commercial projects across feature films, television, commercials, and original shorts. His credits include Disney’s Moana, Netflix’s Entergalactic, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, and projects for HBO, Sony Pictures, Pokémon, A$AP Rocky, Eminem, and Snoop Dogg. His award-winning film Buzzkill screened at more than 60 festivals and became an Academy Award-qualifying film. Ahern will draw on this experience to help shape BFF’s animation programming and develop the branding and original artwork for the festival’s 19th edition.
“Peter has been part of the Bushwick Film Festival family for years, so we couldn’t think of a better partner to help shape how we support animators,” said Kweighbaye Kotee, Founder and Executive Director of the Bushwick Film Festival. “Ambitious, boundary-pushing animation has always been part of our festival’s DNA, and this partnership represents an exciting step forward as we expand opportunities for artists to showcase their work and thrive within our creative community.”
“There’s an authenticity to the Bushwick Film Festival that is increasingly rare and has kept me coming back for years,” said Peter Ahern. “Independent animation is having a moment right now, and artists are constantly redefining what the medium can do. I can’t wait to see and spotlight the incredible films that artists from New York and around the world will bring to this year’s festival.”
The 19th Annual Bushwick Film Festival will feature independent films and animation, screenplay readings, podcasts, filmmaker Q&As, panels, networking events, and special programming throughout Brooklyn. Festival passes and individual tickets will be available at bushwickfilmfestival.com.
About the Bushwick Film Festival
The Bushwick Film Festival is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to discover emerging voices, share great stories, and build community through the power of film. As an MWBE organization, BFF is proud to be one of the few U.S. film festivals founded and led by a woman of color.
Now entering its 19th year, BFF welcomes more than 5,000 attendees during festival week and showcases nearly 100 independent films from New York City and around the world. With the support of its partners and sponsors, the festival continues to expand its public programming and develop filmmaker initiatives designed to empower new storytellers and strengthen Brooklyn’s creative community.
For more information, visit bushwickfilmfestival.com and follow @bushwickfilmfest on Instagram.
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