"Buffalo Int’l Film Festival (est. 2006) champions regional, national, and international films that push the limits of independent cinema. BIFF is committed to amplifying diverse voices and exhibiting cutting-edge programming in narrative, documentary and experimental film. A proud supporter of local filmmaking and arts; BIFF also offers workshops, seminars, industry and academic panels, fiscal sponsorship, professional development opportunities, and an Offscreen series of art, music and performance.

In Buffalo’s Ellicott Square Building, the first dedicated cinema was designed from scratch solely to screen motion pictures. Edison's Vitascope Theater opened in October 1896. BIFF is founded on a celebration of this legacy, and each October over Indigenous Peoples’ Day week/end and throughout the year, we try our best to honor it. After founder Edward Summer's passing, a group of Buffalo-based film lovers reimagined the festival. Since 2015, our home cinema has been North Park Theatre, and we partner with many organizations to present 200+ films and related programs during the festival, and special screenings and educational programs year-round.

The purpose of BIFF’s multi-day, multi-venue festival and year-round programming is to exhibit diverse, unique, high quality independent and experimental films to WNY audiences, and to make them accessible to all. BIFF's free Offscreen programs, panels, roundtables, and workshops complement and expand film programming. As we grow, we continue to increase our footprint and year round offerings to better serve our film-arts community (WNY/S. Ontario/Six Nations/Tuscarora/Cattaraugus+Allegany+Tonawanda Seneca lands).

BIFF audiences and programming is diverse, and BIFF has something for every film lover. BIFF provides free and affordable access, and accepts ASI’s Art Access Pass, making all programming free for community members living below the poverty line (Buffalo's poverty rate=30.5%). 50%+ of our audience comes from underrepresented communities.

BIFF serves our filmmakers/audiences by offering: 1) free screenings, panels, events, Offscreens; 2) discounted & submission-fee-free categories; 3) a quality platform for exhibiting & discussing work; 4) networking w/ a global arts community; 5) a diverse offering of panels & workshops; 6) fiscal sponsorship & professional development opportunities; 7) quality marketing & an archival website; 8) direct support whenever possible to all film & media makers (honoraria, etc)."