International Films

The Berkshire International Film Festival (BIFF) creates a world-class festival as an integral part of the cultural fabric of the Berkshires. BIFF showcases not only the latest in independent feature, documentary, short, and family films but also lively panel discussions and special events focusing on filmmakers and talented artists from both sides of the camera. The sixth-anniversary season of the Berkshires International Film Festival opens with the hit film "Page One — A Year at the New York Times" and closes the season with award-winning cowboy flick "Buck." In-between is a special event sponsored by Berkshire Media and Film Commission of "A Letter to Elia" written and directed by Pittsfield native, Kent Jones and legendary director Martin Scorcese. BIFF will host Q&A sessions with filmmakers. The film festival will feature some 70 independent feature films, documentaries, and shorts. This year's festival will feature films from 15 countries and host over two dozen filmmakers. "It is with great enthusiasm and excitement that we announce the 2011 line-up of films, events, and awards," said Executive Director Kelley Vickery. "Our sixth anniversary continues with the strong tradition of celebrating the best in independent film and brings those filmmakers and stories to our unique community." The festival kicks off in Great Barrington with the Sundance documentary hit which puts the spotlight on one of the great journalistic institutions "Page One: Inside the New York Times" directed by Andrew Rossi. That film offers unprecedented access to the New York Times newsroom and the inner workings of the news desk. With the Internet surpassing print as our main news source and newspapers all over the country going bankrupt, this film chronicles the transformation of the media industry at its time of greatest turmoil. The Sixth Anniversary Celebration continues its' expansion into Pittsfield and will kick off at the Beacon on Friday, June 3 with a cocktail party prior to the opening night presentation of the Sundance Audience award-winning film "Buck" by director Cindy Meehl and the winning short film of BIFF and Berkshire Bank's Next Great Filmmaker Award. "Buck" is a richly textured and visually stunning film that follows Brannaman from his abusive childhood to his phenomenally successful approach to horses. A Q&A with the director will follow the screening. "Buck" will be the closing night film of the BIFF on Sunday, June 5 at the Mahaiwe. Passes are on sale now at $250 and $500. The $150 passes have sold out. Individual tickets may be purchased online at www.biffma.org or by phone at 1-866-811-4111. Tickets may also be purchased by visiting the Triplex Cinema in Great Barrington or the Beacon Cinema in Pittsfield for any film at any venue. In addition, tickets for events at the Mahaiwe, may also be purchased at the Mahaiwe box office. Visit www.biffma.org for more information.