Press releases

BIFF Finalizes Film Line up For 7th Annual Festival "Stretch Edition"

May, 2004- The Brooklyn International Film Festival (BIFF), the first international competitive film festival in New York, is proud to announce the 2004 film line up. One hundred films will be shown at the festival, in competition, from June 4-13, 2004 at the newly renovated Brooklyn Museum. The 7th annual festival has been titled "Stretch."

"Stretch" is a multi-cultural, multi-directional, multi-genre, and truly broad experience (the festival this year has even tailored two programs for children: Sunday, June 6th - 2pm and 4pm). The festival was looking for new ideas and variety and found 1,618 films from 74 countries. BIFF selected 100 films from 30 different countries that explore political, social, human and philosophical themes from genuinely imaginative points of view.

"In this rather dark moment in history, surrounded by half truths and polished versions, suffocated by inevitable circumstances, the festival wants to give space to the imagination and the creative minds that feed it," said Marco Ursino, BIFF's director and founder. "Our festival is truly a mirror of society and the current events that shape our lives and provoke our emotions."

Highlights of the films to be shown include:

Everything Taboo: Controversial Boy George and Rosie O'Donnell Documentary
Director: Mike Nicolls/ United States, 2004, 60 min

Down To the Bone: best director and best performance winner at Sundance
Director: Debra Granik/ United States, 2004, 101min

Dead Heat Under the Shrubs: Iranian Feature, World Premiere
Director: Esmael Barari/ Iran, 2003, 71min

Ferry Tales: Nominated for Oscar, but no theatrical release
Director: Katja Esson/ United States, 2003, 39min

Fork Over the Chopstick: animated short made by disabled filmmaker
Director: Ted Hinojosa/ United States, 2003, 4 min

Contamination: 3D and 2D animation from the UK
Director: Carl Stevenson/ England, 2003, 6min

We Have Decided Not to Die: Australian experimental film
Director: Daniel Askill/ Australia, 2003, 10 min

BIFF is a festival for and by independent filmmakers. BIFF's mission is to discover, expose, and promote independent filmmakers while drawing worldwide attention to Brooklyn. BIFF is a non-profit organization. For BIFF's full film line up, visit www.brooklynfilmfestival.org

CONTACT:
Lisa King - press09wbff.org
Tel.: 718-486-5889 - Fax: 718-599-5039

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