The 16th annual Bushwick Film Festival is back, with screenings at the Williamsburg Cinemas off the Bedford Avenue L stop. This year’s lineup includes more than 100 independent feature films, documentaries, and shorts from creators from around the world.
The 2023 theme is “Sweet Sixteen,” and many films tell stories about coming of age.
“Every film has a character that’s going through a process, a growing stage, a transition, a heartbreak or a major moment,” said the festival’s founder Kweighbaye Kotee. “We are really interested in having audiences embrace those transformative moments of their lives and those moments that made them a different person.”
The festival starts on Wednesday and runs through Sunday. You can check out a full list of screenings here, but below are seven standout films you might want to add to your calendar.
“Bad Like Brooklyn Dancehall”
In this 90-minute documentary “Bad Like Brooklyn Dancehall,” directors Ben DiGiacomo and Dutty Vannier explore how dancehall music and culture made its way from the Caribbean to New York City in the 1980s and ‘90s, helping Caribbean people retain their cultural identity and pride. The film highlights early underground pioneers, as well as mainstream legends like Shaggy and Sean Paul. It shows Friday, Oct. 27 at 8:30 p.m. and tickets are around $19.
“City of Dreamz”
In the block of films called “NY Coming of Age,” audiences will see six shorts set in New York City. One standout is “City of Dreamz,” directed by Imani Celeste. The 11-minute short is about four Black students sharing a blunt while also sharing stories about community. “NY Coming of Age” films screen at noon on Saturday, Oct. 28.
“Don’t Worry About India”
In this documentary, Arjun Jr., an Indian filmmaker who has been living in Europe, returns to his homeland of India to document the 2019 election. The footage he collects reveals the challenges of democracy in such a large country. Along the journey he also highlights the country’s income inequality, by contrasting his privileged family’s lifestyle with stories of those who’ve worked for him. This screening takes place on Friday, Oct. 27 at 3:45 p.m.
“Know Your Place”
This directed by Zia Mohajerjasbi is set in present-day and rapidly changing Seattle. It follows 15-year-old best friends Robel Haile (who is Eritrean-American) and Fahmi Tadesse (who is Ethiopian-American) as they embark on an adventure to drop off a suitcase to a friend traveling to Eritrea. This film screens on Thursday, Oct. 26 at 3:30 p.m.
A scene from last year’s red carpet at the Bushwick Film Festival.
“Beneath Cracked Pavement”
In just 15 minutes you’ll laugh at this hilarious and campy horror short film directed by Marcus Fahey. The plot involves three Brooklyn high schoolers trying to make some money selling candy. Their plans go awry when they stumble upon a white hipster couple that just committed murder. “Beneath Cracked Pavement” is part of the “Halloween-Campy” short films block that screens on Saturday, Oct 28 at 7 p.m.
“Artist Unknown”
This queer action comedy directed by Cinder Chou is about a self-defense instructor who hasn’t had the best luck when it comes to falling in love. The film follows her as she tracks down the artist behind a painting after two thieves try to steal it from her. The awkward comedy is about an hour-and-a-half long and screens on Thursday, Oct. 26 at 8:30 p.m.
“Darla In Space”
In this quirky story, Darla owes the IRS money. To pay her debts, she enlists the help of her “orgasm-granting kombucha mother,” who also wants to go to space. The funny feature, directed by Susie Moon and Eric LaPlante, screens on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 8:15 p.m.
The Bushwick Film Festival runs Wednesday, Oct. 25 through Sunday, Oct. 29. You can learn more about screenings, parties and Q+As here. Tickets for most films are around $19.
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