The 15th Annual Art of Brooklyn Film Festival was a true joy. For this landmark anniversary, we wanted to create a very special edition... and we got one! We screened 55 new films in all genres and held special events in wonderful venues across Kings County. People traveled from near (and very far) to pack our houses with 5 sold-out screenings, and our virtual encore screenings increased our reach across the country. Every festival event was filled with enthusiastic crowds overflowing with love for independent art and artists.

We celebrate every film and screenplay that took part in the 2025 AoBFF and are proud to announce our winners.

2025 Highlights include:

The world premiere of ‘Drink and Be Merry’ opens the festival. Adam Volerich’s first feature. set at a struggling New York dive bar in the days leading up to Christmas, 2019. Chet (Jefferson White, Yellowstone), a beleaguered bartender in a state of extended arrested development, must balance taking care of his misanthropic, aging regulars including Siobhan Fallon Hogan (Seinfeld, Saturday Night Live) and Delaney Williams (The Wire, Law and Order SVU), with his naive desires to muster some Christmas spirit.
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The uproarious mockumentary ‘Unfriendly Fire’ is set In an alternate reality where America grapples with the consequences of a divisive war over escalating issues surrounding reproductive rights. The East Coast premiere of Richard Tucci’s film stars Golden Globe nominee Beverly D’Angelo (National Lampoon’s Vacation, Coal Miners Daughter) Oscar nominee Eric Roberts (Star 80, Runaway Train) and comedy legend Debra Wilson (Mad TV, Girl 6).

‘Locally Sourced’ is a block of shorts from Brooklyn filmmakers about to break big. AoBFF and Sundance alum Carlos Cardona’s autobiographical ‘Born to Lose’, about a Latino punk rocker struggling to fit in the Hamptons, Jeremiah Kipp’s ‘Don’t Pick Up’ about a shoplifter unexpectedly attracted to a bookstore clerk stars Kathryn Erbe (Law and Order: Criminal Intent, Stir of Echoes) and Keith David (Platoon, Requiem for a Dream, Cloud Atlas).

AoBFF features thematic blocks of exciting new short films featuring everything from offbeat comedies and heartbreaking dramas, to thrilling horror and cutting-edge experimental films. Films are screened in person, with streaming encore screenings available to watch from anywhere in the US.

The award-winning Art of Brooklyn is the only film festival with events across the entire borough. 2025 venues include Stuart Cinema, 100 Sutton, Film Noir Cinema, and AbelCine and the Tom Kane Theater at Industry City. For 15 seasons AoBFF has showcased exciting emerging creators and established voices, created innovative programming, hosted world-class artist talkbacks, and screened for enthusiastic audiences across Brooklyn — and the world.

The 2025 AoBFF runs June 1-13. Schedule, Film Guide and Tickets at aobff.org

The Art of Brooklyn Film Festival celebrates our 15th anniversary this year. Time flies when you're showcasing the amazing work of indie filmmakers from around the way and around the world. 

For 2025 we are proud to be screening 55 new films in every genre from June 1-13 in amazing venues across Brooklyn, with streaming encores online.  Congratulations to all our filmmakers and thank you to everyone who share their work with us this year. 

FEATURE FILMS
DRINK AND BE MERRY - Directed by Adam Volerich
UNFRIENDLY FIRE - Directed by Richard Tucci
WITHDRAWAL - Directed by Aaron Strand
PARK LIFE - Directed by Tyler Haney
SERGEANT PICKLE BREATH AND THE ROOFTOP WARRIORS - Directed by Jarrett Jung

DOCUMENTARIES
500 YEARS OF FRIENDSHIP - Directed by Abby Mohaddes
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS - Directed by Aubrey Sprinkle
THE EMBRACE - Directed by John Owens
NAUDLINE PIERRE: A PLACE OTHER THAN HERE - Directed by Haimy Assefa
SHIRIN NESHAT: VOICE OF A WOMAN - Directed by Sophie Chahinian
TINY MOVEMENTS - Directed by Laura Sweeney

NARRATIVE SHORT FILMS
6 O’CLOCK - Directed by Keeyong Hong
A ROUGH START - Directed by Manny Serrano
THE AUDITOR AND THE APOCALYPSE - Directed by Cinder Chou
BORN 2 LOSE - Directed by Carlos Cardona
BOXES & ELEPHANTS - Directed by Leon P Jackson
BRIDGED TOGETHER - Directed by Brahms Guignard
BUTCH ROBINSON AND THE STOLEN SOULS - Directed by Christina Bowman
DO YOU LIVE ALONE - Directed by Tianshi Ben
DON’T PICK UP - Directed by Jeremiah Kipp
EAT HOT CHIP & LIE - Directed by Anders Kapur
THE EMBRACE - Directed by John Owens
ENJOY IT - Directed by Wesley Chessa-Forman
FLEURETTE AND SOPHIA GET BUSHWICKED - Directed by Caitlin Mayernik
GILLYFISH - Directed by Sarah Sellman
I’M SORRY ABOUT YOUR MARRIAGE - Directed by Allison Landi
KIND OF A LOT - Directed by David Lombroso
L(ong)A(ss)ST DAY - Directed by Jenny Curtis
LOST NATION - Directed by Hannah Cabell
MARSHMALLOWS - Directed by Maris Huangying Wirt
PANSIES - Directed by Jamie J Simiele
THE PICKUP - Directed by Karen Wang
PLEATS - Directed by Anoushka Agrawal
RAGE RHONDA - Directed by Emily Troedson
SHALLOW END - Directed by Maria de la Cruz Rudloff
SQUARE BREATHING - Directed by Kim Cummings
STRANDED - Directed by Luca Floris
THE UNDERSTUDY - Directed by Peter Pasyk
UNRAVELING - Directed by Rich Devaney
WHEN EVERYTHING WAS BLUE - Directed by Christina Chironna
WORST MORNING AFTER - Directed by Maisa Chiang

EXPERIMENTAL & NON-LINEAR FILMS
ARENA - Directed by Khalil Charif
CHRIS TANNER REVEALS - Masa Gibson
ÉIST LIOM (LISTEN TO ME) - Directed by Maud Lee, Zoe Ní Riordáin, Dúirt Tú (you said), Tar Anseo (come here) One Two One Two
LEAVES OF THREE - Directed by Julia de Guzman
LIGHT - Directed by Alexander Kachiroubas
MANY MOONS IN THE VACANCY - Directed by Lynn Bianchi
MOTHER’S MILK - Directed by Martin Del Carpio
SIGHTS ON SCENE - Directed by Joakim Ekström
WHERE DID THE DAYS OF YOUR LIFE LOSE THEIR COLOR? - Directed by Masa Gibson

​For its signature Guest Festival Director program, Art of Brooklyn Film Festival invites different filmmakers each season to take the reins of curation — ensuring its programming is always fresh, exciting and diverse. It is our pleasure to announce that for 2025 we have invited the award winning filmmakers Eden Martinez (Narrative Shorts), Daniel Feighery (Documentary Shorts and Features) and Derek Garcia (Narrative Features) to be the Guest Festival Directors working in tandem for our 15th season.

The Art of Brooklyn Film Festival was proud to launch our first genre screenplay contest for Fall 2024... and what better way to start that with Comedy scripts!

We had a very successful call for entries and received lots new TV and Short Film scripts. So many diverse creative voices and points of view with one thing in common: they are FUNNY!

Congratulations to everyone who placed in our competition. Clearly, the state of indie comedy is strong. And thank you to our friends at Roadmap Writers and ScriptHop for helping us create a great prize package!

GRAND PRIZE WINNER:
Toxic Written By Jackie Mahoney
 
FINALISTS:
Access Village Written by Brian Koukol
Campus Police Written By Chase Pierce
Crossfire Written by Davis Grant
Divorced By 30 Written by Sean Wathen
Jesus One Stop Written by Frederik Ehrhardt
Out of Balance Written By Mark Tives
Soup Written by Christa Chiriaco
 
SEMI-FINALISTS
Crapshoot Written by Drew McInturff
Final Girl F*ck*ry Written By Sophie Mutiara Nova
Free Martin Written By Scott Thompson & Hayes Hart Thompson
Mom I’d Like To Funeral Written by Chase Pierce
Not Safe For Work Written by Colin O’Brien
Spitball News Written by John Boal
Turf Wars Written by Lee Crompton
Unhinged Written by Robin Melton
 
QUARTERFINALISTS
Bet Written by Jamison Bruce Anthony
Indian Medium Written By Tapan Sharma
Just Breathe Written By Zaza
Just Keep S******* Written By Kai Dorsey
Limbo Land Written By Alex Paulk
Medusa Melrose: Drag Queen Hypnotist Written by Dexter Williams
Name Drop Written By Jocelyn Weisman
Soft Serve Written By Melanie Laforce
Studio T Written By Haley Dorrance
The Devil I Know Written By Josh Brody
The Witches of Beaverlick Written by Erica Russell
Wildflower of the Valley: Carnal Bloom Written By Hannah Vernot
Wizard School Written By Eric Pastore & Lauren Hovey
 
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Alicia and I Written by Mariana Garcia & Nuno Soares
Fellowship Written By Sharon Spell
Slum Lords Written By Maria Alvarado
Tanuki Ninja Written by Charles Tucker
The Law Brothers Written By August Gladstone
Pretty, But Tired Written by Lily Davis

As we wrap up the 14th season of the ART OF BROOKLYN Film Festival, the word that keeps coming to mind is "community." We programmed 60 films this season, from around the way and around the world. Points of view that couldn't have been more diverse, with artistic themes that spoke to each other organically. The energy at AoBFF was palpable, with filmmakers and audience clearly so happy to be there to interact with the work and each other. Seeing old friends and making new ones, and planning potential collaborations. It's what Brooklyn, and AoBFF, are all about.

We were very excited to hold an informative panel discussion on the cutting-edge world of virtual production techniques (and how emerging indie filmmakers can harness them) and a wonderful discussion with director Christ Kentis about his landmark indie feature OPEN WATER. Both were professionally filmed and will be part of our free media offerings soon.

We want to thank our nonprofit funders including the New York State Council on the Arts, and the NYC Dept. of Youth and Community Development. The festival was sponsored by the Sony BURANO, who made it possible to hold our screenings and events at the beautiful AbelCine screening room — with their stunning new LED wall that made our screenings so impactful. A special thanks to the AbleCine staff who worked hard to make every event there wonderful.

Speaking of venues, thank you to Cobble Hill Cinemas, Greenwood Park, AbelCine, Stuart Cinema, and Pratt Film/Video for hosting our world-class screenings and events. Our incredible Guest Festival Directors Matt Campagna, Melissa D'Agostino, Brit Prater and Edward Worthy worked with us to create a stunning program of independent film.

One of the running themes among filmmakers this year was how interesting and unique our curation is. It's what sets us apart and makes AoBFF special. And we are always so happy to hear that everyone in our festival feels respected and taken care of. We work hard to create an experience filmmakers and screenwriters will remember, because they deserve it. Now more than ever, artists matter.

And one more thank you to every film and screenplay that was part of the 2024 AoBFF. Each one represents a achievement in itself, and we are continually inspired by you! Be proud of what you created, and keep up the amazing work. 

Outstanding Sound: BROKEN VESSELS

Outstanding Score: IN THE SUMMER RAIN

Outstanding Editing: NYCTOPHOBIA

Outstanding Cinematography: GIANT'S KETTLE

Outstanding Animation: ROBERTO'S DREAM

Outstanding Screenplay:  ASTRONAUT by Lukas Hassel

The Dark Side Award:  CASA PARAISO

The Vanguard Award (for Experimental Film): THIS IS HOW I FELT

Outstanding Performance in a Short: Kara Overlien in GOLD RUSH

Outstanding Performance in a Feature: Rosie McDonald in A/WAY

Outstanding Ensemble Performance: MAMA NIGHT

Outstanding Comedy: THE PEACH

Outstanding Drama: BLUE HOUR

Outstanding Short Documentary: (It's a tie!) FORBIDDEN POND and BIRDFEEDER

Outstanding Feature Documentary: THAT THING THAT SOUND

Outstanding Director of a Narrative Short:  Anne Hu for LUNCHBOX

Outstanding Narrative Short: L'HYPERMNÉSIQUE

Outstanding Director of a Narrative Feature: Derek Shane Garcia for A/WAY
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Outstanding Narrative Feature: A/WAY

​The Art of Brooklyn Film Festival opens its 14th season with Mindy Cohn (The Facts Of Life, Palm Royale) and Enrico Colantoni (Just Shoot Me, Veronica Mars, Galaxy Quest), starring in the hilarious new murder comedy ‘Mother Father Sister Brother Frank.’ The film’s East Coast premiere will screen at the legendary Cobble Hill Cinemas Thursday, May 30 2024 at 8PM.

The dysfunctional Jennings family are slogging through yet another strained Sunday dinner when utter a-hole Uncle Frank crashes with a nasty surprise. Joy (Mindy Cohn), Jerry (Enrico Colantoni), Jolene (Melanie Leishman) and Jim (Iain Stewart) suddenly find themselves collaborating on a murder to save everything they love, and finally get to really know each other during their bungling attempts to cover it up. To their shock, the crime actually brings them together, freeing them of the secrets and resentments that defined them for so long.

Film info, trailer and tickets

“Growing up queer in conservative Calgary, Alberta, Canada, I know about burying the truth and how hard dealing with it can be. But, I also know the freedom and joy that comes when you finally start leading with your truth. Alone it can seem impossible, but when we come together, we can kill our “Franks” in whatever form they take,” said the film’s director Caden Douglas.

"We are bloody excited (pun intended) to be having our East Coast Premiere at the incredible Art of Brooklyn Film Festival, and truly honored to be the opening night film of a festival that celebrates, and has such passion for indie film,” said Caden.

There will be a Q&A with the filmmakers after the screening.

About The Art of Brooklyn Film Festival
​The 14th Annual Art of Brooklyn Film Festival features 60 new independent films from around the way and around the world, plus special events, and an awards ceremony that's free to attend. The 2024 AoBFF takes place May 30 - June 9 at venues across Kings County including Cobble Hill Cinemas, Stuart Cinema & Cafe, the AbelCine screening room at Industry City, and the Pratt Film/Video Department.

AoBFF Schedule, Film Guide and Tickets