BIFF: Racial Justice in View

Evocative shorts exploring racial and social justice issues. 115 minutes.

“Interception: Jayne Kennedy • American Sportscaster”

Safiya Songhai, 15 minutes, USA, Western New York Premiere

The tumultuous story of Jayne Kennedy, the first Black woman to boldly tackle the racial lines of American sportscasting.

"Addressing racial injustice"

Dewitt Lee (Dir), 3 minutes, USA, Western New York Premiere

Director Dewitt Lee in attendance.

St Brian Clothiers was forged out of the racist and deadly terrorist attack on May 14th at Tops Supermarket in Buffalo, NY. Dewitt Lee, founder of St Brian Clothiers began providing free suits to men to attend the funerals of the deceased and it began a men's improvement movement MENistry, that has been featured on the news over 30 times and has expanded across the country.

"How to Sue the Klan"

John Beder (Dir), 35 minutes, USA, Western New York Premiere

Black women and a young Black civil rights lawyer successfully take on America’s first hate group, the Ku Klux Klan in this award winning short.

"Tehran is Ours"

Hamideh Azimi (Dir), 6 minutes, USA, Western New York Premiere

Director Hamideh Azimi in attendance.

A girl joins protests on the city streets and refuses to be silenced in the face of state sponsored violence in this experimental political drama.

"I Am Ready, Warden"

Smriti Mundhra (Dir), 37 minutes, USA, Western New York Premiere

In the days leading up to his execution, Texas death row prisoner John Henry Ramirez seeks redemption from his victim’s son. Director Smriti Mundhra is a BIFF 2019 (St. Louis Superman) alumni.

Many thanks to the folks at The Film Collaborative.

“A timeline of UB's pro-Palestine protests and police backlash”

Dominick Joseph Matarese (Dir), 18 minutes, USA, World Premiere

University at Buffalo Spectrum editor Dominick Joseph Matarese documents the events which took place on May 1 and May 3, 2024 on the University’s North Campus as protestors clashed with police.