International Buddhist Film Festival
Encyclopedia
The International Buddhist Film Festival (BFF) is the world’s foremost presenter of Buddhist-themed and Buddhist-inspired cinema. IBFF includes films of all kinds: features, documentaries, animation, experimental work, children’s films and television programs. IBFF is a unique resource serving audiences, educators, and filmmakers.
IBFF offers film as a way for general audiences to develop a wider appreciation and better understanding of Buddhism
, particularly for the exceptional ethnic and cultural diversity that is seen among Buddhists throughout the world today. Works to be exhibited are chosen through a combination of program committee invitations as well as through an international open call for filmmakers to submit their work for consideration. Films include English language or subtitled works from all over the world, and embrace a widely inclusive definition of “buddhist.” Over twenty nations have been represented by films in IBFF events.
IBFF has been presented in a number of host cities across the globe: Los Angeles 2003, Washington DC 2004, San Francisco 2005, Amsterdam 2006, Singapore 2007, Mexico City 2008, and London 2009.
Presenting partners have included Los Angeles County Museum of Art
(LACMA), Smithsonian Institution
(Washington, DC), Barbican Centre
(London), Samaya Foundation (Mexico City), Buddhist Film Festival Europe (BFFE) Amsterdam (Holland), UC Berkeley (California), and Asia Buddhist Film Festival Pvt. Ltd. (Singapore)
IBFF also co-presents programs with other film festivals (Seattle International, SF International, SF Asian American, Asian American (NY), Human Rights Watch (NY/SF/London), I See Films (Milan), Indian Film Festival of LA, SF Latino and others), as well as with presenting institutions including Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (SF), Rubin Museum of Art (NY), Fowler Museum (LA), Rafael Film Center (San Rafael), Smithsonian Institution (DC) and others.
(Film) can open the minds of people who would never cross the threshold of a Zen meditation hall, or even a public lecture…BFF’s main goal is to be a resource, serving filmmakers and educators as well as audiences."
The BFF mission is to utilize the powerful medium of motion pictures to foster knowledge and appreciation of core Buddhist principles: the practice of compassion, and respect for impermanence and the interdependent web of connectivity of our world.
BFF has presented or co-presented over 150 films to general audiences in over a dozen cities in eight countries on three continents, with total attendance in excess of 50,000. Associated public events have drawn over 100,000 visitors.
IBFF offers film as a way for general audiences to develop a wider appreciation and better understanding of Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
, particularly for the exceptional ethnic and cultural diversity that is seen among Buddhists throughout the world today. Works to be exhibited are chosen through a combination of program committee invitations as well as through an international open call for filmmakers to submit their work for consideration. Films include English language or subtitled works from all over the world, and embrace a widely inclusive definition of “buddhist.” Over twenty nations have been represented by films in IBFF events.
IBFF has been presented in a number of host cities across the globe: Los Angeles 2003, Washington DC 2004, San Francisco 2005, Amsterdam 2006, Singapore 2007, Mexico City 2008, and London 2009.
Presenting partners have included Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is an art museum in Los Angeles, California. It is located on Wilshire Boulevard along Museum Row in the Miracle Mile vicinity of Los Angeles, adjacent to the George C. Page Museum and La Brea Tar Pits....
(LACMA), Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
(Washington, DC), Barbican Centre
Barbican Centre
The Barbican Centre is the largest performing arts centre in Europe. Located in the City of London, England, the Centre hosts classical and contemporary music concerts, theatre performances, film screenings and art exhibitions. It also houses a library, three restaurants, and a conservatory...
(London), Samaya Foundation (Mexico City), Buddhist Film Festival Europe (BFFE) Amsterdam (Holland), UC Berkeley (California), and Asia Buddhist Film Festival Pvt. Ltd. (Singapore)
IBFF also co-presents programs with other film festivals (Seattle International, SF International, SF Asian American, Asian American (NY), Human Rights Watch (NY/SF/London), I See Films (Milan), Indian Film Festival of LA, SF Latino and others), as well as with presenting institutions including Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (SF), Rubin Museum of Art (NY), Fowler Museum (LA), Rafael Film Center (San Rafael), Smithsonian Institution (DC) and others.
History
IBFF is the public program of Buddhist Film Foundation, Inc. (BFF), which was founded in 2000 (the Buddhist Film Society) with the aim of using modern media as a tool for exploring contemporary Buddhist issues and ideas. As Gaetano Maida, the Executive Director of the Foundation said in a 2000 interview (Inquiring Mind Magazine), "Since people do not read as much as they used to, transformative ideas need to be offered through the medium of film…(Film) can open the minds of people who would never cross the threshold of a Zen meditation hall, or even a public lecture…BFF’s main goal is to be a resource, serving filmmakers and educators as well as audiences."
The BFF mission is to utilize the powerful medium of motion pictures to foster knowledge and appreciation of core Buddhist principles: the practice of compassion, and respect for impermanence and the interdependent web of connectivity of our world.
BFF has presented or co-presented over 150 films to general audiences in over a dozen cities in eight countries on three continents, with total attendance in excess of 50,000. Associated public events have drawn over 100,000 visitors.
Festival Media
Festival Media is the distribution service of the Buddhist Film Foundation. Selected works from International Buddhist Film Festival presentations are marketed as DVDs through educational and consumer retailers in North America. Proceeds benefit the not-for-profit BFF, the filmmakers, and often, through them, the subjects of their films or other designated charities.Buddhist Film Archive
The first independent Buddhist film archive (BFA) is being developed by BFF on the UC Berkeley campus with the Center for Buddhist Studies. A collection of film prints and master tapes assembled by BFF is the core of an effort to collect, preserve, restore and make available to the public and to researchers and educators the best of Buddhist cinema from the earliest days of motion pictures to the latest digital productions.External links
- Buddhist Film Foundation Official Site http://www.buddhistfilmfoundation.org/
- Festival Media http://www.buddhistfilmfoundation.org/festival-media/