2023 RECAP

Director Brian Vincent’s Statement About Screening ‘Make Me Famous’ at BBFF 2023

“Heather Spore Kelly and I loved screening at the Black Bear Film Festival and what a dance party after! & we saw a bear! Can’t wait to visit this brilliant cinema and art-loving town again. So many lovely people.”

See the story on Make Me Famous in the Journal!

BBFF Film Makes it to The Academy Awards

Last year, Celine Song’s romantic drama ‘Past Lives’ starring Greta Lee and Teo Yoo made it to the Black Bear Film Festival! Screening at Black Bear’s International Film Collection segment, the film’s overwhelmingly positive reception from audience members makes it unsurprising that ‘Past Lives’ has been nominated for both Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay at this year’s Academy Awards, proving that submitting your short or feature film could very well lead to magic!

Mark Ruffalo Makes a Mark on the Black Bear Film Festival!

Mark Ruffalo pictured with Christopher Thornton

Mark Ruffalo’s directorial debut, ‘Sympathy for Delicious’ - an independent film concerning an up-and-coming DJ who becomes paralyzed because of a motorcycle accident and ultimately takes up the world of faith-healing - came to be the first screening at last year’s BBFF after a special pre-recorded message from Ruffalo graced the screen to address the audience. Additionally, ‘Lakota Nation v. United States,’ which Ruffalo helped produce, screened at the festival as well!

Following the screening, actor Christopher Thornton, who wrote and starred in the film as its focus, was present on stage answering questions from the audience. Watch Wendy Stuart Kaplan’s interview with Thornton here!