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Read the press release here.

Film Festival to Bring 70 Directors to Bushwick

By Gwynne Hogan | September 22, 2016 3:20pm
 The festival, founded by Bushwick resident Kweighbaye Kotee, runs from Sept. 29 to Oct. 2.
The festival, founded by Bushwick resident Kweighbaye Kotee, runs from Sept. 29 to Oct. 2.
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Courtesy of Bushwick Film Festival

BUSHWICK — A film festival is bringing about 70 directors from across the world to Bushwick next week.

The ninth annual Bushwick Film Festival will put a special focus on the work by women directors and that which highlights the immigrant experience, said founder Kweighbaye Kotee.

"I wanted people to walk away feeling more connected to all parts of the spectrum of human life," she said.

Nearly 500 submissions were made, up about 30 percent from last year, according to Kotee.

Organizers selected 11 documentaries, 10 narrative films and four shorts film screenings. And they'll have a selection of web videos and Arthouse films.

For the first time, the festival will have a Women In Film Day on Saturday, screening flicks such as "Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise," "Trapped," a documentary about abortion rights, and "Dream, Girl", a documentary about female entrepreneurs.

Alongside screenings at Syndicated, Lot 45 and House of Yes the festival will feature panel discussions and events like an opening party, a filmmaker happy hour and an awards ceremony

A full schedule is available here.

Here are some highlights:

You Can't Escape Lithuania

"You Can't Escape Lithuania" will have its world premiere at the Bushwick Film Festival. The haunting drama created by Lithuanian director Romas Zabarauskas tells the story of a woman who murders her mother, then tries to flee the country.

The film premieres on Sept. 30 at 8 p.m. at Syndicated (40 Bogart St.).

Driving While Black

This feature film is a cynical and sarcastic take on the impact of racial profiling of minorities in Los Angeles.

The film screens on Sat. Oct. 1 from 8 to 9:40 p.m. at Syndicated (40 Bogart St.).

TRAPPED

Director Dawn Porter follows the work of doctors, nurses and lawyers struggling to keep abortion safe and legal for American women.

The film screens on Saturday, Oct. 1 3 to 4:20 p.m. at House of Yes (2 Wyckoff Ave.).

I AM GANGSTER

The feature focuses on the vicious cycle of gang culture in Los Angeles and is inspired by the German director Moritz Rechenberg's work with youth at Ramona Gardens Housing Projects in East LA. 

Screening on Thursday, Sept. 29 at 8 p.m. House of Yes (2 Wyckoff Ave.).

Full festival tickets range in price from $100 to $150, though a limited amount of free tickets are available using the discount code BushwickCommunity.

You can also buy tickets for individual screenings and discounted passes are available with the code BushwickLove.