Buffalo to host 5th annual Christian Film Festival
Buffalo, NY (July 9, 2019) – From the humming shores of the Great Lakes comes the annual Christian Film Festival in Buffalo, New York returning for its 5th year. From Friday August 2nd through Sunday August 4th, 2019, the Great Lakes Christian Film Festival will screen films from around the world, at The Millennium Hotel, 2040 Walden Ave, Buffalo, NY 14225.
The festival organizers and judges have selected over 150 films and 20 scripts as the Official Selections. The projects represent over 15 countries. The Great Lakes Christian Film Festival screens an assortment of film projects: Animations, Music Videos, Student Films, Trailers, Narrative Films and Documentaries. Film lengths vary from two-minute shorts to two-hour features.
One of this year’s selections nominated for Best Feature include, the Buffalo Premiere of the award-winning film The Reliant, starring Kevin Sorbo, Brian Bosworth, Mollee Gray and Eric Roberts. Produced and directed by Paul Munger, The Reliant is a story of a 21-year-old lovesick girl struggling to care for her four younger siblings in a stretch of woods on the outskirts of their burning town, wondering why a good God would let this happen.
Another nominated selection includes Moses Olufemi’s movie Last Days, the story about a woman left with two children and no support, struggling to raise money needed for her lumpectomy, while questioning her faith in God. Last Days is directed by Biodun Stephen and filmed in Nigeria, and stars Susan Peters, Funsho Adeolu, and Vivian Metchie.
Also nominated selection is the documentary Russ Taff: I Still Believe, by award winning director Rick Altizer. The documentary chronicles the multi-GRAMMY® and Dove Award-winning Gospel Recording artist’s musical journey and behind-the-scenes battle with alcoholism. Altizer traces Taff’s four-decade career, as well as the childhood trauma he suffered at the hands of an alcoholic father and abusive mother.
Workshops and panel discussions are also scheduled, on a variety of speakers and topics, throughout the weekend, subjects like acting, directing, screenwriting, and fundraising. The festival is open to the public and offers an array of subject material for any viewer, from Action and Drama, to Animation and Biographies – something for everyone to enjoy.
Established in 2014, The Great Lakes Christian Film Festival was founded by current Executive Director Shawn Patrick Greene. The purpose is to inspire creativity and create an outlet for faith-based projects. Since its inception, over 700 films and scripts have been submitted in hopes of being selected and screened in front of the visiting guests and local Western New York attendees.
Buffalo, “All-American City” is not only known for sports fanatics, but also for having the “Best Food in America.” Buffalo has a growing world-class medical and research community. Innovative developments are happening around town such as Canalside, which is home to a collection of restaurants, shops and seasonal outdoor activities. Plus, Buffalo is just 30 minutes away from location of one of the 7 wonders of the world, Niagara Falls. In recent years, more and more Hollywood producers are using the Buffalo area as a backdrop for their film projects, such as “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”, “Marshall” and “The First Purge“.
Walk-up registration begins at the Millennium Hotel on Friday August 2nd at 8 am. Cost is $35 for all three days or $15 for a single day. The event runs from 8 am to 11 pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Registration and tickets sales are open online now. Information for the entire festival (accommodations, tickets, schedule, sponsorship, volunteer opportunities, etc.) is on the official website: http://www.glcff.com
Downloadable files:
Press Release PDF: http://dimedianet.com/GLCFF/2019/GLCFF-2019-pressrelease.pdf
Press Release DOCX: http://dimedianet.com/GLCFF/2019/GLCFF-2019-pressrelease.docx
High Quality Flyer JPG: http://dimedianet.com/GLCFF/2019/GLCFF-flyer-front-2019.jpg
May 31st is approaching fast and we are getting ready to close the door on 
The Great Lakes Christian Film Festival is proud to participate in college internships with your college or university. We have a great opportunity for students during the summer session to earn internship credits for your school’s programs (contact your departments coordinator to participate). Schools and Colleges can include School of Management (Business), Arts & Sciences (English, Media Studies, Theatre and Dance, Music), etc.
Our festival is indeed an international event, yet we have the warm local feel with superb customer service and hospitality. We love our regional film community, and our state has been very film-friendly to the industry here in Western New York, not to mention accommodating to tourism. We are very excited for the future of this event as we expand our horizons and add new leadership to the GLCFF team.
