INTERVIEW: 17th annual Bushwick Film Festival begins this week
Photo: Kweighbaye Kotee is the founder of the Bushwick Film Festival, which celebrates 17 years in 2024. Photo courtesy of the artist / Provided by Big Picture Media with permission.
The Bushwick Film Festival has returned for another year of engaging, diverse programming. The 2024 edition is the 17th year for the Brooklyn-based celebration of cinema, which runs Oct. 17-20. The entries for this year are built around the theme “Producing the Dream,” with many stories of dreamers, creators, lovers and everyday heroes, according to press notes.
Some of the features at this year’s Bushwick Film Festival include The Opener, a music documentary about a street performer trying to make it through the loneliness of the pandemic; Doubles, about a Trinidadian street vendor on a journey to better understand his estranged father; and Or Something, a drama about a pair of people forced to spend time together in New York City, and then the secrets are unveiled.
In addition to the feature films, there is a host of shorts playing throughout the week, plus special events, including a red carpet opening night sponsored by Netflix.
At the center of the festival is founder Kweighbaye Kotee, who recently exchanged emails with Hollywood Soapbox and previewed what’s to come at the 17th edition of the Bushwick Film Festival. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
What was the original motivation to found the Bushwick Film Festival?
I’ve always loved movies and believe in the power of storytelling to connect people, open new perspectives and allow us to experience life through someone else’s eyes. But when I pursued a career in film, I quickly realized how limited those opportunities were, especially for people of color.
Seventeen years ago, I struggled to break into the industry and grew frustrated by the lack of diversity in major film and media companies. That’s when I decided to create the Bushwick Film Festival in Brooklyn, a platform where everyone — from staff to filmmakers to audiences — truly reflected the diversity of New York City.
Bushwick, with its vibrant creativity and community spirit, was the perfect place to launch something real and inclusive for indie filmmakers. The festival became a space for emerging voices from all walks of life, and it’s grown into a celebration of diverse storytelling that continues to inspire and uplift.
What sets this film festival apart from others offered in the city and around the country?
What makes the Bushwick Film Festival truly special is the heart and sense of community we’ve cultivated. From the moment you step in, the energy is palpable. It’s a festival where you can share a big laugh, engage in meaningful conversations, and connect deeply with both filmmakers and audiences. There’s a unique warmth here that makes everyone feel welcome.
As a first-generation, woman of color-led festival, we bring a unique point of view and place a strong emphasis on showcasing fresh, emerging talent and promoting diversity. But it’s more than just the films — it’s the whole experience. Whether it’s through our panels, workshops or those spontaneous chats in between, you feel like you’re part of something real.
And being in Bushwick, a neighborhood with deep cultural roots and raw, creative energy, gives us that extra spark. When you’re here, you feel it — something authentic, where art and community come together.
Could you explain this year’s theme of “Producing the Dream”?
This year’s theme, “Producing The Dream,” celebrates the journey of turning dreams into reality. It highlights the artistry, effort and creativity that filmmakers pour into their work, while also reminding us that every dream requires perseverance and support. Though the path may be winding, it’s always worthwhile — and we hope these stories inspire audiences to pursue their own dreams with renewed passion.
Our carefully curated lineup features stories about dreamers, creators, lovers and everyday heroes. From laugh-out-loud comedies to gripping thrillers, explorations of AI and technology to beautiful documentaries, the films reflect the challenges and triumphs of chasing a dream.
How do you and your team select the individual films to screen
Our selection process has a few steps. We receive over 1,000 submissions from around the world, and each film goes through three rounds of review. In the first round, every film is watched by three screeners and rated on various aspects, including production quality, storytelling, acting and emotional impact. We care deeply about how a film makes us feel and how well it captures our attention.
Films that meet our rating threshold move to the second round, where at least two programmers watch and rate them. By the time we narrow it down to about 200 films, I personally step in to review them. I also revisit films that might have narrowly missed the mark because I know that some films can be overlooked due to differences in taste, connection to a story or lack of context about the filmmaker’s journey. At this stage, I also read bios, messages from filmmakers and explore who the storyteller is. Our goal is to find those stories that spark something in us — whether it’s deep laughter, fear, sorrow or wonder.
How would you describe the artistic scene in Bushwick in 2024?
After nearly 20 years, I’ve seen the creative landscape in Bushwick evolve. While some aspects feel familiar, there’s always something new bubbling beneath the surface. The biggest shift has been the rising cost of living, which has brought some unfortunate changes to the neighborhood. Yet, despite these challenges, Bushwick remains a place where the entire community comes together to push boundaries and build something we’re proud of.
From street art and underground music to experimental theater, indie films, food and culture, Bushwick remains a place where people strive, take risks, support each other and embrace the good parts of life.
What are the biggest challenges of producing the festival each year?
One of the biggest challenges is funding. As a nonprofit, we have to get creative about finding support while keeping the festival accessible. We’re also still feeling the aftershocks of the pandemic — both structurally and emotionally — which adds extra hurdles. Another ongoing challenge is securing sponsors, as the outreach process starts from scratch each year, and organizing an event of this size is no small feat. From booking venues to coordinating panels and managing marketing, it’s a lot of moving parts.
The toughest part, though, is making sure we keep evolving while staying true to our mission of championing new and diverse voices. Despite the challenges, it’s all worth it when we get that first film submission and see the incredible stories filmmakers have brought to life. And when opening night finally arrives, the sense of community and shared storytelling makes everything priceless.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
The 17th annual Bushwick Film Festival runs Oct. 16-20. Click here for more information and tickets.
