BRIDGEPORT FILM FEST
Changing the narrative, one story at a time.
It was 3 days of bold, independent film in the heart of Bridgeport.
Looking FORWARD to SEE YOU IN 2027!!
2026 FESTIVAL
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BFF Pre PARTY
09.17 | 6:00PM-9:00PM
The festival starts here! Join us at Artisan Stack Cafe in downtown Bridgeport for an evening of connection, light bites, and good vibes as we mix and mingle with filmmakers and kick off another unforgettable festival!
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BFF DAY 01
09.18 | 9:30AM-1:00AM
Day One is here! Dive into four film blocks, connect with filmmakers, hit the VIP red carpet, and keep the celebration going at our Masquerade After Party.
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BFF DAY 02
09.19 | 10:00AM-1:00AM
Day Two is turning it up! Catch an inspiring feature film, explore five film blocks, shop the Vendor Village, and dance the night away at our Royal Ball After Party!
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BFF DAY 03
09.20 | 10:00AM-9:00PM
Day Three brings it all home! Catch three film blocks, sharpen your craft at our Directing Actors Workshop, honor our award winners, and keep the celebration going at our Closing Night Party!
2026 - at a GlaNce
80 films
12 countries
500+ attendees
3 Locations
What are people saying
“The BFF is MY BFF. Love how it’s grown and developed in a very short time. It’s a warm and inviting atmosphere for filmmakers and audiences. There’s an emphasis on diversity and inclusion, which is so appreciated as a cis woman filmmaker.
Jason and his minions are consistently delivering a fantastic CT based festival. Thank you for being a BFF.”
“As a young filmmaker, this being my very first film festival was the best experience.
The team who put this event together care so much about their filmmakers and audience. I was surrounded by talented artists who inspired me and made me feel seen when my film “mutuals” was shown!
A great festival amidst of sea of many many options”
“Jason and the rest of the crew did a great job putting together this festival.
I really appreciate that it feels like a celebration of the city, in addition to being a great film festival.
Good vibes all the way through. Highly recommended!”
2026 BFF Team Members
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MARIO BAEZ
VENDOR DIRECTOR
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SARAH BIERNE
FILM SCREENER & FESTIVAL DIRECTOR
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IBEN CENHOLT
FILM SCREENER + PROGRAMMING & WEBSITE
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JASON A. COOMBS
EXECUTIVE & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
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DARREN DONNELLY
SITE MANAGER
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Milan Eldrige
FILM SCREENER + PROGRAMMING & DESIGN DIRECTOR
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GREG GARDNER
LEAD VOLUNTEER
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Dhafir Jakson
FESTIVAL PROGRAM
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SUZANNE KACHMAR
FIDUCIARY PARTNER. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,
CITY LIGHTS / BRIDGEPORT -
LUIS LOPEZ
BRANDING & MARKETING
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Nettie Marquez
FILM SCREENER, LEAD PROGRAMMER & JUROR
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PAOLA MICHAELA
FILM SCREENER + PROGRAMMING MANAGER & SATELLITE MANAGER
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RYAN NASO
FILM SCREENER + PROGRAMMING & TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
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JADE ROJAS
EVENT PLANNER
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Daniel Walsh
FILM SCREENER + PROGRAMMING
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BRIANNA WAHL
FILM SCREENER + PROGRAMMING
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Laurence Caso
JUROR & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR of THe Klein, Emmy Winning Producer
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Lorna James-Rodriguez
JUROR & PRODUCER of The 48 Hour Film Project New Haven
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Russell G. Jones
JUROR & ACTOR, DIRECTOR, COLLABORATOR SAG AWARD WINNER for “ONly Murders in The Building
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Stephanie Leke
JUROR & PRODUCER “Harry and Meghan”, “Mary J. Blige’s My LIfe”
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Nettie Marquez
JUROR & AWARD WINNING FILMMAKER, FOUNDER of Ofelia Media Productions LLC
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Brysen Moore
JUROR & FILMMAKER, FOUNDER of BMoore The Creative Group
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Chris Ruggiero
JUROR & PRODUCER, COMPOSER “Minding the Gap”, “Emily the Criminal”, “They/Them”
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Geoffrey Sheehan
JUROR & CO-FOUNDER Capital Classics Theatre Company, DIRECTOR of Theatre Arts at Housatonic Community College
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Lauren Coakley Vincent
JUROR & COMMUNITY JUROR at Colorful Bridgeport / DSSD
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Keir Alexander
FILM SCREENER
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Tiffany Avallone
FILM SCREENER
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Kristin Cantwell
FILM SCREENER
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Choe Cobb
FILM SCREENER
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Nick Flood
FILM SCREENER
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Sean Fox
FILM SCREENER
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Diana M.
FILM SCREENER
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Natalie Mármol
FILM SCREENER
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Melissa Pavloff
FILM SCREENER
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Matthew Pulieri
FILM SCREENER
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FOSTER REISZ
FILM SCREENER
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Gabrielle Lopes
SCRIPT READER
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ANN TRAPASO
SCRIPT READER
BFF 2026 sponsors
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City Lights / Bridgeport Art Trail
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Fairfield County's Community Foundation
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CIRCLE CARE CENTER
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Connecticut state CTFILM.org
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LEONARD Litz Foundation
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City of Bridgeport
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NEST ART FACTORY
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CT Film & TV
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WPKN Community Radio
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Colorful Bridgeport
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RuneFilms
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Bridgeport Pride Center
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Fairfield County Bank
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University of Bridgeport