2026 Festival Schedule

GET YOUR TICKET NOW

Thursday, September 17, 2026

Friday, September 18, 2026

Saturday, September 19, 2026

Sunday, September 20, 2026

SEPTEMBER 17

6:00PM - 9:00PM

party

the 2026 KICK OFF PARTY

LOCATION: Artisan Stack Cafe, 281 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, CT

We’re bringing together filmmakers, artists, and community members for an evening of connection, conversation, and celebration. The perfect way to start a meaningful weekend of films and festivities.

SEPTEMBER 18

9:30aM - 10:00aM

breakfast

come get Breakfast

LOCATION: Housatonic Community College, 900 Lafayette Blvd., Bridgeport, CT

10:00AM - 11:30aM

workshop

The Guide to Breaking Into The Film Industry WorkshoP

SLATE IT TIL YOU MAKE IT

LOCATION: Housatonic Community College, 900 Lafayette Blvd., Bridgeport, CT

Hosted in partnership with the Connecticut Film and TV Alliance, this panel discussion highlights how filmmakers and all creatives can build genuine networks and claim their seat at the table. The conversation offers insights, strategies, and inspiration to support your creative journey.

11:30aM - 12:15PM

MIXER

LUNCH + FILMMAKER MIXER

LOCATION: Housatonic Community College, 900 Lafayette Blvd., Bridgeport, CT

Come, Eat and Meet fellow Filmmakers / Find Your Next Collaborator.

12:15PM - 1:15pM

BLOCK 01

MIXTAPE MEDLEY : All ages

+ FILMMAKER Q+A

LOCATION: Housatonic Community College, 900 Lafayette Blvd., Bridgeport, CT

  • A Close Shave

  • But I’m A Shoe

  • King Karno

  • New Midlife Disco

  • Plush Monkey

  • Self-Tape

  • Sunspark *

  • The Postman

2:00PM - 3:30pM

BLOCK 02

EXPANDING the lens : Global Resilience

LOCATION: Housatonic Community College, 900 Lafayette Blvd., Bridgeport, CT

  • Digital Detox *

  • Italiano

  • Lost Soul

  • The Burial of the Black Cat

5:00PM - 6:15PM

red carpet

VIP / FIlmmaker networking event

LOCATION: The Klein Memorial Auditorium, 910 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, CT

Come join our 6th RED CARPET event at The Klein.

6:15PM - 6:30pM

WELCOME

BRidgeport film fest welcome address

LOCATION: The Klein Memorial Auditorium, 910 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, CT

Executive & Artistic Director
Jason A. Coombs

6:30PM - 8:00pM

BLOCK 03

Connected cuts : Made in CT

+ FILMMAKER Q+A

LOCATION: The Klein Memorial Auditorium, 910 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, CT

  • Delivery Driver

  • DISSOCIATION *

  • Finding Pá

  • Happy Birthday Scandalous

  • Hustle Go Pay

  • Mad Summer

  • The Wizard’s Apprentice

8:15PM - 10:00pM

BLOCK 04

strange & unnatural : horror/scifi

+ FILMMAKER Q+A

LOCATION: The Klein Memorial Auditorium, 910 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, CT

  • Between Dog and Man

  • Never Too Late

  • S.O.S

  • Scissors *

  • Smiley Death Face

  • The Application

  • This / That

10:00PM - 1:00aM

party

midnight masquerade

bff VIP After party

LOCATION: Nest Arts Factory, 1720 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, CT

Dress Up, Come Join us and Your Fellow Filmmakers.

SEPTEMBER 19

10:00aM - 11:30aM

BLOCK 05

class is in session : student films

+ FILMMAKER Q+A

LOCATION: Littlefield Recital Hall (UB Campus) 84 Iranistan Ave., Bridgeport, CT

  • A Grieving Heart *

  • Clucky’s

  • Corsano’s Roach

  • Fireball

  • Portrait of a Young Mother

  • Survival, Forever

11:45aM - 1:15PM

BLOCK 06

lives lived, stories told : Documentaries

+ FILMMAKER Q+A

LOCATION: Littlefield Recital Hall (UB Campus) 84 Iranistan Ave., Bridgeport, CT

  • Bindings

  • Joking About Autism

  • Runnings Against All Odds

  • The Gift *

  • The Letter

1:00PM - 5:30PM

FOOD

food trucks / vendors

LOCATION: The Klein Memorial Auditorium, 910 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, CT

  • Icecream / Desserts

  • Spanish

  • Hot Dogs

  • Popcorn

  • Coffee

  • Art Table

  • Live Music

1:30PM - 3:00PM

NETWORK

filmmaker networking event

LOCATION: The Klein Memorial Auditorium, 910 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, CT

  • Meet fellow filmmakers

  • Discover your next subject

  • Find your tribe

  • Start a collaboration

3:00PM - 4:15PM

BLOCK 07

i am somebody : black stories

+ FILMMAKER Q+A

LOCATION: The Klein Memorial Auditorium, 910 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, CT

  • Betta Fish *

  • Melon Skin

  • Part Timers

  • Vampire Therapy

  • Witnessing

4:30PM - 6:15PM

BLOCK 08

friends of the fest :

returning filmmakers

+ FILMMAKER Q+A

LOCATION: The Klein Memorial Auditorium, 910 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, CT

  • American Echo

  • Beware

  • Scam Slave: From Hell to Home

  • Smiley Death Face

  • Take Me Home

  • The Fall from High to You

  • The House of the Seven Gables *

  • Wanna Be A Star

5:30PM - 6:30PM

red carpet interviews

red carpet

LOCATION: The Klein Memorial Auditorium, 910 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, CT

  • What is your STORY?

    … why this film

    … what is your film about

    … what did you learn

6:30PM - 8:15PM

the dads

spotlight

feature lenght film

+ CAST Q+A

THE DADS chronicles a community of fathers of trans and nonbinary children as they are forced to choose family over country as a powerful anti-trans agenda takes hold in the United States.

Filmed over the course of a year spanning retreats in rural Maine and Minnesota, protests, family milestones, a pivotal U.S. Supreme Court decision, and the collapse of gender-affirming care for youth.

LOCATION: The Klein Memorial Auditorium, 910 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, CT

8:15PM - 10:00PM

BLOCK 09

here, queer, and full of flair

+ FILMMAKER Q+A

LOCATION: The Klein Memorial Auditorium, 910 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, CT

  • About Face

  • Amish Country Queer

  • Callback *

  • Fools of Nature

  • She’s Nonbinary

  • The New Gardener

10:00PM - 1:00aM

the bff vip after party

A ROYAL ball

LOCATION: Trevi Lounge, 548 Kings Hwy Cutoff, Fairfield, CT

  • Bring you CROWN

    … flowers, metal, wooden etc.

    … pointy or soft - you choose.

  • Colors: Golden & Purple

  • Inspiration: All of History OR your very own Queen and/or King outfit.

  • Princesses and Princes included :)

SEPTEMBER 20

10:00aM - 12:00PM

workshop

directing actors workshop

with Victor verhaeghe

LOCATION: The Klein Memorial Auditorium, 910 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, CT

  • 80 actor credits

  • 9 writer credits

  • 8 producer credits

  • 3 director credits

12:15PM - 1:45PM

BLOCK 10

stronger in sisterhood :

women in film

+ FILMMAKER Q+A

LOCATION: The Klein Memorial Auditorium, 910 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, CT

  • America

  • Being Here

  • Bliss *

  • Hello, Beautiful

  • kaya (ᜃᜌ)

  • Level 3

  • Made (w) hole

  • Still Calling

2:00PM - 3:30PM

BLOCK 11

From there to here :

immigrant stories

+ FILMMAKER Q+A

LOCATION: The Klein Memorial Auditorium, 910 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, CT

  • Jam Boy *

  • La Esperanza

  • Meet Amal

  • Something good going on

  • You Could’ve Been a Nurse

3:45PM - 5:15PM

BLOCK 12

mixtape menagerie

+ FILMMAKER Q+A

LOCATION: The Klein Memorial Auditorium, 910 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, CT

  • …oh

  • Buzz Buzz

  • Getar Hero *

  • Harbor

  • His House, Home

  • Stakeout

  • Won’t Be Displaced

5:15PM - 6:30PM

awards

awards presentation

LOCATION: The Klein Memorial Auditorium, 910 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, CT

  • Best Student Film

  • Best CT Film

  • Best Drama

  • Best SciFi / Horror

    … and GRAND JURY

19 different BFF awards categories, incl.

  • Best Comedy

  • Best Documentary

  • Best Animation

  • Best Editing

  • Best Cinematography

  • Best Directing

  • Best Lead

  • Best Supporting

  • Best Ensemble

  • Achievement in Writing

6:00PM - 8:30PM

party

closing night party

PRESENTED BY COLORFUL BRIDGEPORT DSSD

LOCATION: Berlinetta Brewing, 90 Golden Hill Street, Bridgeport, CT

  • Bring your Biz Cards

  • Bring your website QR code

  • Bring yourself

  • Re-connect with Fellow Filmmakers