“Essential to New York’s cultural scene... A regional
festival with global reach” —The Wall Street
Journal
BAMcinemaFest is turning 5!
Since its beginning, BAM's annual film festival has built a reputation of gathering the latest and greatest films from across the film festival circuit to give New Yorkers their first look at the most inspiring and intriguing new voices in American independent cinema. For our fifth festival, we're throwing a hometown party like never before—nearly half of the 25 NY premieres from Cannes, Sundance, Toronto, Berlin, SXSW, Rotterdam, and beyond were directed by Brooklyn-based filmmakers.
BAMcinemaFest is opening in style on the brand-new Steinberg Screen at the BAM Harvey Theater, a former movie palace restored for screenings with state-of-the-art digital projection and sound.


This bittersweet coming-of-age dramedy by the writers of (500) Days of Summer follows the romance of an arrogant, reckless, but popular high schooler and his sweet but whip-smart classmate.

Sebastián Silva’s (winner of the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance for The Maid) latest is a hysterical, mescaline-driven road film starring Michael Cera as an American expat with an interest in drug tourism.

Cult Canadian synthpunk star Peaches directs herself in this no-holds-barred rock opera. The film will be followed by a live performance by Peaches.


A divorced expat and an ex-felon form an unlikely friendship in this reflective drama.

This South Brooklyn-set drama follows a lonely young girl’s deluded romantic pursuit.

Matthew Porterfield (Putty Hill) chronicles a family’s dissolution in this lo-fi musical.

This sumptuously shot film is a vibrant portrait of Crown Heights’ Yoruba community.

In this comedy, an aspiring photographer exploits an Insane Clown-Posse knock-off group.

This coming-of-age tale captures the dangers and freedoms of living on the margins of society.

Andrew Bujalski (Funny Ha Ha) returns with this lo-fi deadpan surrealist comedy.

A subversive take on the holiday film reminiscent of John Waters and Douglas Sirk.

A tourist in Vienna finds solace in the company of a museum guard in this meditative drama.

This witty, dark adaptation of a David Sedaris story stars Glee's Jonathan Groff.

Two pot-smoking lovebirds are forced to reevaluate their lifestyle in this stoner comedy.

This documentary follows the rise to fame of a brilliantly resourceful Malawian teenager.

An intimate portrait of physicians on the frontlines of the battle over abortion rights.

This documentary examines the realities faced by Americans without affordable health care.

A harrowing look at champion snowboarder Kevin Pearce’s brush with death and his recovery.

This provocative exposé examines the work of a right-wing missionary group in Uganda.

A lyrical, heartbreaking portrait of youth, poverty, and street life in Karachi, Pakistan.

Three families prepare for a snowmobile marathon in this portrait of working-class life.

This documentary tells the story of New York’s legendary gay bath house the Continental.

Joe Swanberg directs this seductive romantic comedy in which two coworkers at a Chicago microbrewery go on a camping trip with their significant others.

A collection of compelling narrative short films, including a look at suburbia through a pair of broken glasses and a harrowing account of a woman's relationship with her Alzheimer's-stricken father.

This collection of documentary short films includes new work by Michael Almereyda, a haunting loop of George Bush on CSPAN, and the first-ever TV drama for chimpanzee audiences.