About Our Programs
BAMcinemaFest
BAMcinemaFest is an annual showcase of American independent film.
“The city’s best independent film showcase”
—The New Yorker
Best Film Festival in New York
—The Village Voice
BAMcinemaFest presents the most dynamic and entertaining new films from cinema's brightest up-and-coming talents, plus special repertory screenings, live music, outdoor screenings, filmmaker Q&As, and more. Launched in 2009 as a showcase for new independent films, the annual festival is an extension of the year-round BAMcinématek film program, collecting the most innovative new work from festivals in the US and around the world and bringing them to New York City audiences.
BAMcinemaFest has hosted the New York premieres of such high profile American indies as Lena Dunham's Tiny Furniture, Richard Linklater's Boyhood, James Ponsoldt's The End of the Tour, Sean Baker's Tangerine, the Duplass brothers' Cyrus, Aaron Katz's Cold Weather, Andrew Bujalski's Beeswax, and Matthew Porterfield's Putty Hill, as well as international films, such as Nicolas Winding Refn's Bronson and Valhalla Rising. In 2011, the third critically acclaimed edition hosted 20 New York premieres, including Andrew Haigh's award-winning opener Weekend, Mathieu Amalric's Tournée, Alex Ross Perry's The Color Wheel (named the best undistributed film of 2011 by The Village Voice and Indiewire), Azazel Jacobs' Terri, and Sophia Takal's Green. The 2011 edition of the festival also featured many acclaimed documentaries, including Marshall Curry's Oscar-nominated If A Tree Falls, Asif Kapadia's Senna, the world premiere of Charlie Ahearn's Jamel Shabazz: Street Photographer, Marie Losier's The Ballad of Genesis and Lady Jaye, Don Argott and Demian Fenton's Last Days Here, Tristan Patterson's SXSW Jury Award-winning Dragonslayer, and much more.
Join us for NY premieres, exclusive Q&As, and dynamic shorts at our annual film festival.
“The city’s best independent film showcase” (The New Yorker) celebrates its 11th year.
“New York’s premier festival for gems of American indie cinema” (MUBI) celebrates its tenth year.
The ninth annual showcase of the best in American film returns in June, with the lineup announcement May 3.
“The city’s best independent film showcase” (The New Yorker) returns for its eighth year.
“The city’s best independent film showcase” (The New Yorker) returns for its seventh year.
In its sixth year, this annual film festival premieres a wide-ranging lineup of new work.
New York’s “best independent film showcase” (The New Yorker) presents its fifth annual festival.
A showcase for emerging voices in American independent cinema.