June 23—30, 2022
On-sale dates:

Thu, May 12 for BAM Members & Patrons
Thu, May 19 for General Public

Launched in 2009 as a showcase for new independent films, the annual festival is an extension of BAM’s year-round 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. This year’s festival features blazingly personal works by filmmakers who have defied industry odds to realize their singular visions. Overflowing with funny, moving, challenging, and thought-provoking discoveries from the cutting edge of independent film, BAMcinemaFest is a celebration of all that movies can be when bold, uncompromising artists are empowered to tell their own stories.

Lead sponsor of BAMcinemaFest:

Onyx ABC HuluLeadership support for BAM Access Programs provided by the Jerome L. Greene Foundation.

Jerome L. Greene Foundation

 

Leadership support for BAM Film provided by the Ford Foundation and The Thompson Family Foundation ­

 
PAST EVENTS
Aftershock
Film
Aftershock
 

Stories of Black women, and bereaved partners, who are left behind in maternal healthcare.

Thu, Jun 23, 2022
NEW YORK PREMIERE
 
 
Ferny luca
Film
Ferny & Luca
 

A naive pretty boy meets a rough-and-tumble disco queen in this Gen Z Brooklyn rom-com.

Fri, Jun 24, 2022
NEW YORK PREMIERE
 
 
Cheese
Film
Chee$e
 

Damian Marcano’s award-winning breakout debut about a young father’s scheme to sell weed.

Fri, Jun 24, 2022
NEW YORK PREMIERE
 
 
100 Ways To Touch The Border
Film
100 Ways to Cross the Border
 

A daring documentary about a radical Mexican/Chicanx performance artist and his troupe.

Sat, Jun 25, 2022
WORLD PREMIERE
 
 
Actual People
Film
Actual People
 

Kit Zauhar’s exciting, honest film about a young woman launched into adulthood.

Sat, Jun 25, 2022
NEW YORK PREMIERE
 
 
When Its Good
Film
BAMcinemaFest Shorts Program 1
 

These shorts focus on family, connection, and trauma—from the political to personal.

Sat, Jun 25, 2022
 
 
The Unknown Country
Film
The Unknown Country
 

Lily Gladstone stars in this narrative/doc hybrid about a meandering road-trip.

Sat, Jun 25, 2022
NEW YORK PREMIERE
 
 
Sirens
Film
Sirens
 

The unexpected, uplifting story of the Middle East’s first all-female thrash metal band.

Sun, Jun 26, 2022
NEW YORK PREMIERE
 
 
Nothing Lasts Forever
Film
Nothing Lasts Forever
 

Jason Kohn pulls back the veil on the secretive diamond industry.

Sun, Jun 26, 2022
NEW YORK PREMIERE
 
 
Crows are White
Film
Crows Are White
 

A filmmaker searching for answers—and ice cream—in this doc-existential comedy.

Sun, Jun 26, 2022
NEW YORK PREMIERE
 
 
What theyve been taught
Film
BAMcinemaFest Shorts Program 2
 

A selection of formally inventive short films ask questions about art and history.

Sun, Jun 26, 2022
 
 
Almas rainbow
Film
Alma’s Rainbow + Hair Piece: A Film for Nappyheaded People
 

New restorations of filmmaker Ayoka Chenzira’s visionary work.

Mon, Jun 27, 2022
 
 
Free Chol Soo Lee
Film
Free Chol Soo Lee
 

This portrait of community activism explores the cost of becoming the symbol of a movement.

Tue, Jun 28, 2022
NEW YORK PREMIERE
 
 
Happers Comet
Film
Happer’s Comet + The Last Days of August
 

Visually stunning films that capture the quiet essence of humanity.

Wed, Jun 29, 2022
 
 
2nd Chance
Film
2nd Chance
 

Ramin Bahrani’s acclaimed film about the life and lies of the bulletproof vest inventor.

Thu, Jun 30, 2022
NEW YORK PREMIERE
 
 
 
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