For the second year running, the Valkyrie International Film Festival (VIFF) – an annual event spotlighting films directed by women – will be held at The Screening Room in Amherst. The film festival, featuring screenings of 73 films, will be held from Thursday, March 21 to Monday, March 25. Films screened throughout the course of the five days include narrative, animation, experimental, and documentary films from around the world. Upwards of half the screenings will be followed by Q&A sessions.
Founders of the festival, the mother-daughter team of Tamar and Kaelin Lamberson, found initial success in 2023, despite dealing with a short window of time in which to get the inaugural project off the ground.
Screening over 14 blocks, the Official Selections include 15 International films (with filmmakers from the United Kingdom expected to attend), 42 US films, and 16 Western New York titles.
“Last year, we only had six months to get everything off the ground,” says Tamar, who is a feature film producer (Johnny Gruesome, Widow’s Point, Guns of Eden) and experienced with the New York State Film Production Tax Credit. “This year, we had more time to promote ourselves and to reach out to filmmakers. We received more submissions, and we’re thrilled with the wide variety of films. We look forward to sharing the unique perspectives of the filmmakers with our Western New York audience.”
Amanda Besl (Incantations & To the Moon and Back) WNY
Kimberly Te (Lessons In Cage Decorating)
Sarah Mehani (Carnations) WNY
Missy Bell (Outbound)
Raina Liwen Yang (Pier 35)
Jo O’Donnell (Reimage) WNY
Gabrielle Rossen (She Who Dared)
“As soon as we finished our premier year, my mother and I were anxious to watch more submissions,” says Kaelin, a senior at Cleveland Hill High School, who has acted in several films, including A Mother’s Revenge, Christmas in Vermont, and Widow’s Point. “About one-third of the films we accepted will be represented by visiting filmmakers – more than we anticipated. Last year’s response was wonderful. We can’t wait to see how 2024 goes.”
Together, the mother-daughter duo created VIFF to call more attention to female creators, and to advance the cause of women in film.
The complete schedule of Official Selections can be found at www.valjyriefilmfest.com. Full Festival Passes are now available at the Screening Room box office for only $50 (tickets are not available online). Day Passes will be available closer to the event for $20 per day, except for a very full Saturday, which is $25. Individual screenings are $12 at the door. Sponsorships are also available at the VIFF website.
The Screening Room Cinema & Arts Café | 880 Alberta Drive | Buffalo, New York 14226
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