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SPREE INSIDER
Sundance, Cannes … Buffalo? Plus, a Gardens hunt
By Christopher Schobert
Every city wants a film festival. And these days, any city worth its weight in celluloid has one. Wichita? Yup. Starkville, Mississippi? Yes, they do. Cedar Rapids, Iowa has a fest. Heck, even Springfield had one, with Homer Simpson as a key jury member. So Buffalo certainly deserves a film festival of its own. See The Natural, Buffalo ’66, The Savages. (Let’s avoid the drippy Manna From Heaven and Bruce Almighty’s faux-ffalo.) Hence the Buffalo Niagara Film Festival, now entering its third year—its biggest yet.
Last year offered an indication that the fest was becoming something worth keeping an eye on. The centerpiece was a gala screening of The Natural. The list of films may not have featured any breakouts, but it was a nice mix of themes and genres.
Good festivals find ways to grow, quickly, and BNFF ’09 appears to have taken those steps. Tops is probably what is being dubbed “Buffalo’s first American Graffiti Two-Day Super Fest.” The unique event, scheduled for the Riviera Theatre on May 1 and 2, will include Graffiti-era vehicles, stunt shows, awards, a re-creation of Mel’s Drive-In, screenings of Graffiti and its much lesser sequel, More American Graffiti, and special celebrity guests.
In addition to the films themselves, also scheduled for the fest is a Veteran’s Day celebration at the Riviera on May 3; Urban/Cultural Day at the Market Arcade Film and Arts Center on May 7; a thirtieth anniversary remembrance of John Wayne at Freedom Run Winery, featuring special guest appearances, on May 9; and even a two-day film school with legendary film instructor Dov Simens, whose past students include Quentin Tarantino, Christopher Nolan, and Slumdog Millionare Oscar winner Danny Boyle. Film school is in session on April 25 and 26.
And to kick it all off is a fundraiser on April 18 at the Pierce Arrow Museum. (This is the rescheduled version of the fundraiser mentioned in the March Spree.) The presentation dinner will feature Academy Award-winner Louis Gossett Jr. For details, a schedule of screenings and events, and volunteer info, visit www.buffaloniagarafilmfestival.com.
On the hunt at the Botanical Gardens
This month, the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens Society is celebrating Easter with two Spree-sponsored events. April 10 through 12 features the Easter Bunny, costume contests, and, of course, an Easter egg hunt. One of the bunny’s helpers will choose winners for the “Dress Your Easter Best” contest for children and adults—parasol optional.
The weekend’s big event, the annual Easter Egg Hunt, is April 11. The hunt takes place outside, so children participating (six and under) are encouraged to dress accordingly, and to bring a basket for collecting their haul. Preregistration is required for the hunt, and the cost is just $5 per l’il egg-seeker. Inside the Gardens will be a scavenger hunt, games, a petting zoo, prizes, and more. For more info, call 827-1584 ext. 305, or visit www.buffalogardens.com.
Spree associate editor Christopher Schobert hopes attendees make an “Arrr!” pirate sound during anti-film piracy messages, like at the Toronto Film Fest. It’s funny for the first six times or so.
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