'Bushwick Beats' Opens the 11th Annual Bushwick Film Festival

The Bushwick Film Festival (BFF) has announced details for their official 2018 Opening Night, sponsored by Spectrum. The festivities will kick off on Wednesday, October 10th at House of Yes in Brooklyn with a Red Carpet Reception and screening of 'Bushwick Beats'-a film created by six diverse directors each exploring the theme of unconditional love through varying storylines set under the evolving urban landscape of Bushwick. 'Bushwick Beats' features actors Britt Baron (Glow, Grey's Anatomy), Henny Russell (Orange is the New Black), Britne Oldford (American Horror Story), Marlene Ginader (Maniac), Mugga (Billions), Nadia Dajani (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Hazelle Goodman (Heat, Hannibal), Keenan Jolliff (Monsters and Men, The Get Down, ), Max Baker (Hail, Caesar!, Revolutionary Road).The films directors, along with some cast and crew will join for a Q&A after the screening. Following the screening, BFF's official liquor sponsor, Brugal 1888, will present an after party at Lot 45, where guests will have the chance to enjoy Brugal 1888 and Partida Tequila signature cocktails, a VIP tasting lounge and music from MixMag Allstars featuring DJ Day-Cart. For more information on Bushwick Film Festival, please visit: www.bushwickfilmfestival.com.

Located in Bushwick, the bustling center of Brooklyn's artistic and cultural community, Bushwick Film Festival prides itself for being a home for film lovers. Over the last decade, BFF has screened the works of nearly 500 independent filmmakers from Brooklyn and over 40 different countries, proudly shining a spotlight on women and diverse filmmakers. The BFF has grown into one of the most anticipated events in Brooklyn and is recognized for its contribution to the borough's artistic, cultural, and economic growth.

After receiving over a record-breaking 1,300 submissions in 2018, BFF is excited to continue building community, supporting filmmakers and creating spaces where people from all backgrounds can be inspired by their stories! Festival Founder and CEO Kweighbaye Kotee explains: "After 11 years, I still get so excited when the festival arrives. It's been a true privilege serving storytellers and my community through the BFF and we have an incredible lineup of films and a weekend of fun in store!"

About Founder, CEO Kweighbaye Kotee

Kweighbaye Kotee is the founder of the Bushwick Film Festival (BFF). Hailed as one of Brooklyn's most celebrated events, BFF is recognized for its contribution to the borough's artistic and economic growth. Dedicated to her community and the arts, Kotee serves on The Bushwick Community Board and is co-chair of its Arts & Culture committee. In addition, in 2016 she founded MCCG, an M/WBE community affairs company that helps organizations positively engage with communities to create empowering opportunities for local residents and organizations. To date, her company has helped facilitate the distribution of over $400,000 in grants to local organizations and artists.

Born in Liberia, she and her family immigrated to the U.S. at the brink of the Liberian Civil war. She attended public school in Newark, NJ where she was awarded a scholarship from the Wight Foundation to attend Blair Academy, a private boarding high school. She moved on to receive her B.S in Media, Culture, and Communications from New York University.

She has been featured on NBC, NY1, FOX News, Huffington Post, POPSUGAR, Delta Air Lines, Brooklyn Magazine, Indiewire, Tribeca Film and lives in Brooklyn.

About the Bushwick Film Festival

Founded in 2007, The Bushwick Film Festival (BFF) is a leading independent film and media company in Brooklyn. The festival is hailed as one of Brooklyn's most influential cinematic events for its contribution to the borough's artistic, cultural, and economic growth. The festival attracts film and entertainment industry leaders at national and international levels; and showcases films created by the best and most diverse emerging independent filmmakers in Brooklyn and worldwide. BFF provides a platform for emerging filmmakers to share their stories and present opportunities for them to make a living doing what they love. BFF provides spaces for audiences from all backgrounds to connect and discover new independent movies and experience unique cultural events.

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