As a program of the Buddhist Film Foundation, Inc., the International Buddhist Film Festival (IBFF) is the world’s leading presenter of Buddhist-themed and Buddhist-inspired cinema. IBFF presents and promotes films of all kinds: features, documentaries, animation, experimental work, children’s films and television programs. IBFF is a unique resource serving audiences, educators and filmmakers in partnership with presenting institutions around the world.
EVENTS
IBFF 2020
Tricycle|BuddhaFest 2020 Online
BuddhaFest LA 2019
Class of ’99
Tribute to Bruce Joel Rubin
IBFF 2018 SHOWCASE
Screening the Buddha 2018
IBFF 2017 BAY AREA
IBFF 2017 LOS ANGELES
BuddhaFest 2016 Online
Poetry in Motion 2016
IBFF 2015 BAY AREA
BuddhaFest 2015 Online
Benefit for Nepal 2015
BuddhaFest 2014
IBFF 2013 VANCOUVER
IBFF 2013 SHOWCASE
BuddhaFest 2012
IBFF 2012 BANGKOK
IBFF 2012 HONG KONG
IBFF 2012 LONDON
BuddhaFest 2011
IBFF SHOWCASE 2010
IBFF 2010 – Tibetan Buddhism on Film
IBFF 2009 LONDON
IBFF 2008 MEXICO
IBFF 2008 – Projecting Buddha
IBFF 2007 SINGAPORE
IBFF-EU 2006 AMSTERDAM
IBFF 2005 BAY AREA
IBFF 2004 – The Laughing Buddha
IBFF 2003 LOS ANGELES
PROGRAMMING
IBFF offers cinema as a vehicle for wider appreciation and better understanding of Buddhism by general audiences, particularly for the remarkable ethnic and cultural diversity evident among Buddhists worldwide today. Works to be exhibited are chosen through a combination of program committee invitations as well as through an international open Call For Entries solicitation. Films include English language or subtitled works from all over the world, and embrace a very broad and fluid definition of “buddhist.” Over twenty nations have been represented by films in IBFF events.
PRESENTING PARTNERS
IBFF is presented in different cities around the world. Presenting partners have included Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Smithsonian Institution (Washington, DC), Barbican Centre (London), Samaya Foundation (Mexico City), European Buddhist Film Festival Amsterdam (Holland), UC Berkeley (California), Asia Buddhist Film Festival Pvt. Ltd. (Singapore), Asia Society Hong Kong, Buddhadasa Indapanno Archives (Thailand). IBFF also co-presents programs with other film festivals (Seattle International, SF International, SF Asian American, Asian American (NY), Human Rights Watch (NY/SF/London), I See Films (Milan), Indian Film Festival of LA, SF Latino, Insight Festival (Delhi, India), and others, as well as with presenting institutions including Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (SF), Rubin Museum (NY), Fowler Museum (LA), California Film Institute (San Rafael), Smithsonian Institution (DC), and others.
