John Fink

John Fink is the Artistic Director of the Buffalo International Film Festival (BIFF). He is a multifaceted professional in the film industry with several key roles and responsibilities:

Professional Background

John Fink is a:

• Filmmaker
• Curator
• Film critic
• College professor

Role at Buffalo International Film Festival

He joined BIFF in 2015, which was a relaunch year for the festival with new leadership and a new flagship venue.1 As the Artistic Director, Fink has been instrumental in shaping the festival's direction and programming.

Festival Details

Under Fink's leadership, BIFF has:

• Collaborated with non-profit venues and organizations in Western New York
• Aimed to reflect the diversity of the region
• Celebrated the growing film industry in the area
• Typically screened about 120 shorts and features annually
• Organized BIFF Off-Screen art events, including installations and performances
• Hosted industry panels and parties

Recent Achievements

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Fink successfully:

• Transformed BIFF into a hybrid festival in October 2020
• Reduced the lineup slightly to 100 films
• Added a new program line called "Racial Justice in View"
• Partnered with the National Film Board of Canada to present the Decolonial Spotlight program

Personal Attributes

John Fink is described as:

• Based in the New York City area
• A film/media-maker, educator, curator, and non-profit professional2

Through his work, John Fink has been dedicated to creating a festival that celebrates diverse voices in cinema while fostering a sense of community among filmmakers and audiences in the Buffalo area and beyond.