What: BAMcinemaFEST
Where: Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM)
When: June 17 – July 2
Why: Ten years ago, the Brooklyn Academy of Music launched BAMcinématek in downtown Brooklyn as the only daily year-round repertory film program. Tonight, in celebration of its existence and mission, BAM launches its first ever in-house film festival: BAMcinemaFEST.
Neither Brooklyn nor BAM are new to the festival scene, however, BAMcinemaFEST will certainly stand apart as it intends to create a festival atmosphere within its walls and on nearby outdoor screening grounds. There is even more to anticipate than a projector rolling tape of new and innovative dramas and documentaries. As part of the 16 day event, festival goers can choose from a fully packed program including a day of shorts, an all night movie marathon, an Evening with Arnaud Desplech, the Bamcinématek Sidebar (six nights of repertory classics), and Q&A’s.
“Q&As are a crucial way for film festivals to introduce new films and premieres. Outdoor screenings are really fun for the summer and are a way to reach a wider audience,” said Florence Almozini, BAMcinématek’s program director. “With the success of our annual Takeover event programmed with all night films, we felt it was important to have playful events during the BAMcinemaFEST. This way there is something for everyone!”
Among the 18 new dramatic films and documentaries being screened, there will be intimate family stories like “Beeswax,” “William Kunstlers: Disturbing the Universe,” “Everything Strange and New,” and “Children of Invention.” Two other films, “Prom Night in Mississippi” and “What’s on Your Plate,” provide context for teens on issues like race and weight in America and are sure to be compelling cinematic themes for audiences. Brooklyn-based director Dia Sokol will screen his first directed feature and romantic comedy “Sorry, Thanks” at the festival as well.
“It is our mission to offer a platform for both emerging and established filmmakers from around the world and the U.S.—many who live here in Brooklyn—to present their work,” said Karen Brooks Hopkins, president of BAM.
Cost: $11
How To Get There: Take the 2, 3, 4, 5 to Atlantic Avenue or the D,M,N,R to Pacific Street. For a full list of BAMcinemaFEST film screenings and events visit bam.org.
Photo: Courtesy of PhotoFest and BAM
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram