Starting this Thursday WILLiFEST kicks off with dozens of film screenings and events happening all over Williamsburg for four days. The fest is nothing if not diverse in its selection. This year, WILLiFest’s lineup includes documentaries, independent feature-length films, music videos, and international, short, and student films.
Screenings are happening at Williamsburg Cinemas and El Puente. A couple of full-length films caught our eye. Premiering Thursday at 8 p.m. is Suck It Up Buttercup, an independent drama about a family crisis revolving around an angsty teenage girl and her grandfather who is suffering from dementia but also manages to look just like Burt Cooper from Mad Men.
Another flick worth checking out is the documentary Beyond The Walls, which has made the rounds at festivals across the country. The filmmaker traveled around the world to Northern Ireland, the West Bank, Liberia, El Salvador, and beyond to uncover the stories behind memorial and political murals.
In addition to films, WILLiFEST goers can attend industry panels, like the one that convenes Saturday at Videology, “Getting The Part: Tips For The Working Actor.” Apparently out-of-work actors need not apply.
The fest is also trying out something new this year. On Friday a bunch of people will cram into Barber Bart on Metropolitan for a pitch contest. Anyone with an idea for a film or TV series, but without the cash to make it happen (so basically everyone), can register for a one-minute spot to present their concept for a chance to have it produced and broadcast. It looks like everyone who wants to attend has to register in-person, but hey if you go to all that effort you can smang free dranks from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
The full schedule of films can be found here. Festival passes: $85 for full-access, $45 for one day, and $11 for individual screening block tickets at Williamsburg Cinema and $5 for the same at El Puente.