NEWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

28 FILMMAKERS VISIT BUFFALO FOR VALKYRIE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Buffalo’s showcase for Female Directed Films

Draws Filmmakers to Western New York

Buffalo, New York – At least 28 film artists representing 21 films will visit Buffalo to attend Valkyrie International Film Festival for its second annual event Thursday, March 21st – Monday, March 25th at the Screening Room Cinema & Arts Café in Amherst. These artists, traveling from other countries, states, and regions of New York State, will participate in Q&A sessions following screenings of their work. Sixteen Western New York artists are expected to attend the festival as well. In total, 73 films will screen, all directed by women.

Programmers Tamar Lamberson and Kaelin Lamberson hold VIFF every March for Women’s History Month.  The Screening Room is celebrating its 30th year of operation. A full festival Pegasus Pass is available at the box office for only $50. Day Passes will be available for $20 ($25 for Saturday) during the festival, as will single screening block tickets for $12. VIFF is programmed by producer Tamar Lamberson and her daughter, actor Kaelin Lamberson. Below is a list of visiting filmmakers scheduled to attend:

From California:

Solace (Filmed in Australia, Narrative, 10 mins, Q&A with director Aminah Hughes). A woman finds solace in the natural world around her. Sunday, March 24th - Block 10: 1:45pm.

Trust  (Narrative, 14 mins, Q&A with director Diane Lansing). Set in Varese, Italy during WWII, a young girl is questioned by a Nazi Lieutenant who tries to trick her into revealing her family's Jewish identity.  Los Angeles, California. Saturday, March 23rd - Block 6: 3:45pm.

Trying (Narrative, 7 mins, Q&A with director Emily Alpren). She expected getting pregnant would be easy. Then she started trying. Sunday, March 24th - Block 11: 4:45pm.

From Canada:

Nereid (Narrative, 8 mins, Q&A with director Lori Zozzolotto). A mysterious woman escapes from an abusive relationship. Saturday, March 23rd - Block 5: 2pm.

The Sweetest Goodbye (Drama, 14 mins, Q&A with director Emily Schooley). When a chronically ill woman throws a goodbye party under false pretenses, her best friend uncovers the real reason behind her departure.  Sunday, March 24th - Block 11: 4:45pm.

From Chicago:

White Female (Narrative, 10 mins, Q&A with director Sarah Falkiner). Two childhood friends realize their lifelong connection was much more fragile than imagined.  Saturday, March 23rd - Block 7: 6:15pm.

From Connecticut:

Last Girls’ Trip (Narrative, 36 mins, Q&A with director Dusty Noval and producer Ray Noia). Three lifelong middle-aged girlfriends set off on the last of their many trips and find that a huge ask is about to change their lives. Norwalk, CT.  Friday, March 22nd - Block 3: 6:00pm.

From Massachusetts

Rest (Narrative, 10 mins, Q&A with director Joan Cassin). During a support group meeting, Rose reveals that this group has gotten more than they bargained for. Newburyport, MA. Friday, March 22nd - Block 3: 6pm.

Wallie’s Gals (Narrative, 59 mins, Q&A with director Mary C. Ferrara). It’s 1989 and “Wallie’s Big Deals” isn’t doing too well, so the employees use their unique personalities to draw more business. Fast forward 30 years, and Maxine, the manager, needs them back. Quincy, MA. Saturday, March 23rd - Block 6: 3:45pm.

She, Who Dared (U.S. Narrative, 24 mins, Q&A with director Gabrielle Rosson, lead actor Katie Killourhy and producer Mark Meagher). A proof-of-concept about silent-era female filmmaker Lois Weber. Osterville, MA. Saturday, March 23rd - Block 8: 7:40pm.

From New York City and Hudson Valley

Always Wear Comfortable Shoes directed by (Horror, Comedy, 1 min, Q&A with director Angie Hansen). Paula learns one of the golden rules to surviving a horror movie the hard way. Saturday, March 23rd - Block 7: 6:15pm.

Interception: Jayne Kennedy, American Sportscaster directed by Safiya Songhai (Documentary, 15 mins, Q&A TBD). Few know the story of Jayne Kennedy, the first Black woman to boldly run interception on the racial lines of American sportscasting.  New York, New York. Saturday, March 23rd - Block 9: 9:30pm.

Take the Ice (Documentary, 1 hr. 28 mins, Q&A with director Rachel Koteen). The first professional women’s hockey league and the athletes competing to win its first championship must come together after an on-ice accident leaves one teammate paralyzed.  Brooklyn, NY. Saturday, March 23rd - Block 9: 9:30pm.

Lessons in Cage Decoration (Experimental, 3 mins, Q&A with director Kimberly Te). A woman is increasingly entrapped in her surroundings. New York, New York. Sunday, March 24th - Block 10: 1:45pm.

Holy Moly Meteorite (Narrative, Sci-Fi, Comedy, 3 mins, Q&A with director V. Leigh and composer Michael Newport). Two people spend their last minute on earth on an awkward date. Hudson Valley, NY. Sunday, March 24th - Block 11: 4:45pm.

V-Card  directed by Brooklyn Braaten (Drama, 8 mins, Q&A with producer  V. Leigh and composer Michael Newport). A first-time bowler wrestles with a world where virginity is personified into a tangible V-card. Sunday, March 24th - Block 11: 4:45pm.

Baba Yaga Smoked Me Out  (Comedy, Horror, 10 mins, Q&A with director Julia Berkey). A heartbroken dyke smokes magical weed and summons the mysterious Baba Yaga – an old hag witch that grants wishes for a price. Brooklyn, NY. Sunday, March 24th - Block 11: 4:45pm

The Trials and Tribulations of Therapy (Student, 10 mins, Q&A with director Carolina Herrera). A young autistic woman begrudgingly goes to therapy and ends up connecting with her therapist for the first time in her many failed attempts over the years. New York, NY. Sunday, March 24th - Block 11: 4:45pm.

 Ardor (Sci-Fi, 6 mins, Q&A with director V. Leigh and composer Michael Newport). In the not-too-distant dystopian future, a couple must decide whether love, family, and passion can overcome a world divided by race.  Hudson Valley, NY. Sunday, March 24th - Block 12: 9pm.

From North Carolina

Outbound (U.S. Narrative, 9 mins, Q&A with director Missy Bell, producer Michael Bell, Asher Bell). A bedraggled young wanderer lives completely isolated in a desolate world until reviewing past choices forces a call for help. Asheville, NC. Saturday, March 23rd - Block 8: 7:40pm.

From the United Kingdom:

Wilderness directed by (U.K., Horror, Adventure, 15 mins, Q&A with director Amelie Leroy and producer Jonas Babics). An emotionally exhausted woman on a hike must face a primal darkness. Sunday, March 24th - Block 10: 1:45pm.

Visit www.valkyriefilmfest.com for a full schedule and trailers.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WNY FILMS SELECTED FOR 2ND ANNUAL VALKYRIE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

The Second Edition of Buffalo’s Showcase for Women

In Film Includes 16 Films Directed by Local Artists.

Buffalo, New York – The second annual edition of Valkyrie International Film Festival, showcasing films directed by women from all walks of life, includes 16 shorts directed by Western New York artists. This year VIFF runs five days, Thursday, March 21st – Monday, March 25th at the Screening Room Cinema & Arts Café in Amherst, New York. In total, 73 films will screen. VIFF is programmed by co-founders Tamar and Kaelin Lamberson. An in-person awards presentation will be held Sunday evening, March 24th at the Screening Room, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

The WNY Official Selections include Narrative Shorts, Student Films, Documentary Shorts, Experimental Shorts, and Animation. Many of the artists will participate in Q&A sessions following their screenings. Amanda Besl, Victoria Hutton, and Taylor Martin each have two films screening; Jo O’Donnell was inspired to make a film for VIFF after attending the first event last year; and Sabrina Peña Young directed a short she co-wrote with her daughter Eva.

WNY Narrative Shorts

Like Someone in Love directed by Victoria Hutton - Block # 2, Thursday, March 21st, 8:30pm.

This is Not a Pipe Dream directed by Tracy Snyder - Block # 10, Sunday, March 24th, 1:45pm.

Goldenrod directed by Marjorie DeHey - Block # 5, Saturday, March 23rd, 2:00pm.

The Sicks directed by Taylor Martin - Block # 7, Saturday, March 23rd, 6:15pm.

Die Dame directed by Taylor Martin - Block # 6, Saturday, March 23rd, 3:45pm.

ReImage directed by Jo O'Donnell - Bock # 1, Thursday, March 21st, 6:00pm.

WNY Student Films

Love's a Drug directed by Summer Faye Harris - Block # 14, Monday, March 25th, 8:00pm.

Conceal Her directed by Anna Maria Logan - Block # 14, Monday, March 25th, 8:00pm.

Mother's Essence directed by Kylie Kuty - Block # 4, Friday, March 22nd, 8:40pm.

Carnations directed by Sarah Mehani - Block # 13, Monday, March 25th, 6:00pm.

WNY Documentary Shorts

Car Spider directed by Victoria Hutton - Block # 4, Friday, March 22nd, 8:40pm.

WNY Experimental Shorts

To the Moon and Back directed by Amanda Besl - Block # 3, Friday, March 22nd, 6:00pm.

Blowing Off the Lake directed by Maria Brandt (WNY) Block # 13, Monday, March 25th, 6:00pm.

DoorSlash directed by Sabrina Peña Young - Block # 7, Saturday, March 23rd, 6:15pm.

Incantations directed by Amanda Besl - Block # 6, Saturday, March 23rd, 3:45pm.

WNY Animation

Amplifying Feedback Loop directed by Vanessa Sweet - Block #5, Saturday, March 23rd, 2:00pm.

Descriptions for all the films, trailers, and a full schedule are available at www.valkyriefilmfest.com. Cinephiles and supporters wishing to attend the entire festival can purchase a Pegasus Pass in person at the Screening Room box office for only $50. Day passes for $20 ($25 for Saturday) will be available at the event, along with single block tickets.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VALKYRIE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL RETURNS TO THE SCREENING ROOM

Valkyrie International Film Festival, Showcasing Films Directed by Women, 

Returns to The Screening Room in Amherst, New York for its Second Season

February 12, 2024 - Valkyrie International Film Festival, showcasing films directed by women from all walks of life, will hold its second edition at the Screening Room Cinema & Arts Café in Amherst, New York, over five days: Thursday, March 21st – Monday, March 25th. In total, 73 films will screen and almost half will be followed by Q&As with attending filmmakers. The lineup includes narrative, animation, experimental, and documentary films from around the world. The Screening Room is celebrating its 30th year in operation.

VIFF was founded by the mother-daughter duo of Tamar and Kaelin Lamberson, who live in Cheektowaga. Tamar is a feature film producer (Johnny Gruesome, Widow’s Point, Guns of Eden) experienced with the New York State Film Production Tax Credit. Kaelin, a senior at Cleveland Hill High School, has acted in several films, including A Mother’s Revenge, Christmas in Vermont, and Widow’s Point. Veterans of the film festival circuit, the pair created VIFF to call more attention to female creators, and to advance the cause of women in film.

"Last year, we only had six months to get everything off the ground,” says Tamar. “This year, we had more time to promote ourselves and to reach out to filmmakers. We received more submissions, and we’re thrilled with the wide variety of films. We look forward to sharing the unique perspectives of the filmmakers with our Western New York audience."

Screening over 14 blocks, the Official Selections include 15 International films (with filmmakers from the United Kingdom expected to attend), 42 US films, and 16 Western New York titles. The Lambersons envision growing VIFF into a major event that runs every March for Women’s History Month, promoting and uplifting female creators.

“As soon as we finished our premier year, my mother and I were anxious to watch more submissions,” says Kaelin. “About one-third of the films we accepted will be represented by visiting filmmakers – more than we anticipated. Last year’s response was wonderful. We can’t wait to see how 2024 goes.”

The complete schedule of Official Selections can be found at www.valkyriefilmfest.com. Full Festival Passes are now available at the Screening Room box office for only $50 (tickets are not available online). Day Passes will be available closer to the event for $20 per day, except for a very full Saturday, which is $25. Individual screenings are $12 at the door. Sponsorships are also available at the VIFF website.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VALKYRIE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES FIRST SLATE OF SELECTIONS

Buffalo, New York – Valkyrie International Film Festival (VIFF), a new annual event spotlighting films directed by women, has announced its first-year Official Selections. Co-founded by Tamar Lamberson and her daughter Kaelin, the festival runs Friday, March 24th – Tuesday, March 28th at the Screening Room Cinema and Arts Café in Amherst, New York. Film categories include short and feature-length documentary, experimental, and narrative films, with domestic, local, and international divisions.

“We were surprised by the consistent high quality of the submissions,” says Tamar, who has produced three feature films in Western New York, most recently the action film Guns of Eden. “We only had a few months to get everything together because we want to screen during Women’s History Month. Halfway through our submissions period we had to expand from four days to five to include as many of the films we loved as possible. Rejecting films that you like is the hardest part of this process.”

Among the 63 films selected are 10 created by local artists. While the festival programmers will judge several of the film categories themselves, they enlisted indie film icon Debbie Rochon, who directed the horror-thriller Model Hunger in Buffalo and has acted in almost 300 films, to judge the local films. Julianne Donofrio, New York City based director of the award-winning documentary Pieced Together, will judge U.S. documentary shorts.

Kaelin Lamberson, 16, grew up on the sets of films directed by her father, Gregory Lamberson, and appeared in the Fred Olen Ray TV movies A Mother’s Revenge and A Christmas in Vermont before receiving accolades for her performance opposite Craig Sheffer in Widow’s Point. She has no interest in pursuing a career in film.

“I’m doing this because we want to uplift women,” the teenager says.

On the same day the mother and daughter programmers notified filmmakers of their acceptance, five out-of-town directors immediately announced their intention to attend VIFF.

 “We want this to be an event where women can come together, screen their work for each other and an audience, and support each other,” Tamar says. “We’ve traveled to film festivals and know female directors are often under-represented.”

The full list of selected films is available on the VIFF website, and a schedule should be announced in one week’s time. The five-day Pegasus Pass will go on sale for $50 at the Screening Room box office.

VIFF website: https://www.valkyriefilmfest.com/

VIIFF on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valkyriefilmfest

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VALKYRIE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL TO DEBUT IN BUFFALO IN 2023

CONTACT: valkyrieinternationalfilmfest@gmail.com

New film festival in Buffalo will spotlight female directors.

Buffalo, New York – A new film festival will debut in Western New York during Women’s History Month: The Valkyrie International Film Festival, spotlighting the work of female directors, will run March 23rd – 26th, 2023 at The Screening Room Cinema & Arts Café in Amherst, New York. Tamar Lamberson and Kaelin Lamberson founded the event and serve as festival directors. The mother and daughter duo are currently seeking sponsors; details can be found at www.valkyriefilmfest.com.

VIFF will screen narrative, experimental, and documentary shorts and features from around the world, in all genres. The director of each film considered for screening must be female. The mission of the annual event is to celebrate films directed by women and to advance the cause of women in film. Although the festival will present “Superior Achievement” awards, the Lambersons do not view their event as a competition.

“We want to create a unique event where women support each other’s work,” says Tamar. “We hope to bring together female directors for lively Q&As and discussions, and want every woman who attends to feel like she’s found a home. Showing only films directed by women sets us apart from other festivals in Western New York.”

Tamar has produced three feature films: Johnny Gruesome, Widow’s Point and Guns of Eden. Kaelin, 16, grew up on film sets and has acted in five features, including the TV movies A Mother’s Revenge and Christmas in Vermont. VIFF is now open for submissions exclusively on FilmFreeway.

VIFF website:  www.valkyriefilmfest.com

VIFF Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085660410886

VIFF on FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/ValkyrieInternationalFilmFestival