12th annual Greenpoint Film Festival showcases 48 independent films
Organizers say the event returned to indoor screenings for the first time in two years, giving the filmmakers the chance to get the full green carpet experience.
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The Greenpoint Film Festival included 48 independent films during its 12th annual event on Sunday night.
All the films were screened at the Boiler Elm Foundation on 14th Street in Greenpoint.
Organizers and creators said the event gave them a chance to tell a story that will impact their Brooklyn neighborhoods.
"I came from a very conservative faith space and went into a no faith space," said Charles Reynoso, the director behind the film "Faith in Blackness." He said the goal of his film was to showcase how faith impacts the Black Afro Latino community.
"Part of me making the film was reclaiming the beauty that faith has without necessarily having to accept this structure of faith, to be like, 'Yo, this is a beautiful thing and let me see if it steals people's souls' versus enhances who they are," Reynoso explained.
For over a decade, the festival celebrates independent films and filmmakers. This year was the first time in two years that the festival held indoor screenings. Organizers said there is nothing like being in a room full of changemakers who deserve to be celebrated.
"There should be primary care for the films to be done with the upmost attention and that's where we come in to try and make that happen," said Ricardo Vilar, the festival's creative director.
The Greenpoint Film Festival was created back in 2011 to showcase upcoming filmmakers in local communities. The event gives them an opportunity to tell stories that audiences do not see on the big screens.
More than 200 people submitted their films this year but only 48 were accepted -- an accomplishment some said is the biggest reward.
"It's really wonderful to be around people who share the same similar passion and goal to be able to watch their work and share my work as well," said Brittany Reeon Lee, director of the film "Forgive."
