As a program of the Buddhist Film Foundation, Inc., the International Buddhist Film Festival (IBFF) is the world’s leading presenter of Buddhist-themed and Buddhist-inspired cinema. IBFF presents and promotes films of all kinds: features, documentaries, animation, experimental work, children’s films and television programs. IBFF is a unique resource serving audiences, educators and filmmakers in partnership with presenting institutions around the world.
EVENTS
IBFF Official Selection Series 2024–2025
Lion’s Roar|BuddhaFest 2023 Online
IBFF 2023 Official Selection Spotlight Series
Tricycle|BuddhaFest 2022 Online
IBFF 2021
OIBFF 2021
IBFF 2020
Tricycle|BuddhaFest 2021 Online
Tricycle|BuddhaFest 2020 Online
BuddhaFest LA 2019
Class of ’99
Tribute to Bruce Joel Rubin
IBFF 2018 SHOWCASE
Screening the Buddha 2018
IBFF 2017 BAY AREA
IBFF 2017 LOS ANGELES
Lion’s Roar & BuddhaFest 2016 Online
Poetry in Motion 2016
IBFF 2015 BAY AREA
Tricycle|BuddhaFest 2015 Online
Benefit for Nepal 2015
BuddhaFest 2014
IBFF 2013 VANCOUVER
IBFF 2013 SHOWCASE
BuddhaFest 2012
IBFF 2012 BANGKOK
IBFF 2012 HONG KONG
IBFF 2012 LONDON
BuddhaFest 2011
IBFF SHOWCASE 2010
BuddhaFest DC 2010
IBFF 2010 – Tibetan Buddhism on Film
IBFF 2009 LONDON
IBFF 2008 MEXICO
IBFF 2008 – Projecting Buddha
IBFF 2007 SINGAPORE
IBFF-EU 2006 AMSTERDAM
IBFF 2005 BAY AREA
IBFF 2004 – The Laughing Buddha
IBFF 2003 LOS ANGELES
PROGRAMMING
IBFF offers cinema as a vehicle for wider appreciation and better understanding of Buddhism by general audiences, particularly for the remarkable ethnic and cultural diversity evident among Buddhists worldwide today. Works to be exhibited are chosen through a combination of program committee invitations, as well as through an international open Call For Entries solicitation. Films include English language or subtitled works from all over the world, and embrace a very broad and fluid definition of “buddhist.” Over twenty nations have been represented by films in IBFF events. IBFF offers programming services to institutional exhibitors around the world.
PRESENTING PARTNERS
IBFF is presented in different cities around the world. Presenting partners have included Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Smithsonian Institution (DC), Barbican Centre (London), Samaya Foundation (Mexico City), Buddhist Film Festival Europe (Holland), UC Berkeley (CA), Vancouver International Film Centre, Asia Buddhist Film Festival Pvt. Ltd. (Singapore), Asia Society Hong Kong, and Buddhadasa Indapanno Archives (Bangkok).
IBFF also co-presents programs with other film festivals including Seattle International (WA), San Francisco International, CAAMFest (SF), Asian American (NY), Human Rights Watch (NY/SF/London), I See Films (Milan), Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles, San Francisco Latino, Insight Festival (Delhi, India), and others, as well as with presenting institutions including Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (SF), Rubin Museum (NY), Fowler Museum (LA), California Film Institute (San Rafael), Smithsonian Institution (DC), and others.
