Buffalo State TFA takes the screen at upcoming Buffalo International Film Festival
Buffalo State’s television and film arts (TFA) program produces work that goes much further than classroom walls. This year, six films by current students, alumni, and faculty will be featured in the annual Buffalo International Film Festival, which runs from October 8 to 15.
Established in 2006, the Buffalo International Film Festival is a nonprofit organization that champions and presents regional, national, and international films that push the limits of independent cinema. BIFF states that it is “committed to amplifying diverse voices and exhibiting cutting-edge programming in narrative, nonfiction and experimental film.”
To be included in this festival is an honor, said Jeffrey Hirschberg, TFA professor and program director.
“Time and again, TFA students prove themselves to be exceptional storytellers, and this year’s showing at the Buffalo International Film Festival is further proof,” he said. “These films reflect not only our students’ talent, but also their discipline, collaboration, and willingness to tell stories that matter. Having their work recognized by such a distinguished festival, right here in our own hometown, is a tremendous honor for them and for our program. Our faculty couldn't be prouder.”
“We are ecstatic that our students are taking the Buffalo International Film Festival by storm and grateful that this festival is granting them the opportunity to share their insightful, authentic voices with our community,” added Megan Weaver, TFA assistant professor. “Our students worked tirelessly on these stories, reaching above and beyond to add production elements and detail to every frame with intention and purpose. We are elated about their successes, deeply appreciative of the encouragement BIFF provides our students, and eager to work alongside them in building and strengthening our film community here in Buffalo for years to come.”
Here is a rundown of the six Buffalo State- affiliated films featured in this year’s festival, including where and when you can catch them!
SAVE THE QUEEN (feature film)
6:45-8:30 p.m. on Friday, October 9; Hallwalls Contemporary Art Center
Logline: A raw, honest portrait of Memphis-based drag queen, Bella DuBalle’s fall from the spotlight and her fight for identity, artistry, and survival.
Key Players:
- Director: Simon O’Keefe, ’15
- Producers: Marcie Mule, ’81, TFA lecturer and Nora Hurley, ’14
What the director had to say:
“As a cis-gendered straight person, one hears and sees a lot of broad, generalized headlines concerning queer and trans stories. The initial intention of this doc was to cover some juicy drama surrounding a drag queen in the American South, but it became a much deeper journey into a family. There's a whole spectrum of people who deserve to be seen, heard, and simply wish to revel in their joy of existence. Hopefully by experiencing Bella DuBalle's journey of resilience, at least one person who's on the fence will realize there's no such thing as ‘us’ and ‘them.’ It's a lot of fun to have SAVE THE QUEEN premiere in the city I went to film school in. It's also how I met Marcie. It'll be my first time back in Buffalo in a decade, so it's very exciting to be welcomed back with a celebration of cinema!” -Simon O’Keefe, director
What the producer had to say:
“We were inspired by a fashion photographer to do a documentary about drag’s influence on fashion and pop culture. As we were developing the film I stumbled upon Bella DuBalle and her story in Memphis. We redirected our film to chronicle what she was going through as the anti-drag movement ravaged the drag scene in Tennessee. We hope people will be inspired and encouraged to live in their truth and to stand up to the current wave of adversity targeted at the LGBTQ+ community, in particular trans youth. As a Buffalonian, born and raised, and a graduate and alum of Buffalo State, I am thrilled to have this film chosen by BIFF. It’s truly a homecoming for me to present this film along with two of my former students who have grown into true artists and professionals. I am so proud of our collaboration.” -Marcie Mulé, producer
ME, STEVE, & THE MONSTER UNDER MY BED (short film)
1:00-3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 10; North Park Theatre (Part of BIFF SHORTS: STUDENTS SATURDAY SHOWCASE)
Logline: A young woman and her boyfriend are trying to have sex, but the monster under her bed keeps cockblocking them.
Key players:
- Writer/Director/Executive Producer: Sam Tocke, senior TFA and public relations and advertising dual major
- Cinematographer/Producer: Abigail Wisz, senior TFA and photography dual major
- Editor: Kieran Cyganovich, junior TFA and media production dual major
- Actors: Anne Marie Gerace, senior theater major; Manny Mejia, ’26; and Alvaro Rodriquz, senior theater major
What the writer/director/executive producer had to say:
“Growing up, we as kids were always scared there was something in the dark or under the bed in this case, so how funny would it be if that fear materialized and followed someone into adulthood? Of course, I want people to laugh, but on a more serious note, every good comedy should have a theme that drives the comedy. The theme for ‘Me, Steve, & The Monster Under My Bed’ is to not allow others to pressure you into something you don’t want to do. You are in control of your own life, and you shouldn’t let a man or a monster tell you how to live it. Take control. I’m very insecure about my work, so to take the chance and submit to BIFF and get in it means a lot to me. I’m very proud of my cast and crew and what we accomplished.” -Sam Tocke
986 (short film)
1:00-3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 10; North Park Theatre (Part of BIFF SHORTS: STUDENTS SATURDAY SHOWCASE)
Logline: A young lesbian in search of emotional guidance rings a sex hotline, believing it to be a mental health/crisis hotline.
Key players:
- Director: Abigail Wisz, senior TFA and photography dual major
- Writer: Sam Tocke, senior TFA and public relations and advertising dual major
- Cinematographer: Matthew Green, ’26
- Producers: Abigail Wisz and Sam Tocke
- Actors: Anna Logan, ’24 and Collin Welch, ’26
What the director had to say:
“It is so exciting and surreal to have 986 featured in BIFF. I am grateful to have the opportunity to share something I am so proud of with new audiences and to be featured alongside so many other great filmmakers. It is rewarding to see something I worked so hard on have a life beyond my usual audience and to connect with new people.” -Abigail Wisz, director
SPARES (television pilot)
2:15-4:15 p.m. on Sunday, October 11; Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center (part of BIFF SHORTS: IN THE CLUB)
Each fall, seniors enrolled in TFA 450 are tasked with writing, producing, directing, and marketing an original half-hour television pilot. Spares was last year’s pilot and premiered in the Warren Enters Theatre on December 6, 2025.
Logline: In this y2k coming-of-age story, a closeted teen finds love and sisterhood in an underground, all-girls bowling after being sent to a conservative town to suppress her rebellious nature.
Key players:
- Director: Collin Welch, ’26
- Writers: Marissa Wenzel, ’26; Elisha Martin, ’26;and Melody Mendoza, senior TFA major
- Creator and Executive Producer: Ashley Matter, ’26
- Director of Photography: Matthew Green, ’26
- Head Editor: Rhea Rosenberg, ’26
- Camera Team: Hopeton Scott, ’26
- Art Team: Julia Eason, ’26
- Marketing: Nathan Koss, ’26
(Plus dozens of Buffalo State underclassmen who helped throughout the weeklong shoot!)
What the director had to say:
“It has been a dream of mine to have a project I directed be featured at BIFF and I am so excited to take part in the festivities not just as a fan, but as a director.” -Collin Welch
IZZARD (short film)
9:00-11:00 p.m. on Monday, October 12; Hallwalls Contemporary Art Center (part of BIFF SHORTS: STUDENTS MONDAY SHOWCASE)
Logline: In the middle of the night, an adult child must go on a terrifying adventure to get their mom a pillow.
Key players:
- Director/Writer/Editor: Kevin Thompson, senior TFA/writing dual major
- Producer: Will Glodzik, senior TFA major
- Gaffer: Connor Greczyn, ’24
- Hair and Makeup: Anna Logan, ’24
- Wardrobe/Production Design: Summer Faye Harris, ’24
- First Assistant Director: Collin Welch, ’26
- Actor: Syed Chowdhury, ’26
What the director/writer/editor had to say:
“Izzard was inspired by a dream I had about finding myself in a waterbed store in the middle of the night. I wanted the whole film to have a very dreamlike, surreal atmosphere. After watching Izzard, I hope people ponder their relationships with authoritative figures in our life, and how culture molds us into who we are, in sometimes horrifying ways. I wanted the film to be a psychological horror that leaves us in a limbo of confusion and fear. The film is a sort of coming-of-age story that presents growing up in a scarier way.
“I'm honored to have Izzard included in BIFF. I've volunteered at BIFF for the past two years and always thought about how amazing it would be to be featured in their selection. To have been chosen is hugely inspiring and encourages me to continue creating better movies for the future. Buffalo is such a small but strong community, and to be included among its talented crew is a great feeling.” -Kevin Thompson
P A R R O T (short film)
9:00-11:00 p.m. on Monday, October 12; Hallwalls Contemporary Art Center (part of BIFF SHORTS: STUDENTS MONDAY SHOWCASE)
Logline: Three half-sisters get together for the evening to mourn their father, but tensions raise when unspoken judgements rise to the surface.
Key players:
- Writer/Director: Shane Matthew Collins, senior TFA major
- Producer/Production Designer: AnneMarie Jordan, senior TFA major
What the writer/director had to say:
“I wanted to show an authentic relationship between siblings who don’t necessarily get along because of their differences in personalities, but in the end have to come together because they will always have each other no matter what.” -Shane Matthew Collins
To learn more about Buffalo State’s Television and Film Arts program, please visit the website.
986 photo by Joey Missall; all other images/posters supplied by filmmakers.
Top image: Filming of Spares in fall 2025.
