Over 140 Independent Films in Hybrid Format Kicks Off December 2
Aside from the strongest line up of films to date, this year also stands out as a fully hybrid event which gives the audience the option of watching every film either in-person at the theater or online with a simultaneous livestream. Both the online and in-person audiences will also get to see the filmmaker talkbacks and Q&A’s that accompany each screening.
“Over the past two years that we’ve offered online viewing, we’ve developed a following of fans who enjoy the films online,” said Dave Steck, YoFi’s Executive Director and co-founder, “By making the decision to present this year’s festival as a fully hybrid experience, every film will get a theatrical screening and simultaneously be available online for remote viewing, so everyone can choose whichever way works best for them.”
“Being a hybrid festival also means that all the filmmakers can attend the Q&A for their film, which is rare at film festivals,” said Patty Schumann, the festival’s co-founder and programmer, “The filmmaker talkbacks are one of the best parts of the film festival and this year almost every one of our filmmakers plan to attend their film’s Q&A!”
This year, the festival kicks off on the evening of Friday, December 2nd, with its traditional “Taste of Yonkers” Red Carpet Reception that features offerings from local restaurants, including Dolphin Restaurant, La Bella Havana, Yonkers Brewing Company and Nahmias Et Fils Distillery. It’s followed by a specially curated opening night short film program and finishes with an after-party at Zuppa Restaurant and Lounge.
Saturday and Sunday, December 3rd and 4th, offer all-day programming, including screenings, workshops and networking events. Both days wrap up with parties where filmmakers and film fans can connect and converse.
On Monday, December 5th, YoFi is presenting an international film program entitled “Around The Globe”, followed by the “Independent to the Core” program, which showcases several short films about independent publishing, and includes a reception.
On Tuesday, December 6th, the festival is partnering with Yonkers Pride to present Queer Screen, an evening of LGBTQ+ films, accompanied by a reception.
Wednesday, December 7th, is “Ladies Night”, featuring films that tell stories of women’s empowerment, accompanied by a reception.
Thursday, December 8th, starts with the free family program “Kid Screen”, followed by the “¡Viva la Cuba!” evening that includes a film about Cuba and a reception with Cuban-inspired music and refreshments.
Friday, December 9th, is “Friday Fright Night”, with a program of horror and thriller films, accompanied by a reception.
The second weekend of the festival, on December 10th and 11th, offers even more screenings, workshops and parties. This year’s festival received a record number of films with connections to the area, so the weekend includes numerous “Locally Sourced” showcase, which feature movies that have either been made by filmmakers from the area or were shot here. Towns represented in the program include Brewster, Bronxville, Croton on Hudson, Eastchester, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, Nyack, Ossining, Peekskill, Pelham, Pleasantville, Purchase, Scarsdale, Tarrytown, White Plains and, of course, Yonkers. Both days end with parties, with Sunday evening being the closing night Awards Ceremony at Yonkers Brewing Company.
“We’re really proud to be presenting such a diverse program this year,” said Schumann, “There are definitely more new voices and stories than when we started ten years ago.” Steck added “And thanks to ArtsWestchester and the Yonkers Office of Development, we’ll be able to offer many more programs free of charge, both during the festival and throughout the year at the YoFi Digital Media Art Center, including our Community Screening Series in the Spring.”
In addition to the screenings, this year once again offers a series of entertainment industry-related educational workshops on the weekends. “These workshops are a great entry to our new TEAM (Training for Employment for Arts and Media) program that we’re launching in the Spring,” said Steck, “So we’ll be opening the application process during the festival.”
YoFi Fest provides an amazing opportunity for audiences to watch films that they might not see anywhere else. FilmFreeway named YoFi Fest one of the “Top 100 Best Reviewed Festivals” nine times. It’s also been named “Best of Westchester” twice by Westchester Magazine, and it was named as one of the top ten reasons Yonkers was voted the “Hippest Town in the Lower Hudson Valley” by The Journal News/LoHud.
Information and tickets are available at YoFiFest.com.
