From March 18th to the 22nd, New England cinephiles will flock to Harvard Square and Brookline for the 26th edition of The Boston Underground Film Festival (BUFF). Taking place at the historic Brattle Theatre and Coolidge Corner Theatre, BUFF will present a program of more than 20 screenings of bold new feature films and standout shorts, including two dedicated blocks highlighting local filmmakers.
Opening night will feature director Ben Wheatley’s newest genre standout, Normal, an action‑packed and often darkly funny love letter to shoot‑’em‑up cinema starring Bob Odenkirk, who fans might recognize from Better Call Saul and Nobody. Odenkirk is scheduled to join the audience for a live post-screening Q&A! Also screening is TIFF Midnight Madness sensation Obsession as a centerpiece selection. Relic director Natalie Erika James’ Sundance thriller SACCHARINE will serve as one of the festival’s two closing‑night selections.
The repertory centerpiece is a 40th‑anniversary screening of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986), presented by Rucking Fotten and featuring an in‑person appearance by its star, horror icon Bill Moseley, for a post‑screening Q&A and meet‑and‑greet.
This year marks a significant transition for BUFF with the departure of Artistic Director Kevin Monahan and Director of Programing Nicole McControversy, who for nearly two decades championed the festival’s offbeat spirit and helped elevate it into one of the top 50 genre film festivals in the world. Former BUFF technical directors Adam Van Voorhis and Phil Healy have stepped into the role of co‑festival directors and they have brought on Coolidge Corner Theatre artistic director Mark Anatasio as BUFF’s new artistic director. Together with the support of a dedicated team of volunteers, they will continue BUFF’s legacy as a filmmaker‑focused festival, sharing a wide range of films with an audience of passionate cinephiles and championing diverse voices from around the globe.
“In an age where we're constantly getting further disconnected from each other, festivals like ours, and the venues we're screening in, are so important for keeping our community alive. I’m very excited to be a part of its next chapter!” Mark Anastasio, BUFF Artistic Director.
“It is our great honor and uttermost joy to ensure that the underground spirit of BUFF will continue to give the darkest visions of filmmakers, from all aspects of life and absurdity, a place for their voices to be heard and celebrated by the Boston Underground faithful.” Phil Healy & Adam Van Voorhis, BUFF Co-Festival Directors
From horror, fantasy, sci-fi, and idiosyncratic indies of all stripes, BUFF brings fans, filmmakers and our vibrant New England community together for a blissful five-day cinematic celebration.
Additional festival information can be found at bostonunderground.org where the full line-up will be announced in the coming weeks.
Festival badges go on sale tomorrow at 12:00pm, Wednesday, February 18 at brattlefilm.org.
