TRAILBLAZING BOSTON FILM FESTIVAL CELEBRATES 41ST YEAR WITH FOUR WORLD PREMIERES AND THE INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE OF OPENING NIGHT FEATURE “THE FALLOW FEW” FROM MASSACHUSETTS NATIVE JR RAPPAPORT
FESTIVAL INCLUDES A SPECIAL PRESENTATION FROM WARNER BROS. TELEVISION FOR BOSTON AREA COLLEGE STUDENTS
BOSTON – August 27, 2025 – The Boston Film Festival (BFF) will celebrate its 41st season September 18 – 22, featuring a dynamic and diverse program that spotlights some of today’s most groundbreaking filmmakers with a live program that includes four highly-anticipated World premieres.
Adding to the captivating lineup is the International premiere of Opening Night feature film, “The Fallow Few,” from Massachusetts native, director JR Rappaport. Rounding out the remarkable slate of features is the Closing Night screening of “Ambleside” making its World premiere. Documentaries making their World premiere include “Hidden: The Kati Preston Story,” “Remembering Big: Juan “Chi Chi” Rodriguez Story,” and “Heart of a Lion.”
Reflecting a wide range of current affairs and newsworthy topics, this year’s films shed light on unique people, crucial social issues and extraordinary stories that move, inform and inspire. Question-and-answer sessions with film creatives will follow all live premieres.
The Boston Film Festival will present Clare Staples, founder of Skydog Sanctuary and star of feature documentary “Blue Zeus”, with the Humanitarian Award for her dedication and tireless efforts to rescue wild mustangs and burros.
Attending the 41st Boston Film Festival are: Alina Mogollon-Volk (“Remembering Big: Juan “Chi Chi” Rodriguez Story”); Arielle Kebbel (“Site,” “Blue Zeus,” “John Tucker Must Die”); Bradley James (“The Fallow Few,” “Merlin”); Christopher Bonwell (“The Fallow Few”); Clare Staples (“Blue Zeus”); Daniel Matmor (“Hidden: The Kati Preston Story”); Dr. Bob Rubin (“The Last Dive”); Cody Sheehy (“The Last Dive,” “Make People Better”); Grace Kuhn (“Blue Zeus”); Jamie Baldanza (“Blue Zeus,” “Wild Lands, Wild Horses”); Jake Seal (“The Fallow Few”); Jason Eric Perlman (“Site”); Jody Glover (“Hidden: The Kati Preston Story”); Jeff Hogan (“Heart of a Lion”); Joe Pontecorvo (“Heart of a Lion,” “Kingdom of Elephants”); JR Rappaport (“The Fallow Few,” “Jaunt”); Julia Govinden (“Ambleside”); Kati Preston (“Hidden: The Kati Preston Story”); Luka Bazeli (“The Fallow Few”); Maria Govinden (“Ambleside”); Marisol Gonzalez (“Remembering Big: Juan “Chi Chi” Rodriguez Story”); Mark Elbroch (“Heart of a Lion”); Medhi Debhi (“Ambleside,” “A Most Wanted Man”); Miki Ishiwaka (“Site,” “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier”); Mitch Jenkins (“Ambleside,” “A Million Days”); Rocky Romano (“Blue Zeus,” “Gangsta Gardner”).
“As the Boston Film Festival marks 41 remarkable years, we extend our deepest gratitude to the filmmakers whose creativity and vision have made this a premier showcase for exceptional features, documentaries, shorts, and animation,” said Robin Dawson, Executive Director of the festival. “For more than four decades, the Boston Film Festival has not only entertained and enlightened, but also elevated vital voices and sparked conversations that matter. It has been a force in shaping Boston’s creative identity, firmly establishing our city as a vibrant artistic hub. We applaud the filmmakers, casts and crews, and thank our generous sponsors for making this celebration of the finest in cinema possible.”
Presenting sponsor for the 41st program is a free streaming service Kanopy. The ad-free platform joins the Boston Film Festival in inspiring students to discover, discuss, and celebrate the art of cinema. Special partnerships for the season’s Boston Film Festival Animation Program includes a first-time collaboration with FAN EXPO Boston that features a generous $500 prize to the Animation Shorts Program winner and invitation to screen their prize film at FAN EXPO Boston 2026, offering a unique platform to reach thousands of fans, creators, and industry professionals. Professional 2D animation bitmap technology-based software giant TVPaint will also award the winner with a special software package.
Warner Bros. Television, one of the entertainment industry’s most prolific producers of original programming, will host a special College Day with a panel of an upcoming WBTV series at Emerson College. In keeping with WBTV’s commitment to providing valuable educational opportunities for aspiring media professionals across the United States, the studio continues its partnership with the long-running film festival in an effort to support student filmmakers.
41st Boston Film Festival Live Program Lineup:
“The Fallow Few” (Opening Night, September 19 at 7:00 p.m. at Emerson Paramount) International Premiere. December, 1916. The Western Front. A war-weary soldier, assigned to guard British deserters awaiting execution, defies orders in a last-minute bid to save his latest prisoner’s life. Inspired by a true story. The film is produced by Kevin Marshall, JR Rappaport, and Jake Seal. Stars include Bradley James, Luke Brandon Field, Tony Robinson, Christopher Bonwell, Ashleigh Reynolds, Oliver Norman, Louis Davison, Fin Alpin, Maisie Asbury, and Paraic Bermingham. Q&A with Bradley James, Christopher Bonwell, Jake Seal, Luka Bazeli and JR Rappaport, moderated by NBC10 Boston anchor Monica Madeja, will follow. Ticket info available at Boston Film Festival.
“Gangsta Gardner” (September 20 at 1:30 p.m. at Boston Public Library) Short Film Premiere. Ron Finley’s journey as the “Gangsta Gardener” is captured in a powerful short film that goes beyond simply showcasing urban farming. The film is directed by Rocky Romano and Miranda Winters and stars Ron Finley. Q&A with Rocky Romano will follow. More information available at bostonfilmfestival.org.
“Hidden: The Kati Preston Story” (September 20 at 1:30 p.m. at Boston Public Library) World Premiere. “Hidden: The Kati Preston Story” is a powerful journey and firsthand account of a society’s slow and insidious descent into authoritarianism, dictatorship, and tyranny. Kati’s joyful childhood in Hungary came to an end in 1944. It is a story of antisemitism, of fascism, and of the communist dictatorship that followed, as told by an 85-year-old survivor remembering the world through the eyes of her five-year-old self. The film is directed by Daniel Matmor and produced by Jody Glover. Q&A with Daniel Matmor, Jody Glover, Tom White and Kati Preston will follow. More information available at bostonfilmfestival.org.
“Blue Zeus” (Centerpiece Film, September 20 at 5:30 p.m. at Emerson Paramount) New England Premiere. Featuring the heartfelt story of the rescue of a wild mustang, “Blue Zeus” shines light on the plight of America’s wild horses, exposing a flawed and corrupt government system rampant with animal abuse and paralyzing bureaucracy. Wild horse advocate Clare Staples attempts to rescue Blue Zeus after the US government captures him and his family. After 9 months, Clare is finally able to rescue him, but then she must beat all odds to find his family, who are lost in an overcrowded system. With unparalleled access to government employees, their helicopter contractors, and a whistle-blower, the film delivers jaw-dropping journalism through an emotional and visually stunning story. The film is directed by Rocky Romano and Miranda Winters. Executive producers Daryl Hannah, Matthew Rhys, Michael Hollister, Robert Martin, Janet Russell. Producers are Chris Alstrin, Jamie Baldanza, Miranda Winters, Rocky Romano, Clare Staples, Analis Martin, and Nicholas McCarthy. Stars include Clare Staples, Gerard Butler and Arielle Kebbel. Q&A with Arielle Kebbel, Clare Staples, Grace Kuhn, Jamie Baldanza, Rocky Romano and Ross McPhee will follow. Ticket info available at Boston Film Festival.
“Heart of a Lion” (September 20 at 8:30 p.m. at Emerson Paramount) World Premiere. Feature length documentary that follows biologist Mark Elbroch on a sweeping journey from the rugged wilderness of Jackson, Wyoming, to the misty forests of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. At the center of the story are two mountain lion families, F61 and Yoko, whose lives Elbroch has tracked for years. As his connection with these elusive cats deepens, the film reveals an intimate and rarely seen portrait of one of North America’s most misunderstood predators. “Heart of a Lion” explores not only the ecological role of mountain lions but also the emotional intelligence and resilience that define their lives in the wild. The film is directed by Joe Pontecorvo and produced by Jeff Hogan. It stars Joe Pontecorvo, Jeff Hogan and Mark Elbroch. A Q&A with Jeff Hogan, Joe Pontecorvo, and Mark Elbroch will follow. Ticket info available at Boston Film Festival.
“Site” (Special Screening, September 21 at 4:30 p.m. at Emerson Paramount) After a chilling encounter at an abandoned government test site, a small-town family man is plagued by haunting visions of a past that could unravel his present. The film is written and directed by Jason Eric Perlman. It stars Jake McLaughlin, Theo Rossi, Arielle Kebbel, Miki Ishikawa, Yoson An, Danni Wang, Carson Minniear. Q&A with Arielle Kebbel, Jason Eric Perlman and Miki Ishiwaka will follow. Ticket info available at Boston Film Festival.
“Remembering Big: Juan “Chi Chi” Rodriguez Story” (September 21 at 8:15 p.m. Emerson Paramount) World Premiere. From water boy to Hall of Fame golfer to philanthropist, Juan “Chi Chi” Rodriguez rose to the top of the sports world with his one-of-a-kind style and wit, defying those who thought a poor kid from Puerto Rico had no place in the elitist game of golf. The film is directed and produced by Marisol Gonzalez and Alina Mogollon-Volk. It stars Juan “Chi Chi” Rodriguez. Q&A with Alina Mogollon-Volk and Marisol Gonzalez will follow. Ticket info available at Boston Film Festival.
“The Last Dive” (Special Screening, September 22 at 5:15 p.m. at Shalin Liu Performance Center, Rockport) Boston Premiere. Willy is a 22-foot-wide Giant Pacific Manta Ray, and Terry is an 80-year-old diver with a troubled past. For more than 19 years, Willy would slap a huge wing against the hull of Terry’s sailboat, and Terry would gear up in SCUBA and climb onto Willy’s back. Together they would explore Willy’s underwater world. It was a transformative experience for Terry. “I don’t know if I was seeking redemption,” Terry reflects, “but Willy looked into my eyes and decided he wanted me as a friend.” Now, nearing the end of his life, Terry embarks on one final expedition—to a remote island—in search of his old companion, hoping to say goodbye. In the spirit of “Grizzly Man” and “My Octopus Teacher,” “The Last Dive” explores the profound intelligence of manta rays and how they may be communicating with us in ways we are only just beginning to understand. The film is directed by Cody Sheehy. Producers are Randy Gebhardt and Christopher Gebhardt. It is written by Mark Monroe. Starring Terrance Kennedy. Q&A with Cody Sheehy and renowned manta ray expert Dr. Bob Rubin will follow. Ticket info available at Shalin Liu Performance Center.
“Ambleside” (Closing Night Film, September 22, 7:15 p.m. at Shalin Liu Performance Center, Rockport) World Premiere. A coming of age love story set in 1925, follows 17 year old recently orphaned Lucy Gladwell, who is sent from England to live under the guardianship of her uncle George. Lucy defies George’s plans to marry her off to a rich plantation owner for his financial gain, when she falls deeply in love with local labourer, Krishna. A forbidden love story across social divides unravels on the enchanting island of Mauritius. Their true love is worth risking everything, but with an impossible choice to make and their time is running out. Inspired by a true story. The film is directed by Mitch Jenkins and produced by Paula Crickard, Maria Jesus Govinden and Alan Govinden. Stars include Ellie Bamber, Medhi Dehbi, JJ Feild, Rupert Perry Jones, Rhona Mitra, and Amy Beth Hayes. Q&A with Julia Govinden, Maria Govinden, Medhi Dehbi, and Mitch Jenkins will follow. Ticket info available Shalin Liu Performance Center.
The special live animated shorts program will be shown on Saturday, September 20 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at Mass College of Arts.
The live shorts program will be featured on Sunday, September 21 from 1:30 – 4:00 p.m. at Mass College of Arts. Selected from more than 500 submissions, the cinema program celebrates new and established filmmakers from a variety of genres.
The Boston Film Festival will also present a robust virtual program of feature, documentary, animated and short films, extending the number of films offered and providing film enthusiasts the opportunity to view from the comfort of their homes. Presented on Eventive.
Sponsors of the 41st Boston Film Festival include: Kanopy, Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport, Boston Harbor Studios, Meet Boston, FAN EXPO Boston, TVPaint, Sip Wine Bar and Kitchen, Dream Alley, OUTFRONT, Emerson College, Boston Public Library, and Shalin Liu Performance Center.
For the full festival schedule, virtual program, tickets and information on BFF parties and Q&A sessions visit bostonfilmfestival.org. For Facebook: Boston Film Festival; Instagram: @Bostonfilmfestival; Twitter: @Bostonfilmfest; YouTube: Boston Film Festival.
ABOUT THE BOSTON FILM FESTIVAL:
The Boston Film Festival is one of America’s longest-running and industry-recognized events for film. Celebrating its 41st program in September 2025, the festival showcases cutting edge indie films, top documentaries, shorts, animated, fall release studio films, sports films and more. Launched in Boston, Massachusetts in 1984, the renowned festival has premiered notable films including Greenbook, Don’t Worry Darling, Jo Jo Rabbit, Wild, The Last Kiss, North Country, It’s Kind of a Funny Story, Catching Hell, Earth Days, Common Ground, Requiem for a Dream, and more. The festival has also hosted and honored iconic talent including Sam Rockwell,George Clooney, Aaron Eckhart, Melissa Leo, Bob Yari, Alex Gibney, Andy Garcia, Leslie Bibb, Greg Kinnear, Shane Black, Suzanne Todd, Uma Thurman, Sir Ridley Scott, Sam Mendes, Tony Goldwyn, Chris Evans, Al Pacino, Vanessa Redgrave, Annette Bening, Ellen Burstyn, Jeff Bridges, Steve Martin, and many others.
