2025 Blackbird Film Festival • April 25th - 27th

top of page

THE BIRD RETURNS

APRIL 25-27

IN CORTLAND NY

2025 Festival BackgroundSM.png

BLKBRD 25 Feather V2.png

VIEW FILM GUIDE

THE BIRD RETURNS

The 11th annual Blackbird Film Festival returns to Cortland, New York from Friday, April 25th to Sunday, April 27th with a weekend full of films, workshops, parties, and more! Featuring 60 films programmed across 8 thematic screening blocks, there's something for everyone! As always, Blackbird film screenings and events are FREE and OPEN to the public.

Schedule 2025.png

FRIDAY

April 25th, 2025

Popcorn

EVENT

EARLYBIRD CHECKIN

2:30PM - 3:00PM

Grab your FREE popcorn and settle in for a full weekend of films, festivities, and fun with a welcome from festival staff!

FILMS

FRIDAY NIGHT FEELS

6:00PM - 8:00PM

Time to sit back, relax and enjoy a wonderful evening of films that will make you feel all the feels on this Friday night!

FILMS

RISING STARS

3:00PM - 5:00PM

A creative mix of films made by students and young filmmakers who are destined for greatness!

EVENT

KICKOFF PARTY

8:30PM - 11:00PM

Join Blackbird at BRU64 for our 2025 KickOff Party and get pumped for a weekend full of new experiences!

EVENT

WELCOME RECEPTION

5:00PM - 6:00PM

Join Blackbird and the Cortland Media Production students for a appetizers and cash bar as we celebrate 2025!

SATURDAY

April 26th, 2025

VIP ONLY

MENTORSHIP MORNING

9:00AM - 10:00AM

Enjoy a breakfast buffet while getting to know fellow filmmakers and students in this casual mentorship session.

Friends Cheering in Pub

TRIVIA

FILM TRIVIA

1:30PM - 3:00PM

Test your movie knowledge at The Hollywood Restaurant with some Film Trivia - full lunch menu available for purchase.

VIP ONLY

BLACKBIRD PAINT + SIP

8:00PM - 9:30PM

Get colorful with Blackbird during our annual "Paint + Sip" challenge and see what you can create while enjoying food + drink!

Image by Hans Moerman

WORKSHOP

INCLUSIVE FILMMAKING

10:00AM - 11:00AM

Filmmaker and Disability Activist Carl Hansen discusses the many ways to make our films more accessible.

o&0.jpg

FILMS

WORLDS COLLIDE

3:30PM - 5:00PM

Happenstance, Chance, and Fate play a role in this collection of shorts in which our characters find themselves crashing into each other!

FILMS

UNDER YOUR SKIN

9:30PM - 11:00PM

Blood, Bugs, and a Mime... This collection of dark and twisted films will surely make squirm in your seat!

FILMS

TECH SUPPORT

11:30AM - 1:00PM

New Technology and AI systems cause some issues in this science fiction block of shorts!

FILMS

BODY, CHOICE, VOICE

5:30PM - 7:30PM

This powerful block of films confronts issues of body autonomy and a woman's right to choose.

SUNDAY

April 27th, 2025

Continental Breakfast

VIP ONLY

BREAKFAST BREAKOUT

9:00AM - 10:00AM

Filmmakers and VIP guests are invited to a buffet style breakfast along with some ice-breaking activities.

Fajita

VIP ONLY

TACO TABLEREADS

1:30PM - 3:00PM

Join Blackbird and the FilmQuill for a Screenplay Tableread session with local actors and tacos!

BLKBRD 24 GROUP_edited.jpg

EVENT

AWARD CEREMONY

7:00PM - 8:30PM

Join Blackbird for a Red Carpet Reception followed by the 2025 Award Ceremony announcing festival winners!

WORKSHOP

CREATIVE CONNECTING

10:00AM - 11:0AM

An interactive workshop geared toward exploring the relationship between creativity, connection, and healing.

Two Breaths.jpg

FILMS

THE END IS NEAR

3:30PM - 5:00PM

The apocalypse has arrived in this mix of films spanning drama, comedy, and science fiction as characters confront the end of the world!

FILMS

INHERITED SCARS

12:00PM - 1:30PM

A collection of films focused on the generational pain we carry and attempt to overcome.

FILMS

LOVE THYSELF

5:30PM - 7:00PM

This lovely selection of films reminds us to accept who we are and love that person inside!

THANK YOU!

To our AMAZING Event Sponsors for helping us bring the 2025 Blackbird Film Festival to life and for believing in the arts!

CNY Arts - Sponsor of the Blackbird Film Festival

bottom of page