The Yonkers Film Festival, affectionately known as YoFi Fest, is back with a bang for its eleventh year. What began as a modest non-profit initiative to elevate arts in the community has blossomed into a showcase of the finest independent films from across the globe. This year, it promises to be bigger than ever, featuring a diverse selection of around 125 films from 24 countries, including homegrown talents.
From November 10th through November 19th, YoFi Fest will transform Yonkers into a cinematic wonderland. The festival contains a rich array of features, documentaries, shorts, animation, music videos, web series, and student works. Thankfully, the festival’s dedication to promoting independent cinema has not waned. This year maintains the firm commitment to providing educational and cultural opportunities that have been otherwise scarce in the region.
Yonkers in the spotlight
“When we started the film festival nine years ago, Yonkers wasn’t known as a film-friendly city,” remarked co-founder Dave Steck.
With an increasing number of movies and television shows shooting here […] it’s beginning to feel like people are realizing what we’ve known for a while – Yonkers is Hollywood on the Hudson!
One of the highlights of the festival is the post-screening Q&A sessions. Here, audience members get the chance to engage with filmmakers and gain deeper insights into the creative process. Patty Schumann, the festival’s co-founder and programmer, expressed excitement about this year’s filmmaker talkbacks, noting that nearly every filmmaker plans to attend.
YoFi Fest offers a unique opportunity for movie enthusiasts to watch films that may not be accessible elsewhere. The festival boasts accolades from FilmFreeway when named one of the “Top 100 Best Reviewed Festivals” on nine occasions. It has also been recognized by Westchester Magazine and The Journal News/LoHud.
All the screenings and workshops will take place in downtown Yonkers, conveniently located within a few blocks of each other. The venues include the Yonkers Riverfront Library theater and YoFi’s own year-round Digital Media Art Center.
Beyond the festival, YoFi Fest offers year-round programs, screenings, and events throughout the winter and spring. Notably, the organization has introduced its TEAM (Training for Employment in the Arts and Media) program. This program equips young adults with the skills needed to enter the entertainment industry. Through classroom instruction, location visits, mentorship, and job placement opportunities, the program wishes to expand and commence a new cohort next year.
For those looking to immerse themselves in the world of independent cinema and support the growth of Yonkers as a cinematic hub, information and tickets are available at YoFiFest.com. Don’t miss this spectacular showcase of cinematic talent on the banks of the Hudson!
