There’s nothing quite like curling up in a theater under a giant silver screen for a shared experience. The laughs are louder, the scares are bigger, and you're definitely not the only one crying. If you love a good movie or just need an excuse to gobble buckets of buttery popcorn, the Blackbird Film + Arts Festival is exactly where you need to be!
The Blackbird Film + Arts Festival is your front-row ticket to cinematic magic, and it’s all happening right here in Cortland! This year's event will feature amazing independent short films from around the world, as well as movie trivia, meditation mornings, a red carpet event, free film screenings, and more, from April 25th to 27th at SUNY Cortland and throughout downtown Cortland.
WHAT IS BLACKBIRD FILM + ARTS FESTIVAL?
Founded in 2015, Blackbird isn’t just a festival—it’s a celebration of the independent film world. Whether you're a seasoned filmmaker or just starting out, Blackbird is all about creating an inclusive atmosphere where creatives can connect, learn, and maybe even spark some new collaborations. It's a weekend where stories from across the globe take center stage, and the magic of filmmaking is on full display.
WHERE IS THE EVENT?
Screenings will be held at SUNY Cortland’s historic Brown Auditorium Theater on 22 Graham Avenue (in the Old Main Building). This 500-seat theater, fully renovated in 2018, is the perfect spot to experience the festival’s magic. With a 25-foot screen and surround sound, you’ll feel every laugh, every tear, and every jaw-dropping twist up close and personal.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
It's FREE! You heard that right—FREE movie screenings! No ticket? No problem! Parking on campus is free, too, throughout the weekend. (Though, let’s be honest, we all know it’s really about those films and the popcorn.) Some activities may have a fee, but the heart of the festival? Totally free and open to the public!
FILMS & MAKERS
Get ready to dive into 60 independent films from around the world, carefully curated into 8 unique screening blocks. Each block is a collection of 6-8 short films, ranging from 1 to 30 minutes, covering everything from love stories to horror to heart-wrenching dramas. Every film block will screen in the Brown Auditorium Theater, where the magic happens. As always, Blackbird's screenings and events are FREE and open to the public.
Ready to plan your film journey? Check out the full schedule here and make sure you don’t miss a single moment of cinematic magic!
So, you want to watch 60 short films in a single weekend? We love that for you. Whether you’re a seasoned cinephile or someone who just really enjoys having their emotions toyed with by extremely talented strangers—Blackbird’s got you covered. Here's the scoop on what you'll see on screen, day by day.
We kick things off Friday afternoon with Rising Stars, a spotlight on student and emerging filmmakers who are already bringing the heat. These are the names you'll be humblebragging about discovering first. After that, Friday Night Feels brings a genre-blending mix of love, heartbreak, identity, mental health, and just the right splash of horror and comedy. It’s like your favorite playlist, if it also made you cry and then immediately laugh at your own crying.
Saturday serves up a full buffet of cinematic gems. Tech Support starts the day with a quirky, thought-provoking mix exploring what happens when technology gets a little too smart—or a little too personal. Then comes Worlds Collide, where fate, coincidence, and uncomfortable timing throw characters into each other’s paths in unexpected, and often unforgettable, ways. As night falls, Body, Choice, Voice delivers a bold, emotional punch with stories centered on body autonomy, identity, and social justice. And for the night owls, Under Your Skin rounds things out with late-night thrillers, surreal shorts, and just enough “what did I just watch?” moments to haunt your dreams—in a good way.
Sunday winds things down with Inherited Scars, a deeply moving block exploring generational trauma, family ties, and the things we carry (or choose to let go). Then it’s time for The End is Near, a genre-mashing set of apocalyptic stories, black comedies, documentaries, and films that remind us how weird and beautiful the world can be when it feels like it’s ending. Finally, we close out with Love Thyself, a warm and wonderfully offbeat collection of shorts about self-love, messy growth, and embracing every strange little part of yourself.
Each block wraps with a Q&A, so stick around and ask the filmmakers that burning question—or just sit back and enjoy the awkward silence as someone else does.
WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING?
Sure, you're here for the films—but there's so much more going on than just what's on the screen. Get ready to caffeinate, celebrate, and maybe even win trivia glory.
Friday, April 25
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Filmmaker Check-In (2:30–3 PM, SUNY Cortland - Old Main)
Kick things off with a warm welcome, some friendly faces, and—yes—FREE popcorn. It’s basically the film festival version of a red carpet, but crunchier. -
Welcome Reception (5–6 PM, Old Main)
Mingle with filmmakers and Cortland Media students over appetizers and a cash bar. Pro tip: filmmakers love to talk shop over snacks. -
2025 Kickoff Party (8:30–11 PM, BRU64)
Let’s party like it’s opening night! Join Blackbird at BRU64 and get hyped for the weekend ahead. Music, drinks, and movie-fueled mingling await.
Saturday, April 26
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Mentorship Meetup (9–10 AM, Old Main)
Breakfast + big ideas! Filmmakers meet students to swap stories, advice, and probably bagels. -
Inclusive Filmmaking Workshop (10–11 AM, Old Main)
Carl Hansen gets real about accessibility in film. Bring your notebook and your open mind. -
Film Trivia Lunch (1:30–3 PM, Hollywood Restaurant)
Think you know movies? Prove it. Think you just like lunch? That works too. Either way, Hollywood (the restaurant, not the place) is where you want to be. -
VIP Paint + Sip (8–10 PM, AKE Gallery)
Grab a brush and a beverage! This colorful, creative night is for VIPs only—aka, people who like art and wine in equal measure.
Sunday, April 27
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Breakfast Breakout (9–10 AM, Old Main)
A filmmaker-only breakfast with icebreakers and maybe some actual breakfast food too. (Yes, coffee. Always coffee.) -
Connecting Through Creativity Workshop (10–11 AM, Old Main)
Join Samantha Artese for a heartwarming session about using creativity to heal, connect, and inspire. -
Tacos & Tablereads (1:30–3 PM, Old Main)
Scripts, actors, and tacos? Say no more. Blackbird + FilmQuill bring stories to life, one tortilla at a time. -
Red Carpet Reception (7–8 PM, Old Main)
Time to sparkle! Put on your festival finest for a stylish send-off with apps and a cash bar. -
2025 Award Ceremony (8–8:30 PM, Old Main)
And the winner is... Come find out who takes home the gold (okay, it’s probably a plaque, but still exciting)!
So grab your popcorn (and maybe a tissue or two), silence your phone, and get ready to fall in love, get your heart broken, laugh out loud, and question reality—all before the credits roll. Check out the full schedule here. Trust us, you won’t want to miss a minute!
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