Three 2025 graduates and current students of the Animation and Digital Filmmaking programs at Villa Maria College, as well as one full-time faculty member, are part of the Official Selection for this October’s Buffalo International Film Festival (BIFF).
Their short films will be screened at the historic North Park Theatre, as well as Hallwalls Contemporary Art Center.
Soma on Stage, Breach, and Shelved were produced in their Senior Capstone Thesis II course, which was taught by Professor Joseph Giardina. Clocking In was produced in the DFM Editing II course taught by Professor Sarah Mann.
For more details, see below:
Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center
Thursday, October 9th, 9:00pm-1100pm
- Art with a Heart: A Buffalo Graffiti Documentary, by Digital Filmmaking students Joseph Higgins, ‘26, and Patrick Locurcio, ‘27.
Inspired by a mysterious Buffalo graffiti artist known for painting stick figures, this film embraces the DIY spirit of Buffalo’s graffiti scene, capturing a complex and emotionally rich story behind the street art.
BIFF Shorts: Students (Sunday Showcase)
North Park Theatre
Sunday, October 11th, 11:00am-1:00pm
Soma on Stage, directed by Jay Ramos
A puppet-maker and her puppet contemplate the differences between them and the tensions of our reality.
Hallwalls Contemporary Art Center
Sunday, October 12th, 12:00pm-2:00pm
Shalom, directed by Sarah Galasso, Professor of Animation
This short, experimental film includes 2D and 3D animation, as well as video that was shot in the Canadian Rockies. The goal is to show the stark contrast between the beauty of nature and the destruction/chaos that is currently taking place all over the world.
Hallwalls Contemporary Art Center
Monday, October 12th, 8:30pm-10:30pm
- Breach, directed by Kel McMahon: An experimental animated exploration of one boy’s loneliness.
- Shelved, directed by Peyton Schwab: A former cereal mascot who adjusts to a career change.
- Clocking In, directed by Digital Filmmaking student Cat Martinez, ‘26: A normal work day takes a fatal twist.
