Indie Night Film Festival, the acclaimed independent film showcase founded by Black Hollywood Whisperer Dave Brown, brought its 2026 Fall Tour to Brooklyn on Oct. 22 at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Downtown Brooklyn. It was an evening that screened four short films, and the night felt like a family affair.
The Indie Night Film Festival operates year-round, with weekly showcases hosted at the TCL Chinese 6 Theaters on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles.
Unlike traditional once-a-year festivals, its weekly model is specifically designed to keep a continuous pipeline open for independent short films, web series, trailers and features to be screened directly in front of visiting industry executives.
For the Brooklyn Stop, the festival brought together cast and crew of four Black Independent short films screened in a comfy, food-serving theater in downtown Brooklyn.
Donna Rizzo, New York City native, joined the event as a special guest Q & A host. “First time in Brooklyn, which is crazy because it's sold out," she said. “That's how you know the demand is here.”
Dave Brown, the founder of INFF, said that production deals, acknowledgement and sometimes the chance to turn short films into full features are values that the festival offers. Eddie Griffith, producer of Baldy The Film, had set a goal to raise $18,000, and ended up raising $20,000.
Former In Living Color FlyGirl Dancer, filmmaker and NYC Native Josie Harris made debuted her film using skillsets as an actress, dancer, director and teacher.
“I've always been a director, truth be told," Harris told BK Reader. "Even as a dancer and even as an actor, right? People would always say that I, you know, I spoke, and my vision was very much that of a director's. I always had the vision.”
Harris's film, "Don't Let A Church Kid Tell It," has it's roots in faith. "The film is about grace in a nutshell," Harris said. "Like when we look at the church and its ability to give grace, and how grace is so necessary, right?"
Films
DON’T LET A CHURCH KID TELL IT — Jossie Harris, Harlem via Queens, NYC
Raised in the church, Ashley is expected to fall in line on Sundays, but she begins to question everything: her faith, her future, and whether the alter has ever had room for someone like her.
BALDY THE FILM — Eddie Griffith, Bushwick, Brooklyn
Brooklyn-based filmmaker Eddie Griffith’s Baldy the Film joined the festival’s Brooklyn lineup. In his heartfelt dramedy, we meet Travis, a New Yorker whose receding hairline mirrors distant childhood memories.
SHADOW ACTING — Lawrence “LAW” Watford
Tensions rise during an acting class when the teacher’s preferred method of instructing one of his students involves pulling her emotional triggers.
PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS: AN ORIGINAL MUSICAL DRAMA — Presented by Joshua Triplett and Miko Dannese
This is a love story told through a series of connected music videos featuring Josh Triplett.
The turnout and quality of the films presented suggest the Indie Night Film Festival will return to Brooklyn. Visit the INFF Website to stay up to date on events.
