The 10th Annual Borrego Springs Film Festival

We offer single-venue-screenings, great local attendance, a catered opening gala, a filmmaker networking event, our Saturday party, panel discussions, workshops, a grand award ceremony, and much much more.

Join us this winter for the best Borrego Springs Film Festival yet!

Schedule:
Wednesday, January 11, 2023
5:30pm: Free "Pre-Fest" Presentation

Borrego Film History With "Desert Rats"

5:30 Local History Film Lecture
6:30 Intermission
6:45 Feature "The Desert Rats"

Special Free Event The Day Before The Official Start To The Bsff!

In this informative lecture, travel over 100 years into the past and discover the some of the numerous productions that were filmed here since the 1920's. Will you recognize Borrego Springs? Join host Fred Jee and find out!

The talk will be followed by a short intermission and then an encore presentation of "Desert Rats"! This film kicked of the first BSFF 10 years ago!

Thursday January 12, 2023
1:30pm: Special Free Presentation
Good Night Oppy
"Good Night Oppy" follows Opportunity, the Mars Exploration Rover affectionately dubbed Oppy by her creators and scientists at NASA. Oppy was originally expected to live for only 90 days but she ultimately explored Mars for nearly 15 years.

"Dark Skies" and Space Exploration is a theme for the 2023 BSFF. Be sure to check out related films, panel discussions, and activities during the festival!

4:00pm: Block A
Bad
Beta
Pigeonhole
Melons
Vivir Toda La Vida
The Turnip
The Problem with Time Travel
Space Race
Lady Brently's End

6:30pm: Opening Gala - De Anza Country Club

Friday January 13, 2023
10am: Block B
Walk With Us
Work it Class!
The Fool's Mate
Lorenza's Bike
Inside The Beauty Bubble
Eco-Hack
Crisps and Zombies
Corsets
Blue

12:00pm: Community Panel - Free Library Event
Community Panel "The Storytellers and The Psychologist"
Award-winning BSFF filmmakers (and best childhood friends) Reuben Aaronson and Steve Lerner will present their very first films, made 50 years ago. Following the viewing, discussions, with audience participation, will include guest panelist psychologist and NYTimes best-selling author Harriet Lerner.

1:00pm: Block C
This Wild Abyss
The Quiet Loud
Subservient
Make Your Soul Grow
Game Hawker
Ditë e Kuqe (Red Day)

3:00pm: Community Panel - Free Library Event
Community Panel "Defending the Dark"

Borrego Springs is a town that's an International Dark Sky community, but how can these IDA notions we enjoy make an impact elsewhere on the globe? This community panel discussion brings together a prominent academic and two 2023 BSFF filmmakers to discuss the issue of the skies we all share, especially those that live in light polluted areas.

4:00pm: Block D
10 Days
The Infectious Imagination Of Henry Bramble
The Flight of the Manta Rays
Reminisce
Fractal
Becoming Chavela
Apollo Boy
An Island Drifts

7:00pm: Block E
A Made Bed
The Creeping
Echoes of Animals

8:15pm: Informal Social Mixer - The Palms At Indian Head
An "officially unofficial" BSFF gathering of patrons and filmmakers at The Palms at Indian Head. Everyone's invited!

This historic hotel has been the playground for Hollywood celebrities since the 1950's.  Now it's our turn to bring filmmaking back to this iconic local watering hole.  
Return to that mid-century-modern vibe, embrace the Atomic Age, and (if you're an attending filmmaker) enjoy a free drink courtesy of the BSFF!

Saturday January 14, 2023
10:00am: Block F
My Happy Place
Stud Boob
Three Ninety Five
Potluck
Nubecita
Ms. Rossi 2: Ms. Rossi Takes The Cake
Cheyenne
A Tiny Tale

11:30am: Filmmaker's Panel - Free Library Event
Film Distribution Panel "The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea"
Are there practices out there that can help get your film seen? How hard (or easy) is it to find a way to get a return on your creative and financial investment? Kelly Sallaway is a film producer that's navigated the tricky shoals and found a safe harbor. Ahoy! It's time for some useful advice and insight.

1:00pm: Block G
Swimmers
The World We Left Behind
The Devil In Bitter Woods
Looking Back
Faith
Dog Lover

2:30pm: Filmmaker's Panel - Free Library Event
Filmmaker's Round Table: "Hold 'em and Fold 'em"
Join BSFF filmmakers for a discussion about the craft of low-budget-indy-film. All of us filmmakers tend to have a favorite trick up our sleeve that we love using. Whether it's simple or involved, it's our always our "ace" card. What's yours?

4:00pm: Block H
The Sisters Karras
Mother: A Visual Poem

5:30pm: Filmmaker's Networking - Borrego Springs Resort & Spa
A wonderful opportunity for filmmakers at a festival is the chance to network, make new friends, and have a good time!  And not necessarily in that order!  Our network event for anyone holding a Filmmaker's Pass or VIP Pass takes place this year in the grotto room at BSR.  Free drinks and a few snacks will be available.  Rub elbows and tip ‘em up as well!

7:00pm: Weekend Party! - Palm Canyon Hotel
The cornerstone of the BSFF is always the weekend party! Open to all Full Festival, Filmmaker, and VIP Pass holders.  This season the BSFF has more attending filmmakers in town than ever before.  It's your chance to meet and greet while enjoying a great meal provided by the Palm Canyon Hotel and RV Resort.  Yea haw!

Sunday January 15, 2023
10:00am: Block I
Tunnel 23
Contratiempo

12:30pm: Block J
The Sprayer
The Miracle Wolves
Quiet Your Mind
Messengers
Brother
Big Ears

12:30pm: Filmmaker Workshop - Free Library Event
Filmmaker's Workshop "Your Composer's Composure"
What are some of the realistic expectations when working with music these days? We'll explore it all in this interactive workshop. Join us for a step by step tutorial as we collaborate with a virtual orchestra composer. Learn the communications skills that help combine your musical vision with their musical craft.

3:00pm: Block K
Bobcat Moretti

5:00pm: Award Ceremony - BSPAC & Pablito's
The weekend culmination of festival excitement is the award ceremony.  This year it will take place in the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center Theater and the after party dining will be provided by Pablito's next door.  This event is open to Full Festival. Filmmakers, and VIP Pass holders.  It's a fun festive film fiesta finale'!  Fabulous!

Monday January 16, 2023
10:00am: Block L - Free Community Screenings
Paper Dream

12:00pm: Block M - Free Community Screenings
Waiting The Rain
Daughter
The Secret of Mr. Nostoc
Suburban Fantasy
Dana
Beats

2:30pm: Block N - Free Community Screenings
Petals of a Rose
Siblings
Memories of Crossing
Magnetic
Feetless Shoes
El Ojo Comienza En La Mano
As You Like It

Date: January 11 - 16, 2023

Location:
Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center - 590 Palm Canyon Drive Borrego Springs, CA 92004
Palm Canyon Hotel - 221 Palm Canyon Drive Borrego Springs, CA 92004
Pablito's Mexican Bar and Grill - 590 Palm Canyon Drive Borrego Springs, CA 92004
The Palms at Indian Head - 2220 Hoberg Road Borrego Springs, CA 92004
Borrego Springs Resort - 1112 Tilting T Drive Borrego Springs, CA 92004

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