The Boston Film Festival (BFF) will celebrate its 42nd season September 17 – 21. The festival will begin with the World Premiere of Opening Night feature film, ‘Unleashed Spirits: The Rise of the Hollywood Vampires.’ The documentary’s screening at BFF followed by a special in person Q&A with members of the band.

Directed by Daniel E Catullo III, the movie tells the story of how a secret 1970s drinking and social club led by Alice Cooper inspired the powerhouse supergroup known as the Hollywood Vampires with Cooper, Johnny Depp, Joe Perry, and Tommy Henriksen. ‘Unleashed Spirits’ explores their journey from a hidden Hollywood haunt to arena rock stardom, highlighting their extraordinary collaborations with legendary talent both on and behind the stage.

Featuring a dynamic and diverse program that spotlights some of modern cinema’s most groundbreaking filmmakers, the live event also includes the World Premiere of feature films ‘Bolio’ and ‘A Minor Time.’ The narrative movies will also play alongside the documentaries ‘Papertown,’ ‘My Father, Dick Allen,’ ‘4000 Days,’ ‘Come What May’ and ‘Tony Foster: Life on the Edge.’ The Closing Night presentation of Michael Mailer’s ‘Little Audrey’ will wrap up the Festival on Monday, September 21.

Also in the festival is a Special Presentation of ‘Old Man Walking Club’ from local author and first-time filmmaker, Michael Connelly.

Q&A sessions with film creatives will follow all live premieres.

“We are proud to mark the 42nd Boston Film Festival by showcasing extraordinary storytelling from both bold new voices and acclaimed filmmakers,” said Boston Film Festival Executive Director Robin Dawson. “Cinema connects us across cultures and we’re honored to provide a platform for these talented storytellers whose work challenges perspectives, inspires conversation, and reminds us of the power of film. We are deeply grateful to our filmmakers, audiences, sponsors, and partners who make this possible. We look forward to another unforgettable week of discovery and creativity.”

In keeping with their commitment to providing educational opportunities for aspiring media professionals, Warner Bros. Television Group, one of the entertainment industry’s most prolific producers of original programming, will partner with Emerson College and Massachusetts College of Arts and Design to. The colleges will host special screenings and panel events in collaboration with the festival.

On Thursday, September 17, Warner Bros. Television Group will host a special WBTV ‘Next Gen’ Panel at Emerson College. The panel will feature a range of talent and creatives for a conversation and recording of WBTVG’s popular podcast ‘A Lot More’ moderated by host Jonathon Buckley. A screening of hit music competition series ‘The Voice,’ featuring Season 29 winner Alexia Jayy and Executive Producer and Showrunner Audrey Morrissey, will follow.

On Saturday, September 19 WBTVG will present a screening and behind-the-scenes look at its hit series ‘Adventure Time: Side Quests’ at Massachusetts College of Art and Design. The event will also feature a conversation with series creatives Nate Cash, Victor Courtright, Keith Pakiz, and Matthew Yang.

“We’re so proud of our growing partnerships with Warner Bros. Television Group, Emerson College, and Massachusetts College of Arts and Design which bring access to these remarkable programs and dedicated talent to educate and inspire our next generation of film and television professionals,” said Dawson.

Emerson College will also host an event in conjunction with the festival on Wednesday, September 16. The college will screen director Keven Undergaro holiday feature film ‘Bobo Saves Christmas,’ which stars Emerson alum Maria Menounos.

The special live Shorts Program will be shown on Sunday, September 20 at Massachusetts College of Art and Design, starting at 2:00pm. Audiences are invited to an afternoon of incredible short films celebrating emerging and established filmmakers from around the world.

Special partnerships for the 42nd Boston Film Festival Animation Program include collaborations with FAN EXPO Boston and professional 2D animation bitmap technology-based software giant TVPaint, who will award the winner with a special software package. 

BFF will also present a robust Virtual Program of feature, documentary, animated, and short films. This extends the number of films offered and provides film enthusiasts the opportunity to view from the comfort of their homes through the streaming service Eventive.

Sponsors of the 42nd Boston Film Festival include Boch Center-Wang Theatre, Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport, Boston Harbor Studios, Rainmaker Entertainment, 10 Lives Studios, Fan Expo, TVPaint, Shelter Music Group, First Blood, Meet Boston, Dream Alley, Outfront, Patrice Vinci Salon, Shalin Liu Performance Center, Emerson College, Boston Public Library, Sip Wine Bar & Kitchen, and The Sporting Club at Omni Boston Hotel.

Scheduled to attend the 42nd Boston Film Festival:

Alice Cooper, Joe Perry, Tommy Henriksen, Daniel E Catullo III, Paul Geary, and Ernie Boch Jr.  (‘Unleashed Spirits: The Rise of the Hollywood Vampires’); Ryan Suffern (‘Papertown’); Nate Cash, Victor Courtright, Keith Pakiz, and Matthew Yang (‘Adventure Time: Side Quests’); Andy Billman, Richard “Goose” Gossage, Richard Allen Jr., Dr. David Fletcher, Sharon Pannozzo, and Jocko Sims (‘My Father Dick Allen’); Tina Alexis Allen, William Sadler, Chloe Guidry, Judee Wales, and Susan Batson (“A Minor Time”); Jim Issa, Mark Donadio, Gabriel Hogan, and Emily Tarver (“Bolio”);  Daniel E Catullo III, Julie and Gary DeVercelly, and TJ & Kim Burch (‘4000 Days’); Lahna Turner, David Gantz, and April May (‘Come What May’); David C. Schendel and Tony Foster (‘Tony Foster: Painting on the Edge’); Michael Mailer and Robert Wahlberg (‘Little Audrey’); Alexia Jayy (‘The Voice’ season 29 winner); Audrey Morrissey (‘The Voice’); Maria Menounos and Keven Undergaro (‘Bobo Saves Christmas’); and Michael Connelly (‘Old Men Walking’).

For the full festival schedule, virtual program, tickets and information on BFF parties and Q&A sessions, visit its official website, as well as its Instagram, Facebook, X and TikTok pages.