BIFF Named First US Partner for EU Transatlantic Rising Stars Project
The partnership is designed to encourage artistic exchange between Europe and the United States.
The Berkshire International Film Festival will mark its 20th anniversary in 2026 with a major milestone: Becoming the first US festival partner for the European Union’s new Transatlantic Rising Stars Project, a cultural initiative aimed at deepening artistic exchange between Europe and the United States.
Announced this week by the Delegation of the European Union to the United States, the partnership positions BIFF as a conduit for the project’s first US-based programming next festival season, May 28-31, in Great Barrington. Selected EU film directors will take part in BIFF’s Filmmaker Summit and present their work in a dedicated EU Filmmakers Showcase.
Funded by the EU, the project supports emerging artists in film, visual arts, and music through immersive, on-the-ground experiences in the US. Participating directors will receive a fully funded two-week “exploration of the American film landscape,” according to organizers, timed to begin just before BIFF’s opening weekend.
“As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, BIFF is stepping confidently into its next chapter,” says Kelley Vickery, BIFF’s founder and artistic director. “Our partnership with the Transatlantic Rising Stars Project not only elevates emerging voices, but it also reinforces the Berkshires as a vibrant crossroads for global storytelling.”
EU Ambassador to the US Jovita Neliupšienė also emphasized the significance of the program’s debut. “This program is a landmark moment—the first time the EU has created a program designed to bring European artists to the US,” she says. “I hope this program will create lasting friendships and networks that not only boost the artists’ careers but also help Americans and Europeans understand each other better.”
For BIFF, the collaboration grows the popular event’s international profile and often stated commitment to nurturing cross-cultural dialogue. Participating filmmakers will gain a new avenue to access to the US industry through festival participation, masterclasses, networking with executives, and collaboration with industry peers.
More information on BIFF can be found at biffma.org.
