The film festival became a 501c3 not-for-profit charity in January 2005. In 2007 it was responsible for the discovery of the Vitascope Theater, part of Edisonia Hall, the first purpose-built movie theater in the world which opened in 1896. The festival now sponsors a yearly event celebrating the creation of the Movie Theater in Buffalo. It also made Buffalo the first city in the world to declare UNESCO World Day for Audio-Visual Heritage. In 2013 the BIFF hosted a meet and greet book signing with children's author Keith White Jr. for the screenings of Magic Camp and Dear Mr. Watterson. White was again present at the 2014 BIFF.
Its other activities include: The Buffalo Film Society along with the Niagara Falls Film Society, Buffalo-Niagara Film Society; the New York State Movie Theater Corridor ; The Buffalo Walk of Fame ; The Buffalo Movie Hall of Fame ; The Buffalo; and the Buffalo Cinematheque.
Awards and screenings
2007
The inaugural festival was June 13, 2007 and included "Student Films Across America."
2008
In 2008, it screened more than 25 films including regional and national premieres. These screenings included a Harold Lloyd Film Retrospective (with personal appearance by Suzanne Lloyd and "Hollywood 39" a retrospective of great Hollywood movies from 1939.
2009
It holds a Spring Gala and Fall Festival. In 2009, the Spring Gala was a celebration of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse arranged through The Walt Disney Company. The third annual festival, Buffalo Film Festival 2009, ran from October 9–27, 2009 and included 18 films from all over the world and 16 guests who presented them including Abigail Disney, Rick Schmidlin, Charles Band, Dwayne Buckle, David Heeley, Ray Bradbury, J.B. Kaufman, Mary Pat Kelly It included the First Annual Al BoasbergComedy Award given in honor of famed comedy writer Al Boasberg who was born in Buffalo.
World Premiere: Kate and Fred: Hepburn and Astaire directed by David Heeley and Joan Kramer
Western New York Premiere: The Minority directed by Dwayne Buckle
Western New York Premiere: Pray the Devil Back to Hell co-directed by Abigail Disney
Al Boasberg Comedy Award—Lifetime Achievement in Comedy Writing - Larry Gelbart
Al Boasberg Comedy Award—Lifetime Achievement in Comedy Writing - Joseph Stein
Al Boasberg Comedy Award—Lifetime Achievement in Comedy Writing - Everett Greenbaum
Al Boasberg Comedy Award—Lifetime Achievement in Comedy Performance - Kathleen Howard
Al Boasberg Comedy Award—Lifetime Achievement in Comedy Art and Writing - Harvey Kurtzman
2010
The fourth Annual Buffalo International Film Festival ran from October 1–10, 2010. 60 films were screened.
World Premiere: God's Land directed by Preston Miller
New York State Premiere: Louis Sullivan: The Struggle for American Architecture directed by Mark Richard Smith
New York State Premiere: Hard Four directed by Charles Dennis
New York State Premiere: Superstonic Sound directed by Raphael Erichsen
Western New York Premiere: La Soga directed by Josh Crook
Western New York Premiere: Metropolis directed by Fritz Lang
Western New York Premiere: Waking Sleeping Beauty directed by Don Hahn
Special Screening: Temple Grandin directed by Mick Jackson
Al Boasberg Comedy Award—Lifetime Achievement in Comedy Performance Sid Caesar
2011
Approximately 80 films were screened. Audience Awards were given for the first time.
World Premiere: ' directed by Katina Dunn
;Audience Award
Winner: '
2012
In 2012, 70 films were screened at three locations including The Screening Room, Amherst, NY; Historic Lockport Palace Theatre, Lockport, NY; Market Arcade Film and Arts Center, Buffalo, NY. Audience Awards given. ;Best of Festival
TIE – Ray Harryhausen: Special Effects Titan Gilles Penso, Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation
