About
CV + Contact
John J. Fink is a filmmaker, curator, critic and life-long cinephile based in New Jersey. He’s currently the Artistic Director/Co-head of the Buffalo International Film Festival, a faculty member at Raritan Valley Community College, and a Senior Staff Writer at The Film Stage. His films and academic work have been presented at festivals and conferences throughout the United States and Canada.
Social Media
John J. Fink, MFA
Film and Media Educator, Professional and Curator
973-615-3124
Education
SUNY University at Buffalo, M.F.A., Media Study, August 2013
University of Hartford, BA, Cinema Studies, (Cum Laude), May 2006
Current Engagements
Artistic Director/Co-Head, Buffalo International Film Festival, Buffalo, NY 2019-present
Previous Titles: Festival Programmer (2015-2016), Interim Executive Director (2017-2018)
-Responsible for tracking, sourcing, curating and presenting shorts, features, off-screen programing, panels from open call.
-Development of New York State, Buffalo and Canadian-centric program lines including DeColonial Spotlights, Racial Justice in View, BIFF Shorts: Youth, BIFF Shorts: WNY Stories, Danger Zone, and Experimental.
-Development and maintenance of relationships with alumni filmmakers, distributors, sales agents, community organizations, funders, sponsors, and government entities in the US and Canada.
-Working closely with our board and executive director, BIFF transformed from an all volunteer organization to a robust nonprofit supporting three paid positions.
-Identified and successfully obtained funding opportunities from government, corporate and foundations nationally and in Western New York.
-An archive of past programs may viewed on the archival tab of buffalofilm.org
Assistant (Adjunct) Professor, Raritan Valley Community College, Branchburg NJ
2018-present
-Course taught: Survey of American Film (Film History), Art of Movies (Introduction to Film), Media Literacy + New Technology, Introduction to Mass Communications
-Currently serving on Filmmaking and Social Media program advisory committees.
-Sections taught online, face-to-face on campus and within New Jersey State Prisons via the NJ-STEP Program (Scholarship and Transformation in Prison Consortium)
-Assisted in the development of a Media Literacy + New Technology course for Sommerville High School.
Senior Staff Writer, The Film Stage, New York, NY
2009-present
-Staff writer specializing in film criticism, commentary, festival coverage and interviews. Annual festival coverage includes TIFF, Sundance, SXSW, Hot Docs, Tribeca, Montclair, Doc NYC, and others.
-An archive of reviews may be viewed at thefilmstage.com/author/john-fink
Owner, Impact Cinemas LLC, Pompton Lakes, NJ
2014-present
-A freelance, full service media practice specializing in production and post-production for a range of clients and independent filmmaking.
Select Previous Experience
Adjunct Professor, Union College, Cranford, NJ
2018
-Taught Video Editing, Introduction to Film Studies, and Communications Technology
Visiting Professor, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania (PennWest Edinboro), Edinboro, PA
2013
-Visiting (temporary full time) professor teaching Film Studies and Art & Society
Graduate Teaching Assistant, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
2011-2012
-Instructor of record for Film History 1 & 2
Assistant Cashier (Bank Officer), Valley National Bank, Wayne, NJ
2006-2009
-Specialized in operations and sales of cash management products.
-Product manager, VNB Escrow Plus.
Selected Grants
Adjunct Faculty Development Grant - Raritan Valley Community College, 2019
SUNY University at Buffalo - Media Teaching Assistantship, 2011
SUNY University at Buffalo - Thesis Starter Grant, 2010
Squeaky Wheel Film & Media Art Center - Channels Documentary Funding, 2011
Conference Presentations
“Reframing The Frameless: The Past, Present & Future of IMAX and Large Format Exhibition”, Pop Culture Association of America, Boston, MA, April 2012
“Image and Desire in the Dirty South: Chris Robinson’s “ATL”, Pop Culture Association of Canada, Niagara Falls, Ontario, April 2011
Professional Service
Filmmaking Program Committee, Raritan Valley Community College 2023-
Social Media Program Committee, Raritan Valley Community College 2023-
Grants for Arts Panelist - National Endowment for the Arts 2023
Future/Now Jury, Montclair Film Festival 2022
Undergraduate Portfolio Review, SUNY University at Buffalo, Media Study 2011-2012
Skills
Grant Writing
Digital and Film Cinematography
Producing and Directing
Post-Production Workflows
Select Exhibitions
Adjunct (HD, 20 minutes, 2021)
2022 Newark International Film Festival, Newark, NJ
2022 Pasadena Film Festival, Pasadena, CA
2022 Blackbird Film Festival, Cortland, NY (winner Best NY Director)
2021 YoFi Yonkers Film Festival, Yonkers, NY
2021 Buffalo Dreams Fantastic Festival, Buffalo, NY