The Burbank International Film Festival wrapped another year this past August, and if you attended, you felt something different in the air. More energy. More panels. More of the electric, unscripted moments that only happen when filmmakers and audiences share the same room.
That shift is no accident. Anna Maybury has been part of BIFF since 2015, and when she stepped into the president's role at the end of 2024, she came with a decade's worth of observations about what the festival could become. Her first full year at the helm made clear that she is not interested in simply maintaining what was built before her. She is building forward.
"My vision is to establish BIFF as not only one of the premier independent film festivals in the country, but as a year-round destination for filmmakers and creatives," Maybury said. "We want to be a place where careers are launched, meaningful industry relationships are formed, and emerging voices are supported long after the festival ends."
Opening Night and the Power of Nostalgia
This year's festival opened on August 2 with a 25th anniversary screening of "Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius," with original cast members in attendance for what became a genuine reunion. It was an unusual choice for an independent film festival, and a perfect one.
"An anniversary like this felt too special not to celebrate," Maybury said. The event drew families who grew up with the film, brought longtime fans face to face with the people who made it, and set a tone of warmth and possibility for the week ahead. For visiting filmmakers, it was also a reminder of who they might become. Many of them grew up watching films like "Jimmy Neutron," and seeing the people behind that work in person closed a loop between inspiration and aspiration.
That is the particular alchemy BIFF has always been capable of, and Maybury knows how to use it.
Burbank Is Not Just a Backdrop
There is something almost poetic about hosting an independent film festival in the Media Capital of the World. Warner Bros., Disney, and Nickelodeon are not abstract industry forces here; they are neighbors. And Maybury believes that proximity matters in ways that most festivals cannot replicate.
"We have the ability to connect independent filmmakers with working professionals, studio executives, artists, writers, animators, and craftspeople who are shaping the future of entertainment every day," she said. "Those conversations, panels, and networking opportunities are invaluable, especially for emerging filmmakers looking to take the next step in their careers."
The City of Burbank has been a genuine partner in that effort. The festival is not something that happens in Burbank; it is something Burbank participates in. And Maybury is already working to deepen those ties through year-round educational programming, mentorship, and workforce development initiatives that would extend BIFF's reach well beyond a single week each summer.
Her phrasing for it is simple and exact: "BIFF is where Hollywood's future meets independent film."
What She's Actually Selecting
Programming more than 100 films in a week is an act of sustained judgment. Maybury described the process as months of careful review, with her programming team and judges combing through submissions from around the world. The criteria go beyond technical polish.
"We're not simply looking for polished productions; we're looking for compelling storytelling, originality, emotional impact, and films that will resonate with audiences long after the credits roll."
This year's lineup spanned drama, documentary, horror, animation, science fiction, international cinema, student films, and screenplays. Maybury's goal is to make sure that anyone who attends leaves having discovered something they did not expect. The surprises, she said, are the point.
Beyond the screenings, the panels drew industry professionals willing to talk honestly about producing, financing, distribution, and building a sustainable career. Those conversations happen at most festivals in theory. At BIFF, they happen with people who are actively doing the work, in a city where the industry is a daily reality.
She Comes From the Arts
Maybury grew up in Australia in a creative family. Her siblings were artists. She came up through dance and theater before building a producing career in Los Angeles, and she carries that formation with her in how she thinks about the people whose work she is presenting.
"Being a performer taught me discipline, collaboration, resilience, and most importantly, what it feels like to put yourself out there creatively," she said. "When you step onto a stage or share a piece of work with an audience, there's a vulnerability that comes with it."
That understanding shapes how BIFF approaches filmmakers at every stage of their careers. The festival is not just a venue. It is, Maybury said, a community that believes in you and creates opportunities for you to grow. She wants filmmakers to feel welcomed and supported in the way that she once needed to feel welcomed and supported.
"Every filmmaker starts somewhere," she said. "And often what they need most is not only recognition, but a community that believes in them."
Come for One Film. Stay for the Rest.
Maybury's pitch to Burbank residents who have never attended is direct: film festivals are not just for industry insiders, and BIFF has never tried to be.
"Whether you're a lifelong film enthusiast, someone looking for a unique night out with friends or family, or simply curious about discovering something new, there's a place for you at BIFF."
The Q&A sessions that follow screenings are where the real texture comes through. Watching a filmmaker explain why they made a particular choice, or hearing an audience question push the conversation somewhere unexpected, is an experience that streaming cannot replicate. That live connection between story and community is what Maybury is protecting and expanding.
The festival's Closing Night Gala and Awards Ceremony brought the week to a close with a moment that underscored just how seriously Burbank's film community is taken. Jay Leno, the legendary comedian, television host, and automotive enthusiast with deep ties to the Burbank community, was honored at the gala in a recognition that drew attention from The Hollywood Reporter. His presence on the closing night red carpet was a signal of the festival's growing stature, and Maybury did not understate it.
"His impact on entertainment and his longstanding connection to the Burbank community make him a truly deserving recipient," she said. "We were thrilled to celebrate his remarkable career with our filmmakers and guests."
It was a fitting close to a festival that had opened with a celebration of Jimmy Neutron and spent the week in between honoring both emerging voices and the established figures who helped build the industry those voices are now entering.
For a city that has storytelling woven into its identity, BIFF is one of the clearest expressions of that identity on offer. Maybury has spent a decade watching what the festival can be at its best. She is now in a position to make that the standard. The Hollywood Reporter noticed. So did Burbank.
The Burbank International Film Festival takes place annually in Burbank, California. For information on next year's submissions and events, visit burbankfilmfestival.org.
