The Brooklyn Film & Arts Festival is the first original Brooklyn-focused film and arts festival. We present programs that illuminate the rich, diverse cultural history of Brooklyn. Since the first screening of Brooklyn films in 2007, the Brooklyn Film & Arts Festival has presented Brooklyn-focused film and Brooklyn-literature programs. In 2011 the Brooklyn Non-Fiction Prize,the first of its kind Brooklyn-focused literature project was established by the Brooklyn Film & Arts Festival.
Richard Pepitone is the Runner-up for the 2021 Brooklyn Non-Fiction Prize for his essay titled, "Coney Island Day: The Nickle Empire."
At 86 years of age Richard Pepitone's essay about his boyhood days spent exploring the wonders of Brooklyn's entertainment venues in Coney Island conjures up a Brooklyn dreamworld with a gritty allure all its own.
The winner of the 2021 Brooklyn Non-Fiction Prize is Ann Bar-Dov for her essay titled "Library Memories."
Ann Bar-Dov read from her essay on July 24th, 2022 along with eleven other participants in the 2021 Brooklyn Non-Fiction Prize competition.
She was selected as the 2021 winner of the Brooklyn Non-Fiction Prize for her compelling story which depicted her very early memories of trying to gain membership in a Brooklyn Public Library branch at the age of four and her love for reading fostered in the libraries of Brooklyn.