The Boston Underground Film Festival (BUFF) has revealed its full 2026 program lineup, with director Kenji Tanigaki’s action thriller The Furious as the closing night film.
The Furious stars martial arts superstars such as Joe Taslim (The Raid), Yayan Ruhian (The Raid), Miao Xie (The Enforcer), Brian Le (Everything Everywhere All at Once), Joey Iwanaga (Alice in Borderland), Enyou Yang (Lighting Up the Stars), and Jeeja Yanin (Chocolate).
Here is the story: When his daughter Rainy (Yang) is abducted, humble tradesman Wang Wei (Xie) is thrust into a deadly underworld of corruption and violence. His only ally is Navin (Taslim), a relentless journalist haunted by his own past. Together, they fight their way through an international criminal network in a desperate bid to save Rainy and uncover the truth.
As part of the program lineup, BUFF will showcase the first feature films Sugar Rot and Cramps! A Period Piece from directors Becca Kozak and Brooke Sellars, making their East Coast and New England premieres, respectively.
The Hedonist from director Nick Funess, Camp from director Avalon Fast, The Serpent’s Skin from director Alice Maio Mackay, and Buffet Infinity from director Simon Glassman all make their New England premieres at the festival as well. David Kittredge’s documentary Boorman and the Devil, on director John Boorman’s sequel to The Exorcist plays with supporting screenings of Exorcist II: The Heretic taking place at the Coolidge After Midnite.
BUFF will also feature six shorts blocks: Animation Disorientation, Die Laughing (Comedy), The Dunwich Horrors (Locals), New England Esotercia (Locals), I Hate it Here (Midnights), and Death, Love, and Road Trips (Atypical).
“We’re thrilled to announce our full slate for BUFF 2026! Our incredibly hard-working and entirely volunteer team of programmers has pulled together pure cinematic madness. I can’t wait for our audience to lose their minds experiencing these incredible films together in the dark,” commented Mark Anastasio, BUFF Artistic Director.
The festival previously announced Normal, with star Bob Odenkirk appearing in person as Opening night film, the horror film Obsession as a centerpiece selection, drector Natalie Erika James’ haunting Saccharine, and a repertory 40th‑anniversary screening of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986), featuring an in‑person appearance by its star, horror icon Bill Moseley, who will also stick around for a late-night screening his film The Devil’s Rejects.
This year marks a significant transition for BUFF with the departure of Artistic Director Kevin Monahan and Director of Programming Nicole McControversy, and the return of former BUFF technical directors Adam Van Voorhis and Phil Healy as co‑festival directors with Coolidge Corner Theatre artistic director Mark Anatasio as new artistic director.
“It is our great honor and uttermost joy to ensure that the underground spirit of BUFF will continue to give the darkest visions of filmmakers, from all aspects of life and absurdity, a place for their voices to be heard and celebrated by the Boston Underground faithful,” said Phil Healy & Adam Van Voorhis, BUFF Co-Festival Directors
The 2026 Boston Underground Film Festival will take place from Wednesday, March 18, through Sunday, March 22.
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