Movie production at Buffalo FilmWorks sparks toy drive for local families

Buffalo FilmWorks has had a busy year, anchoring the hit Hallmark move, "Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story" (link) and recently hosting production of the supernatural thriller The Revenge of La Llorona. (link)

Those productions are the latest evidence of Buffalo's emerging film production industry, creating jobs and economic activity.

But the meaningful moments unfolding at Western New York's largest film studio don't always happen on camera.

Last week, the cast and crew from the La Llorona production donated toys for local families, which were delivered by Buffalo FilmWorks CEO and co-founder Jennifer O'Neill and WNY Impact Investment Fund CEO Tom Quinn to the Seneca Babcock Community Center, where they were received by center President & CEO Brian Pilarski.

What started as a gesture of generosity from visiting filmmakers turned into a powerful reminder of why Buffalo FilmWorks is more than a production hub. It's a community partner and a growing part of Buffalo's creative identity.

"They've been seeing the excitement around Buffalo's film scene everywhere," O'Neill said. "When they heard about the toy drive, they wanted to be part of it."

The Seneca Babcock Community Center operates six facilities, including Schiller Park and the Hennepin Park community centers, delivering programs that support residents "from childcare to senior citizens."

Their annual Christmas Toy Drive ensures that every child enrolled in their program receives gifts tailored to their age and interests. Many of these families are led by single parents, and the support makes a tangible difference during the holidays.

More than 100 families receive wrapped gifts, tape, paper, and essentials.

"I grew up in this neighborhood," said Pilarski, the community center's president and CEO. "We didn't have much. For us, vacation was going Beaver Island. So now, giving back is important. It will grow with them, that spirit of giving."

This year, with a larger production in town, Jennifer O'Neill saw an opportunity to involve the cast and crew.

The line producer from the Bills movie, filmed earlier in the year, even donated money toward additional gifts.

This year has been transformative for Buffalo FilmWorks:

• The Buffalo Bills movie, filmed from February through June, drew national attention and energized local fans.
• The production company behind the film, Synthetic Cinema, has now opened a Buffalo office inside Buffalo FilmWorks, marking a long-term commitment to Western New York.
• Trolled: Revenge of La Llorona wrapped production just days ago, following seven weeks of pre-production and filming.

For WNYIIF, Buffalo FilmWorks represents the core of the Fund's mission: revitalizing neighborhoods, creating jobs, and positioning Buffalo as a city where big stories and big opportunities happen.

"We want to see everyone on a level playing field," Tom Quinn said during the visit. "That's what we do as a Fund. We invest in people like Jennifer. People who build things that lift entire communities."