Directed by Min Yeong Kwak
Narrative Feature
Korea | 75 min | 2024
Doah has lived in a ‘Gray Rock’ state for a long time, enduring like an unfeeling stone to avoid pain. But when she finally breaks free from her emotional shell, light reveals the countless colors within. Her journey is not just about healing—it’s about reclaiming her emotions. As she embraces herself and moves forward, Prism of Gray Rock begins to shine.
Directed by Lina Suh
Narrative Feature
United States | 85 min | 2024
An unexpected, much-needed friendship arrives at your doorstep. Two women from different walks of life — a Korean American divorce attorney who is very rooted in her immigrant family’s upbringing, and a Californian college dropout searching for herself after being canceled online — cross paths by chance and form an unlikely friendship.
Short Slot 5
One hour after you finish these films, you’re going to be hungry again!
Directed by Christian Loubek
Narrative Short
United States | 14 min | 2024
Alongside his wife and daughter, Lennox joyously unpacks their new home but is left speechless when he finds a letter in a moving box labelled ‘mom’ that predestines a different life for him – it’s not as he remembers.
Directed by Nate Sheppard
Documentary Short
United States | 7 min | 2023
A short documentary chronicling the story of Wisconsin inventor Carl Eliason and his essential contributions to the development of the modern snowmobile.
Directed by Aaron Goffman
Narrative Short
United States | 17 min | 2024
A short film about an L.A. woman who struggles to find a job, a home, and a meal, only to go unseen for the help she really needs.
Directed by Antonio Maria Castaldo
Narrative Short
Italy | 13 min | 2024
On a cold and dark night along a country road, a vehicle veers off the road and plunges into a ravine. Rescuers must act promptly to save Andrea, the driver, who is trapped inside the car. During the rescue, the personal challenges of Carlo and Luca, two team members, come to light. Carlo, experienced and composed, must manage the pressure of the rescue and help Luca, a firefighter going through a tough time in his life, to overcome his fears. As time passes and the operation becomes increasingly complex, touching details of Andrea’s life emerge, leading the rescuers to reflect on the need for a human and empathetic approach to unlock the situation. Ultimately, a gesture from Luca provides a moment of comfort to Andrea, crucial for resolving the crisis.
Directed by Maximiliano Wurzel
Narrative Short
Argentina | 15 min | 2024
Maxi, a young autistic man, takes us on a journey through experiences of his childhood and adolescence with Laura, a teacher from his school. He demonstrates that, beyond differences or limitations, meaningful relationships can be forged, leaving an indelible mark and expanding the heart.
Directed by Dean Ronalds
Narrative Short
United States | 12 min | 2024
An all-star cast, high production value and a “must-see” ending drive this incredible adaptation of the famous short story “The Open Window” by H. H. Munro. A short film set in 1918, THE OPEN DOOR tells the story of Framton Nuttel who is sent to the countryside by his physicians in order to calm his nerves. It is there he meets a young girl, Mae, who begins to share the eerie secrets of this small town.
Directed by Murat Arda Gürsoy
Narrative Short
Turkey | 14 min | 2024
Merve is a former athlete living on the Anatolian side of Istanbul, making a living by selling performance-enhancing drugs. Upon receiving the news of her father’s death in Belgium, Merve finds herself faced with a choice between two continents. This decision will also lead to losing one of the two people she loves… Will she choose her sister who dreams of a life abroad or the athlete she is in love with.
Directed by Racheal Cain
Narrative Feature
United States | 92 min | 2024
At experimental sleep clinic, Somnium, your dreams are made real. Side effects may include: hallucinations, confusion, paranoia, sleep paralysis, detachment from reality, lost sense of self, permanent nightmares.
Directed by Anthony Lucero
Narrative Feature
United States | 107 min | 2024
A father embarks on a plan to train his physically disabled son to bag groceries in the hopes of him landing a job and a path to independence.
Directed by Thierry Obadia
Narrative Feature
France | 100 min | 2024
Inspired by a true story and my sleepless nights. Doudou Ngumbu, abandoned at the age of three, is taken in by his grandmother. He goes on the road to follow in the footsteps of his deceased dad and find himself. The encounters he will have will change never shorten his life and disrupt that of others.
Directed by Paul Heinzelmann & Jonathan Schwartz
Documentary Feature
United States | 75 min | 2024
A doctor investigates hazardous working conditions in Hollywood, and discovers untold stories of enormous personal sacrifice and life-threatening risks for those working in an industry that brings us the movies and TV shows we cherish.
Directed by Colin C. Hughes
Documentary Feature
United States | 78 min | 2023
A suburban firefighter’s labor union finds itself under a different kind of fire when the Village Mayor announces he’s privatizing their department to save money. What results is a five year long legal battle with the potential to change labor law for the entire country.
Directed by Neto Borges
Documentary Feature
Brazil | 85 min | 2023
Indigenist Fernando Schiavini revisits places and villages he passed through in the 1970s, a time when little was known about the “deep Brazil”. The story of Brazilian indigenism narrated by those who lived it and helped write it through the language of solidarity.
Directed by Bobby Roth
Documentary Feature
United States | 90 min | 2024
Filmmaker Bobby Roth embarks on a thought-provoking journey seeking candid answers to questions on masculinity, femininity, and whether we have the power to change.
Directed by Michael Panico & Hobart Miller
Narrative Feature
United States | 81 min | 2024
ROOM SIX is the story of Maxx, a college student, who is working the night shift at a vacant, rundown motel before the late night arrival of two brothers. After a few suspicious incidents, Maxx’s curiosity (or paranoia) gets the best of her and she decides to investigate the situation. Maxx quickly finds herself in danger as she uncovers what lies hidden in the brothers’ room.
Short Slot 2
The heaviness of meaning, the lightness of being. This collection has some downs…and some ups.
Directed by Amir Zargara
Narrative Short
Iran | 18 min | 2023
Arash is a professional wrestler with dreams of representing his country and winning gold medals. The country is in turmoil and its people are suffering. Arash must decide between using his platform to stand up to tyranny, or put his head down and remain silent.
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Directed by Spencer Jamison
Narrative Short
United States | 17 min | 2023
Mia has one task for the evening: break up with the smooth-talking charlatan, Andrew. When things don’t go according to plan, she’s pulled into an unexpected evening with Andrew’s cousin, Ari. As a seasoned political operative, Mia has strong opinions on the way the world works. However, with the earnest and endearing Ari, she’s met her match. A proof of concept film about connection, the ways we protect one another, and the potential for serendipity when we live moment to moment.
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Directed by Martin Seeger
Narrative Short
Chile | 19 min | 2023
Jean, a Haitian migrant in Chili, is admired everywhere he goes. His body represents all the classical values of the academy. However, in the anonymity of his existence, he is also a canon of marginality.
Directed by David Bunting
Documentary Short
United Kingdom | 10 min | 2024
Through an animated conversation, scientists explore if everyone can live well without harming the environment and reveal how hope and creativity can inspire change.
Directed by Luke Baker
Narrative Short
United States | 19 min | 2024
Two college students, who on the outside couldn’t be more different from each other, happen to meet at a party and form a deep connection where they find self-discovery, forgiveness and hope for the future.
Additional Info
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Directed by Shayna Connelly
Narrative Short
United States | 16 min | 2025
After witnessing a suicide in public, Lauren re-evaluates herself in relationship to friends, family and career. Fantasy and reality blend as she assesses her identity and reasserts herself differently in the world.
Directed by Deborah Correa
Narrative Feature
United States | 97 min | 2024
“…a soaring achievement.” – Film Threat April 1862, set in Arizona territory during the opening months of the American Civil War, The War Between, is about two enemy soldiers who must cooperate in order to survive being stranded in the Sonoran Desert.
Directed by Wendy Lobel
Documentary Feature
United States | 86 min | 2024
ANXIETY CLUB provides an intimate and humorous look at anxiety through the eyes and minds of some of the most brilliant comedians working today. Tiffany Jenkins, Joe List, Marc Maron, Aparna Nancherla, Mark Normand, Baron Vaughn and Eva Victor offer candid reflections on their relationship with anxiety through exclusive interviews, standup performances, sketch videos, therapy and everyday life.
United Kingdom | 74 min | 2024
Now selected for 45 festivals, including 10 awards, and 4 upcoming nominations! Filmed in English, the film follows 5 architects on their determined journeys to continue building during wartime, as they seek a new people-focused identity for Ukrainian architecture. While Russia continues to turn former Ukrainian cities to dust, Ukraine’s leading architects are already building upwards & advanced new buildings are rising again as symbols of hope.
Narrative Short
United States | 21 min | 2023
Directed by H. Nelson Tracey
Narrative Feature United States | 102 min | 2024
When a young man brings his girlfriend to his rural Oregon hometown to meet his family for Christmas, things do not go as planned.
Directed by Guillermo Diaz
Narrative Feature
United States | 100 min | 2024
Truly a first-of-its-kind, Dear Luke, Love, Me is a heart-wrenching, punch-you-in-the-gut feature film that follows Penny and Luke from their college days into their 30’s. We watch them become instant best friends, fall in love, build a life together, navigate life’s challenges while dealing with questions of sexual identity, and ultimately breaking up, only to become instant best friends again — their lives are intertwined in the stars and neither of them could ever imagine an existence without each other.
Directed by Hussein Martin Fazeli
Documentary Feature
Canada | 64 min | 2024
“I Am Gitxsan” follows Phoenix Apperloo, a recent high school graduate reconnecting with his Indigenous heritage in Hazelton, British Columbia, Canada. Inspired by encounters with residential school survivors, he writes a heartfelt letter to Prime Minister Trudeau about the injustices faced by his people. The documentary highlights the impact of colonialism on the Gitxsan community, featuring insights from experts like Dr Gabor Maté and showcasing their resilience through protests and legal actions. It culminates with a moving message of hope and determination, emphasizing the power of the Gitxsan people’s enduring spirit, the beauties of their culture, and their commitment to future generations.
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Directed by Cédric Lachenaud
Narrative Short
France | 22 min | 2023
Strange things are going on in London. Clever, a hamster-detective, and her little brother Bro lead investigations. Will they triumph the unusual enigmas that baffle Scotland Yard? Snowflake and Charcoal, Clever’s neighbors at the pet shop, are kidnapped during the night. Clever receives a tablet that shows them as prisoners. She recognizes their place of detention: the room of the Templars’ treasure!
Directed by Morgan Evans
Narrative Feature
United States | 89 min | 2024
“Lights. Camera. Asshole.” When Terry (Patrick Noth) discovers he’s about to be a father, he does what any other sane person would do. He moves himself and his nine-months-pregnant wife from Iowa to Los Angeles to shoot a low-budget indie movie and sell it to a streamer for a “fuck-ton of money.” Documented by his cousin Devin’s behind-the-scenes camera crew, Terry suddenly finds that his beliefs about diversity, the #MeToo movement, and what technically qualifies as a properly financed film production put him at odds with, well, every single person who meets him.
Short Slot 3
For those who are addicted…to films that are restricted.
Directed by Tim Aslin & Shane Cibella
Narrative Short
United States | 15 min | 2024
When an unseen threat forces a young woman to take refuge in an abandoned car, she must determine where the true danger lies: inside or out.
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Directed by Paul Holbrook
Narrative Short
United Kingdom | 17 min | 2024
A depressed housewife seeks out a troubled young man from her past, with disastrous consequences.
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Directed by Jamie O’Rourke
Narrative Short
Ireland, United Kingdom | 14 min | 2023
A sinister farm accident leaves Cáit with a terrible decision to make.
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Directed by The Michael
Narrative Short
United States | 15 min | 2019
After connecting over an app for the terminally ill, two unlikely strangers meet in a motel to share their last night on earth.
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Directed by Nicklas Hendrickson
Narrative Short
United States | 16 min | 2020
A young woman's transformative first night as a vampire.
Directed by Sean Cruser
Narrative Short
United States | 16 min | 2024
A seemingly helpful park ranger assists a grieving hiker in finding the perfect spot to scatter his father’s ashes.
Directed by Ian Ebright
Narrative Feature
United States | 87 min | 2024
An up-and-coming writer refuses to leave the spotlight when his best friend and debate opponent suffers cardiac arrest, leading to an obsession over his new opponent and a growing rift with his ailing wife. The Way We Speak stars Patrick Fabian (Howard Hamlin in Better Call Saul), Diana Coconubo (Law & Order: SVU), Ayanna Berkshire (Wendy and Lucy), Kailey Rhodes (Breakup Season), Lowell Deo (Z Nation), and Reed Diamond (Moneyball). Since the beginning of principal photography on The Way We Speak, Patrick earned a nomination for his role in Better Call Saul at the 2023 Screen Actors Guild Awards, Ayanna starred with Daisy Ridley in Sometimes I Think About Dying which premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, and Ian won Best Director for Pinwheel Horizon at the 2023 Accolade Global Film Competition. The Way We Speak is the first film in North America to shoot with Leitz ELSIE prime lenses, and is edited by long-time Francis Ford Coppola collaborator and editor Robert Schafer (Megalopolis).
Directed by Jonathan Charles Ogilvie
Narrative Feature
New Zealand | 99 min | 2023
Christchurch, New Zealand 1979. Angus, alone for a fortnight with his world-weary father, is drawn into the underground post-punk music scene. Desperate to fit in with this magnetic but fickle subculture, Angus distances himself from his true friends and fabricates his musical abilities. Caught out by his own deceit he must become the musician he pretended to be. With the support of his friends, especially the talented Kirsten, Angus navigates self-doubt, derision, harmful behaviour and a family tragedy to take the stage for the first time.
Directed by Sadie Bones
Narrative Feature
United States | 95 min | 2024
After a passionate prom night, Sydnie’s boyfriend Lucas drops a bomb: he wants to date other girls in college. Devastated, Sydnie gives up on her travel dreams, and to make things worse, she discovers she’s pregnant. Hoping to win back Lucas, she keeps the baby despite her family’s objections. Lucas, compelled by his religious mother, returns from college. Initially upset, he eventually embraces the pregnancy as an opportunity to transform and support his family. Reuniting tentatively, Sydnie and Lucas clash over values and future plans. Enter Daniel, the charismatic lead singer of ‘Delusions of Grandeur.’ Sydnie then faces a decision: stay with Lucas and keep the baby, or pursue her dreams with Daniel.
Directed by Kristen Elizabeth Snyder
Documentary Feature
United States | 90 min | 2024
One Dream Too Many is a documentary that tells the history, struggles, and success of the Latlip Family Circus in the early 1900s. They set world records and became recognized globally for their death defying acts which included; high diving, the upside down derby, and flying trapeze. The film also follows five of the surviving Latlip family members over the course of 13 years as they pursue their dreams in singing, screenwriting, poetry, and filmmaking. The unemotional, unwavering, unfiltered eye of the camera tells a heartfelt story that reveals the benefits of pursuing a life outside of the typical daily grind and serves as an inspiration to its viewers.
Directed by Lydie Turco
Documentary Feature
France | 60 min | 2024
It’s the story of a journey from the white walls of a French day hospital to the healing huts in the Ohio woods, where caregivers on both sides attempt to heal addictions through cultural dialogue.
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Directed by Christopher Greenslate
Narrative Short
United States | 24 min | 2024
After her mother’s disappearance, Andi Sanger hopes to land the lead role in the adaptation of her mother’s bestselling novel BANANAHEAD. But after discovering the haunting legacy within the walls of her familial home, her own aspirations threaten to tear her apart.
Directed by Wesam Charkawi & Fred El-Harris
Documentary Feature Australia | 96 min | 2024
For centuries before European settlement, the Yolngu people of Arnhem Land and the Makassan Muslims from Sulawesi forged a bond through trade, language, and family ties. Before 1770 explores this tapestry of cultural exchange, showcasing journeys, rituals, and relationships that redefine Australia’s history and offer a new perspective on identity and belonging.
Directed by Spencer Cohen
Narrative Feature United States | 94 min | 2024
Javi, an undocumented immigrant facing imminent deportation, unexpectedly reunites with his long-lost best friend, Hunter, a vivacious bachelor seeking deeper connections. Together, they embark on a heartfelt journey to prevent Javi’s expulsion from the only country he has ever called home.
Directed by Jean-Baptiste Thoret
Documentary Feature
France | 72 min | 2024
Beneath the glitz of the Las Vegas Strip lies a hidden world where thousands of homeless people reside in dark, unsanitary tunnels. ‘The Neon People’ sheds light on their living conditions and their enduring hopes.
Short Slot 4
Are you craving a little more drama in your life? Well then, here’s a generous serving of tension, hysteria, conflict, turmoil and commotion to satisfy your hunger. Bon Appétit!
Directed by Jen Lim
Narrative Short
United Kingdom | 5 min | 2024
At a young girl’s first lesson with her new piano teacher tensions rise to an unexpected climax.
Directed by Ericka Kreutz
Narrative Short
United States | 12 min | 2024
MAMA rips the veil off of the “losing it!” motherhood memes and probes into the pressure and all-encompassing relentlessness of being a mother.
Directed by Daniel J. Pico
Narrative Short
United States | 8 min | 2023
An unhappy couple receives a message from their future selves that prepares them for coming change.
Directed by Roberto López Carneiro
Narrative Short
Spain | 15 min | 2024
When a young shrimp gains aspirations to become an actor, he purposefully gets caught by humans so he can end up at a fancy restaurant and on the plate of someone who could make him famous. Shot partially underwater and partially on location in a restaurant and bar, this tale of a puppeteered peeled shrimp and his movie star aspirations illustrates the absurdity of “going for it” and what it can really take to follow your dreams…
Directed by Olga Stalev
Narrative Short
Estonia | 15 min | 2024
An incorporeal Shadow takes up a dangerous adventure through a mystical forest, fancy castle and dream world to save her frivolous owner from a cursed Beast.
Directed by Meghann Artes
Narrative Short
United States | 15 min | 2024
In a world where division around abortion fuels our headlines, hundreds of thousands of foster children remain in our system without families to care for them long term. More people fight for the rights of unborn children rather than those of children who are currently alive and alone in this country, desperately in need of a stable home. Additionally, funding to support these kids continues to dry up. In this case, the home, Stronghold, has been forced to close due to a lack of funding. And Fran, who has worked tirelessly for decades at this home, must move on. Fran believes she has found placement for all of the boys until Leo’s mother, Shelly, who has regained custody, fails to show up on the home’s final day. Now Fran must try to track down Shelly before she is able to embark on the next chapter of her own life — trying to reconcile with her grown daughter. When she finally finds Shelly, these women must make decisions that will change each of their lives forever — and that of Leo’s.
Directed by Haesim Jung
Narrative Short
South Korea | 15 min | 2024
In this game, Hoon is boxing and unboxing his secrets.
Directed by Sang-Beom Koo
Narrative Feature
South Korea | 79 min | 2024
“Nothing changes.” These are the last words of Jin-Soo, a young man suffering from brutal bullying at school, before he takes the fatal step that sets off a rather unpredictable sequence of events in this startlingly honest author’s film.
Directed by Yousaf Ali Khan
Narrative Feature
United Kingdom | 105 min | 2023
Ryan doesn’t remember his dad but still dreams of him returning one day. So, when he discovers a man hiding out in the wasteland near his house, it’s a dream come true. Or is it? Winner of 2024 PriGlobal (Kosovo, 2024) “A moving film, beautifully acted and sensitively directed” (Mike Leigh)
Additional Info
Directed by Sudhi Anna
Narrative Feature
India | 99 min | 2024
Poyyamozi trails Jayson, a runaway trying to find in mysterious woods alongside Chachan. Initially given direction by Chachan, Jayson’s journey turns dark as Chachan unveils vengeful intentions. Ultimately, Jayson confronts a startling truth, culminating in a gunshot resounding through the woods!
Short Slot 7
This little trio of tales really runs the gamut. Crack open a cold one and enjoy the journey!
Directed by Rory K McHarg & Bret Miller
Documentary Short
United States | 39 min | 2023
This is the eccentric story of an artist whose love of fishing, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and beer found its way into every store in America. A true, salt of the earth story of cult status rooted in Americana. Bell’s Two Hearted Ale is America’s No.1 IPA. The now infamous & iconic trout image is found in every beer store across the country. Created by Kalamazoo naturalist artist Ladislav Hanka along with founder Larry Bell, the legends behind this label and many others created at Bell’s started a visual revolution in the craft brewing industry, nearly 40 years ago, that changed what a beer label could be. A piece of art. This is an independent film not made in conjunction with the brewery.
Directed by Josh Zullo
Narrative Short
United States | 10 min | 2024
Life is like climbing a mountain and one of the hardest mountains to climb is love. Josh explores his personal climb with love—the beautiful, the mystery, the peace, the rage, and the ugly. And everything in between.
Directed by Earl Cole
Documentary Short
United States | 39 min | 2024
Rare Kind is an informative and emotional look into the lives of people diagnosed with a rare disease, who are often misunderstood by society due to a lack of empathy or skewed perceptions about disabilities that only affect a very small percentage of the world. This story journeys into the mental and physical battles of one particular rare, but painful, hip bone disease that affects young children and their families, in life-altering ways of a perceived childhood now lost. A different kind of walk in trauma, triumph, and trajectory, soaring into the birth of a life-changing refuge that helps them find joy within the pain. A true origin story down to the bone.
Directed by Ben Judkins
Documentary Feature
United States | 93 min | 2024
An impassioned surfer, Taylor Lane, creates a functional surfboard with 10,000 littered cigarette butts collected from California beaches. The Cigarette Surfboard becomes a platform to learn from professional surfers who are working to protect and restore the health of the ocean, and the symbol of a grassroots campaign to hold Big Tobacco accountable for their toxic, plastic waste. Surfing is the medium, but the message is universal.
Directed by Paige McKenna Grube
Documentary Feature
United States | 80 min | 2024
GOLD is a documentary exploring the lives of four dancers at the Gold Nugget strip club in Spread Eagle, Wisconsin. The film focuses heavily on Dusty’s story, who was a dancer in the 90s. She has owned the club for 30 years, and runs it in a way that empowers women, guiding them to further education, encourages them toward sobriety, and offers respect and support through unconditional and sometimes tough love. Each of these women have unique pasts that landed them in the industry, but each of their stories are relatable to women everywhere. Both inspiring and heartbreaking at times, GOLD offers a unique perspective into the world of women who work at this particular club in this rural part of the US. GOLD is an inspiring story of resilience, overcoming oppression, and finding your voice. GOLD is a film empowering those in the sex industry and highlighting all the good that can come from independence, self-respect, confidence, and bodily autonomy.
Directed by Zainab Sheheen
Narrative Feature
United Arab Emirates | 93 min | 2024
MOUNTAIN BOY is a live-action, feel-good, family-adventure, feature film based on the award-winning United Arab Emirates (UAE) children’s book THE BOY WHO KNEW THE MOUNTAINS by Dr. Michele Ziolkowski. Suhail, a young boy with Autism, flees to live in the mountains after his father shuns him, not understanding his determination. Pinned with the confusing sadness that his mother died in childbirth with him, Suhail makes the epic journey, with his new friend Barakah, an Arabian Saluki, to find acceptance, family, and redemption. The film is a passionate exploration of the world of neurodiverse people to honour the entire human experience and understand there are many ways to be alive.
Short Slot 1
Three shorties and a long, song-filled homage to the master of POE-etic disaster.
Directed by Danny Ashkenasi
Narrative Short
United States | 38 min | 2019
A musical adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s gothic horror story. A man is so disturbed by an old man’s “vulture eye” he resolves to murder and dismember him. But the murderer is driven to madness and confession by the incessant beating of the victim’s heart under the floor boards.
Directed by Steve Anderson
Narrative Short
Unites States | 16 min | 2023
Months after a mass shooting at a small town diner, the only survivors revisit the scene with hopes of healing from their shared trauma. A single moment can last forever.
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Directed by Sven Fuhrken & Chris Hirschhaeuser
Narrative Short
Germany | 20 min | 2024
The sad story of a man who obtrudes explanations about his displayed artwork to visitors of a museum. But when the art is not genuinely, the truth behind is often tragic.
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Directed by Tristan Barrocks
Narrative Short
Canada | 19 min | 2024
Ebony, a young Jamaican-Canadian woman, struggles to find her place in life. She reluctantly agrees to check in on her estranged father, Desmond, a man known for his strong will and traditional values. Seeking a way to reconnect with him, Ebony turns to the one thing that once brought them joy: cooking. She begins preparing beloved Caribbean meals from her childhood, hoping that the familiar flavours will help bridge the emotional distance that has grown between them over the years.
Directed by Emma Rozanski
Narrative Feature
Colombia | 93 min | 2023 I
f the cowboy boot fits, wear it. The arrival of a stray horse triggers a series of events in Bernicia’s life that alters her world as she slowly takes on the persona of a cowboy. Through her journey, she must overcome several obstacles that threaten her newfound desires. EL VAQUERO is an uplifting drama about self-determination.
Directed by Laura Plancarte
Documentary Feature
Mexico | 88 min | 2023
Malena had her tubes tied after an abusive relationship and fled to Mexico City seeking a better life, but her ex-husband took custody of her children despite her fierce fight. Today she has a new partner and is finishing the house where she dreams of living with her three children and a new baby. She needs IVF treatment if she is to have a second chance now that she’s older and wiser. Malena decides to quit her job as a domestic worker and return home to set up a business and have the family she always dreamt of. Feeling abandoned, her children punish her while her partner threatens to leave if the IVF fails. Can she pull everyone together and make her dreams come true?
Directed by Brendan Boogie
Narrative Feature
United States | 90 min | 2023
A buddy comedy about a disabled musician who gets the chance to live his rock star dreams while his best friend reluctantly tags along for the ride.
Directed by Vania Turner
Documentary Feature
Greece | 96 min | 2024
The Olympian who pioneered Greece’s #MeToo movement inspires a younger athlete to break her own silence. In a milestone trial, Sofia stands with Amalia, who is seeking justice for the systematic abuse she endured at the hands of her coach when she was a child.
Directed by Liz Cairns
Narrative Feature
Canada | 107 min | 2024
After a series of mysterious and debilitating allergic reactions to food, CORA (27), joins a radical community of people who claim to be fed by light, forgoing all physical nourishment. Drawn to this idea like a moth to a flame, Cora falls headfirst into this community, and its promise of transcending the corporeal nature of our existence. However, when the veil is finally lifted and truth is revealed, Cora must confront the darker underpinnings of her desire to abstain from food.
Directed by Bibi Slippers
Narrative Feature
South Africa | 91 min | 2024
Matilda en Matthys is an off-beat romcom about a generation’s fear of commitment and suspicion of romance, and how love always knows best, in the end.
Directed by Chad Gracia
Documentary Feature
Ukraine | 100 min | 2024
A cinematic journey through seven decades of sexual ignorance, oppression, and suffering, brought to life through the words and experiences of the first Soviet sexologist. Ukrainian survivors of the regime recount the harsh realities they endured, from the pervasive suppression of sexual expression to the rampant exploitation and abuse that plagued Soviet society. Delving into the darkest corners of the regime, the film sheds light on the underground worlds of pornography, prostitution, sexpionage, gay life, the gulag, abortion, rape and the daily terrors of searching for intimacy in a totalitarian regime. Through archival footage, powerful personal testimonies, and the insights of leading experts, this documentary offers an unflinching exploration of the sexual mores and brutal repression that defined life in the USSR. It serves as a poignant reminder of the grave consequences of suppressing fundamental aspects of human existence and warns of the personal toll behind the global spread of authoritarianism.
Additional Info
Short Slot 6
Heh-heh…heh-heh-heh…ha-ha-ha-ha…OOOOH-WEEE! Now that’s some funny s….stuff!
Directed by Serra Duran Paralı
Narrative Short
Turkey | 10 min | 2024
At the end of the meal, two bourgeois fathers quarrel over the bill.
Directed by Katy Dore
Narrative Short
United States | 6 min | 2024
Clara and Bertie have been friends for nearly 60 years, but when Clara wants to add a new man into the mix, Bertie’s devotion to her friend is tested.
Directed by Nada Djordjevich
Narrative Short
United States | 9 min | 2023
A jaded New York writer and a laid-back California surfer navigate the murky and occasionally painful waters of a first date. Set in San Francisco, it’s also a love-hate letter to that paradoxical place where hearts have been left, lost, and also found.
Directed by Wil Loper & Jarrod Crooks
Narrative Short
United States | 9 min | 2023
Wil & Jarrod have made a multitude of short and feature films separately and together for over 20 years. They perform every job behind and in front of the camera, from writing to directing to acting to editing.
Directed by Ryan Allsop
Narrative Short
United Staes | 11 min | 2023
When two Mormon missionaries try to convert a recently widowed redneck, it soon isn’t clear who is converting who.
Directed by Jamie Ting
Narrative Short
United States | 13 min | 2024
A dark comedy about a neurotic but driven 17-year-old Chinese-American violinist on a mission to get admitted to Harvard at any cost. After spotting a mistake in her application at the last minute, she embarks on a midnight rampage through her magnet high school, blackmailing a socially-awkward teenage hacker to deliver the perfect audition for the elusive Dean of Admissions before the deadline.
Directed by Mitch Deitz & Juan C. Linares
Narrative Short
United Staes | 9 min | 2024
When a young shrimp gains aspirations to become an actor, he purposefully gets caught by humans so he can end up at a fancy restaurant and on the plate of someone who could make him famous. Shot partially underwater and partially on location in a restaurant and bar, this tale of a puppeteered peeled shrimp and his movie star aspirations illustrates the absurdity of “going for it” and what it can really take to follow your dreams…
Directed by Umut Şilan Oğurlu
Narrative Short
Turkey | 20 min | 2024
Dilan, who works for her uncle and lives with her mother, feels that she is not living up to her potential.A documentary team investigating Dilan’s problem follows Dilan’s life while examining the unsolved mystery of artistic production.Why is this young adult of average standards unable to produce anything of value even though she wants to? Is it because of a psychological or physiological condition? Lack of iron? Is it a lack of talent, bad luck, or just laziness?
Directed by Bobby Roth
Documentary Feature
United States | 90 min | 2024
Filmmaker Bobby Roth embarks on a thought-provoking journey seeking candid answers to questions on masculinity, femininity, and whether we have the power to change.
Directed by John Roach
Documentary Feature
United States | 73 min | 2024
“A Road at Night“ is a documentary about the cascade of tragic events that can occur when seemingly good people make fatally unwise decisions. Set against the backdrop of college athletics, the documentary examines the powerful bonds of family and friends that endure in the face of unspeakable tragedy. It is also a searing, unblinking examination of the human toll taken by an all-too-common behavior that kills someone in America every 39 minutes.
Directed by Ebru Erke
Documentary Feature
Turkey | 43 min | 2024
Kulva, whose arm was cut off by strangers who broke into the house one night in her sleep, siblings Cuma and Abdurrahim, who could not go to school for fear of being kidnapped, Fatuma, who had no opportunity to find a job, and dozens of children who were forced to live in a camp to survive… What they all have in common is that they are albinos. And a woman who opens her arms and her heart to all albinos and keeps them alive.
Directed by Anthony Sherin & Geneviève Mathis
Documentary Short
United States | 31 min | 2023
“An investigation is an inquiry into your activities. A witch-hunt is an inquiry into your beliefs.” — Conrad Bromberg, 2022 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES is the story of how famed character actor J. Edward Bromberg’s life was ruined when he was named a communist before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC). It is told through the eyes of his son, 91-year-old screenwriter Conrad Bromberg.
Directed by Racheal Cain
Narrative Feature
United States | 92 min | 2024
At experimental sleep clinic, Somnium, your dreams are made real. Side effects may include: hallucinations, confusion, paranoia, sleep paralysis, detachment from reality, lost sense of self, permanent nightmares.
Directed by Eva Tenuto & Beth Davenport
Documentary Feature
United States | 42 min | 2023
The docu-short Locker Room Talk follows the Kingston Tigers over the course of their football season, both on and off the field, as they seek the championship and redefine what it means to be men. Along the way, through the power of true storytelling, they face the cultural expectations of masculinity head-on and ultimately, share deeply personal stories about love, loss, and triumph. Whether or not the Tigers win the game, a bigger battle has been won: the team has changed the way they view women and themselves.
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Directed by Della Chen
Documentary Short
United States | 33 min | 2023
In 1952, an unlikely group formed in Seattle’s Chinatown. A group of Asian American high school girls wanted to be of service to the community, and approached Ruby Chow, a Chinese American politician and civic activist whose husband was a Cantonese Opera singer who had experience working with elaborate classic Chinese costumes. Ruby was also friends with a Seattle Police officer named Ted Yerabek, who taught the girls American military drills. That’s how the Seattle Chinese Community Girls Drill Team was formed. For 70 years, they have performed at parades all around Washington state, inspiring generations. This history is shared by Ruby Chow and her daughter Cheryl Chow from footage filmed in 2002. Cheryl took over the drill team in the 80s at the peak of their popularity when the drill team had 100 members. The team is about to celebrate their 70th anniversary at a challenging time: in the wake of the pandemic participation has dropped to 30 members, but the spirit of the drill team lives on! SHE MARCHES IN CHINATOWN is an inspiring story about belonging, identity, sisterhood, leadership, and a community that has flourished among a diverse group of women with backgrounds that represent a variety of sexual orientations, races, and ages. It is about a group that thrives despite being in a neighborhood targeted by hate and discrimination. As one superfan puts it, “Please don’t go away – Seattle needs you!”
Directed by Lina Suh
Narrative Feature
United States | 85 min | 2024
An unexpected, much-needed friendship arrives at your doorstep. Two women from different walks of life — a Korean American divorce attorney who is very rooted in her immigrant family’s upbringing, and a Californian college dropout searching for herself after being canceled online — cross paths by chance and form an unlikely friendship.
Narrative Feature United States | 90 min | 2023
BOX BROWN: A Box Marked Freedom is the incredible TRUE story of Henry “Box” Brown, an enslaved man who mailed himself to freedom in 1849. BOX BROWN, directed by Rob Underhill and Aravind Ragupathi, shines a spotlight on the brutal conditions of slavery, both physical and emotional, and how one man is willing to risk everything to escape it all…
Directed by Alice Rosso
Documentary Feature United Kingdom | 53 min | 2024
3000 miles, 76 days, alone in a boat. Kelda Wood is the first para-athlete to row across the Atlantic Ocean solo. This film follows the incredible journey of this “ordinary” woman who climbed the tallest peaks in the world, joined the GB Paralympic squad, fought cancer, and created her own charity helping people who have experienced trauma. Kelda’s life inspires us to go on our journey, find our answers, and accept that sometimes life is just shit… but that doesn’t mean we quit.
Directed by Anthony Lucero
Narrative Feature
United States | 107 min | 2024
A father embarks on a plan to train his physically disabled son to bag groceries in the hopes of him landing a job and a path to independence.
Directed by Paul Heinzelmann & Jonathan Schwartz
Documentary Feature
United States | 75 min | 2024
A doctor investigates hazardous working conditions in Hollywood, and discovers untold stories of enormous personal sacrifice and life-threatening risks for those working in an industry that brings us the movies and TV shows we cherish.
Short Slot 2
The heaviness of meaning, the lightness of being. This collection has some downs…and some ups.
Directed by Amir Zargara
Narrative Short
Iran | 18 min | 2023
Arash is a professional wrestler with dreams of representing his country and winning gold medals. The country is in turmoil and its people are suffering. Arash must decide between using his platform to stand up to tyranny, or put his head down and remain silent.
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Directed by Spencer Jamison
Narrative Short
United States | 17 min | 2023
Mia has one task for the evening: break up with the smooth-talking charlatan, Andrew. When things don’t go according to plan, she’s pulled into an unexpected evening with Andrew’s cousin, Ari. As a seasoned political operative, Mia has strong opinions on the way the world works. However, with the earnest and endearing Ari, she’s met her match. A proof of concept film about connection, the ways we protect one another, and the potential for serendipity when we live moment to moment.
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Directed by Martin Seeger
Narrative Short
Chile | 19 min | 2023
Jean, a Haitian migrant in Chili, is admired everywhere he goes. His body represents all the classical values of the academy. However, in the anonymity of his existence, he is also a canon of marginality.
Directed by David Bunting
Documentary Short
United Kingdom | 10 min | 2024
Through an animated conversation, scientists explore if everyone can live well without harming the environment and reveal how hope and creativity can inspire change.
Directed by Luke Baker
Narrative Short
United States | 19 min | 2024
Two college students, who on the outside couldn’t be more different from each other, happen to meet at a party and form a deep connection where they find self-discovery, forgiveness and hope for the future.
Additional Info
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Directed by Shayna Connelly
Narrative Short
United States | 16 min | 2025
After witnessing a suicide in public, Lauren re-evaluates herself in relationship to friends, family and career. Fantasy and reality blend as she assesses her identity and reasserts herself differently in the world.
Directed by Colin C. Hughes
Documentary Feature
United States | 78 min | 2023
A suburban firefighter’s labor union finds itself under a different kind of fire when the Village Mayor announces he’s privatizing their department to save money. What results is a five year long legal battle with the potential to change labor law for the entire country.
Directed by Neto Borges
Documentary Feature
Brazil | 85 min | 2023
Indigenist Fernando Schiavini revisits places and villages he passed through in the 1970s, a time when little was known about the “deep Brazil”. The story of Brazilian indigenism narrated by those who lived it and helped write it through the language of solidarity.
Directed by Deborah Correa
Narrative Feature
United States | 97 min | 2024
“…a soaring achievement.” – Film Threat April 1862, set in Arizona territory during the opening months of the American Civil War, The War Between, is about two enemy soldiers who must cooperate in order to survive being stranded in the Sonoran Desert.
Directed by Min Yeong Kwak
Narrative Feature
Korea | 75 min | 2024
Doah has lived in a ‘Gray Rock’ state for a long time, enduring like an unfeeling stone to avoid pain. But when she finally breaks free from her emotional shell, light reveals the countless colors within. Her journey is not just about healing—it’s about reclaiming her emotions. As she embraces herself and moves forward, Prism of Gray Rock begins to shine.
Short Slot 3
For those who are addicted…to films that are restricted.
Directed by Tim Aslin & Shane Cibella
Narrative Short
United States | 15 min | 2024
When an unseen threat forces a young woman to take refuge in an abandoned car, she must determine where the true danger lies: inside or out.
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Directed by Paul Holbrook
Narrative Short
United Kingdom | 17 min | 2024
A depressed housewife seeks out a troubled young man from her past, with disastrous consequences.
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Directed by Jamie O’Rourke
Narrative Short
Ireland, United Kingdom | 14 min | 2023
A sinister farm accident leaves Cáit with a terrible decision to make.
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Directed by The Michael
Narrative Short
United States | 15 min | 2019
After connecting over an app for the terminally ill, two unlikely strangers meet in a motel to share their last night on earth.
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Directed by Nicklas Hendrickson
Narrative Short
United States | 16 min | 2020
A young woman's transformative first night as a vampire.
Directed by Sean Cruser
Narrative Short
United States | 16 min | 2024
A seemingly helpful park ranger assists a grieving hiker in finding the perfect spot to scatter his father’s ashes.
Directed by Wendy Lobel
Documentary Feature
United States | 86 min | 2024
ANXIETY CLUB provides an intimate and humorous look at anxiety through the eyes and minds of some of the most brilliant comedians working today. Tiffany Jenkins, Joe List, Marc Maron, Aparna Nancherla, Mark Normand, Baron Vaughn and Eva Victor offer candid reflections on their relationship with anxiety through exclusive interviews, standup performances, sketch videos, therapy and everyday life.
United Kingdom | 74 min | 2024
Now selected for 45 festivals, including 10 awards, and 4 upcoming nominations! Filmed in English, the film follows 5 architects on their determined journeys to continue building during wartime, as they seek a new people-focused identity for Ukrainian architecture. While Russia continues to turn former Ukrainian cities to dust, Ukraine’s leading architects are already building upwards & advanced new buildings are rising again as symbols of hope.
Narrative Short
United States | 21 min | 2023
Directed by H. Nelson Tracey
Narrative Feature United States | 102 min | 2024
When a young man brings his girlfriend to his rural Oregon hometown to meet his family for Christmas, things do not go as planned.
Directed by Michael Panico & Hobart Miller
Narrative Feature
United States | 81 min | 2024
ROOM SIX is the story of Maxx, a college student, who is working the night shift at a vacant, rundown motel before the late night arrival of two brothers. After a few suspicious incidents, Maxx’s curiosity (or paranoia) gets the best of her and she decides to investigate the situation. Maxx quickly finds herself in danger as she uncovers what lies hidden in the brothers’ room.
Directed by Hussein Martin Fazeli
Documentary Feature
Canada | 64 min | 2024
“I Am Gitxsan” follows Phoenix Apperloo, a recent high school graduate reconnecting with his Indigenous heritage in Hazelton, British Columbia, Canada. Inspired by encounters with residential school survivors, he writes a heartfelt letter to Prime Minister Trudeau about the injustices faced by his people. The documentary highlights the impact of colonialism on the Gitxsan community, featuring insights from experts like Dr Gabor Maté and showcasing their resilience through protests and legal actions. It culminates with a moving message of hope and determination, emphasizing the power of the Gitxsan people’s enduring spirit, the beauties of their culture, and their commitment to future generations.
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Directed by Cédric Lachenaud
Narrative Short
France | 22 min | 2023
Strange things are going on in London. Clever, a hamster-detective, and her little brother Bro lead investigations. Will they triumph the unusual enigmas that baffle Scotland Yard? Snowflake and Charcoal, Clever’s neighbors at the pet shop, are kidnapped during the night. Clever receives a tablet that shows them as prisoners. She recognizes their place of detention: the room of the Templars’ treasure!
Directed by Morgan Evans
Narrative Feature
United States | 89 min | 2024
“Lights. Camera. Asshole.” When Terry (Patrick Noth) discovers he’s about to be a father, he does what any other sane person would do. He moves himself and his nine-months-pregnant wife from Iowa to Los Angeles to shoot a low-budget indie movie and sell it to a streamer for a “fuck-ton of money.” Documented by his cousin Devin’s behind-the-scenes camera crew, Terry suddenly finds that his beliefs about diversity, the #MeToo movement, and what technically qualifies as a properly financed film production put him at odds with, well, every single person who meets him.
Short Slot 4
Are you craving a little more drama in your life? Well then, here’s a generous serving of tension, hysteria, conflict, turmoil and commotion to satisfy your hunger. Bon Appétit!
Directed by Jen Lim
Narrative Short
United Kingdom | 5 min | 2024
At a young girl’s first lesson with her new piano teacher tensions rise to an unexpected climax.
Directed by Ericka Kreutz
Narrative Short
United States | 12 min | 2024
MAMA rips the veil off of the “losing it!” motherhood memes and probes into the pressure and all-encompassing relentlessness of being a mother.
Directed by Daniel J. Pico
Narrative Short
United States | 8 min | 2023
An unhappy couple receives a message from their future selves that prepares them for coming change.
Directed by Roberto López Carneiro
Narrative Short
Spain | 15 min | 2024
When a young shrimp gains aspirations to become an actor, he purposefully gets caught by humans so he can end up at a fancy restaurant and on the plate of someone who could make him famous. Shot partially underwater and partially on location in a restaurant and bar, this tale of a puppeteered peeled shrimp and his movie star aspirations illustrates the absurdity of “going for it” and what it can really take to follow your dreams…
Directed by Olga Stalev
Narrative Short
Estonia | 15 min | 2024
An incorporeal Shadow takes up a dangerous adventure through a mystical forest, fancy castle and dream world to save her frivolous owner from a cursed Beast.
Directed by Meghann Artes
Narrative Short
United States | 15 min | 2024
In a world where division around abortion fuels our headlines, hundreds of thousands of foster children remain in our system without families to care for them long term. More people fight for the rights of unborn children rather than those of children who are currently alive and alone in this country, desperately in need of a stable home. Additionally, funding to support these kids continues to dry up. In this case, the home, Stronghold, has been forced to close due to a lack of funding. And Fran, who has worked tirelessly for decades at this home, must move on. Fran believes she has found placement for all of the boys until Leo’s mother, Shelly, who has regained custody, fails to show up on the home’s final day. Now Fran must try to track down Shelly before she is able to embark on the next chapter of her own life — trying to reconcile with her grown daughter. When she finally finds Shelly, these women must make decisions that will change each of their lives forever — and that of Leo’s.
Directed by Haesim Jung
Narrative Short
South Korea | 15 min | 2024
In this game, Hoon is boxing and unboxing his secrets.
Directed by Ian Ebright
Narrative Feature
United States | 87 min | 2024
An up-and-coming writer refuses to leave the spotlight when his best friend and debate opponent suffers cardiac arrest, leading to an obsession over his new opponent and a growing rift with his ailing wife. The Way We Speak stars Patrick Fabian (Howard Hamlin in Better Call Saul), Diana Coconubo (Law & Order: SVU), Ayanna Berkshire (Wendy and Lucy), Kailey Rhodes (Breakup Season), Lowell Deo (Z Nation), and Reed Diamond (Moneyball). Since the beginning of principal photography on The Way We Speak, Patrick earned a nomination for his role in Better Call Saul at the 2023 Screen Actors Guild Awards, Ayanna starred with Daisy Ridley in Sometimes I Think About Dying which premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, and Ian won Best Director for Pinwheel Horizon at the 2023 Accolade Global Film Competition. The Way We Speak is the first film in North America to shoot with Leitz ELSIE prime lenses, and is edited by long-time Francis Ford Coppola collaborator and editor Robert Schafer (Megalopolis).
Directed by Lydie Turco
Documentary Feature
France | 60 min | 2024
It’s the story of a journey from the white walls of a French day hospital to the healing huts in the Ohio woods, where caregivers on both sides attempt to heal addictions through cultural dialogue.
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Directed by Christopher Greenslate
Narrative Short
United States | 24 min | 2024
After her mother’s disappearance, Andi Sanger hopes to land the lead role in the adaptation of her mother’s bestselling novel BANANAHEAD. But after discovering the haunting legacy within the walls of her familial home, her own aspirations threaten to tear her apart.
Directed by Jonathan Charles Ogilvie
Narrative Feature
New Zealand | 99 min | 2023
Christchurch, New Zealand 1979. Angus, alone for a fortnight with his world-weary father, is drawn into the underground post-punk music scene. Desperate to fit in with this magnetic but fickle subculture, Angus distances himself from his true friends and fabricates his musical abilities. Caught out by his own deceit he must become the musician he pretended to be. With the support of his friends, especially the talented Kirsten, Angus navigates self-doubt, derision, harmful behaviour and a family tragedy to take the stage for the first time.
Directed by Sadie Bones
Narrative Feature
United States | 95 min | 2024
After a passionate prom night, Sydnie’s boyfriend Lucas drops a bomb: he wants to date other girls in college. Devastated, Sydnie gives up on her travel dreams, and to make things worse, she discovers she’s pregnant. Hoping to win back Lucas, she keeps the baby despite her family’s objections. Lucas, compelled by his religious mother, returns from college. Initially upset, he eventually embraces the pregnancy as an opportunity to transform and support his family. Reuniting tentatively, Sydnie and Lucas clash over values and future plans. Enter Daniel, the charismatic lead singer of ‘Delusions of Grandeur.’ Sydnie then faces a decision: stay with Lucas and keep the baby, or pursue her dreams with Daniel.
Directed by Kristen Elizabeth Snyder
Documentary Feature
United States | 90 min | 2024
One Dream Too Many is a documentary that tells the history, struggles, and success of the Latlip Family Circus in the early 1900s. They set world records and became recognized globally for their death defying acts which included; high diving, the upside down derby, and flying trapeze. The film also follows five of the surviving Latlip family members over the course of 13 years as they pursue their dreams in singing, screenwriting, poetry, and filmmaking. The unemotional, unwavering, unfiltered eye of the camera tells a heartfelt story that reveals the benefits of pursuing a life outside of the typical daily grind and serves as an inspiration to its viewers.
Directed by Spencer Cohen
Narrative Feature United States | 94 min | 2024
Javi, an undocumented immigrant facing imminent deportation, unexpectedly reunites with his long-lost best friend, Hunter, a vivacious bachelor seeking deeper connections. Together, they embark on a heartfelt journey to prevent Javi’s expulsion from the only country he has ever called home.
Short Slot 5
One hour after you finish these films, you’re going to be hungry again!
Directed by Christian Loubek
Narrative Short
United States | 14 min | 2024
Alongside his wife and daughter, Lennox joyously unpacks their new home but is left speechless when he finds a letter in a moving box labelled ‘mom’ that predestines a different life for him – it’s not as he remembers.
Directed by Nate Sheppard
Documentary Short
United States | 7 min | 2023
A short documentary chronicling the story of Wisconsin inventor Carl Eliason and his essential contributions to the development of the modern snowmobile.
Directed by Aaron Goffman
Narrative Short
United States | 17 min | 2024
A short film about an L.A. woman who struggles to find a job, a home, and a meal, only to go unseen for the help she really needs.
Directed by Antonio Maria Castaldo
Narrative Short
Italy | 13 min | 2024
On a cold and dark night along a country road, a vehicle veers off the road and plunges into a ravine. Rescuers must act promptly to save Andrea, the driver, who is trapped inside the car. During the rescue, the personal challenges of Carlo and Luca, two team members, come to light. Carlo, experienced and composed, must manage the pressure of the rescue and help Luca, a firefighter going through a tough time in his life, to overcome his fears. As time passes and the operation becomes increasingly complex, touching details of Andrea’s life emerge, leading the rescuers to reflect on the need for a human and empathetic approach to unlock the situation. Ultimately, a gesture from Luca provides a moment of comfort to Andrea, crucial for resolving the crisis.
Directed by Maximiliano Wurzel
Narrative Short
Argentina | 15 min | 2024
Maxi, a young autistic man, takes us on a journey through experiences of his childhood and adolescence with Laura, a teacher from his school. He demonstrates that, beyond differences or limitations, meaningful relationships can be forged, leaving an indelible mark and expanding the heart.
Directed by Dean Ronalds
Narrative Short
United States | 12 min | 2024
An all-star cast, high production value and a “must-see” ending drive this incredible adaptation of the famous short story “The Open Window” by H. H. Munro. A short film set in 1918, THE OPEN DOOR tells the story of Framton Nuttel who is sent to the countryside by his physicians in order to calm his nerves. It is there he meets a young girl, Mae, who begins to share the eerie secrets of this small town.
Directed by Murat Arda Gürsoy
Narrative Short
Turkey | 14 min | 2024
Merve is a former athlete living on the Anatolian side of Istanbul, making a living by selling performance-enhancing drugs. Upon receiving the news of her father’s death in Belgium, Merve finds herself faced with a choice between two continents. This decision will also lead to losing one of the two people she loves… Will she choose her sister who dreams of a life abroad or the athlete she is in love with.
Directed by Wesam Charkawi & Fred El-Harris
Documentary Feature Australia | 96 min | 2024
For centuries before European settlement, the Yolngu people of Arnhem Land and the Makassan Muslims from Sulawesi forged a bond through trade, language, and family ties. Before 1770 explores this tapestry of cultural exchange, showcasing journeys, rituals, and relationships that redefine Australia’s history and offer a new perspective on identity and belonging.
Directed by Jean-Baptiste Thoret
Documentary Feature
France | 72 min | 2024
Beneath the glitz of the Las Vegas Strip lies a hidden world where thousands of homeless people reside in dark, unsanitary tunnels. ‘The Neon People’ sheds light on their living conditions and their enduring hopes.
Short Slot 7
This little trio of tales really runs the gamut. Crack open a cold one and enjoy the journey!
Directed by Rory K McHarg & Bret Miller
Documentary Short
United States | 39 min | 2023
This is the eccentric story of an artist whose love of fishing, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and beer found its way into every store in America. A true, salt of the earth story of cult status rooted in Americana. Bell’s Two Hearted Ale is America’s No.1 IPA. The now infamous & iconic trout image is found in every beer store across the country. Created by Kalamazoo naturalist artist Ladislav Hanka along with founder Larry Bell, the legends behind this label and many others created at Bell’s started a visual revolution in the craft brewing industry, nearly 40 years ago, that changed what a beer label could be. A piece of art. This is an independent film not made in conjunction with the brewery.
Directed by Josh Zullo
Narrative Short
United States | 10 min | 2024
Life is like climbing a mountain and one of the hardest mountains to climb is love. Josh explores his personal climb with love—the beautiful, the mystery, the peace, the rage, and the ugly. And everything in between.
Directed by Earl Cole
Documentary Short
United States | 39 min | 2024
Rare Kind is an informative and emotional look into the lives of people diagnosed with a rare disease, who are often misunderstood by society due to a lack of empathy or skewed perceptions about disabilities that only affect a very small percentage of the world. This story journeys into the mental and physical battles of one particular rare, but painful, hip bone disease that affects young children and their families, in life-altering ways of a perceived childhood now lost. A different kind of walk in trauma, triumph, and trajectory, soaring into the birth of a life-changing refuge that helps them find joy within the pain. A true origin story down to the bone.
Directed by Yousaf Ali Khan
Narrative Feature
United Kingdom | 105 min | 2023
Ryan doesn’t remember his dad but still dreams of him returning one day. So, when he discovers a man hiding out in the wasteland near his house, it’s a dream come true. Or is it? Winner of 2024 PriGlobal (Kosovo, 2024) “A moving film, beautifully acted and sensitively directed” (Mike Leigh)
Additional Info
Directed by Ben Judkins
Documentary Feature
United States | 93 min | 2024
An impassioned surfer, Taylor Lane, creates a functional surfboard with 10,000 littered cigarette butts collected from California beaches. The Cigarette Surfboard becomes a platform to learn from professional surfers who are working to protect and restore the health of the ocean, and the symbol of a grassroots campaign to hold Big Tobacco accountable for their toxic, plastic waste. Surfing is the medium, but the message is universal.
Directed by Sang-Beom Koo
Narrative Feature
South Korea | 79 min | 2024
“Nothing changes.” These are the last words of Jin-Soo, a young man suffering from brutal bullying at school, before he takes the fatal step that sets off a rather unpredictable sequence of events in this startlingly honest author’s film.
Directed by Zainab Sheheen
Narrative Feature
United Arab Emirates | 93 min | 2024
MOUNTAIN BOY is a live-action, feel-good, family-adventure, feature film based on the award-winning United Arab Emirates (UAE) children’s book THE BOY WHO KNEW THE MOUNTAINS by Dr. Michele Ziolkowski. Suhail, a young boy with Autism, flees to live in the mountains after his father shuns him, not understanding his determination. Pinned with the confusing sadness that his mother died in childbirth with him, Suhail makes the epic journey, with his new friend Barakah, an Arabian Saluki, to find acceptance, family, and redemption. The film is a passionate exploration of the world of neurodiverse people to honour the entire human experience and understand there are many ways to be alive.
Directed by Thierry Obadia
Narrative Feature
France | 100 min | 2024
Inspired by a true story and my sleepless nights. Doudou Ngumbu, abandoned at the age of three, is taken in by his grandmother. He goes on the road to follow in the footsteps of his deceased dad and find himself. The encounters he will have will change never shorten his life and disrupt that of others.
Directed by Sudhi Anna
Narrative Feature
India | 99 min | 2024
Poyyamozi trails Jayson, a runaway trying to find in mysterious woods alongside Chachan. Initially given direction by Chachan, Jayson’s journey turns dark as Chachan unveils vengeful intentions. Ultimately, Jayson confronts a startling truth, culminating in a gunshot resounding through the woods!
Directed by Emma Rozanski
Narrative Feature
Colombia | 93 min | 2023 I
f the cowboy boot fits, wear it. The arrival of a stray horse triggers a series of events in Bernicia’s life that alters her world as she slowly takes on the persona of a cowboy. Through her journey, she must overcome several obstacles that threaten her newfound desires. EL VAQUERO is an uplifting drama about self-determination.
Directed by Paige McKenna Grube
Documentary Feature
United States | 80 min | 2024
GOLD is a documentary exploring the lives of four dancers at the Gold Nugget strip club in Spread Eagle, Wisconsin. The film focuses heavily on Dusty’s story, who was a dancer in the 90s. She has owned the club for 30 years, and runs it in a way that empowers women, guiding them to further education, encourages them toward sobriety, and offers respect and support through unconditional and sometimes tough love. Each of these women have unique pasts that landed them in the industry, but each of their stories are relatable to women everywhere. Both inspiring and heartbreaking at times, GOLD offers a unique perspective into the world of women who work at this particular club in this rural part of the US. GOLD is an inspiring story of resilience, overcoming oppression, and finding your voice. GOLD is a film empowering those in the sex industry and highlighting all the good that can come from independence, self-respect, confidence, and bodily autonomy.
Directed by Laura Plancarte
Documentary Feature
Mexico | 88 min | 2023
Malena had her tubes tied after an abusive relationship and fled to Mexico City seeking a better life, but her ex-husband took custody of her children despite her fierce fight. Today she has a new partner and is finishing the house where she dreams of living with her three children and a new baby. She needs IVF treatment if she is to have a second chance now that she’s older and wiser. Malena decides to quit her job as a domestic worker and return home to set up a business and have the family she always dreamt of. Feeling abandoned, her children punish her while her partner threatens to leave if the IVF fails. Can she pull everyone together and make her dreams come true?
Short Slot 6
Heh-heh…heh-heh-heh…ha-ha-ha-ha…OOOOH-WEEE! Now that’s some funny s….stuff!
Directed by Serra Duran Paralı
Narrative Short
Turkey | 10 min | 2024
At the end of the meal, two bourgeois fathers quarrel over the bill.
Directed by Katy Dore
Narrative Short
United States | 6 min | 2024
Clara and Bertie have been friends for nearly 60 years, but when Clara wants to add a new man into the mix, Bertie’s devotion to her friend is tested.
Directed by Nada Djordjevich
Narrative Short
United States | 9 min | 2023
A jaded New York writer and a laid-back California surfer navigate the murky and occasionally painful waters of a first date. Set in San Francisco, it’s also a love-hate letter to that paradoxical place where hearts have been left, lost, and also found.
Directed by Wil Loper & Jarrod Crooks
Narrative Short
United States | 9 min | 2023
Wil & Jarrod have made a multitude of short and feature films separately and together for over 20 years. They perform every job behind and in front of the camera, from writing to directing to acting to editing.
Directed by Ryan Allsop
Narrative Short
United Staes | 11 min | 2023
When two Mormon missionaries try to convert a recently widowed redneck, it soon isn’t clear who is converting who.
Directed by Jamie Ting
Narrative Short
United States | 13 min | 2024
A dark comedy about a neurotic but driven 17-year-old Chinese-American violinist on a mission to get admitted to Harvard at any cost. After spotting a mistake in her application at the last minute, she embarks on a midnight rampage through her magnet high school, blackmailing a socially-awkward teenage hacker to deliver the perfect audition for the elusive Dean of Admissions before the deadline.
Directed by Mitch Deitz & Juan C. Linares
Narrative Short
United Staes | 9 min | 2024
When a young shrimp gains aspirations to become an actor, he purposefully gets caught by humans so he can end up at a fancy restaurant and on the plate of someone who could make him famous. Shot partially underwater and partially on location in a restaurant and bar, this tale of a puppeteered peeled shrimp and his movie star aspirations illustrates the absurdity of “going for it” and what it can really take to follow your dreams…
Directed by Umut Şilan Oğurlu
Narrative Short
Turkey | 20 min | 2024
Dilan, who works for her uncle and lives with her mother, feels that she is not living up to her potential.A documentary team investigating Dilan’s problem follows Dilan’s life while examining the unsolved mystery of artistic production.Why is this young adult of average standards unable to produce anything of value even though she wants to? Is it because of a psychological or physiological condition? Lack of iron? Is it a lack of talent, bad luck, or just laziness?
Narrative Feature United States | 90 min | 2023
BOX BROWN: A Box Marked Freedom is the incredible TRUE story of Henry “Box” Brown, an enslaved man who mailed himself to freedom in 1849. BOX BROWN, directed by Rob Underhill and Aravind Ragupathi, shines a spotlight on the brutal conditions of slavery, both physical and emotional, and how one man is willing to risk everything to escape it all…
Directed by Bibi Slippers
Narrative Feature
South Africa | 91 min | 2024
Matilda en Matthys is an off-beat romcom about a generation’s fear of commitment and suspicion of romance, and how love always knows best, in the end.
Directed by Vania Turner
Documentary Feature
Greece | 96 min | 2024
The Olympian who pioneered Greece’s #MeToo movement inspires a younger athlete to break her own silence. In a milestone trial, Sofia stands with Amalia, who is seeking justice for the systematic abuse she endured at the hands of her coach when she was a child.
Directed by Brendan Boogie
Narrative Feature
United States | 90 min | 2023
A buddy comedy about a disabled musician who gets the chance to live his rock star dreams while his best friend reluctantly tags along for the ride.
Directed by Liz Cairns
Narrative Feature
Canada | 107 min | 2024
After a series of mysterious and debilitating allergic reactions to food, CORA (27), joins a radical community of people who claim to be fed by light, forgoing all physical nourishment. Drawn to this idea like a moth to a flame, Cora falls headfirst into this community, and its promise of transcending the corporeal nature of our existence. However, when the veil is finally lifted and truth is revealed, Cora must confront the darker underpinnings of her desire to abstain from food.
Directed by Alice Rosso
Documentary Feature United Kingdom | 53 min | 2024
3000 miles, 76 days, alone in a boat. Kelda Wood is the first para-athlete to row across the Atlantic Ocean solo. This film follows the incredible journey of this “ordinary” woman who climbed the tallest peaks in the world, joined the GB Paralympic squad, fought cancer, and created her own charity helping people who have experienced trauma. Kelda’s life inspires us to go on our journey, find our answers, and accept that sometimes life is just shit… but that doesn’t mean we quit.
Directed by Ebru Erke
Documentary Feature
Turkey | 43 min | 2024
Kulva, whose arm was cut off by strangers who broke into the house one night in her sleep, siblings Cuma and Abdurrahim, who could not go to school for fear of being kidnapped, Fatuma, who had no opportunity to find a job, and dozens of children who were forced to live in a camp to survive… What they all have in common is that they are albinos. And a woman who opens her arms and her heart to all albinos and keeps them alive.
Directed by Anthony Sherin & Geneviève Mathis
Documentary Short
United States | 31 min | 2023
“An investigation is an inquiry into your activities. A witch-hunt is an inquiry into your beliefs.” — Conrad Bromberg, 2022 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES is the story of how famed character actor J. Edward Bromberg’s life was ruined when he was named a communist before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC). It is told through the eyes of his son, 91-year-old screenwriter Conrad Bromberg.
Directed by Eva Tenuto & Beth Davenport
Documentary Feature
United States | 42 min | 2023
The docu-short Locker Room Talk follows the Kingston Tigers over the course of their football season, both on and off the field, as they seek the championship and redefine what it means to be men. Along the way, through the power of true storytelling, they face the cultural expectations of masculinity head-on and ultimately, share deeply personal stories about love, loss, and triumph. Whether or not the Tigers win the game, a bigger battle has been won: the team has changed the way they view women and themselves.
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Directed by Della Chen
Documentary Short
United States | 33 min | 2023
In 1952, an unlikely group formed in Seattle’s Chinatown. A group of Asian American high school girls wanted to be of service to the community, and approached Ruby Chow, a Chinese American politician and civic activist whose husband was a Cantonese Opera singer who had experience working with elaborate classic Chinese costumes. Ruby was also friends with a Seattle Police officer named Ted Yerabek, who taught the girls American military drills. That’s how the Seattle Chinese Community Girls Drill Team was formed. For 70 years, they have performed at parades all around Washington state, inspiring generations. This history is shared by Ruby Chow and her daughter Cheryl Chow from footage filmed in 2002. Cheryl took over the drill team in the 80s at the peak of their popularity when the drill team had 100 members. The team is about to celebrate their 70th anniversary at a challenging time: in the wake of the pandemic participation has dropped to 30 members, but the spirit of the drill team lives on! SHE MARCHES IN CHINATOWN is an inspiring story about belonging, identity, sisterhood, leadership, and a community that has flourished among a diverse group of women with backgrounds that represent a variety of sexual orientations, races, and ages. It is about a group that thrives despite being in a neighborhood targeted by hate and discrimination. As one superfan puts it, “Please don’t go away – Seattle needs you!”
Directed by David Anspaugh
Narrative Feature
United States | 114 mi | PG
The Sky Carp are proud to announce that Rudy is coming to town!
Rudy Ruettiger will be participating in a Q&A session with the audience after the screening.
Ruettiger, a native of Joliet, Ill., was the third of 14 children. After graduating from Joliet Catholic High School, he joined the United States Navy for two years, then spent two more years working in a power plant. After being denied entrance to his dream school of Notre Dame, Ruettiger attended nearby Holy Cross College for two years before being accepted into Notre Dame. He joined the football team as a member of the scout team, and eventually was honored with the opportunity to dress for a home game. On the game’s final play, Ruettiger recorded a quarterback sack.
Directed by Michael Stasko
Narrative Feature
Canada | 93 min | 2024
From the depths of space, Dracula has devised his most dastardly plan yet; turning the residents of a small American town into his personal army of vampire zombies! A motley crew consisting of a grizzled detective, a skeptical rookie cop, a chain-smoking greaser, and a determined young woman band together to save the world from — (see title). Packed with gruesome special effects, b-movie miniatures, and gut-busting laughs, “Vampire Zombies…from Space!” is a bloody comedy that has its foundation in horror films of the 1950s.
Short Slot 8
BIFF has put together a group of films that examine the immigrant experience, the memories of those who have passed on, teen angst, and Gaza.
Directed by Nicholas Stange
Documentary Short
United States | 35 min | 2024
This documentary focuses the activism of members of the local organization, Rockford For Palestine, to have the city of Rockford, IL pass a ceasefire resolution.
Directed by Avery Martin
Documentary Short
United States | 13 min | 2024
How do you want to be remembered? How do you keep the memory of your loved ones alive? Plaques, memorials, boards, and dedications litter our halls, but are they really effective?
Directed by Kelcie Logan
Narrative Short
United States | 8 min | 2024
Toni, a 17 year old high schooler who has lost her sense of self. She looks to her peers for help but struggles find it.
Directed by Mili Tarragona
Documentary Short
United States | 17 min | 2024
Experience immigration through the eyes of mother and daughter, Deyanira Zarza and Karina Moreno. Their struggles and triumphs are shown throughout this documentary to give the audience a glimpse of the life of an Immigrant mother and a DACA recipient. Their first hand accounts expose the reality of being a Mexican immigrant in America.
Directed by Guillermo Diaz
Narrative Feature
United States | 100 min | 2024
Truly a first-of-its-kind, Dear Luke, Love, Me is a heart-wrenching, punch-you-in-the-gut feature film that follows Penny and Luke from their college days into their 30’s. We watch them become instant best friends, fall in love, build a life together, navigate life’s challenges while dealing with questions of sexual identity, and ultimately breaking up, only to become instant best friends again — their lives are intertwined in the stars and neither of them could ever imagine an existence without each other.
Directed by Steve Gustafson
Narrative Feature
United States | 86 min | 2024
During a quite get-a-way at a Northwoods lake house rental property, college friends (Claire & Zoe) and family come together for a vacation on the lake. Beautiful and comfortable, the surroundings quickly feel awkward as the visitors receive overt messages from the locals. Even the house rules contain information that was unexpected. Determined to have a good time, Stephen and Claire spend quality time with Stephen’s son, Kyle, while they expect their next child later that year. Jack, the infamous guys guy, refusing to grow up, just wants to drink, eat and swim. Girlfriend Zoe is the girl next door, spending time with Claire and attending to Jack’s demands. It doesn’t take long for mysterious events to start occurring to our cabin guests, all while they take in the fun activities available and push the rules. Be prepared to laugh, cry, and yell at the screen, as our lake house guests navigate the confusing signals from the towns people and oddities happening at the lake.
Directed by Aaron Hill
Narrative Short
United States | 8 min | 2024
Kiera is haunted by the memory of her sister, and the shame of causing her death.
Directed by John Roach
Documentary Feature
United States | 73 min | 2024
“A Road at Night“ is a documentary about the cascade of tragic events that can occur when seemingly good people make fatally unwise decisions. Set against the backdrop of college athletics, the documentary examines the powerful bonds of family and friends that endure in the face of unspeakable tragedy. It is also a searing, unblinking examination of the human toll taken by an all-too-common behavior that kills someone in America every 39 minutes.
Directed by Brian Klewin
Narrative Feature
United States | 76 min | 2024
Oliver a college senior, inherits his estranged father’s secluded home and discovers a dark reality of witchcraft, vampires, and a devil, after unlocking a powerful grimoire that brings these malevolent forces to life, leading to a battle for his soul. “Bloodsuckers and the Grimoire” is an action/horror/fantasy film like the Evil Dead meets the Lost Boys.
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Directed by Daniel J. Pico
Narrative Short
United States | 10 min | 2024
A young couple takes in a foster child who is more than she appears.
Directed by Nathan Deming
Narrative Feature
United States | 48 min | 2024
A recent immigrant, Miguel (David Ezekiel Duran), struggles to fit into a small town in Wisconsin in February until discovering ice fishing. A portrait of family, resilience, the immigrant experience, and the things we have in common. Winner of the 2024 Golden Badger at the Wisconsin Film Festival and a part of the “Year Project”, a series of 12 films inspired by and based on Wisconsin written and directed by Nathan Deming (Speaking in Tongues). Cinematography by Leo Purman (The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos) and produced by Adam Stunkle (Purity Camp).
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Directed by Mark F. Roling & Erik G. Voss
Narrative Short
United States | 39 min | 2024
A man devastated by the sudden and tragic death of his wife, travels to their favorite vacation resort to relive his fond memories, only he keeps seeing mistaken visions of her and all over town, meeting people in each situation along the way that actually helps him get over his grief and move on with his life.
Directed by Pat Kilbane
Documentary Feature
United States | 80 min | 2023
Gary Gygax was a down-on-his luck shoe repairman with five kids, but when he pursued his passion for fantasy games, it took him on a real-life adventure.
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Directed by Joe Bookman
Documentary Short
United States | 7 min | 2024
The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin. A community reading project. 50 Years Later. Beloit, Wisconsin
Short Slot 1
Three shorties and a long, song-filled homage to the master of POE-etic disaster.
Directed by Danny Ashkenasi
Narrative Short
United States | 38 min | 2019
A musical adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s gothic horror story. A man is so disturbed by an old man’s “vulture eye” he resolves to murder and dismember him. But the murderer is driven to madness and confession by the incessant beating of the victim’s heart under the floor boards.
Directed by Steve Anderson
Narrative Short
Unites States | 16 min | 2023
Months after a mass shooting at a small town diner, the only survivors revisit the scene with hopes of healing from their shared trauma. A single moment can last forever.
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Directed by Sven Fuhrken & Chris Hirschhaeuser
Narrative Short
Germany | 20 min | 2024
The sad story of a man who obtrudes explanations about his displayed artwork to visitors of a museum. But when the art is not genuinely, the truth behind is often tragic.
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Directed by Tristan Barrocks
Narrative Short
Canada | 19 min | 2024
Ebony, a young Jamaican-Canadian woman, struggles to find her place in life. She reluctantly agrees to check in on her estranged father, Desmond, a man known for his strong will and traditional values. Seeking a way to reconnect with him, Ebony turns to the one thing that once brought them joy: cooking. She begins preparing beloved Caribbean meals from her childhood, hoping that the familiar flavours will help bridge the emotional distance that has grown between them over the years.
Join Us for a Magical Sing-Along Experience: The Wizard of Oz (1939)!
Step into the enchanting world of The Wizard of Oz like never before with our special Sing-Along screening! Follow Dorothy Gale’s unforgettable journey from Kansas to the Land of Oz, where she meets the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion—and together, they follow the Yellow Brick Road in search of the great and powerful Wizard.Sing along to beloved classics like Over the Rainbow, If I Only Had a Brain, and We’re Off to See the Wizard as the lyrics appear on-screen. Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering the magic for the first time, this interactive event promises fun for all ages.Don’t miss this chance to experience the timeless classic in a whole new way—grab your ruby slippers and join us for a night of music, nostalgia, and adventure!
Directed by Pat Kilbane
Documentary Feature
United States | 80 min | 2023
Gary Gygax was a down-on-his luck shoe repairman with five kids, but when he pursued his passion for fantasy games, it took him on a real-life adventure.
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Directed by Joe Bookman
Documentary Short
United States | 7 min | 2024
The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin. A community reading project. 50 Years Later. Beloit, Wisconsin
Directed by Emma Siewert
Documentary Feature
United States | 71 min | 2023
What happens when an adoptee is all grown up? Love Differently explores the importance of identity, how it could help save a life, and why a name matters. Diana shares her unique adoption story and why she believes change is in order. Even those of us who are not adopted can find ways to relate.
Directed by Christopher Pretti & James J Baker
Documentary Feature
United States | 120 min | 2024
Green Blah! The History of Green Bay Punk Rock is a documentary that tells the story of the punk rock and independent music scene of Green Bay, WI and its neighboring communities of NE Wisconsin. Green Bay is easily identified as being the hometown of the smallest NFL franchise, the Green Bay Packers. It is also home to paper mills, pickle factories and cheese curds. Behind the scenes, Green Bay fostered a punk rock scene that spawned from meager beginnings and had a hard-core roster of local punk bands, some with ties to the football team itself!!