LA Film Festival Announces Complete Line Up (Extended)

ZEITGEIST:

World premieres of curated films that embody key trends. 2015 captures hard knock,   coming of age stories. Films are nominated for the Zeitgeist Award.

  • Band of Robbers – USA (DIRECTOR Aaron Nee, Adam Nee PRODUCERS John Will, Rick Rosenthal, Arun Kumar, Matt Ratner CAST Kyle Gallner, Adam Nee, Matthew Gubler, Hannibal Buress, Melissa Benoist, Eric Olsen, Daniel Mora, Stephen Lang, Johnny Pemberton, Beth Grant, Lee Garlington, Maria Blasucci, Cooper Huckabee, Creed Bratton) – Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn are all grown up in this reimagined, modern day fable, that finds them searching for hidden treasure and reclaiming their childhood dreams in the process. World Premiere
  • A Girl Like Grace – USA (DIRECTOR Ty Hodges WRITERS Jacquin DeLeon, Ty Hodges PRODUCERS Matt Keith, Meagan Good, Ty Hodges, Carnetta Jones CAST Meagan Good, Paige Hurd, Raven Symone, Garcelle Beauvais, Ryan Destiny, Ty Hodges, Romeo Miller) – Bullied at school and devastated by her best friend's suicide, 17-year-old Grace turns to her deceased friend's sister for guidance and spirals into the dark world of sex, drugs and rebellion in this gritty yet relatable coming-of-age story. World Premiere
  • In the Treetops – USA (DIRECTOR/WRITER/PRODUCER Matthew Brown CAST Matthew Brown, Emma Geer, Gabriel Arant, Joshua Pagan, Robert Beseda, Mary Mattison Vallery, Cameron Morton) – On a seemingly ordinary winter night, a group of high school friends drive around aimlessly, enjoying their usual hijinks, until they receive news of a classmate’s tragedy. World Premiere
  • Manifest Destiny – USA (DIRECTOR Michael Dwyer CO-DIRECTOR/WRITER Kaitlin McLaughlin PRODUCERS Alicia Dwyer, Kathleen Dwyer CAST Veronica Sixtos, Julio César Cedillo, Roberto Urbina, Jorge A. Jimenez, Sandra Santiago, Jessie Garcia, María del Carmen FaríWhen a young woman is deported to Mexico, she must choose between reconciling with her estranged father or partnering with a local smuggler to return to the US. World Premiere
  • Stealing Cars – USA (DIRECTOR Bradley Kaplan WRITERS Will Aldis, Steve Mackall PRODUCERS Rachel Winter, Dan Keston CAST Emory Cohen, John Leguizamo, William H. Macy, Paul Sparks, Mike Epps, Felicity Huffman, Heather Lind, Al Calderon) – An intelligent, but deeply troubled teenager is sentenced to a juvenile detention center, where attempts at reformation are thwarted by his own nihilistic agenda. World Premiere
  • What Lola Wants – USA (DIRECTOR/WRITER Rupert Glasson PRODUCERS Ayisha Davies, Monnie Wills CAST Sophie Lowe, Beau Knapp, Robert Taylor, Dale Dickey, Charles S. Dutton) – Untamed runaway Lola Franklin fakes her own kidnapping, falls in love with a charming and talented pickpocket, and fiercely blazes her own trail in this off-kilter, style-soaked contemporary western. World Premiere

NIGHTFALL:

From the bizarre to the horrifying, these are films to watch after dark. Films premiering for the first time in the U.S. are nominated for the Nightfall Award.

  • Caught – USA (DIRECTOR Maggie Kiley WRITER Marcy Holland PRODUCER Jennifer Westin CAST Anna Camp, Stefanie Scott, Amelia Rose Blaire, Sam Page) – A mean prank spins wildly out of control when a desperate housewife discovers her husband is having an affair and kidnaps his unsuspecting mistress. World Premiere
  • The Confines  – USA (DIRECTOR Eytan Rockaway WRITER Ido Fluk PRODUCER Mike Landry CAST Jason Patric, Louisa Krause, Mark Margolis) – In this tense thriller a struggling single mother encounters strange occurrences while working a late night security job in an abandoned apartment building. World Premiere
  • Crumbs – Spain/Ethiopia (DIRECTOR/WRITER Miguel Llansó, PRODUCER Sergio Uguet de Resayre CAST Daniel Tadesse, Selam Tesfaye, Tsegaye Abegaz) – An unlikely hero embarks on an epic quest across a surreal, Ethiopian post apocalyptic landscape in search of a hovering spacecraft that has become a landmark in the skies.  North American Premiere
  • Crush the Skull – USA (DIRECTOR Viet Nguyen PRODUCERS Jimmy Tsai, Aya Tanimura CAST Christopher Dinh, Katie Savoy, Chris Riedell, Tim Chiou, Lauren Reeder, Walt Bost) – A couple of master thieves find themselves trapped within a house they intend to rob, only to discover they've wandered into the lair of a deranged serial killer. World Premiere
  • Dude Bro Party Massacre III  – USA (DIRECTORS Michael Rousselet, Tomm Jacobsen, Jon Salmon WRITERS Michael E. Peter, Ben Gigli, Tomm Jacobsen Michael Rousselet, Jon Salmon, Alec Owen, Tim Ciancio, Brian Firenzi, Joey Scoma, Mike James CAST Alec Owen, Olivia Dudley, Kelsey Gunn, Brian Firenzi, Jimmy Wong, Jon Salmon, Michael Rousselet, Joey Scoma, Greg Sestero, Mike James, Ben Gigli, Maria del Carmen, Patton Oswalt, Nina Hartley, Andrew W.K., Nick Kocher, Brian McElhaney, Larry King) – Deranged serial killer "Motherface" is back for one final, blood-spattered rampage in the most notorious ‘80s teen slasher flick that never existed! World Premiere
  • Plan Sexenal(Six Year Plan) –Mexico (DIRECTOR/WRITER Santiago Cendejas, PRODUCERS Santiago Cendejas, Gerardo Naranjo CAST Edwarda Gurrola, Harold Torres, Noé Hernández, Raúl Villegas, Adrian García, Rocío Boliver) –

A primal thriller about a young couple whose party is disrupted by a threatening cop and a mysterious stalker. Under siege, they are forced to fend for themselves during a bizarre night of terror. World Premiere

  • Ratter – USA (DIRECTOR/WRITER Branden Kramer PRODUCER Jamie Zelermyer, David Bausch, Ben Browning CAST Ashley Benson, Matt McGorry, Rebecca Naomi Jones) – A graduate student living alone in New York City becomes the focus of a growing obsession when a stalker hacks into her personal technology and records her most intimate moments. World Premiere
  • Shut In – USA (DIRECTOR Adam Schindler WRITERS TJ Cimfel, David White PRODUCER Brian Netto CAST Beth Riesgraf, Martin Starr, Rory Culkin) – An agoraphobic woman finds herself trapped when a trio of criminals breaks into her home and she cannot bring herself to flee. However, it’s the intruders who should be attempting to escape this house. World Premiere

BUZZ:

Los Angeles premieres of celebrated fiction and non-fiction festival favorites from around the world.

  • Brand: A Second Coming – UK/USA (DIRECTOR/WRITER/PRODUCER Ondi Timoner FEATURING Russell Brand) Following comedian/author/activist Russell Brand as he questions whether he can break out of the very system that built him while exploring his past quest of drugs, sex and fame. Los Angeles Premiere
  • Chuck Norris vs. Communism– UK/Romania/Germany(DIRECTOR/ WRITER Ilinca Călugăreanu PRODUCERS Mara Adina, Brett Ratner FEATURING Irina Margareta Nistor, Ana Maria Moldovan, Dan Chiorean) – In 1980s Romania, a black-market VHS racketeer and a courageous translator sparked a revolution inspired by the magic of film. Los Angeles Premiere

  • The Dark Horse–New Zealand(DIRECTOR/ WRITER James Napier Robertson PRODUCER Tom Hern CAST Cliff Curtis, James Rolleston, Sia Trokenheim, Kirk Torrance, Xavier Horan, Miriam McDowell, Baz Te Hira, Wayne Hapi) – An inspiring true story based on the life of charismatic chess champion, Genesis Potini, who despite his own struggles summoned the courage to unite the children of his community towards a positive goal.  Los Angeles Premiere

  • The Diary of a Teenage Girl– USA(DIRECTOR/ WRITER Marielle Heller PRODUCERS Miranda Bailey, Anne Carey, Bert Hamelinck, Madeline Samit CAST Bel Powley, Alexander Skarsgard, Kristen Wiig, Christopher Meloni) – A teen artist living in 1970s San Francisco enters into an affair with her mother's boyfriend. Los Angeles Premiere

  • Infinitely Polar Bear– USA(DIRECTOR/ WRITER Maya Forbes PRODUCERS Wally Wolodarsky, Benji Kohn, Bingo Gubelmann, Sam Bisbee, Galt Niederhoffer CAST Mark Ruffalo, Zoe Saldana, Imogene Wolodarsky, Ashley Auferheide, Beth Dixon, Keir Dullea) – A manic-depressive mess of a father tries to win back his wife by attempting to take full responsibility of their two young, spirited daughters. Los Angeles Premiere

  • In Football We Trust– USA/American Samoa (DIRECTOR Tony Vainuku CO-DIRECTOR Erika Cohn PRODUCER Erika Cohn FEATURING Harvey Langi, Vita Bloomfield, Leva Bloomfield, Fihi Kaufusi, Haloti Ngata, Troy Polamalu, Star Lotulelei, Vai Sikahema) – An intimate portrait of four Polynesian football players struggling to overcome gang violence, family pressures and near poverty as they chase the dream of playing professional sports. Los Angeles Premiere
  • Jimmy’s Hall – UK/Ireland/France (DIRECTOR Ken Loach WRITER Paul Laverty PRODUCER Rebecca O'Brien CAST Barry Ward, Simone Kirby, Jim Norton, Francis Magee, Aisling Franciosi, Andrew Scott, Bryan F. O'Byrne)Ireland, 1931. Jimmy Gralton’s sin was to build dance hall – a place where people come to argue, to dream, and to dance. Los Angeles Premiere

  • Manson Family Vacation– USA (DIRECTOR/ WRITER J. Davis PRODUCERS Stephen Bannatyne, Eric Blyler, JM Logan, Josh Polon, Alexandra Sandler, Matt Ratner CAST Jay Duplass, Linas Phillips, Leonora Pitts, Adam Chernick, Tobin Bell, Davie-Blue) – The story of two brothers: one who’s devoted to his family, the other who’s obsessed with Charles Manson. Los Angeles Premiere

  • The Overnight– USA(DIRECTOR/ WRITER Patrick Brice PRODUCERS Mark Duplass, Jay Duplass, Adam Scott, Naomi Scott CAST Adam Scott, Judith Godrèche, Jason Schwartzman, Taylor Schilling) – A young couple–new to Los Angeles–are invited to the home of their son’s friend for a family play date. But after the kids go to bed the evening becomes increasingly more unorthodox. Los Angeles Premiere
  • People, Places, Things – USA (DIRECTOR/ WRITER James C. Strouse PRODUCERS Michael B. Clark, Alex Turtletaub CAST Jemaine Clement, Regina Hall, Stephanie Allynne, Michael Chernus, Gia Gadsby, Aundrea Gadsby, Jessica Williams) – Newly single graphic novelist, Will Henry, balances parenting his young twins with navigating the rich complexities of new love. Los Angeles Premiere
  • Sweet Micky For President– Haiti/USA(DIRECTOR Ben Patterson WRITER Pras Michel PRODUCERS Karyn Rachtman, Ben Patterson, Pras Michel FEATURING Pras Michel, Wyclef Jean, Michel Martelly) – Pras Michel of the Fugees, with no political resources or experience, fights a history of corrupt government in his native Haiti by mobilizing a successful presidential campaign for controversial Haitian pop star, Michele Martelly aka Sweet Micky. Los Angeles Premiere
  • The Vanished Elephant– Peru/Columbia/Spain (DIRECTOR/WRITER Javier Fuentes-León PRODUCERS Javier Fuentes León, Michel Ruben, Andrés Calderón, Delia Garcia CAST Salvador del Solar, Lucho Cáceres, Angie Cepeda, Vanessa Saba, Tatiana Astengo, Carlos Carlín, Toño Vega, Magdyel Ugaz, Michel Ruben) A successful crime novelist receives a vital clue to the whereabouts of his long-missing fiancée, in this mind-bending mystery that pays homage to Hollywood film noir and the reality-twisting fiction of Jorge Luis Borges and Julio Cortázar. Los Angeles Premiere
  • Victoria – Germany(DIRECTOR Sebastian Schipper WRITERS Olivia Neergaard-Holm, Sebastian Schipper, Eike Frederik Schulz PRODUCERS Laia Costa, Frederick Lau, Franz Rogowski CAST Laia Costa, Frederick Lau, Franz Rogowski, Burak Yigit, Max Mauff) – A romantic, bank heist thriller with a phenomenal break-out ensemble cast shot in a single take during the pre-dawn hours in Berlin. Winner of the Berlinale Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Contribution for Cinematography. Los Angeles Premiere

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