LA Film Festival Announces Gala Screenings, Special, Buzz Section, Podcast and Series (Complete Schedule)

Details: Category: Entertainment News; Published on Thursday, 23 August 2018 07:27

Today the LA Film Festival, produced by Film Independent, the nonprofit arts organization that also produces the Film Independent Spirit Awards, announced four additional Gala Screenings at the Festival to accompany the opening night gala, "Echo in the Canyon."

Ike Barinholtz's directorial debut The Oath starring Ike Barinholtz, Tiffany Haddish, John Cho, Carrie Brownstein, Billy Magnussen, Nora Dunn, Chris Ellis, Jon Barinholtz, Meredith Hagner; Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin's documentary Free Solo featuring Alex Honnold.

Also announced as a Gala Screening Rupert Everett's The Happy Prince, starring Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Colin Morgan, Edwin Thomas and Emily Watson and Eva Vives' All About Nina, starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Common, Chace Crawford, Clea DuVall, Kate del Castillo, Beau Bridges and Camryn Manheim.

World Premiere Of Andrew Slater’s Documentary "Echo In The Canyon" To Open The LA Film Festival

There will also be a Special Screening of Tom Volf's documentary Maria by Callas; a Series program that includes; the first episode of the Into the Dark series, "The Body" staring Tom Bateman and Rebecca Rittenhouse, directed by Paul Davis; and America to Me a multipart unscripted documentary series from filmmaker Steve James.

In addition 12 films in the Buzz Section and 3 podcasts in the Podcast Section have been unveiled. The LA Film Festival runs September 20-28.

"My aim with LA Film Festival is to celebrate and acknowledge storytelling in all its myriad of forms," said LA Film Festival Director Jennifer Cochis. "Bringing forth part of our Series programming, launching our Podcast section, and shining a spotlight on this year's Galas is all in effort to honor these creative teams, processes and stories."

Galas (4)

Sunday, September 23, Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts

All About Nina, dir. Eva Vives, West Coast Premiere

Just as Nina Geld's brilliant and angry stand-up kicks her career into high gear, her romantic life gets complicated, forcing her to reckon with what it means to be creative, authentic, and a woman in today's culture. All About Nina is distributed by The Orchard and will be in theatres on September 28th.

Tuesday, September 25, Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts

The Happy Prince, dir. Rupert Everett, United Kingdom, Los Angeles Premiere

The last days of Oscar Wilde — and the ghosts that haunted them — are vividly evoked in Rupert Everett's directorial debut. As the film travels through Wilde's final act and journeys through England, France and Italy, desire and loyalty face off, the transience of lust is laid bare, and the true riches of love are revealed. The Happy Prince is being distributed by Sony Pictures Classics and will open in LA & NY October 10th.

Tuesday, September 25, ArcLight Hollywood

The Oath, dir. Ike Barinholtz, USA, World Premiere

A controversial White House policy turns family member against family member

in The Oath, a savagely funny dark comedy about surviving life and Thanksgiving in the age of political tribalism. The Oath is Ike Barinholtz's directorial debut and is being distributed by Topic Studios and Roadside Attractions, opening on October 12th.

Thursday, September 27, Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts

Free Solo, dirs. Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, USA, Los Angeles Premiere

Free Solo is a stunning, intimate and unflinching portrait of free soloist climber Alex Honnold, as he prepares to achieve his lifelong dream: climbing the face of the world's most famous rock...the 3,200ft El Capitan in Yosemite National Park…without a rope. Free Solo is being distributed by National Geographic Documentary Films.

Special Screening (1)

Friday, September 21, ArcLight Hollywood

Maria By Callas, dir. Tom Volf, France, Los Angeles Special Screening

From first time director Tom Volf, Maria By Callas is the definitive documentary on the life and work of the Greek-American opera singer. Volf has spent nearly five years working on the film, which features never before seen or heard footage and performances of Callas. Maria By Callas is being distributed by Sony Pictures Classics and will open in LA & NY November 2nd.

Podcasts (3)

Don't @ Me with Justin Simien - USA (CREATOR/HOST Justin Simien PRODUCER Gina Delvac) Beyond the knee-jerk reactions and Twitter hot takes, Justin Simien and his guests get real about a variety of topics. Don't like what you hear? Don't @ Me.

Hollywood & Crime - USA (CREATOR/HOST Tracy Pattin HOST Larry Brand) A look inside the most infamous murders in Hollywood history.

Welcome to L.A. - USA (CREATOR/HOST David Weinberg) - David Weinberg explores a few of the many L.A.s that exist between the Pacific and the Mojave, introducing us to a lot of fascinating characters along the way.

Series (2)

Friday, September 21, WGA Theatre

Into the Dark, "The Body", dir. Paul Davis, USA, World Premiere

The first episode of the Into the Dark series – "The Body" – is a story about a sophisticated hitman with a cynical view on modern society who finds his work made more difficult when he has to transport a body on Halloween night, but everyone is enamored by what they think is his killer costume. "The Body" stars Tom Bateman and Rebecca Rittenhouse, written by Paul Fischer and Paul Davis and is directed by Paul Davis. Into The Dark is a first of its kind year-round horror event series from prolific, award-winning producer, Jason Blum's independent TV studio Blumhouse Television. The Hulu Original Series includes 12 self-contained episodes, with a new episode premiering each month. The

Body premieres exclusively on Hulu, October 5th, 2018.

Sunday, September 23, WGA Theatre

America To Me, "I Don't Have to Think About Being White", dir. Steve James, USA

Poignant and funny, epic and intimate, America to Me spends an academic year at Chicagoland's elite Oak Park and River Forest High School (OPRF), allowing its students, families, faculty and administration to tell stories of the pressures and challenges teens face today in their own words. The fifth episode of the epic 10-part docu-series from Starz and Kartemquin looks closely at decades-long racial and educational inequities – in addition to the challenges that today's teenagers face. America To Me will premiere on Starz this Sunday, August 26 at 10pm PT/ET.

Buzz Section (12)

Non-competitive showcase of curated favorites from other film festivals.

Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable – dir. Aaron Lieber, USA, West Coast Premiere

Galveston – dir. Mélanie Laurent, USA, West Coast Premiere

The Great Buster: A Celebration – dir. Peter Bogdanovich, USA, North American Premiere

Jonathan – dir. Bill Oliver, USA, West Coast Premiere

Little Woods – dir. Nia DaCosta, USA, West Coast Premiere

Mr. Soul! – dirs. Melissa Haizlip, Samuel Pollard, USA, West Coast Premiere

Museo – dir. Alonso Ruizpalacios, Mexico, North American Premiere

The New Romantic – dir. Carly Stone, USA, West Coast Premiere

Sadie – dir. Megan Griffiths, USA, California Premiere

Song of Back and Neck – dir. Paul Lieberstein, USA, West Coast Premiere

Unlovable – dir. Suzi Yoonessi, USA, West Coast Premiere

You Can Choose Your Family – dir. Miranda Bailey, USA, West Coast Premiere

Passes are on sale now; only Film Independent Members get early access and save up to 25%. General admission tickets are available to the general public beginning today. Contact the Festival Box Office for passes, tickets and event information by calling 866.FILM.FEST or visit lafilmfestival.com.

Venues for the 2018 Festival include the ArcLight Cinemas in Culver City, Hollywood and Santa Monica, as well as the new LMU Playa Vista Campus (opening this fall), the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, the Writers Guild Theater and the Ford Theatres

Film Independent’s LA Film Festival Showcases Global Media Makers Summit At Cairo International Film Festival

@LAFilmFestival, #LAFilmFestival.

ABOUT THE LA FILM FESTIVAL

The LA Film Festival is a key part of the exhibition arm of the nonprofit arts organization Film Independent. Showcasing new American and international cinema that embraces diversity, innovation and unique perspectives, the Festival produces one-of-a-kind events featuring critically acclaimed filmmakers, industry professionals and award-winning talent from Los Angeles and around the world. Presenting Media Sponsor is Los Angeles Times. Official Host Venue is ArcLight Cinemas. Platinum Sponsors are American Airlines, EFILM | Deluxe and HBO. The University Sponsor is Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television. Festival Supporters are Directors Guild of America, eTech Rentals, Kona Productions, TREETI and Visit Seattle. Festival Affiliates are 21st Century Fox Global Inclusion, ATK Audiotek, SAGindie and Writers Guild of America West. Additional support provided by National Endowment for the Arts. Stella Artois is the Official Beer. IMDbPro is the Official Industry Resource. CITI is the Official Credit Card. The LINE, NoMad Los Angeles and Freehand LA are the Official Hotel Partner. Essentia Water is the Official Water. Hillersden Estate Wines is the Official Wine. Getty Images is the Official Photographer.

2018 LA Film Festival Program Lineup Addendum

August 22, 2018

Opening Night Film

Echo in the Canyon – USA (DIRECTOR Andrew Slater PRODUCER Eric Barrett, Andrew Slater CAST Jakob Dylan, Beck, Fiona Apple, Cat Power, David Crosby, Michelle Phillips, Brian Wilson, Roger McGuinn) – Echo In The Canyon is a look at how The Byrds, The Beach Boys, Buffalo Springfield, The Mama's and the Papa's birthed the beginnings of the Laurel Canyon music scene and how the echo of these artists' creations reverberated between each other and ultimately across the world with a timelessness that continues today. With appearances by Tom Petty, Brian Wilson, Stephen Stills, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Michelle Phillips, Jackson Browne, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Roger McGuinn, John Sebastian, Lou Adler, Jakob Dylan, Norah Jones, Beck, Regina Spektor, Cat Power, and others. The film was executive produced by Jakob Dylan. World Premiere

Galas (4)

All About Nina – USA (DIRECTOR/WRITER Eva Vives PRODUCERS Eric B. Fleischman, Sean Tabibian, Natalie Qasabian, Eva Vives CAST Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Common, Chace Crawford, Clea DuVall, Kate del Castillo, Beau Bridges) A young stand-up comedian flees to Los Angeles to escape her disastrous ex and prepare for a prospectively life-changing audition.

Free Solo – USA (DIRECTORS Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi PRODUCERS Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Evan Hayes, Shannon Dill CAST Alex Honnold) A man sets out to become the first person ever to free solo climb Yosemite's 3,000 foot high El Capitan wall with no ropes or safety gear.

The Happy Prince – Germany/Belgium/Italy (DIRECTOR/WRITER Rupert Everett PRODUCERS Sébastien Delloye, Philipp Kreuzer, Jörg Schulze CAST Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Emily Watson, Tom Wilkinson, Colin Morgan, Edwin Thomas) A poignant look at Oscar Wilde's final years in exile, following the humorist's heartbreak and imprisonment with a relentless quest for love.

The Oath – USA (DIRECTOR/WRITER Ike Barinholtz PRODUCERS Ike Barinholtz, Raymond Mansfield, Sean McKittrick, Andrew C. Robinson, David Stassen CAST Ike Barinholtz, Tiffany Haddish, John Cho, Carrie Brownstein, Billy Magnussen, Chris Ellis, Nora Dunn) A controversial White House policy turns family member against family member in The Oath, a savagely funny dark comedy about surviving life and Thanksgiving in the age of political tribalism. When Chris (Ike Barinholtz), a high-strung 24-hour progressive news junkie, and his more levelheaded wife Kai (Tiffany Haddish) learn that citizens are being asked to sign a loyalty oath to the President, their reaction is disbelief, followed by idealistic refusal. But as the Thanksgiving deadline to sign approaches, the combination of sparring relatives, Chris's own agitation and the unexpected arrival of two government agents (John Cho and Billy Magnussen) sends an already tense holiday dinner gathering completely off the rails.

Special Screening (1)

Maria by Callas – France (DIRECTOR/WRITER Tom Volf PRODUCERS Emmanuelle Lepers, Gael Leblang, Emmanuel Chain, Thierry Bizot, Tom Volf FEATURING Maria Callas with the voice of Joyce DiDonato) For the first time, 40 years after her death, the most famous opera singer ever tells her own story – in her own words.

Buzz (12)

Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable – USA (DIRECTOR Aaron Lieber WRITERS Aaron Lieber, Carol Martori PRODUCERS Aaron Lieber, Penny Edmiston, Jane Kelly Kosek) Following pro-surfer Bethany Hamilton over a four-year journey, from overcoming the loss of her arm to a tiger shark, to motherhood and surfing the most dangerous wave in the world, known as Jaws.

Galveston – USA (DIRECTOR Mélanie Laurent WRITERS Mélanie Laurent , Nic Pizzolatto (novel) PRODUCER Tyler Davidson CAST Ben Foster, Elle Fanning, Beau Bridges, Lili Reinhart) After escaping a set-up, a dying hitman returns to his hometown of Galveston where he plans his revenge.

The Great Buster: A Celebration – USA (DIRECTOR/WRITER Peter Bogdanovich PRODUCERS Charles S. Cohen, Louise Stratten, Peter Bogdanovich, Roee Sharon Peled) "The Great Stone Face" receives a loving documentary tribute to his body of work in the Silent Era. Brilliant as both an actor and a director, Buster Keaton's contributions to film are unmatched.

Jonathan – USA (DIRECTOR Bill Oliver WRITERS Gregory Davis, Peter Nickowitz, Bill Oliver PRODUCERS Randy Manis, Ricky Tollmann CAST Ansel Elgort, Patricia Clarkson, Suki Waterhouse, Matt Bomer, Douglas Hodge) Every day, a man leaves work at noon, goes home to sleep, and wakes up to breakfast and a video telling him about the second part of his day.

Little Woods – USA (DIRECTOR/WRITER Nia DaCosta PRODUCERS Rachael Fung, Gabrielle Nadig, Tim Headington CAST Tessa Thompson, Lily James, Luke Kirby, James Badge Dale, Lance Reddick) A young woman scraping to get by in a North Dakota oil boomtown risks it all in response to a desperate plea for help from her sister.

Mr. Soul! – USA (DIRECTORS Melissa Haizlip, Samuel Pollard PRODUCERS Melissa Haizlip) An exploration of the groundbreaking PBS television series SOUL!, the first nationally televised all-black variety show to be produced and hosted by an openly gay African-American.

Museo – Mexico (DIRECTOR Alonso Ruizpalacios WRITERS Manuel Alcalá, Alonso Ruizpalacios PRODUCERS Manuel Alcalá, Gerardo Gatica, Alberto Muffelmann, Ramiro Ruiz CAST Gael García Bernal, Leonardo Ortizgris, Simon Russell Beale, Lynn Gilmartin, Ilse Salas) Two veterinary-school dropouts commit Mexico's most improbable heist only to discover that the invaluable treasure is an inescapable curse that is impossible to fence.

The New Romantic – USA (DIRECTOR/WRITER Carly Stone PRODUCERS Kyle Mann, Michael Risley, Jason Jallet, Jonathan Bronfman CAST Jessica Barden, Hayley Law, Brett Dier, Timm Sharp, Avan Jogia, Camila Mendes) A sex columnist at a sleepy university attempts to win a journalism prize by seeking out a "sugar baby" relationship for herself.

Sadie – USA (DIRECTOR/WRITER Megan Griffiths PRODUCERS Lacey Leavitt, Jennessa West CAST Melanie Lynskey, John Gallagher Jr., Sophia Mitri Schloss, Danielle Brooks, Tee Denard, Tony Hale, Keith L. Williams) While her father is away serving in the military, a teenage girl battles to preserve his place on the home front when her mother takes interest in a new man.

Song of Back and Neck – USA (DIRECTOR/WRITER Paul Lieberstein PRODUCERS Paul Lieberstein, Kim Leadford, Jennifer Prediger CAST Paul Lieberstein, Rosemarie DeWitt, Robert Pine, Brian d'Arcy James, Clark Duke, Sam Anderson) A man resigned to a life of suffering seeks relief in an accidental romance and finding the root of his possibly psychologically caused back pain.

Unlovable – USA (DIRECTOR Suzi Yoonessi WRITERS Charlene deGuzman, Sarah Adina Smith, Mark Duplass PRODUCER Jen Roskind CAST Charlene deGuzman, John Hawks, Melissa Leo, Paul James, Ellen Geer) A 20-something lost soul seeks help for sex and love addiction, ending up with a secret friendship and a bandmate.

You Can Choose Your Family – USA (DIRECTOR Miranda Bailey WRITER Glenn Lakin PRODUCERS Miranda Bailey, Amanda Marshall, Karen Kehela Sherwood CAST Jim Gaffigan, Logan Miller, Alex Karpovsky, Anna Gunn, Samantha Mathis) A 17-year-old boy blackmails his father after discovering his secret second family.

Series (2)

Into the Dark, "The Body" – USA (DIRECTOR Paul Davis WRITERS Paul Fischer, Paul Davis PRODUCERS Alexa Faigen, Jeanine Rohn CAST Tom Bateman, Rebecca Rittenhouse) Written by Paul Fischer and Paul Davis, "The Body" is a story about a sophisticated hitman with a cynical view on modern society who finds his work made more difficult when he has to transport a body on Halloween night, but everyone is enamored by what they think is his killer costume. The first episode of the Into the Dark series, "The Body" stars Tom Bateman and Rebecca Rittenhouse and is directed by Paul Davis. Into the Dark is a first of its kind year-round horror event series from prolific award-winning producer Jason Blum's independent TV studio Blumhouse Television. The Hulu Original series includes 12 self-contained episodes, with a new installment released each month inspired by a holiday and will feature Blumhouse's signature genre/thriller spin on the story. World Premiere

America to Me, "I Don't Have to Think About Being White" – USA (DIRECTOR Steve James PRODUCERS John Condne, Risé Sanders-Weir) Poignant and funny, epic and intimate, America to Me spends an academic year at Chicagoland's elite Oak Park and River Forest High School (OPRF), allowing its students, families, faculty and administration to tell stories of the pressures and challenges teens face today in their own words. World Premiere

Podcasts (3)

Hollywood & Crime - USA (CREATOR/HOST Tracy Pattin HOST Larry Brand) A look inside the most infamous murders in Hollywood history.

--- Already Announced ---

Premieres (10)

American Dreamer – USA (DIRECTOR Derrick Borte WRITERS Derrick Borte, Daniel Forte PRODUCER Scott Floyd Lochmus CAST Jim Gaffigan, Robbie Jones, Isabel Arraiza, Tammy Blanchard) – A down-on-his-luck rideshare driver, who makes extra cash chauffeuring a low-level drug dealer, finds himself in a serious bind and decides to kidnap the dealer's child. World Premiere

Ashes in the Snow – USA (DIRECTOR Marius Markevicius WRITER Ben York Jones, Ruta Sepetys (novel) PRODUCERS Marius Markevicius, Zilvinas Naujokas, Chris Coen, Prithvi Chavan CAST Bel Powley, Martin Wallstrom, Lisa Loven-Kongsli, Jonah Hauer-King, Peter Franzen, Sophie Cookson) – In 1941, a teenage aspiring artist and her family are deported to Siberia amidst Stalin's brutal dismantling of the Baltic region. World Premiere

Brian Banks – USA (DIRECTOR Tom Shadyac WRITER Doug Atchison PRODUCERS Amy Baer, Monica Levinson, Shivani Rawat CAST Aldis Hodge, Greg Kinnear, Sherri Shepherd, Tiffany Dupont, Xosha Roquemore) – Based on a true story, a young football player's dreams to play in the NFL are halted when he is falsely accused of rape and sent to prison. World Premiere

The Chaperone – USA (DIRECTOR Michael Engler WRITER Julian Fellowes, Laura Moriarty (novel) PRODUCERS Kelly Carmichael, Greg Clark, Rose Ganguzza, Victoria Hill, Elizabeth McGovern, Luca Scalisi CAST Haley Lu Richardson, Elizabeth McGovern, Miranda Otto, Blythe Danner, Campbell Scott, Géza Röhrig) – In the early 1920s, a Kansas woman finds her life forever changed when she accompanies a young Louise Brooks to New York City for the summer. World Premiere

The Clovehitch Killer – USA (DIRECTOR Duncan Skiles WRITER Christopher Ford PRODUCERS Andrew Kortschak, Walter Kortschak, Cody Ryder CAST Charlie Plummer, Dylan McDermott, Samantha Mathis, Madisen Beaty) – A teenage boy starts to suspect that his wholesome, all-American dad is actually the serial killer terrorizing their small town. World Premiere

Kate Nash: Underestimate the Girl – USA (DIRECTOR Amy Goldstein PRODUCERS Anounchka van Riel, Amy Goldstein CAST Kate Nash, Alicia Warrington, Emma Hughes, Linda Buratto, Kate Craig, Marie Nash) – Unfiltered access to musician/actress Kate Nash as she navigates the finer points of going on tour, setting up house, songwriting, coping with betrayal, being a woman in the industry and owning her voice. World Premiere

Good Girls Get High – USA (DIRECTOR Laura Terruso WRITER Jennifer Nashorn Blankenship PRODUCERS Elysa Koplovitz Dutton, Leslie Morgenstein CAST Stefanie Scott, Abby Quinn, Isabelle Fuhrman, Lauren Lapkus, Matt Besser) – Two overachieving good girls become frustrated with their social standing in the high school hierarchy and get stoned on their last night of senior year. World Premiere

Ride - USA (DIRECTOR/WRITER Jeremy Ungar PRODUCERS Sefton Fincham, Tyler Jackson, Keith Kjarval CAST Bella Thorne, Jessie T. Usher, Will Brill, Todd Bridges) A charming rideshare driver and his flirtatious passenger pick up a charismatic but manipulative new fare, turning a normal night out into a psychological war for survival. World Premiere

Tea With the Dames – United Kingdom (DIRECTOR Roger Michell PRODUCER Karen Steyn CAST Eileen Atkins, Judi Dench, Joan Plowright, Maggie Smith) – Friends for more than half a century with the inside jokes to prove it, four acting greats discuss their careers and recollect their humble beginnings in the theater. US Premiere

We Have Always Lived in the Castle – USA (DIRECTOR Stacie Passon WRITER Mark Kruger, Shirley Jackson (novel) PRODUCERS Jared Ian Goldman, Robert Mitas, Kieran Corrigan CAST Taissa Farmiga, Alexandra Daddario, Sebastian Stan, Crispin Glover) – Three members of the Blackwood family live in isolation after experiencing a tragedy six years earlier. Cousin Charles arrives to steal the family fortune and threatens a dark secret they've been hiding. US Premiere

Music Videos (21)

Apartment – USA (DIRECTOR Ellis Bahl) – A sultry performance inside an infinity tunnel composed of black and white televisions.

Art in Motion – USA (DIRECTOR Hayk Matevosyan) – Six paintings are recreated in this visually stunning work. World Premiere

Bones – USA (DIRECTOR Hunter Brumfield) – In a health spa for the older crowd, two women leave their 'sitzercise' group to be with one another.

Camisa Al Reves – USA (DIRECTOR Andrew Vasquez) – A VHS tape, an early 90's quinceañera, a wrestling match, and a Mexican Banda music video equal a lot of nostalgia.

Clutch – USA (DIRECTOR Christopher Ripley) – A professional athlete's rise and fall from grace.

Dis Generation – USA (DIRECTOR Hiro Murai) – Black and white visuals set the scene for this A Tribe Called Quest tune.

Dreams – USA (DIRECTOR Elliott Sellers & Erik Ferguson) – Naked bodies gyrate and collide in a rave-like setting.

Found – USA (DIRECTOR rubber.band) – On the verge of death, a man goes back to see the woman he loves.

Half a Million – USA (DIRECTOR Lamar + Nik) – Created with 5,566 stickers and hand cut from the 4,868 frames, The Shins turn up in the most unexpected places are all over the city.

Hard World – USA (DIRECTOR Mike Hollingsworth) – Happy Foot/Sad Foot, the iconic Silverlake duo, get the movie treatment as we follow them through a day in their lives.

Heart Attack – USA (DIRECTOR Mimi Cave) – With paper bags over their heads, a group of people move almost uncontrollably through various locations.

Indie – USA (DIRECTOR Angel Kristi Williams) – Baltimore sets the scene for this ode to black women and black men.

I Want You – USA (DIRECTOR NORTON) – As a coroner works the night shift at a morgue, the beat of the music makes dead bodies erupt in dance.

Land of the Fairies – Israel (DIRECTOR Amiel Kestenbaum) – In a magical handcrafted world, we follow a young boy's enchanted journey after a fairy who leads him from one extraordinary world to the next.

Lost Angeles – USA (DIRECTOR Evanston Moore) – A man is transported all over Los Angeles while singing about trying to find his place in the big city.

Loving is Easy – United Kingdom (DIRECTOR Chris Ullens) – Miniature Rex and Benny chill and perform together in stop-motion in their dreamy living room that comes to life to the sound of their lovely tune.

My Way – USA (DIRECTOR WATTS) – A battle between the pink posse and the gang of blue happens at a dinner party.

Pleader – United Kingdom (DIRECTOR Isaiah Seret) – Doom is on the horizon in this Welsh mining village but the birth of a child could save their valley from destruction.

Side by Side – Czech Republic (DIRECTOR Bohdan Zajcenko) – A man drives into the forest and pulls his bride out of the trunk. What happens next is anyone's guess.

Terraform – Spain (DIRECTOR Sil van der Woerd & Jorik Dozy) – The true story of the hardships and sacrifices that sulphur miners make in order to provide for their families in Kawah Ijen, Indonesia.

True Love Waits – Israel (DIRECTOR Adi Halfin) – A poignant tale of loss and loneliness through dance.

2018 LA Film Festival Complete Film Offerings With Synopsis

Future Filmmakers (15)

The Backstage – South Korea (DIRECTORS Nyeonho Song and Yejin Uhm) With only five minutes left until the play starts, the director is struggling to fix all the problems.

Dieu Merci: The Story of Michele Rodri – USA (DIRECTORS Fiona Fortunato, Grace Ma, Idalis McZeal, Xenia Bernal, Ziggy Hicks) Jewel-toned and hand-painted animation illustrate the personal testimony of a child survivor of the Holocaust.

Flare Out – USA (DIRECTOR Monica Menor) A young girl with a strange addiction to fire quickly develops a crush on a boy.

Goodbye Sam – USA (DIRECTOR Theo Taplitz) A boy and his posse say goodbye to a beloved friend.

In or Out – USA (DIRECTOR Lex Torrington) A young man wrestles with the risks of an extreme activity.

Just Stories – Singapore (DIRECTOR Ishan Modi) A senior couple experiences the isolation and uncertainty of old age.

Marmalade Melancholy – USA (DIRECTOR Joji Baratelli) A man stuck in the monotony of life is surprised when the absurd becomes reality.

Plan A Plan B – Mexico/USA (DIRECTOR Kimberly Moreno Chavez) A documentary highlighting the stories of Haitian immigrants who were unable to cross to the United States, but who instead found successful lives in Tijuana, Mexico.

Play The Game – USA (DIRECTORS Austin Ramey, Roberto Pino, Declan Kramer, and Diego Dominguez) A talented young man has to beat his tough competition in the final round of a bowling tournament.

Queery – USA (DIRECTOR Milo Ferguson) With their faces hidden behind animations, young members of the LGBTQ+ community are interviewed about their identity, struggles and advice.

Smile, You're on Camera – USA (DIRECTOR Tomas Carrasco) A young man can't seem to escape the spotlight as he is followed by cunning camera men.

Sona – USA (DIRECTOR Adrian Pacini) An elf child, ill from headaches and surviving with her mother in a dangerous land, discovers that special powers may provide freedom.

Stupidly Happy – USA (DIRECTOR Jonathan Rome) A heartbroken man seeks happiness through a balloon.

Weight of the Whale on Her Shoulders – USA (DIRECTOR Lola Kenet) A young artist feels suffocated by the success of those around her and struggles to find worth in herself and her art.

You Look Nothing Like Your Mother – Canada (DIRECTOR Ava Young) A personal documentary exploring the meaning of family through the director's relationship with her adoptive mother.

Indie Pilots (3)

2 Kawaii 4 Comfort – USA (DIRECTORS/PRODUCERS Luke Palmer, John Bickerstaff WRITER Luke Palmer) A near-fatal car crash on a trip to an anime convention causes four hyper-dysfunctional fans to confront everything they were hiding from at the one place they go to escape reality, Kotakon 2015. West Coast Premiere

40 and Single – Ghana (DIRECTOR/WRITER Leila Djansi PRODUCER Lauren Addy, Amanda Marshall, Leon Robinson) A single, bisexual, mixed race bridal fashion designer maneuvers life and business in post-colonial Africa. World Premiere

Mulligan – USA (DIRECTOR Steve Parys PRODUCERS Caroline Collins, Laury Christensen) Upon release from prison, a former US Amateur Champion, returns home to work at his brother's driving range and miniature golf course. World Premiere

2018 LA Film Festival Competition Lineup Revealed

US Fiction (7)

Banana Split – USA (DIRECTOR Benjamin Francis Kasulke WRITERS Hannah Marks, Joey Power PRODUCERS Jeremy Garelick, Mickey Liddell, Pete Shilaimon, Will Phelps, Glen Trotiner, Sam Slater CAST Hannah Marks, Dylan Sprouse, Liana Liberato, Luke Spencer Roberts, Haley Ramm, Meagan Kimberly Smith, Addison Riecke) – Over the course of a summer, two teenage girls develop the perfect kindred spirit friendship, with one big problem: one of them is dating the other's ex. World Premiere

In Reality – USA (DIRECTOR/WRITER Ann Lupo CO-DIRECTOR/CO-WRITER Esteban Pedraza & Aaron Pryka PRODUCERS Ann Lupo, Nadine Martinez, Holly Meehl CAST Ann Lupo, Miles G. Jackson, Kimiko Glenn, Jill Eikenberry, Olivia Washington, Esteban Pedraza, Lauren E. Banks) – A young woman takes a journey through her own fantastic mind as she investigates her relationship to unrequited love. California Premiere

Olympia – USA (DIRECTOR Gregory Dixon WRITER McKenzie Chinn PRODUCERS Gregory Dixon, McKenzie Chinn, Elliott Lonsdale, Lucy Lola Manda, Sarah Sharp CAST McKenzie Chinn, Charles Andrew Gardner, Ericka Ratcliff, LaNisa Renee Frederick, Penelope Walker, Sadieh Rifai) – A struggling Chicago artist finds herself at a crossroads in life, overwhelmed by changes and needing to make a critical decision in her relationship. World Premiere

Simple Wedding – USA (DIRECTOR Sara Zandieh WRITERS Sara Zandieh, Stephanie Wu PRODUCERS Ray Moheet, Norman Aladjem, Sara Zandieh CAST Tara Grammy, Christopher O'Shea, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Rita Wilson, Maz Jobrani, Houshang Touzie, Jaleh Modjallal, Peter Mackenzie, James Eckhouse, Rebecca Henderson, Aleque Reid) – A romantic comedy about a young Iranian-American woman and the lengths she goes to in order to appease her parents and their need to see her settled down. World Premiere

Softness of Bodies – USA/Germany (DIRECTOR/WRITER Jordan Blady PRODUCERS Jordan Blady, Catherine Morawitz CAST Dasha Nekrasova, Morgan Krantz) – An American poet living in Berlin hopes to win a prestigious grant while dealing with her former relationships, a rival poet and her own penchant for stealing things. World Premiere

This Teacher – USA (DIRECTOR Mark Jackson WRITERS Mark Jackson, Dana Thompson PRODUCERS Mark Jackson, Dana Thompson, Gigi Graff, Josh Mandel, Javier Gonzalez CAST Hafsia Herzi, Sarah Kazemy, Lucy Walters, Kevin Kane, Lev Gorn) – A young Arab-French woman on an introspective journey visits her childhood friend in New York City before heading to the woods upstate. World Premiere

The Wrong Todd – USA (DIRECTOR/WRITER Rob Schulbaum PRODUCERS Ric Murray, Anthony Ambrosino CAST Jesse Rosen, Anna Rizzo, Sean Carmichael, Derek K. Moore, Erin Rose) – A sci-fi comedy about a man who gets caught up in extraordinary events, and the bizarre lengths he goes through to get back to his reality. World Premiere

Documentary Competition (10)

Behind the Curve – USA (DIRECTOR Daniel J. Clark PRODUCERS Caroline Clark, Nick Andert, Daniel J. Clark) – The internet breathed new life into an old conspiracy theory: that the earth is flat instead of spherical. America's flat-Earth movement appears to be growing, in spite of its detractors in the scientific community. US Premiere

Facing the Dragon – USA/Afghanistan (DIRECTOR Sedika Mojadidi PRODUCER Jenny Raskin) – After international withdrawal from Afghanistan, two remarkable Afghan women working within the government and media struggle to maintain their hard-won rights while balancing what's best for their families. West Coast Premiere

False Confessions – Denmark (DIRECTOR Katrine Philp PRODUCER Katrine A. Sahlstrøm) – "Would you confess to a crime you did not commit?" A defense attorney fights against the complex and manipulative tactics of US police interrogations, focusing on victims of coerced confessions as she helps exonerate her incarcerated clients. North American Premiere

LA Film Festival 2018 Announces New Initiatives to Reach LA Audiences, Creators, Artists

hillbilly – USA (DIRECTORS/PRODUCERS Sally Rubin, Ashley York) – Two filmmakers visit rural Kentucky, one returning home to Appalachia, to unpack the stereotype of "hillbilly" and explore the personal and painful experiences fueling our polarizing political climate. LA Premiere

Mamacita – Germany/Mexico (DIRECTOR José Pablo Estrada Torrescano PRODUCERS José Pablo Estrada Torrescano, Arne Birkenstock) – A filmmaker fulfills his promise to make a film about his 95-year-old grandmother, showcasing her big personality and along the way uncovering the source of deep familial wounds. US Premiere

Moroni for President – USA (DIRECTORS Saila Huusko, Jasper Rischen PRODUCERS Saila Huusko, Jasper Rischen, Sara Goldblatt) – Determined to shake up the status quo and bring positive change to his people, a young, gay college professor begins a grass-roots campaign to become the next President of the Navajo Nation. LA Premiere

Same God – USA (DIRECTOR/WRITER/PRODUCER Linda Midgett) – It started out simply: a demonstration of solidarity. What followed? Life-changing events violating university and ethical codes and a public attack on a tenured professor's ideals, faith, racial and religious identity. World Premiere

The Silence of Others – USA/Spain (DIRECTORS/PRODUCERS Almudena Carracedo, Robert Bahar) – In a country with streets that still bear his name, a group of resolute Spanish citizens seeks justice for crimes committed during the brutal dictatorship of Francisco Franco by organizing a groundbreaking international lawsuit. West Coast Premiere

Stammering Ballad – China (DIRECTOR/WRITER Nan Zhang PRODUCERS Ruby Chen, Yong Zhang, Sinae Ha) – The visual and musical journey of a Chinese folk musician torn between his desire for fame and his love for singing rural folk songs that are on the verge of being lost. North American Premiere

Wrestling Ghosts — USA (DIRECTOR Ana Joanes PRODUCERS Ana Joanes, Toni Nagy) — Unable to understand why parenting seems like a constant uphill battle, an emotionally exhausted mother who can't connect with her two young sons courageously confronts the events of her own traumatic childhood. World Premiere

World Fiction (7)

Border – Sweden (DIRECTOR Ali Abbasi WRITERS Ali Abbasi, Isabella Eklöf, John Ajvide Lindqvist PRODUCERS Nina Bisgaard, Peter Gustafsson, Petra Jönsson CAST Eva Melander, Eero Milonoff, Jörgen Thorsson) – Despite having the remarkable gift of being able to smell emotions, a border agent leads a mundane existence until she meets a stranger who shares her unique abilities and upends her life. California Premiere

The Cotton Wool War – Brazil (DIRECTOR/WRITER/PRODUCERS Cláudio Marques, Marilia Hughes CAST Dora Goritzki, Thaia Perez, Thaila Lima) – Dora is a German-raised teenager visiting her enigmatic Brazilian grandmother for the first time. While trying to return to Germany at all costs, she discovers the incredible history behind the women of her family. US Premiere

The Day I Lost My Shadow – France/Lebanon/Qatar/Syrian Arab Republic (DIRECTOR/WRITER Soudade Kaadan PRODUCER Amira Kaadan CAST Sawsan Arshid, Reham Al Kasar, Samer Ismail, Ahmad Ali) – In the midst of a gas crisis during the early days of the Syrian Arab Spring, a young mother takes the day off work and strays far from home with only one objective in mind: finding a working cylinder so that she may cook a meal for her son. US Premiere

Heaven Without People – Lebanon (DIRECTOR/WRITER Lucien Bourjeily PRODUCERS Lucien Bourjeily, Farah Shaer CAST Ghassan Chemali, Hussein Hijazi, Jean Paul Hage, Jenny Gebara, Laeticia Semaan, Nadim Abou Samra, Samira Sarkis) – When a large family comes together for the first time in two years over Easter lunch, tensions bubble to the surface in surprising ways as they navigate an unforeseen conflict that threatens to derail their reunion. LA Premiere

Microhabitat – South Korea (DIRECTOR/WRITER Jeon Go-Woon PRODUCER Kim Soon-Mo CAST Som Lee, Jae-hong Ahn) – An increase in the price of cigarettes destabilizes the economy of Miso, a young housekeeper who prefers to stop paying the rent rather than give up on the little pleasures of life. While she enjoys her smokes, Miso starts a couch-surfing journey that reconnects her with family and friends. West Coast Premiere

Socrates – Brazil (DIRECTOR Alex Moratto WRITERS Alex Moratto, Thayná Mantesso PRODUCERS Tammy Weiss, Ramin Bahrani, Alex Moratto, Jefferson Paulino CAST Christian Malheiros, Tales Ordakji, Rosane Paulo, Caio Martinez Pacheco, Jayme Rodrigues) – A 15-year-old boy in São Paulo is forced to live on his own after his mother's death. The search for a job, and dealing with his own sexual awakening, proves to be a lot to handle. World Premiere

Tower. A Bright Day. – Poland/Czech Republic (DIRECTOR/WRITER Jagoda Szelc PRODUCERS Marcin Malatyński, Agata Golanska, Agnieszka Janowska, Kacper Habisiak, Andrzej Jędrzejewski, Maciej Ostoja-Chyżyński, Rafał Bubnicki CAST Anna Krotoska, Małgorzata Szczerbowska, Rafał Cieluch, Dorota Łukasiewicz-Kwietniewska, Laila Hennessy) – A protective mother has taken care of her young niece for years, raising her in the countryside as her own daughter. Her sister's sudden return triggers a sense that she may be back to reclaim her offspring or to implement even more ominous plans. LA Premiere

Nightfall (6)

The Dead Center – USA (DIRECTOR Billy Senese WRITER Billy Senese PRODUCERS Billy Senese, Denis Deck, Jonathan Rogers, Shane Carruth CAST Shane Carruth, Poorna Jagannathan, Jeremy Childs, Bill Feehely) – When a mysterious John Doe wakes up in a morgue and wanders into a psychiatric ward, a devoted doctor and curious medical examiner must slowly uncover dark and sinister secrets about the man that reveal a more horrifying truth than they could have ever imagined. World Premiere

Deep Murder – USA (DIRECTOR Nick Corirossi WRITERS Josh Margolin, Quinn Beswick, Benjamin Smolen, Nikolai von Keller PRODUCERS Eric B. Fleischman, Andrew Swett, Drew Foster, Jesse Berger, Brent Johnson, Pat McErlean CAST Quinn Beswick, Katie Aselton, Christopher McDonald, Jerry O'Connell, Jessica Kennedy, Chris Redd, Stephanie Drake, Josh Margolin) – Set in an alternate reality in which everyone is a cliché from a tacky soft-core porn film, a group of increasingly self-aware stock characters are up against a mysterious killer offing them one by one. World Premiere

Ghost Light – USA (DIRECTOR John Stimpson WRITERS/PRODUCERS Geoffrey Taylor, John Stimpson CAST Roger Bart, Tom Riley, Shannyn Sossamon, Danielle Campbell, Carol Kane, Cary Elwes) – The story of an unfortunate Shakespearean acting troupe that unleashes the infamous curse of Macbeth with horrifying results. World Premiere

Head Count – USA (DIRECTOR/WRITER Elle Callahan WRITER Michael Nader PRODUCERS Samuel Sandweiss, Brandon Somerhalder CAST Isaac W. Jay, Ashleigh Morghan, Bevin Bru, Billy Meade, Hunter Peterson, Chelcie May, Tory Freeth, Michael Herman, Amaka Obiechie, Sam Marra, Cooper Rowe) – During a weekend getaway to Joshua Tree, a group of teenagers find themselves under mental and physical assault from a supernatural entity that mimics their appearances as it completes an ancient ritual. World Premiere

Spell – USA (DIRECTOR Brendan Walter WRITER Barak Hardley PRODUCERS Brendan Walter, Jon Lullo, Barak Hardley, Katy Stoll, Eleanor Wilson CAST Barak Hardley, Jackie Tohn, Magnús Jónsson, Birna Rún Eiriksdóttir, Tom Wright, Stacey Moseley, Michael Nanfria, Michole Briana White, Bryndís Haraldsdóttir) – Following the unexpected death of his fiancé, an American illustrator travels to the Icelandic countryside to seek solace. What he finds instead is a blurred line between reality and fantasy as magical things begin to shake his very foundation—unless it's all in his head. World Premiere

Thriller – USA (DIRECTOR/WRITER Dallas Jackson PRODUCERS Greg Gilreath, Adam Hendricks, John Lang, Dallas Jackson CAST Mykelti Williamson, RZA, Jessica Allain, Luke Tennie, Tequan Richmond, Paige Hurd, Chelsea Rendon, Mitchell Edwards, Pepi Sonuga, Jason Woods, Maestro Harrell, Michael Ocampo)– Years after a childhood prank goes horribly wrong, a clique of South Central LA teens find themselves terrorized during Homecoming weekend by a killer hell-bent on revenge. World Premiere

LA Muse (10)

The Advocates – USA (DIRECTOR Rémi Kessler PRODUCERS Rémi Kessler, Robert McFalls) – A sweeping look at the homeless crisis in Los Angeles and an intimate view of the tireless advocates who strive to create better lives for their clients. World Premiere

El Chicano – USA (DIRECTOR Ben Hernandez Bray WRITERS Ben Hernandez Bray, Joe Carnahan PRODUCERS Joe Carnahan, Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Frank Grillo CAST Raúl Castillo, George Lopez, Aimee Garcia, Emilio Rivera, David Castañeda, Marlene Forte, Jose Pablo Cantillo, Sal Lopez) – A cop is drawn into his ex-con brother's death while investigating the crime-fighting exploits of a mysterious vigilante known as "El Chicano." World Premiere

Fire on the Hill – (DIRECTOR/WRITER Brett Fallentine PRODUCERS Brett Fallentine, Jordana Glick-Franzheim, Steven Amato) – Three Black cowboys in South Central share their stories following a mysterious fire that burnt down the community's stables, leaving the fate of the culture in question. World Premiere

Funke – (DIRECTOR Gabriel Taraboulsy PRODUCERS Gabriel Taraboulsy, Alex Emanuele, Jay Holzer, Cecile Murias) – A prodigious chef mounts his culinary comeback, eyeing the most competitive street in America as a stage for his ode to the dying art of handmade pasta. World Premiere

Making Montgomery Clift – (DIRECTORS/WRITERS/PRODUCERS Robert A. Clift, Hillary Demmon) – Classic film star Montgomery Clift's legacy has been a story of tragedy and self-destruction, but a more complicated picture emerges when his nephew dives into the family archives. World Premiere

Saint Judy – USA (DIRECTOR Sean Hanish WRITER Dmitry Portnoy PRODUCERS Sean Hanish, Paul Jaconi-Biery CAST Michelle Monaghan, Leem Lubany, Common, Alfred Molina, Alfre Woodard, Mykelti Williamson) – The true story of LA immigration attorney Judy Wood, who single-handedly changed the United States Law of Asylum, saving countless lives in the process. World Premiere

Solace – USA (DIRECTOR/WRITER Tchaiko Omawale PRODUCERS Tchaiko Omawale, Maya Emelle, Hope Olaide Wilson, Sabine Hoffman, Sascha Brown Rice CAST Hope Olaide Wilson, Lynn Whitfield, Chelsea Tavares, Glynn Turman, Luke Rampersad, Sydney Bennett) – A teenage orphan moves to LA to live with her estranged grandmother and works to win a performance art grant while secretly struggling with binge eating. World Premiere

Staycation – USA (DIRECTOR Tanuj Chopra WRITERS Tanuj Chopra, Anthony Ma, Grace Su PRODUCER Lalithra Fernando CAST Anthony Ma, Grace Su) – A modern millennial codependent couple in DTLA have their relationship thrown for a loop when he discovers a photo from an ex on her phone. World Premiere

Stuntman – USA (DIRECTOR Kurt Mattila PRODUCERS Steven Golebiowski, Kurt Mattila, Eddie Braun) – A veteran stuntman sets out to complete the jump that bested his idol Evel Knievel: clearing the Snake River Canyon in a rocket-powered craft. World Premiere

We the Coyotes – USA (DIRECTORS/WRITERS Hanna Ladoul, Marco La Via PRODUCERS Raphael Gindre, Kevin Van Der Meiren, Julius Schultheib CAST Morgan Saylor, McCaul Lombardi, Betsy Brandt, Khleo Thomas, Lorelei Linklater) – A young couple moves to LA from the Midwest to start a new life together, but things don't go exactly as planned. North American Premiere

Shorts (41)

Agua Viva – USA (DIRECTOR Alexa Lim Haas) – A Chinese manicurist in Miami attempts to describe feelings she doesn't have the words for.

Audition – USA (DIRECTOR Richard Van) – Unable to find a sitter, an aspiring actress has no choice but to drag her three-year-old son to her audition.

Beastly Things – USA (DIRECTOR Zev Chevat) – A young artist encounters a vicious group of local schoolchildren and learns what beastly behavior truly means.

Black 14 – USA (DIRECTOR Darius Clark Monroe) – An archival social study examining the media coverage of a 1969 racial protest at the University of Wyoming.

Burn Bridge – USA/England (DIRECTOR Rhys Jones) – Hopelessly infatuated with his clueless best friend, an adolescent boy in North Yorkshire explores his sexuality and acts out with destructive behavior.

Caroline – USA (DIRECTORS Celine Held, Logan George) – A precocious six-year-old is faced with a big responsibility on a hot Texas day.

Cheer Up, Baby – USA (DIRECTOR Adinah Dancyger) – A young woman who has been sexually assaulted by a stranger on the subway is rendered with psychological menace and sensory dislocation in this elliptical tale.

Counterfeit Kunkoo – India (DIRECTOR Reema Sengupta) – In a city that houses millions, Smita fights a stubborn cultural bias while trying to rent a house in middle-class Mumbai.

Coyote – Switzerland (DIRECTOR Lorenz Wunderle) – After wolves attack his family, a coyote goes on a vision quest of revenge.

Cross My Heart – Jamaica/USA (DIRECTOR Sontenish Myers) – An American teenage girl visits her family in Jamaica and uncovers a secret that changes the way she sees the people she loves.

Delay – Iran/Italy (DIRECTOR Ali Asgari) – A man and his two children miss their flight and while waiting for the next flight, undergo a transformative moment.

The Earth is Humming – USA (DIRECTOR Garrett Bradley) – In Japan earthquake preparedness is a way of life, and a full-blown industry.

Falling – France (DIRECTOR Benjamin Vu) – In 1994 France, a clever, gay, much-bullied young esthete and his naïve, athletic classmate develop an unexpected intimacy when they're paired up for a high school presentation.

Hair Wolf – USA (DIRECTOR Mariama Diallo) – In a black hair salon in gentrifying Brooklyn, the residents fend off a strange new horror: white women sucking the lifeblood from black culture.

Hierophany – USA (DIRECTOR Kevin Contento) – A Florida boy comes in contact with the sacred while living in the margins of the South.

Intercourse – Sweden (DIRECTOR Jonatan Etzan) – A passing joke between a couple blurs the lines and brings them to terms with how it has changed their relationship.

Jeom – USA (DIRECTOR Kangmin Kim) – A father and son, who share the same big birthmark on their butt wage war against this genetic blemish.

Kevlar – Sweden (DIRECTOR Tuna Özer) – A young man from the projects outside of Stockholm borrows his friend's jacket to impress a hip city girl and winds up at a party in a strange land.

Ladders – USA (DIRECTOR Andrew Stephen Lee) – The bright future facing a smart, ambitious Dominican teen becomes clouded with doubt following a pointed interaction at a fundraising gala.

Libre – USA (DIRECTOR Anna Barsan) – Undocumented immigrants forced to spend months in detention turn to private companies to secure their release on bond in this gripping documentary.

Lotus – Iran (DIRECTOR Mohammadreza Vatandoust) – After a controlled flood an old woman is left to gaze from her window at the island she's forbidden to visit, longing for the object of her affection.

Mud – USA (DIRECTOR Shaandiin Tome) – On her last day of life, a woman faces the inescapable remnants of alcoholism, family and culture.

Nevada – USA (DIRECTOR Emily Ann Hoffman) – A young couple's romantic weekend getaway is interrupted by a birth control mishap in this stop-motion animated comedy.

One Leg In, One Leg Out – Canada (DIRECTOR Lisa Rideout) – A lively, strong-willed sex worker struggles to move from the streets and into a career as a social worker, hoping to help fellow trans sex workers find acceptance.

The Passage – USA (DIRECTOR Kitao Sakurai) – Fleeing a pair of mysterious agents sends a dim-witted mute on a series of absurd misadventures.

Room 140 – USA (DIRECTOR Priscilla Gonzalez Sainz) – Immigrants just released from detention centers spend their first night in Oakland at a motel paid for by a local pastor.

Roya – USA (DIRECTOR Shaina Pakravan) – On the night of a relative's engagement party, an image conscious Iranian-American mother clashes with her free-spirited teenage daughter.

Scratch – Spain (DIRECTOR David Valero) – A young DJ with a cognitive disability has trouble understanding the violent word around him; his actions subvert societal concepts of perpetrator and victim, apology and forgiveness.

Shadow Animals – Sweden (DIRECTOR Jerry Carlsson) – A young girl follows her parents to a party where the adults' behavior becomes increasingly strange.

The Shift – USA (DIRECTOR Elivia Genny Shaw) – For San Francisco's 911 dispatchers, the city is hard to escape.

Sin Cielo – USA (DIRECTOR Jianna Maarten) – Two teenagers pursue young love in the borderlands where life under cartel violence may be inescapable.

Skip Day – USA (DIRECTORS Ivete Lucas, Patrick Bresnan) – With graduation approaching, a group of high school seniors take a day at the beach to revel in the joys of being young in an increasingly unsteady world.

Swedi – Sweden (DIRECTOR Sosi Chamoun) – A woman in a grocery store contends with a clerk who won't leave her alone in this one-take shot.

This Magnificent Cake! – Belgium/France/Netherlands (DIRECTORS Emma De Swaef, Marc James Roels) – Set in colonial Africa in the late 19th century, this breathtaking stop-motion epic examines colonialism through five different stories.

This, My Favorite Mural – USA (DIRECTOR Michael Arcos) – The Latinx immigrant experience in Louisiana is explored through the eyes of a German woman who becomes obsessed with finding the artist who painted a tire shop mural.

NEON Acquires Worldwide Rights To Todd Douglas Miller’s “Apollo 11”; CNN Films Retains North American TV Rights

The Things You Think I'm Thinking – Canada (DIRECTOR Sherren Lee) – On his first date since a devastating accident, a burn victim throws himself back into the world of relationships and the fear of allowing love back into his life.

True Love in Pueblo Textil – USA (DIRECTOR Horatio Baltz) – A young girl living in the Cuban countryside describes how it feels to be stricken with the world's oldest infliction: love.

War Paint – USA (DIRECTOR Katrelle Kindred) – For a bright South LA teen, what should be a happy 4th of July weekend becomes an unexpected lesson in the stark realities of power and racism.

Weekends – USA (DIRECTOR Trevor Jimenez) – A young boy shuffles between the homes of his recently divorced parents in this surreal hand-animated film set in 1980s Toronto.

While I Yet Live – USA (DIRECTOR Maris Curran) – African-American quilters from Alabama talk about love, religion and the fight for civil rights as they continue the tradition of quilting that originally brought them together.

Wild Wild West: A Beautiful Rant By Mark Bradford – USA (DIRECTOR Dime Davis) – The origin of artists is explored through paper, percussion and one provocative creative.

Web Series (10)

Avant-Guardians – USA (DIRECTOR Clarence Williams IV) – A woke(ish) guardian angel to the third Black President goes a little off her rocker and is mandated by God to see a therapist angel.

Flatbush Misdemeanors – USA (DIRECTORS Dan Perlman, Kevin Iso) – Two longtime friends adjust to their new surroundings in the brash environment of Flatbush, Brooklyn. Against a quickly ticking clock, they hilariously scramble to right a mistake that could end them both.

Fresh – Australia (DIRECTOR Grant Scicluna) – A diverse range of characters make their living in an open Australian market. Their differences pull them apart and draw them together.

Kiki And Kitty – Australia (DIRECTOR Catriona Mackenzie) – The adventures of a young, Native Aboriginal woman in a big, white world where her vagina is a big, Native woman and her best friend!

Otis – USA (DIRECTOR Alexander Etseyatse) – A young, mentally unstable man attempts to win back the affection of his ex-fiancée and daughter.

Pedal & Paint – USA (DIRECTOR Bradley Smith) – Illustrator and host Mike Dutton hops on his bike and meets up with fellow illustrator Sophia Foster-Dimino to find inspiration, adventure and new perspectives.

Psusy – New Zealand (DIRECTOR Anna Duckworth) – Two close friends drag us through their controversial, inappropriate, but always playfully feminist world.

Tracy Buckles – USA (DIRECTOR Robin Nystrom) – A young woman becomes the victim of a despicable curse that prevents other people from hearing her voice. She joins forces with a down-and-out vagabond and a bumbling wizard in order to break free from the evil sorcery.

Revenge Tour – USA (DIRECTOR Andrew Carter) – He's been cheated on, living in a friend's living room and stuck at a dead-end job. But one night he finds an unlikely stress-reliever—rapping.

Robits – USA (DIRECTOR Christopher Parks) – This series follows the funny and nonsensical misgivings of three robots living in a post-A.I. world.