Section

American Indie Spotlight

A collection of well-regarded American indie films, ranging from intense dramas to thought-provoking narratives. Films like Laws of Man explore justice in a remote Nevada town, while Sugarhouse tells a tender story of sisterhood amidst a life of crime. Lady Parts examines personal struggles, and Queen of the Ring celebrates female resilience through the lens of professional wrestling. Each of these films showcases diverse stories that delve into relationships, identity, and the human condition.

American Indie Spotlight, Robert French and French-Language Focus, Women in Film Spotlight

A Time Apart

Film A Time Apart Directed by Courtney Hope Therond Alyssa returns to Paris to finalize her divorce, but while spending a final week with her soon-to-be ex-husband,...

American Indie Spotlight, Free Films, International Spotlight, Race in America

African Giants

Film African Giants Directed by Omar S Kamara Over a weekend visit in Los Angeles, two first-generation Sierra Leonean American brothers navigate the changing dynamics of...

American Indie Spotlight

Ben and Suzanne, A Reunion in 4 Parts

Film Ben and Suzanne, A Reunion in 4 Parts Directed by Shaun Seneviratne In Ben and Suzanne: A Reunion in 4 Parts, Ben travels to Sri Lanka to rekindle his romance...

American Indie Spotlight, International Spotlight, Spanish-Language Focus

Dead Man’s Switch

Film Dead Man’s Switch Directed by Alejandro Gerber Bicecci Dalia (42), discovers that her husband has vanished without a trace. As her life and her job as...

American Indie Spotlight, Free Films, Show-Me Cinema

Gonzo

Film Gonzo Directed by David Kirkman When a college student develops an algorithm that threatens to revolutionize the entertainment industry, he becomes the target of...

American Indie Spotlight, Human Rights Spotlight, Women in Film Spotlight

Lady Parts

Film Lady Parts Directed by Nancy Boyd Lady Parts” follows Paige, an aspiring screenwriter in Los Angeles who, just days before landing her dream job,...

American Indie Spotlight

Laws of Man

Film Laws of Man Directed by Phil Blattenberger U.S. marshals, Frank and Tommy, have their hands full as they travel to the remote town of Gilead,...

American Indie Spotlight, International Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Morningside

Film Morningside Directed by Ron Dias Morningside explores personal struggles, relationships and societal challenges faced by community members amid emerging threat of gentrification.

American Indie Spotlight

Never Not Yours

Film Never Not Yours Directed by John Klein, Steve Kniss You can't choose your family.

American Indie Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight

On My Way to Where

Film On My Way to Where Directed by Dianna Dilworth, Julia Greenberg On My Way to Where: A Documentary about Dory Previn, an influential 1970s cult singer-songwriter who famously goes...

American Indie Spotlight, New Filmmakers Forum

Paper Marriage

Film Paper Marriage Directed by Jeff Man Produced by the Duplass Brothers, Fanny, a Chinese immigrant, pays Jeff to be her fake husband in a...

American Indie Spotlight, Fine Arts Spotlight, Human Rights Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition

Porcelain War

Film Porcelain War Directed by Brendan Bellomo, Slava Leontyev Under roaring fighter jets and missile strikes, Ukrainian artists Slava, Anya, and Andrey stay behind to fight, grappling...

American Indie Spotlight, Asian Focus, International Spotlight

Poyyamozhi

Film Poyyamozhi Directed by Sudhi Anna Poyyamozi follows Jayson, a runaway guided by Chachan through a mysterious forest. As Chachan’s vengeful intentions surface, Jayson...

American Indie Spotlight, Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Quarter

Film Quarter Directed by Arnon Manor, Kelsey Bascom Quarter follows Kelly, a young woman living with Type 1 diabetes, who’s about to turn 25, as she...

American Indie Spotlight, Women in Film Spotlight

Queen of the Ring

Film Queen of the Ring Directed by Ash Avildsen Queen of the Ring tells the true story of the first female athlete to earn a million dollars,...

American Indie Spotlight, International Spotlight, New Filmmakers Forum

Run

Film Run Directed by Bernard kordieh JB, a struggling writer, runs to escape memories of a toxic relationship. His encounter with a man living...

American Indie Spotlight

Saturn

Film Saturn Directed by Eric Esau When a strange planet appears in the sky over a picturesque seaside town, James, one of the town’s...

American Indie Spotlight, Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Single Car Crashes

Film Single Car Crashes Directed by Brittani Ward Due to a devastating car crash that took his best friend life, Sean, a one-time promising baseball recruit,...

American Indie Spotlight, Human Rights Spotlight, International Spotlight, New Filmmakers Forum

Stampila

Film Stampila Directed by David Larson Determined to overthrow the powerful oligarch who controls her country, a middle-aged woman, armed with only her wit...

American Indie Spotlight, Show-Me Cinema

Sugarhouse

Film Sugarhouse Directed by Frederick C. Jones, Shirlee A. Wilson Abandoned at the sugarhouse by her outlaw father, Maisie, a sweet-natured teenager, tries to hold the family together,...

American Indie Spotlight, International Spotlight, Spanish-Language Focus, Women in Film Spotlight

Supporting Actresses

Film Supporting Actresses Directed by Arturo Dueñas Shot in a single sequence with mixed formats, the film highlights the role of supporting actresses in theater...

American Indie Spotlight, Human Rights Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Race in America, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition

The Calling

Film The Calling Directed by Asako Gladsjo “The Calling” tracks a diverse group of medical students at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx...

American Indie Spotlight

The Kingdom

Film The Kingdom Lesia, a teenager, is taken by a man to a villa where her fugitive father and his men...

American Indie Spotlight, Women in Film Spotlight

The Loved & Lost

Film The Loved & Lost Directed by Anna Thalman Becca and Cal, two parents lost in the struggles of their dried-up careers, search for meaning while managing...

American Indie Spotlight, Free Films, Human Ties

The Midway Point

Film The Midway Point Directed by Lucca Vieira Jake, a high schooler on the autism spectrum feels disillusioned with the world until he meets Alice who...

American Indie Spotlight, Asian Focus, International Spotlight, New Filmmakers Forum, Shorts Competition

The Strangers’ Case

Film The Strangers’ Case Directed by Brandt Andersen In “Sir Thomas More,” Shakespeare wrote a speech in which More makes a passionate defense for refugees, pleading...

American Indie Spotlight, Asian Focus, International Spotlight, New Filmmakers Forum, Women in Film Spotlight

The Umesh Chronicles

Film The Umesh Chronicles Directed by Pooja Kaul A woman questions the nature of freedom as she contrasts her privileged life with that of those who...

American Indie Spotlight, Asian Focus, International Spotlight, Women in Film Spotlight

Those Were the Good Days

Film Those Were the Good Days Directed by Hong-rae Lee This is the story of intersections between past and present, memory and forgetting, inner peace and healing. We...

American Indie Spotlight

To Die Alone

Film To Die Alone Directed by Austin Smagalski After suffering a terrible injury while hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, Irving must find a way to escape...

American Indie Spotlight, International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Shorts Competition

What’s Next?

Film What’s Next? Directed by Taylor Taglianeti At 100 years old, Dr. Howard Tucker holds the Guinness World Record as the world’s oldest practicing doctor....

American Indie Spotlight, New Filmmakers Forum, Women in Film Spotlight

Where in the Hell

Film Where in the Hell Directed by Laramie Dennis When her girlfriend vanishes mid-road trip, sardonic prop master Kasey ends up stranded in a California backwater. She...

American Indie Spotlight, International Spotlight, Spanish-Language Focus

Wingwalker

Film Wingwalker Directed by Alonso Alvarez-Barreda A young widower is deported just as his daughter is scheduled for a heart transplant, leading him to...