Screening Time(s): Friday, April 10 at 1:55pm Saturday, April 11 9:00am Sunday, April 12 at 3:15pm
Directed by: Alice Tomassini
Synopsis: Surrogate mothers imprisoned, women forced into hiding, children conceived in the shadows: Mothers boldly explore the complex reality of surrogacy, free from prejudice.
Reni’s Worlds Directed by: Claudia Ruiz Synopsis: On the first day of school, Renato finds a book about origami, a friend, and one big adventure.
Go My Way Directed by: Chelo Loureiro Synopsis: All the advice Elisa receives to make Martin fall in love with her is to change not only her appearance, but also who she really is.
América Directed by: Javier Arias-Stella Synopsis: América, a 10-year-old girl from a remote Andean village, dreams of buying a bicycle so she’ll never be late to class again.
The Strange Case of the Human Cannonball Directed by: Roberto Valencia Synopsis: One morning, a mysterious man is found lying in the village square. No one knows who he is, nor where he came from.
The Interpreter Directed by: Dahiana Candelo Synopsis: Nine-year-old Tatiana is fine with her role as an interpreter for Mami. She can even use it to her advantage….
Nube Directed by: Diego Alonso Sánchez de la Barquera Estrada & Christian Arredondo Narvaez Synopsis: A puffy white cloud realizes that her daughter, a dark stormy cloud, is in danger of raining prematurely.
Nana Carmen Directed by: Kaila Gutierrez Synopsis: Nana Carmen is babysitting Elena for the day. She’s mischievous, missing a tooth, and only speaks Spanish.
What We Dreamed Of Then Canada Run Time: 105 minutes
Screening Time(s): Friday, April 10 at 6:15pm Saturday, April 11 at 9:05am Sunday, April 12 at 11:00am
Directed by: Taylor Olson Cast: Taylor Olson, Christie Burke, Parveen Kaur
Synopsis: A passionate swim coach and dedicated father navigates the turbulent reality of invisible homelessness when he is forced to live out of his van.
Screening Time(s): Saturday, April 11 at 9:10am Thursday, April 16 at 2:20pm Sunday, April 19 at 5:15pm
Malignant Practice Directed by: Kristin Catalano Synopsis: Malignant Practice is an animated film about a woman’s missed breast cancer diagnosis, revealing healthcare system flaws and self-advocacy importance.
Special CelEd Directed by: Christopher J. Cormier Synopsis: Celebrities and cultural influencers’ connection to special education and disability.
Over the Kitchen Table Directed by: Nisha Burton Synopsis: Over the Kitchen Table tells the untold story of the founding of the battered women's movement.
Screening Time(s): Friday, April 10 at 4:20pm Saturday, April 11 at 9:10am
Directed by: Rich Newey Cast: Betsy Brandt, Aya Cash, Ella Rubin, Thomas Sadoski, Mimi Rogers
Synopsis: Morgan (Ella Rubin) is a sheltered 17-year-old, struggling to define who she is in order to write her college entrance essay. When a crisis provides her the rare opportunity to spend time with her significantly older half-siblings (Betsy Brandt, Thomas Sadoski, Aya Cash), she hopes they’ll be able to shed some light on what it means to be an adult, only to be disappointed when she discovers they’re all faking it.
A triumph! A spectacle! A fuzzy wuzzy cuddle puddle! CatVideoFest is all that and more. Your favorite family-friendly cat-themed film event is here as part of PFF’s Caturday!
The videos are curated by Will Braden, the Seattle-based creator of the comedically existential shorts, Henri, le Chat Noir. His business cards read: “I watch cat videos.” And it’s not a joke or an exaggeration. Braden watches thousands of hours of internet videos to make the annual compilation.
Screening Time(s): Saturday, April 11 at 10:55am Sunday, April 12 at 11:05am Wednesday, April 15 at 9:10pm
Bench Seats Directed by: Courtney DeStefano Synopsis: When an argument with her wife lands Dani at a crossroads, she reflects on her memories of one transformational summer.
Daddies Boi Directed by: Jason Avezzano Synopsis: As youth and options dry up, two aging sugar babies plunge into the "desire economy” through an app: Daddies Boi.
MascLooking Directed by: Jonathan Hammond Synopsis: After two friends banter over using Brindr, one is left chatting with a mysterious stranger. And he’s getting closer…
The Next Day Directed by: Jonathan Wolfe Synopsis: A gay man confronts his fiancé the day after a traumatic event, forcing him to question their upcoming wedding plans.
Dérive Directed by: Lianne Sonia Walden Synopsis: A reclusive publisher is transformed by chance encounters during a Surrealist odyssey across NYC to release her ex-wife’s ashes.
Wall Udder Directed by: Alexandra Hayden Synopsis: A dissatisfied woman confronts repressed feelings of malaise after her partner comes home smelling like milk.
Big Bass Directed by: Drew Dickler Synopsis: Drew travels to 1997 to revisit a memory involving her queer identity, her legendary PE teacher…and a mysterious plastic fish.
You made a film, now what? Filmmakers at the festival talk about next steps for their projects and how they plan on getting their films seen by more people. How will they tackle distribution? What has worked in the past? What other avenues are they exploring?
Attending these exciting and informative talks is FREE, but you will still need to obtain a ticket and select your reserved seat. Tickets for Weekend 1 Panels will be available in person at our ticketing center starting Friday, April 10th. Tickets for Weekend 2 Panels will be available in person at our ticketing center starting Friday, April 17th. **Filmmaker Panel tickets will not be available for reservation online or prior to the above listed dates.
Screening Time(s): Friday, April 10 at 6:30pm Saturday, April 11 at 11:00am Sunday, April 12 at 1:45pm
Directed by: Tim Glover Cast: Allie L. Harris, Thomas D. Brown II, Jeremy Colwell, Thea A. Johnson, Dakota Jackson, Scott Daniel Johnson
Synopsis: A love story unfolds as a couple seeks to reunite through space and time, as one relives the first day they met, and the other wakes up in the desert without any memory of their relationship.
Directed by: Mye Hoang Cast: Katy McHugh, Umair Khan, Lana Malkawi
Synopsis: Qatar has a street cat population equal to the nation's human population – where disease is rampant and local adoption is rare. The film follows a network of multinational rescuers and a cat cafe owner, all working to fly out 25 lucky cats to the US.
Synopsis: Filmmaker Colette Ghunim embarks on journeys with her parents to find the ancestral houses they were forced to flee as children in Mexico and Palestine. Colette’s initial desire to heal her disconnect from her cultures and her parents reveals an internal quest to discover home within herself.
The Dying Trade United Kingdom Run Time: 65 minutes
Screening Time(s): Friday, April 10 at 1:50pm Saturday, April 11 at 11:20am Sunday, April 12 at 1:25pm
Directed by: Jack Hancock-Fairs Cast: Temple Grandin
Synopsis: Jack is a vegan activist. His father is a slaughterhouse worker. After years of avoiding the subject, Jack sets out to confront the unspoken tension between them. This intimate and contemplative documentary follows a son’s attempt to understand his father - and the industry that stands between them.
Screening Time(s): Saturday, April 11 at 11:25am Tuesday, April 14 at 6:55pm Saturday, April 18 at 11:25am
Across a Balcony Directed by: Wes Selby Synopsis: An ex-married couple invited to the same wedding meet on their hotel balconies tying up loose ends from their past.
Harmony On Pointe Directed by: Adam Benavides Synopsis: In an unprecedented collaboration, Phoenix Youth Symphony and the School of Ballet Arizona unite to bring live performance to life.
Popcorn Button (aka, Why I Became an Accountant) Directed by: Daniel Hart Synopsis: A candidate tries to answer an unexpected question during a job interview. The Ghost In The Mirror Directed by: Korbin Christie Synopsis: A Man Finds Himself Haunted By a Not So Scary Ghost...
Meals that Matter Directed by: Stjepan Alaupovic Synopsis: Meals that Matter is a short documentary centered on people navigating cancer, individuals receiving chef-prepared meals from the Joy Bus.
The Rotting Man Directed by: Korbin Christie Synopsis: Trapped Between His Past and Present, Daniel's past haunts him, manifesting itself as a monstrous shadow that he can’t escape.
“Movie Match” is a lively, audience-driven night of movie debate and unlikely friendships! Bring your spiciest Movie Hot Takes, pass judgment on others, and find your Ultimate Movie Best Friend. By the finale, we’ll crown our most compatible match...plus you’ll leave with laughs and new friends. Come for the debate, hang for laughs, and get connected!
Kikuyu Land (Subtitled) Kenya Run Time: 100 minutes
Screening Time(s): Friday, April 10 at 9:15am Saturday, April 11 at 1:00pm Sunday, April 12 at 5:15pm
Directed by: Andrew H. Brown, Bea Wangondu
Synopsis: As a news producer and a local land claimant investigate a dispute linked to a multinational corporation, they uncover buried histories and family secrets that reshape how their community understands its past.
Waltzing Matilda (Subtitled) Czech Republic Run Time: 115 minutes
Screening Time(s): Friday, April 10 at 3:35pm Saturday, April 11 at 1:05pm Sunday, April 12 at 4:35pm
Directed by: Petr Slavík Cast: Karel Roden, Reginá Rázlová, Zuzana Kanócz, Antonio Šoposki
Synopsis: The film follows Karel Jaroš, his mother Matilda with Alzheimer’s, and his son Pavel. Crisis, care, and old wounds force them together in a tragicomic story inspired by reality, about responsibility, forgiveness, and whether they can withstand this test of life and find their way back to one another.
Screening Time(s): Friday, April 10 at 6:25pm Saturday, April 11 at 1:10pm Sunday, April 12 at 3:30pm
Directed by: Richie James Follin Cast: Rubyrose Hill, Richie Follin, Lukas Haas, Missi Pyle, Samantha Robinson, Luke Baines, Kayla Anjali, Eric Kelly, David Lowe, Barbara Willams.
Synopsis: A quirky Christian singer and a suicidal dad drive cross-country, forging an unlikely bond through bad decisions, bizarre roadside attractions, and an all-original soundtrack. "Crystal Cross" is a hilarious, bittersweet road trip about two lost souls finding comfort (but not salvation) in each other’s messes.
Not The Science Type: Gitanjal Directed by: Julio Palacio Synopsis: Gitanjali Rao was named TIME Magazine’s Kid of the Year in 2020 and, at just 16 years old, she’s already an accomplished scientist on a mission to create a global community of young innovators to solve problems all over the world.
Sea Dragon Directed by: James Morgan Synopsis: A young fossil hunter makes a groundbreaking discovery, challenging the worldview of 19th century England.
Balam Directed by: Guillermo Casarin Synopsis: Itzel, on a camping trip deep in the jungle, frees a jaguar from captivity. When a furious poacher gives chase, she stumbles upon a mysterious lost Mayan city.
7 Planets Directed by: Milda Baginskaite Synopsis: A space-obsessed girl realizes that in cosmic matters, it’s all about the long game
Knights In Newark Directed by: Nic Yulo Synopsis: Armed with her vivid imagination, a young girl engineers a secret project on the roof of her apartment building to protect her immigrant family from the dreaded curse of the Knights in Newark.
Horizon Directed by: Nic Yulo Synopsis: To realize her dream of launching into uncharted space, a determined astronaut must choose to leave her humanity behind.
Generation Impact: The Coder Directed by: Samantha Knowles Synopsis: Jay Jay Patton was only 13 when she designed and built an app to help kids connect with their incarcerated parents, inspired by her own experience. Now she is creating a coding academy to help other kids do the same.
Cats Eyewitness News Directed by: Michele Campbell Synopsis: You think it’s about a hurricane, but it’s really about belly rubs!
Catnap Directed by: Carrie Runyan Synopsis: An animated tale about a dog who won’t let a kitty have her catnap - inspired by true event!
The Language of Love Directed by: Cristina Ocana Gallegos Synopsis: A personal documentary about the subtle ways cats communicate and understand us - and how we reciprocate.
Oh Catnada! Directed by: Casper Flatman Synopsis: What would a feline-centric country look like, with its very own flag and anthem?!
PAWS and PURPOSE Directed by: Kim Best Synopsis: A documentary about a sanctuary that began saving goats but has become a loving final home for cats regardless of age or any issues.
CATS ON THINGS Directed by: Mary Matthews Synopsis: A fun and funny animated description of the havoc cats cause in our homes and why we love them anyway.
A HAND TO HOME Directed by: Shafeer Shamsudheen Synopsis: The filmmaker from Dubai created this tale of a rescued kitten told from her perspective, manually created with Adobe Firefly support.
ALFRED HITCHCAT PRESENTS “BANQUO’S CHAIR” Directed by: Priscilla Dean Synopsis: Another Purradise Ranch production with “talking cat actors,” featuring Detective Purrlock Holmes investigating a murder in a mansion haunted by feline ghosts.
SCAREDY, THE CAT Directed by: Markie Hancock Synopsis: A documentary about a very shy feral cat adopted by people at the public tennis courts in a NYC park and how she came to trust a very few of them.
BASTET Directed by: Dvorzak, Majnaric & Dolonga Synopsis: Three Croatian friends - who love cats and are animators - made drawings by hand they colored on the computer, telling this story of three cats who rise to the clouds to meet Bastet, the ancient Egyptian goddess of cats.
LUCY Directed by: Adam Tindall Synopsis: A narrative film in which a woman comes to suspect that her new boyfriend is more interested in her cat than in her.
OLD PAWS 4 Directed by: The Black Cat Market (Pittsburgh Film Academy students) Synopsis: A cat cafe and a cat rescue team up to find loving homes for senior cats.
THE CAT HOUSE CHRONICLES Directed by: Jeanie Miller Synopsis: A documentary about a young cat who is adopted into a senior cat retirement home where he is a charming troublemaker.
10TH LIFE Directed by: Ellie Kraemer Synopsis: An animated whimsical tale of a lost kitten and his mysterious new ally as they find their way home.
DAILY TABBY Directed by: Anaya Kay Dalton Synopsis: A mockumentary focused on an ESA at a college campus and her point of view about the students and their activities. [IN PROGRESS]
SHADOW Directed by: Erin Greenwell Synopsis: Artistic animation shows how her cat’s death broke a woman’s heart, but a stray in the neighborhood who befriended her made her wonder if her kitty who passed away sent Shadow to heal her?.
LOVE IS LOVE Directed by: Mutual Rescue Synopsis: A documentary in which a woman describes what her three tripawd cats taught her about love, the cycle of life and recovery .
WHEN LEFT IS RIGHT Directed by: Kim Best Synopsis: Being a “southpaw” comes with challenges that a kitten is determined to overcome, as he explains.
LOKI, UKRAINIAN CAT Directed by: Tania Bashkatova Synopsis: This is the story of a Ukrainian cat named Loki: his journey to escape the war in Ukraine and his adaptation in Ireland.
MY FAMILIAR Directed by: David Zayas, Elizabeth Bays Synopsis: Music video featuring Elizabeth Bays’s love for her soulmate cat Screamy, who has since passed away.
CATS EYEWITNESS NEWS Directed by: Michele Campbell Synopsis: A feline news report that includes a flock of pigeons sitting shiva.
Screening Time(s): Saturday, April 11 at 1:30pm Thursday, April 16 at 6:55pm Saturday, April 18 at 8:00pm Old Nick Directed by: Canyon DiMare Synopsis: After capturing a notorious serial killer, a young detective relives the case, haunted by evidence that blurs obsession and reality.
I Am Directed by: Aidan Sinconis Synopsis: I Am follows Ron Blake’s journey through life’s challenges toward growth, purpose, and positive impacts on himself and his community. And the Air Turned Red Directed by: Brandon Zukas Synopsis: A young Soviet reporter joins his brother Sergei on base.
Tomorrow Undead Directed by: Dale Thomas Cizmadia Synopsis: Arizona mine worker Grant Franklin sacrifices his life to a rogue biotech company in exchange for securing his family's future. Career Stall Directed by: Nima Nourani Synopsis: A bathroom break takes a surreal turn when a man trapped in a stall witnesses a series of bizarre events. I Should Tell You Directed by: Evan Pascal Covington Synopsis: Life altering news forces a long married couple to speak honestly with one another for the first time in decades.
Pacing in feature films is very tricky. For example, as a director, how do you keep a viewer's interest while also knowing when to let off the gas? Find out how these directors approach pacing in their story.
Attending these exciting and informative talks is FREE, but you will still need to obtain a ticket and select your reserved seat. Tickets for Weekend 1 Panels will be available in person at our ticketing center starting Friday, April 10th. Tickets for Weekend 2 Panels will be available in person at our ticketing center starting Friday, April 17th. **Filmmaker Panel tickets will not be available for reservation online or prior to the above listed dates.
Synopsis: The collective experience and raw whiteness account of Ukrainians – a married couple of artists, a priest in Bucha, and soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine – united by the events in the Kyiv region during the occupation and after the liberation in the spring of 2022.
Dancing with the Bear (Subtitled) Czech Republic Run Time: 110 minutes
Screening Time(s): Friday, April 10 at 11:30am Saturday, April 11 at 3:10pm Sunday, April 12 at 2:10pm
Directed by: Jitka Rudolfová Cast: Pavla Gajdošíková, Kryštof Hádek, Klára Melíšková, Vladimír Javorský, Zuzana Kronerová, Petra Špalková, Petr Pěknic, Eliška Soukupová
Synopsis: Rooted in folk tradition, the bear dance once symbolized fertility during carnival rituals.Inspired by real events, the film weaves past and present to explore the emotional impact of prenatal diagnostics.A young couple is confronted with a life-changing choice after learning their unborn child faces a fifty percent risk of intellectual disability.
Synopsis: An unexpected pregnancy compels an Indian immigrant mother to help her adopted twin daughters reconnect with their White birth mother and estranged Native American father, exposing raw class divides while transforming their understanding of identity and belonging.
Screening Time(s): Saturday, April 11 at 3:35pm Tuesday, April 14 at 4:00pm
Directed by: Eugene Jarecki
Synopsis: “The Six Billion Dollar Man” reveals the real story behind WikiLeaks — a tense, high-stakes investigation into truth, power, and the global fight for press freedom. Drawing on never-before-seen footage and unprecedented access, the film unfolds like a real-life spy thriller, reminding us what is truly at stake when journalism becomes a crime.
Screening Time(s): Saturday, April 11 at 3:40pm Monday, April 13 at 7:10pm Saturday, April 18 at 9:20am
Will Directed by: John Wright Synopsis: A woman hitchhiking is picked up by a man in crisis. Their interactions leave him questioning free will. Johann's Story: Rewriting Life Directed by: Cindy Lee Synopsis: A Korean American disabled veteran rewrites his life and reflects on the power and connection of sharing pain. Vintage Journey Directed by: Philip C. Sedgwick Synopsis: While attending a family reunion, siblings search a shed on their ranch, where they discover lost secrets and true fortune.
Lights Off Directed by: Mark Stewart Iverson & Joseph Neibich Synopsis: A man turns off the lights to find a sexy demon. Hilarity ensues. The Hole Directed by: Diane M. Dresback and Devon Dresback Synopsis: Two women reminisce about imaginary games played as children only to discover the true reasons they stopped being friends. The Independent Directed by: John Kestner Synopsis: The day after the 2024 election, one man finds a way to bring everyone together.
The Show Goes On Directed by: Jim Manley Synopsis: From near-collapse to curtain call, a 106-year-old theatre endures war, recession, and pandemic to build something truly lasting. Over Again Directed by: Jeffrey Scott Brack Synopsis: Sparks fly between a musician and a smitten spectator at a club, seemingly they are destined for a future together...
Directed by: Mye Hoang Cast: David Giovanni, Jeff Judkins, Nathan Kehn, Peter Mares, Ryan Robertson
Synopsis: Man has found a new best friend in this heartwarming collective portrait of nine unique men whose lives have been proudly and forever change by their love for cats.
Asian American Pacific Islander Directed Shorts Run Time: 95 minutes
Screening Time(s): Saturday, April 11 at 4:55pm Sunday, April 12 at 5:40pm Tuesday, April 14 at 10:05am
Taga Directed by: Jill Sachs Synopsis: When eco-volunteers scorn the customs of a remote mountain village, an ancient evil comes knocking.
SŪNNA Directed by: Radha Mehta Synopsis: When hearing loss shatters her identity, a musician is left in silence until echoes of memory help her reclaim herself.
Johann's Story: Rewriting Life Directed by: Cindy Lee Synopsis: A Korean American disabled veteran rewrites his life and reflects on the power and connection of sharing pain.
I Wanna Be Directed by: Chaewon Suh Synopsis: Blind runner Woori has no choice but to team up with Lola, who only volunteered to compensate for failing grades.
There Tokyo Directed by: Haruka Motohashi Synopsis: There Tokyo is an autobiographical documentary centers around the director herself, a Japan-born expatriate, returning to Tokyo to visit her estranged and ailing mother.
More Dead Than Living Directed by: JT Doran Synopsis: Death comes for a widow who's happy to go but not without one last “magic" adventure with his estranged daughter.
Synopsis: Gioia has devoted her whole life to her work as a teacher. She’s fifty years old, and her days go by one after the other, unchanged and quiet in the provincial high school where she’s always been teaching.
Synopsis: She Cried That Day is the story of a sister’s love and the spirit, strength and will of Indigenous Women refusing to let their loved ones remain invisible in the eyes of the justice system.
Screening Time(s): Saturday, April 11 at 5:45pm Sunday, April 12 at 3:10pm
Directed by: Isabel Hagen Cast: Dylan Baker, Ling Ling Huang, Jamie Lee, Frederick Weller, Eric Bogosian
Synopsis: Isabel is a young, Juilliard-trained violinist still living at home with her parents in the heart of New York City. She’s trying to make a living playing gigs with her friends; but when her toxic ex-boyfriend reappears, who also happens to be the Philharmonic’s “newest, hottest cellist,” he informs her of a viola opening in the prestigious orchestra. Nothing can go wrong, right?
Synopsis: In this heartwarming comedy, a Ghanaian fisherman teams up with a modern, bougie talking fish and a few companions for an adventure to Accra. They chase the dream of owning a boat while balancing the modern world and traditions.
Screening Time(s): Friday, April 10 at 4:25 Saturday, April 11 at 6:20pm Sunday, April 19 at 3:15pm
Bukra Directed by: Alex Aljouni Synopsis: A Syrian refugee must race to claim a prize and play one final game with her friend before he’s gone.
California is Burning Directed by: Bennett Curran Synopsis: In a poetic story of resilience, Altadena residents and first responders recall the damages and response after the Eaton Fire.
Terroir Directed by: Casey Rogerson Synopsis: A young wine critic and her friends become the target of a masked killer.
Debt I Owe Directed by: Zane Rizvi-Riemer Synopsis: Burdened by gambling debts, a Pakistani-American widower searches for redemption while struggling to be a good father for his daughters.
Underground Sounds: The New Thousand Story Directed by: Emma Keatley Synopsis: Inside the mind of mesmerizing NYC violinist Adrian Jusdanis of New Thousand, joined by drummer Alan Zavodsky, delivering electrifying performances.
Directed by: Ben Wheatley Cast: Bob Odenkirk, Henry Winkler, Lena Headey
Synopsis: The latest collaboration between Bob Odenkirk, JOHN WICK creator Derek Kolstad and NOBODY producer Marc Provissiero, director Ben Wheatley’s (FREE FIRE, HIGH RISE) kinetic neo-Western action film stars Odenkirk as an unassuming substitute sheriff with a troubled past who, after moving to a small, sleepy town, responds to a bank robbery and unknowingly uncovers something far more explosive.
Screening Time(s): Friday, April 10 at 6:35pm Saturday, April 11 at 7:15pm
Directed by: Sabrina Greco Cast: Colin Burgess, Nick Corirossi, Ally Davis
Synopsis: Raina, trapped in a car accident, finds herself drawn to a manipulative magician, whose illusions mirror her dysfunction. Their relationship worsens, leading to a dark exploration of guilt, attraction, and fractured friendships.
Screening Time(s): Saturday, April 11 at 7:45pm Wednesday, April 15 at 6:50pm
Directed by: Ritesh Gupta Cast: Helena Howard, Inanna Sarkis, Jake Abel, and Kelli Garner
Synopsis: Queer screenwriter Allina Green is hired to write the final Red Mask slasher. Under pressure and facing death threats, she and her fiancé retreat to a secluded Airbnb. A twisted game spirals into a deadly fight when uninvited guests crash.
It’s back! Don’t miss this year’s revival of “The Art of the Trailer.” Trailers tease and entice us, and often become as memorable as the movie itself. Your hosts have curated an eclectic selection of movie trailers from the archives, packed with fun and nostalgia.
After the screening, stay for a lively discussion on the craft and impact of trailers in the film industry.
Dreaming of Lions (Subtitled) Run Time: 90 minutes
Screening Time(s): Saturday, April 11 at 7:55pm Monday, April 13 at 10:05am
Directed by: Paolo Marinou-Blanco Cast: Denise Fraga, Asun Planas, Dinarte Freitas, António Durães, Alexander Tuji, Victoria Guerra, Sandra Faleiro, Joana Ribeiro, Joāo Nunes Monteiro, Roberto Bomtempo
Synopsis: Dreaming of Lions is an absurdist tragicomedy about euthanasia and assisted suicide. Gilda and Amadeu meet at an underground organisation that helps the terminally ill kill themselves painlessly. When they discover it’s a scam, they escape to Spain to finalize their plans.
Screening Time(s): Saturday, April 11 at 8:10pm Sunday, April 12 at 9:25am
Directed by: Jacy Mairs Cast: Esther Harrison, Eddie Lee Wollrabe. Chloe Kramer
Synopsis: Trash Baby is a coming-of-age drama that follows 12-year-old Stevie as she navigates growing up, getting out, and the art of finding beauty in the ugliest of places.
Screening Time(s): Saturday, April 11 at 8:20pm Saturday, April 18 at 10:00pm Sunday, April 19 at 1:15pm Tomato Soup Directed by: Brendan Michael Conant Synopsis: Dodd is a freshly signed baseball player struggling to say goodbye to his hometown, desperate for a reason to stay.
Luca and Johnny Directed by: Antonio Ducrot Synopsis: A young father tries to balance raising his child with chasing his dream of becoming an actor.
Naploletanità Directed by: Miranda Patterson, Owen Atienza, Sophie Flater, Annabelle Avoilio Synopsis: Seven vignettes reveal the creative, contradictory heart of modern Naples.
Proscenium Directed by: Georgia Evensen Synopsis: Proscenium follows a crew shooting a dance film, and the nervous young director’s struggle to connect with the lead dancer. Grossness of Closeness Directed by: Cathal Power Synopsis: A lonely bachelor rents a family and for a while, it's wonderful, but it's not long before things get weird.
Synopsis: Middle-aged coke fiend Luc (Jonathan Lambert, Quentin Dupieux’s REALITY) is having a pretty terrible night. Having gone to confront his ex at the club where she works, determined to somehow win back her love, one thing leads to another and he soon finds himself wedged firmly in a toilet, effectively trapping him in a bathroom stall. Plus he’s got a heap of coke that he stole from the bar’s resident dealer. He’s soon found, setting off an increasingly crazy series of circumstances that veer from the hilarious to the intensely grotesque.
Screening Time(s): Saturday, April 11 at 9:45pm Friday, April 17 at 3:50pm Saturday, April 18 at 1:40pm
Directed by: Luis Calderón Cast: Sandra Escacena, Claudio Portalo, Mala Rodriguez, Kandido Uranga
Synopsis: After witnessing her boyfriend’s fatal fall from a treehouse, Ale returns to the forest one year later, convinced his death was not an accident. As she confronts the place where it happened, an unsettling presence resurfaces, forcing her to face the truth behind that night.
Screening Time(s): Saturday April 11 at 9:50pm Friday, April 17 at 8:10pm Saturday, April 18 at 11:30am
Vowels Directed by: Rafael De Leon Jr. Synopsis: Ava needs to record a self-tape but her speech impediment keeps getting in the way.
Worst Thing You've Ever Done Directed by: PJ Germain Synopsis: When two friends set out to crash a graduation party, they find themselves playing a simple game with deadly consequences.
The Tahquitz Myth Directed by: Harrison Pierce Synopsis: A Palm Springs college student sets out to disprove an ancient local myth... only to discover a terrifying truth.
Damsel in geekstress Directed by: Renaud Parra Synopsis: Obsessed geek Eva chases a dream collector figurine, ignoring her loyal gerbil Koki, until obsession spirals violently out of control.
THE CAULDRON Directed by: Thomas Pierce Synopsis: In 1918, during the Spanish flu pandemic, a young boy must protect his family from an unknown threat.
Over the River and Through the Woods Directed by: Graham Burrell Synopsis: A woman meets her grandmother’s new boyfriend–who is a very young man with questionable motives and a cryptic backstory.
