2024
Of the 141 films we programmed in 2024, we’d like to designate 11 as our NoBudge Films of the Year. This is not a Best Of list, but rather a collection of films that were particularly emblematic of the NoBudge aesthetic or ethos, or introduced or solidified an exciting new voice. Thanks to everyone who watched our films or came to a live screening this year.
2024 Films of the Year (in no order)
Prep
Flail
A Real, Sexual Relationship
Compounding Negativity
Deepfake Apology Video
Can
Unturned
THE DAYS FLY GALLOPING FROM ME; YET THE LONG DRAGGING OF EACH ONE MAKES ME WEARY, WEARY
Blatant Interest
Ginger Boy and the Purpose of Life on Earth
Working Summer
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PREP
A bodybuilding fever dream fueled by childhood trauma, food porn and acid techno music. Raymond Knudsen directs “Prep,” a highly-stimulating portrait of a man who goes to extremes with his mind and body. Surrounded by rubber floor mats and stainless steel, we meet an unnamed bodybuilder with head...
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Flail
A distracted personal assistant frantically prepares for her boss’s birthday party. Ben Gauthier’s “Flail” hilariously dives into a young woman’s effort to complete an urgent errand as she battles a bombardment of phone calls, texts, and email notifications. Darting around L.A on a Saturday for b...
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A Real, Sexual Relationship
On their anniversary, a spontaneous sex-tape forces a 30-something couple to confront dormant issues in their relationship. Alex Bliss directs “A Real, Sexual Relationship,” a provocative exploration of the unsatisfied sex life and communication issues between Edy and Eric. After blindfolding her...
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Compounding Negativity
A young man achieves success on the internet. Alex Sovoda of Enzo the Magazine directs “Compounding Negativity,” a character comedy where a young man, played by Will Duncan, drops a drill freestyle that opens some new doors. After walking his date home, Will is approached by two young men who are...
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Deepfake Apology Video
A narcissistic woman gives an insincere apology after creating a deepfake video of her brother-in-law for her social issue documentary. Brooke Bundy and Jerzy Rose direct “Deepfake Apology Video,” a darkly comedic two-hander about the irresponsible behavior of a wannabe filmmaker. Joy sets up a b...
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CAN
While battling breast cancer, a filmmaker reexamines her relationship with art and self. Kailee McGee directs and stars in “Can,” a liberating self-portrait with insights extending far beyond just the filmmaker’s condition. Kailee, aka McGee, has breast cancer. She also has an unclear idea of how...
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Unturned
An aimless young woman befriends an up-and-coming actress but their relationship grows tumultuous. Kyra McConnell and Jessica Apatow co-direct, and both star in, “Unturned,” a unique look at online-to-irl friendships capturing the intricacies of social-climbing and obsession. Margret relaxes in h...
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THE DAYS FLY GALLOPING FROM ME; YET THE LONG DRAGGING OF EACH ONE MAKES ME WEARY
A guy asks his friends to see the new Beyoncé movie. Tynan DeLong’s “THE DAYS FLY GALLOPING FROM ME; YET THE LONG DRAGGING OF EACH ONE MAKES ME WEARY, WEARY” is a split screen dark comedy observing a middle-aged man’s grossly mundane endeavor to arrange a hangout. After carefully composing a mes...
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Blatant Interest
A glimpse at the goings-on of a 21-year-old in Brooklyn interrupted by a sojourn to North Carolina. Liam Barton directs “Blatant Interest,” a 16mm hangout film comprising a series of brief vignettes and electronica interludes. Beer cans litter Lyle’s rooftop. Instead of beginning the day with a c...
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GINGER BOY and The Purpose of Life on Earth
A perpetually stoned pothead floats past life’s responsibilities on a cloud of smoke until accidentally smoking an ounce of K2 and descending into an existential rabbit-hole of increasing perplexity. Spencer Witmer directs “GINGER BOY and The Purpose of Life on Earth,” a rich, experimental charac...
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Working Summer
Living alone in upstate New York, a mother receives a surprise visit from her daughter. Lily Weisberg’s “Working Summer” is a quiet portrait of the life of an empty nester as her daughter bears witness to a new phase. Deborah spends her days weaving baskets and working in her garden, kept company...