Two deranged young men gather a group of like-minded individuals to greet extraterrestrial visitors coming to the James River. Comedian Brian Fiddyment directs “Grey Day,” an energetic and eerie piece of sketch featuring a crazed Will Duncan and Pierce Campion. While on their way to an LSD pick-u...

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...

A young woman runs away from home and acquires a dog. Marie Mottet’s “1-800-QUIET-LIFE” is a quiet exploration of ennui and decisions to drift. Unnamed, the young woman drives aimlessly in her car; we hear a voice message left by a man’s voice insisting she return to where she’s recently left. Sh...

Two Brooklyn filmmakers make a personal documentary about playing the lottery. Stephanie Ibarra and Anna Torzullo direct and star in “Fortuna,” a satirical portrait that follows the friends and co-directors as they reckon with the possibility of becoming millionaires. Each wielding Sony handycams...

A very dramatic, broken-hearted woman wanders the wilderness searching for her lost love. Mitra Jouhari’s “Wayfaring Stranger” is a poetic comedy with reflective anecdotes of a post-break-up self. Frame to frame, we see the wilderness while listening to Jouhari’s spoken word. Her ex’s “touch” and...

A young man drives across the vast exteriors of Kansas in anticipation of a lover's rendezvous. Darron Carswell’s “Villa Mink” is a contained, slow-burn look at a young man’s night in solitude. Rudy Ford rides the interstate, taking a rest at a road-side motel where there’s the possibility of mee...

A knight in an accursed and shattered world tempts fate with a mysterious song. Albert Birney’s “Gruenfeld” boards a medieval quest where fantasy is suddenly met by horror. Told from the deep voice of an anonymous narrator, we observe the weathered knight, Sir Garreth, as he desperately searches ...

A retired magician turned aquatic fish salesman is visited by an obsessed fan. Ben Gordon’s “Stigmata” is a bizarre, fever-dream drama witnessing a man’s persistent effort to learn a forbidden spell. Brad Christian closes up his fish and supplies store for the night, but there’s a knock at the do...

While making a documentary about a heavily polluted town, a filmmaker takes interest in a neighborhood teenager as a compelling subject. Max Drexler’s “Phillips” is a docu-fictional portrait of an American town and the grim anxieties cast over a particular resident. The filmmaker walks us through...

An immigrant couple caring for their grandchildren receive an unexpected visitor after hours, threatening to upend their lives. “In Freedom,” directed by Jorge Sistos Moreno, is a tense drama that pinpoints an ever-present paranoia regarding fears of deportation and harassment. Maria is rattled t...

At a night festival in India, two former school friends reunite after years of being apart. Tanmay and Tanvi Chowdhary direct “Madhu” (Honey), a heartfelt look at a reunion and the feelings that simmer deep into the evening. In the city of Kolkta during the Hindu festival 'Durga Pujo,' Satakshi a...

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...

Two 10th grade BFF's have a sleepover where they contemplate the topics of love, God, queerness and loss. Santi MacLean’s “rip” meshes sensibilities of a teen sitcom with characters deeply immersed into a gen-Z vernacular. Through several camera POV’s, a Macbook webcam being the main, we watch Be...

A woman finds a way out of an abusive relationship. “Blue Light,” directed by Lucia Martinez Garcia, is an experimental portrait of a woman’s escape told through sci-fi elements. In the darkness, we overhear a fuming fall-out between a couple on their last leg. With an abrupt, and possibly violen...

Amidst strange encounters in her life and work, a Brazilian filmmaker living in Chicago is struck by a compelling question. João Rubio Rubinato and Lua Borges direct “Where’s South?” a 16mm film that ruminates on being far from home despite having footing somewhere else. When Helena arrives late ...

A young couple visiting New York gets into a fight in Times Square. Shae Sennett’s “Times Square Love Story” is an experimental observation of a dysfunctional couple trapped in the peculiar metropolitan Petri dish. Bickering about what to purchase, sore legs, and whatever else there is to argue o...

A first date in L.A. becomes a battle of hidden identities. “Getting to Know You,” directed by Alex Cantorious, is a charmingly lo-fi look at the afternoon meet-up of a woman claiming to be American and a man claiming to be British. Waiting for Adam to arrive, Greta rehearses in her head how she’...

After a disillusioned EMT quits his job in Newark, he becomes entangled on a wild adventure that begins with a mysterious Craigslist ad. Fiona Kane’s “There’s No Werewolves in Newark” is a moody character study of a modern floater. Dead-ends double down for Bill when he’s dumped by his girlfriend...

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...

An overseas yogurt company causes a tumultuous rift between two roommates. “God Help Us,” directed by Julius Jefferson, is a piece of experimental horror comedy that accentuates a bizarre roommate conflict. After returning to their apartment to find a huge mess of yogurt cups littering the place ...

A man in New York becomes obsessed with a girl he keeps seeing. “Nadja,” directed by Abe Dassa Kaye, is a moment-to-moment look at a young man’s brief episode of infatuation. Chatting over some drinks during the day, the young man tells his two friends about a recent romantic interest: there’s a ...

In an attempt to be liked, a woman invites a stripper to her friend’s bachelorette party. “Isaac,” directed by Samantha Carroll, is a comedic look at an anxious woman’s awkward attempts to socialize at an intimate gathering. In each of their own color-coordinated wigs, the ladies celebrate Meredi...

A college student attempts to walk from his dorm room in midtown Manhattan to the end of Long Island in 36 hours. Legyaan Thapa directs “36 Hour Walk,” a personal documentary of a half-hearted journey built with wry, self-deprecating commentary. Vowing not to eat or sleep for a day and a half, th...

A performer in upstate New York spirals as she tries to bring in an audience for her latest show. Emily DeForrest directs and stars in “Show Tonight,” a comedic look at a woman’s last-minute promotional efforts leading up to her performance. Lucy snaps some selfies and eagerly sends them to a guy...