Crashing on the couch of a family friend, a young man acclimates to life in New York City. Brendan Kirk directs “Henry Gets a Shot,” a low-key comedy about a kid from the suburbs and his reluctant battle to take some adult action. Henry lays passed out on the sofa. Danny, an older family friend, ...

In the suburbs of Miami, a Cuban family’s lives are upended when a father is dealt news of a terminal illness on the first day of his retirement. Adrian Cardenas Rubio directs “In an Orderly Fashion,” a layered hybrid film that combines real-life home videos with fictional elements. As the narrat...

A fictionalized research group explores the mystery behind why many skateboarders chose the streets over the skate park. “Spots,” directed by Daniel Paese, is a warm, curious study of skate subculture, spot-hunting, and the spirit behind it all. We’re introduced to the world of street-skating by ...

A walk through a 16-yr-old’s uncomfortable shoes: gym class, an awkward encounter with a crush, and a meeting with her mom’s new boyfriend. Vanessa Meyer directs “Foot Trouble,” a coming-of-age set in 1999 that captures some darkly funny corners of a teenage girl’s day-to-day life. Sitting in her...

An elderly woman turns to unconventional methods to create closeness with her caregiver. Spencer Gibson’s “Movie Star” is an intimate drama recognizing intergenerational companionship. Ruth and her younger caregiver, Jo, spend most of their day in the household. Despite their physical closeness, ...

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...

A lonely chatterbox, fed up with the anti-social nature of the world, seeks to find himself a friend at all costs. Set in sunny Los Angeles, “People Person,” directed by Taylor Thompson, is an upbeat character study looking at social connections and interpersonal expectations. Immensely desperate...

An Iranian mother living in Queens sends a letter to her far-away daughter. Armon Mahdavi directs “Untitled, Jackson Heights,” an experimental personal documentary presenting the place and anecdotes of a transplant in America. Through static frames of the city, we overhear a mother’s recorded mes...

On an afternoon at a skatepark, a 17-year-old girl makes an effort to fit in with her edgier friends while also tending to her shaky relationship with her younger sister. Emma Hall-Martin directs “Daughter of Wands,” a coming-of-age story set in the suburbs about teen pressures and the complexiti...

A chronically online, socially inept teenager takes a leap of faith to meet up with her virtual bestie for the first time. “Thru the Wire,” directed by Bocau, is a modern coming-of-age film set in Vietnam with an honest account of where online and IRL conflict. “Fried_fish_ball” (we never get her...

An actress’s discreet plans for her Thursday take an unexpected turn. “Thursday,” directed by Bren Cukier, is a drama set in Poland where a young woman proceeds with an at-home abortion. Maria tries to take her mind off the heavy decision, rehearsing lines in the bathtub for an upcoming audition,...

An accidental suitcase swap at the airport baggage claim puts a corporate underling's career—and life—in jeopardy. Home Planet, the comedy duo of Joe Gleason and Alex Forrest, present “Junior Associate,” which satirically amalgamates a medley of thriller tropes into a sketch-style film. Alex Sher...

Unable to stop quarreling, a young couple turns to a strange alternative therapy practice. Zach Galsky directs “Physical Therapy,” an energetic comedy that pokes fun at a relationship dilemma between a young Czech couple. We meet Alex and Elizabeth as they individually discuss a recent argument ...

A young woman gets her back pierced and contemplates an upcoming decision. Irmak Akgür directs “Ribbon,” a slice-of-life portrait that captures a youthful relationship on a quiet but significant day. After her tattooed boyfriend gives her back piercings, he threads a pink ribbon, corset-style, th...

After a New York City biker gets injured, he turns to desperate measures to afford paying the hospital bill. “Health Not Wealth,” directed by Bucky Illingworth, explores the depressing aftermath of a medical emergency — after a visit to the hospital, Emmet receives a $15,000 bill in the mail. Wit...

Struggling with a debilitating migraine, a mother sends her son to retrieve her prescription pills before she vanishes into nothing. “Goose Egg,” directed by Madeline Leshner and Zach Stone, is a darkly funny hybrid of B-movie thriller and lo-fi horror. After eating a hard boiled egg, a woman beg...

Two buddies flip through TV shows in the future. Written and performed by the Chicago comedy group, c.r.u.d., “CRUD COUNTRY” is an experimental comedy brimming with bizzaro non-sequiturs and elaborate DIY sets and props. As they kick it in the hangout room, Judd Crudd and Buddy Crudd telecommute ...

An anxious woman navigates an archipelago of isolation. Matthew Ericson directs “Pink Elephant,” a disconcerting slow-burn drama that toils in the domestic household with issues of mental illness and caretaking. Within the walls of a quaint suburban home lives Mandy, her husband Bruce, and Bruce’...

When her granddaughter visits her in Rome, an elderly woman seeks closeness before the end of the visit. “Burraco,” directed by Isabella Tagliati, is a candid slice-of-life set in Italy where we observe a tender relationship between two women of different generations. Wanda excitedly anticipates ...

Tired of everyone ignoring her, a filmmaker rides the London Underground from one end to the other. Julia Mervis directs “The Misery Line,” a quaint and comedic satirical documentary on modern commuter-culture and transit. Dressed in her sized-up suit and red tie, Mervis makes it clear that she w...

A 16-year-old makes an unusual request of his drug dealer classmate. Christian Meola directs “The Expanding Horizon,” a coming-of-age drama where a young man turns to peculiar measures in the hopes of making a connection. Sitting close to one another in their high school world history class, Jame...

Two young men based in Minneapolis spend the day foraging at a local park for mushrooms. “Mush Luv,” directed by N’namdi Andersen, is a short documentary offering a low-key glimpse into the world of mushrooming and the intimate experiences with nature that come with it. Tony and Ajani meander thr...

When a conspiracy theorist’s internet goes out, he calls the cable company to fix the problem. Ft Langley directs “Steakhouse,” a bizarre sci-fi-inspired comedy where one man’s delusions lead to some questionable reactions toward his sudden visitor. Our main character wakes up at his desk; it see...

A new father tries to find time to skateboard. Zach Weintraub directs and stars in “Rad Dad,” a portrait of early parenthood, skating, and balancing it all. Zach drives over to meet his friend Taylor at his backyard half-pipe. His toddler sits buckled up in the back as a children’s song plays. De...