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...

A filmmaker documents his grandfather’s reflections on time and the environment. Elijah Guess’s “Wise River, MT” embarks on a brief, but meditative piece of portraiture documentary. As we observe the 86-year-old man’s spry interactions with his remote Montana surroundings, we listen as he reckons...

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...

A grandson relieves himself of guilt. “Discharge,” directed by Aidan Macaluso, is a brisk dark comedy showing the phone call between a grandson and his grandmother, and the action that follows. With his grandma suffering from dementia, the young man lies about sending her gifts. It feels good in ...

A Russian immigrant looks for life beyond busking at the Brighton Beach boardwalk. Theo Belci’s “End of the Boardwalk” offers a momentary look at moving to a new place and the obstacles that come with acclimating. To stay afloat financially, the young woman busks on the Brighton Beach boardwalk w...

Trapped in a pyramid scheme of beauty products, a Korean entrepreneur finds her relentless pursuit of the American Dream in jeopardy. Stevie Szerlip’s “Young Forever” offers a flashy, compelling look at this sales woman’s endeavors and the drama that follows. As a sales rep, Young Lee makes her r...

A teenage actress begins to reconsider her endeavors. Lola Selby directs “She’s Got Substance,” a look at a comically dysfunctional family and a fifteen-year-old’s flailing pursuit of a career in performance. Ella Blue banters and bickers with her parents at the dinner table ahead of her audition...

The DOJ gives a boy bad news, and a choice. Luke Strickler’s “My Brief Conversation with the Department Of Justice” comedically examines a teenager’s train of thought upon receiving the news that he’s been photoshopped by a pedophile. In a Spongebob t-shirt, he paces in front of his suburban home...

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...