Hilton visits L.A. and loses his mind. “enjoy your stay!” directed by Cooper Vacheron, is a vibrant character study, a mix of the naturalistic and the unexplainable, that hooks you into the world of young professional creatives living firmly in the now. He's the host of his own show — “The Hilton...

A struggling stand-up comedian decides to make a comedy sex tape in hopes of getting famous. This rapid-fire mockumentary — created by and starring Mary Beth Barone, Tea Hacic, and Megan Patsel — follows along as Mary Beth pitches her idea and sets out to produce the tape, trying to maintain its ...

In Greek mythology a psychopomp is a being--god, spirit, or animal--that ushers souls into the underworld. In Loni Paone & Cooper Vacheron’s short film, psychopompitry is a decidedly aboveground craft, a blend of New Age healing and homebrew gadgetry that resembles hydraulically-assisted reiki, o...

On their first day living together, a young couple experiences ghosts from their past. “Houseplants,” from director Prashanth Kamalakanthan, is an elliptical drama that glimpses into the private life of Alma and Ron, a struggling couple on a vulnerable day. Over time, your partner changes and you...

A man tries to decide whether or not to take acid while his friend films him. Written by Colin Burgess and Tynan Delong, “six tabs” is brimming with absurd behavior and juvenile silliness, another signature addition in the body of work of DeLong & friends. Looking to expand his mind, the man (pla...

[Online Premiere]. Desperate to be desired in her long-expired relationship, Jen becomes embroiled in a sextual encounter with her co-worker. “Nudes,” directed by Evan Daves, is a provocative relationship drama about a young couple experiencing doubts and trust issues, and possibly drifting into ...

Two gay men struggle with depression in a ruined environment, and a botanical glassblower mourns his wife. “Flora Borealis,” directed by Casey Friedman, is a striking animated film that uses a post-apocalyptic setting to explore themes of destruction and perseverance. The young couple survives in...

A self-portrait about a young woman in L.A. moving between houses that don’t feel like home. Lauren Rothery directs “Matter,” a stylish autobiography that begins in sadness & confusion, and searches for a change of heart. A posh older gentleman narrates her inner thoughts — a melange of dislikes ...

A woman attempts to re-caulk her bathtub. “How to Re-Caulk Your Tub,” directed by Sean Pierce, is a parody of a YouTube tutorial which begins as a straight-forward instructional video and devolves into an existential freak out. The woman, played by Alex Moorman, sets out to refresh her temple of ...

After the sound guy cancels, Garry, an aspiring filmmaker asks his roommate to fill in last minute. “The Sound and the Fury,” directed by Linas Phillips and Lisa DeLarios, is a lighthearted satire of a no-budget film production being helmed by a man wearing a top-bun and a vest over his t-shirt. ...

Shelly is a peculiar young woman making a movie about a seahorse named Imogen. She picks up footage at the local aquarium and in her Brooklyn apartment while pursuing a deep sea diving certificate, so she can record the seahorses in their natural environment. We don’t quite trust the intentions o...

This stylish super 8mm film poem by director Lauren Rothery is a lovely, wistful portrait of Alice, her joys, anxieties, the way she looks when she’s a little drunk. A French-speaking narrator introduces us to the woman as we watch simple moments throughout her day, the voice remarks on her feeli...

Lucy and David's 8 year relationship has survived a distance of 2700 miles, but the events of one night tests their decision to stay together. Director Allegra Oxborough has crafted a complex and remarkably realistic docu-fiction drama about a long-distance relationship, equal parts sensitive, bl...

Wearing five GoPro cameras, a man attempts to visit every one of Trip Advisor’s “Top 315 Attractions in Miami'. Don’t say “I miss you.” Say “the content would have been better if you’d been in it.” That’s how Dylan (played by writer/director/camera platform Dylan Redford) begins trying to patch t...

When a visit to a psychic takes an unexpected turn, Benji is forced into difficult decisions about her life and future. Directed by and starring Dana Sorman, “Psychic,” is a probing personal drama (not without moments of biting comedy) about career and family hangups. An aspiring actress and stan...

A meager apology tests a woman's fortitude to forgive. “Squirrel,” by director Alex Kavutskiy, is a masterfully-crafted cringe comedy about the unlikely intersection of two L.A. residents who must come to terms with a new reality and one another. As their scenario unfolds, Noreen and Patrick, pla...

Gilbert refuses to have a sad Christmas this year. NoBudge regular Alex Kavutskiy directs “Gilbert’s Little Christmas,” an L.A. holiday comedy which monitors an aspiring entrepreneur (his big idea is hamburgers on a stick) that’s lost all hope after being dumped on Christmas day a year ago. Gilbe...

During a rocky but enlightened childhood, a group of kids disappear and find themselves on a fantastical journey to break the curses of black boyhood. Justice Jamal Jones directs “How To Raise a Black Boy,” an imaginative, free-spirited fairytale about love, secrets, and breaking away. After the ...

Set in a near future which may or may not be experiencing the end of the world, a group of young people gather around a trendy Swedish coffee shop. “Five Minutes Before the End of the World,” is a roaming portrait, directed by Kevin Luna, unsettling in its depiction of the laissez faire attitude ...

*Online Premiere* A reclusive Zamboni driver grapples with his freedom when his work shift is suddenly cancelled. Mei Liu directs “Happy Ending,” an intimate, melancholic picture of a man who moves through the world uncomfortably, preferring the company of ice over people. After finding a discard...

*Online Premiere* After an unspoken line is crossed, three women are forced to confront each other in this surreal and darkly funny piece directed by Iva Gocheva. “Outer Space Love Story” uses an avant-garde theater set-up -- complete with stage rain, prop space capsules, and 4th wall breaks -- t...

Cole goes on a trip to work on a novel. Then he comes back. Eschewing the comic underpinnings of his previous work, Kentucker Audley's "Holy Land" veers into experimental territory pointing at a new darkness and subtle nihilism while following the exploits of an antagonistic young Memphis musicia...

The critically-acclaimed 3rd film from director Kentucker Audley continues his streak of authentic, ambling no-budget films. This summer film made in Memphis won praise for its sincerity, laid-back humor, and naturalistic performances. Co-written and starring musician Jake Rabinbach (The Echo Fri...

A group of young adults delay entering the real world in lieu of focusing on iffy relationships. "Open Five 2" is the last in a series of mini-features directed by Kentucker Audley revolving around a small circle of friends in Memphis, Tennessee. Lacking a central narrative, the film is an improv...