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...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

A young woman mourns a tragic loss while her sister relentlessly tries to lighten her spirits. Brenna Power directs “Cold & Sara,” a dramatic character study on grief and sisterhood that pinpoints a period of raw emotion. In a state of shock after the death of a close friend, Emmy doesn’t feel mu...

During the summer semester at a NYC arts school, boundaries begin to blur between an adjunct professor and the students in her filmmaking class. “Personal Documentary,” a long-form feature directed by Jinho Myung, is a real-time exploration of various modes of intimate filmmaking — both a discuss...

A landscaper finds something in the dirt that leads down a rabbit hole. Dave Paige directs “Cuxball,” an eerie comedy about an odd discovery and the mystery and paranoia it reveals. At an early morning landscaping job, Sam finds a cassette tape buried in the ground under some weeds. After Sam man...

When the leader of a friend group abuses her power during a game, her friends turn against her. Mathilde Hauducoeur directs “Angel Wings and Open Wounds,” a dynamic coming-of-age film from France following an energetic 7th-grade friend group. In class, Maud nods off and doodles in a journal with ...

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...

A young musician living in Hollywood experiences a bizarre mystery that leads him on a journey to the Los Angeles River. Conor Scheinberg writes and directs “Boris,” a grim slow burn drama set in a bleak rendition of L.A. We meet Boris in the front seat of his car. He does pick-ups and drop-offs ...

On Valentine's Day in Toronto, a young couple's relationship is fragmented by performance. “V-DAY,” directed by Zachary Lacosse, is a slow-burn drama that’s highly observant of a long-distance couple and their awaited encounter to see each other on the February holiday. We meet a young man, in hi...

When a young musician visits her musical collaborators’ place for a studio session, a revelation brings the dynamics of their friendship into question. LaChelle Chrysanne directs “One of the Guys,” an upbeat episodic drama where a group of young musicians manage a kickback and mixing session whil...

As her children gather home on the eve of a funeral, a mother copes with her husband's confession of infidelity. Molly Longwell directs “Bad Mother,” a dramatic comedy where the behavior and decisions of a peculiar family slowly unravels into chaos. As she anticipates the arrival of her two child...

On a hot day in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne, a young woman paints her Nanna’s pergola before the house is auctioned. Pat Mooney’s “Lime Parfait” is a steady slice-of-life possessing a sentimental outlook on early adulthood and familial responsibilities. Atop a step ladder under a bright summ...

On the night of a sorority hazing event, a college freshman learns how far she's willing to go to impress an older girl. “Scotty’s Vag,” directed by Chaconne Martin-Berkowicz, is an unsettling, college-set drama that considers the pressure to impress, hazing-culture, and certain perceptions of vi...

An online model with a huge following is being followed. Maxim Stollenwerk directs “Ilona's Bloody Body,” a dynamic, creeping drama tracking a young Bulgarian woman as she balances her profession as a cam-girl with her everyday relationships. She discusses details of her job and the realities tha...

An awkward New York teenager accompanies her more experienced friend to a boy’s home. Amanda Samimi directs “Tenderless,” a 16mm coming-of-age film that considers youthful city-living and meandering intimacies. Observing skaters on the blacktop and the overly-acquainted squirrels of Tompkins Squa...

A young woman returns home to recover a personal possession. Rachel Rambaldi directs and stars in “HERLY,” a comedy-drama about a fractured family and an attempt to heal. In a car with two cult members dressed in gray, Nora surveys her family home in Southern California. To carry out her mission,...

Half sisters who have never met discover something they share. “Half Sisters,” directed by S. Cagney Gentry, delicately shows the first-time encounter between two siblings, one still in elementary school and the other in 6th grade. Callie and her mom head over in the minivan; she amicably awaits ...