Through a series of witness depositions, a detective aims to uncover the truth about the death of a young woman at the hands of her church. The enigmatic “Babywatch,” by director Eli Powers, is loosely based on a real story from the early 1990’s involving a woman’s mental breakdown and a locked m...

A rural Bulgarian family fights to keep a millenia-old demon chasing festival alive. “Kukeri,” directed by Daniel Ali and Jake Schühle Lewis, is a mesmerizing portrait of an ancient tradition where elaborately costumed individuals make their way through local villages aiming to bring happiness an...

A world decimated by a meteor tries to put itself back together. “Le Saucier,” directed by Eric Paschal Johnson and Liana Finck, is a lovely assemblage of hand-drawn illustrations, narrated by Tom Felton telling a story of the rediscovery of some of mankind’s finest achievements. Digging through ...

Jess is alone in Tarpon Springs, Florida on Christmas Eve. “Storms Named After People,” directed by Sarah Ballard, is a poetic glimpse into the headspace and disaffection of a young woman skulking around a small tourist town avoiding her father. She tries to delay and defer — instead of returning...

Two friends enjoying a night to themselves realize they're not the only ones in the apartment. “Mean Spirit,” directed by Nick Funess, is a darkly funny snapshot of gossiping pals, bad roommates and getting caught in an awkward situation. While drinking wine one night, one of the friends, played ...

A queer sci-fi about 10 aliens in human host bodies learning how to be men. Joseph Sackett directs “Dominant Species,” a profound and strangely funny exploration of what it means to be a man, and a commentary on social conformity and masculinity as dictated by narrow cultural and biological stand...

Two exes whirl through the memories of their relationship in a single glance. Daniel Antebi directs “Unfold,” an elliptical montage of a young couple reliving their recent past after running into each other on the streets of New York. An awkward exchange spins into a flashback of moods and feelin...

A forgotten handheld camera disrupts the bedtime routine of a single mother and her young son. Pisie Hochheim and Tony Oswald direct “Handheld,” a tender drama on family bonds and frays carried by wonderfully real performances from Jordan Gosnell and Emery Oswald. One night while searching for a ...

Sarah gave Ezra a soul crystal, and that may have been a mistake. “I Love to Wait,” directed by Harrison Atkins, is an imaginative, free-roaming vision of an on-and-off relationship in Los Angeles, a rare melding of the mundane and the mystical. In a world where couples communicate via crystals (...

Dolores - a manic, overly optimistic divorcée - tries to win back her clown stepdaughter by purchasing the building she lives in under house arrest. Sam Marine and Emily Wilson direct “I Adore Dolores,” an anything-goes Pilot episode of a TV comedy series the world needs. Sitcom parodies are a di...

A young couple works through an uncomfortable situation and a hidden truth. Robert B. Matuluko directs “How I Lost My Appetite,” a film that resists easy categorization but flirts with several forms: relationship drama, experimental film (there is no dialogue, only body language and eye contact) ...

On a vacation so perfect it’s literally photoshopped, Skarlett and Jewlz find trouble in paradise. “Hoe Trip,” directed by Skarlett Redd, co-directed by Cameron Combe, is a catchy music video showing a day of modern revelry amidst a collage of vintage magazine cutouts. The two ladies hit the road...

At 92 years of age, Ruth Young still maintains an active life aided and accompanied by her jolly 53 year old friend, David Matiz. Emma Baiada directs “Old Young,” a beautifully observed documentary portrait on life, death and companionship. Ruth goes about her days working in the yard, or reviewi...