25th Woodstock Film Festival

In his "Notes to Self" project, Dustin Grella has written and then mailed himself a letter every day since April 13, 2001. The exercise has generated thousands of letters (and counting), which remain meticulously ordered and still sealed to this day. The slight variations in the project, a change of font, the physical location of the cancellation stamp, and of course what is written inside, are what keep it interesting.

Bored, on the toilet, our main character entertains himself with all the objects within his reach, but then finds himself in an awkward situation

From the filmmaker embedded with the Proud Boys, and who was called to testify before the January 6th Committee with his exclusive footage, this is a firsthand account of the conspiracy to steal the election.

Jonathan McHugh's documentary A Life in Rhythm: The Ray Conniff Story chronicles the life and legacy of Ray Conniff. From his beginnings as a trombonist/arranger during the heyday of swing working with Bunny Berigan, Bob Crosby and Artie Shaw to his acclaim as the leader of his own orchestra and chorus, Grammy winner Ray Conniff is among the few musicians to have had a successful career that spanned 65 years. He recorded over 100 studio albums, selling over 70 million copies, and created the "Ray Conniff Sound" by being the first to use voices to double as instruments on his recordings. Through personal interviews and vibrant performances, this is a heartfelt tribute to an international musical legend whose melodies continue to inspire.

In a forest in Norway, a family lives an isolated lifestyle in an attempt to be wild and free, but a tragic event changes everything, and they are forced to adjust to modern society.
Silje Evensmo Jacobsen's portrait of the Payne family is an intimate encounter with a family coming to terms with a new reality. For years, the family of five enjoyed a slower-paced, independent life in harmony with nature on a picturesque farm. Now they are at a turning point, and Jacobsen captures their journey with a caring eye. The vulnerability and compassion they extend to each other, the land, and their animals are tenderly and beautifully observed by a camera that feels part of the family, while home videos woven throughout provide meaningful insights into years past. Joyous moments spring through the heartache, and the Paynes' strong bond and love for each other guide them through each challenge they face. Jacobsen crafts a sensitive, affectionate, and completely heartfelt experience that is as much about navigating grief as it is about graciously accepting change.—SO

After the filmmaker discovers more than 50 hours of audio interviews by her deceased mother, journalist Sheila Turner-Seed, she seeks to connect with her mother while unveiling an invaluable archive of conversations with some of the greatest photographers of the 20th century.

Mismatched cousins David and Benji reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother. The adventure takes a turn when the pair's old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history.
Writer-director Jesse Eisenberg (When You Finish Saving the World, 2022 Sundance Film Festival) returns to the Festival with a poignant, funny
exploration of the unexpected permutations of intergenerational trauma. Eisenberg's intimate, resonant script complements the tension and humor of the two very different cousins' tumultuous road trip with a sensitively drawn reckoning of the legacy of World War II among the survivors of survivors.
While Benji's irreverent charm only partially masks his deep melancholy, David's frustration with and genuine love for his cousin become achingly clear. Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin give devastating, funny performances as characters grappling with their grandmother's history and the ways their own lives have diverged. Michał Dymek's eloquent cinematography and a Chopin-driven score bind the tour group's complicated, emotional reaction to the Polish setting into the texture of the film.—HZ

Gracie and her injured lover Amir stop at a rundown gas station in the high desert. The lines between past and present blur, forcing Gracie to ponder an uncertain future.

In a village near the southern Chinese city of Chaozhou, a boy has spent the summer with his grandfather. As the last day of the holidays approaches, he gathers together his hard-earned savings to fulfil a dream: he has long yearned for a city hairstyle. But the gap between expectation and reality is large. This story of a boy who bids farewell to his childhood and embarks on a journey towards self-discovery transcends the boundaries of a small village and resonates with universal themes such as growing up and the unpredictable nature of life.

Comedian Dave Chapelle said aloud, "Why the hell did you put a fish on the label?" Bell's Two-Hearted Ale is America's No.1 IPA. The now infamous & iconic trout image is found in every convenience store nationwide. The story of this one label twists and turns over the span of 40 years. The legends behind this label and many others have been buried in folklore but the vision created at Bell's started a revolution in the craft brewing industry that changed what a beer label could be – a piece of art. This is the unconventional story of artist Ladislav Hanka whose love of fishing, Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and beer found its way into every store in America.

Ada Karmi Melamede is one of the most accomplished female architects in the world, but very little is known about her outside her home country of Israel. ADA - My Mother The Architect is a deeply moving portrait of an extraordinary woman directed by her daughter, filmmaker, and former architect, Yael Melamede. Ada is a true pioneer who, like many successful working mothers of her time, was forced to make impossible choices. Despite personal sacrifices, Ada's work gave physical form to some of Israel's highest democratic ideals, most notably in the acclaimed Supreme Court building in Jerusalem, the Open University, Ben Gurion airport, and numerous civic institutions around the country. ADA - My Mother The Architect profiles a woman and artist deeply tested by the realities of career and motherhood, a unique mother-daughter bond, and a fragile nation grappling with unrealized dreams.

A live recording of friends looking into each other's eyes and singing about love & loss & friendship & romance at the Old Dutch Church in Kingston. A sacred space, a sacred joining of forces in the community of Kingston.

When Ali and Oliver meet, it seems like love at first sight. But because Ali is Muslim and in the closet, it's not as simple as boy meets boy. As Oliver starts to wonder where their relationship can go, Ali must choose between the love he wants and the family and faith he has.

In Mumbai, Nurse Prabha's routine is troubled when she receives an unexpected gift from her estranged husband. Her younger roommate, Anu, tries in vain to find a spot in the city to be intimate with her boyfriend. In Mumbai, Nurse Prabha's routine is troubled when she receives an unexpected gift from her estranged husband. Her younger roommate, Anu, tries in vain to find a spot in the city to be intimate with her boyfriend. A trip to a beach town allows them to find a space for their desires to manifest.

A compelling portrait of ALOK, acclaimed nonbinary author, poet, comedian, and public speaker. Executive-produced by Jodie Foster.

Amma's Pride chronicles Valli's trials and tribulations as she watches her trans daughter Srija fall in love, marry, and fight for state and societal recognition of her marriage in a traditional small town in South India. When societal pressures push Srija's marriage to the edge, Valli clings to the hope of a miracle.

Amy, a young kindergarten girl struggles to connect with the other kids and animals. One day, she meets a mysterious giant frog in the park, who leads Amy through a tree hole and into a forest full of mythical creatures. Here, Amy discovers that these mythical creatures actually have some kind of magical connection with her classmates. After a series of amazing adventures, Amy learns to accept her differences and face the real world bravely, thus unraveling the knot in her heart.

'And still, it remains' is a new artists' film that examines time, toxic colonialism and how we survive the end of our world. In 2021, radioactive sand resulting from French nuclear bombs travelled in the winds all the way from the Algerian Sahara back to France. The bombs had been detonated in Algeria back in the 1960s. These returning winds were a reminder that the environmental legacies of colonialism cannot be forgotten or contained; it also raised the more pertinent question of how do people live with the afterlife of toxic colonialism?

Anna is an awkward, deeply inquisitive young woman living in Berkeley, who is riddled by questions of existence. When her old high school crush connects with her on a dating app, she quickly rekindles her infatuation with him. She seizes the opportunity to follow him back to Marin, under the guise of coming home to see her terminally ill Aunt. Anna's ulterior motive becomes apparent as she lies her way deeper into every situation. Confronted with the consequences of her actions, Anna is forced to face the underlying emptiness she's been avoiding all along.

Anora is a comedy about a sex worker shot in New York City and Las Vegas.

Hanging around his older brother's friends for the first time, 15-year-old Angus must face the harsh realities of manhood.

Armand a 6-year-old boy is accused of crossing boundaries against his best friend at elementary school.

A narrative film about a teen who's a painter and struggles with the idea of navigating social media.

As Long As We Can captures a day-in-the-life of an Arizona reproductive health clinic trying to navigate the turbulent aftermath of the 2022 Dobbs decision. As the entire abortion care system struggles to figure out what is now legal and what is not, extra poignancy was thrown onto this particular clinic by an Arizona Supreme Court decision to uphold an 1864 law criminalizing all abortions. That decision has garnered a national spotlight, and the issues faced in Arizona are national in nature. The film also captures the warmth, courage, and sheer bustle of a clinic trying to simply stay open and serve its clients. In a moment dizzying with opinions on women who seek abortions – and the people who care for them – As Long As We Can brings us their voices; the voices of people in the path of a hurricane upending the lives of women all over the nation.

Three babies in a maternity ward discuss what it's like to be born. Baby Bro is a dark satire about men's private spaces, and the ways women are discussed.

In March 1973, the filmmaker's grandmother was in an impossible situation when two men held her and her five children at gunpoint in their house. 50 years later, director Mimi Wilcox connects this personal story to the tales of Patty Hearst and Kristin Enmark. Featuring interviews with Enmark, the person most closely associated with the origins of the term Stockholm Syndrome, we explore how human compassion comes into conflict with police aggression and institutional prejudice. Bad Hostage interrogates this misogynist myth and in doing so re-frames falsehoods and decades of pop culture lore.

Two brothers venture into the idyllic landscapes of nature, embarking on an uninhibited journey and embracing the carefree spirit of youth. Their days unfold in a series of mischievous exploits, creating a kaleidoscope of childhood adventures. As the thrill of the chase consumes them, their heedless actions reach a critical juncture when a haunting dream unveils the toll of their deeds on vulnerable creatures. This chilling revelation becomes a turning point, compelling the brothers to confront the impact of their choices. The story delves into the themes of environmental consciousness, the far-reaching consequences of human actions, and the potential for redemption through self-awareness.

In John B. Benitz's documentary Behind the Lines, you might end up questioning whether history should just be written by historians. Based on Andrew Carroll's New York Times best seller Letters of a Nation, Behind the Lines, and War Letters and inspired by a subsequent stage play, Benitz's film tells the story of Carroll's life mission to travel the world seeking out war letters. Over the past 25 years, he has preserved more than 200,000 correspondences from troops, veterans and their families, dating from the American Revolution to present day Ukraine. In Behind the Lines, we accompany Carroll on his continuing quest; one of fact finding but also tremendously emotional. This is captured evocatively when letters written by soldiers, some of whom having lost their lives only a day after having written them, are read by various actors such as Laura Dern and Gary Cole. The film is narrated by Annette Bening. – Adam Schartoff

Filled with never-before-seen footage, Beyond the Gaze not only tells the story of the world famous Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, but also the woman behind the revolutionary idea. Creator Jule Campbell pioneered a groundbreaking feminist fashion feature that would go on to change the world. Campbell battled male executives and fought to protect the women they featured, solidifying herself as one of the most important magazine editors of all time. Featuring star studded interviews with supermodels Tyra Banks, Christie Brinkley, Elle Macpherson, Paulina Porizkova and many more, and directed by Campbell's daughter-in-law Jill Campbell, this eye-opening film follows the career of a legend who continuously fought for artistic expression and feminism. Beyond the Gaze reminds us of the battle women faced to be seen, to be taken seriously, and to be celebrated in this patriarchal society even today. – Sierra Slaughter

Journalist Shiori Ito embarks on a courageous investigation of her own sexual assault in an improbable attempt to prosecute her high-profile offender. Her quest becomes a landmark case in Japan, exposing the country's outdated judicial and societal systems.
Black Box Diaries was born out of Ito's need to document her investigation — a response to the authorities' refusal to pursue her case in a meaningful manner. More importantly, it was a way to journal her fears and thoughts as she anticipated the backlash that followed.
As the film's director, Ito accomplishes something remarkable. On one hand, Black Box Diaries has a raw and honest quality to it — it's a personal journey from the perspective of a victim piecing together the crime she experienced, while pushing herself to the extreme. At the same time, it is an impressively crafted, concise piece of filmmaking — guided by a strong sense of purpose and broken up by occasional moments of joy. Shiori Ito came forward to challenge her high-profile abuser despite knowing the risks. Her bravery meant hope for others and the prospect of real change to a broken system.—AT

Follow the stories of a group of Londoners during the events of the British capital bombing in World War II.

Bob Trevino Likes It is inspired by the true friendship that writer/director Tracie Laymon found with a stranger when looking for her father online.
Often playing the role of caretaker to people like her father who should be caring for her, Lily Trevino longs for a familial connection, having been abandoned by her mother as a child and then suddenly by her father in her twenties.
Bob Trevino works long hours to support his wife Jeanie's scrapbooking habit. The couple has endured a lot, and Bob has sought to put his wife first, to the point of ignoring his own feelings and need for friendship, meaning, and connection. That is, until he gets an unexpected Facebook message from a stranger.

Searching for the root of generational trauma, the director takes a camera into his estranged grandfather's funeral.

When a Latinx filmmaker is offered a dream job abroad, she discovers a supernatural way to navigate the U.S. immigration system and get the coveted travel permit she needs. But what seems like a magic solution soon shows unexpected consequences.

The United States border is not just a geographic location. The border is everywhere. It lies within every undocumented immigrant family with the threat that at any moment they can be captured, incarcerated, deported; their lives destroyed.

Against a backdrop of pastoral beauty, Ivanko and Galya must navigate a maze of miscommunications and pride, leaving them to question whether their love can truly blossom.

Suspenseful, tender and rapturous, Boundary Waters is a lyrical coming of age drama that immerses in its young characters as they navigate a very adult world. Set in the Iron Range of Northern Minnesota, Michael Murray, played beautifully by Etienne Kellici, relishes in the carefree joys of early adolescence - girls and friends - until his mom (Alison Miller) has a black eye and a busted lip, but won't talk about it. Michael is desperate to know what happened but his father Brian (Bill Heck) avoids him, Granny (Carol Kane) shushes him, and his usually resilient mother can't get out of bed. While his family weighs the cost of keeping secrets against the price of telling the truth, Michael is determined to unravel the mystery of his hurt mother and his elusive father.

A snapshot of life long friends Carrie (Sofia Hublitz; Ozark) and Rae (Madison Hu; The Brother's Sun, The Boogeyman) as their relationship crumbles at the seams. In their safe bubble of Northern New Jersey, the friends have hit their breaking point on Rae's eighteenth birthday. Crossing paths years later, in the queer paradise that is Fire Island Pines, the friends are no longer. Dealing with themes of adulthood, queer identity, female friendship and mortality, Brain Freeze tackles two formative moments in adolescence otherwise overlooked: the friends who fade away.

Brooklyn, Minnesota follows a father, Kurt (played by Erik Jensen) and his daughter Maisie (played by his real-life daughter Sadie Jensen-Blank), on a cross country trip to Kurt's childhood home. Following the death of her Grandfather she didn't know existed, Maisie uncovers a wealth of deep dark secrets that are destroying her family. Channeling her Riot Grrrl roots instilled to her by her late Mother, Maisie brings the family together at a time it matters most.

A dog befriends a special balloon

Buoy charts the journey of a young boy, taking his first trip on his father's fishing boat, when he becomes trapped and alone in the engine room of the stricken vessel. With the battle of Mother Nature ensuing, this short film will have you on the edge of your seat.

An assistant will do anything to get a presentation in front of his boss… even set himself on fire. Starring Everett Osborne (Sweetwater) and Tommie Earl Jenkins (Wednesday).

After the Russian invasion, thousands of animals were trapped behind enemy lines at the zoo in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Running out of food and water while facing constant peril from Russian bombs, a heroic team of zookeepers and volunteers undertake a daring rescue.

Take a journey with Neil Young on this personal, behind-the-scenes doc as he cruises the coast for his recent solo tour. Coastal gives an intimate view of the maverick musician, as he navigates a return to the stage post-Covid. From his everyday observations on the bus to his candid banter with his audience. Coastal is a rare peek behind the curtain of this unguarded iconoclast.

Faced with their grandmother's dying wish, two brothers are tasked with stealing the cremated ashes of her deceased German shepherds from her ex-husband, their grandfather, on his 80th birthday. This is dysfunctional even for them.

An Indonesian boy and his mother attend a church potluck and lie about their dish.

To dance is to remember. To dance is to remind. As the Palestinian identity continues to be threatened with violent erasure, young Palestinians turn to their folk dance, the dabke, to assert their existence. From its humble beginnings as a worker's dance, the dabke has come to represent an evolving history of cultural resistance, and is needed now more than ever. Dancing Palestine is a document of this embodiment of collective memory – as those who piece together a dabke choreography also piece together their identities. Together with the film – a performance in itself – the dabke is a testament to Palestinians' deep love of life and an insistent act of contribution to the archive of Palestine in the present.

In the 1950s, the cosmopolitan society in Egypt was disrupted by the conflict between nationalists and colonial powers, affecting citizens and residents with foreign affiliations, including Europeans, Syro-Lebanese and Egyptian Jews. Amidst this turmoil, 8-year-old Nabil navigates through new social norms that he cannot comprehend, impacting his next-door best friend, Mireille, in post-nationalized Egypt. This story is inspired by real people and true events.

A rare collaboration between shooting survivor/writer Sam Fuentes and Peabody award-winning filmmaker Kim A. Snyder, Death By Numbers breaks through an American society increasingly inured to gun violence and seemingly impervious to a nation of traumatized youth. Interweaving Sam's evocative poetry and her shooter's harrowing sentencing trial that will determine whether he lives or dies, we follow Sam's journey to reclaim her power. As she prepares to confront her shooter who left her wounded and killed classmates with an AR-15 in her Holocaust Studies class, she and her teacher Ivy Schamis examine complex questions of collective hate and what restorative justice looks like for the victims involved.

The story of *Take Me Home* follows the journey of a protagonist burdened by the immense pressures of modern society, seeking to escape reality in pursuit of true freedom on the vast plains. However, after encountering various deceptions and illusions in this seemingly idyllic setting, the protagonist has a transformative conversation with a wise local elder. Through this dialogue, they realize that genuine freedom and liberation come from within—learning to coexist with the pressures of a rapidly changing world and facing unknown challenges with a more optimistic and carefree spirit.

Myra, a ten-year-old girl, misses her school van. As she walks alone through the streets of Lahore, a metropolis in Pakistan, she runs into men with dubious intentions. At home, Myra's invalid mother waits for her daughter as a drama unfolds with her husband. Soon Myra's journey takes a sinister turn.

Born with a rare condition requiring over 50 cranial reconstructive surgeries, Corey searches for normalcy, love, and acceptance in a swipe-left, swipe-right world. The film follows Corey's daily activities to show how his facial difference impacts his life, friendships, family relations, romantic relationships, and careers and how these experiences shape his personality and perspective. In essence, Don't Look Away explores how his look affects his ability to live "a normal life" and challenges viewers to question who is really missing out – us or them – when we reject those who look different.

Duckville is a dark fairy tale about a the duck village that, in order to get tourists, fakes a wild monster attack to increase fame and sympathy. Of course, things go haywire and a small duckling saves the day.

The long-awaited brawl between the two billionaires and businessmen is finally happening. Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk are engaging in a merciless battle, delivering blow after blow, gadgets, and weapons of mass destruction, annihilating everything in their path. Who will have the power to stop these two tech and jujitsu behemoths before they obliterate our world?

Mexico, today. Lawyer Rita receives an unexpected offer. She has to help a feared cartel boss retire from his business and disappear forever by becoming the woman he's always dreamed of being. Mexico, today. Overqualified and exploited, lawyer Rita is wasting her talents working for a large firm far better at whitewashing criminal garbage than serving justice. But an unexpected way out appears, the sort of offers you can't refuse : to help feared cartel boss Juan "Little Hands" Del Monte - aka Manitas - retire from his business and disappear forever. Manitas has a plan he's been fine-tuning in secret for years : to become, at last, the woman he's always dreamed of becoming.

Follows Ernest Cole's journey as the first Black freelance photographer in apartheid South Africa.

A farmer is tending to his sheep and farmland when he notices animals start going missing. He continues working on his farm when he finds an otherworldly creature has killed one of his animals. He attempts to kill it by setting a trap with meat in the woods to no avail, as the creature only eats the living. He manages to figure out the vicious creature's weakness and now must use it to save his sheep.

Fan follows the journey of Ben, a Taiwanese entrepreneur, spanning from the 1950s to the present day. It unfolds the narrative of how Ben, armed with resilience and diligence, navigates through life. Despite facing setbacks caused by a typhoon and the painful loss of their son, Ben and his wife remained undeterred. Together, they transformed their modest ironworks into a multinational enterprise, symbolizing the collective contributions of numerous Taiwanese entrepreneurs to Taiwan's economic boom from the 1960s to the 1980s. Immersed in a watercolor art style, Fan pays homage to the modern artists of 20th-century Taiwan.

When my granddaughter died of a fentanyl overdose, my niece Therese Dunn and I made this film to spread awareness about the dangers of fake pills and the perils of addiction. We chose the intimacy of 1st person narrative to convey the inner struggle of fentanyl dependence and its impact on family. Fent & Me is opioid addiction as seen through the eyes of a desperate teen.

Children in Turkey's vulnerable communities share stories through photography and film.

A cat wakes up in a flooded world and tries to overcome his fear of water.

At only 9 months old, Cooper was diagnosed with elevated lead levels. The construction site below his family's apartment contaminated their apartment with lead dust, causing him to become extremely ill. The effects of the elevated lead levels have been devastating to his health and development. For the past two years, Cooper has been working with various organizations on The Roadmap to End Lead Poisoning, a comprehensive plan to enact new laws and target loopholes. But there is one bill that has not passed: The Lead Paint Right to Know Act. Senator Breslin has stated that this bill could be the single most important piece of legislation in the fight against childhood lead poisoning. This bill is very personal for Cooper, because if this bill was in place sixteen years ago, it could have prevented his lead exposure, and he never would have gotten sick.

After pulling a lackluster prank, a lonely man finally gets the attention he's been craving from some unorthodox strangers.

Dee spends her idyllic high school days selling sketch artwork with her best friends, Mike and Trey. When their teacher Mrs. Lambert confiscates their money and drawings, she chastises them with a racial slur. Determined to avenge herself and friends, Dee orchestrates a plan to steal Mrs. Lambert's beloved classroom rabbit, Reeses. She quickly discovers some of her friends have more drastic ideas in mind for revenge, all while confronting an unbeknownst school crush.

Freshman. Again. is an uplifting, heartwarming and hilarious short documentary about Lenny, a 50-year-old African American man who realizes his dream of going to college – at the same university his daughter attends. Directed and filmed by Aji Bass, who is both the filmmaker and Lenny's son, the documentary offers a candid perspective of their loving, unusual, and sometimes awkward shared experience.

Siham learns on her way home at night that her daughter is hiding in a bar from the gunfire of a far-right terrorist group. Desperation, fear, and hopelessness lead her further and further into a downward spiral. Can Siham save her daughter despite the police's failure?

To escape the monochromatic real world, XXL creates a world of color on his computer but carelessly loses the access switch, forcing him to dispatch three mud men from the colorful world to retrieve it. After passing through the hands of a few obsessed young people, the switch is eventually located by the three mud men. However, just as XXL is about to reclaim it, he discovers that the mud men are plotting to kill him and the two other young people to take over their identities in the monochrome world.

In the aftermath of sexual assault, a woman retreats into the garden of her mind. Searching for answers and struggling to do "the right thing," she realizes she must regain her voice and find new paths to healing, before she and her garden are destroyed completely.

Set on the outskirts of Newark, New Jersey, GAZER follows Frankie, a young mother with a rare degenerative brain condition called dyschronometria which disables her from correctly perceiving time. Prone to paranoia and frequent "zone outs," she uses self-recorded cassette tapes to keep herself safe and present in our modern, high-tech world. Unable to find steady work with her condition, she desperately takes a job from a mysterious woman with a dark past.

A young person navigates grief in everyday spaces by using absence to recreate presence.

Richard, a failed actor, struggles to be the primary caregiver for his two small children while his wife works a demanding job as an assistant attorney general. The all-consuming needs of young children, along with the absurdities of parenting in gentrified Brooklyn, and Richard's difficulties in reconciling his own failed ambitions, drive his journey through the tenderness, pain and confusion of raising small humans in today's world.

Every night, when Taiwanese visionary Audrey Tang goes to sleep, she knows she only has a 50% chance of waking up in the morning due to a congenital heart problem. Her heart, like democracy across the globe, is both fragile and strong – vibrant, but facing existential threat. From Academy Award and Emmy-winning director Cynthia Wade, and her sixth WFF film, Good Enough Ancestor reminds us of what is at stake in 2024 when 70% of the world's democracies are holding elections.

Sixteen-year-old Grace prepares for her baptism in the rural 1950s South. When she learns she must repent before the ritual, she begins to question the budding romantic feelings she has toward her best friend, Louise.

A Native American man takes a Happy Thanksgiving wish from a bank teller so personally, his rage drives him to carry out a bizarre revenge plan.

Ongoing exploration of the contemporary world with a tragicomic study of human strengths and weaknesses.

17-year-old Michael dreams of a future as a pianist, but his music education is not going smoothly. In his search for inspiration, he receives help from an unexpected source: his brother Danny introduces him to the emerging Dutch "gabber" music scene. Michael is drawn into a world of hard beats, brotherhood and drugs. When Danny's drug business reaches international proportions, the brothers must fight for their lives.

The opening moments of Hazard depict a story that's become all too familiar in the United States today. Will (Alex Roe), a coal miner, gets into an accident, after which he is immediately prescribed OxyContin. What follows is an absolutely harrowing look at the opiate epidemic situated in the world of Appalachian coal country. As Will struggles to support his girlfriend who is also addicted to opiates (played by a scene stealing Sosie Bacon) and their son, the audience is forced to ask if it's truly possible for an individual to break the cycle of generational poverty and addiction.

At the Baltic Sea, Tuan and Felix discover their love for water as young children. They soon become divers, as this allows them to spend their hours after school together at the indoor swimming pool. However, when they face each other at the Olympics, their athletic future is at stake. But when Felix unexpectedly suffers a serious injury, Tuan – despite the immense pressure to win the gold medal – decides for his partner.

Directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Smriti Mundhra for MTV Documentary Films. In the days leading up to his execution, Texas death row prisoner John Henry Ramirez seeks redemption from his victim's son.

A look into the life of musician Nancy Whang, a founding member of the iconic band LCD Soundsystem.

Kim Gordon Official Music Video for "I'm A Man"

Based on Marcelo Rubens Paiva's best-selling memoir in which his mother is forced into activism when her husband was captured by a military regime in Brazil, 1964.

If I Beg You is a song about turning your heartbreak into power and, more importantly, love for the people who truly matter. The music video follows a devastating wedding gone wrong that leads to a karaoke party celebrating friendship and freedom.

In the bliss of their new love, Ali and Katie start to build their life together in New York City, he as an Iraqi immigrant seeking political asylum and she, an ambitious American woman. When a crisis strikes back in Baghdad in the thick of his asylum process, Ali and Katie are forced to navigate its impact on their relationship... and the secrets they have been keeping from each other.

Quinn throws things into a fire to rid himself of his past. However, his healing process only begins when he learns how to live in the present with his friends and be open to new experiences.

A former captain, suffering from post- traumatic stress disorder, lives with his daughter in a house located by the sea, where they live an isolated and harsh life. Despite the captain's deep desire to be a devoted father, he finds himself unable to connect with his daughter in the way that he longs to. One morning, their lives change forever when an unforeseen event occurs. Whether it proves to be a newfound source of hope or an additional burden remains to be seen.

In 2003, history was made when a Newsweek cover asked: "Is Gay Marriage Next?" Now in a post-Roe world, the question resurfaces with a haunting twist: is gay marriage next—to go? Emily Clark's short documentary artfully navigates the ebb and flow of LGBTQ rights in America.

In the early 2000's, rent in Toronto was cheap and art was everywhere. Cinematographer Stephen Chung moved from the suburbs and found his people… they hung out, they partied, they made innovative music, and Stephen was there, filming it all. These friends ended up becoming one of the most celebrated indie rock bands Canada has ever produced – Broken Social Scene.

Set in Grand Cayman in 2004, Grace (Sasha Lane; Twisters, American Honey) finds herself acting as Mom and Dad when her husband prioritizes his political campaign over their family's needs. Unwilling to sour her daughter's opinion of him, Grace navigates the fragility of parenting in a tumultuous climate as an unexpected danger descends upon them.

Jaap Peter, a lively 16-year-old boy, eagerly prepares for his older sister's wedding at their beloved grandfather's country house. As the whole family rallies together to create the perfect celebration, Jaap Peter falls in love for the first time. But when the girl of his dreams is smitten with his younger sister Joe instead, Jaap Peter is disheartened. Through the chaos and tender moments, Jaap Peter learns that his presence and the unbreakable bond of his family are vital in ensuring the wedding's success.

Disconnected from her roots, Mi Young reminisces on her mother's homemade Korean meals, recalling a distant memory of when she aided her mother in making jjigae and reminding Mi Young of her Korean heritage.

Martha, an Indigenous woman works tirelessly in a laundromat loading machines and folding washing, ready for the collection of her boss. When a mysterious visitor arrives, Martha is reminded of the life she has left behind.

Filmmaker Leah Shore asked 9-year-old Elina to pitch them a short film. Leah animated her idea.

Mixed identity is assimilated to a refusal to take a position in the imagination collective. Are we black? Are we white? How to discern it? Which element will tip the scales? Throughout her musical journey, Lakna has often faced the difficulty to be a spacer. How to define music with opposing inspirations? In response to these tensions, she decided to produce two EPs which will form a project. It will be between soul and French song. There you will find the questions of a mixed-race life in a two-speed Switzerland.

Can you capture the last moment of normalcy before life changes forever?

Did you know that 1 out of 5 people have dyslexia? How about that 47-50% of incarcerated people have dyslexia? Left Behind gives eye-opening insight into the ways that the public school system ignores the needs of students with learning disabilities and, in doing so, contributes to the school-to-prison pipeline. No matter how much a person may stand by the power and importance of public schools, there's just no disputing that the current public education system is not built to help students with learning disabilities to succeed or thrive, and just about every single dyslexia-centered school in the country is privately-owned. Anna Toomey's gripping documentary chronicles a group of advocates in their struggle to start New York City's first public school for dyslexia. – Richie Yeager

A video about trying to cure your loneliness through material means, courage, impulsivity, and chopping your finger off after cutting an avocado.

On a film set with a troubled director, ripples become waves that throw the whole crew off course. Will they find their way, or is individualism the enemy of collective action? Witness action-packed inaction in action!

In Valencia in 1998, a desperate woman who needs to help her father to die turns to a mysterious people called "the accomplices" without knowing what their collaboration really means.

Inspired by true events, Los Frikis is a powerful coming-of-age story set in early 90s Cuba, centering around 18-year-old Gustavo (Eros de la Puente) who idolizes his older brother Paco (an astonishing Héctor Medina) and his punk, "Frikis" bandmates. When word reaches the Frikis of a potential reprieve from the effects of the economic crisis, they do the now unthinkable: deliberately inject themselves with HIV to live at a government-run treatment home. It's there that they create their own utopia to live and play music freely.

The other kids never ask Dong-Dong to play, but he's fine just playing marbles on his own. Until one day, he buys a bag of colorful candies and begins to discover new voices and perspectives.

In this touching documentary, witness Makayla's courageous journey. Despite her autism, her parents' unwavering love unveils her vibrant spirit, proving that even in silence, voices can be heard.

Market of Hate began as a whisper in March 2023. The whisper became a deafening shout on October 7th. It's a cry for compassion, our need to resist the powerful forces that promote fear and hatred in order to divide us, while all that time, they are increasing their own wealth and power.

While prepping for a Friendsgiving potluck, an Arab couple argues over the merits of a well quoted journalist after the 9/11 attacks

"Rambo meets Fyre Fest" could be the pitch for this tragicomedy from filmmakers Billy Corben and Jen Gatien about American-trained mercenaries who try to overthrow the Venezuelan government.

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British-Somali teen Muna is desperate to go on the school trip – but her parents aren't so sure. Tragedy strikes when her grandfather dies back in Somalia, and Muna must navigate a confusing mourning period for someone she never really knew.

Through decades of colonization, the ability to love and care for oneself has been lost among many indigenous peoples. After reconnecting with their ancestors, husband and wife Gustavo and Natalia were motivated to create a safe and nurturing environment for the practice and preservation of indigenous traditions and way of life. By building a new Indigenous Cultural Center, Munay Wasi, in Wawarsing, New York, originally Ramapo Lenape land bordering Mohawk territory, they are helping those who have been denying their culture to relearn how to love who they really are.

My Back Pages is a portrait of Mitch Blank, the world's foremost collector of Bob Dylan memorabilia and recordings, all kept in his tiny New York City apartment. This short film follows Mitch as he packs up his life's work to be donated to the Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It is a voyage into the ephemera of one of the greatest American musicians, a study on the nature of collecting and what it means to devote your life to something – and then let it go forever.

MY DEAD FRIEND ZOE is a dark comedy drama that follows the journey of Merit, a U.S. Army Afghanistan veteran who is at odds with her family thanks to the presence of Zoe, her dead best friend from the Army. Despite the persistence of her VA group counselor, the tough love of her mother and the levity of an unexpected love interest, Merit's cozy-dysfunctional friendship with Zoe keeps the duo insulated from the world. That is until Merit's estranged grandfather—holed up at the family's ancestral lake house—begins to lose his way and is need of the one thing he refuses... help. At its core, this is about a complicated friendship, a divided family and the complex ways in which we process grief.

After the death of his wife, a South Asian father and his son begin seeing a shadow around the walls of their home, who the son believes to be his mother.

An overworked stay-at-home mom (Amy Adams) tries to catch a break, any break, while caring for her rambunctious toddler. Also, she might be turning into a dog.

This film made by a Palestinian-Israeli collective shows the destruction of the West Bank's Masafer Yatta by Israeli authorities and the unlikely alliance which develops between the Palestinian activist Basel and Israeli journalist Yuval.

Nostril is a stop motion animated short film about Lala, a sleep-deprived woman kept awake by her husband's obnoxious snoring. When the sound becomes so powerful that it quite literally sucks her into his nose, Lala finds herself in a terrifying battle against the boogery germ creatures that dwell within. Blending comedy and horror, Nostril looks at the things we put up with for love, highlighting relationship struggles with a light-hearted tone.

Nubbinwood is an actor, and beaver, who dreams of being in the movies. Listen as he shares his personal struggles as one of the least represented minority groups in Hollywood (North American Beaver), as well as his archival recordings from some of the most iconic animated-character auditions from his acting career. Being the only beaver actor in Hollywood has never been easy.

In 1990 USSR, 17-year-old Yasha rebels against authority, but some forces prove dangerous. Unwilling to submit, Yasha's self-expression drives him toward irreparable harm.

An artful, impressionistic look at a peoplehood under threat lays bare the human cost of climate change. Scientists predict that the Republic of Kiribati, an island nation in Micronesia, will be uninhabitable in less than 10 years due to rising seas and temperatures. The people living there tell their stories in this documentary, as well as those of colonization, extraction, and militarization by the British and Americans.

16-year-old Dar returns to her kibbutz seeking her lost dog amid a terror spree, navigating horrors while encountering the unfolding disaster beyond the fence, caught between those seeking revenge and those keeping faith in humanity.

Leonard Fife, one of sixty thousand draft evaders and deserters who fled to Canada to avoid serving in Vietnam, shares all his secrets to de-mythologize his mythologized life.

Thy back shall be broken, thy soul shall be enslaved. Thy dear comrades shall perish a tragic end, and thou shall assume, nay inherit, the role of tyrant.

Melody Brooks is navigating sixth grade as a nonverbal wheelchair user who has cerebral palsy. With the help of some assistive technology and her devoted, exuberant allies, Melody shows that what she has to say is more important than how she says it.
Out of My Mind presents a sincere experience of teenage girlhood through the lenses of disability and belonging. Director Amber Sealey crafts a world around Melody that is all too familiar; at once full of love, fun, and opportunity, yet systemically unfair to those who are different. Actress Phoebe-Rae Taylor, who similarly lives with cerebral palsy, embodies Melody from a place of authenticity and heart.
Melody's wants courageously steer this narrative — her desires to prove her intelligence, befriend girls her age, and, ultimately, break free from the limiting preconceptions of others, are both unique and deeply universal. This is a powerful story about finding one's voice, bolstered by the collective passion and advocacy of those who are willing to really listen.—CA

Part road movie, part living biography, part documentary, Paul Anka: His Way is a remarkably candid film, offering an intimate look at one of the most prolific artists in music history and his seventy-year journey through stardom. The film goes behind-the-scenes with Paul Anka today as he continues to perform in sold-out concert venues around the world, cut against stunning archival footage of his historic career and including performances by the legendary artists who have recorded his music like Buddy Holly, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, Tom Jones, Sammy Davis Jr., Linda Ronstadt, Michael Jackson, Drake and more. A master of reinvention, Anka engages with all genres of music, from quietly penning the theme to "The Tonight Show" to surprise posthumous hits with Michael Jackson, and even a swing reworking of "Smells Like Teen Spirit."

Grieving their father's untimely death, Javi unearths the video game they used to share, embarking on an odyssey to repair the darker moments of their relationship.

Under roaring fighter jets and missile strikes, Ukrainian artists Slava, Anya, and Andrey choose to stay behind and fight, contending with the soldiers they have become. Defiantly finding beauty amid destruction, they show that although it's easy to make people afraid, it's hard to destroy their passion for living.
And how does one continue to live when everything you love is under a vicious attack? Porcelain War argues that you can learn to fight back using all the tools you have, including your art, in order to avoid erasure. "We're ordinary people in an extraordinary situation" is how co-director Slava Leontyev describes their current life. Meanwhile, there is absolutely nothing ordinary about them — these artists, farmers, IT specialists — coming together to fight their oppressor. Porcelain War is a true cinematic gem. Leontyev and co-director Brendan Bellomo manage to gracefully capture the dissonance between the horrors of war and the fragile beauty of nature and artistic practice. Anya's and Slava's porcelain pieces come to life in delicately crafted animations that offer context to their makers' story and a stunning outlet for processing grief.—AT

Jesse Corwood is a 31-year-old man living with his mother in Portland, New York. Obsessed with music and driven by a desire to create, but lacking a thriving local scene, Jesse records numerous songs by himself, invents 17 fictional bands, and meticulously documents their imaginary stories in his notebooks. Jesse's plan works when Rolling Stone takes interest in his label, Portland Records, but he struggles to maintain the illusion when the magazine requests photos and interviews with the bands. To keep his story going, Jesse attempts to enlist local teenagers to pose as his bandmates, causing suspicion and tension with those he's close to.

There are two kinds of sacrifice.

In this six-episode series, an unknown writer becomes an overnight media sensation when her public tirade against a finance douche goes viral.

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Fluorescent critters groove through a coastal world, led by a superior choir. Their carefree crawl, however, is increasingly disturbed by the rising seas. As an invisible force gnaws its way up the beaches, one individual after another disappears. But is an invisible danger really worth slowing down the usual crawl? An insight into the hustle and bustle of a diverse critter community, characterized by peer pressure, shining egos, and a pinch of cute stubbornness.

An exploration of disability representation in Martin Scorsese's 1978 concert film The Last Waltz, and a tribute to the one armed go go dancer.

The leaders of seven wealthy democracies get lost in the woods while drafting a statement on a global crisis, facing danger as they attempt to find their way out.

Sabbath Queen is a remarkable 21 year journey in the life of Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie, a 39th generation ex-Orthodox rabbi — and drag queen.

A recent widow cooks a special meal to distract her adult children from going through their father's belongings. Sancocho is an intimate moment, almost memory-like of a transitional period between mother and children.

A grieving woman believes her deceased best friend has come back to visit her… as a porta-potty.

A seven-year-old girl sets out to justify the mysterious world of her dementia-suffering grandmother.

This short documentary film explores the impact that expressive arts therapy has on folks who struggle with mental health issues and spectrum disorder.

When Zooey Zephyr was expelled from the Montana House of Representatives for speaking on a bill banning transgender medical care, she made a nearby bench her "office."

In 2003, eight Rhode Islanders created a secret apartment inside the Providence Place Mall and lived in it for four years, filming everything along the way. They snuck in furniture, tapped into the mall's electricity, and even constructed a wall, smuggling in over 2 tons of cinderblock. Far more than just a wild prank, the secret apartment became a deeply meaningful place for its inhabitants – a personal expression of defiance against local gentrification, a clubhouse to coordinate artistic charity, and finally, a 750 square foot "F you" to The Man. From Jeremy Workman, whose "Lily Topples The World" won the Grand Jury Prize at SXSW 2021 and from Executive Producer Jesse Eisenberg.

Kaniehtiio Horn (Alice, Darling, TIFF '22) wrote, directed, and stars in Seeds, a tense thriller that weaves Kanienʼkehá꞉ka connections to the land with a cat-and-mouse game.

Alcohol conjures up stories and traditions, not to mention emotions – from the glamorization of Hollywood, the politics of prohibition, religious connotations, medicinal uses – to the good old cocktail. So where, why and how are we so fascinated with a liquid that's steeped in folklore, that we worship it, ban it, love it and hate it. We have been creating alcohol since the dawn of civilization and as a result we've created a universe of myth, legend, culture and science on the subject. Through the lens of Moonshine, we take a look at what it is about alcohol that gets us so worked up or rather – shaken & stirred.

Lin You is a hybrid media artist based in New York City; her practice often centers obsession, movement, literal and metaphorical distortions, and the use of analog image-making techniques to convey modern queer subject matter.

A Chinese immigrant living in a Single Residence Occupancy apartment receives news that her family's application for better housing is denied, and grapples with how to share the news with her children.

It is 1985 in the run-up to Christmas in a small town in County Wexford, Ireland. Bill Furlong toils as a coal merchant to support himself, his wife and his five daughters. Early one morning while out delivering coal at the local convent, he makes a discovery that forces him to confront his past and the complicit silence of a town controlled by the Catholic Church. Based on the novel of the same name by Claire Keegan.

A mysterious environmental illness is turning teenage girls transgender across New England. At least, that's what their mothers are reading online. Katherine, concerned by her preteen's increasing symptoms, seeks a cure.

These days, there's a lot of talk about outsiders in politics, but very few people can claim outsider status like Joe Keithley, punk legend turned a dedicated environmentalist and city councilor. Something Better Change follows Keithley's absolutely fascinating life and career, showing us both his time as the front man of the formative hardcore punk band D.O.A., as well as his campaigns for city council as a Green Party candidate in his hometown of Burnaby, British Columbia. Featuring interviews with other punk luminaries like Jello Biafra and Ian MacKaye, as well as an appearance from Beto O'Rourke, whether you're a hardcore punk fan or just a civically engaged citizen, Creem: America's Only Rock 'n' Roll Magazine director Scott Crawford's latest film has a little something for everyone. – Daniel Abelow

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Alone in a laundromat at night, two strangers realize they'll never see each other again and decide to trade secrets.

John Huba's short film about Steve Heller of Fabulous Furniture showcases Heller's inventive and eclectic creations at his showroom in Boiceville, New York.

Elliott discovers his father on a hookup app while on a family vacation. His confrontation with his alcoholic father's infidelity becomes a reckoning with himself and his own demons.

Rosie, a 13-year-old Chinese-American girl, embarks on a skateboarding escapade through the streets of New York with her crush and his best friend – at the cost of abandoning her little sister and never delivering a forgotten lunchbox.

Based on true events, Superman Doesn't Steal is a coming-of-age story, set in Atlanta in the 70's during the Atlanta Child Murders and seen through the eyes of 8-year-old Harriet, who is as fascinated with superheroes as is her older brother Jackson. However, when they experience a troubling series of events that impact their family, leaving emotional scars and causing them both to grow up fast, they must redefine their definitions of heroes, villains, themselves – and yes – even Superman.

Based on the story as it was passed down to her great grand-daughter, Susana Alimivna Jamaladinova, better known as popular Ukrainian singer Jamala, this animated short illustrates the plight of a single mother and her children during the Soviet purge of Crimean Tatars at the end of World War II.

In the aftermath of her newborn baby's sudden death, orca mother Tahlequah carries her daughter's body across the Salish Sea in the incredible true story that captivated the world.

While rehearsing asking out the girl of his dreams, a lonely and highly allergic Circuit-Shack employee gets stung in the throat by a hornet.

In a pandemic-era hospital, a robotic vacuum, bored by its repetition, decides to quit. Seeking a more meaningful existence, it ventures to a quiet Chinatown street. There, it encounters two solitary rabbits, each trapped in their own repetitive routines. As the vacuum befriends one of these characters, it finds a sense of community and begins to explore a broader purpose beyond its programmed tasks of cleaning. A dance ensues and for a time things are good. But all good things in life can't last.

17-year-old Sean is in the middle of his college paperwork when the neighbors bring an odd babysitting situation.

Unresolved historical injustices and climate change raise the stakes in a generations-old conflict between Indigenous pastoralists and white landowners in Laikipia, Kenya, a wildlife conservation haven.
Co-directors Daphne Matziaraki (4.1 Miles, The Me You Can't See) and Pete Murimi (I Am Samuel) craft The Battle for Laikipia with empathy, compassion, and brutal truth. Weaving together themes of environmentalism, colonialism, and conservationism, the film delicately showcases the impact of these crucial topics on the Indigenous farming community of Kenya's Laikipia region. Handled with care, Matziaraki and Murimi's The Battle for Laikipia takes us through a journey that elicits frustration, awe, curiosity, and wonder.—BB

This behind-the-scenes investigation of Benjamin Netanyahu and his inner circle provides an unflinching gaze into the private world behind the headlines. Leaked police interrogation videos show frustration, vanity and a sense of entitlement writ large in the Netanyahu family. Their stubborn refusal to cede power leads to a fatal alliance with the extreme right wing, and dire consequences follow.

Night after night, a watchman clocks into his lonely booth and spends hours composing endless security logs to stay awake, as he slowly descends into darkness.

In a bid to avoid her debutante ball, a girl teams up with a hyena and hatches a murderous plan for it to go to the party in her place. Based on a story by Leonora Carrington, starring Kelly McCormack (A League of Their Own series).

A New York chauffeur reckons with his childhood kidnapping and lifelong struggle with addiction.

Joshua Oppenheimer, known for his groundbreaking documentary The Act of Killing (TIFF '12), makes his fiction debut with this sombre musical about a family in denial at the end of the world, starring Tilda Swinton, Michael Shannon, George MacKay, and Moses Ingram.

When bestselling Soviet-Jewish novelist Gary Shteyngart wrote about his botched circumcision, he sparked a viral debate about the age-old practice. In The Guy Who Got Cut Wrong, Shteyngart delves deeper into the trauma he suffered at age seven, shortly after his family's arrival in America.

At once emotionally devastating and deeply heartwarming, Ondi Timoner's latest documentary follows the day to day lives of the residents at a hospice care center for the unhoused located in Salt Lake City. Crafted with immense compassion, The Inn Between forces us to identify with its subjects, exposing how close any of us really are to the rough living circumstances that thousands of Americans find themselves in.The Inn Between is the only end of life facility for the homeless in America, where miracles happen - as the once-unsheltered are treated with the humanity and community we all deserve.

From Executive Producers Matthew Modine and Adam Rackoff. During tours of duty in Nevada, enlisted men and women were repeatedly exposed to lethal radiation at the world's largest nuclear test site. But because exercises were "top-secret," the U.S. government continues to conceal official records of their ever having served there. Now cancer-stricken and ineligible for insurance because of their classified designation, veterans are mobilizing to prove they served and to secure basic healthcare benefits for themselves and their families.

A modern-day take on Upton Sinclair's shocking 1906 novel, The Jungle unravels centuries of greed and exploitation in America's meat industry and reveals how indigenous knowledge may hold the key to creating an equitable food system for both people and the planet. Featuring former New York Times food columnist Mark Bittman, the film chronicles generations of profit-driven conglomerates manipulating our food system, destroying ecosystems, and exacerbating climate change. Industry insiders detail the roadmap for today's corporate dominance. Simultaneously, slaughterhouse laborers fight for justice against relentless worker abuse. Others, like Paige and Derrick Jackson, have lost trust in the system, radically changing their lives to raise their own food. Committed to rebuilding our perpetually broken meat industry, Minnesota farmer Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin begins to graze his chickens using an indigenous technique. The effects are a revelation. Could this very simple method offer a clue toward solving the great American meat problem?

February 27, 1993, Strpci, Bosnia and Herzegovina. A passenger train traveling between Belgrade and Bar is stopped by paramilitary forces who, under the pretext of checking identification documents, are conducting an ethnic cleansing operation. Among the 500 passengers, only one man rebels against the illegal detention of innocent civilians. This is the true story of a man who could not remain silent.

Malcolm Washington makes his feature directorial debut with this adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize–winning August Wilson play, featuring an incredible cast that includes Danielle Deadwyler, John David Washington, and Samuel L. Jackson in a story about a family haunted by the legacy of an heirloom.

A filmmaker's invitation into a deeply personal and fiercely nostalgic journey that delves into love, longing, the trauma of forced migration, and the loss of a family home in Palestine.

The Quilters follows the daily lives of several men, spending most of its screen time inside the sewing room in a Level 5 maximum security prison in a small town in Missouri. As we follow several quilts from design to completion, audiences will come to know these men, witnessing their struggles, triumphs, and sense of pride as they create something beautiful in this windowless, sacred space, deep within the prison walls.

Mats Steen, a Norwegian gamer, died of a degenerative muscular disease at the age of 25. His parents mourned what they thought had been a lonely and isolated life, when they started receiving messages from online friends around the world.
Benjamin Ree (The Painter and the Thief, 2020) returns to the Festival with a heartwarming and adventurous journey through the breadth of Mats Steen's digital life and his profound impact on a community. Thoughtfully beginning with an overview of Mats' life from the Steens' perspective, Ree then uncovers and revives Mats' vibrant cyberself. Narrated entries from Mats' published blog introduce us to Ibelin, his charismatic World of Warcraft persona. Mats' personality is revealed in a fuller dimension through reconstructed animated moments from his gameplay and interviews with people who knew him as Ibelin. Mats' parents' deepest remorse was the thought of their son never experiencing love and friendships, but Ree offers an endearing and innovative portrait of Mats' abundant life through World of Warcraft, underscoring how community and soulful relationships can transcend the boundaries of the physical world.—SO

This film tells a compelling story set within the socio-political landscape of Iran, reflecting the challenges faced by individuals under restrictive regimes.
A timely, heartrending tale set against the backdrop of the "Woman. Life. Freedom" movement in Iran follows a newly promoted investigating judge who, under pressure from his corrupt superiors, is forced to betray his own morals by cracking down on protesters without due process. This fateful decision sets off a chain reaction, as his compliance with the oppressive regime leads to a devastating rift with his wife and two daughters. Tensions escalate when the paranoid father discovers his gun is missing, plunging the family into a slow-burning spiral of fear and distrust.
In the shadow of the Hijab Protests, this powerful drama subtly exposes the insidious impact of the Islamic Republic's chauvinistic and oppressive regime on the private lives of its citizens, with a particular focus on the suffering endured by women. The Seed of the Secret Fig is the latest masterpiece from acclaimed director Mohammad Rasoulof, a filmmaker and political activist whose career has been marked by relentless harassment and censorship by the Iranian authorities. Despite being sentenced to eight years in prison during the making of this film, Rasoulof managed to complete it and flee his homeland just in time for its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, where his courage was recognized with a Special Jury Award. – Amir Bogen

Vasectomies – these are the men who made the cut. In this animated documentary short, guys discuss their experiences and thoughts about getting "the snip."

Thomas, a guitar savant, after playing a masterful concert, learns that he is losing his hearing. He desperately struggles to cope with the realization that his dream is fading. Prompted by the silence of his world he breaks into a panic attack as he realizes the finality of his fate.

Over four centuries ago, William Shakespeare collaborated with others on a play about the historical figure Sir Thomas More. In it, he wrote a speech in which More passionately articulates a defence of refugees, culminating in a poignant reference to their plight. Fast-forward to the present: Aleppo, in the midst of the Syrian civil war. Amira, a paediatric surgeon, performs a life-saving operation during the darkest days of the conflict. Through an unexpected twist of fate, she and her daughter become central characters in a dangerous tale that intricately interweaves the lives of five families spanning four continents and redefines all of their existences. Versions of this story continue to repeat themselves over the centuries. For this reason, Shakespeare aptly named this plight "The Strangers' Case".

Three sisters live a lonely life on an isolated island, each in their own small house. One day, circumstances develop in such a way that they are forced to rent out one of their houses.

Rose and Sammy enjoy an idyllic life with love, a Hollywood Hills home, and a curious son. During a party, Sammy assigns unusual significance to it, while Rose juggles preparations amid distractions. The unexpected arrival of Helen, who claims residence there, oscillates between confusion and lucidity. Strangely, Helen possesses intimate knowledge of the house and its guests: an Ingenue, a director, and Rose's former flame. Helen's revelations during the party spark drama, unearthing hidden truths and compelling Rose to confront her past, future, and the desire for change.

Twenty-something Rachel (a pitch-perfect Julia Randall) is our guide to this weekend's gathering, chronicling the proceedings for her film-school project: a portrait of four fifty-something long-time friends, one of whom recently died. Rachel once babysat for these men's children -- she knows them awfully well -- but now her presence as a grown woman subtly disturbs the landscape.

On a barren island, a creature discovers a mysterious object floating towards the shore. Placing it on its island, it feels a surge of joy, but soon realizes how dull its island truly is compared to neighboring islands. Eager to be like them, it starts to collect more objects to decorate the island. As its obsession grows, the situation starts to spiral out of control.

Despite the world's disasters, an artist insists on playing.

When Roy's and Susanne's lives bottom out in a malaise of mundanity, despair and alienation, can a glimmer of bright color re-awaken them to wonder?

A British policeman, voiced by Brian Croucher (EastEnders), has a meta crisis.

This documentary film explores the issues of homelessness in Kingston, NY.

After the death of her mother, singer Liz decides to pay a rare visit to her half-brother Gabe and his girlfriend Joey. Liz revamps old tensions with Gabe, an aspiring writer who fears being eclipsed by his successful sibling. To make matters worse, Joey and Liz grow closer, inspiring Liz to write new songs. An awakened sense of belonging catalyzes Joey into a journey of self-discovery, while further complicating an already deteriorating family dynamic.

A music video for Trauma Mic by Armand Hammer ft.Pink Siifu.

What are the limits of free speech? Troll Storm is the story of a Jewish woman in Montana, Tanya Gersh, who was the victim of an unrelenting social media campaign of antisemitism and her decision to fight back in court. "The second I decided to fight, I started to heal," she says in this powerful film. And although the crux of this story takes place several years ago, the new swarm of antisemitism currently crossing our country makes this story feel extremely relevant. Gersh uses interviews with a holocaust survivor as a brutal reminder of where we could end up again if this culture of hate is not faced by our country. In Accept the Call (WFF 2019) director Eunice Lau's latest film, the parallel between Europe before the rise of the Nazi party and what happened to Gersh is frightening. – Sabina Barach

Who hasn't been subject to the dreaded quarter-life question, "What do you want to do in life?" This is the kind of question that inexplicably keeps coming up for Julian (Will Hochman), a 25-year-old former athlete who lives alone in the woods, renting out his friend's house to an odd string of nosey characters. From an eerie couple of folks who "fix people's troubles" to a very strange independent filmmaker, the question on everyone's mind is, "Why are you up here?"

We're in the forlorn housing estates of working-class Dublin. But something's not right. Police checkpoints. Talk of gangland violence. A flash of murder within a family. Twig is off-kilter, both the movie and Twig herself; its young hero played with sly power by Sade Malone. It's the story of petty antagonisms spun out of control, of gang allegiances and families divided, with Twig caught in the maelstrom, desperately trying to make things right, to move beyond two warring factions set against each other for reasons long forgotten. And this is what makes Twig so powerful. Yes it speaks to the utterly polarized state of contemporary discourse, but it's also (somewhat secretly) a retelling of the myth of Antigone, where a woman risks all, defying her king in the name of family loyalty and righteousness… and comes to change the world. – Peter Wortmann

The Amazon Labor Union (ALU) — a group of current and former Amazon workers in New York City's Staten Island — takes on one of the world's largest and most powerful companies in the fight to unionize.
Chronicling the historic efforts of the ALU, Union is an intimate and surprising story of dogged determination, unorthodox tactics, and speaking up despite David vs. Goliath odds. Capturing up-close, in-the-trenches moments with the upstart labor union leaders — including the charismatic Chris Smalls — as they try to build support for their movement on their own terms, filmmakers Brett Story and Stephen Maing bear witness to the realities of labor organizing in the United States — challenging at best; near-impossible when facing the unlimited resources and influence of a corporate giant. They track exhilarating victories and demoralizing setbacks along the way, but foremost spotlight the far-reaching ability of collective action to inspire hope and bring self-determination to workers who've long felt disenfranchised and powerless.—BT

Moonlight's Jharrel Jerome gives another outstanding performance amid a star-studded cast (including Don Cheadle and Jennifer Lopez) in this heartfelt sports drama about a college wrestler who dreams of going pro.

In this heart-wrenching drama, after a man drowns in the Mediterranean Sea, bureaucracy prevents his family from bringing his body home to Morocco.

VIVA VERDI! is an intimate glimpse into the lives of the celebrated opera singers and musicians currently living out their 'third act' while mentoring international music students who live among them at Milan's unique retirement home, Casa Verdi, built by renowned opera composer, Giuseppe Verdi in 1896. From these 'guests of Verdi,' age 77 to 107, comprised of international opera singers, ballet dancers, musicians, conductors and composers, we hear an extraordinary array of personal and professional stories filled with music, magic and passion, and ultimately learn why Verdi called this remarkable home his "best work." A blueprint for retirement homes, Verdi's generous approach in caring for his colleagues in art, and the energy from the intergenerational exchange that permeates the house, makes Casa Verdi as forward thinking now, as it was then.

"The diagnosis isn't the end of the story. It's just the next chapter." How many stories have you heard about Alzheimer's that filled you with hope and admiration? Alzheimer's is often viewed as one of the ultimate strains on a family or a relationship, but Charlie Hess and Heidi Levitt make it clear that nothing can stand in the way of their family and their love for one another. Heidi Levitt's documentary, Walk With Me, about her own husband Charlie's journey with Alzheimer's, highlights the extent to which family, love, and companionship can get people through life's hardest moments. Heidi's diligent filming, alongside her and Charlie's persistent search for ways to understand this disease, makes for a truly inspirational story of love and support. – Richie Yeager

In a society where able-bodied and neurotypical are the norms, The Adaptive Sports Foundation challenges this perception. This inspiring documentary follows Farryl, a 10-year-old with cerebral palsy, and Matt, a 33-year-old war veteran seeking purpose. Farryl is given the tools to conquer the ski slopes, while Matt finds a renewed reason to fight for life. Their journeys are filled with trepidation and determination as they strive for the independence that societal norms have withheld. Witness their roller coaster of emotions, from fear to triumph, as they defy all odds and achieve an invigorating sense of accomplishment. Angel Fonseca's film showcases the power of adaptive sports to transform lives and redefine what it means to be truly capable.

Sometimes, finding your tribe requires a bit of magic. For attendees of a live action role-playing (LARP) camp in upstate New York, the deeply accepting environment has given neurodivergent, queer, and self-proclaimed "nerdy" teenagers the space for self-discovery that they have never found anywhere else. As the campers immerse themselves in this imaginative world, they discover inner strength, heal from traumas, and emerge as heroes, both in the fantasy realm and in real life. From directors Carina Mia Wong and Alex Simmons, WE CAN BE HEROES celebrates the fleeting, but profoundly formative moments that make up the most intense years of adolescence, with a little help from foam swords.

A macro view of human-actions, as told from within a singular body. Animated frame by frame with biodegradable ink + paper.
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Screenings:
2024
Images Film Festival, Toronto Canada
Flatpack Film Festival, Birmingham, UK
Maryland Film Festival, Baltimore MD, USA
SF Indie Fest, San Francisco CA, USA
Fargo Film Festival, Fargo North Dakota, USA
İstanbul International Experimental Film Festival, Istanbul, Turkey
Silver Screen Film Festival, Dublin Ireland
2023
Animation Block Party at BAM, Brooklyn NY, USA
Paris Awards Film Festival, Paris, France
Sydney World Fest 2023-2024, Sydney, Australia
Les Femmes Underground Film Festival, Los Angeles CA, USA
Squeaky Wheel 2023 Retrospective, Buffalo NY, USA
Sweaty Eyeballs: Outside the Frame at Current Gallery, Baltimore MD, USA
'Do You Know You're A Person?' Miranda Javid solo show at Welles College, Aurora NY, USA

Isabel is ostracized by the fire brigade she belongs to for attacking a real estate development implicated in forest fires. Determined to forge ahead on her own, she faces her loneliness and frustration in an encounter that will question the essence of her fight.

Filmmaker Andy Sarjahani and his childhood friend Bubba Samuels go on a wild hog hunt in their native Ozarks. Unexpected conversations unfold that have a lasting impact on their friendship.

Wisdom of Happiness is a profound, new cinematic exploration of the innermost world of the Dalai Lama, perfectly attuned to our times. In an intimate heart-to-heart, the world's greatest ambassador of compassion invites everyone along for a journey to the source of happiness.

A woman's skin-care routine ceases to be the bulwark she'd hoped.

While Dad is distracted at the window, Mom tries to put her baby to sleep. She decides to take the opportunity to make her baby say their first word, so when Dad hears Mom, he joins them. A competition then arises between the two parents to make their baby say their first word.