Yuki Soga, writer & director, U.S. feature film presentation

Mid-20s Kiseki quits his job and moves to New York City in hopes of becoming a filmmaker, though he can barely pay rent. Luckily, he meets Clara, who has some low-budget filmmaking expertise of her own. As their money starts to run out, however, they find their ideals may not match.

New York Premiere

Jesse Shore, writer & director, U. S., 7 minutes

Stream of Consciousness follows the first date of Cole and Megan. As the date progresses we watch Cole struggle with his self doubt, personified incessantly through his reflection talking to him. As the date moves forward, Cole’s insecurities put any potential relationship at risk, only to be saved by another surprising voice.

Russell Southam, writer & director, Australia, 15 minutes

Sometimes your sanctuary is not always your salvation.

This film deals with the suspension of mental health outpatient services, border closures, and public health orders to self-isolate in Australia during the 2020/2021 Covid-19 global pandemic.

How do the homeless, the poor, and those ostracized by family and friends access their ongoing mental health care when social distancing closes regional outpatient services?

Delisa Maria Seng, writer & director, U.S., 44 minutes, Feature presentation

Minnie is in the midst of having a mental breakdown as life has broken her down to her knees. As a Strong Black Woman, getting help is not an option. Alone, she must confront her past and fight for her future before time runs out.

Bodi Rajkumar, writer & director, U.S., 13 minutes

A tale of power and abuse, which involves a young nun and two other men in their purgatorial routine.

Liza Jessie Peterson, writer & director, U.S., 20 minutes

Black Love Manifesto; A Suite in 5 movements uses photography, video, poetry and music to illuminate and celebrate the beauty and power of Blackness. It is a poetic mosaic of Black history, Black resilience, resistance and revolution, Black excellence, Black Joy and Black Love. It’s a medicinal balm for a weary and wounded people during these horrifying times. It is a battery for perseverance, remembering and hope.

With the ongoing campaign of police terror and the violence of white supremacy, Black Love Manifesto is poetic mediation on the indelible spirit of African Americans that pulled a mighty people through centuries of trauma. It is a celebration of melanin magic, antiquity and the life force of love… the kryptonite. Black Love Manifesto honors our past, salutes our current journey and envisions freedom.

New York Premiere

Adam Thomson, writer & director, U.S., 8 minutes

A fish-out-of-water New Yorker with a gambling problem attempts to reconnect with his estranged teenage son over a series of phone calls during a sunny Los Angeles afternoon.

World Premiere

Julia D'Angelo, writer & director, U.S., 8 minutes

In the 24 hours after her sexual assault, a young woman is relentlessly traumatized by her past self, forcing her into a debilitating pattern of misplaced blame and guilt. After replaying what she remembers over and over again, she reaches an understanding that allows her to finally begin the process of moving forward.

World Premiere

Jaquan Williams, director & Mike Troll, writer U.S., 22 minutes, New York No Limits Best Of

A struggling young actor battles the streets & himself on the path to his first breakthrough role.

Carlos Ibarra, writer & director, U.S., 13 minutes

Seventeen-year-old Pablo Sanchez is an aspiring architect longing to go to college. But with no clear path to citizenship, Pablo's growing anxiety causes him to take actions that go against his moral code.

Elisha Lawson, writer & director, U.S., 11 minutes

Trying to cope with his two-year relationship ending, Duke attempts to try to hook up with an old fling.

New York Premiere

Paden Fallis, writer & director, U.S., 13 minutes

Three past-their-prime Shakespearean actors hide out in a mysterious green room, struggling under the pressure to relive past glories. When a young ingenue enters the room, their pasts catch up to them as their camaraderie frays.

Lorenzo Benitez, writer & director, U.S., 7 minutes New York No Limits Best Of

As the world locks down for an unprecedented pandemic, Frank retreats into total isolation, refusing to leave his apartment to accept even deliveries. Still employed, his job as a modern, clickable journalist finds him pitching content to his team each day. Frank’s boss suggests that for as long as quarantine lasts, they end each week with “Crazy Hat Friday,” which Frank embraces.

Cole Bacani, writer & director, U.S., 25 minutes

As the summer after high school graduation winds down, Gabe's cousins have one last chance to tie him down in Illinois, forcing Gabe to decide what’s more important: his family or his future?

Mandy Fabian, writer & director, U.S., 17 minutes New York No Limits Best Of

A man has asked his wife to stay with their family for one last weekend.

Rafael De Leon, Jr., writer & director, U.S., 6 minutes

A mother and daughter struggle to survive a deadly home invasion.

New York Premiere

Gabriel Guzman, writer & director, U.S., 18 minutes

Brandon and his mother have an unusual mother-son relationship that comes off disturbing to people. On the week of his 26th birthday, we see how Brandon spends his time by himself as he prowls the city streets stalking and recording videos of women in a perversive manner without their knowledge, using the videos to sell for profit.

New York Premiere

Trevor Viner, director / Isabella Werber, writer, U.S., 12 minutes

Three college girls home for winter break attend a party with their former high school classmates. Things get weird.