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American Indie Spotlight

A showcase of standout American independent films, spanning gripping dramas to deeply personal stories. Together, these films offer a range of voices and visions, exploring the complexities of connection, identity, and what it means to be human.

American Indie Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Show-Me Cinema, Women In Film Spotlight

Aftertaste

Film Aftertaste Directed by Chase Norman When two lovers spend a little too much alone time together, their extramarital affair turns from lustful to…
American Indie Spotlight, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, The Immigrant Experience

Ana the Cleaner

Film Ana the Cleaner Directed by Guy Bauer Ana spends her days cleaning the homes of Chicago's elite while feeding an obsession with true crime. When…
American Indie Spotlight, ARCHIVAL, Cinema For Students Program, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight, Race In America: The Black Experience, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

And Again I Dream

Film And Again I Dream Directed by Catherine Gund, Mariah Norman Ivy Young (1947-2023), a journalist and organizer, knows that mainstream society will not preserve her story after she's…
American Indie Spotlight, Cinema For Students Program, Fine Arts Spotlight, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, SLIFF Kids / Family Films, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition

Antonio and the Last Wizard

Film Antonio and the Last Wizard Directed by Eros Zhao An illusion designer undertakes the intricate restoration of a 19th-century automaton trapeze performer, developing a profound bond with…
American Indie Spotlight, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight, Women In Film Spotlight

Beware the Wolves

Film Beware the Wolves Directed by Alex Bush While isolated at their estranged grandparents' home, two children begin to suspect that their elders may be more…
American Indie Spotlight, Cinema For Students Program, Human Ties, SLIFF Kids / Family Films

Bob’s Best Friends

Film Bob’s Best Friends Directed by Randy Kent A lonely man discovers he has an ability to talk to dogs after a sudden illness strikes. Through…
American Indie Spotlight, Cinema For Students Program, Fine Arts Spotlight, Human Ties

Brother Verses Brother

Film Brother Verses Brother Directed by Ari Gold Inspired by Francis Coppola's concept of Live Cinema, "Brother Verses Brother" is a radically personal one-take musical film.…
American Indie Spotlight, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

Buried Under Years of Dust

Film Buried Under Years of Dust Directed by Sophie Sartain How does someone go from not communicating for 25 years to narrating her life story? Buried Under Years…
American Indie Spotlight, Fine Arts Spotlight, Human Ties, Race In America: The Black Experience

C.R.E.A.M.

Film C.R.E.A.M. Directed by Ryen McPherson A modern-day adaptation of Shakespeare's "Romeo & Juliet" told entirely through lyrics sourced from over 700 Wu-Tang Clan…
American Indie Spotlight, Human Ties, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight, Women In Film Spotlight

CAITY

Film CAITY Directed by Lindsay Calleran 16 year-old Caity and her newly sober father, Paul, co-operate their family business: a locally-beloved haunted house. When…
American Indie Spotlight, Fine Arts Spotlight, Human Ties

Crystal Cross

Film Crystal Cross Directed by Richie james Follin A quirky Christian singer and a suicidal dad drive cross-country, forging an unlikely bond through bad decisions, bizarre…
1992, American Indie Spotlight

Daughters of the Dust

Film Daughters of the Dust Directed by Julie Dash In 1902, a Gullah family on the Sea Islands off South Carolina decide whether to migrate to the...
American Indie Spotlight, Cinema For Students Program, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Race In America: The Black Experience, Women In Film Spotlight

Dust

Film Dust Directed by Swisyzinna Dust explores how one tragic event reverberates through the lives of several people across generations. When a young…
American Indie Spotlight, Cinema For Students Program, Fine Arts Spotlight, Human Ties, Women In Film Spotlight

Edie Arnold is a Loser

Film Edie Arnold is a Loser Directed by Kade Atwood, Megan Rico Timid dork Edie accidentally takes the spotlight when she starts a punk band with her fellow “turds”, becoming…
American Indie Spotlight, Fine Arts Spotlight, New Filmmakers Forum

Friday the 69th

Film Friday the 69th Directed by Alex Montilla Porn filmmakers in 1981 seek to cash in on the slasher craze by making their own independent ripoff…
American Indie Spotlight, SLIFF After Dark

Hag

Film Hag Directed by Jackie Kelly Upon turning thirty, a jaded, lonely sex worker finds herself struggling to make ends meet, with her once...
American Indie Spotlight, Cinema For Students Program, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight, Women In Film Spotlight

hi mom

Film hi mom Directed by SM Goldberger Maya struggles to find the right words to come out to her mom.
American Indie Spotlight, Environmental Focus, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

I Am Not The Last

Film I Am Not The Last Directed by Alvaro Donado Marooned by time and place in a natural world untouched by humankind, a young boy and his refugee…
American Indie Spotlight, Human Ties, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight

Junkie

Film Junkie Directed by William Means Perpetual screwup Stevie (Rocky Shay) is running on empty having just escaped from rehab [again]. On a quest…
American Indie Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Show-Me Cinema

Lady Killer

Film Lady Killer Directed by Caleb Wieland This Lady Killer is sure to have you clutching your pearls… A woman home alone is approached by…
American Indie Spotlight, Asian Focus, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Show-Me Cinema

Ladybeetle

Film Ladybeetle Directed by Jessica Che, John Che May, an anxious 18-year-old, struggles to move on from living a life dictated by the behavioral patterns she…
American Indie Spotlight, ARCHIVAL, Cinema For Students Program, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition, The Immigrant Experience, Women In Film Spotlight

Landscapes of Memory

Film Landscapes of Memory Directed by Leah Galant Landscapes Of Memory follows Leah Galant's journey through Germany as she reckons with family trauma and the weight…
American Indie Spotlight, Animation Spotlight, Fine Arts Spotlight, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Living with a Visionary

Film Living with a Visionary Directed by Stephen P. Neary After 50 years of marriage, John must care for his wife while learning to live alongside her vivid…
American Indie Spotlight, Human Ties, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight, Women In Film Spotlight

Love Loaded

Film Love Loaded Directed by Jan Miller Corran When is a threat an idle threat and when is it a serious threat? Dr. Jack Scanlon is…
American Indie Spotlight, Human Ties, New Filmmakers Forum

Love – Love

Film Love – Love Directed by Thomas Leisten Schneider After their grandmother’s death, two estranged brothers : Andy, who suffers from schizophrenia, and Jeff, an actor searching…
American Indie Spotlight, Cinema For Students Program, Human Ties, Women In Film Spotlight

Mackenzie

Film Mackenzie Directed by Mylissa Fitzsimmons An 11-year-old girl runs away from home hoping to meet her celebrity crush. Lost in the desert, she…
American Indie Spotlight, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Mistake

Film Mistake Directed by JT Ibanez On a tragic relationship ending date. A couple is trapped in a battle, troubled by an irreverent argument,…
American Indie Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Show-Me Cinema

Mort

Film Mort Directed by Larry Ziegelman, Terry Ziegelman A risk-averse actuary's all-nighter spirals into absurdity when an unexpected visitor claiming to be Death, forces him to…
American Indie Spotlight, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, The Immigrant Experience, Women In Film Spotlight

Notes on Courtwatch

Film Notes on Courtwatch Directed by Kate Levy In early summer of 2025, when ICE officials began detaining asylum seekers at their hearings, an ad-hoc network…
American Indie Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Octarine

Film Octarine Directed by Dustie Carter An obsessed fan spirals into an AI-fueled psychosis after attempting to conjure a meeting with their favorite pop…
American Indie Spotlight, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition

Once a Soldier, Always a Soldier

Film Once a Soldier, Always a Soldier Directed by Brian Ryu In the shadow of America's secret artillery war against ISIS, soldiers Joshua Bullard and Joshua James battle debilitating…
American Indie Spotlight, Cinema For Students Program, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

One More Cup

Film One More Cup Directed by Max Wagenblass As toddler Leona is about to host her very first tea party with her stuffed animals, it inexplicably…
American Indie Spotlight, Cinema For Students Program, Environmental Focus, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Ornamental Horticulture

Film Ornamental Horticulture Directed by Sam Hyatt After experiencing the wrath of the internet firsthand, an aspiring succulent influencer struggles to make her second post.
American Indie Spotlight, Human Ties, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight

Out of the Woods

Film Out of the Woods Directed by Sal Bardo Max is slowing losing her memory. When she reunites with an old friend, Diana, a long-hidden part of…
American Indie Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Show-Me Cinema, Women In Film Spotlight

Permanent Scar

Film Permanent Scar Directed by Ally Betker An introverted and withdrawn young woman, Kali, meets a precocious little girl at a park. Though she tries…
American Indie Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Reentry

Film Reentry Directed by Keenan OReilly Two friends make a pact to get out and stay out when released from prison.
American Indie Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Remedy in the Rhythm

Film Remedy in the Rhythm Directed by Jon Boogz Haunted and guilt-ridden after his childhood best friend's suicide, Jon spirals into isolation until his friends push him…
American Indie Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

Rise of the Dead

Film Rise of the Dead Directed by Emma Jacqueline A sapphic apocalypse survivor must go on a journey to find a cure for her undead and unrequited…
American Indie Spotlight, Cinema For Students Program, Fine Arts Spotlight, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Race In America: The Black Experience, Women In Film Spotlight

Romare Bearden: A Life in Collage

Film Romare Bearden: A Life in Collage Directed by Deborah Riley Draper RB_SM_WIKI.1716__Pablo Picasso meeting with Rosanjin
American Indie Spotlight, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition, The Immigrant Experience

Sawyer Avenue, Sunday Afternoon

Film Sawyer Avenue, Sunday Afternoon Directed by Bill Morrison When masked US Customs and Border Protection agents abduct a man from a residential street in Chicago without…
American Indie Spotlight, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

See You Tomorrow Tomorrow Tomorrow

Film See You Tomorrow Tomorrow Tomorrow Directed by Desdemona Chiang An aspiring queer stand-up comedian delays her career aspirations to do the greater work of caring for her…
American Indie Spotlight, Human Ties, New Filmmakers Forum

Sender

Film Sender Directed by Russell Goldman After receiving a series of unnervingly personal packages she never ordered, a woman, newly sober and starting over,…
American Indie Spotlight

Stages

Film Stages Directed by Ryan Booth After the tumultuous breakup of his band, Ben Garza embarks on his first-ever solo tour. Life on the...
American Indie Spotlight, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, The Immigrant Experience

Stay Forte

Film Stay Forte Directed by Doron Eran Stay Forte is a haunting story of survival, resilience, and the fragile bonds that hold us together when…
American Indie Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

Stop to Stop

Film Stop to Stop Directed by Asher Grodman, Samantha Massell Carolyn is flooded with political text messages. When a chance encounter reveals the identity of one of her…
American Indie Spotlight, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, New Filmmakers Forum, Women In Film Spotlight

Take Me Home

Film Take Me Home Directed by Liz Sargent Anna, a middle-aged Korean adoptee with a cognitive disability, cares for her aging parents in a fragile balance…
American Indie Spotlight, Animation Spotlight, Cinema For Students Program, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, The Immigrant Experience

The Whistle

Film The Whistle Directed by Greg Franklin A Jewish doctor and his family are living a comfortable life in Cologne, Germany when, in 1938, the…
American Indie Spotlight, Human Ties, New Filmmakers Forum

Wake

Film Wake Directed by Devon M. Schwartz Four estranged siblings deal with difficult relatives and an anxious funeral director at their father's wake, where family…
American Indie Spotlight, Cinema For Students Program, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, The Immigrant Experience, Women In Film Spotlight

Water Cooler

Film Water Cooler Directed by Emma V.F. The Trump administration has turned immigration courts into deportation traps. As ICE agents wait to arrest their targets…
American Indie Spotlight, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight, Race In America: The Black Experience, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition

What Will I Become?

Film What Will I Become? Directed by Lexie Bean, Logan Rozos Winner of the Amnesty International Film Award at the Berlin International Film Festival, What Will I Become? explores…
American Indie Spotlight, Human Ties, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

Yo (Love is a Rebellious Bird)

Film Yo (Love is a Rebellious Bird) Directed by Anna Fitch, Banker White Anna spends a decade obsessively building a detailed 1/3-scale version of her friend’s house after losing her. It’s…