Section

Fine Arts Spotlight

Focusing on the intersection of art and life, these films showcase the transformative power of creativity and examine how art reflects personal and societal struggles.

Asian Focus, Cinema For Students Program, Fine Arts Spotlight, Human Ties, International Spotlight, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight

After the Song

Film After the Song Directed by Ryohei KUMAMOTO Kiita, a 14-year-old boy, grows up surrounded by music under the care of his blind mother, Hanae, who…

Animation Spotlight, Fine Arts Spotlight, Human Ties, International Spotlight, Robert French and French-Language Focus, The Immigrant Experience, Women In Film Spotlight

Ana, en passant

Film Ana, en passant Directed by Fernanda Salgado After the death of her grandmother, Ana, a young black French woman, finds herself adrift in the city…

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…

Cinema For Students Program, Fine Arts Spotlight, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition

Beneath the Surface of the Everyday

Film Beneath the Surface of the Everyday Directed by Alex Morelli An observer of quotidian strangeness, Deb Sokolow creates semi-fictitious drawings and books commenting on architecture, politics, and pop…

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, 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…

Cinema For Students Program, Environmental Focus, Fine Arts Spotlight, Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

Couture To the Max

Film Couture To the Max Directed by DORI Berinstein COUTURE TO THE MAX" shines a light on an extraordinary young designer who inspires us to dream boldly…

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…

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…

Fine Arts Spotlight, International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition, Women In Film Spotlight

Every Line Becomes A Circle

Film Every Line Becomes A Circle Directed by Christopher Leete, Lynnette Luis, Ottilie Maters Every Line Becomes A Circle is a powerful documentary about 94-year-old German artist Inge Besgen. Her life and…

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…

Asian Focus, Fine Arts Spotlight, Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Getar Hero

Film Getar Hero Directed by Teddy Stern In the neon streets of Bombay, a down-on-his-luck cowboy has one night to recover his stolen guitar or…

Animation Spotlight, ARCHIVAL, Cinema For Students Program, Fine Arts Spotlight, Human Ties, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition

Let’s All Go to the Lobby: The Story of Filmack Studios

Film Let’s All Go to the Lobby: The Story of Filmack Studios Directed by Justin Atkinson Robbie Mack, the third-generation owner of Filmack Studios, takes us behind the scenes of the world’s oldest producer…

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…

Asian Focus, Fine Arts Spotlight, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition, The Immigrant Experience

Mark Hama: In Service

Film Mark Hama: In Service Directed by Brendan Leahy At 16, Mark Hama entered the Yashica camera factory to support his father and siblings; years later, he…

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

Asian Focus, Cinema For Students Program, Fine Arts Spotlight, Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Sandiwara

Film Sandiwara Directed by Sean Baker Michelle Yeoh delivers a transformative performance, amid Penang’s vibrant cityscape. In collaboration with Academy Award-winning Director Sean Baker,…

Animation Spotlight, Fine Arts Spotlight, Human Ties, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

Small Hours

Film Small Hours Directed by Oscar Wyndham Lewis Struggling with alcohol addiction and mental illness, an artist reaches out to an old friend.

Fine Arts Spotlight, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, International Spotlight, Robert French and French-Language Focus

The Arab

Film The Arab Directed by Malek Bensmaïl In Algeria during the “years of lead,” against the backdrop of the Black Decade, Kamel, a young journalist,…

ARCHIVAL, Cinema For Students Program, Fine Arts Spotlight, Human Ties, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition

The Last Picture Shows

Film The Last Picture Shows Directed by Rustin Thompson Filmmaker Rustin Thompson journeys into the American West on a search for traces of what was once a…

Cinema For Students Program, Fine Arts Spotlight, International Spotlight, Oscar-Qualifying Shorts Competition

The Tuners

Film The Tuners Directed by Paweł Chorzępa In the shadows of the world's most important piano competition, a group of expert tuners spend a month…

Cinema For Students Program, Fine Arts Spotlight, Human Ties

We Are The Shaggs

Film We Are The Shaggs Directed by Ken William Kwapis WE ARE THE SHAGGS is a music documentary about The Shaggs, an all-girl band that created some of…