A renowned novelist is stuck in a rut when he runs into an old flame at a bookstore. “The Flavor of Cassava Leaf Over Rice,” directed by Tracey Todd, is an animated drama about a rainy weekend in L.A. where a trio of characters reflect on their lives as they begin to move into middle age. Married...

While a new virus simmers into a pandemic, a couple embarks on a week-long vacation in New York City. Directing duo Artemis Shaw and Prashanth Kamalakanthan direct and star in “New Strains,” a Hi-8 feature film observing an eccentric couple’s efforts to grapple and embrace early pandemic psychosi...

Three young men escape city life for the serenity of the woods but something is amiss. Brendan Lee Hickey directs “Sweet Sorghum,” an ornate horror-comedy built as an unpredictable series of vignettes. Dressed from head to toe in tweed and corduroy, the three gentlemen sprint through the woods wh...

A retired magician turned aquatic fish salesman is visited by an obsessed fan. Ben Gordon’s “Stigmata” is a bizarre, fever-dream drama witnessing a man’s persistent effort to learn a forbidden spell. Brad Christian closes up his fish and supplies store for the night, but there’s a knock at the do...

On their anniversary, a spontaneous sex-tape forces a 30-something couple to confront dormant issues in their relationship. Alex Bliss directs “A Real, Sexual Relationship,” a provocative exploration of the unsatisfied sex life and communication issues between Edy and Eric. After blindfolding her...

While battling breast cancer, a filmmaker reexamines her relationship with art and self. Kailee McGee directs and stars in “Can,” a liberating self-portrait with insights extending far beyond just the filmmaker’s condition. Kailee, aka McGee, has breast cancer. She also has an unclear idea of how...

A lonely chatterbox, fed up with the anti-social nature of the world, seeks to find himself a friend at all costs. Set in sunny Los Angeles, “People Person,” directed by Taylor Thompson, is an upbeat character study looking at social connections and interpersonal expectations. Immensely desperate...

On an afternoon at a skatepark, a 17-year-old girl makes an effort to fit in with her edgier friends while also tending to her shaky relationship with her younger sister. Emma Hall-Martin directs “Daughter of Wands,” a coming-of-age story set in the suburbs about teen pressures and the complexiti...

When a conspiracy theorist’s internet goes out, he calls the cable company to fix the problem. Ft Langley directs “Steakhouse,” a bizarre sci-fi-inspired comedy where one man’s delusions lead to some questionable reactions toward his sudden visitor. Our main character wakes up at his desk; it see...

Two buddies flip through TV shows in the future. Written and performed by the Chicago comedy group, c.r.u.d., “CRUD COUNTRY” is an experimental comedy brimming with bizzaro non-sequiturs and elaborate DIY sets and props. As they kick it in the hangout room, Judd Crudd and Buddy Crudd telecommute ...

A young woman gets her back pierced and contemplates an upcoming decision. Irmak Akgür directs “Ribbon,” a slice-of-life portrait that captures a youthful relationship on a quiet but significant day. After her tattooed boyfriend gives her back piercings, he threads a pink ribbon, corset-style, th...

A bodybuilding fever dream fueled by childhood trauma, food porn and acid techno music. Raymond Knudsen directs “Prep,” a highly-stimulating portrait of a man who goes to extremes with his mind and body. Surrounded by rubber floor mats and stainless steel, we meet an unnamed bodybuilder with head...

A young musician living in Hollywood experiences a bizarre mystery that leads him on a journey to the Los Angeles River. Conor Scheinberg writes and directs “Boris,” a grim slow burn drama set in a bleak rendition of L.A. We meet Boris in the front seat of his car. He does pick-ups and drop-offs ...

On a hot day in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne, a young woman paints her Nanna’s pergola before the house is auctioned. Pat Mooney’s “Lime Parfait” is a steady slice-of-life possessing a sentimental outlook on early adulthood and familial responsibilities. Atop a step ladder under a bright summ...

After a series of bizarre dreams, a man turns to a computer program to decipher them. Derek Janzen and Nathan Hare work together to direct “Dream Interpreter,” a subdued sci-fi comedy where an oddly mundane cubicle world meets the anguished dreams of a young man. In khakis and a baby blue button ...