An immigrant couple caring for their grandchildren receive an unexpected visitor after hours, threatening to upend their lives. “In Freedom,” directed by Jorge Sistos Moreno, is a tense drama that pinpoints an ever-present paranoia regarding fears of deportation and harassment. Maria is rattled t...

At a night festival in India, two former school friends reunite after years of being apart. Tanmay and Tanvi Chowdhary direct “Madhu” (Honey), a heartfelt look at a reunion and the feelings that simmer deep into the evening. In the city of Kolkta during the Hindu festival 'Durga Pujo,' Satakshi a...

Living alone in upstate New York, a mother receives a surprise visit from her daughter. Lily Weisberg’s “Working Summer” is a quiet portrait of the life of an empty nester as her daughter bears witness to a new phase. Deborah spends her days weaving baskets and working in her garden, kept company...

A man in New York becomes obsessed with a girl he keeps seeing. “Nadja,” directed by Abe Dassa Kaye, is a moment-to-moment look at a young man’s brief episode of infatuation. Chatting over some drinks during the day, the young man tells his two friends about a recent romantic interest: there’s a ...

An aimless young woman befriends an up-and-coming actress but their relationship grows tumultuous. Kyra McConnell and Jessica Apatow co-direct, and both star in, “Unturned,” a unique look at online-to-irl friendships capturing the intricacies of social-climbing and obsession. Margret relaxes in h...

Trapped in a pyramid scheme of beauty products, a Korean entrepreneur finds her relentless pursuit of the American Dream in jeopardy. Stevie Szerlip’s “Young Forever” offers a flashy, compelling look at this sales woman’s endeavors and the drama that follows. As a sales rep, Young Lee makes her r...

A teenage actress begins to reconsider her endeavors. Lola Selby directs “She’s Got Substance,” a look at a comically dysfunctional family and a fifteen-year-old’s flailing pursuit of a career in performance. Ella Blue banters and bickers with her parents at the dinner table ahead of her audition...

At the apex of California’s fire season, 16-year-old Mae is watched by a ghost whose gaze blurs lust and violation. Chloe Xtina directs “Ghost of You,” an elliptical slice-of-life portrait composed of a series of poetic fragments. Living in a secluded cabin in the woods with her sisters, Mae pine...

After viewing a botched depiction of himself, a nude drawing model sprouts an ear from the back of his head. Nathan Ginter’s “The Third Ear” is an understated thriller with a surreal take on self image. Working as a janitor, a middle-aged man mops the floor of an art gallery space. At the end of ...

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...

On the evening of her birthday, a young woman hopes to unwind in solitude but is disrupted by her best friend’s good intentions. Caroline Falls writes and directs “SURPRISE!,” a dramatic comedy contending with complex friendships and projected expectations. Kayla, the birthday girl, returns home ...

After a decade away, a stripper returns to her conservative hometown to interrogate her past. “A Forgotten Place,” directed by Alice Leigh Barrós, is a sci-fi drama considering one’s relationship to home and the traumas that linger. Upon news of her mother’s illness, Kat returns to the rural outs...

An actress contends with the struggle of a run-of-the-mill callback experience. Elizabeth Cappuccino directs “one take,” a flowing drama that’s reflective of the struggling actor’s day-to-day life and the sterility and awkwardness that comes from the audition process. Never breaking from a single...

Growing disconnected from the world around her, a young artist slips from reality. Ahmad Bakrin directs “moulded,” a subdued thriller with a unique consideration of dissociation as a result of modern social realities and fabricated persona. In a post-breakup reality, a young woman struggles to re...

In the suburbs of Miami, a Cuban family’s lives are upended when a father is dealt news of a terminal illness on the first day of his retirement. Adrian Cardenas Rubio directs “In an Orderly Fashion,” a layered hybrid film that combines real-life home videos with fictional elements. As the narrat...

A walk through a 16-yr-old’s uncomfortable shoes: gym class, an awkward encounter with a crush, and a meeting with her mom’s new boyfriend. Vanessa Meyer directs “Foot Trouble,” a coming-of-age set in 1999 that captures some darkly funny corners of a teenage girl’s day-to-day life. Sitting in her...

An elderly woman turns to unconventional methods to create closeness with her caregiver. Spencer Gibson’s “Movie Star” is an intimate drama recognizing intergenerational companionship. Ruth and her younger caregiver, Jo, spend most of their day in the household. Despite their physical closeness, ...

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...

A chronically online, socially inept teenager takes a leap of faith to meet up with her virtual bestie for the first time. “Thru the Wire,” directed by Bocau, is a modern coming-of-age film set in Vietnam with an honest account of where online and IRL conflict. “Fried_fish_ball” (we never get her...

An actress’s discreet plans for her Thursday take an unexpected turn. “Thursday,” directed by Bren Cukier, is a drama set in Poland where a young woman proceeds with an at-home abortion. Maria tries to take her mind off the heavy decision, rehearsing lines in the bathtub for an upcoming audition...

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...

After a New York City biker gets injured, he turns to desperate measures to afford paying the hospital bill. “Health Not Wealth,” directed by Bucky Illingworth, explores the depressing aftermath of a medical emergency — after a visit to the hospital, Emmet receives a $15,000 bill in the mail. Wit...

An anxious woman navigates an archipelago of isolation. Matthew Ericson directs “Pink Elephant,” a disconcerting slow-burn drama that toils in the domestic household with issues of mental illness and caretaking. Within the walls of a quaint suburban home lives Mandy, her husband Bruce, and Bruce’...

When her granddaughter visits her in Rome, an elderly woman seeks closeness before the end of the visit. “Burraco,” directed by Isabella Tagliati, is a candid slice-of-life set in Italy where we observe a tender relationship between two women of different generations. Wanda excitedly anticipates ...