Out of competition
A Dead Sea
Kamel, a Palestinian man who suffers from autism, travels with his paralyzed sister to the Dead Sea to receive medical treatment. At the beach, he finds himself in an unpleasant situation. A little girl stole his rubber ball and Kamel tried to return it. The crowd gathers and he has a hard time explaining himself, especially since he does not understand Hebrew and the Jew does not understand Arabic.
Directed by Nahd Bashir (Israel)
California premiere
Toad
Knowing her estranged father will soon pass away, Mia takes her father on a trip to find a final resting place and fulfill her last duty as a daughter.
Directed by Hongshi Zhong (USA)
Dumpling
During the Republic of China, Wang Qiang, a Kuomintang spy officer, finds that Li Zhi, his immediate superior spy, molested his wife, Luo Rong, and is ready to kill him. After making up his mind, Wang Qiang goes to Li Zhi’s office alone with a gun, and happens to meet Li Zhi eating dumplings, so they immediately launched a verbal and psychological game…
Directed by Qinkai Yang (China)
Dark Tales
A dark and twistedly comedic tale of two lovers who embark on a series of violent events that all take place over the course of one night.
Directed by Michael Yosef (USA)
Breaking & Entering
A young woman’s conflicted life battling multiple addictions and questionable choices culminates with an autopsy-like introspective journey when she finds herself locked in a morgue with the body of a long-lost love.
Directed by Michael William Hogan (USA)
Three Stops
A young woman opens up to a taxi driver about the tragic story of her sister while planning revenge on her death.
Directed by Tati Golykh and Anton Ernst (USA)