Unemployment Hotline
A deeply personal look into people’s experience with unemployment and isolation during this global pandemic. With busy phone lines and rising unemployment numbers, millions of Americans were unheard in this crisis. In an effort to change that, this film set up an unemployment hotline where people could call in and leave their story.
Directed by Nikos Campbell (USA)
California premiere
Saigon Sentinal
Nguyen Van Chuc lives under the bridges on the Saigon River. Driven by a small outboard motor, he goes out onto the river every day. His mission: He fishes the bodies of suicides out of the water so that they can be given a proper burial.
Directed by Chris Noltekuhlmann (Germany)
USA premiere
Elevation Zero
Calisthenics is an art, and no artist enjoys being kept from their craft. Ice Water was performing at an all time high when he tore a muscle in his left shoulder. From surgery to recovery, it’s been an uphill battle. “Elevation Zero” tears even deeper into the muscle and brings pain to the surface in the form of abstract visuals along with a thought provoking monologue delivered by Ice Water.
Directed by Raed Barance and Anthony Bravo (USA)
Los Angeles premiere
With a Woman Like You
Juan has lived hiding his homosexual relationship. Neither has he been able to accept his partner’s gender transition. Now he is alone and quite lost. His best friend will help him to get ahead, but he must be the one to accept his reality and the fact that he still needs to free himself from many prejudices.
Directed by Rakel Conk (Peru)
Los Angeles premiere
The Feeding
A pandemic exposes a woman’s dark secret.
Directed by Isaac Ruth (USA)
Los Angeles premiere
Out of competition
I Have Dreamed Carthage
Maïa, a young opera singer, is on stage for her first performance. As she starts singing the main aria from “Dido and Aeneas”, she finds herself struck with an epiphany moment.
Directed by Cyril Nehmé (France)
USA premiere
Out of competition