Category: Films in Competition

Two dustbins create an unusual bond between two people, when they needed the most and change their lives.
Directed by Chowdhury Asif Jahangir Arko (Bangladesh)

A documentary tackling California’s Housing Crisis.
Directed by Ryan Sadaghiani (USA)

“Courage” is a Neo-Noir Western drama that explores the themes of generational dysfunction, choice, and the ability to change ones behavior. Set in the Southwest, Courage tells the story of Gayle, a man on the run from the law, and his abusive past. On his way back to where his trouble all began, he is held up by a group of local thugs, and robbed of something of great value. He must make a choice to get back what was stolen, or get out before the long arm of the law catches up with him.
Directed by Eric Wann (USA)

Renata, latina and mathematical genius, always wanted to be a Civil Engineer. But unfortunately, her parents couldn’t afford college and she is forced to work with her mother as a cleaner in a Civil Engineering company. Despite her situation, Renata does not give up and when she discovers that the company was having problems with a project, she decides to step in and show her boss, Bryan, that she can be more than just a cleaner.
Directed by Alejandra Hou (USA)

A black teenager grapples with his identity and ultimately finds that society will not afford him the same privilege as his white father.

Will, a black teenager, & Scott, his white single father, have recently moved to a bustling metropolitan area from a small town in the mid-west. Will’s life is forever altered after he is profiled and brutalized by the local police department. We explore the dynamic between him and Scott, leading up to the incident. Will & Scott have different experiences upon relocating; their relationship begins to deteriorate as they struggle to relate to one another.
Directed by Kaelan Laurence (USA)

Centuries after the destruction of Earth, Kent and his cyborg companion, C-LA, embark on a flavor-driven adventure across the dangerous intergalactic trade route known as the “Spice Road.”
Directed by Jalil Sadool and Adam Meyer (USA)

“Agent Kick Ass” is the worlds greatest secret agent.
A product of genetic and mechanical engineering, he has no idea who he is, and “probably” not even what he is doing. Nonetheless, he is the best of the best. Although he thought he was in a line to sign up to wrestle a gorilla, “Agent Kick Ass” (real name unknown) was actually in a line to train as a secret agent.
Either way, he’s going to kick somebody ass.
Directed by Mitch Urban (USA)

Lucy, overwhelmed by her modern lifestyle and unable to stand up for herself, has a stress induced episode that activates the vestigial data in her DNA and causes her to grow a tail. The wisdom ingrained in her evolutionary past helps her solve her present day issues.
Directed by Libby Doyne (USA)

“Spizella” is a word with Latin and Greek origin and it means ‘sparrow’. Spizella is the story of a father and his daughter with troubled family relationships, which have become even more troubled after the death of the mother. The father keeps forcing his daughter to keep the mourning attitude alive and ongoing within the house and he tries to keep his communication with her very limited. This gloomy house is no different than a cage for this timid girl. The strong revival of her childhood memories and dreams by means of a souvenir suitcase left from her mother can bring the girl a glimpse of happiness.
Directed by Mehmet Tığlı (Germany)

Two groups of three young men and women are called together for the reading of the last will and testament of their father, only to discover that their father had two completely separate families.
Directed by Michael Zelniker (USA)