Santa Barbara, CA –The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF), presented by UGG® Australia, announces its highly-anticipated line-up for 2015. The 30th edition offers a vast array of films representing 54 countries, 23 world premieres and 53 US premieres, tributes with the year’s top talent, panel discussions, and free community education and outreach.
SBIFF is proud to welcome filmmakers and honorees to join in the celebration of independent film. The Festival begins Tuesday, January 27 and continues through Saturday, February 7, 2015.
SBIFF 2015 will kick off on Tuesday January 27, at the historic Arlington Theatre with the US Premiere of Desert Dancer, directed by Richard Raymond. Set in Iran, Desert Dancer is a powerful and unbelievable true story that follows the brave ambition of Afshin Ghaffarian. During the volatile climate of the 2009 presidential election, where many cultural freedoms were threatened, Afshin and his friends (including Elaheh played by Freida Pinto) risk their lives and form an underground dance company. Through banned online videos, they learn from timeless legends who cross all cultural divides, such as- Michael Jackson, Gene Kelly and Rudolf Nureyev. Afshin and Elaheh also learn much from each other, most importantly how to embrace their passion for dance and for one another
On Closing Night, SBIFF proudly presents Disney’s McFarland, USA, Directed by Niki Caro and starring Kevin Costner and Maria Bello. Based on the 1987 true story, “McFarland, USA” follows novice runners from McFarland, an economically challenged town in California’s farm-rich Central Valley, as they give their all to build a cross-country team under the direction of Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner), a newcomer to their predominantly Latino high school. Coach White and the McFarland students have a lot to learn about each other but when White starts to realize the boys’ exceptional running ability, things begin to change. Soon something beyond their physical gifts becomes apparent—the power of family relationships, their unwavering commitment to one another and their incredible work ethic. With grit and determination, the unlikely band of runners eventually overcomes the odds to forge not only a championship cross-country team but an enduring legacy as well. Along the way, Coach White realizes that his family finally found a place to call home and both he and his team achieve their own kind of American dream.
SBIFF is honored to welcome back UGG® Australia, returning for their 3rd year as the Presenting Sponsor of the Festival. “We are very proud to be the Presenting Sponsor of the 30th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival,” said UGG® Australia Vice President of Marketing Nancy Mamann, who is also a member of the festival’s Board of Directors. “It’s a privilege for our company to participate in this celebration of talent and creativity.”
SBIFF, in conjunction with Variety, is proud to present the first annual Variety Artisans Awards, which will take place on Tuesday, February 3, at the Arlington Theatre, moderated by Variety’s Sr. VP Awards Editor, Tim Gray. The Tribute evening will celebrate those essential to the filmmaking process and who have exhibited the most exciting and innovative work of the year in the fields of Cinematography, Costume Design, Editing, Hair & Makeup, Production Design, Score, Song, Sound Editing & Mixing and Visual Effects. The audience will be treated to a unique and lively discussion with the honorees about their individual crafts and the ways in which their fields all support and rely on each other.
THE TRIBUTES
SBIFF has become an important showcase for Academy-Award® frontrunners, many of whom have arrived as nominees and gone on to win the Oscar. The 30th Santa Barbara International Film Festival proudly celebrates some of the year’s finest work in film. The complete list of 2015 Honorees (in date order) is as follows:
The Cousteau Family – Jean-Michel, Fabien and Celine – will receive the The Attenborough Award for Excellence in Nature Filmmaking, moderated by Tim Matheson, on Wednesday, January 28 at the Arlington Theatre.
Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones will receive the Cinema Vanguard Award, on Thursday, January 29 at the Arlington Theatre. Sponsored By Tanqueray.
Jennifer Aniston will receive the Montecito Award, on Friday, January 30 at the Arlington Theatre.
Michael Keaton will receive the esteemed Modern Master Award, moderated by longtime friend and film historian Leonard Maltin on Saturday, January 31 at the Arlington Theatre. Presented by UGG® Australia.
The 2015 Virtuosos Award, will be presented to Chadwick Boseman (Get on Up), Ellar Coltrane (Boyhood), Logan Lerman (Fury), David Oyelowo (Selma), Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl ), J.K Simmons (Whiplash) and Jenny Slate (Obvious Child),in recognition of the year’s emerging film artists. The evening will be moderated by Dave Karger, Chief Correspondent and host of “The Frontrunners” on Fandango on Sunday, February 1 at the Arlington Theatre. Sponsored by Travel + Leisure and Delano Las Vegas.
The Variety Artisans Award, will be presented to Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross, Gone Girl (Score), Dion Beeb, Into the Woods (Cinematography), Sandra Adair, Boyhood (Editing), Bill Corso & Kathrine Gordon, Foxcatcher (Hair & Makeup), Suzie Davies, Mr. Turner (Production Design), Sean Patterson/ Tegan & Sara, “Everything is Awesome” from The Lego Movie (Song), Richard King & Mark Weingarten, Interstellar (Sound Mixing & Editing), Joe Letteri, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes & The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies (VFX) and Costume Designer, TBA, moderated by Variety’s Senior VP Awards Editor, Tim Gray on Tuesday, February 3 at the Arlington Theatre. Sponsored by Variety.
Outstanding Directors of the Year Tribute on Wednesday, February 4, moderated by The Hollywood Reporter’s Scott Feinberg at the Arlington Theatre, sponsored by The Hollywood Reporter.
Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette will receive the American Riviera Award on Thursday, February 5, moderated by SBIFF Executive Director Roger Durling at the Arlington Theatre. Sponsored by Sunstone Vineyards & Winery.
Steve Carell will receive the Outstanding Performer of the Year Award, moderated by Pete Hammond, on Friday, February 6 at the Arlington Theatre.
THE PANELS
The SBIFF has become renowned for creating smart, insightful panels that feature a who’s who in the world of filmmaking, including many Oscar® contenders.
The panel series begins at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 31, with “It Starts With the Script” (Screenwriters Panel), bringing together top writers to discuss their craft. The panel will be moderated by indieWIRE’s Anne Thompson and sponsored by Pacifica Graduate Institute.
At 2:00 pm, we continue with “Movers and Shakers,” (Producers Panel), bringing together the industry’s most prolific producers to talk about current projects, hopes for the future of filmmaking, and insights into the creative process. Moderated by Los Angeles Times film writer Glenn Whipp and sponsored by Fielding Graduate University.
Panels continue during the Fest’s second weekend on Saturday, February 7 at 11:00 a.m, with Creative Forces: Women in the Business (Women’s Panel), moderated by Madelyn Hammond, President, Madelyn Hammond & Assoc., and Former Chief Marketing Officer for Variety and sponsored by Brooks Institute.
All panels take place at the Lobero Theatre.
HIGHLIGHTS & LOCAL OFFERINGS
SBIFF received a $15,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to support its educational programs, including a new film studies program that will bring 10 students from across the country.
Commented SBIFF Executive Director Roger Durling, “We are honored that our organization was among those selected to receive this grant, which does so much to support the arts throughout the country. The support of NEA will allow SBIFF to continue to expand its educational reach, and impact the next generation of filmmakers.”
Student Film Studies Program – New this year, the student film studies program will bring 10 undergraduate film students from across the country for a three day symposium with a focus on film appreciation, criticism, and analysis. Students will have the opportunity to learn from notable industry professionals and get a behind-the-scenes look at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival through a unique mix of guided and self-guided opportunities, allowing students to customize the experience and benefit from all the Festival has to offer. Students will have access to screenings, panels, Q&A sessions, celebrity tribute events, and private sessions with filmmakers and media professionals in a classroom setting.
Free Public Screenings – This year, SBIFF will offer free public screenings at the Lobero Theatre throughout the Festival. Check SBIFF.org for more information on screening times and dates.
Seminars – SBIFF will again present educational seminars that will be free to the public and will take place in the UGG® Pavilion on Thursday January 29, Friday January 30, Sunday February 1, Monday February 2, Tuesday February 3, and Wednesday, February 4 at 11:00am. Check SBIFF.org for more information on screening times and dates.
SBIFF Acquisitions Program – SBIFF presents the 4th Annual Acquisitions Program on the first weekend of the festival, January 30-February 1, 2015. Since it began four years ago, this weekend long event has grown significantly with a number of films from last year’s program going on to receive distribution. The program was created to allow the acquisitions community easy, industry-friendly access to films at SBIFF.
Super Silent Sunday – On Sunday February 1st, SBIFF will present a classic silent film, Douglas Fairbank’s The Iron Mask, at the Arlington Theatre completely Free of Charge. Live accompaniment will be provided by Adam Aceto on the theatre’s Wonder Morton pipe organ, which is one of only five in existence, and is a unique opportunity to connect with the rich history of cinema.
Mike’s Field Trip to the Movies – More than a decade ago, SBIFF first introduced “Field Trip to the Movies,” the brainchild of renowned nature cinematographer Mike deGruy, whose passion for exploring and sharing those adventures with audiences through filmmaking was the inspiration for this fascinating and thought-provoking program. Now renamed “Mike’s Field Trip to the Movies,” the goal of the program, which is offered to 4,500 5th and 6th grade students from throughout Santa Barbara County, is to use filmmaking to stimulate creative, confident and culturally aware thinkers and empower students and teachers with a novel approach to education. Academy Award® winning filmmakers have participated each year – including James Cameron, Lee Unkrich, Gore Verbinski, Peter Ramsey, Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee among others. SBIFF provides FREE transportation to students from Title I schools. This year, SBIFF is once again including an educational outreach program that will reach students in participating schools. Here, SBIFF staff and special guests will conduct an interactive film-related seminar within their own classroom. For the 30th Festival, SBIFF is thrilled to present the critically-acclaimed hit animated comedy adventure, The Lego Movie, featuring writers and directors Christopher Miller and Phil Lord, who will participate in a Q&A following the screenings with the students and talk about the craft of animated filmmaking. This annual free event, which takes place Wednesday, February 4 at the Arlington Theatre, is co-sponsored by The Bentson Foundation, Macy’s, Wells Fargo Bank, National Endowment for the Arts, Montecito Bank & Trust, The Towbes Fund for the Performing Arts and Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Foundation.
The Tribute Awards were once again specially designed by Santa Barbara’s own Daniel Gibbings Jewelry. The Award is inspired by the iconic steeple of Santa Barbara’s historic Arlington Theatre and is handcrafted in metal and is 24 karat gold-plated, with a custom marble base. “We wanted to create an award that is not only quintessential to Santa Barbara’s beautiful culture and performing arts, but also embodied the passion and creativity we use in crafting our unique jewelry designs,” states CEO and Creative Director Daniel Gibbings and Setenay Ozdemir-Osman. “Just as the Arlington Theatre takes our imagination to new places, so do the visionary filmmakers and actors that are honored each year by the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. We are truly honored to design and create all of the awards for SBIFF.”
AppleBox Family Films – SBIFF presents AppleBox, FREE family films on Saturday, January 31 and Sunday, February 1 and Saturday, February 7. This year, SBIFF will screen Animated Feature frontrunners Big Hero 6 (9:00 am, Jan. 31), The Boxtrolls (9:00am, Feb. 1), The Lego Movie (9:00am, Feb. 7), and How to Train Your Dragon 2 (11:30am Feb. 7) Presented by Cox, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts, KPMR Univision, Citrix, Metropolitan Theatres, and MOXI
Santa Barbara Filmmakers – The Santa Barbara filmmaking community continues to captivate and inspire audiences with this year’s impressive line-up. Santa Barbara filmmakers provide a diverse, thought-provoking series of features and shorts. Their programs underscore the emerging talent of up-and-coming filmmakers as well as seasoned veterans, and will be part of the juried competition this year for the very first time. The Santa Barbara Filmmakers program is sponsored by Cox.
10-10-10 Student Screenwriting and Filmmaking Competition Presented by Relativity Education. The Screenwriting Competition, sponsored by Final Draft, Inc. and The Riordan Foundation, is comprised of 10 students who were selected out of 48 submissions from Santa Barbara area high school and college students. The finalists were then assigned a genre and an industry professional to mentor them during the writing of their screenplay.
The 10 student screenplays are matched with a category-appropriate Filmmaking finalist from the Filmmaking Competition, sponsored by Heritage Oaks Bank and The Riordan Foundation, which consists of 10 students selected from 36 submissions. They will then produce a 10-minute film during the 10 days of the 30th Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
On Monday, January 26 the 10-10-10 Press Conference will introduce the screenwriting and filmmaking finalists. On Saturday, February 7 at the Arlington Theatre, all ten completed films will be screened and the winners will be announced.
Youth CineMedia – SBIFF presents a documentary film series produced entirely by teens involved in the Youth CineMedia program. Striving to help children transition away from gang life, drugs and alcohol and into college and careers in music, photography and video production, the organization offers creative tools, training and support for underprivileged and at-risk teens. Free to the public with Q&A following.
3RD Weekend – SBIFF will once again present “3RD Weekend,” which will feature the highlights of the 30th Festival for Santa Barbara residents. The films will be screened throughout the weekend of February 13-15 at the Riviera Theatre. Screenings are free and seating is available on a first come, first served basis. Screening times will be posted sbiff.org in the days following Closing Night. 3rd Weekend is sponsored by Patagonia.
FILM CATEGORIES AND SIDEBARS
SBIFF features exciting, culturally enlightening, and entertaining programming and sidebars. 197 films from around the world will be brought together to form an incredibly unique and diverse festival experience.
Films in the 30th edition of the festival will consist of the following categories:
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
INDEPENDENT COMPETITION
DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION
SPANISH/LATIN AMERICA CINEMA COMPETITION
EASTERN BLOC COMPETITION
SOCIAL JUSTICE DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION: Sponsored by The Fund For Santa Barbara
SANTA BARBARA FEATURES COMPETITION: Juried this year for the first time, A spotlight on Santa Barbara filmmakers and documentaries that highlight community issues. Sponsored by Cox.
LIVE ACTION SHORT FILMS COMPETITION
ANIMATED SHORT FILMS COMPETITION
DOCUMENTARY SHORTS COMPETITION
APPLEBOX: A slate of family films offered free to the community, presented by Cox, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts, Univision, Citrix, Metropolitan Theatres, and MOXI.
KOLNOA: A selection of features films and documentaries that examine Israel from a variety of diverse historical, cultural and political perspectives.
PAN ASIA: Cutting edge cinema from Asia, including China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan
SCREEN CUISINE: Celebrates the culinary delights of cinema and highlights sustainable practices of today’s farmers, chefs and entrepreneurs
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: A selection of internationally award winning films as well as special screenings out of competition.
THE WORLD LAUGHS: A diverse selection of comedies from around the world.
TO THE MAXXX: Showcasing some of the world’s most exhilarating documentaries that capture the beauty and thrills of extreme sports, sponsored by Alaska Airlines.
REEL NATURE: Highlighting films that showcase the natural environment, including some of the world’s most cutting-edge wildlife documentaries.
NORDIC: Exceptional cinema from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden
CINEMATIC OVERTURES: The world of performing arts encompasses this selection of feature films and documentaries that explore music, theater and dance.
SANTA BARBARA SHORTS
SANTA BARBARA DOCUMENTARY SHORTS
Below is the list of World and US Premiere films, followed by the list of titles by sidebar category. For the complete list of films, along with their descriptions and a preliminary screening schedule, visit www.sbiff.org. Please note that this is subject to change.
WORLD PREMIERES
A Better You, USA
Directed by Matt Walsh
Cast: Brian Huskey, Morgan Walsh, Horatio Sanz, Andrew Daly, Rob Huebel, and Matt Walsh
A self-published hypnotherapist with a bad toupee is on the verge of losing his family and career when he realizes he must fix his own life before helping others.
Banana, Italy
Directed by Andrea Jublin
Featuring: Ascanio Balbo, Anna Bonaiuto, and Giorgio Colangeli
An Italian comedy about a naïve, but charming young boy who goes to great lengths to win a girl’s love.
Breach, USA
Directed by Jonny Zwick
This chilling documentary explores the illegal and unethical practices by Iceland’s whaling industry, including the hunting of the endangered finback whale.
Caffeinated, USA
Directed by Hanh Nguyen and Vishal Solanki
Featuring: Doug Welsh, Geoff Watts, Peter Giuliano, and Sunalini Menon
While exploring the people and the passion that drive the coffee industry, this energizing documentary tells the story of coffee from the moment the coffee cherry is picked to the moment the alluring aroma permeates the air.
Day Release (Tercer Grado), Spain
Directed by Geoffrey Cowper
Cast: Jesús Lloveras, Sara Casasnovas, Frank Feys, Miko Jarry, Javier Beltran, and Ferran Lahoz
Setting out to make peace with his estranged brother, a man on his first day of parole witnesses the armed robbery of a security van.
Energizing Our World, Costa Rica/Netherlands/Spain/USA
Directed by Susan Sember
This dynamic documentary engages audiences on a global platform highlighting environmental, architectural, water, energy and agricultural issues and exploring solutions.
Eila, Rampe and Baby Girl (Eila, Rampe Ja Likka), Finland
Directed by Taru Mäkelä
Cast: Heidi Herala, Pirkka-Pekka Petelius, Emmi Parviainen, and Riku Niemine
In this zany comedy, a poet becomes overwhelmed by the antics of her eccentric parents and tiresome boyfriend as she becomes attracted to the translator of her poems.
Fair Chase, USA
Directed by Alex Cullen and Emma Tammi
Top distance runners from around the world team up to test the evolutionary theory that running was the first human weapon, key to our species survival.
Far From Home, USA/Argentina/Canada/Italy/Uganda
Directed by Galen Knowles
Featuring: Brolin Mawejje, Rob Kingwill, and Travis Rice
Brolin Mawejje, a native Ugandan who moved to the United States at age 11, wants to make history in the 2018 Winter Olympics as the first snowboarder to represent an African country.
Generosity of Eye, USA
Directed by Brad Hall
Featuring: Geoffrey Canada, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and William Louis-Dreyfus
Julia Louis-Dreyfus discovers how her father connected his love of art and his passion for justice in a single act of generosity.
Heartworn Highways Revisited, USA
Directed by Wayne Price
Directly inspired by HEARTWORN HIGHWAYS (1976), this documentary captures a new community of folk singer-songwriters whose work is heavily influenced by the artists represented in the original film.
It’s a Wild Life, USA
Directed by Kennan Ward
Featuring: Feynner Arias
This picturesque snapshot of the Northern California coast captures the beauty of Big Sur through its magnificent wildlife and the stories of a long-term caretaker of the land.
Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Secret Ocean 3D, USA
Directed by Jean-Michel Cousteau
Featuring: Jean-Michel Cousteau and Holly Lohuis
With nearly 70 years of ocean exploration experience, Jean-Michel Cousteau reveals the secret world of the sea in this sensational 3D documentary.
Kansas: Miracles Out of Nowhere, USA
Directed by Charles Randazzo
This celebration of the 40th anniversary of the American rock group Kansas tells their story through commentary from original members, concert footage, and interviews with notable fans.
Like Air, USA
Directed by Jake Viramontez
Featuring: Kathryn McCormick, Alyssa Gaines, Kayla Sameski, and Montserrat Roberts
On their journey to a national championship, three high school competitive dancers discover their personal identities through dance and the life it breathes into their souls.
La Noche Del Ratón (The Night of the Rat), Spain
Directed by David R. Losada
Cast: Miriam Cabeza, Unai García, Mikel Martínez, and Alfonso Torregrosa
In this dark and suspenseful Spanish thriller, a seemingly normal gas station becomes intensely dangerous for a young couple on a twilight drive through the countryside.
Now en Español, USA
Directed by Andrea Meller
Pulling back the curtain on one of Hollywood’s lesser-known communities, this documentary follows the lives and careers of the Latina voice-over actresses who dub Desperate Housewives into Spanish.
The Penguin Counters, USA/Antarctica/Argentina
Directed by Harriet Gordon and Peter Getzels
Featuring: Ron Naveen
This documentary follows field biologists in Antarctica who count penguins to track the impact of climate change on their population and to learn how to conserve the region.
Sins of a Father, USA/France/UK
Directed by Andrew Piddington
Cast: Alan Bates, Lambert Wilson, and David Oakes
This three-generational drama explores the moral ambiguity of war and the complex nature of heroism, betrayal, and father-son relationships after a dark family secret is revealed.
Tiger, Tiger, USA
Directed by George Butler
Tiger Tiger follows Dr. Alan Rabinowitz, renowned big cat conservationist, as he travels deep into the primordial landscape of the Sundarbans – a tidal mangrove forest spanning the India-Bangladesh border. Known as one of the most dangerous places on Earth, the Sundarbans is the domain of what may be the largest, wildest remaining tiger population.
The Truth About Lies, USA
Directed by Phil Allocco
Cast: Fran Kranz, Odette Annable
Thirty-something Gilby is unemployed, living with his mother, and recently dumped. In this sharp comedy, Gilby weaves a ridiculous web of lies to get his life back on track.
Uncanny, USA
Directed by Matthew Leutwyler
Cast: Mark Webber, Lucy Griffiths, David Clayton Rogers, and Rainn Wilson
As a tech reporter and a roboticist begin a relationship, the roboticist’s latest creation, the world’s first “perfect” artificial intelligence, begins to exhibit startling and unnerving behavior.
The Year We Thought About Love, USA
Directed by Ellen Brodsky
This heartening documentary follows the nation’s longest-running LGBTQ youth theater troupe for a year as it creates an original production on the theme of love.
U.S. PREMIERES
10% My Child, Israel
Directed by Uri Bar-on
Cast: Gur Bentwich, Vered Feldman, Yali Friedman, Udi Persi
In this engrossing Israeli drama of blended families, to be with Franny’s mom, new boyfriend Nico has to win 8-year-old Franny’s heart.
12 Citizens, China
Directed by Xu Ang
Cast: He Bing, Han Tongsheng, Wang Gang
In a remake of 12 ANGRY MEN, a prosecutor summons people to sit on a jury in a mock trial for a murder case, only to find the truth is not as obvious as it seems.
Aces (Os Fenómenos), Spain
Directed by Alfonso Zarauza
Cast: Luis Tosar, Lola Dueñas
A woman attempts to reinvent her life after her partner disappears. She moves back in with her mother and finds herself in a man’s world when she joins a construction crew.
Agave is Life, Mexico/USA
Directed by David O. Brown and Meredith L. Dreiss
This colorful film explores the history of the agave plant in the cultures of Mexico and the Southwest through the lens of archaeological, ethnographic, and modern-day vignettes.
All Cats Are Grey (Tous Les Chats Sont Gris), Belgium
Directed by Savina Dellicour
Cast: Manon Capelle, Bouli Lanners, Anne Coesens, and Dune de Braconier
A private detective is approached by his estranged teenage daughter when she seeks his professional help in finding her biological father.
Amor, etc., Argentina
Directed by Gladys Lizarazu
Cast: Maruja Bustamante, Maria Canale, and Edgardo Castro
After moving into their first home, Lisa becomes obsessed with the home’s mysterious previous owner, while her boyfriend is overwhelmed by unruly neighbors.
Attention, A Life in Extremes, Austria
Directed by Sascha Köllnreitner
Cast: Guillaume Néry, Halvor Angvik, and Gerhard Gulewicz
Why would anyone dive under the ocean without oxygen, cycle across America with little sleep, or fly from cliffs wearing a webbed suit? This film shows three extraordinary athletes who do just that.
Bang Bang Baby, Canada
Directed by Jeffrey St. Jules
Cast: Jane Levy, Justin Chatwin, Peter Stormare, and David Reale
A small town teenager in the 1960s believes her dreams of becoming a famous singer will come true when her rock star idol gets stranded in town. But a leak in a nearby chemical plant that is believed to be causing mass mutations threatens to turn her dream into a nightmare.
Barbarians (Vavari), Serbia/Montenegro/Slovenia
Directed by Ivan Ikić
Cast: Željko Marković, Nenad Petrović, Jasna Djuričić, Mirko Vlahović, and Marina Vodeničar
Set in Serbia in 2008, this film follows a troubled teenager who must find a remedy to his temper, his strained family life, and the suffocating pressure of his ongoing parole.
Beatles, Norway
Directed by Peter Flinth
Cast: Louis Williams, Håvard Jackwitz, Ole Nicolai Myrvold Jørgensen, Halvor Tangen Schultz
In the midst of Beatlemania, four Norwegian teens take on the identities of the Fab Four and attempt to live the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle in this charming coming-of-age story.
Bonobo, UK
Directed by Matthew Hammett Knott
Cast: James Norton, Tessa Peake-Jones, Josie Lawrence
A mother tries to retrieve her bohemian daughter from a hippie commune that bases its way of life on the behavior of the bonobo ape, an animal that engages in recreational sex.
Carmen’s Karma (El Karma de Carmen), Argentina
Directed by Rodolfo Durán
Cast: Laura Azcurra, Manuel Callau, and Ana María Castel
Unhappy with her life yet unwilling to change, Carmen is content to spend the rest of her life on her own, until an unexpected surprise forces her to put that mindset into perspective.
Cerro Torre: A Snowball’s Chance in Hell, Argentina/Austria/UK/USA
Directed by Thomas Dirnhofer
Featuring: David Lama, Peter Ortner, Jim Bridwell, Toni Ponholzer, and Markus Pucher
Set against the backdrop of breathtaking Patagonia, David Lama, climbing’s wunderkind, sets out to climb the infamous south-east face of Cerro Torre, a mountain once said to be the most difficult in the world.
The Chambermaid (Das Zimmermädchen Lynn), Germany
Directed by Ingo Haeb
Cast: Vicky Krieps, Lena Lauzemis, Steffen Münster, Christian Aumer, Christine Schorn
In this original take on fetishism and intimacy, a shy hotel maid breaks out of her shell after a chance encounter with a dominatrix.
Children of the Arctic, Switzerland
Directed by Nick Brandestini
At the Arctic edge of America, five Native Alaskan teenagers strive to be both modern American kids and the inheritors of an endangered whaling culture.
Confession, South Korea
Directed by Do-yun Lee
Cast: Sung Ji, Ji-hoon Ju, and Kwang-soo Lee
A staged robbery that results in an accidental death tests the loyalty and morality of three lifelong friends in this South Korean action thriller.
Cruel, France
Directed by Eric Cherrière
Cast: Jean-Jacques Lelté, Magali Moreau, and Maurice Poli
Haunted by memories of his mother and plagued by his mundane life, Pierre is only satisfied once he murders someone. This beautiful film explores the psyche of a serial killer.
Cure – The Life of Another, Switzerland/Croatia/Bosnia and Herzegovina
Directed by Andrea Staka
Cast: Sylvie Marinkovic, Lucia Radulovic, Mirjana Karanovic, Marija Skaricic, Leon Lucev, and Franjo Dijak
A teenager adopts the identity of her best friend after an obsessive, sexually charged game leads to a fatal fall.
Desert Dancer, UK
Directed by Richard Raymond
Afshin Ghaffarian risks everything to start a dance company amidst his home country of Iran’s politically volatile climate and the nation’s ban on dancing.
Energized (Macht Energie), Austria
Directed by Hubert Canaval
This eye-opening documentary explores the impacts our ever-increasing energy consumption, the shocking inner workings of the energy industry, and the possibility of achieving true “clean energy.”
Five Days to Dance, Spain
Directed by Pepe Andreu, Rafa Molés
Two completely different choreographers, one Dutch and one Spanish, must transform a group of high school students into polished dancers ready for the stage in just five days.
Happy Times (Tiempos Felices), Mexico
Directed by Luis Javier M. Henaine
Cast: Luis Arrieta, Cassandra Ciangherotti, Humberto Busto, Iván Arana, Miguel Rodarte, and Bárbara de Regil
In this quirky romantic comedy, Max, unable to break up with his girlfriend, hires an agency that specializes in ending relationships.
Harvest (Vendange), France
Directed by Paul Lacoste
A documentary of the wine production process in one of the oldest wine-making regions of France and the tremendous impact it has on both the harvesters and the community.
Heartbeat, Canada
Directed by Andrea Dorfman
Cast: Tanya Davis, Stephanie Clattenburg, Stewart Legere, Kristin Langille, Glen Matthews, and Jackie Torrens
After her boyfriend leaves town, Justine picks up her neglected guitar and begins a journey that gets her heart beating for the first time in years.
Hip Hop-eration, New Zealand
Directed by Bryn Evans
This film follows a troupe of courageous, yet cheeky, senior citizens on an extraordinary quest to perform at the World Hip Hop Championships in Las Vegas.
I Am Femen (Je Suis Femen), Switzerland
Directed by Alain Margot
Featuring: Anna Hutsol, Alexandra “Sasha” Schevchenko, Oxana Shachko, Inna Shevchenko
This powerful, poignant documentary follows Ukrainian activist Oksana Shachko and shows the controversial efforts of the feminist group “Femen” in their fight for freedom of speech.
I Hate the Dawn (Man Az Sepideye Sobh Bizaram), Iran
Directed by Ali Karim
Cast: Babak Karimi, Amir Azizi, Mohammad Ahmadi, and Hossein Eskandari
An independent filmmaker persuades his assistant, Amir, to reveal a troublesome script he has been working on. As the script’s plot unfolds, a secret of Amir’s is revealed.
In the Sands of Babylon, Iraq/Netherlands/United Arab Emirates/UK
Directed by Mohamed Al-Daradji
Cast: Samer Qahtan, Ameer Jabarah, and Hasan Bkheet
Set against the backdrop of a 1991 Iraq torn between Saddam’s Regime and the American intervention, an Iraqi soldier embarks on a dangerous journey home after he escapes from Kuwait.
Insecure (Qui Vive), France
Directed by Marianne Tardieu
Cast: Reda Kateb, Adèle Exarchopoulos, and Rashid Debbouze
A small-town security guard, working his way through nursing school, struggles with personal insecuriities as he attempts to improve his lifestyle in this empathetic and fresh drama.
The Judgement (Sadilishteto), Bulgaria
Directed by Stephan Komandarev
Cast: Assen Blatechki, Miki Manojlovic, Ovanes Torosyan, and Ina Nikolova
After the recent death of his wife, a man faces the difficult decision of working with a gangster who smuggles illegal immigrants across the Turkish border to provide for his son.
Kill Me Three Times, Australia
Directed by Kriv Stenders
Cast: Simon Pegg, Sullivan Stapleton, Teresa Palmer, Callan Mulvey, Luke Hemsworth, and Bryan Brown
This raucous and rowdy neo-noir with an excellent ensemble cast portrays a quaint Australian surfing town taken over by degenerate activities including blackmail, murder, and scamming.
The Land of Many Palaces, China
Directed by Adam James Smith and Song Ting
An intimate look at the Chinese government’s attempt to populate the country’s brand new metropolis by relocating rural farmers to the inner city.
Last Stop, Israel
Directed by Julie Shiles
A gripping documentary revealing the chaotic labyrinth that is central station of Tel Aviv, where refugees, illegal immigrants, and impoverished people attempt to both survive and situate themselves in Israeli society.
Life According to Ohad, Israel
Directed by Eri Daniel Erlich
This earnest documentary joins Ohad, an Animal Rights activist, on his journey of committed Activism and in his attempts to patch things up with his family.
Mad as Hell, USA
Directed by Andrew Napier
Cenk Uygur transforms from an unknown talk show host on a local public access television station to an Internet sensation when he begins an online news show.
Mafia and Red Tomatoes (La Nostra Terra), Italy
Directed by Giulio Manfredonia
Cast: Stefano Accorsi, Sergio Rubini, Iaia Forte, and Maria Rosaria Russo
A makeshift cooperative of impassioned farmers attempts to revitalize a farm which had been under the control of a Mafia boss.
Memories on Stone (Bîranînen Li Ser Kevirî), Germany/Iraq/Qatar
Directed by Shawkat Amin Korki
Cast: Hussein Hassan, Nazmi Kirik, Shima Molaei, Suat Usta, and Salah Sheikh Ahmadi
This tragicomedy portrays the struggles of a filmmaker and his crew attempting to shoot a film chronicling the al Anfal Kurdish genocide in a tense post-war Kurdistan.
Monument to Michael Jackson (Spomenik Majklu Dzeksonu), Croatia/Germany/ Republic of Macedonia/Serbia
Directed by Darko Lungulov
Cast: Natasa Tapuskovic, Ljubomir Bandovic, and Boris Milivojevic
In a desperate attempt to save his crumbling marriage and to bring life back into his community, a man plans to replace an old communist monument with a statue of the King of Pop.
The Naked Screen (La Pantalla Desnuda), Nicaragua
Directed by Florence Jaugey
Cast: Paola Baldion, Óscar Sinela, and Salvador Espinoza
A young couples’ world is turned upside down when a private and intimate video is anonymously posted online and rapidly goes viral within their community.
Natural Resistance, France/Italy
Directed by Jonathan Nossiter
Four Italian vineyard proprietors passionately attempt to produce all-natural wines in spite of pressures from market and governmental forces.
Ochentasiete (Eighty Seven), Ecuador/Argentina/Germany
Directed by Daniel Andrade and Anahí Hoeneisen
Cast: Andres Alvarez, Nicolás Andrade, Francisco Perez, Michel Noher, and Estefano Bajak
After fleeing fifteen years ago, Pablo returns to his hometown, ready to confront his demons and remember a summer with his friends where one incident changed his life forever.
Partner with the Enemy, Israel
Directed by Duki Dror and Chen Shelach
Two women, one Israeli and one Palestinian, attempt to forge and sustain a business partnership across ideological and geographical divides.
Preggoland, Canada
Directed by Jacob Tierney
Cast: Sonja Bennett, Danny Trejo, Laura Harris, James Caan, and Paul Campbell
Ruth, a 35 year-old living the life of a teenager, lies to her family by announcing she is pregnant after becoming alienated by her friends who have already become parents.
Sacred Sperm, Israel
Directed by Ori Gruder
Featuring: Israel Itzkovich, Rabi Shmuel Stern, and Yeshurun Verner
A sensitive and serious-minded examination of one of the most important prohibitions in the Jewish ultra-Orthodox community.
Second Chance, Taiwan
Directed by Wen-yen Kung
Cast: Shang-yi Wen, P.J. Huang, Angel Yao, and Jason Wang
In this Taiwanese action flick, a drunk, washed-up billiards champion must return to the world he left behind to care for his niece and clear his debts.
Songs She Wrote About People She Knows, Canada
Directed by Kris Elgstrand
Cast: Arabella Bushnell, Brad Dryborough, and Ross Smith
An emotionally repressed woman alienates friends when she begins singing songs she wrote about them, but she inspires her boss to reignite his dream of becoming a rock star.
Soof, Netherlands
Directed by Antoinette Beumer
Cast: Lies Visschedijk, Fedja van Huêt, and Daniel Karaty
As Soof nears her 40th birthday, she begins to question if there is more to life than her husband, three children, and small catering business.
Spirit of Akasha, Australia
Directed by Andrew Kidman
A film that reaffirms the ethos of soul and spirit in the present day context, proving its values still have an enduring impact on us all through the surfing lifestyle.
They Have Escaped (He Ovat Paenneet), Finland/Netherlands
Directed by JP Valkeapää
Cast: Teppo Manner, Roosa Söderholm, Pelle Heikkilä, and Petteri Pennilä
This powerful and honest portrait of two teenage misfits who run away from their halfway house reveals the failures of society that led them to be labeled as “troublemakers.”
The Way Out (Ceska Ven), Czech Republic/France
Directed by Petr Václav
Cast: Klaudia Dudová, David Ištok, Natálie Hlaváčová, Mária Ferencová-Zajacová, and Milan Cifra
A young gypsy woman searching for work, attempting to led a normal life and provide for her family, but is faced with extreme prejudice in this sobering exposé of the societal effects of stereotyping.
Wet Bum, Canada
Directed by Lindsay MacKay
Cast: Julia Sarah Stone, Craig Arnold, Diana Leblanc, Jenna Nye, Jamie Johnston, Leah Pinsent, and Kenneth Welsh
An awkward teenage outcast befriends two aged residents of the retirement home in which she works in this charismatic coming of age story.
Wild Australia,
Produced by Susanne Lummer, Ashley Hoppin
A cinematic four part journey across the continent that reveals not only the beauty of the land, but also the amazing wildlife that makes Australia a heaven for animal lovers.
Young Tiger, France
Directed by Cyprien Vial
Cast: Harmandeep Palminder, Élisabeth Lando, and Vikram Sharma
17-year old Many has lived in France for two years and leads the life of a typical teenager, but his responsibility to financially support his parents that remained in India push him into unprecedented danger.
Zombie: The Resurrection of Tim Zom, Netherlands
Directed by Billy Pols
Featuring: Tim Zom
The intriguing story of Tim Zom (AKA Zombie), who breaks free from a dark, criminal life by falling in love, embracing the streets, and redefining himself as one of Europe’s most distinguished Skateboarders.
COMPETITION CATEGORIES
INDEPENDENT FEATURES
Competition
A Better You, USA – World Premiere
Directed by Matt Walsh
Cast: Brian Huskey, Morgan Walsh, Horatio Sanz, Andrew Daly, Rob Huebel, and Matt Walsh
Bang Bang Baby, Canada – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Jeffrey St. Jules
Cast: Jane Levy, Justin Chatwin, Peter Stormare, and David Reale
Heartbeat, Canada – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Andrea Dorfman
Cast: Tanya Davis, Stephanie Clattenburg, Stewart Legere, Kristin Langille, Glen Matthews, and Jackie Torrens
Kill Me Three Times, Australia – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Kriv Stenders
Cast: Simon Pegg, Sullivan Stapleton, Teresa Palmer, Callan Mulvey, Luke Hemsworth, and Bryan Brown
Preggoland, Canada – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Jacob Tierney
Cast: Sonja Bennett, Danny Trejo, Laura Harris, James Caan, and Paul Campbell
Sins of a Father, USA/France/UK – World Premiere
Directed by Andrew Piddington
Cast: Alan Bates, Lambert Wilson, and David Oakes
The Truth About Lies, USA – World Premiere
Directed by Phil Allocco
Cast: Fran Kranz, Odette Annable
Uncanny, USA – World Premiere
Directed by Matthew Leutwyler
Cast: Mark Webber, Lucy Griffiths, David Clayton Rogers, and Rainn Wilson
Wet Bum, Directed by Lindsay MacKay – U.S. Premiere
Cast: Julia Sarah Stone, Craig Arnold, Diana Leblanc, Jenna Nye, Jamie Johnston, Leah Pinsent, and Kenneth Welsh
INTERNATIONAL FEATURES
Competition
12 Citizens, China – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Xu Ang
Cast: He Bing, Han Tongsheng, Wang Gang
All Cats Are Grey (Tous Les Chats Sont Gris), Belgium – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Savina Dellicour
Cast: Manon Capelle, Bouli Lanners, Anne Coesens, and Dune de Braconier
The Chambermaid (Das Zimmermädchen Lynn), Germany – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Ingo Haeb
Cast: Vicky Krieps, Lena Lauzemis, Steffen Münster, Christian Aumer, and Christine Schorn
Confession, South Korea – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Do-yun Lee
Cast: Sung Ji, Ji-hoon Ju, and Kwang-soo Lee
Cruel, France – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Eric Cherrière
Cast: Jean-Jacques Lelté, Magali Moreau, and Maurice Poli
I Hate the Dawn (Man Az Sepideye Sobh Bizaram), Iran – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Ali Karim
Cast: Babak Karimi, Amir Azizi, Mohammad Ahmadi, and Hossein Eskandari
In the Sands of Babylon, Iraq/Netherlands/United Arab Emirates/UK – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Mohamed Al-Daradji
Cast: Samer Qahtan, Ameer Jabarah, and Hasan Bkheet
Insecure, (Qui Vive), France – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Marianne Tardieu
Cast: Reda Kateb, Adèle Exarchopoulos, and Rashid Debbouze
Memories on Stone, (Bîranînen Li Ser Kevirî), Germany/Iraq/Qatar – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Shawkat Amin Korki
Cast: Hussein Hassan, Nazmi Kirik, Shima Molaei, Suat Usta, and Salah Sheikh Ahmadi
Young Tiger, France – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Cyprien Vial
Cast: Harmandeep Palminder, Élisabeth Lando, and Vikram Sharma
EASTERN BLOC FEATURES
Competition
Barbarians (Vavari), Serbia/Montenegro/Slovenia – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Ivan Ikić
Cast: Željko Marković, Nenad Petrović, Jasna Djuričić, Mirko Vlahović, and Marina Vodeničar
Cure – The Life of Another, Switzerland/Croatia/Bosnia and Herzegovina – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Andrea Staka
Cast: Sylvie Marinkovic, Lucia Radulovic, Mirjana Karanovic, Marija Skaricic, Leon Lucev, and Franjo Dijak
The Judgement, (Sadilishteto), Bulgaria – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Stephan Komandarev
Cast: Assen Blatechki, Miki Manojlovic, Ovanes Torosyan, and Ina Nikolova
Kebab & Horoscope, Poland
Directed by Grzegorz Jaroszuk
Cast: Bartłomiej Topa, Piotr Żurawski, Tomek Schuchardt, Justyna Wasilewska, Barbara Kurzaj, Andrzej Zieliński, Dorota Kolak, and Janusz Michałowski
Monument to Michael Jackson (Spomenik Majklu Dzeksonu), Croatia/Germany/ Republic of Macedonia/Serbia – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Darko Lungulov
Cast: Natasa Tapuskovic, Ljubomir Bandovic, and Boris Milivojevic
The Way Out (Ceska Ven), Czech Republic/France – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Petr Václav
Cast: Klaudia Dudová, David Ištok, Natálie Hlaváčová, Mária Ferencová-Zajacová, and Milan Cifra
DOCUMENTARY FEATURES
Competition
Caffeinated, USA – World Premiere
Directed by Hanh Nguyen and Vishal Solanki
Featuring: Doug Welsh, Geoff Watts, Peter Giuliano, and Sunalini Menon
Children of the Arctic, Switzerland – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Nick Brandestini
Harvest (Vendange), France – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Paul Lacoste
Heartworn Highways Revisited, USA – World Premiere
Directed by Wayne Price
Hip Hop-eration, New Zealand – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Bryn Evans
Now en Español, USA – World Premiere
Directed by Andrea Meller
Partners With the Enemy, Israel – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Duki Dror and Chen Shelach
Far From Home, USA – World Premiere
Directed by Galen Knowles
The Land of Many Palaces, China – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Adam James Smith and Song Ting
SPANISH/LATIN AMERICAN CINEMA
Competition
Aces (Os Fenómenos), Spain – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Alfonso Zarauza
Amor, etc., Argentina – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Gladys Lizarazu
Boss, Anatomy of a Crime, The (El Patrón, Radiografía de un Crimen), Argentina, Venezuela
Directed by Sebastián Schindel
Carmen’s Karma (El Karma de Carmen), Argentina – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Rodolfo Durán
Cast: Laura Azcurra, Manuel Callau, and Ana María Castel
El Cordero, Chile
Directed by Juan Francisco Olea
Day Release (Tercer Grado), Spain – World Premiere
Directed by Geoffrey Cowper
The Incident (El Incidente), Mexico
Directed by Isaac Ezban
The Naked Screen, Nicaragua – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Florence Jaugey
Eighty Seven (Ochentasiete), Ecuador, Argentina, Germany – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Daniel Andrade, Anahí Hoeneisen
Happy Times (Tiempos Felices), Mexico – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Luis Javier M. Henaine
FUND FOR SANTA BARBARA SOCIAL JUSTICE
Competition
A Snake Gives Birth To A Snake, South Africa/USA/France/Serbia and Montenegro/Rwanda/Serbia/Ireland/Bosnia and Herzegovina
Directed by Michael Lessac
Energized (Macht Energie), Austria – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Hubert Canaval
Do I Sound Gay?, USA
Directed by David Thorpe
I Am Femen (Je Suis Femen), Switzerland – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Alain Margot
The Land of Many Palaces, China – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Adam James Smith and Song Ting
Mad as Hell, USA – US – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Andrew Napier
Natural Resistance, France/Italy – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Jonathan Nossiter
Tiger, Tiger – World Premiere
Directed by George Butler
Life According to Ohad, Israel – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Eri Daniel Erlich
]The Year We Thought About Love, USA – World Premiere
Directed by Ellen Brodsky
NON-COMPETITION FILMS
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
Black Coal, Thin Ice, China
Directed by Yi’nan Diao
Cast: Fan Liao, Lun Mei Gwei, Xuebing Wang
Citizenfour, Germany/USA
Directed by Laura Poitras
Featuring: Edward Snowden, Glenn Greenwald, Jacob Appelbaum
Clouds of Sils Maria, France/USA
Directed by Olivier Assayas
Cast: Juliette Binoche, Kristen Stewart, Chloë Grace Moretz, Lars Eidinger
Force Majeure (Turist), Sweden
Directed by Ruben Östlund
Cast: Johannes Kuhnke, Lisa Loven Kongsli, Clara Wettergren, Vincent Wettergren
Keep On Keepin’ On, USA
Directed by Alan Hicks
Featuring: Clark Terry, Justin Kauflin, Gwen Terry, Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Phyllis Kauflin
Leviathan, Russian Federation
Directed by Andrey Zvyagintsev
Cast: Alexey Serebryakov, Roman Madyanov, Vladimir Vdovichenkov, Elena Lyadova, Sergey Pokhodaev
Life Itself, USA
Directed by Steve James
Featuring Roger Ebert, Chaz Ebert, Gene Siskel
Maps to the Stars, Canada/Germany
Directed by David Cronenberg
Cast: Julianne Moore, Mia Wasikowska, John Cusack, Robert Pattinson, Olivia Williams
Nightingale, USA
Directed by Elliott Lester
Cast: David Oyelowo
Tangerines, Estonia
Directed by Zaza Urushadze
Cast: Lembit Ulfsak, Elmo Nüganen, Mikheil Meskhi, Giorgi Nakashidze, Raivo Trass
Theeb, United Arab Emirates/Qatar/Jordan/UK
Directed by Naji Abu Nowar
Cast: Jacir Eid Al-Hwietat and Jack Fox
Timbuktu, France/Mauritania
Directed by Abderrahmane Sissako
Cast: Ibrahim Ahmed, Toulou Kiki, Abel Jafri
Wild Tales, Argentina/Spain
Directed by Damián Szifrón
Cast: Ricardo Darin, Oscar Martinez, Leonardo Sbaraglia, Erica Rivas, Rita Cortese, Julieta Zylberberg, Dario Grandinetti
Haemoo, South Korea
Directed by Sung-bo Shim
Cast: Yoon-seok Kim, Ye-ri Han, and Yu-chun Park
NORDIC
Beatles, Norway
Directed by Peter Flinth
Cast: Louis Williams, Håvard Jackwitz, Ole Nicolai Myrvold Jørgensen, Halvor Tangen Schultz
Eila, Rampe and Baby Girl (Eila, Rampe Ja Likka), Finland – World Premiere
Directed by Taru Mäkelä
Cast: Heidi Herala, Pirkka-Pekka Petelius, Emmi Parviainen, and Riku Niemine
Force Majeure (Turist), Sweden
Directed by Ruben Östlund
Cast: Johannes Kuhnke, Lisa Loven Kongsli, Clara Wettergren, Vincent Wettergren
The Grump (Mielensäpahoittaja), Finland
Directed by Dome Karukoski
Cast: Antti Litja, Petra Frey, Mari Perankoski, Iikka Forss
Itsi Bitsi, Denmark, Croatia, Sweden
Directed by Ole Christian Madsen
Cast: Joachim Fjelstrup, Marie Tourell Søderberg, Christian Gade Bjerrum, Johannes Nymark, Jakob Randrup, Ola Rapace, Anette Støvelbæk, Julia Ragnarsson, and Thure Lindhardt
Life in a Fishbowl (Vonarstræti), Czech Republic, Finland, Iceland, Sweden
Directed by Baldvin Zophoníasson
Cast: Hera Hilmar, Thorsteinn Bachmann, and Thor Kristjansson
One Night in Oslo, Norway – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Eirik Svensson
Cast: Sirad Abdi, Burhan Ahmed, Mohammed Alghoul
They Have Escaped (He Ovat Paenneet), Finland/Netherlands – U.S. Premiere
Directed by JP Valkeapää
Cast: Teppo Manner, Roosa Söderholm, Pelle Heikkilä, and Petteri Pennilä
PAN ASIA
12 Citizens, China – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Xu Ang
Cast: He Bing, Han Tongsheng, Wang Gang
A Hard Day, South Korea
Directed by Seong-hun Kim
Cast: Sun-kyun Lee, Jin-woong Chi
Black Coal, Thin Ice, China
Directed by Yi’nan Diao
Cast: Fan Liao, Lun Mei Gwei, Xuebing Wang
Cart, South Korea
Directed by Ji-young Boo
Cast: Jung-ah Yum, Jeong-hee Moon, Young-ae Kim, Gang-woo Kim, Jung-min Hwang, Woo-hee Chun, D.O.
Confession – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Do-yun Lee
Cast: Sung Ji, Ji-hoon Ju, and Kwang-soo Lee
Haemoo, South Korea
Directed by Sung-bo Shim
Cast: Yoon-seok Kim, Ye-ri Han, and Yu-chun Park
Margarita, with a Straw, India
Directed by Shonali Bose
Cast: Kalki Koechlin, Revathy, Sayani Gupta, William Moseley, and Hussain Dalal
Partners in Crime, Taiwan
Directed by Jung-chi Change
Cast: Chien-ho Wu, Yu-kai Deng, Kai-yuan Cheng, Ai-ning Yao, Sunny Hung, Chen-ling Wen
Second Chance, Taiwan – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Wen-yen Kung
Cast: Shang-yi Wen, P.J. Huang, Angel Yao, and Jason Wang
Tokyo Fiancée, Belgium/Canada/France
Directed by Stefan Liberski
Cast: Pauline Etienne, Taichi Inoue, Julie Lebreton, and Alice De Lencquesaing
KOLNOA
10% My Child, Israel – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Uri Bar-on
Cast: Gur Bentwich, Vered Feldman, Yali Friedman, Udi Persi
Almost Friends, Israel
Directed by Nitzan Ofir
The Farewell Party, Israel
Directed by Sharon Maymon and Tal Granit
Cast: Ze’ev Revach, Levana Finkelstein, Aliza Rozen, Ilan Dar, and Rafi Tavor
Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem, Israel/Germany/France
Directed by Ronit Elkabetz, Shlomi Elkabetz
Featuring: Ronit Elkabetz, Simon Abkarian, Menashe Noy, Sasson Gabay
Last Stop, Israel – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Julie Shiles
Partners With the Enemy, Israel – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Duki Dror and Chen Shelach
Sacred Sperm, Israel – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Ori Gruder
Featuring: Israel Itzkovich, Rabi Shmuel Stern, Yeshurun Verner
Villa Touma, Israel
Directed by Suha Arraf
Cast: Nisreen Faour, Ula Tabari, Cherien Dabis, and Maria Zreik
The Unwelcoming, Israel – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Robby Elmaliah
Cast: Kmimish Uzan
SCREEN CUISINE
Agave is Life, Mexico/USA – U.S. Premiere
Directed by David O. Brown and Meredith L. Dreiss
Caffeinated, USA – World Premiere
Directed by Hanh Nguyen and Vishal Solanki
Deli Man, USA
Directed by Erik Greenberg Anjou
Featuring: Ziggy Gruber
Harvest (Vendange), France – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Paul Lacoste
Life According to Ohad, Israel – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Eri Daniel Erlich
Mafia and Red Tomatoes, (La Nostra Terra), Italy – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Giulio Manfredonia
Cast: Stefano Accorsi, Sergio Rubini, Iaia Forte, and Maria Rosaria Russo
Natural Resistance, France/Italy – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Jonathan Nossiter
Soof, Netherlands – – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Antoinette Beumer
Cast: Lies Visschedijk, Fedja van Huêt, and Daniel Karaty
THE WORLD LAUGHS
Banana, Italy – World Premiere
Directed by Andrea Jublin
Featuring: Ascanio Balbo, Anna Bonaiuto, and Giorgio Colangeli
Bonobo, UK – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Matthew Hammett Knott
Cast: James Norton, Tessa Peake-Jones, Josie Lawrence
The Farewell Party, Israel
Directed by Sharon Maymon and Tal Granit
Cast: Ze’ev Revach, Levana Finkelstein, Aliza Rozen, Ilan Dar, and Rafi Tavor
The Grump (Mielensäpahoittaja), Finland
Directed by Dome Karukoski
Cast: Antti Litja, Petra Frey, Mari Perankoski, Iikka Forss
Kebab & Horoscope, Poland
Directed by Grzegorz Jaroszuk
Cast: Bartłomiej Topa, Piotr Żurawski, Tomek Schuchardt, Justyna Wasilewska, Barbara Kurzaj, Andrzej Zieliński, Dorota Kolak, and Janusz Michałowski
Love, Rosie, UK/Germany
Directed by Christian Ditter
Cast: Lily Collins and Sam Clafin
Mafia and Red Tomatoes (La Nostra Terra), Italy – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Giulio Manfredonia
Cast: Stefano Accorsi, Sergio Rubini, Iaia Forte, and Maria Rosaria Russo
Monument to Michael Jackson (Spomenik Majklu Dzeksonu), Croatia/Germany/ Republic of Macedonia/Serbia – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Darko Lungulov
Cast: Natasa Tapuskovic, Ljubomir Bandovic, and Boris Milivojevic
The Truth About Lies, USA – World Premiere
Directed by Phil Allocco
Cast: Fran Kranz, Odette Annable
CINEMATIC OVERTURES
A Snake Gives Birth to a Snake, Bosnia and Herzegovina/France/Ireland/Rwanda/Serbia/ South Africa/USA
Directed by Michael Lessac
Featuring: Quanita Adams, Nick Boraine, and Andrew Buckland
Bang Bang Baby, Canada – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Jeffrey St. Jules
Cast: Jane Levy, Justin Chatwin, Peter Stormare, and David Reale
Five Days to Dance, Spain – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Pepe Andreu, Rafa Molés
Hip Hop-eration, New Zealand – U.S Premiere
Directed by Bryn Evans
The Last Five Years, USA
Directed by Richard LaGravenese
Cast: Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan
Like Air, USA – World Premiere
Directed by Jake Viramontez
Featuring: Kathryn McCormick, Alyssa Gaines, Kayla Sameski, and Montserrat Roberts
Songs She Wrote About People She Knows, Canada – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Kris Elgstrand
Cast: Arabella Bushnell, Brad Dryborough, and Ross Smith
The Year We Thought About Love, USA – World Premiere
Directed by Ellen Brodsky
TO THE MAXXX
Attention, A Life in Extremes, Austria – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Sascha Köllnreitner
Cast: Guillaume Néry, Halvor Angvik, and Gerhard Gulewicz
Cerro Torre: A Snowball’s Chance in Hell, Argentina/Austria/UK/USA – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Thomas Dirnhofer
Featuring: David Lama, Peter Ortner, Jim Bridwell, Toni Ponholzer, and Markus Pucher
Fair Chase, USA – World Premiere
Directed by Alex Cullen and Emma Tammi
Far From Home, USA/Argentina/Canada/Italy/Uganda – World Premiere
Directed by Galen Knowles
Featuring: Brolin Mawejje, Rob Kingwill, and Travis Rice
Spirit of Akasha – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Andrew Kidman
Sunshine Superman, USA, Norway, UK
Directed by Marah Strauch
Featuring: Jean Boenish, Carl Boenish
What the Sea Gives Me, USA
Directed by Pierce Kavanagh
Zombie: The Resurrection of Tim Zom, Netherlands – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Billy Pols
Featuring: Tim Zom
REEL NATURE
Gardeners of Eden, USA, Kenya
Directed by Austin Peck and Anneliese Vandenberg
It’s a Wild Life, USA – World Premiere
Directed by Kennan Ward
Featuring: Feynner Arias
Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Secret Ocean 3D, USA – World Premiere
Directed by Jean-Michel Cousteau
Featuring: Jean-Michel Cousteau and Holly Lohuis
The Penguin Counters, USA/Antarctica/Argentina – World Premiere
Directed by Harriet Gordon and Peter Getzels
Featuring: Ron Naveen
Swains Island – One of the Last Jewels of the Planet
Directed by Jim Knowlton
Featuring: Jean-Michel Cousteau
Tiger, Tiger – World Premiere
Directed by George Butler
Wild Australia – U.S. Premiere
Produced by Susanne Lummer, Ashley Hoppin
APPLEBOX
Big Hero 6, USA
Directed by Don Hall and Chris Williams
Cast: Scott Adsit, Ryan Potter, Jaime Chung, Damon Wayans Jr., Maya Rudolph
The Boxtrolls, USA
Directed by Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi
Cast: Ben Kingsley,<a href="http://cmarshallpr.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d018eb64073b092a8727c9089