Wednesday, May 9th - Pacific Theaters at The Grove

Rakka Canada

Director: Neill Blomkamp

IFS Special Series: Four new Science-Fiction films from director Neill Blomkamp (District 9, Chappie):

RAKKA is the story of broken humanity following the invasion of a technologically superior alien species. Bleak harrowing and unrelenting, the humans we meet must find enough courage to go on fighting.

IFS Premiere

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Specimen Memories Japan

Director: Rex Takeshi Chen

A dreamlike story with surreal production design that stars Huan-Ru Ke (a Taiwanese actress who’s work has been screened at Cannes and Berlinale and Kuan-Ting Liu (a famous actor known for TV dramas in Taiwan) and Yoshiki Oneda (a Japanese film actor).

World Premiere

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Release Me USA

Director: Josema Roig

DRAMA SHORTS 9a

A man reflects on the death of his father, how it has changed him and his perspective to those he loves.

IFS Premiere

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Heart of Paradise USA

Director: Dina Mande

DRAMA SHORTS 9a

Two winemaker bachelors collide with a mother-daughter duo whose surprise arrival at Heart Hill Vineyard reveals more than they bargained for. A double romance blossoms in unexpected soil, warming a widower’s heart and changing the course of a young bride’s life forever.

World Premiere

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Christmas Tree USA

Director: Emir Kumova

DRAMA SHORTS 9a

IFS Premiere

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DestroyXFire USA

Director: Michael Sanchez

"DESTROY X FIRE" {destroy by fire}, is a new, half-hour sitcom about the fabulous life at the center of LA's fashion business… or so they call it. Created and directed by Michael Sanchez, DestroyXFire features an ensemble cast that delivers a fresh new comedic perspective on the fashion industry.

Los Angeles Premiere

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Three Chen Sisters USA

Director: Elaine Wong

WEB PROGRAM 9w

Mama Chen always has plans in store for her three daughters. But are they down to comply with the mother's command?

During Thanksgiving, Mama Chen hosts a feast the Chinese American way. The three daughters use the opportunity to introduce their boyfriends to their mother, but what they haven't predicted is Jennifer's surprising stunt.

Starring Grace Shen, Corrine Chooey, Hana Wu, and Joanne Chew. Directed by Elaine Wong.

IFS Premiere

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Con$equences - Episode 3: Halfway Crooks USA

Director: Bambadjan Bamba

WEB PROGRAM 9w

In Con$equences reformed internet scammers reinvent their old business, this time only targeting immoral people. It's a seven episode serialized web series that follows the lives of culturally diverse con artists; but unlike other similarly themed shows, this one is anchored by adult Yahoo Boys (think “Nigerian Prince” type email scams).

Season 1 deals with the conception of the team and the accompanying growing pains as they attempt one of the scams they used to perpetrate from internet cafes in Cameroon. We get glimpses of their past and who they are; as we see them make mistakes, learn, change and grow and deal with the consequences of being con artists.

Starring Tony Tambi, Bambadjan Bamba, Constance Ejuma, Eboni Adams and John Tague.

Also starring Jarvis George, Samantha Stewart and Tony Okungbowa.

World Premiere

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Lenny & The Blackhawk USA

Director: Christopher Mozdzen

WEB PROGRAM 9w

The series follows Lenny, a simple security guard who finds himself in an abnormal living situation. Enter The Blackhawk, Lenny's new and very unexpected housemate- that only he can see. Though he isn't sure if Blackhawk is a ghost, or even a figment of his own imagination, Lenny is forced to investigate the reason for their serendipitous meeting.

World Premiere

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Unstately USA

Director: Paul Cuoco

COMEDY SHORTS 9c

Politics and family...it's about running. Starring J. Scott Shonka (The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Air Force One, The Perfect Storm), the mockumentary Unstately explores the cut throat world of school board politics and familial expectations. Ring Swisher, incumbent school board member, and his campaign manager, Max DeLai, are faced with their greatest challenge in a dozen years - an opponent.

Paul Cuoco is an award-winning director and producer of short films, commercials and branded content for clients like Volkswagen and Famous Footwear. His short films, including the viral micro-documentary Pride of the Jaguar, the holocaust drama Inheritance, and the awkward infertility comedy The Specimen, have been featured on Yahoo!, Laughing Squid, ShortsTV and more.

World Premiere

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I Might Be Famous USA

Director: Victoria Gordon

COMEDY SHORTS 9c

Former child star Tabitha Briarwood may not be famous anymore, but she assumed the world knew she was still alive. Now, after an erroneous report of her own death, Tabitha will do just about anything to become famous again. Starring IFS Vanguard Breakthrough Performer Victoria Gordon alongside Stuart Pankin (Dinosaurs, Zenon), Scott Lane (McKeever and the Colonel), and Erin Murphy (Tabitha on Bewitched), I Might Be Famous is a comical look at one young woman’s quest to be famous.

West Coast Theatrical Premiere

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Urban Press USA

Director: Oz Scott

COMEDY SHORTS 9c

"Urban Press" Is a comedy about a group of co-workers at an urban publishing company trying to further their own agendas.

"Urban Press" begins with the introduction of James Franklin.

James is a southern boy, who after losing his parents decides to leave his small hometown to make it in the big city. the show is a comedy that will explore dark stereotypes through the eyes of a socially diverse group of individuals.

IFS Premiere

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The Process USA

Director: Mitzi Kapture

BEST DOCUMENTARY

The Process, is an original documentary that pulls back the curtain of one of the most universally acclaimed acting coaches of all time, Larry Moss at work alongside Academy® Award Winner James L. Brooks.

World Premiere

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You USA

Director: Linton Semage

BEST DIRECTOR

December 14th, 2012, a twenty year old mentally handicapped man with Asperger's syndrome entered an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, USA with a loaded gun, shot and killed twenty small children (6-7 years old), six teachers, and his own mother. Then he turned the gun on himself. All together 28 lives were lost in the tragic event .

"YOU" inspired by this tragic event inspects the causes and effects of when a weapon is placed on the wrong hands. When the right to bear arms is abused, as society what is right and wrong must be questioned.

World Premiere

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The First of Two Opening Day Red Carpet Photo Events with IFS Staff Photographers.

A small photo event for filmmakers, cast and crew to have pictures taken by the festival. For the official IFS Red Carpet Ceremony with Press and Media Photographers: attend our larger Press Photo Red Carpet Event held prior to the May 10th IFS Award Ceremony at The Grove. This is a low-key event for festival backdrop photos to be taken by festival staff.

Snapshots USA

Director: Melanie Mayron

BEST ACTRESS - Piper Laurie
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS - Emily Goss

Three women, three mysteries- the past, present and future collide one weekend at the lake.

Three generations convey an intimate story of love lost, love found and love everlasting. Matriarch Rose Piper Laurie) (has made her Table Rock Lake house her home for over fifty years. When daughter Patty (Brooke Adams) and granddaughter Allison (Emily Baldoni) arrive with an old found camera and the surprise developed roll of fifty year old film to share, Rose is transported back to the early 1960’s when Louise and Zee entered her and husband Joe’s life.

Subtle, poignant, and thought provoking, Snapshots explores love in ways that leave one laughing, crying and renewed.

Starring Piper Laurie, and Brooke Adams, from director Melanie Mayron.

Southern California Premiere

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Red Carpet Staff Photo Event 2

The Second of Two Opening Day Red Carpet Photo Events with IFS Staff Photographers.

A small photo event for filmmakers, cast and crew to have pictures taken by the festival. For the official IFS Red Carpet Ceremony with Press and Media Photographers: attend our larger Press Photo Red Carpet Event held prior to the May 10th IFS Award Ceremony at The Grove. This is a low-key event for festival backdrop photos to be taken by festival staff.

The Sweetest Heir USA

Director: Zelie Dember-Slack

BEST FAMILY FILM

Imagine if your daughter or niece found a locket with a seal and a deed for an unclaimed estate worth $450 million dollars, hidden inside an old jewelry box. Would you be ready to take on the late Ms. Winthorp’s maid to help her receive her rightful inheritance by Christmas? Think twice because the maid fights dirty and it will take everything in you to stake that claim.

World Premiere

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