Director: Neal Thibedeau / Jonathan Baker
BECOMING ICONIC delineates the perilous journey of first time filmmaker Jonathan Baker, narrated both by Jonathan directly and indirectly by Jodie Foster, Adrian Lyne, John Badham and Taylor Hackford, who share wisdom about first-time filmmaking perils.
It's an eccentric journey starting from a boy's dream that features Jodie Foster, Taylor Hackford, Adrian Lyne, John Badham, Nicholas Cage, and Warren Beatty.
IFS Premiere
DRAMA SHORTS 16a
OUT OF FRAME is a dramedy about two very different guys arguing about modern art in a museum. Jake (Thomas Meston), a young art enthusiast, happily visits a modern art museum and begins admiring a painting. Felix (Eric Cajiuat), an obnoxious art hater, invades Jake's personal space. They proceed to debate what almost everyone has at some point: is modern art really "art"? Felix (in Eric’s last film before he tragically passed away) pesters and criticizes Jake about the painting until Jake reaches his breaking point.
World Premiere
DRAMA SHORTS 16a
Will to Live is a dramedy that looks at the connection between death and life. Charlie (Adeline Thery) is a French psychic medium living in America on an expired visa who is getting by in Philadelphia, one of the country’s oldest cities and a hotbed of unusual activity. She takes a job for a sketchy, nervous contractor (Joe Barlam) who’s had an indelicate run-in with a ghost, Will (Brian Anthony Wilson of The Wire), on a historic property he is trying to flip. Charlie uses her talents to confront Will, which leads to unexpected consequences. The film was shot by veteran director of photography Bill Klayer (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Quantico, and Sneaky Pete).
IFS Premiere
DRAMA SHORTS 16a
After following her ex with another woman, Julianne shows up at his apartment to try and put their relationship back together, but after a series of self-induced injuries, Julianne is on the cusp of emotional and physical exhaustion. The film stars Margarita Levieva from David Simon's HBO show THE DEUCE and Joshua Close, from Paul Thomas Anderson's THE MASTER. Produced by Jason Michael Berman, producer of THE BIRTH OF A NATION.
IFS Premiere
DRAMA SHORTS 16a
Kyle and Briana are mismatched roommates thrown together by circumstance. They don't like each other.
Los Angeles Premiere
ACTION SHORTS 16b
A desperate noble family challenges norms and mores in Ancient Roman Society to gain the attention of Emperor Nero. Gaining inspiration from the heroic actions of the Celtic Queen Boudicca, JUSTINIA and OCTAVIUS hatch a plan to introduce female gladiators into the arena. Starring Patrick Fugit (Almost Famous).
World Premiere
ACTION SHORTS 16b
Two estranged sisters, Eliza, played by Christine Harnos, and Emmie, portrayed by the writer/director Babette Props-Rodriguez, reconnect over the death of the aunt that raised them. Soon after their reunion, secrets and the painful truth about their parents are discovered. Eliza and Emmie muster the courage to face what their Mother and Father may have left behind.
World Premiere
ACTION SHORTS 16b
1952, the Korean war has entered a stalemate on the battlefront separating the American Army and their enemy force, the People's Volunteer Army of China. Neither the Chinese nor the Americans dare to take action for fear of sustaining further casualties to fighting. Private Summers, a rookie US Army Medic on his first tour of duty, finds himself fighting a dilemma on and off the battlefield. When the two armies meet face to face on a dividing road, a battle hardened, Chinese Commander Gao, proposes an unconventional prisoner swap. Summers is faced with the ultimate decision: follow his direct orders or look beyond A Line Between to save many more lives in a forgotten war.
North America Premiere
After discovering his wife’s infidelity, Steve takes his three best friends on a hunting trip to confront them. Realizing one by one they all had betrayed him, Steve becomes progressively more maniacal and seeks deadly revenge against them, only to have his vengeance denied by mysterious mountain monsters who have a lethal plan of their own. Between the Trees, is a twisted tale of jealousy, retribution, and murder set in the confines of a small cabin in the middle of nowhere.
World Premiere
Young filmmaker Griffin Loch wrote, produced, directed and edited this film all while he was in the 7th grade and only 13 years old. Art imitates life as Calling the Shots follows a group of filmmakers that stumble on the murder of a bank robber. Unlikely friends are made while discovering the truth and escaping danger. Without knowing whom to trust, they must find the missing money to bargain for their lives. Starring new talent Griffin Loch, Sam Grossinger, Eric Mickelson and Emily Barragan in a film sure to inspire the future young directors.
IFS Premiere
A down and out scriptwriter falls in love with an actress from a couple of 1939 movies, and believes he's losing his sanity when she shows up at his door, looking exactly as she did in the decades old movies (completely in black and white with vertical scratches throughout).
PG 13
IFS Premiere