Director: Kyle Cogan
R USA
BEST SHORT FILM
BEST ACTOR IN A SHORT - Jason Schwartzman
Devoted assistant Emilee Rank (Paige Klone) has spent the last three years working for washed-up actor and notorious Hollywood nightmare Parker St. Garrett (Jason Schwartzman). After decades of bit parts in B-movies, Parker finally lands a leading role in a successful super hero film franchise. But the good news is quickly eclipsed when he and Emilee discover Parker’s best friend Sexual Jay (Cooper Johnson), dead of an overdose in Parker’s guest room. Fearing a death in his home will force the studio to rescind the career-making job offer, Parker enlists Emilee’s help in moving the body back to Jay’s house. Emilee reluctantly agrees and, with Sexual Jay in the trunk, the pair set off on a stressful road trip that pushes their dysfunctional relationship to its breaking point.
L.A. FILM FEST PREMIERE
Day 2
Director: Adam Finley
R USA
BEST COMEDY FILM
Mona, a beautiful young con artist, has found men to cause nothing but trouble in her life so she lures them in with her girlish charms and takes what she pleases... karmic justice. That is until she swindles the wrong guy.... or maybe just the right one. When Bonnie met Clyde on Christmas, narrated by an offbeat Radio DJ.
MONA is a quirky buddy picture disguised as a thriller mixed with tinsel and Santa hats. Played by Friday Night Lights and Deep Water Horizon's Brad Leland, The Radio DJ is the film’s mischievous, all-seeing narrator who puts on a delightful Christmas program for his audience; us… and may even enjoy it more than we do.
World Premiere
Day 2
Director: Ricardo Ramos
PG-13 USA
BEST LGBTQ FILM
After the sudden loss of her girlfriend, a young woman discovers a gift that allows her to watch their love story unfold.
World Premiere
Day 2
Director: Nic Stanich
R USA
BEST HORROR SHORT
After a vicious attack by a bully leaves him injured and ridiculed by his fellow students, a pre-teen social outcast makes a mysterious new friend who helps him get revenge on his tormentor. WET WILLY is a short horror film directed by Nic Stanich (Relationship Goals, Dawn) and written by David Harrington Miller (Rosewood, House of Cards). The film explores issues of bullying and mental health, with a supernatural twist.
World Premiere
Day 2
Director: Neal Sopata
G USA
BEST SHORT ANIMATION
Follow the adventure of a misunderstood cactus as he sets off on a quest for true love. Like a moth to a flame, our hero is drawn to the glittering nigh life of the Balloon Saloon.
L.A Premiere
Day 2