Director: Zachary Galen
G USA
SHORT FILM BLOCK 20-A
Reserved and isolated art student Michelle sketches herself into scenes on campus she longs to be part of. As she fantasizes about what could be, she sees her drawings of what blossoms around her come to life. Yet despite her greatest desires to join in on the fun before she graduates, doing so would mean putting herself in a vulnerable position.
From friends to lovers to social cliques, the gatherings she yearns for are everything she’s not: confident, bubbly, and optimistic. And the last thing she wants is rejection, especially for the only way she knows how to comfort herself amidst what has been an isolating college experience.
IFS FESTIVAL PREMIERE
6:00pm
June 20th Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: Michael Basha
PG USA
SHORT FILM BLOCK 20-A
Years after the death of his older brother, a young man creates a new dance in his memory called Crutch-Tap. Now, he sets out to put on his first ever live show and unveil his new dance to the world, keeping the promises he and his brother made with each other many years ago.
IFS FESTIVAL PREMIERE
6:00pm
June 20th Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: Alyssa Rallo Bennett
PG USA
SHORT FILM BLOCK 20-A
This film touches on reproductive rights from the POV of a mother and two young people with all with opposing views.
At its core, it grapples with respect and the many ways it can surface and is inspired by true stories and the current legal, social and cultural environment.
"Compulsion" "opens up a vital conversation about the state of women’s health and rights in America right now…it approaches it in a way that’s accessible and relatable."" — Film Carnage
LOS ANGELES PREMIERE
6:00pm
June 20th Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: Madeline Stephenson & Kaleen Mayhew
PG USA
SHORT FILM BLOCK 20-A
A hilarious and empowering film that celebrates the journey of self-love and acceptance in the face of resistance.
This film follows the story of Danielle (Kaleen Mayhew) as she embarks on a humorous task to come out to her mother (Lisa-Marie Newton), encountering one absurd scenario after another. Drawing inspiration from a true conversation, "The Attempt" breathes new life into the coming-out narrative by infusing it with humor, heart, and empowerment. The film challenges the notion of seeking acceptance, instead advocating for authenticity and inviting others to be part of our lives.
This queer film invites audiences to embrace true love and transcend expectations. With its blend of humor, heart, and hope, this film promises to leave viewers both laughing and inspired.
WORLD PREMIERE
6:00pm
June 20th Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: Elijah Newman
PG USA
SHORT FILM BLOCK 20-A
Alice finds herself on a roadtrip with a wannabe outlaw who's searching for the grave of Billy The Kid.
WORLD PREMIERE
6:00pm
June 20th Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: Sanora Bartels
PG-13 USA
This film looks at one woman’s journey: her entire tale, the confusing, and sometimes dark, past and her eventual breakthrough successes and personal triumph. It is a journey from self-doubt and shame to self-respect and outspoken advocacy for an entire community.
The story follows Maria’s upcoming nuptials as she becomes the first transgender woman to marry the love of her life, a cisgender man, in an historic downtown Los Angeles cathedral. The film ultimately celebrates love and inclusivity and hopes to give voice to others still struggling in a world becoming increasingly hostile to anything “different” or anyone who is simply extraordinary.
WORLD PREMIERE
7:00pm
June 20th Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: Jessica O'Keefe
PG-13 USA
Best Independent Feature Film
On Serena's birthday, police end the 5 year search for her missing mother, so -- with her sister on FaceTime -- Serena launches into the forest and down the rabbit hole. What lurks within, changes their lives forever.
This film touches upon loss of control, time as an emotional experience, and how our technology taps into that experience, as well as addiction, privilege, allyship, honoring one's Jewish legacy through our parents, and what it means to be the child of someone lost.
Charissa Barton (Con Man, America's Got Talent, The Grammy Awards, Abigail Threadless) stars as the title character Serena Schmetterling Moss. This film was Written and Directed by Jessica O'Keefe in memory of her mother Dr. Sharon Margot Dregne Gerstenzang.
WORLD PREMIERE
8:00pm
June 20th Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: Christina Hornisher
R USA
Christina Hornisher’s only feature, focuses on Mark, a young photographer, who travels to Hollywood hoping to make it as a cameraman in the movie business. Unfortunately, the only jobs he can find are shooting porn “loops” for a sleazy producer. Depressed and increasingly delusional, he begins to take out his frustrations on pretty young women he meets–by strangling them.
HOLLYWOOD 90028 received limited release as an exploitation film after being completed in 1973. The film was later re-distributed under the titles THE HOLLYWOOD HILLSIDE STRANGLER, TWISTED THROATS, and INSANITY.
This screening is of the new 4K restoration from Grindhouse Releasing.
IFS SPECIAL EVENT SCREENING
9:00pm
June 20th Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14
Director: Kevin Hershner
PG-13 USA
When a meltdown at a nuclear power plant strands scientist Ethan Moseley in a remote cabin, he must figure out how to survive before running out of time… or losing his mind.
Normal Accidents is a deconstruction of “one man, one location” films with a lot of levity. But, it’s also a serious meditation on the intrusive nature of technology and how many of us long for escape and quiet, away from the digital record of our flawed lives, our mistakes, and our regrets.
It poses the question, how can we heal our minds and be our best selves when we can’t escape our digital ghosts?
WORLD PREMIERE
10:15pm
June 20th Regal Cinemas / L.A. LIVE 14