The Friend

After the unexpected death of her closest friend and mentor, New York novelist and writing teacher Iris becomes the caretaker of both his literary legacy and his beloved Great Dane, Apollo. Reluctantly bringing the enormous dog into her tiny Manhattan apartment, Iris develops a surprising kinship with the soulful animal—even though his outsized presence upends both her professional commitments and her daily routine. Together, the unlikely duo begins to move through their shared grief, tentatively embarking on a surprising path toward acceptance and healing.

The Kingdom

Set in 1995 Corsica, 15-year-old Lesia’s (Ghjuvanna Benedetti) coming-of-age summer is interrupted when she must abruptly depart to the home of her crime boss father, Pierre-Paul (Saveriu Santucci). When danger erupts around them, she is forced to confront the role her father plays in a violent underground war now spinning out of control. Director Julien Colonna’s family crime drama gripped Cannes with his nuanced exploration of the parent-child bond. Thrillingly shot and deftly acted, THE KINGDOM tells the story of a family struggling to come together while the path they have chosen threatens to tear them apart. A Metrograph Pictures release.

Space Cowboy

Skydiving cinematography pioneer Joe Jennings built a career capturing surreal, unbelievable images while plummeting mid-air. Now, at 62, he pushes his art to new extremes with one of his most daring stunts yet: the “flying car.” From extreme sports competitions to Super Bowl commercials and Hollywood blockbusters, Jennings opens up about his craft, his friendship with creative partner Rob Harris, and the shattering tragedy that changed the trajectory of his life. Directors Bryce Leavitt and Marah Strauch weave jaw-dropping archival footage with revelatory and touching interviews to uncover the challenge of balancing a life in the sky with the realities on the ground.

September 5

Set during the 1972 Munich Olympics, SEPTEMBER 5 follows the ABC sports broadcasting team as it quickly adapts from sports reporting to live news coverage after Israeli athletes are taken hostage, revealing a decisive moment that forever changed live media. Ambitious producer Geoff Mason (John Magaro) leads the on-air coverage in an effort to prove himself to his boss, legendary TV executive Roone Arledge (Peter Saarsgard). As narratives shift, time ticks away, and conflicting rumors spread—with the hostages’’ lives hanging in the balance—Geoff grapples with tough decisions while confronting his own moral compass in this taut and entertaining thriller. A Paramount Pictures release.

The Fire Inside

Claressa Shields, a high school junior from Flint, Michigan, aided by her tough-love coach, Jason Crutchfield, pushes past all limitations to become the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing. But even at the pinnacle of success, Claressa has to reckon with the fact that not all dreams are created equal, and the real fight has only just begun.

Bob Trevino
Likes It

Lily Trevino (Barbie Ferreira, ‘Euphoria’) longs for familial connection, having been abandoned by her erratic and self-centered father Bob (French Stewart). When Lily stumbles across another Bob Trevino (Emmy Award winner John Leguizamo) online who is as lonely as she is, the two strike up an unexpected friendship that quickly becomes a vital source of healing in both their lives. Inspired by writer/director Tracie Laymon’s own story, and winner of the Narrative Feature Jury and Audience Awards at SXSW, BOB TREVINO LIKES IT is a funny and tender testament to the extraordinary power of small acts of kindness when you least expect them. A Roadside Pictures release.

Champions of the Golden Valley

In the high peaks of Afghanistan, young athletes from rival villages build makeshift wooden skis and convene for a mountain race that unites the community in a moment of peace and triumph just before their country’s collapse. Champions of the Golden Valley merges the triumphant spirit of a classic underdog sports story with the heartfelt portrait of a community finding hope amid disrupted dreams. Revealing a stunning unseen side of Afghanistan, it is an uplifting exploration of what it means to be a champion – in all its forms.

Bad Shabbos

Newly engaged couple David (Jon Bass) and Meg (Meghan Leathers) plan to introduce their parents for the first time over Shabbat dinner at David’s parents’ Upper West Side apartment. As the finishing touches for the evening come together, a dead body throws a wrench into this high-stakes affair. This day of rest is anything but, as David’s family must find a way to get rid of the body before their future in-laws arrive. Daniel Robbins’ winning interfaith comedy BAD SHABBOS boasts a hilarious cast (Kyra Sedgwick, Method Man, Catherine Curtin and David Paymer) and highly satisfying high jinks.

The Groove Under The Groove

From the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro and against all odds, a black boy grows to be one of the most successful musician you have never heard of. Paulinho da Costa shares his journey with Michael Jackson, Dizzy Gillespie, Earth Wind and Fire, Madonna among many others.

Festival Films