Welcome to 2025, and the first of our monthly screening series for the year. We’re starting the new year off with a bang, with over a dozen incredible films for your viewing pleasure. As always, the screening will be held in person at the TCL Chinese Theaters in Los Angeles, with this month’s event taking place on January 29th. Tickets for the in-person screening will be available here, with a digital screening online from the 29th to February 2nd on BitPix. So without wasting any more time, let’s get to some incredible films!
Red Flag – Malin Barr and Cleo Handler write, direct and star in this short, which also includes Jim Cummings and Jenna Williams and focuses on Alli, a woman who just got out of a relationship and is trying to put herself back out there. With the help of her friends and therapist, she’s introduced to the concept of “red flags”, the actions or personality traits in a person that should be seen as a warning that you’re not meant to be around them for any number of reasons. After a series of bad dates, she finds herself going out with Ash, with the entire date being possible red flags, with her friends playing the angel and devil on her shoulder, causing Alli to be unsure of how to proceed. It’s a funny film that has a lot of really terrific moments, the underlying tension of Alli’s inability to read signals leading to a very amusing conclusion.
Ambush At St. Mary’s – Anthony Parisi’s Western about two bank robbers who break into a church while dressed as priests is a gripping film that takes a very interesting turn. Wesley (Jeremy Hoffman) and Noah (Luke Barnett) break into the church run by Father Jacob (Richard Riehle) as they look to rob the chapel’s tithes, but run into a complication after Hannah (Kate Hackett), a parishioner of the church, comes into the church to look for assistance from Father Jacob. This premise is so unique and interesting, leading a much more focused and dialog heavy film than the premise suggests. It’s all acted brilliantly, with Hoffman getting most of the focus, and showing why that was a great decision. An appearance from Riehle, a legend in his own right, really helps add some gravitas to the film as well, with Parisi’s writing driving everything home beautifully.
Daddy – Jo Steinhart hits us with a gut punch with this film, that beings with all the hopes and dreams of Heather (Emily Robinson), a young girl who lives with her father (Thomas W. Ashworth) at a dingy desert motel out in the Mohave. Her goal in life is to become the next big porn star, using the male guests of the hotel as a way to understand the fantasies of men as she sleeps with and fulfills those dreams. When she meets Grant (Dylan Stretchbery), the truth of how her father runs his struggling business is revealed, and everything comes crashing down for Heather. The turn of this film garnered a legitimate gasp during viewing, and that alone makes it a film worth watching. But Robinson, Ashworth and Stretchbery work together to really make a film that is a bit more on the lurid side, but so engaging as a work of filmmaking.
Not Today, Not Tomorrow – Neil Miguel Watson directs and co-writes this film (alongside star Katrina Steele) that sees two women who’ve escaped from prison and are attempting to make their way to a family member who will harbor them. When the car breaks down, Bo (Amanda Holquin) and Olivia (Steele) have to brave the desert, with little to nothing in terms of supplies and a life already full of tension. Holquin and Steele are the only actors in the film, and their chemistry is incredible, the two of them bouncing off one another in a really fun way. The film itself has some moment of pure tension, as well as a ew funny moments as well, making it an introspective but every entertaining prison break film that focuses on the narrow window between escape and potentially freedom.
The World Is Ours (Her Story) – Areg Azatyan writes and directs this film that mixes cultural traditions and barriers, young love, young mistakes, and the consequences of those actions all into one. Anais Lilit stars as Lusine, an 17 year old Armenian American living in Los Angeles and holding onto a massive secret. As Lusine has to navigate American teenage life, she also has to deal with the pressures of her family, as well as the fact that she’s been hiding a teen pregnancy, as well as the identity of the father, her African-American boyfriend Matthew. This secret, and the revelation of it, is a tense and harrowing outlook into the many facets of this film. From young parenthood to mixed relationships to the pressures of family life and a culture different from where you live, this film tackles a ton of different ideas, but weaves them all together in a spectacular and intense way.
Newspapers – Vu Hoang’s family focused story is one that is both uplifting and heartbreaking, as we see watch the story of Thi (Cat Ly), a Vietnamese mother who is trying to do her best for her family. We watch the story through the eyes of her son Binh (played by David Vi Hoang as older Binh, with Ethan Ta playing the younger version), a devote and loving son who attempts to live up to a childhood promise of making enough money to take care of his mother. In his more youthful days, he remembers he and his then pregnant mother delivering newspapers together, something that despite the early hours, is something Binh cherishes, especially in his later moments. Binh’s attempts to take care of his family, including sister Vy (Dede Cheng) result in tragedy, but the intent and the dynamic in the family is one that is both heartwarming and utterly devastating, both use to great effect in the film.
Impressions – Chad Hylton and Colin Henning do it all in this short (both star and write, with Hylton adding on directing duties) that sees them playing characters of the same name, in the midst of an argument that stems from the previous night. After getting engaged, Chad and Colin regale their friends with the story, with Colin doing an impression of Chad during the retelling that sends Chad into a tailspin, and the couple into an argument that brings a lot more to light than expected. It’s a very silly but wonderful film that does a lot with a little, with nearly the whole film being just focused on Hylton and Henning, with both actors doing excellent work to heighten the drama, even if its heights are a bit exaggerated in the moment.
Eden For Two – Colin Henning returns, this time the one pulling double duty in this film that also stars Hayleigh Hart Fanklin, Brian D. McCormack and Georgia Morgan. Henning and McCormack play two Hungarian refugees who have escaped the communist regime of their homeland and into New York in 1989. While they settle into the new place they’re staying, they meet Maria Louise, a born and bred New Yorker who befriends the two foreigners in a film that is very funny and surprisingly heartfelt, with a performance from Henning especially that is sure to tug at the heartstrings of anyone watching.
Unwavering – Ami Park stars in this film written by Christine Hughes and directed by Alexandra Hsu, which sees Park star as Carolyn Kim, a young Asian college student in 1968 who gets caught up in the movement to add a different cultural perspective to her university’s curriculum in the form of an Ethnic Studies class. Initially reluctant, she finds herself, and the treatment of herself and other students of color too difficult to ignore. With a bedrock of real events, all of which are noted at the end of the film, this is an inspiring look into the past as we see the effects of the 1960’s Civil Rights movement in action.
Take Care – Gilli Messer’s short about a disabled woman’s reluctant quest to find a caregiver is a delightful two-person short that sees lead Jo-Marie Lawrence playing a fictionalized version of herself in this loosely true story. Lawrence, a wheelchair user, has a documentary crew hired for her by an unknown person in order to secure her insurance approval for a caretaker, despite her desire for independence. Enter Nat (Natalie Keezer), an out of work actress with little to know real knowledge on how to be a caretaker, but tries anyways as the two navigate their new dynamic. It’s funny, a bit silly, and a wonderfully fun film that packs a lot into its just under six minute runtime.
Carps – Jacob David Smith’s Easterseals Disability Challenge entry (written by Jill Creter Harte and Judith Rubin) is a really fun and entertaining film that sees Jules (Spencer Harte) and Max (Naomi Rubin), two young adults who live together and attend an independent living program for people with disabilities. When their life coach Tiffany (Liz Fenning) visits their home, a bit of chaos ensues, leaving the two to attempt to navigate a crisis on their own. The film also stars Dylan Keidman, John Tucker, Matthew Von Der Ahe, and a surprising cameo by the legendary Carol Kane.
Deliberate – Kelly Lou Dennis and Carl Beukes star in this Marta Roncada film that tackles the incredibly difficult topic of the power imbalance between teacher and student, especially when those lines are blurred. Alice visits the favorite educator of her childhood, though her intentions are not as casual as Mr. Jacobs originally assumed. Revisiting the sexual relationship the two of them had during her time under his teaching, old memories and tendencies resurface, showing how hard it can be to break cycles of abuse, and the bravery it takes to tackle them head on, regardless of result. That healing process is incredibly challenging, and oftentimes insurmountable until the proper methods of recovery have been attained, something Alice has to keep in mind as she attempts to get her former educator to aid her in that healing process. A hard film to watch, but expertly executed by everyone involved, with everyone involved handling this topic with the utmost care and respect.
Night Session – Ballard C. Boyd’s entry into this month’s screening is a unique take that really flips the story on its head, but does so right off the bat. A burglar (Joe Miles) breaks into a home, only to find out the homeowner (Richard Kind) is home and very aware that the burglar is there. The only thing is that the homeowner is going through a divorce and couldn’t care less about being robbed, and the two begin to form an unlikely bond that sees the robbery shift into an impromptu therapy session that extends to not only the two of them, but the police officers that arrive too. It’s an emotionally charged comedy that is funny, but in an oddly satisfying way that is more chuckles than guffaws, but those laughs feel ridiculous to the point of being far more meaningful. The film shows, in its way, the power of relationships and communication in a form that really hasn’t been seen before, and both Kind and Miles are terrific throughout.
Ah-Ma Burns – Max Kane brings us an emotionally powerful and at moments terrifying film about Winnie (Alice Lin), a grandmother grieving the death of her husband and also trying to handle her grandson David (Jeff Chen), who isn’t exactly the most well-behaved. When Winnie and David go to a Friendsgiving gathering of David’s friends, a member of the group, Joey (Joey Krulock), a spiritual guru, attempts to help Winnie with her grief and recovery in a way that frankly ratchets tensions up well past ten in a harrowing scene that sees Winnie forever changed. It’s a beautiful film that is both grounded and a bit experimental, both in ways that really add a lot to the film.
Irma – Roger Torres’ short film is one taken from real life, with memories of his family inspiring this challenging but rewarding film. It stars Maria Jimena Gastelum as Melissa, a young mother who has to balance protecting her daughter Lydia (Jazmene Valenzuela) with attempting to handle her mother Irma (Christina Mauro), who has suddenly shown up after being banned from contact after significant mental health issues. Irma’s instability is a danger not only to herself, but to her family, and Melissa has to do what she can to combat the emotions of wanting her mother there with the need to be a good mother to her own child in a film that is emotional, heartbreaking, and a good reminder of the many ways in which mental health issues can harm families. All three stars are excellent, with Mauro especially bringing an incredible amount of heart and impact to the film.
Winds Of Silence – Radha Mehta’s short film is a challenging but powerful piece, that stars Deepti Gupta, Sohm Kapila, Asit Vyas, Saanvi Mohan and Tyler Anton. When Ziya (Gupta) is told by her best friend that she plans to leave her abusive spouse, she asks Ziya for help in aiding her and her child in that escape. The forces Ziya to confront her past, and the loss of her own spouse, who died recently, forcing her to recover on her own. It’s a film that sends a powerful message, and does what it can to raise awareness about these kinds of abuses, especially for South Asian women, including ways for others suffering in real life to find support, which is an incredible cause to back.
Giselle – Lauren Goetzman writes and directs this film that sees Moon Shavit as Reut, a young mother who is still grieving the recent death of her brother. As she and daughter Maya (Petal Shavit) attempt to move on after the death, Reut attempts to just blow through life, all while ignoring signs to confront the loss head on. This includes the titular Giselle (Judy Malka), an aunt who is more or less ignored by the rest of the family, aside from Reut herself. This is a deeply engaging film, that is full of emotion and acted beautifully, with Moon Shavit really carrying the film brilliantly.
Rock Paper Scissors – Franz Böhm writes and directs this short film that is based on a true story that sees Ivan (Oleksandr Rudynskyi) and father Bohdan (Sergey Kalantay) running a makeshift hospital on the front lines of the Russian-Ukrainian war. As Ivan goes to check outside, a platoon of Russin soldiers passing by threatens to expose their position and what they’re doing, causing him and his father to work together to find a way to protect each other and the patient in their makeshift medical space. It’s a brilliantly shot film, and given the results of Ivan’s actions and the resulting course of his life, is a powerful message to the lives saved and lost in this conflict thanks to the actions of people like Ivan and Bohdan.
A father and son running a makeshift hospital on the front line of war, face a tough decision when a platoon of soldiers approaches their building. They must find a way to protect both their patients and themselves.
That’ll do it for us this month! We’ll be back again soon with so many more films to show off! A big congrats to all of the films selected, and to everyone who worked on one of these incredible pieces of art. Please refer back to the top of this post for ticketing information, and we’ll see you next month!
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