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Oscar-nominated Viva Verdi! launches impact campaign with special screenings at Mount Sinai and NYU

Dev Shapiro
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Oscar-nominated Viva Verdi! launches impact campaign with special screenings at Mount Sinai and NYU

Following a wave of recognition and growing national interest, the acclaimed Oscar-nominated documentary VIVA VERDI! launches Impact Campaign with a series of special screenings and discussions held at Mount Sinai Health System and New York University this week.

Bringing the film into both medical and academic settings, these events mark a powerful convergence of art, aging, and intergenerational dialogue – core themes at the heart of VIVA VERDI!, which offers an intimate look inside Casa Verdi in Milan, the historic home founded by Giuseppe Verdi for retired opera singers and musicians.

Hosted in collaboration with Mount Sinai’s Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine and NYU’s Italian Studies Department with Fred Plotkin’s “Adventures in Italian Opera,” the screenings are engaging audiences of healthcare professionals, students, and community members, sparking conversations around creativity, longevity, and the role of the arts in emotional and cognitive well-being.

“Our Mount Sinai and NYU events are just the beginning. At the heart of VIVA VERDI! is not only a coming-of-age story of older adulthood, but most importantly a call-to-action for music and creativity in our lives as we age,” said VIVA VERDI! Producer Christine La Monte and Director Yvonne Russo. “As filmmakers, our goal is to provide new perspectives, inspire advocacy and showcase the remarkable model Giuseppi Verdi created over a century ago.”

R. Sean Morrison, MD, the Ellen and Howard C. Katz Chair of the Brookdale Department, added, “VIVA VERDI! shows us that vocation and creativity do not diminish with age—they deepen. Our post-film discussion, like the film, aims to illustrate how staying engaged in meaningful work and artistic expression profoundly supports emotional, cognitive, and physical health. VIVA VERDI! is an inspiring testament to what is possible when society values the contributions of older adults.”

At Mount Sinai, the film has already resonated strongly within the medical community, underscoring the importance of dignity, purpose, and artistic expression in later life. At NYU, discussions have expanded to include cultural legacy, Italian heritage, and the enduring influence of Verdi’s vision across generations.

These screenings are part of a broader impact initiative for VIVA VERDI!, which is actively engaging institutions across the country—from health systems to universities—to bring the film’s message into spaces where conversations about aging and quality of life are most urgent and meaningful.

“VIVA VERDI! is not just a film, it is a call to action,” said VIVA VERDI! Executive Producer and Founder of For Impact Productions, Simone Pero who will be spearheading the Impact Campaign. “As the world ages, the question is no longer whether we can afford creative aging models, but whether we can afford to ignore the obvious need to embrace them.”

With its focus on artists aged 77 to 107 who continue to live, mentor, and create within Casa Verdi, VIVA VERDI! challenges conventional narratives around aging and offers a deeply human portrait of resilience, community, and the lifelong power of music.

DIFF Announces Line-up for 20th Dallas International Film Festival 2026

Dev Shapiro
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DIFF Announces Line-up for 20th Dallas International Film Festival 2026

DIFF has announced the line-up for the 20th edition of the annual Dallas International Film Festival, Thursday, April 23 – Thursday, April 30, 2026. The Festival is an Oscar® Qualifying Festival, and will feature screenings of more than 120 films, Q&A sessions, and panels with filmmakers and actors, nightly DIFF Red Carpets, and special events.

Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas Victory Park, located steps away from American Airlines Center at 2365 Victory Park Lane, returns as the host venue. Additional screenings and events will be held at the historic Texas Theatre and the artful Virgin Hotels Dallas – which returns for the fourth year as the Premier Sponsor of the Festival – among other world-class Dallas destinations to be announced.

The lineup of feature films for DIFF 2026 to-date includes:

FEATURE FILMS:

40 SECONDS (Narrative Feature) (Italy)

Director: Vincenzo Alfieri

Inspired by the tragic event of Willy Monteiro’s death, 40 SECONDS explores the dark side of provincial life, the small and medium ambitions, the generational conflicts, the unpredictability and insignificance of violence. Six young adults, six different stories, which in the span of 24 hours will touch and intertwine through a series of casual encounters, rivalries, and latent tensions.

 

AMERICAN BABY (Narrative Feature) (United States)

Director: Ellen Rodnianski

AMERICAN BABY follows Oli as she navigates the repercussions of being very young and very pregnant in small town Texas. As she seeks out the suddenly absent teenage father-to-be of her child, Oli confronts growing isolation from her community.

 

AMERICAN PACHUCO: THE LEGEND OF LUIS VALDEZ (Documentary Feature) (United States)

Director: David Alvarado

A California farmworker’s son rose from the fields in the turbulent 1960s to create El Teatro Campesino, a revolutionary artistic movement that gave voice to the Chicano experience. Defying overwhelming odds, Luis Valdez’s journey from migrant camps to Broadway with “Zoot Suit” and Hollywood with “La Bamba” forever transformed American theater, film, and our collective cultural landscape.

 

BLOOD BEHIND US (Narrative Feature) (Texas) – World Premiere

Director: Brendan Gabriel Murphy

When a battle-scarred ex-soldier reluctantly bonds with an abandoned pit bull, his fight for redemption and fatherhood takes a deadly turn as a psychotic contract killer hunts him down—forcing him to confront a violent past to protect the family he thought he’d lost forever. This was Michael Madsen’s last film, who became a dear friend to the film team that is honored to show it with his family’s blessing.

 

BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID (Narrative Feature) (United States)

Director: George Roy Hill

In 1890s Wyoming, Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid lead a band of outlaws. When a train robbery goes wrong, they find themselves on the run with a posse hard on their heels. This classic 1969 tale starring Paul Newman, Robert Redford, and Katherine Ross will screen as the 19th annual Stodghill Classic Movie Night film.

 

$10 COWBOY (Documentary Feature) (United States)

Director: Patrick Heaphy

$10 COWBOY takes viewers on-the-road and front row for Charley Crockett’s record kickoff tour at home in Texas. First stop, Austin, followed by Helotes, Dallas and Houston. Director Patrick Heaphy’s intimate on-the-fly interviews capture Charley’s vision of his brand of Texas, his view of the music industry and what it means to be a Texan with a mix of live concert and behind-the-scenes interviews that offer a revealing portrait of a man who rose from panhandling in New York City subways to 2025 Best Americana Album Grammy Nomination.

 

COOKIE QUEENS (Documentary Feature) (United States)

Director: Alysa Nahmias

A celebration of girlhood and the complexities that come with it, COOKIE QUEENS is a coming-of-age story about the joys, pressures, and pain points woven into one of America’s most cherished rituals: Girl Scout Cookie season. Captivating, candid, and full of heart, the film follows four girls as they navigate the annual whirlwind of selling, striving, and succeeding.

 

CRYSTAL CROSS (Narrative Feature) (United States)

Director: Richie James Follin

Dotty, a Christian singer in trouble, believes she’s received a sign from God when she meets James, a man who looks strikingly like Jesus. For Dotty, James is her ride out of town and a chance to reverse her fate. For James, however, the journey has a darker purpose. Broken by the loss of his daughter and after several failed suicide attempts, he is driving cross-country to California to finally end his life.

 

THE FURIOUS (Narrative Feature) (Hong Kong SAR China)

Director: Kenji Tanigaki

When his daughter Rainy is abducted, humble tradesman Wang Wei is thrust into a deadly underworld of corruption and violence. His only ally is Navin, a relentless journalist haunted by his own past. Together, they fight their way through an international criminal network in a desperate bid to save Rainy and uncover the truth.

 

GASLIT (Documentary Feature) (United States)

Director: Katie Camosy

As the world teeters on the brink of irreversible climate disaster, actor and activist Jane Fonda ventures deep into the oil and gas country, meeting the people who are exposing the fossil fuel industry’s lies.

 

IF I GO WILL THEY MISS ME (Narrative Feature) (United States)

Director: Walter Thompson-Hernandez

A boy sees ghostly figures of other boys in his neighborhood while grappling with his father’s distance, and the visions uncover hidden connections between them and their shared heritage.

 

KEEP QUIET (Narrative Feature) (United States) – North American Premiere

Director: Vincent Grashaw

A weathered tribal cop and his new trainee must find a ruthless fugitive, whose return to their rural Indigenous reservation has exposed its darkest secrets and could ignite a violent gang war.

 

KENNY LOGGINS: CONVICTION OF THE HEART (Documentary Feature) (United States) – Closing Night Film and US Premiere

Director: Dori Berinstein

Kenny Loggins was a shy, gawky, unpopular, big-eared kid with low self-esteem, who thought he had to create a persona to do the rock star thing. Loggins spent the subsequent 50 years reinventing himself over and over, and his career has been a journey into being himself.

 

KIM NOVAK’S VERTIGO (Documentary Feature) (United States)

Director: Alexandre O. Philippe

Exploring Kim Novak’s life, this film highlights her role in Alfred Hitchcock’s VERTIGO, and her journey from stardom to a reclusive life as an artist, using rare archival footage and Novak’s own reflections.

 

MANTIS (Narrative Feature) (United States) – World Premiere

Director: Justice Hardy

In denial after the death of her husband, Rana finds out that her precinct is partnering with a tech company to pilot a new technology, The Mantis Project is based on neuroscience suggesting that, after a person dies, there’s still electricity in the human brain for an average of 36 hours. Rana knows the tech is unethical, but it may also be her only way to catch the killer she’s been hunting for 10 years.

 

MISPER (Narrative Feature) (United Kingdom)

Director: Harry Sherriff

The employees of a dying seaside hotel have their lives upended when their colleague, Elle, vanishes. Instead of focusing on the police investigation or Elle’s close family, the story delves into the psychological impact on her co-workers.

 

A MOSQUITO IN THE EAR (Narrative Feature) (India, Italy, United States)

Director: Nicola Rinciari

Andrew and Daniela travel to Goa, India, to meet their newly adopted four-year-old daughter, Sarvari, and bring her back to the US. However, their world begins to crumble when Sarvari refuses to leave the orphanage that she calls home. The couple’s attempts to welcome their child into her new family and travel back with her prove to be a chaotic challenge that not only tests their patience but also profoundly reshapes their ideas of family, parenthood, and their relationship as a couple.

 

OBSESSION (Narrative Feature) (United States)

Director: Curry Barker

After breaking the mysterious “One Wish Willow” to win his crush’s heart, a hopeless romantic finds himself getting exactly what he asked for but soon discovers that some desires come at a dark, sinister price.

 

ONE IN A MILLION (Narrative Feature) (United States) – World Premiere

Director: Tanner Beard

The film follows the Kassis family as they battle to save their young son’s life after he is suddenly stricken with HLH, a rare and deadly blood disorder.

 

ONE IN A MILLION (Documentary Feature) (United States, United Kingdom, Germany)

Director: Itab Azzam, Jack Macinnes

A Syrian girl’s decade-long journey to Germany and back is portrayed as she and her family face the challenges of war and life as refugees, showing both the hardships and hopes of starting anew.

 

PALYANYTSIA (Documentary Feature) (Ukraine) – US Premiere

Director: Kadim Tarasov, Julia Bolshynska

An immersion into the consciousness of two artists, Bandyt and Johnny, who have always viewed the world through the prism of their art. Their paint was an expression of freedom, a protest against the system, and they believed they understood the world — but the war tears that illusion apart.

 

PINCH (Narrative Feature) (India)

Director: Uttera Singh

A darkly comedic drama during the Navratri festival in India, the film explores societal dynamics, secrets, and familial relationships within an apartment complex. Maitri Singh is an aspiring travel blogger who has a strained relationship with her mother, and in trying to create content for her YouTube channel, her life takes a dramatic turn when she becomes involved in a violent altercation.

 

POETIC LICENSE (Narrative Feature) (United States)

Director: Maude Apatow

Two inseparable best friends, Sam and Ari, start to unravel as they compete for the affection of Liz, the middle-aged mom auditing their college poetry workshop.

 

POWER BALLAD (Narrative Feature) (Ireland/United States)

Director: John Carney

When Rick (Paul Rudd), a past-his-prime wedding singer, meets fading boy-band star Danny (Nick Jonas) during a gig, the two bond over music and a late-night jam session. But, when Danny turns one of Rick’s songs into the hit that reignites his career, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves.

 

REVOLUTION’S DAUGHTER (Documentary Feature) (Texas)

Director: Thaddeus D. Matula

A powerful documentary portrait of identity, legacy, and the price of dissent, the film follows Alina as she confronts the myth of her father and the reality of the revolution he led. The film explores the deep scars of displacement, the complexity of heritage, and the enduring spirit of a people divided by politics but united by culture, memory, and the hope for change.

 

STAGES (Narrative Feature) (United States)

Director: Ryan Booth

It’s make or break for Ben Garza as he embarks on his first solo tour after the collapse of his band with Rita, his former tour, and Parker, who joins as a utility player. Rita also secures Jessie Ramos as the opening act, a rising star whose surge in popularity will completely destabilize Ben. By the tour’s end, Ben must decide whether to keep chasing the life he once had—or chart a new path forward.

 

STAY FORTE (Narrative Feature) (Israel, United States)

Director: Doron Wran

Based on true events, the film explores the harrowing journey of Alon Shimiriz, Yotam Chaim, and Samer Tallaka, three innocent Israeli hostages who were plucked from their homes and held captive in the terror tunnels of Gaza. They were tragically killed escaping captivity and attempting to find their way home, and their story resonates as a reminder of resilience, humanity, and indomitable will.

 

THE THREE URNS (Narrative Feature) (Ireland) – North American Premiere

Director: John-Paul Davidson, Stephen Warbeck

Back in his home country to spread the ashes of his beloved wife, a man races to his destination in a milk float, while chased by a beautiful French woman in a Smartcar plagued with battery issues.

 

TOMORROW’S TOO LATE (Documentary Feature) (United Kingdom)

Director: Terry Loane

In a never before seen way, we are invited to see up close and intimately the changes a transgender person may experience during a medical transition. Having carved out a successful career as ‘Lots’ Holloway (his previous name and artist’s alias), will Dylan Holloway be accepted by his fans who fell in love with his music in the same way?

 

TOOTOO (Documentary Feature) (Canada)

Director: Michael Hamilton

Jordin John Kudl United Kingdom Tootoo is of Inuit and Ukrainian descent, and his path to the NHL defied the odds in more than one way. Raised in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, Tootoo learned a traditional Inuit lifestyle including hunting, fishing, and camping. Despite facing mental and physical abuse as a child, Tootoo became both the first Inuk player, and the first player to grow up in Nunavut, to play for Team Canada and play in the NHL.

 

TUNER (Narrative Feature) (Canada/United States)

Director: Daniel Roher

A talented piano tuner’s meticulous skills for tuning pianos lead him to discover an unexpected aptitude for cracking safes, turning his life upside down.

 

VALENTINA (Narrative Feature) (Mexico/United States)

Director: Tatti Ribeiro

Valentina is a young woman caught between the small debts and daily pressures of life in a border town. After receiving parking tickets she cannot afford, she sets out to pay them, believing it will be a quick task. What begins as an attempt to settle fines grows into an honest portrait of life in El Paso.

 

THE WEREWOLF IN THE WAVES (Documentary Feature) (United States)

Director: Soleil Moon Frye

From award-winning director Soleil Moon Frye, this film is a deeply personal and poignant documentary that explores the complicated dynamics of love and addiction. Told through Moon Frye’s empathetic lens, we follow the reunion of her with her childhood friend, Seth Binzer, aka Shifty Shellshock, of the band Crazy Town, largely known for their hit song “Butterfly”, an anthem for the early 2000’s. She quickly sets out to document Crazy Town’s comeback tour, during which the connection between Moon Frye and Binzer quickly evolves into a love story, shot 90% on Soleil’s iPhone.

 

A WOMAN’S WORK (Narrative Feature) (United States)

Director: A.R. Ephraim

A young woman in rural Kentucky works as a coal miner to provide for her two younger sisters after losing her parents to the opioid epidemic.

 

SHORT FILMS:

ADDICTED TO IT — Nigel W. Tierney and Federico Heller (Argentina, Ireland, United States)

BELLY HOP — Dave Hill (United States)

BUS — Andre Balbuena (Peru)

CANDY BAR — Nash Edgerton (Australia)

COSMIC CRASH — James Smith (Germany)

DISTURBIA — Mira Yankova (Bulgaria)

ECHOES UNDER SKIN — John C. Christian and Gabriella Katsouropoulou (Brazil)

FELLOW – Martha Rivière, Laura Darras, Théo Bergougnoux, Gaspard Keller de Schleitheim, Johanne Coppier, Romane Casha (France)

FLESH & BLOOD — Nathan Presley (United States)

GUTTED — Kat Lynch (United States)

HAND — Jing Wang (Japan)

I TURN GIRLS ON – Lizzy De Vita (United States)

IN THE STILL OF THE NIGHT — Aristides Mantilla (Mexico)

JUST MY LUCK — Nicholas Pitts (United States)

K-9INE! — Elliott Power (United Kingdom)

LES FORCENÉS — Guillaume Chevalier (France)

LIFE GOES ON — Kat Butterfield and Daniel Audritt (United Kingdom)

LIVING WITH A VISIONARY — Stephen P. Neary (United States)

MAKE NO MISTAKE: THESE ARE THE GLORY DAYS — Texas Smith (United States)

MEETING YOUR MAKER — Gregory J.M. Kasunich (United States)

OLIVER —Andrew Strickland (Canada)

ONE-WAY CYCLE — Alicia Núñez Puerto (Portugal, Spain)

POSTER BOY — India Opzoomer (Canada)

REPLICON — Sophia Rossetti (United States)

RESPITE — Martin Geisler (France)

SHIFT — Lucca Vieira (United States)

SOMEWHERE TO BE — Christy Chan (United States)

STATIC — Attila Tayefeh Ghalehbegi (United States)

STILL STANDING — Victor Tadashi Suarez and Livia Albeck-Ripka (United States)

STOKED BETWEEN HANDLEBARS — Markus Miarka (Spain)

SWIM SISTAS — Catherine Joy White (United Kingdom)

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING — Gene Gallerano and Bob Ray (United States)

THE APOLLOS — Andrew Valentine (United States)

THE BADDEST SPEECHWRITER OF ALL — Ben Proudfoot and Stephen Curry (United States)

THE FIRST LAST WORD – Hannah Dougherty (Australia)

THE SHORN LAMB – Emily Rolen (United States)

TODD & THE TOAD – Julia Mücke (Germany)

TO-GO — Bryan Poyser (United States)

TRACES — Brandon Vasquez (Mexico)

TRADING CARDS — Radheya Jang (Australia)

VALUE — Sidney Mallari (United States)

WATER COOLER — Emma V.F. (United States)

 

MUSIC VIDEOS:

99 PROBLEMS – Ori Evans

Au/Ra – CRACK! – Andy Mihov

BAR MAID – Braden Barton

BROTHER – Aryna Tsyltsyna

DEACON – JAPAN. – Grey Smoley, Michael Colombos

DIE SPITZ – PUNISHERS – Justin Wilson

DON’T JUDGE MY WAY – Kayla McHaney

FEVER – Reagan Elkins

IDEAL DISTANCE – Danny Chandia

MAKE BELIEVE – David Wells, Jimmy Lindsey, ASC, Ruthie Craft

MOVE WITH ME – Jordie, Sophie Powers

ROCKET – Jahsoulii Blain

ROLL THE DICE – SeungMin Cho

 

DIFF concurrently announced the winners and finalists of the screenplay competition, presented in collaboration with Event Horizon Films. The winning scripts will be performed live by trained actors from Dallas-based Sherrill Actors Studio during the table read sessions during the Festival. Event Horizon Films is the event host, while Michelle Sherrill, owner of Sherrill Actors Studio, will cast and direct the table reads. This marks the third season that DIFF has collaborated with Event Horizon Films and Sherrill Actors Studio for the table reads at the Festival.

 

WHY NOT HER? – Feature Winner

Writer: Taylor Bartczak

A woman leads an NFL expansion team, the Orlando Stars, through its first season as the first female head coach of the NFL.

 

Feature Finalists

GOLD MINE

Writer: Andrzej Ciesielski

BROTHERS’ COVER

Writer: Hugo André

THE BLACK ABBEY

Writers: Michael Consiglio, Alex Klein

NO WATER FOR WALK-ONS

Writer: Michael Cutler

 

SEX IS WORK – Pilot Winner

Writer: Tracee Darcelle

By day, Chloe sells aspiration to the masses. By night, she sells her time to the rich and powerful. When an anonymous blackmailer threatens to expose her secret life as a luxury escort, the high-achieving Atlanta ad executive must outmaneuver someone who understands money, secrecy, and leverage as well as she does or lose everything she’s built.

 

Pilot Finalists

THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE WORLD

Writer: Renn Tan

POUR INTO ME

Writer: Taelor Turner

TWEED

Writer: John Eden Heather

ON THE ROCKS

Writer: Marcus Durham

STRANGE, BUT PERFECT – Texas Winner

Writer: Carlo Lorenzo Garcia 

In the isolating chaos of 2020, a tightly wound Chicago marketing assistant quarantines at his grandmother’s rural Texas home, where he clashes with her foul-mouthed caretaker forcing two strangers to confront grief, guilt, and the possibility of unexpected connection.

 

Texas Finalists

LONG DEAD

Writer: Chad Jackson

BLACK SHROUD

Writer: Timothy Shane Stevens

THE BASEMENT

Writer: J.D. Elliby

MICHAEL HUNG HIMSELF

Writer: Matthew Kingston

 

MISSED CONNECTION – Short Script Winner

Writer: Marion Trent

A withdrawn artist and a reflective writer form a quiet, anonymous bond through sketches and Post-it notes on a cafe bulletin board—each helping the other heal in ways that could never have happened if they’d met face-to-face.

 

Shorts Finalists

VIRGIN MARGOT

Writer: Jennifer Prediger

DEAD ROOTS

Writer: Keenan Dunn

I DID EVERYTHING RIGHT

Writer: Phoebe Cleghorn

EPILOGUE

Writers: Laura Katherine Winter, Nathaniel Davis, Bob Dodd

 

New to this year’s offerings at the Festival will be the first-time DIFF Industry Conference, presented in collaboration with Dallas Film Commission. The conference will feature panels focusing on filmmaking, television production, and how to thrive in an ever-changing industry, according to Katie Schuck, the Dallas Film Commissioner, and Austin Flores, who is the Location Specialist for Dallas Film Commission and will serve as Conference Director.

The Dallas International Film Festival is a global adventure featuring more than 125 film screenings, panels, Q&As with filmmakers and actors, nightly Red Carpets, live screenplay table reads, awards, and other events and activations where filmmakers, screenwriters, film industry leaders, celebrities, sponsors, and audiences come together to experience and discuss film. Films are curated from submissions received by filmmakers from 100+ countries worldwide, across Texas, and the United States, and include narrative features, documentaries, and short films of all genres from studios and independent filmmakers. Festival information is available at https://diffdallas.org/diff.

The Dallas International Film Festival is one of only 59 film festivals in the United States and only 181 film festivals worldwide to earn the designation of Oscar® Qualifying Festival by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Oscar® Qualifying short film awards at the Dallas International Film Festival are: Grand Jury Prize – Best Animated Short Film; Grand Jury Prize – Best Documentary Short Film; and Grand Jury Prize – Best Narrative Short Film.

Films that win qualified awards may be qualified to enter the 99th Academy Awards®, provided that the films meet all the requirements set forth in the official rules for that season. See https://www.oscars.org/oscars/rules-eligibility for details.

ChaiFlicks to Release Sarah Solemani’s Award-Winning Short Film “Mashhad” Depicting Hidden Chapter of Iranian and Jewish History

Dev Shapiro
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ChaiFlicks to Release Sarah Solemani’s Award-Winning Short Film “Mashhad” Depicting Hidden Chapter of Iranian and Jewish History

The award-winning short film Mashhad, written and directed by actor and filmmaker Sarah Solemani (Bridget Jones’s Diary), will premiere on the Jewish streaming platform ChaiFlicks on April 6. Ahead of its debut, the film is now available for a limited free preview on YouTube via Reboot Studios.

Mashhad reflects a moment in Iranian and Jewish history that many people are unfamiliar with but also speaks to the long relationship between the Iranian and Jewish communities and the ways diaspora identities continue to intersect. Solemani hopes this film will “generate conversations about the possibility of a more democratic and pluralistic future for Iran, the importance of women’s leadership and participation in rebuilding civic institutions, and the ways Iranian, Jewish, and diaspora communities might imagine a more hopeful future.”

Set in the holy Islamic city of Mashhad in 1930’s Iran, Mashhad follows Miriam, a spirited young Jewish girl living in the ghetto, struggling to understand why her family conceals who they are. Unbeknownst to her, an innocent day playing with a neighborhood friend soon threatens the fragile safety of two households, putting her family’s life in jeopardy. What unfolds is an extraordinary story of religion as oppression, and faith as survival, and a retelling of Iran’s long-lost ethnic group.  Produced by Reboot Studios and inspired by writer-director Sarah Solemani’s family history in the Mashhadi Jewish community, the film offers a rare cinematic window into a long-suppressed chapter of Iranian Jewish life. The film will become available on ChaiFlicks beginning April 6. Audiences can watch the short film on YouTube here until it begins streaming exclusively on ChaiFlicks.

Winner of two FFTG awards, including the People’s Choice and The Grand Jury Choice Award, “Mashhad” also won Best Short Film at The Crown Wood International Film Festival, and Best Short Film at the Indian Independent Film Festival.

26th Annual Beverly Hills Film Festival Returns April 12-19, 2026 with Record 450 Films from 65+ Countries

Dev Shapiro
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26th Annual Beverly Hills Film Festival Returns April 12-19, 2026 with Record 450 Films from 65+ Countries

The 26th annual Beverly Hills Film Festival® (BHFF) will return from April 12 – April 19, 2026, marking its largest and most internationally diverse edition to date. With a record-breaking 450 films representing more than 65 countries, the 2026 festival underscores its growing global influence as a premier showcase for filmmakers.

Celebrating more than two decades of international cinema, the Beverly Hills Film Festival continues to serve as a high-profile gathering point for established industry leaders, tastemakers, and global audiences. This year’s expansive slate spans narrative features, documentaries, shorts, animation, and experimental works, reflecting the evolving landscape of global storytelling and the increasing cross-border collaboration that shapes today’s film industry.

The festival will kick off with its signature opening night celebration at The Beverly Hilton, for a glitzy night of red-carpet spectacle and old-school Hollywood glamour, all in the heart of Beverly Hills. The weeklong celebration will culminate in the festival’s renowned black-tie Awards Gala, where standout filmmakers will be honored for excellence in cinematic achievement.

This year’s highlights, all playing at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatres, include the following titles:

  • Sock it To me: The Legend of George Schlatter, directed by Chris Coronado, starring Tom Hanks, Billy Crystal, Goldie Hawn, Martin Short, Lily Tomlin, Michael Douglas, Bill Maher, Jimmy Kimmel, Sherry Lansing, Jay Leno, Clive Davis, and many more.
  • Boris is Dead, directed by James Cullen Bressack, starring Dane Cook, Cam Gigandet, Jesse Metcalfe, James Duval, Steven Bauer, and Martin & Jesse Kove.
  • Eddie Cochran: Don’t Forget Me, directed by Kristy Bell, starring Kiefer Sutherland, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, Roger Daltrey, Billy Idol, John Waters, Linda Perry, Sting, and Yungblud.
  • The Highest Stakes, directed by Tony Dean Smith, starring Seth Green, Kevin Dillon, Charlie Weber, and Dylan Walsh.
  • Crystal Cross, directed by Richie James Follin, starring Rubyrose Hill, Missi Pyle, Samantha Robinson, and Lukas Haas.
  • Elvis, Rocky, & Me: The Carol Connors Story, directed by Alex Rotaru, starring Carol Connors, Barbi Benton, Mike Tyson, Dionne Warwick, and Diane Warren.
  • Bonding, directed by Victoria Trofimenko, starring Jefferson White, Gloria Reuben, Tate Donovan, and Alexandra Doke.

Throughout the week, attendees can expect high-profile premieres, filmmaker Q&As, curated panel discussions, and industry networking events designed to spark collaboration and spotlight bold new voices. Outdoor programming and special events across Beverly Hills further reinforce the city’s role as both backdrop and cultural catalyst for the global film community.

“Each year, the Beverly Hills Film Festival brings together some of the brightest filmmakers working today and showcases extraordinary examples of filmmaking from around the world,” said Nino Simone, President and Founder of the festival. “There is a unique energy and spirit here in Beverly Hills that simply doesn’t happen anywhere else. The festival has grown into a true destination for the global film community, a place where exciting new voices in cinema are discovered while the legends who shaped this industry are celebrated and honored.”

In partnership and hosted at The Beverly Hilton, the festival continues to position Beverly Hills as a global destination for arts and culture, generating international visibility while supporting local businesses, hospitality, and tourism.

“We are delighted to welcome the Beverly Hills Film Festival back to The Beverly Hilton in 2026. As an iconic destination with enduring ties to film, artistry, and Hollywood history, the hotel has long served as a premier gathering place for storytellers and industry visionaries from around the world,” said David Ecija, General Manager at The Beverly Hilton. “This continued partnership reflects our shared commitment to celebrating creative excellence and honoring the craft of cinema. We are proud to once again host filmmakers, industry leaders, and distinguished guests as they come together in the heart of Beverly Hills to recognize the transformative power of storytelling and the lasting impact of film.”

The 2026 festival is made possible through the support of its distinguished partners, including The Beverly Hilton Hotel, Official Hotel and Awards Venue Partner; Love Beverly Hills, Official Host Destination Partner; Ovation Hollywood, Official Outdoor Panel Venue Partner; TCL Chinese Theatres, Official Screening Partner; Maison Perrier, Official Water Partner; Aix Rosé, Official Rosé Partner; Fever-Tree, Official Mixer Partner; and Peroni, Official Beer and Non-Alcoholic Beer Partner. Their collaboration enhances the festival experience, from world-class hospitality and iconic venues to curated culinary and beverage offerings that elevate each event throughout the week.

For more information about the festival, please visit beverlyhillsfilmfestival.com

THE 28TH ANNUAL OUTSHINE LGBTQ+ FILM FESTIVAL SPRING EDITION RETURNS TO SOUTH FLORIDA FROM APRIL 23 – MAY 3

Dev Shapiro
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THE 28TH ANNUAL OUTSHINE LGBTQ+ FILM FESTIVAL SPRING EDITION RETURNS TO SOUTH FLORIDA FROM APRIL 23 – MAY 3

Strong. Proud. United. The OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival Spring Edition returns to South Florida April 23 – May 3, 2026! Internationally acclaimed as one of the largest LGBTQ+ cultural festivals in the world, this season’s OUTshine line-up hits Miami-Dade and Broward counties with vibrant thought-provoking, entertaining and educational star-studded features, documentaries and shorts including four international, nine North American and six East Coast premieres from 20 countries. New this year is the festival’s Opening Night Under the Stars, a Community Block Party Closing Night and an extended Fort Lauderdale run adding three more days of fun, fabulous excitement to connect cinema enthusiasts.

Last year’s OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festivals drew more than 12,000 attendees from the Greater South Florida area, as well as virtual viewers statewide.

“OUTshine was created to entertain, educate, and inspire film-loving audiences of all persuasions by presenting the best of emerging international, national, and local LGBTQ+ oriented films to South Florida,” said Mark Gilbert, interim executive director, OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival. “We strive to enrich our audiences while encouraging a sense of community by presenting international and culturally diverse films that offer historical and contemporary perspectives on the LGBTQ+ experience. Our message is that when you come to the festival, you’re with friends.”

Starting the 2026 Spring Edition off on a glamorous, outdoor note, OUTshine is thrilled to present its opening night film, The Dinner (La Cena) (Spain, 2025), a delicious blend of tension, history, and irreverent humor, on Thursday, April 23, at 7:30 p.m., at Miami Beach Botanical Gardens (2000 Convention Ctr Dr, Miami Beach). Set in the turbulent aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, a grand dinner is planned to celebrate the nationalist triumph of Franco in the iconic and luxurious Hotel Palace in Madrid. But what the victors don’t know is who’s in the kitchen. Directed by Manuel Gómez Pereira, the film stars Mario Casas (The Goldsmith’s Secret) and Alberto San Juan (Cristobal Balenciaga). Opening night tickets are $75 and include reserved lawn seating, entertainment, open bar cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a filmmaker Q & A.

“With so many new universal stories yet to be discovered, selecting this year’s Spring Edition features was truly a labor of love,” said Joe Bilancio, director of programming, OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival. “Our Miami run has a strong focus on Latin America, international and foreign language LGBTQ+ films geared toward a strong multicultural audience while Fort Lauderdale features many American independent films. We are proud to share these empowering stories by today’s foremost and emerging directors whose creative visions urge us to embrace our differences and foster a sense of unity and belonging.”

The Men’s and Ladies Latin Spotlight Night will begin at 7 p.m. on April 25 in Miami at the Silverspot Cinema (300 SE 3rd St #100, Miami). This year’s films include the romantic comedy An Island Away From You (A Una Isla Deti) (Spain, 2025) and the award-winning drama Jone, Sometimes (Jone, batzuetan) (Spain, 2025).

Monday, April 27, Tuesday, April 28 and Wed, April 29 OUTshine will present its Cocktails & Cinema™ nights in BOTH Miami and Fort Lauderdale. At 7 p.m., at the historic landmark Tower Theater (1508 SW 8th St, Miami), OUTshine brings the magic of local shorts to Calle Ocho and at 7 p.m., at the historic Paradigm Cinemas: Gateway Fort Lauderdale (1820 E Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale), a Trans Spotlight film will debut.

This year’s Centerpiece Film screening at the Koubek Center Theater (2705 SW 3rd St, Miami) at 7:30 p.m. on April 30 will be Maspalomas (Spain, 2025), an intimate story that delves into the subject of homosexuality in elder age through the journey of a 76-year-old man confronting fears and dilemmas that cross generations. Set in the iconic town and beaches of Maspalomas, on the beautiful island of Gran Canaria, the film thoughtfully explores universal themes such as family, identity and sexuality in later life, with extraordinary honesty, depth and sensitivity. The film was directed by Jose Mari Goenaga and Aitor Arregi. Post-screening, audience are invited for light bites, entertainment and complimentary cocktails.

On April 27, OUTshine travels north to Fort Lauderdale with a host of exclusive screenings, fun-filled evenings and a brand-new block party spread out over three additional dates.

On Friday, May 1, Men’s Spotlight and Ladies Spotlight films, co-hosted by Wilton Women’s Week, grace the big screen at the historic Paradigm Cinemas: Gateway Fort Lauderdale (1820 E Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale). Broward filmgoers will be treated to the action-crime thriller Lone Star Bull (USA, 2024) starring Luke Macfarlane, Sebastian Roché, and D.J. “Shangela” Pierce, and Erupcja (Poland, 2025), a romantic comedy-drama starring Charli XCX followed by an afterparty at J. Mark’s Fort Lauderdale restaurant.

Other star-studded films of note this year include Montreal, My Beautiful (Montéal, Ma Belle) (Canada, 2025) starring Joan Chen as a Chinese immigrant who begins a secret affair with a young Québécoise, I Want Your Sex (USA, 2026), an American erotic comedy thriller directed by Gregg Araki starring Olivia Wilde, Cooper Hoffman, Daveed Diggs, Johnny Knoxville, Margaret Cho and Charli XCX and Rock Out (USA, 2025), directed by Dustin Lance Black, an excavation of the queer roots of rock, punk and metal featuring Roger Daltrey, Dolly Parton, John Reid, Danny Fields and more.

On Sunday, May 3, OUTshine is proud to present its first-ever Closing Night Community Block Party at Savor Cinema (503 SE 6th St, Fort Lauderdale). Audiences are invited to the 6 p.m. screening of We’ll Find Happiness (Canada, 2025) followed by an outdoor soiree featuring food vendors, filmmakers, live performers, entertainment and more from community partners. We’ll Find Happiness, directed by Léa Pool, tells the story of Saad, a young Moroccan exile in Quebec, who will do anything to save the man he loves, an Iranian refugee facing deportation and likely death. In a desperate move, Saad tries to seduce a high-ranking spokesperson from the Ministry of Immigration. This risky gambit sets off a chain of events that are as intimate as they are political, where every decision carries consequences far beyond matters of the heart.

OUTshine At-Home viewing will be available from May 4 – 10.

“While others might retreat, OUTshine forges forward with an even more robust schedule proving that strength, courage, and solidarity can turn even the fiercest storms into a path toward hope and pride. We will continue to showcase the bold storytelling, diverse voices, and unforgettable cinematic moments that define our community,” added Gilbert.

This year’s OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival spring edition is presented by CAN Community Health and The Warten Foundation. Premiere sponsors are Gilead and Comcast; Presenting Media are HotSpots! Media and It’s Happening Out; Grand sponsors are Google, Wilton River Suites, Silverspot Cinemas, Paradigm Cinemas: Gateway Fort Lauderdale, Major Prevention 305, Fast Printz, Tito’s and Commissioner Damian Pardo; Supporting sponsors are Latino Salud J. Mark’s, Miami Beach Botanical Gardens and Media partners include Cultural Owl, The Bulletin, I Love Gay Movies, Miami Herald, El Nuevo Herald, MOCHEE, TampaBayGay.com, OUTFRONT MEDIA, OUT SFL, OutClique, queerguru.com, wireman, Skirt South Florida and GPR | Goodman Public Relations.

The full film schedule for OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival Spring Edition will drop on March 27. Ticket subscription packages and individual tickets starting at $17 go on sale at the same time. OUTshine passholders and Producer Circle members receive priority advance ticket purchase opportunities. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit outshinefilm.com.

Relationship Rules Were Meant to Be Rewritten – “The Poly Couple” ElectricNOW’s First Original Scripted Series Debuts April 16

Dev Shapiro
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Relationship Rules Were Meant to Be Rewritten – “The Poly Couple” ElectricNOW’s First Original Scripted Series Debuts April 16

ElectricNOW, the free streaming service from Electric Entertainment, is going big! New apps for phones, web, tablets, Roku, FireTV, AppleTV, and smart televisions. The service is a complete upgrade — sporting new features, expanded content, and now carrying over 60 Live Channels, all available for free.

Kicking it all off is ElectricNOW’s first Original Scripted Series, “The Poly Couple,” a humorous and entertaining look at the complications of navigating love, life, and relationships as a polyamorous couple in Los Angeles.

“The Poly Couple,” will launch with the first three episodes of the 9-episode series on April 16, the same day as the debut of the new upgraded ElectricNOW app. The first two episodes will also be streaming on the ElectricNOW FAST channel that same day with subsequent episodes dropping each week.

Originally launched as a series of shorts on TikTok and YouTube, Daniel and Dana’s unique story, witty writing, and comedic acting instantly attracted a huge following, racking up over half a million views for each episode, with close to 400,000 subscribers. Each episode unapologetically exposes the jealousy, negotiation, awkward encounters, and unexpected intimacy that occurs when loving more than one person—proving that when it comes to relationships, the rules are meant to be rewritten.

“When I first saw their short videos, I was blown away by the uniqueness of their story, the insightful comedic take, and terrific performances. I reached out to them and asked if they would be interested in turning this into a half-hour scripted show for ElectricNOW,” said Executive Producer Dean Devlin. “It’s been a thrill working with Dana and Daniel bringing this project to life, and I can’t wait for audiences to discover this original and unique series.”

The launch of the original “The Poly Couple” series coincides with the expanded services of ElectricNOW streaming platform.  More movies and television series have been added along with fresh seasons of Electric Entertainment shows that will make their debut on the app this year, including season 1 of the TNT hit show The Librarians: The Next Chapter, season 3 of the hit Amazon series Leverage: Redemption, and both seasons 1 and 2 of the SyFy breakthrough show The Ark.

The newly remodeled apps will also feature a LIVE Channels section with more than  60 FREE channels. Each channel is strategically curated to energize the platform’s loyal fanbase while drawing in viewers seeking premium, free escapist entertainment and beloved cult classics. Click here for a complete listing of the newly added channels coming to the app and platform.

Dean Devlin continues, “We built ElectricNOW to be a place of community for all of our fans to congregate and hang out together, no log-in or subscription required, and everything for FREE. When we launched, our live channel became the most widely distributed scripted FAST (free ad-supported streaming TV) channel in the US. Now, with more than 60 FAST Channels, there’s more reason than ever to hang out and spend time on ElectricNOW.”

 

The Poly Couple

Below is a synopsis of each of “The Poly Couple” 30-minute episodes.

 

Episode 1

So This Is How Polyamory Happens 

Dana and Daniel’s polyamorous relationship becomes complicated as Daniel develops feelings for his roommate, and Dana grapples with introducing polyamory to a new spark.

 

Episode 2

Morning Breath 

Dana and Daniel navigate the fallout after a threesome with their roommate. Dana tries to figure out how to get her new flame to get an STI test.

 

Episode 3

He Forgot the Date 

Esther friend zones Daniel, and things develop with Jack. Dana and Kit have sex without a condom.

 

Episode 4

Are You Jealous? 

Daniel meets Kit, Dana’s new love interest. Esther comes home drunk from her new job. Kit invades Dana’s privacy.

 

Episode 5

The Password Is Love 

Dana, Daniel, Jack, and Esther have a Christmas gathering, and alcohol adds fuel to the fire. Kit asks for a “second gift”.

 

Episode 6

Roller Skating Double Date Extravaganza

Daniel goes on a date with Penelope. Kit and Dana agree to always sleep naked. Dana, Daniel, Esther, and Jack go roller skating.

 

Episode 7

Spin the Bottle 

Kit hides his phone in his pillowcase. Dana, Daniel, Esther, and Jack play spin the bottle.

 

Episode 8

You’re Doing the Talky Talky 

Dana and Daniel start a podcast and Dana meets Kit’s friends.

 

Episode 9

The Straw That Broke the Camel’s Back 

Dana and Kit’s relationship unravels. Dana and Daniel go on a throuple date with a girl.

SAAM Studios “The Scarapist” returns to Amazon Prime

Dev Shapiro
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SAAM Studios “The Scarapist” returns to Amazon Prime

True crime sensation and best picture winner “The Scarapist” from Seasons & a Muse (SAAM), the award-winning producers of festival darling “Night Rain,” helped shape the new Hollywood psychological thriller. Movies like “Get Out,” “Split,” “Unsane” and others draw from its story and execution. “The Scarapist” garnered over one million views every month of its second run on Amazon Prime and now returns for a third turn later this month.

“The Scarapist” was penned by multi-award-winning writer, director, and actress Jeanne Marie Spicuzza (“Night Rain”). The chilling suspense movie is based on the essay with the same title published by Rachel Thompson and the horrifying true story of an abusive hypnotherapist in the Pacific Palisades area, the wealthy ocean suburb recovering from the Los Angeles fires, and a corresponding litigation. Helping bring the story to life are actors Katy Colloton (TV Land’s “Teachers”), R. Michael Gull (“Cactus Jack”), and Kyle Walsh (“The Dark Knight”). Synthian Sharp (Jorja Fox’s “How I Became an Elephant”) co-directs.

Lana (Spicuzza), a novelist struggling with career and family problems, is seduced into “treatment” by a demented therapist named Ilse (Colloton). Her “patients,” like Sweenie (Gull), assist in terrorizing Lana, Lana’s daughter and husband (Walsh).

Dubbed “The New Noir” by publicist Jeremy Walker (“The Blair Witch Project”), “The Scarapist”  ushered in a new era of female-driven, multi-genre psychological movies and television series like “Greta,” “Homecoming” and more. A suburban setting provides the eerie backdrop. The cinematography and autumnal Midwestern landscape offer panoramic beauty and unease.

“The Scarapist” made its world premiere at LA Femme International Film Festival, and garnered awards like the Verein Deutscher Und Filmemacher Award for Best Film at Berlinale. It enjoyed a limited theatrical release at Landmark Theatres before its first streaming appearance in 2016.

Called “[O]riginal, disturbing” by celebrated film critic and historian David Luhrssen, “The Scarapist” is the first motion picture devised by the subject PTSD and abuse survivor. It exposes the dark side of hypnosis, with a sinister therapist who prefers controlling to curing, where her own issues turn her into a new kind of villain – one who perverts the tenets of the New Age pseudo-spirituality she preaches. “The Scarapist” is also the first film to use a gun of its opposite purpose, as a tool for forgiveness instead of violence.

Spicuzza is currently prepping comedy-horror series “#VampOUT” for its network premiere with executive producer Barney Cohen of “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” fame and Organic Media Group. Other announcements to follow.

Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) 2026 Announces Film Lineup

Dev Shapiro
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Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) 2026 Announces Film Lineup

The 2026 Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) has announced the film and events lineup for its highly anticipated 24th edition. IFFLA is set to take place April 23-26, 2026. Passes and Tickets go on sale on March 19 at www.indianfilmfestival.org.

Recognized worldwide as a leading platform for South Asian cinema in the U.S., IFFLA celebrates that work, while also shining a spotlight on new voices and helping film artists take vital next steps in their careers by connecting them with key industry professionals. IFFLA opens with Mahesh Narayanan’s Malayalam thriller Patriot, one of the most anticipated Indian films of 2026, bringing together the towering legends Mohanlal and Mammootty, on screen again after 18 years, in a gripping, star-studded ensemble. The festival will close with Anusha Rizvi’s The Great Shamsuddin Family, a razor-sharp social satire set in Delhi and her long-awaited follow-up to Peepli Live.

This year IFFLA will feature 27 films, including seven narrative features, two documentary features, and 18 short films. Countries represented include India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Japan, France, the UK, Netherlands, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and the USA.

Anu Rangachar, IFFLA’s Artistic Director, said, “Apart from our impressive galas, the program travels across South Asia, from Bangladesh’s meditative Sand City to Pakistan’s emerging new wave with the haunting Ghost School and the visually arresting Lali. Alongside Indian stories like Shape of Momo and Venice-winner Songs of Forgotten Trees, this year’s lineup reflects a remarkable surge of women filmmakers across the subcontinent and the diasporas, something we are very proud to champion. Two intimate diaspora documentaries, Karla Murthy’s The Gas Station Attendant, and Ben Rekhi and Swetlana’s Breaking the Code, round out the selection with deeply personal tributes to their fathers.”

The film festival’s highly impactful IFFLA Industry Days returns bigger and better than ever before – including panels, masterclasses, screenings, and pitch finalists, with details to be announced in the coming weeks. This is a forum offering South Asian film and TV creatives opportunities to build meaningful connections with industry leaders and the chance to win a $10,000 Pitch Competition Development Grant. The forum also offers IFFLA Connect, a unique program that links standout projects from South Asia and its diasporas to key industry professionals, offering support across financing, production, casting, and beyond.

Anjay Nagpal, IFFLA’s Executive Director, said, “Each year IFFLA puts the spotlight on the brilliant breadth and scope of South Asian storytelling. We look forward to bringing another exciting group of filmmakers together with the Los Angeles audiences and industry vets eager to see their new work. This curated connection is what makes IFFLA such a vital and unmissable event.”

IFFLA kicks off with the U.S. Premiere of Mahesh Narayanan’s Patriot. With combats and chases, secret missions and covert operatives, death threats and assassination attempts, the film is an-edge-of-the-seat espionage thriller. Packed with a high voltage, star-spangled ensemble, it is led by the two icons of Malayalam cinema—Mohanlal and Mammootty—who come together on screen again after 18 years.

Closing the film festival is the North American Premiere of Anusha Rizvi’s witty, tightly written social satire, The Great Shamsuddin Family. Set over the course of a single day inside a Delhi apartment, the film centers around Bani, a writer racing to meet a crucial deadline while managing her family’s escalating turmoil. Rizvi brilliantly turns domestic chaos into a microcosm of modern India, balancing humor and heartbreak while crafting a tapestry of generational tension, urban neurosis and female resilience.

The narrative features lineup includes impressive filmmaking debuts and award winners. Seemab Gul’s Ghost School is a deeply poignant and acutely observed directorial feature debut from an IFFLA alum. The film tells the haunting story of a ten-year-old girl Rabia moving through the cracks of a broken system with a steady courage that the adults around her seem to have lost when rumor breaks out that a jinn has possessed her teacher and now haunts her school. Mahde Hasan’s spectacular debut Sand City is set in the unforgiving metropolis of Dhaka, where a young woman from the indigenous minority and an ambitious factory worker, two strangers harboring repressed desires and fantasies, find themselves connected by the city’s endless and shifting sand. The film won the Proxima Grand Prix at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. Tribeny Rai’s Shape of Momo, which has been making waves around the world, will have its North American premiere at IFFLA. The film tells the story of a young woman who, after quitting her job in Delhi, returns to her ancestral home in a remote Himalayan village, where she must negotiate the traditional expectations that have long defined the women around her.

Also making its North American Premiere at IFFLA will be the darkly comic Lali, directed by Sarmad Khoosat who has long been one of Pakistan’s most distinctive voices. Coming from a deeply personal space, this film tells the story of a newlywed couple caught between love and destiny and paints a quietly unsettling portrait of a family carrying wounds that refuse to heal. Yet another impressive debut is Anuparna Roy’s Songs of Forgotten Trees which follows two young migrant women who develop an unlikely bond as they strive to survive Mumbai’s urban sprawl. The film garnered Roy the Best Director Award at the Venice Film Festival.

Karla Murthy’s documentary The Gas Station Attendant is an intimate portrait of an immigrant father’s journey from the streets of India to the realities of life in America, woven from archival footage and recorded phone conversations between the filmmaker and her father while he worked the nightshift as a gas station attendant. The film won Best Documentary at the Nashville Film Festival, and a Special Mention at Sheffield DocFest. Making its world premiere during a special presentation screening, Ben Rekhi and Swetlana’s documentary Breaking The Code is a deeply personal story where Rekhi retraces his father’s path from a modest childhood in newly independent India to his rise as a tech pioneer in Silicon Valley — a powerful story of migration, sacrifice and love that broke the glass ceiling for Indians in America.

The dynamic short film program, which this year features work by 13 female directors, includes the world premiere of Nihaarika Negi’s sweeping Tenfa, produced by Storiculture who previously also produced the acclaimed Humans in the Loop (IFFLA 2025). Working closely with the local Kinnauri community, this intergenerational tale follows an unlikely trio of women as they cross a remote Himalayan landscape in search of an endangered herb that could save a mother’s life, guided by a forgotten folk song. Also making its world premiere, Fatima Liaqat’s Plain Folks is a comedy horror story about a Pakistani freshman in Utah, whose dream of a perfect all-American college party turns into a nightmare. Permanent Guest, directed by Joyland co-producer Sana Zahra Jafri, is a riveting psychological thriller about a young woman in Lahore who must weigh her familial duty against her growing rage when she’s paid a visit by an unwanted uncle. Making its North American premiere, Hidden Sun, by Girls Will Be Girls (IFFLA 2024) director Shuchi Talati, is an stirring drama about a discontent couple whose desire for each other is reawakened when they cross paths with a flamenco dancer.

Shorts having their Los Angeles premieres at IFFLA after gaining recognition at major international film festivals include the Queer Palm award-winner at Cannes Critics’ Week  Bleat!, by Ananth Subramaniam, a surreal comedy about a Malaysian-Tamil couple whose male goat turns out to be pregnant; the Cannes Special Mention winner Ali, by Adnan Al Rajeev, a haunting Bangladeshi film about a young singer who must hide his true voice for a chance to move to the city; and straight from its premiere at Sundance, O’Sey Balamma by Raman Nimmala, a soulful story about the unexpected bond between a matriarch and her housekeeper as they confront solitude.

The festival has a robust selection of films by California and local filmmakers, including the world premieres of Harvest Party At Camp Two by Rajan Gill and Reaa Pur, a compelling documentary about Punjabi farmworkers in 1980s small-town America; Peanut by Sheila Sawhny, a heartfelt tale about second chances; Urvashi Pathania’ Skin, a surreal horror tale about a young woman trapped in the treacherous machinery of toxic beauty standards; Katti by Kanishka Aggarwal, about an eight-year-old girl grappling with the first sting of gender bias and sibling rivalry; and the North American premiere of Radha Mehta’s Sūnna, a tender mother-daughter story set in the world of classical Indian music.

IFFLA 2026 is supported in part by the Joy of Sharing Foundation, Tarsadia Foundation, Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, and additional sponsors.

For more information and to purchase passes and tickets, visit www.indianfilmfestival.org. Follow IFFLA on Facebook (/indianfilmfestival), Instagram (@indianfilmfestival), and X (formerly Twitter) (@iffla).

 

Official Selections for 2026 Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA)

GALA PRESENTATIONS

 

Opening Night Presention

Patriot                                                             US Premiere

Director: Mahesh Narayanan

Country: India; Running Time: 172 min

A top-tier researcher uncovers an illegal use of a high-level surveillance asset, triggering a national manhunt that transforms him from a patriot into a fugitive.

 

Closing Night Presentation

The Great Shamsuddin Family                    North American Premiere

Director: Anusha Rizvi

Country: India; Running Time: 97 min

A writer faces her most important deadline while her house erupts in family chaos, forcing her to juggle a 12-hour writing sprint with an unfolding domestic emergency.

 

 

ADDITIONAL NARRATIVE FEATURES

 

Ghost School

Director: Seemab Gul

Countries: Pakistan/Germany/Saudi Arabia; Running Time: 88 min

When ten-year-old Rabia finds her village school closed, rumors erupt that a jinn has possessed her teacher and now haunts the school.

 

Lali                                                                  North American Premiere

Director: Sarmad Sultan Khoosat

Country: Pakistan, Running Time: 116 min

In a darkly comic spiral of desire and superstition, Zeba and Sajawal find their arranged union—and their very bodies—warped by an inescapable, blood-soaked fate.

 

Sand City

Director: Mahde Hasan

Country: Bangladesh; Running Time: 99 min

In the unforgiving metropolis of Dhaka, a young woman from the indigenous minority and an ambitious factory worker, two strangers harboring repressed desires and fantasies, find themselves connected by the city’s endless, shifting sand.

 

Shape of Momo                                             North American Premiere

Director: Tribeny Rai

Country: India; Running Time: 115 min

In a remote Himalayan village, three generations of women navigate the tensions of tradition, the quiet stirrings of change, and the complexities and joys of their intertwined lives.

 

Songs of Forgotten Trees

Director: Anuparna Roy

Country: India; Running Time: 77 min

Amid the relentless pulse of Mumbai, two young migrant women striving to survive find themselves sharing not only space, but also an unexpected bond that reshapes both their journeys.

 

DOCUMENTARY FEATURES

 

Breaking The Code                                       World Premiere/Special Presentation

Directors: Ben Rekhi, Swetlana

Countries: USA/India; Running Time: 81 min

A son retraces his father’s journey from Indian immigrant to tech pioneer, uncovering a powerful story of migration, sacrifice, and love that broke the glass ceiling for Indians in America.

 

The Gas Station Attendant

Director: Karla Murthy

Country: United States; Running Time: 83 min

A  daughter reflects on her father’s remarkable and tumultuous journey from the streets of India to the realities of life in America, weaving archival footage with recorded phone conversations they had while he worked the nightshift as a gas station attendant.

 

 

SHORT FILMS

 

Ali

Director: Adnan Al Rajeev

Countries: Bangladesh/Philippines; Running Time: 15 min

In a coastal town where women are not allowed to sing, a teenager must hide his true voice for a chance to move to the city.

 

Bleat!

Director: Ananth Subramaniam

Countries: Malaysia/Philippines/France; Running Time: 15 min

An elderly Malaysian-Tamil couple discovers their male goat, set for ceremonial slaughter, is pregnant. Torn between faith and the expectations of their community, they struggle to decide whether to slaughter it or face the wrath of the gods.

 

Dekho (Look)                                                 North American Premiere

Director: Manjinder Virk

Country: UK; Running Time: 18 min

Ten-year-old Arjun’s world unravels when his grandmother, who suffers from dementia, unexpectedly moves in, competing for his mother’s attention.

 

Harvest Party At Camp Two                        World Premiere

Directors: Rajan Gill, Reaa Pur

Country: USA; Running Time: 16 mins

Director(s): Rajan Gill, Reaa Pur

Summer in Northern California in the 1980s is a time of race wars and rock’n’roll. Unable to attend their local prom, the Punjabi farmworkers throw the biggest party their small town has ever seen.

 

Hidden Sun                                                    North American Premiere

Director: Shuchi Talati

Country: Japan; Running Time: 24 min

An encounter with a Japanese flamenco dancer rattles the stagnant rhythms of a middle-aged couple, unearthing suppressed emotion and reawakening desire.

 

Katti   

Director: Kanishka Aggarwal

Countries: USA/India; Running Time: 14 min

In a bustling Indian household celebrating a long-awaited baby boy, an eight-year-old girl grapples with the first sting of gender bias and the emotional turbulence of sibling rivalry.

 

O’Sey Balamma       

Director: Raman Nimmala

Country: India; Running Time: 13 min

During the Sankranti festival celebrations, a matriarch and her housekeeper confront solitude through the intimacy of each other’s company.

 

Pakka 

Director: Iniyavan Elumalai

Country: Netherlands; Running Time: 18 min

When the captain of an all-gay male cricket team announces he is leaving the Netherlands to marry a woman in India, the precious bond amongst four friends is put to the test.

 

Peanut                                                            World Premiere        

Director: Sheila Sawhny

Country: USA; Running Time: 10 min

In a moment of despair, a middle-aged man finds himself alone in the woods, where he discovers the strangest of offerings.

 

Permanent Guest

Director: Sana Zahra Jafri

Country: Pakistan; Running Time: 14 min

Shaken to the core by the unexpected arrival of an unwelcome uncle, a young woman must weigh familial duty against her growing rage.

 

Plain Folks                                                     World Premiere

Director: Fatima Liaqat

Country: USA; Running Time: 13 min

The promise of the perfect all-American college party turns into a nightmare for a Pakistani freshman at a mostly white campus, when she finds herself alone and at odds with a hostile crowd.

 

Rihanna

Director: Suraj Paudel

Country: Nepal; Running Time: 17 min

In rural Nepal, thirteen-year-old Saraswati changes her name to Rihanna. The school principal scolds and disciplines her for blindly imitating Western culture, but Saraswati wants to prove herself with quiet support from her watchful mother.

 

Room At The Farm (Khooh Waala Ghar)

Directors: Jasmine Kaur Roy, Avinash Roy

Country: India; Running Time: 23 min

A vicious debt trap and the imminent fear of losing his land prevent a newly married young farmer from expressing his love for his wife.

 

Ruse

Director: Rhea Shukla

Country: India; Running Time: 9 min

On a rainy afternoon, three adolescent girls find themselves in the middle of a dance that takes on a life of its own—urging forth a sense of desire they can’t yet name.

 

Skin

Director: Urvashi Pathania

Country: USA; Running Time: 12 min

Feeling insecure about her dark skin and defying her sister’s objections, a young woman visits a glamorous skin bleaching clinic, only to find herself trapped in its treacherous machinery.

 

Sulaimani

Director: Vinnie Ann Bose

Country: France; Running Time: 20 min

One evening in Paris, two strangers, both young women from Kerala, find themselves in an Indian restaurant where the sights, sounds, and smells take them on a journey of bittersweet memories of their uprooting and emancipation.

 

Sūnna                                                             North American Premiere

Director: Radha Mehta

Country: USA; Running Time: 13 min

When sudden hearing loss shatters her identity, a young Indian musician is left in silence until the echoes of memory, touch, and culture help her reclaim music and herself.

 

Tenfa                                                               World Premiere

Director: Nihaarika Negi

Country: India; Running Time: 30 min

When a childbirth goes awry, a midwife, a grandmother, and a teenager embark on a journey across a remote Himalayan landscape scarred by ecological destruction. To save the mother’s life, they must find an endangered indigenous herb, with an old folksong as their only guide.

PROJECT HAIL MARY – A Review by Cynthia Flores

Cynthia Flores
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PROJECT HAIL MARY – A Review by Cynthia Flores

A Hail Mary is a Catholic prayer asking for the Virgin Mary’s help. In football, it’s a desperate pass in the game’s final seconds. For this film, we use the football analogy: a last-ditch, long-shot effort to save humanity.

​Project Hail Mary was first a best-selling science fiction novel released in 2021 by Andy Weir. He is the writer who also gave us the book that was turned into a 2015 movie The Martian, starring Matt Damon and directed by Ridley Scott. Another story about a man on his own out in outer space that needed to be saved. This time, in this new film, that man on his own in space is trying to save all of us.

​The film Project Hail Mary is centered on Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling). A brilliant scientist who, after being told that his scientific theories were insane, decided to leave the scientific community and make a good life teaching High School science. He lived a quiet life until the government came knocking because the Sun was being attacked by something from outer space, which nobody understood. Ryan’s crazy theories put him in the limelight and in the front seat of a globally funded science project to help figure out how to stop a star-eating substance called “astrophage” that is killing the Sun.

​Forces beyond Grace’s control leave him alone on a spaceship light-years from Earth. As his memory returns, he learns why he’s there. He then makes contact with an alien life form. Their friendship may be key to saving both their worlds.

​This film is interesting because it’s directed by two very creative men, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. They have spent the last two decades making films together. They’ve done some really outside-of-the-ordinary films, such as 2014’s The Lego Movie and 2018’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, among others. They have made a career out of turning what looked like bad ideas into good movies. This is one of their first projects, which began with a clear, crowd-pleasing storyline. And the cherry on top was the extraterrestrial part of the narrative. Lord is quoted as saying, “It did seem like a crazy idea to make a movie with the hunkiest actor of his generation and a rock puppet. I guess we’re interested in making difficult things.”

​The film boasts strong source material and a fantastic team that helps explain its magic. Cinematographer Greg Fraser, known for the Dune franchise, made a brilliant choice: Earth scenes use 2.39 widescreen; space scenes use 1.43 IMAX. He also utilized a digital-to-celluloid “film out” process that brings warmth and tangibility, rewarding viewers who see it on the big screen.

The directing team then chose Daniel Pemberton to score the film. They all worked together on Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. He’s quoted as saying he really tried to tap into the connection humans crave. That’s why he used a lot of choir work and percussion against the human body in the score. His work elevated the story in a unique way.

​I don’t have much to say about this film that’s negative. I was thoroughly captivated, and so was everybody in the theater with me who got to screen it beforehand. As I sat there, enjoying the story unfolding, I recognized in this film that same bit of magic I felt when I first saw ET. Another classic film featuring an odd-looking alien. Project Hail Mary is a wonderful family film. And it has enough sci-fi gadgetry and science-based plot to keep just about any sci-fi geek happy.

​​I give Project Hail Mary 5 stars. It’s destined to be a classic in film libraries. Bring your family to enjoy this amazing film.

 

 

Directed by: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller

Written by: Drew Goddard, Andy Weir

Rated: PG

Running Time: 2hr 36minSci-Fi/ Drama/ Space adventure

Release: In Theaters March 20th

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Sandra Huller, James Ortiz

TOW – A Review by John Strange

John Strange
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TOW – A Review by John Strange

The story of Amanda Ogle (Rose Byrne) is true.  She was a homeless woman in Seattle who was living in her car.  Until it was stolen and then towed to an impound lot.  The tow company tried to charge her a dollar amount that kept growing and growing.

This film tells the story of her travails as she tries to get her beloved car back.  It is not pretty.  It’s not a particularly fun watch because her personality is not sweet in any way.  Add sobriety to her life, or rather, the possibility of her losing the battle against that shot of alcohol if/when the pressure to win gets too strong.

The supporting cast, including Octavia Spencer, Demi Lovato, and Corbin Bernsen, is amazing.  They bring depth to the story that really impressed me.  And Bernsen’s portrayal of a corporate shyster is… hilarious!

This film is a good watch.  The story is not one you’ll ever see on Hallmark, but it is riveting.

 

Director: Stephanie Laing

Cast: Rose Byrne, Dominic Sessa, Demi Lovato, Simon Rex, Elsie Fisher, Corbin Bernsen

with Ariana DeBose and Octavia Spencer

MPA Rating: R (for language and some sexual references)

Selig Rating: 4 Stars

Runtime: 105 Min.

Release Date: 03/20/2026

Language: English

Genre(s): Drama

Trailer: TOW Official Trailer

 

The Selig Rating Scale:

5 Stars – Excellent movie/show, well worth the time and price.

4 Stars – Good movie/show

3 Stars – OK movie/show

2 Stars – Well, there was nothing else…

1 Star – Total waste of time.

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