19th Annual RIFF Official Selection
FEATURE FILM
The Badger
Dir. Kazem Mollaie | Iran | 2020
Trailer | IMDb | Runtime: 1:33:30
Right before Soodeh Sharifzadegan’s second marriage, her 11-year-old son, “Matiar” is kidnapped. After considerable effort, Soodeh is forced to ask for the ransom money from her ex-husband, “Peyman”. After Matiar’s release, Soodeh, being curious, comes to the sudden realization that it was all her son’s plan to provide the grounds for his father’s return.Metamorphosis in the Slaughterhouse
Dir. Javad Daraei | Iran | 2021
Sensation
Dir. Martin Grof | United Kingdom | 2021
She was the Deputy's Wife
Dir. Travis Mills | USA | 2020
Trailer | IMDb | Runtime: 1:33:37
When an outlaw is captured and scheduled to hang, the wife of the local deputy makes a decision that will forever change her life. Mabel is in love with the arrested man. Will she remain loyal to her husband Jonathan or follow her heart? This film is one of 12 Westerns made in 12 months during 2020.Patio of Illusion
Dir. Shangshi Chen | Macao | 2019
IMDb | Runtime: 1:33:39
Ho Yi-Cheung is an art teacher in Macau, but his passionate, honest and raw approach to art nearly costs him his job. Feeling like a failure, Yi-Cheung vows he wouldn't repeat his parents' mistakes and decides that he would make enough money for his family. He becomes a croupier at a casino, working such long hours that he neglects his family. It isn't until his wife Mei takes the kids and leaves that he realizes she never wanted money—she wanted the same thing he always wanted: for the family to spend time together. He realizes that his fear of losing Mei has caused him to lose everything. Will getting back into art and unchaining his passion, which Mei had always championed when they were young, be enough to show her that he is the person she always thought he was?DOCUMENTARY
Open Field
Dir. Kathy Kuras | USA | 2020
Trailer | IMDb | Runtime: 01:23:43
OPEN FIELD profiles the hard-hitting world champions of women’s football and their drive to earn greatness, recognition and respect. OPEN FIELD is an unforgettable journey as told through the eyes of legendary quarterback Sami Grisafe, NFL legend and Pittsburgh Steeler's Hall of Famer, Franco Harris, San Francisco 49ers Assistant Coach and first female to coach in a Super Bowl, Katie Sowers, and other pioneering women of the gridiron.The Bears on Pine Ridge
Dir. Noel Bass | USA | 2021
Trailer | Runtime: 00:39:00
Shot over a 5 year period, 'The Bears on Pine Ridge' short film brings a cinematic POV style documentary, telling a story of hope and resilience during the toughest of times for an isolated Native American community. Viewers are given unprecedented access to a State-of-Emergency happening on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, as the Oglala Lakota Sioux Tribe is devastated by a shocking surge of youth suicide attempts (the highest in the country). With little to no assistance from the Federal Government, the Tribe is left to its own resources. Local suicide prevention team leader, “Tiny” DeCory, a highly respected, life-saving female Lakota elder, sacrifices her own health to answer the many needs on the reservation. In an effort to empower young suicide-survivors, Tiny creates an inspirational and uplifting youth performance project, made up of mostly suicide-survivors, called The Bear Program.Rez Metal
Dir. Ashkan Soltani Stone | USA | 202021
IMDb | Runtime: 01:15:09
When Kyle Felter, the lead singer of I DONT KONFORM sent out a demo album to Flemming Rasmussen, the Grammy Award-winner producer of Metallica, they never imagined themselves a few months later rehearsing with Rasmussen inside a hot hogan on a Navajo reservation before recording their debut album at the iconic Sweet Silence Studio in Denmark. While following I DONT KNFORM's fairy tale journey, our documentary REZ METAL, tells the larger compelling story of the heavy metal scene on Navajo reservations where many youths have grown disaffected as a result of endemic poverty, high rate of suicides, and domestic violence. By exploring different metal bands and their perspectives on music and contemporary life, this documentary will capture the universality of their experience and illustrate the many ways in which heavy metal music engages disenfranchised Navajo youth in constructive anger to effect positive change as well as to cope with personal tragedy.The documentary VIRGINIA tells the true story of the extraordinary couple Hill-Hauser. In the 1940s Virginia Hill works her way to the very highest echelons of the US-American Mafia with sex appeal, sass and resolve. After the murder of her husband, Bugsy Siegel, she is sent to convalesce to Sun Valley where she meets her future partner and former world skiing champion, Hans Hauser. They marry and even have a child together. However, Virginia's past keeps catching up with her. The US-American tax authorities force the family to flee to Salzburg, where they settle down to a rural life in constant fear of being found. Virginia's extravagant lifestyle is completely incompatible with the rustic farm life atmosphere and so she attempts to get the Mafia to finance her expensive escapades. This finally sealed the whole family's fate; Virginia, Hans and their son all die under mysterious circumstances.
Hard Rubbish - A Collection of Memories
Dir. Alita Graziano | Australia | 2020
Trailer | Runtime: 01:17:48
"Alita attempts to bring her family together by making a film out of their lives. A revealing attempt at piecing together the history and psychology of one family."Always the Same
Dir. Slavica Šnur | Croatia | 2018
Runtime: 00:42:00
A look at basketball legend Dario Šarić and his relationship with his professional basketball player parents.Vinyl Nation
Dir. Kevin Smokler & Christopher Boone | USA | 2020
Trailer | IMDb | Runtime: 01:32:00
"The vinyl record renaissance over the past decade has brought new fans to a classic format and transformed our idea of a record collector: younger, both male and female, multicultural. This same revival has made buying music more expensive, benefited established bands over independent artists and muddled the question of whether vinyl actually sounds better than other formats. Vinyl Nation digs into the crates of the record resurgence in search of truths set in deep wax: Has the return of vinyl made music fandom more inclusive or divided? What does vinyl say about our past here in the present? How has the second life of vinyl changed how we hear music and how we listen to each other?"Short Film
Radde
Dir. Ali Lavarimonfared | Iran | 2020
IMDb | Runtime: 00:10:31
An alone fisherman lives in abandon Wharf with broken ships. Suddenly he finds a fish who tried suicide himself and fisherman want to save his life.Framed
Dir. Luiza Campos | Brazil | 2020
Runtime: 00:11:28
In an advertising film set, things can easily get unsettling.Ill Will
Dir. Sam Robles | USA | 2020
Trailer | IMDb | Runtime: 00:12:13
Will is a 17-year-old who avoids his emotions by fantasizing about an array of suicides and other worlds far from his reality. Through his sarcastic narration and daydreams, we learn that these outlets no longer keep him numb—as Will's actuality crumbles with the realization of his father's new husband, coming to terms with death, and the ability to forgive his mother.Ava's Silence
Dir.Seyed Gholamreza Nematpour | Iran | 2020
Runtime: 00:13:30
A young girl called Ava has to work in her fathers' auto shop as a mechanic because of her fathers' illness. Ava is looking forward to her brother returning from military service in a border area so as to get marry Abbas...The Blue Bed
Dir. Alireza Kazemipour | Iran | 2020
Trailer | IMDb | Runtime: 00:14:10
Zahra is a middle-aged woman who visits a temporary marriage agency and signs up to have a young working girl. She picks her up to take her home but the girl (Negar) who has never had a female client before, becomes suspicious of Zahra’s intent and sexual orientation.Quit
Dir. Sina Ravi | Iran | 2020
Runtime: 00:14:24
A girl who is forced to distribute drugs by her father and brother remembers her mother because of an accident and she decides to stop distributing drugs because of her mother. This decision causes her to be killed by the drug dealer.Tell Me About Tomorrow
Dir. Igor Zuikov | Russia | 2020
Runtime: 00:15:00
Robert, who lost his parents in the accident, can't forget that day he remained alone. He feels how he is trapped inside the car again and again and his therapist Max is trying to help him to concure his inner demons.A Boy Has Disappeared
Dir. Aida Alimadadi | Iran | 2020
Trailer | Runtime: 00:15:00
A 7years old boy named Daniel whose parents are divorced is sexually abused by his dad during his monthly visits.He overcomes this tragedy by his imagination, revolving around having the ability to disappear himself as well as the objects around him.Goodnight Melika
Dir. Alborz Poursayad | Iran | 2021
Runtime: 00:15:00
"Melika a teenage girl who is the child of divorce. She lives with her mother. His mother intends to remarry and wants to evict her daughter. Melika accidentally finds out that her mother told her fiancé that she had never had a child, and this causes Melika mental damage."Don't Stay Safe
Dir. Christina Franklin | USA | 2020
IMDb | Runtime: 00:17:34
"Spring 2020, NYC: Franki, a black lawyer in lockdown with her estranged girlfriend Taylor, learns her younger brother Eddie has arrived to take part in the BLM protests. As Franki struggles to save everyone, including her relationship, DON'T STAY SAFE, a short musical, reflects on critical events of the past year, engaging with the ongoing struggle for racial equality and civil rights, examining the risks of protest... and the risks of staying safe."The Shadow of Your Smile
Dir. Carlos Ospina | Colombia | 2020
Trailer | IMDb | Runtime: 00:18:48
Lagrimón belongs to a brotherhood of murderous clowns, since he was a child, back to the day when he met Soledad, his only love. She and the charm of the circus were the bait that Sombrita used to recruit him. 20 years later, these 3 characters will cross paths again. The gun is now in the hands of Lagrimón and the end of the story depends on his decision.The Guardian Angel
Dir. Afshin Eisaei | Iran | 2019
Runtime: 00:19:02
A girl who is caring for her ailing father must go to far-fetched lengths to emigrate from Iran.Armpit!
Dir. Mathieu Nolhier | UK | 2020
Trailer | IMDb | Runtime: 00:19:48
In a rush to make the submission deadline for her dream school, an impulsive art student messes with the wrong telemarketer. In the span of one annoying cold call, her life as she knows it vanishes completely.Kesi
Dir. Daniel P Maggio | USA | 2020
Trailer | IMDb | Runtime: 00:23:50
"Twenty-Year-Old Kesi (Avalon Penrose) is traveling back home for her alcoholic Mother's funeral. She is accompanied by her closest companions, a group of stuffed animals in which she often expresses herself through. The stuffed animals all have different voices, personalities, and opinions on the situation. While many of her family members feel the weight of this unfortunate passing, Kesi is looking for the most appropriate way to honor her late Mother. She is clear of one thing: her Mom would want her to have fun. The Mother character (Shesanie) is the director's actual mother. She passed away from alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver in early 2018 and this film uses her likeness, personal details, possessions and actual ashes. "Legacy
Dir. Jeno Hodi | Hungary | 2020
Trailer | IMDb | Runtime: 00:24:00
During the Holocaust thousands of Hungarian Jews were executed by the Danube. This tragedy brought out the worst in some people, but also the best in others. A brave few rose up to resist. The film honors these heroes.The Living
Dir. Gonçalo Robalo | Portugal | 2021
Trailer | Runtime: 00:24:22
“Pedro returns to his childhood house. The abandoned house keeps secrets, not all palpable, not all visible.”Alina
Dir. Rami Kodeih | USA | 2019
IMDb | Runtime: 00:24:51
As Nazis separate children from their parents in the Warsaw Ghetto, a gang of women risks everything to smuggle their friend's three-month-old baby to safety. Inspired by true events. Starring Alia Shawkat (ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT, SEARCH PARTY), Edin Gali (MAD MEN), Dorota Puzio, Rebeca Robles (BETTER THINGS), Erika Soto (VIDA), and Mark McCullough (LOGAN LUCKY).Say Your Last Prayer
Dir. Carlos R. Valencia | USA | 2021
Runtime: 00:06:47
Maria is praying, praying for hope, praying for something that she knows she can't have. Once she sees Alfonso she knows the end is near.The Last Time I Saw Richard and Deirdre
Dir. Dennis Curley | USA | 2019
Runtime: 00:06:52
Eliot arrives at the table in the back of a dark café where he meets Richard, his best friend. When Richard's wife Deirdre arrives, they reveal to Eliot that they are divorcing, and that he must choose between them. His ultimate choice may surprise you.The Shepherd
Dir. Ilya Plyusnin | Russia | 2021
Runtime: 00:09:11
A typical office plankton Leonid living a boring life under a load of daily issues is struggling to finish the annual report for his obnoxious boss when he suddenly gets a chance of getting hold of mighty powers and show the world who the real boss in the town is with a little help from unearthly invaders!STUDENT FILM
Echthaar
Dir. Dominic Kubisch | Austria | 2021
Trailer | IMDb | Runtime: 00:19:50
The salmon have returned to their spawning grounds and left behind the next generation of their kind. One of this generation, however, is something of a late bloomer. Despite being pitifully puny compared to his brothers and sisters, he's about to prove that size doesn't matter.In Your Arms Tonight
Dir. Jonathan Gonzales | USA | 2021
Trailer | IMDb | Runtime: 00:24:12
A young maid contemplates her future after having an affair with her rich employer, who is struggling to reconnect with his wife after she was sexually assaulted over a year ago.8 Nights of Christmas
Dir. Max Rogoff | USA | 2020
Runtime: 00:08:53
The story of Elise stems from my background and my experience with the holiday season. As a Jewish person, the holiday season has been long filled with Christmas spirit. Though the term "Happy Holidays" has been a popular substitute for most businesses, there's no doubt that come the month of December, Christmas is the widely expected means of celebration. Whether it was creating miniature Christmas Trees, making gingerbread cookies, or pretending to wait for Santa, I would always try to do my part in order to feel included in the holiday season. Like Elise, after a conversation with my Christmas celebrating friend, I realized why embracing my Jewish background is so important. I decided to write and direct this film to give an example to the younger Jewish community: that the holiday spirit is about embracing your culture, and even if it is different, it's what makes you...you. And that's something to be proud of.The Last Leaf
Dir. Sia Aleskovskaya | USA | 2019
Trailer | IMDb | Runtime: 00:13:14
Based on the classic short story of the same name, this movie re-imagines the story as a classic gothic romance. Cathy is able to see a dark gentleman, a personification of Pneumonia. One day it comes for her lover, Sue. And now Cathy needs to face her fears and find a way to save the love of her life.The Duck and the Dragon
Dir. Mason Beck | USA | 2020
Trailer | IMDb | Runtime: 00:09:33
"Shot only weeks before the outbreak of the Coronavirus in North America, The Duck and the Dragon marks the senior overview for Mason Beck for his time at Webster University. Personal, heartfelt, and endearing, The Duck and the Dragon serves as a reminder that anyone is capable of change, big or small. As we grow to learn from our past decisions, there is always the fact, that pain goes both ways; just as help goes both ways too."Coasting
Dir. Peter Klausner | USA | 2019
Runtime: 00:17:38
Lucy, a privileged Los Angeles teenager going off to college soon, runs away from home to work at her uncle's bowling alley in Portland. Dwayne, a musician with stage fright, leaves a gig in Los Angeles and heads home to San Francisco. Lucy and Dwayne meet when they're both hitchhiking and although they don't like each other at first, they begin to form a platonic friendship as their journey continues north.ANIMATION
Stick To Manual
Dir. Heaven Castillo | USA | 2020
IMDb | Trailer | Runtime: 00:07:43
When a curious robot finds a seemingly worthless book, he discovers that the knowledge within is truly priceless.Gon, The Little Fox
Dir. Takeshi Yashiro | Japan | 2019
TrailerRuntime: 00:27:59
When Gon, a playful orphaned fox, finds that young Hyoju has lost his mother, he tries to comfort him and make amends for his own earlier mischiefs by secretly bringing small gifts to the boy every day. But Hyoju doesn’t realize who is behind the anonymous gifts, and the two are headed for a heartbreaking climax.Backstreet to the American Dream
USA
Trailer | IMDb | Runtime: 00:04:04
"Backstreet is a bilingual social-impact documentary about how street food fosters racial tolerance. This English/Spanish film is a deep dive into the birthplace of food trucks - Los Angeles - and juxtaposes the experiences of American entrepreneurs versus Mexican immigrants chasing the American Dream. On one side, first-season winners of The Great Food Truck Race (2010), Grill 'Em All represents the industry's pop-culture boom. On the other side is El Pescadito, a traditional mariscos (seafood) truck that's been parking in the same blue-collar neighborhood near South L.A. since 1982. A four-minute animated open, done partially in the indigenous Náhuatl language, traces street food from the traditional lonchera back to Ancient México. We discover that Náhuatl names are still used for many Mexican foods from Guacamole and Chipotle to chocolate, Pozole, and tequila. Native sounds from handmade instruments bring this section to life!"Project Spudway
Dir. Lori Hamilton | USA | 2020
Runtime: 00:04:02
When young potato designers are confronted with making outfits for (horrors!) all shapes and sizes of models - from the skinny French fry to the voluptuous Russet Potato and even a spicy yam, what will they do? Christian Siriano is their coach and guide to navigate body positive potato fashionInfected
Dir. Alfonso Moreno | USA/Spain | 2020
Runtime: 00:04:00
This is an animated collage of the human lack of intelligence, self-deceit, greed and brutality which is leading to the ultimate demise of human civilization and the natural environment it needs to subsist.