2024 Films
HEROIC DOCS 1
2:00 PM
THEATER 2
May 18, 2024
A Chaplain's Journey
Steven Havira
Chaplain Omer Bajwa's journey to becoming Chaplain at Yale University was not a straightforward path. Trust in faith paved his way and continues to inspire his journey.
BLACK FLAG SHORTS 2
3:00 PM
THEATER 2
May 18, 2024
All Boys
Nic Inglese
Four high school boys and a Catholic priest play a game of telephone while on retreat.
PSYCH NIGHT
9:00 PM
THEATER 3
May 17, 2024
Be Nice To Fish
Samuel B Russell
Two roommates fight about whether they should let the pizza delivery man use their bathroom, and the ethics of enjoying anchovy pizza in front of their new pet goldfish.
BLACK FLAG SHORTS 2
3:00 PM
THEATER 2
May 18, 2024
Blue Hour
J.D Shields
Two personal journeys intersect when a struggling young photographer is hired for a cheap last minute portrait gig. The unfolding photo session, while transient, leaves an indelible mark on both women.
NARRATIVE FEATURE
2:00 PM
THEATER 3
May 18, 2024
Crookedfinger
Julia Halperin, Jason Cortlund
After the sudden deaths of her aging parents, Maria returns to her childhood home on Cape Cod . When her estranged brother and his girlfriend show up to help sort out the estate, tensions rise as family traumas are revealed in this taut and comedic thriller.
PSYCH NIGHT
9:00 PM
THEATER 3
May 17, 2024
Cut
Saba Amiri, Peyman Ezzati
A young and lonely girl who, after being left by her fiance, falls into depression. One day, her ex-fiance's niece, who has feelings for the girl from the past, approaches her. The girl, haunted by old resentments, decides to take action that will change her life.
PSYCH NIGHT
9:00 PM
THEATER 3
May 17, 2024
Cutter
Eden Wright
When her newest client sends them both out to sea, a desperate maritime hairdresser learns an important lesson about internet strangers; the hard way.
HEROIC DOCS 2
5:00 PM
THEATER 2
May 18, 2024
Don't Be Dainty...It's Derby
Alix Speyer Bacher
Mutch and Scald Eagle are two superstar skaters in the world of competitive roller derby. This behind-the-scenes documentary captures their intense passion to win while uncovering roller derby’s surprising subculture.
BLACK FLAG SHORTS 1
12:00 PM
THEATER 2
May 18, 2024
Dress Code
Grace Power
Over the course of a sleep over, a horrible secret is revealed.
NARRATIVE FEATURE
12:15 PM
THEATER 3
May 18, 2024
Excursion
Una Gunjak
In Sarajevo, a teenager seeking validation claims that she had sex for the first time during a game of "truth or dare" among middle schoolers. Trapped in her own lie, she invents a pregnancy and becomes the center of a controversy that spirals out of control.
BLACK FLAG SHORTS 2
3:00 PM
THEATER 2
May 18, 2024
Fern
Katherine Bourne Taylor, Mary Tilden
Katherine is moving away. Mary doesn't want her to. On Katherine's final day in town, Mary goes to absurd lengths to get her to stay.
MUSIC IN MOTION
11:00 AM
THEATER 3
May 18, 2024
His Truth is Marching On
Daniel Morrison
A brief but poignant look into American music history from 1619 to hip hop, as told through the Civil War song, "John Brown's Body," written about Torrington-born abolitionist John Brown. The film explores what American music sounded like when the first African people were brought here, where the music went after that, and why.
HEROIC DOCS 2
5:00 PM
THEATER 2
May 18, 2024
How To Paint a Peace Sign
Rick Gomez
How to Paint a Peace Sign is a short documentary about an artist who teaches viewers a technique to paint prominent peace symbols and, in the process, gives his audience the tools necessary to cope with grief.
Short + Q&A
11:00 AM
THEATER 2
May 18, 2024
It's A Hollywood Life
Laurie Valentina Gomez Acosta, Maya Weldon-Lagrimas
The story of longtime film critic Susan Granger, who has been in and around the movie industry for more than 80 years. The interviewees in “It’s A Hollywood Life!” include Juvenile Oscar winner Margaret O’Brien, actors Keir Dullea and Mia Dillon, author and film historian David C. Tucker, critic Joe Meyers, and Gary Cooper’s daughter, artist Maria Cooper Janis.
FEATURE
6:15 PM
THEATER 2
May 18, 2024
Jailhouse To Milhouse
Buddy Farmer
This is the courageous journey of Pamela Hayden, voice of the plucky, resilient Milhouse on "The Simpsons”: After surviving an abusive boarding school and juvenile jail, as well as other setbacks, Pamela now speaks to teen girls about overcoming obstacles and turning their dreams into reality. Her story is told with surprising humor and great candor.
OPENING NIGHT FEATURE + RECEPTION + Q&A
7:00 PM
THEATER 3
May 16, 2024
James Baldwin: The Price of The Ticket
Karen Thorsen
This taut and compelling documentary profiles the life and work of author/civil rights activist, James Baldwin. Featuring interviews with James Baldwin, Maya Angelou, Amiri Baraka, Paul Winfield, William Styron and others, the film captures the enduring spirit, honesty and intelligence of Baldwin at a point of reflection in his life.
BLACK FLAG SHORTS 1
12:00 PM
THEATER 2
May 18, 2024
Kazhal
Ali Azhari
Amid the Iranian people's protests after Mahsa Amini's murder, ''Kazhal'', an Iranian-Kurdish young woman migrated to Cyprus in search of a safer environment for her unborn child. She is now preparing to reveal a secret that nobody knows about yet...
NARRATIVE FEATURE
4:00 PM
THEATER 3
May 18, 2024
Look at Me
Taylor Olson
A fictional autobiography about an insecure, awkward and lonely bisexual actor who goes on an unwitting journey of self-love in the midst of an eating disorder relapse. THIS FILM CONTAINS FLASHING LIGHTS, ADULT CONTENT AND GRAPHIC SCENES OF BULIMIA.
HEROIC DOCS 1
2:00 PM
THEATER 2
May 18, 2024
Ministry of Surf
Collins Reagan
An intimate look inside the healing power of water & surfing on autistic children and the surfers who offer "one perfect day" to kids worldwide for free. Featuring Izzy Paskowitz.
BLACK FLAG SHORTS 1
12:00 PM
THEATER 2
May 18, 2024
Not the Same Clarence
Brian Russell, Samuel B Russell
A man must come to terms with his father's Alzheimer's disease.
PSYCH NIGHT SHORTS
9:00 PM
THEATER 3
May 17, 2024
Penny
Rachel S. Thomas-Medwid
A female chef attempting to make a romantic connection fights dark impulses as memories of her mentally ill mother bleed into current day life.
BLACK FLAG SHORTS 2
3:00 PM
THEATER 2
May 18, 2024
Pilea
David Jurmann
As feelings for her childhood best friend surface, teenager Judy grapples with her deepest insecurities when they all come to a head.
GALLERY EXHIBIT
11:00 AM
RIDGEFIELD ARTISTS' GUILD
May 18, 2024
Portrait of Consumption
Gillian Fortin
"Portrait Of Consumption is a story about the human collective socializing alone; each struggling for acceptance on the world stage of social media. Expressed in a metaphorical universe; a young woman named Jane Doe's entire existence depends on the interactions of her social following as if she is a mere puppet on strings desperately seeking approval through the digital form of likes, comments and emojis. When she is hit with a wave of cyber bullying following a post she made, Jane Doe begins to spiral into a dark descent where the very fabric of her reality begins to fray. In one final act to regain her social status, Jane performs a grand gesture for her audience just as the curtain closes."
PSYCH NIGHT FEATURE
7:00 PM
THEATER 3
May 17, 2024
Purgatory Jack
Brett Butler, Jason Butler
Purgatory Jack is a neo-noir mystery thriller set in the afterlife, a dangerous landscape that’s run by a bloodthirsty, limb-collecting gang and populated with outlaws and outcasts. The latest case for musician turned grizzled private detective, Jack Marlin, is helping new arrival Viv Vacious, a punk pop star who overdosed, stay safe as she races against time to find her mother who committed suicide twenty years earlier. While navigating the treacherous terrain of hells waiting room, these two musicians from clashing eras unlock a murderous conspiracy and discover why blood is more than a drug in Purgatory.
SATURDAY NIGHT FEATURE + RECEPTION & Q&A
8:00 PM
THEATER 2
May 18, 2024
Ramona at Midlife
Brooke Berman
A single mother and former Literary It-Girl, Ramona discovers that her unflattering current reality is the subject of a hot filmmaker’s newest project. As Ramona faces up to her disappointments and wrecked friendships, she finds true creative power and is finally ready to become her best self.
PSYCH NIGHT SHORTS
9:00 PM
THEATER 3
May 17, 2024
Rip My Heart Out
Nefeli Koutsouki
Victoria will go to bloody lengths to be emotionally detached until her encounter with Edmund steers them in another direction.
BLACK FLAG SHORTS 1
12:00 PM
THEATER 2
May 18, 2024
Shadow Acting
Lawrence LAW Watford
Tensions rise during an acting class when the teacher's preferred method of instructing one of his students involves pulling her emotional triggers.
BLACK FLAG SHORTS 2
3:00 PM
THEATER 2
May 18, 2024
Sparkle
Kristen Wolf
A non-binary child struggles to find the perfect Father's Day gift for their disapproving dad.
PSYCH NIGHT SHORTS
9:00 PM
THEATER 3
May 17, 2024
The Lake
Sue Norton
A non verbal gamer has a terrifying encounter fishing. Is his imagination running wild or is there something evil in The Lake.
BLACK FLAG SHORTS 1
12:00 PM
THEATER 2
May 18, 2024
The Last King
Ali Mashayekhi
Based on a Stephen King short story, The Last King is a short film that tells the story of world famous Iranian detective Shahriar and his ward Vahid who are called upon the murder of a shipping magnate. His list of suspects (short but close to him) consists of his three daughters and wife , who tell their version of the events leading up to the patriarchs death.
PSYCH NIGHT SHORTS
9:00 PM
THEATER 3
May 17, 2024
The New Flesh
Rupert Jörg
Chatbots advocate for the idea that it is meaningful for humans to merge entirely with a virtual world. Gradually, some of these bots begin to generate hallucinations, thereby raising questions about the fundamental rights of all humanity to exist. This portrayal of physically merging with a cyber world is depicted in a grotesquely distorted manner, where genders, locations, and times blend together. Utilizing artificial intelligences at various stages of development, images were generated and subsequently animated to convey this concept.
MUSIC IN MOTION
11:00 AM
THEATER 3
May 18, 2024
The Orchestra Chuck Built
Christopher Stoudt
In 2016, the League of American Orchestras conducted a study that revealed a shocking statistic: only 1.8% of the professional orchestra workforce in the US is Black. From an old church rec room in the inner city of Los Angeles, former lawyer-turned-conductor Chuck Dickerson is on a mission to change that.
Through ICYOLA - The Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles — the largest majority Black orchestra in the country — Chuck is creating life-changing opportunities for his community that did not previously exist. The Orchestra Chuck Built is a loving portrait of a tireless mentor and a testament to the transformative power of music.
HEROIC DOCS 2
5:00 PM
THEATER 2
May 18, 2024
The Sugar Maker
Ethan Isaac
A short documentary about Ridgefield, CT farmer and sugar maple producer Pete Campbell, his passion and process. Campbell gives the viewer a unique insight into art of maple sugar making, and his deep connection with his land. Filmed on location at Campbell's Horseshoe Farm in scenic Ridgefield, CT.
HEROIC DOCS 1
2:00 PM
THEATER 2
May 18, 2024
The island
MAHMUT TAŞ
Ada is a little girl living in a dry village where it has not rained for a long time. Ada's family is considering leaving the village if the thirst continues. Ada is very upset about this and wants to tell us about her village with her camera.
BLACK FLAG SHORTS 2
3:00 PM
THEATER 2
May 18, 2024
Three A.M.
Karin Trachtenberg
Two mothers grapple with the right way to protect their daughters from violence, internet predators, bowling parties and the evening news.
BLACK FLAG SHORTS 2
3:00 PM
THEATER 2
May 18, 2024
Under the Willow Tree
Catherine Hassell
Two friends plan a very special surprise for their friend's birthday.
HEROIC DOCS 1
2:00 PM
THEATER 2
May 18, 2024
Upon Return
Devan Jordan, Emily Sedgwick
ABC Journalist Bob Woodruff shares his experience reporting on the Iraq war in 2006. He speaks on the founding and success of his foundation which aids veterans and explains the difficulties of coming back from war with injuries as they relate to his personal and professional life.
BLACK FLAG SHORTS 1
12:00 PM
THEATER 2
May 18, 2024
Water Of Life
Sündüs Gören
Sema lives in Babadağ district of Denizli. She is married and has a child. As in many houses in Babadağ, they have to be evicted from the house they live in due to landslides. Those who leave their homes will be allocated a mass housing flat (an apartment) in Denizli. Sema thinks that if she leaves home, her bond with her mother will decrease. She is torn between environmental pressure and the bond she established with her mother.
HEROIC DOCS 1
2:00 PM
THEATER 2
May 18, 2024
Will You Remember Me?
Will Dowler
Colleen Cove has been caring for people with Alzheimer's all her life. Now in the 45th year of her career, the demands of the job are pulled into sharp focus at the bedside of her oldest patient, a 100 year old opera singer named Lucille. In this deeply emotional witness to Lucille's final moments, Colleen reflects on her uniquely intimate relationship with death, and Lucille shares her gift with the world for the last time.