BACKSTAGE MADNESS (Fantasia 202) Creative chaos

Posted on July 24, 2026 by Liz Whittemore — Leave a reply

BACKSTAGE MADNESS

Filmmaker Amanbek Azhymat‘s Fantasia 2026 dark comedy BACKSTAGE MADNESS is every writer’s intrusive thoughts come true. Hilarious and bold from the moment the film opens, the story begins with a screenwriter overwhelmed by his creations who seem to haunt and judge him. A slimy producer concocts a wacky scheme, promising big bucks in return. Each film investor must be featured in the script as they are funding the film. But with every dollar comes another genre switch, resulting in a hybrid script that has no right being this entertaining.

This pay-for-play approach raises the stakes for both our screenwriter and the audience. Anything is fair game as we go along on this wild ride. We are treated to an insanely creative and over-the-top plot rollout in real time. It shouldn’t work, but it absolutely does.

This fly by the seat of your pants approach leaves you salivating for the next scene. The meta script follows a crime boss, his deadbeat clients, his morally conscious thugs, and the one man who alludes capture due to mistaken identity and a murder plot gone awry. Each cast member plays multiple roles, and they nail them.

Performances are hysterical across the board. The practical FX and make-up are fantastic. Discerning meta script from actual script is fun and shockingly uncomplicated. Azhymat and Janysh Dadabaev‘s editing is outstanding. Azhymat flips between scripts with typewriting transition moments, introducing the next act of the meta script, his former characters cheering him on when needed.

Dynamic camerawork by Bekzat Turarbek Uulu enhances the comedy and mirrors the stylized genre of each scene. The score does the same, changing up to match any particular scene’s vibe. I equate the energy to something like Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.

BACKSTAGE MADNESS is a direct dig at the profit side of Hollywood, but moreover, it is an ode to the physical and emotional toll of creativity. Within the brilliant chaos, it honors the magnitude of power a writer truly possesses. BACKSTAGE MADNESS is never-ending fun.

Official selection

Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival 2025
Fantaspoa Film Festival 2026

Director

Amanbek Azhymat

Producer

Asel Zhuraeva

Writer

Amanbek Azhymat

Cast

Adyl Bolorbek, Kural Chokoev, Eldiyar Jarashev, Erbol Ruslanov, Bolot Tileberdiev

Cinematographer

Bekzat Turatbek uulu

Sound Designer

Alymbek Tursunbaev

Composer

Alymbek Tursunbaev

Editor

Amanbek Azhymat, Zhanysh Dadabae

For all things Fantasia, click here!

NIGHTBORN (Fantasia 2026) Motherhood is a beast.

Posted on July 23, 2026 by Liz Whittemore — Leave a reply

NIGHTBORN

Filmmaker Hanna Bergholm brings Fantasia 2026 audiences a twisted tale of motherhood and Finnish folk horror in NIGHTBORN. Newlywed couple Saga and Jon arrive at Saga’s childhood home in Finland. It is an enchanting, if not slightly spooky, house hidden deep in the eerily shaped woods. Following the birth of their son, motherhood proves challenging when Saga suspects her child is not like other babies.

Written by Ilja Rautsi and Bergholm, the script cleverly combines tropes, such as the language barrier, with the real-life, unfiltered physical horrors of birth and motherhood. Unless you’ve experienced the very real blood, sweat, and tears that Saja goes through in the first 15 minutes of the film, one might think they are exaggerated.

The emotional exhaustion of being another creature’s lifeblood is often overwhelming. The constant realization that survival depends on your every moment of attention can be too much. Family members try to help, but can unintentionally make things worse. Rautsi and Bergholm play upon a mother’s inherent instincts. They give Saga enhanced hearing and a supernatural connection to the surrounding woods.

On the other hand, Rautsi and Bergholm give her family members a deep loathing for Saga that the audience does not relate to. These jarring revelations make the viewer question reality even further, as we have no basis for these accusations. Stories from her childhood, as told by her mother and sister, present as nasty. But are they true? We never know.

Production design is extraordinary. Beyond the forest’s gnarled humanoid likeness, the nursery is a mix of gothic whimsy one might see in Architectural Digest. Any 90s witchy tween will be in heaven at the sight of each carefully curated element. Practical effects are beautifully gagworthy. Yes. Yes. Yes. Birth is a miracle, blah, blah, blah, but it’s almost visceral and revolting. Anyone who tells you different is a damn liar. Talk to me after you have a C-section, thank you very much.

Rupert Grint is a proud father and fish out of water as Jon. Grint does his best impression of calm and supportive while clearly flailing in fear and helplessness. Grint has become a genre icon, ironically in stories revolving around “special” children. Seidi Haarla is sheer perfection as a mother on the verge of insanity. Her feral performance is the stuff of cinematic dreams. Along the lines of Inde Navarrette in Obsession, women in horror earn every ounce of respect and need to be called out for their vulnerability and badassery. Bravo Seidi.

We do not see Kuura’s face for 99% of the film, sneakily adding to the contextual weight. The audience feels the dizzying gaslighting and emotional state of Saga. Rautsi and Bergholm give audiences a lived-in authenticity of outside judgment and sacrifices of a mother. NIGHTBORN is a genre-inspired manifestation of nature vs nurture. Mothers will do anything for their offspring.

Synopsis

With dreams of starting a perfect family, Saga (Seidi Haarla, Compartment No. 6) and her British husband Jon (Rupert Grint, Knock at the Cabin) move to the isolated house where she spent much of her childhood, deep in the Finnish forest. But as soon as their baby is born, despite the reassurance of all around her, Saga knows there’s something terribly wrong with her son. As their marriage starts to crack, Jon struggles to support his wife, but only Saga suspects the terrible truth about her newborn.

From the director of Hatching, NIGHTBORN is a visceral, gripping and terrifying dark fable about motherhood and unconditional maternal love.

About the Director

Hanna Bergholm is a Finnish film director. Her debut feature film, horror drama Hatching, had its world premiere at Sundance Film Festival 2022 and has been sold to over 75 countries. Rotten Tomatoes named Hatching the 8th Best Horror Movie of 2022 in the Golden Tomato Awards. At film festivals Hatching has won awards and nominations including the Grand Prize and Youth Jury Award at the Gérardmer film festival in France, award for the best special effects in Sitges and three Jussi Awards in Finland. Previously Bergholm has directed internationally awarded short films and TV drama series.

Director: Hanna Bergholm

Screenwriters: Ilja Rautsi and Hanna Bergholm

Cast: Seidi Haarla, Rupert Grint, Pamela Tola, Pirkko Saisio, Rebecca Lacey, John Thomson, Silvia Saloranta

Producer: Daniel Kuitunen

Executive Producers: Brahim Chioua, Nick Shumaker, David Levine, Scott Shooman, Emily Gotto

Cinematographer: Pietari Peltola

Editor: Jussi Rautaniemi

Language: English, Finnish

Runtime: 92 mins

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GODHEAD (Fantasia 2026) A shocking sophomore feature

Posted on July 22, 2026 by Liz Whittemore — Leave a reply

GODHEAD

HIPPO filmmaker Mark H. Rapaport brings his shocking sophomore creation to Fantasia 2026 audiences. GODHEAD follows a small-town priest with a secret. When a mysterious pair of twins dressed in white tracksuits appear in the church, they task Father with deciding which of them is the Holy Spirit.

Al Warren plays Father with an even-keeled temperament that is unnerving. Warren’s performance subconsciously splits the audience’s attention with our understanding that our priest has villainous tendencies. Right outside the walls of the church, he is holding a young boy, once abandoned on the church’s doorstep, captive with tales of an apocalyptic outside world. Matthew exists in an environment entirely curated to keep him afraid and controlled. Locked in his room after hours of bible stories, forced to listen to cassette tapes of chaotic audio playing just beneath his window. But, in truth, his flaws could not be darker.

Sarah Coffey and Kimball Farley deliver jarring physical performances, leaning into the idea that they are otherworldly. As First Born, Coffey speaks with unwavering assuredness. Each moment is powerful and intense. Coffey’s appearance from the neck up is one of a 90s raver kid, making her all the more intriguing as it visually counters the messaging. As Second Born, Farley gives a neurodivergent presenting performance that is pure and immaculate chaos. As a parent of AuDHD children, it is a meticulously accurate portrayal. Both bless us with award-worthy turns.

The original score from Austin Feinstein and Kenny Kusiak wavers between unsettling and ethereal. As with HIPPO, the film is shot in crisp black-and-white by William Tracy Babcock. The camerawork matches the unpredictability of the script, melding closeups, odd angles, and powerful framing to subvert our expectations.

If you grew up in a household that sat along the line of Christianity, you would catch the immense impact of the iconography and actions surrounding the care (or lack thereof) in handling and depicting certain objects and events. 24 minutes into the film, the audience understands the narrative gravity in GODHEAD.

As what those still in the church would call a Lapsed Catholic, or as my mother jokingly refers to my siblings and me as heathens, experiencing this story unfold had me captivated. Regardless of religious affiliation, the debates in the film will undoubtedly have audiences talking. If this film does not burrow into your brain, you aren’t paying attention.

Rapaport challenges viewers to examine the construct of good and evil; to study the effects of indoctrination and fanaticism in a world existing between truth and fiction. GODHEAD is a wild ride, and inarguably one of the most brilliantly complex films of the year.

English language, 98 minutes

Dir. Mark H. Rapaport

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Tight Lettuce (Fantasia 2026) If you don’t laugh, you’ll cry.

Posted on July 18, 2026 by Liz Whittemore — Leave a reply

Tight Lettuce

Based on a true story, Harrison Houde‘s Fantasia 2026 drama “Tight Lettuce” delves into generational trauma and the pitfalls of enabling with the best of intentions. Joel’s unwavering faith in his user father becomes an overwhelming barrier to growing as an individual. Joel hopes to record his father’s recovery from a 28-year heroin and fentanyl addiction. Instead, he captures the chaotic essence of a great man trapped in a seemingly endless cycle.

Dakota Daulby, who co-writes the screenplay with Houde, wears his heart on his sleeve through the constant disappointment. It is a beautifully vulnerable portrayal of a toxic, unconditional love. Emmanuel Bilodeau is an absolute freight train. It is a complex performance, as Bodo is self-aware and yet remains an addict in an active spiral. Between his highs and manic withdrawal-induced lows, Bilodeau delivers a tour de force. Their chemistry is the stuff of dreams.

Tight Lettuce highlights the ripple effects of drugs and the importance of separating life plans from the anchor of an addicted loved one. The credits feature real footage of Joel and Bodo. This choice makes the film more impactful in every way. This dark comedy captures the heart with infectious energy. The statistical likelihood that a loved one (only a few degrees separated) is struggling as we speak makes it a must-see. The reality of “If you don’t laugh, you’ll cry” screams with authenticity.

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Fantasia 2026 arrives to fright and delight.

Posted on July 12, 2026 by Liz Whittemore — Leave a reply

Fantasia 2026.

Grab your party hats, because she’s turning thirty and flirty and she’s coming to scare the shit out of us. This year’s Fantasia 2026 is here to gag you, both literally and figuratively. This lineup is insane. Zero surprise there. Here are just a handful of the films and short blocks on our ever-growing list of magic and mayhem to check out:

The Fantasia International Film Festival will celebrate its upcoming 30th edition with an electrifying program of screenings, workshops, and launch events running from July 16 through August 2, 2026, returning to the Concordia Hall and J.A. de Sève cinemas, with additional screenings and events at Montréal’s Cinéma du Musée.

NIGHTBORN

With dreams of starting a perfect family, Saga (Seidi Haarla, Compartment No. 6) and her British husband Jon (Rupert Grint, Knock at the Cabin) move to the isolated house where she spent much of her childhood, deep in the Finnish forest. But as soon as their baby is born, despite the reassurance of all around her, Saga knows there’s something terribly wrong with her son. As their marriage starts to crack, Jon struggles to support his wife, but only Saga suspects the terrible truth about her newborn.

From the director of Hatching, NIGHTBORN is a visceral, gripping and terrifying dark fable about motherhood and unconditional maternal love.

Director: Hanna Bergholm

Screenwriters: Ilja Rautsi and Hanna Bergholm

Cast: Seidi Haarla, Rupert Grint, Pamela Tola, Pirkko Saisio, Rebecca Lacey, John Thomson, Silvia Saloranta

Producer: Daniel Kuitunen

Executive Producers: Brahim Chioua, Nick Shumaker, David Levine, Scott Shooman, Emily Gotto

Cinematographer: Pietari Peltola

Editor: Jussi Rautaniemi

Language: English, Finnish

Runtime: 92 mins

THE LAST TEMPTATION OF BECKY

Now working as a field agent for the CIA, Becky (Lulu Wilson) is sent undercover to Poland to infiltrate a family of innkeepers who are running a tourist venture at The Wolf’s Lair, Hitler’s WWII bunker. After learning that the father, Wilhelm Reuss (Neil Patrick Harris), is on a mission to bring about the Fourth Reich, Becky takes matters into her own hands.

Director: Jenn Wexler

Writers: Jenn Wexler and Matt Angel

Story By: Matt Angel & Suzanne Coote

Cast: Lulu Wilson, Kate Siegel, Brandon Flynn, Catherine Walker, with James Urbaniak and Neil Patrick Harris

Run Time: 89 minutes

Rating: Not Yet Rated

Genre: Thriller, Horror

Distributor: Quiver Distribution

RUBBERHEAD: THE LIFE AND MONSTERS OF STEVE JOHNSON

Known for his intense work ethic, perfectionism, and obsession with breaking new ground, Steve Johnson created iconic creatures and effects for some of the most beloved horror and sci-fi movies in cinema history. RUBBERHEAD is a humorous and heartfelt portrait of the life and times of one of Hollywood’s most prolific monster makers, as well as a historical journey through the golden age of special effects makeup.

Steve shares endless, outrageous anecdotes about his freewheeling adventures in Hollywood, while also telling the inspirational but tragic story of his meteoric rise and subsequent fall. His drive and ambition led to some of cinema’s most groundbreaking effects and techniques, but also to heartbreaking acts of self-sabotage, divorce, and serious struggles with addiction.

RUBBERHEAD is a captivating reflection on the game-changing practical FX glory days and a fascinating, entertaining, and moving story of an FX master whose greatest monster may have been himself.

Director: Nick Taylor

Writers: Joseph Krings, Nick Taylor

Cast: Steve Johnson, John Landis, Linnea Quigley, Tom Holland, Bill Corso

Run Time: 105 minutes

Rating: Not Yet Rated

Genre: Documentary

Production Company: American Nightmare Studios

UNHOLY NIGHT

UNHOLY NIGHT – World Premiere

Synopsis: Gino’s traditional family Christmas Eve turns into a bloody battle for survival when his long-dead grandma drops by and goes on a murderous rampage. Amid the chaos, Gino reunites with his ex and the dysfunctional duo must avoid his dead Italian relatives popping up all around the neighbourhood as they search for a way to get rid of these Yuletide revenants and survive his family Christmas.

Director/Writer: Michael Gabriele

Producers: Jason Levangie, Marc Tetreault, Jenna MacMillan, Michael Gabriele

Executive Producers: Tina Carbone, Jef Burnham

Cast: Marc Bendavid, Shailene Garnett, Jacqueline Robbins, Toni Ellwand, Ron Lea, Christina Rosato, Olivier Renaud, Celia Owen, Ellen David, Frank Spadone, Al Sapienza

Genre: Horror/Comedy

Fantasia Premiere Status: World Premiere

Fantasia Section: Septentrion Shadows

Run Time: TBC

TIGHT LETTUCE

Near the border between Ontario and Quebec, Joel (Dakota Daulby, LONGLEGS) works in the construction industry. He has a healthy relationship with his partner (Christie Burke, ETERNITY), his mother (Maxim Roy, SHORESY), and his grandmother (France Castel, LES FURIES). The only stain on this picture is his father, Bodo (Emmanuel Bilodeau, CURLING), who has been struggling with a fentanyl addiction for years. He is unable to hold down a job, turns every place he ends up in into a slovenly dive, and is a potential danger to himself and others. Despite everything, Joel continues to try to help him, telling himself that if he loves his father enough, he will eventually manage to get the man’s life back on track.

Director

Harrison Houde

Producer

Serge Desrosiers

Writers

Dakota Daulby, Harrison Houde

Cast

Emmanuel Bilodeau, Christie Burke, France Castel, Josh Cruddas, Dakota Daulby, Guy Jodoin, Didier Lucien, Maxim Roy

Cinematographer

Serge Desrosiers csc

Sound Designer

Jérôme Boiteau

Composer

Pierre-Philippe “Pilou” Côté

Editor

Harrison Houde, Étienne Plasse

HOME BODIES

Red (Emma Ho, CODE 8, THE EXPANSE) and Blue (Ian Ho, THE EXPANSE, CHAPELWAITE) live a “Waiting for Godot” existence within the confines of a retro, automated dwelling. Food is always available, they are entertained by VHS tapes of a show called “Barn” starring a cow, a pig, and a chicken, and soothed by each other’s company. They report to Papa, a disembodied voice through a locked door that enforces the rules they live by. On a holiday that resembles Christmas, they receive a gift: Pal (Ess Hödlmoser, THE BOYS, STATION ELEVEN), an androgynous humanoid who doesn’t speak, and follows their lead. But Pal isn’t as benign as they seem. Pal also receives VHS tapes, but they are more disturbing, and Red, who was once wary of her new friend, becomes more enamoured of their expressionless new roommate. As Red and Blue learn about Pal, their discoveries soon drive a wedge between them. With vibes of Canadian genre classics PIN and CUBE, HOME BODIES is a surreal look at control, autonomy, nature vs. nurture, and the automation of our lives.

Director

Casey Walker

Producer

Karen Harnisch, Casey Walker

Writer

Adrian Murray, Marcus Sullivan

Cast

Emma Ho, Ian Ho, Ess Hödlmoser

SOUR MINNOWS

Synopsis: Two friends stumble upon an unusual sight: six men sensually licking the pavement on an empty LA street. For Ricky, this moment ruptures something. As his reality grows porous, and his memories begin to slip and slide, he finds himself in contact with “The Yellow Thing,” an entity that wears people like costumes. As Ricky adapts to his expanding worldview, a delirious new logic takes hold.

Director

Harrison Atkins

Producer

Harrison Atkins, Kate Banford, Mel Barnes, Allison Bunce, Anne Gormley, Suzanna Son, Sarah Winshall

Writer

Harrison Atkins

Cast

David Brown, Phil Burgers, Julia Jones, Suzanna Son, Chase Williamson

THE GLORIOUS DEAD

A small-town sheriff (Toby Poser) and her young deputy (Zelda Adams) wake to find the world they believed in no longer exists. Blood drips from faucets, people and pets are missing, and fleshy creatures walk the woods. Soon, the dirt can’t keep the dead down. Anger and fear spread through the community. Co-written and co-directed by John Adams and Toby Poser, the latter of whom also stars, and co-starring Zelda and Lulu Adams, THE GLORIOUS DEAD is a personal genre vision that speaks to the increasing horrors of American life in times of enormous, instigated division while retaining the interpersonal poetry, imagination, and dark humor that its creators are renowned for. This will be the sixth consecutive work from the singularly talented filmmaking family to World Premiere at Fantasia following the festival’s launches of THE DEEPER YOU DIG, HELLBENDER, WHERE THE DEVIL ROAMS, HELL HOLE, and MOTHER OF FLIES, the latter having won our 2025 Cheval Noir Award for Best Feature. In their words: “This film takes dangerous fundamentalism at face value and asks what remains for the rest of us.” World Premiere.

Directed by Toby Poser, John Adams

Cast Zelda Adams, Toby Poser, Lulu Adams

BIRDCALL

BIRDCALL tells the story of a foolhardy scientist and his wife, a wayward survivor, as they endure a world overtaken by an avian-borne disease that has forced humanity into secluded cities. Unbeknownst to his wife, the scientist has recently become infected himself. While isolated in a cabin outside of their compound, he uses their seclusion as a trial run for an untested cure, risking both their lives in the process.

The 15-minute short is directed by Justin Calandriello; Written by Halle Kott; Produced by Calandriello, Sam Beaton and Halle Kott; Associate Producer: Casey Marie Ecker and Cinematography by Joshua Popovsky.

BORN OF WOMAN 2026

This shorts block is my absolute favorite every year. Full Stop.

Fantasia’s top-tier showcase of uncompromising personal genre visions returns with nine works from five countries that will leave you shaken and astonished. From Germany to South Korea, Brazil to the USA and more, dark brilliance awaits.

Angels (USA, dir. Sam Mandich, World Premiere)

Breeder (USA, dir. Sapphire Sandalo, International Premiere)

Fingerbang (South Korea, dir. Kim Yeon-woo, Canadian Premiere)

Imprint (USA, dir. Ran Jing, International Premiere)

O Novo Corpo (Brazil / Portugal, dir. Luciana Malavasi, North American Premiere)

Redneck (USA, dir. Alexandria Basso, International Premiere)

Sam (USA / Germany, dir. Catharina Schürenberg, World Premiere)

Strange Egg (USA / USA, dir. Liv Mershon, World Premiere)

Ultraviolet Damage (Germany, dir. Pola Rader, North American Premiere)

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Fantasia 2026 Fantasia 2026 Fantasia 2026 Fantasia 2026 Fantasia 2026 Fantasia 2026

TENDER (DWF LA 2026) The long and clever con

Posted on June 29, 2026 by Liz Whittemore — Leave a reply

TENDER

Filmmaker Adam Hoelzel delivers a twisted directorial debut at DWF LA 2026 Closing Night film. In TENDER, after coming up with a non-starter scheme to leave his wife and start fresh with his mistress, both Mick and Billie find a way out of their mess after stumbling upon a gold brick in the walls of their house. Billie quietly begins to search the house for more. When they hit the jackpot, it comes with some complicated terms.

Each bar has a UV mark, so selling it outright is not an option. Finding legal loopholes and roping in those around is a carefully choreographed dance between two people who now supposedly hate each other. Paranoia and crossed wires force Mick and Billie to adapt. But an additional player reframes their complex plans.

Jesse Garcia plays Mick with an overconfident air, perfect for the plan the audience knows is insane. Jess Weixler, who plays Billie and also serves as the film’s narrator, is magnificent. She steals every moment on screen with her take-no-shit attitude. I fell in love with Weixler in Chained For Life. Her chameleon abilities are a director’s dream.

Phillip J. McLaughlin‘s editing absolutely delights in establishing the passage of time and the initial plot point in the film’s opening. But, like the entirety of Tender, get ready for a long con. Heolzel sells us the illusion hook, line, and sinker. Tender is a complex cat-and-mouse game. If you can follow the truth, you’re quicker than I am. Well played to everyone involved. I’ve been had.

WRITER/DIR: Adam Hoelzel
PRODS: Sofia Rovaletti, Sonja O’Hara, Farrell Ingle, Theo Bucksey, Michael K. Dwyer, Corey Moosa, Roy Hsu, Grayson Hay
CAST: Jess Weixler, Jesse Garcia, David Koechner, Shakira Barrera, Sonja O’Hara, Robert Longstreet,
Mark St. Cyr, Stephen Ellis

After inheriting a modest house in a dying town, Billie and Mick believe they’ve finally found stability, until crushing debt, old resentments, and a shocking discovery buried within their walls threaten to tear them apart. As the couple is forced into a dangerous alliance to protect their future, Tender becomes a darkly intimate portrait of marriage under pressure, where love, money, and survival blur into something unrecognizable.

Tender DWF LA site

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Lady Puritan (DWF LA 2026) A striking generational reckoning

Posted on June 25, 2026 by Liz Whittemore — Leave a reply

Lady Puritan

Filmmakers Gustine Füdickar and Justin Streichman‘s DWF LA 2026 short film Lady Puritan will blow your mind. The story follows Meredith, a woman experiencing intense nightmares and excruciating physical pain. Upon the recommendation of a spiritual guide, Meredith undergoes a reckoning of past, present, and future.

Streichman’s editing is a wonder. A hallucinatory journey that makes sense even when it shouldn’t. The close-up work of flora is creepily unnerving. It immediately draws the eye to the smallest bits of decay. The unsettling nature of the film, no pun intended, ramps up tenfold from there.

Visually stunning, Füdickar and Streichman tease audiences with what must be a nod to Andrew Wyeth‘s 1948 painting, Christina’s World. If you know anything about art, the choice is simply brilliant. Throughout the film, particularly in the opening and closing credits, there are microscopic slides of what appear to be butterfly wings, adding an entirely new level of metaphor and a metamorphosis angle. Regardless of their specifics, the impact is astounding.

Füdickar’s physical work is exquisite, between fear, wrath, manic energy, and acceptance. You cannot walk away unchanged by this performance. All the building blocks are there for a feature. Lady Puritan is truly haunting. It manages to land squarely between terror and sensuality. It is a visual personification of feminine rage and generational trauma. For any audience member embracing their witchy era, this short will have you shaking with excitement.

Lady Puritan Dances with Films Site

WRITERS/DIRS: Gustine Füdickar & Justin Streichman
PROD: Justin Streichman
CAST: Gustine Füdickar, Dorothy Dubrule, Stacy Dawson Stearns

As dream life bleeds into waking reality, a woman haunted by her Puritan ancestor must confront the terror buried deep within her bloodline. Through ritual and violent trial of the body, she fractures the veil between worlds and is thrown into a fight for her life. Lady Puritan is a surreal psychological meditation on ancestral trauma and the intimate horror of what we are born carrying. Set against the shadow of American Puritanism, the film explores the tension between repression and embodied desire.

WARNING: THIS FILM CONTAINS FLASHING IMAGES THAT MAY CAUSE DISCOMFORT OR TRIGGER SEIZURES FOR PEOPLE WITH PHOTOSENSITIVITY.

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The Goose That Laid The Golden Egg (DWF LA 2026) David Vs Goliath drama

Posted on June 23, 2026 by Liz Whittemore — 1 Comment ↓

The Goose That Laid The Golden Egg

Filmmaker Doug Bremner’s DWF LA 2026 drama “The Goose That Laid The Golden Egg” follows a devoted scientist, a desperate mother, and the do-gooder lawyers who join forces to fight for the families of children who committed suicide while taking an acne medication. But Big Pharma won’t let their billion-dollar product go down that easily. They use every dirty tactic in the book to stop them.

Dr. Jack Forteo agrees to run a study to examine the potentially deadly effects of a popular drug. Thinking they can use their power, influence, and money to demoralize the doctor, Pharmaceutical company Renzon sues Forteo and his university, calling into question his work ethic, wreaking havoc on his personal and professional life.

Bremner packs a one-two punch by giving Jack the childhood trauma of losing his sick mother, then adding the consequences of being a passionate workaholic.

The Goose That Laid The Golden Egg court scene

Hannah Fierman (SiREN) plays Amanda Bellaconda with a genuine kindness and impassioned determination. Shaan Sharma brings assured charm as counsel Ryan Singh.

David de Vries kills it as the boisterous lawyer Red Leghorn. He steals every scene he’s in. Andy Evans is great as Dr Jack Forteo. His hesitant demeanor is a wonderful foil for the immense pressure of the plot’s villain. Evans’ physical performance is fantastic.

From a technical standpoint, if I’m being nitpicky, the editing could use a pickup, specifically in the deposition scenes. Also, I suggest a reloop of Jack’s “joie de vivre” with the correct pronunciation. There’s no way a well-traveled speaker and professor would make that mistake.

The Goose That Laid the Golden Egg - [www.imdb.com]

I have secondhand experience with Accutane side effects. One of my best college friends began to take the medication, and in a few weeks, his entire personality shifted. His aggressive outbursts and negative behavior made us estranged for almost a year. The ensuing class action lawsuits were on my radar for years. “The Goose That Laid The Golden Egg” feels directly inspired by them.

The film tackles the quid pro quo of drug trials and the power of big pharma. A classic profits-over-people story, but Bremner mixes it with an unexpected emotional journey as a narrative anchor. Overall, the film plays like a Hallmark movie, but there’s nothing wrong with that. Everyone needs a good David Vs Goliath story now and again.

The Goose That Laid The Golden Egg Trailer:

WRITER/DIR: Doug Bremner
PRODS: Doug Bremner, Julia Hobgood, Catherine Kagan, Joshua Looby, Viola Vaccarino
CAST: Andy Evans, David de Vries, Hannah Fierman, Shaan Sharma, Caroline Avery Granger, Nisey Woods

When a psychiatrist discovers that a medication for the treatment of acne is causing teenagers to kill themselves, the pharmaceutical company sets out on a campaign to destroy the source of the threat to their billion-dollar-a-year drug.

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THE REVERB (DWF LA 2026) Y/A mystery pilot reels you in.

Posted on June 23, 2026 by Liz Whittemore — Leave a reply

THE REVERB

In the DWF LA 2026 series pilot, The Reverb, young college student Cassie unexpectedly reunites with her estranged best friend and famous indie band member when Aaron shows up on her doorstep late one night. Waking up to discover Aaron has been connected to the death of the band’s lead singer, Cassie must decide whether to trust her friend.

Filmmaking sisters Jordan and Janie Ruttert have set the stage for mystery with a young cast and drips of information. The Reverb pilot definitely left me wanting more. It is a solid teaser for a more fleshed-out story. It’s giving Pretty Little Liars vibes.

Mari Blake gives Cassie authentic ferocity that plays more like a documentary than a performance. You can see each beat transform her words and actions. She is simply spectacular. The Reverb could definitely benefit from a bigger budget, but Mari Blake is the Ruttert sisters’ golden ticket.

The Reverb

NORTH AMERICAN Premiere | USA, 2026, 30 min.
SERIES BLK 9 > SAT JUN 27 @ 4PM

The Reverb Trailer:

WRITER: Jordan Ruttert
DIRS: Jordan Ruttert & Janie Ruttert
PRODS: Jordan Ruttert, Janie Ruttert, Stephanie Ruttert, Doron Ruttert
CAST: Mari Blake, Matthew Assheton, Sofie Zamchick, Fia Thomson, Niya Je, Joseph Stewart, Mujeeb Rufai, Caroline Rutschilling, Dani Dorn, Noah Frankenfield

THE REVERB is a Y/A murder mystery that centers around the turbulent friendship, or rather ex-friendship, between Cassie, a young college student, and Aaron Blake, lead guitarist for the renowned indie rock band Entourage. Trouble follows Cassie home when Aaron mysteriously appears at her front door seeking refuge for the night. When she learns that Aaron is rumored to be linked to the murder of his bandmate and lead singer of Entourage, Skye Thomas, Cassie must decide whether to believe Aaron, despite their many years apart, or fight to uncover the truth.

For more Dances With Films coverage, click here!

COIN (DWF LA 2026) More than a crypto scam comedy.

Posted on June 23, 2026 by Liz Whittemore — Leave a reply

COIN

Filmmaker John Brownell tells a story of risk, reward, real estate, and revenge in DWF LA 2026 feature COIN. In an effort to save their local park, two slackers, Billy and Ricky, set up a fake fundraising campaign under a local mayor and developer running for governor of California. When donations appear overnight, they think they’re rich and decide to reinvest the money into Billy’s newly formed cryptocurrency fund.

Ricky and Billy’s friend Audrey must break the news that their scheme is entirely illegal. When a political henchman comes looking for the funds, all hell breaks loose.

The authenticity of how these two approach crypto is applause-worthy. You will find yourself both nodding and shaking your head as they navigate a world that is based mostly on vibes.

Madison West is our voice of reason as Audrey. She is a grounding presence. The camera loves her. Danny Breslin gives Billy an overconfidence that perfectly suits his character’s ambitions. Tyler Picchi is Ricky. Picchi nicely balances fearlessness and optimism. West, Breslin, and Picchi have a solid chemistry together.

The entire script is much more than an indictment of crypto and corruption. It plays into the massive ignorance of the average voter, but specifically, to an overconfident generation raised on the internet. Brownell leans into the technology gap but cleverly illustrates the impact of influencers and the internet as a true learning tool, without it getting preachy for those who couldn’t care less about crypto.

Brownell skillfully tackles the dark side of politics and the very real power imbalance we are currently experiencing in this wonky timeline. COIN is undeniably entertaining. I look forward to seeing what comes next from Brownell.

Coin Teaser Trailer:

WRITER/DIR: John Brownell

PRODS: John Brownell, Blake Johnson

CAST: Tyler Picchi, Danny Breslin, Madison West, Roy Abramsohn, Sharlene Radlein

Two friends misappropriate campaign funds to launch a cryptocurrency in a half-baked plan to save a local park, setting a political hitman after them.

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HEKLA (DWF LA 2026) An actor’s life for me!

Posted on June 23, 2026 by Liz Whittemore — Leave a reply

HEKLA

Filmmaker Michael Glover Smith co-writes the DWF LA 2026 feature HEKLA with star Elizabeth Stam. It follows a day in the life (and the mind) of a Chicago actress.

Wendy Robie‘s narration elevates the already mesmerizing structure. The black-and-white cinematography creates a stark visual juxtaposition against the color of Hekla’s theatrical storytelling moments. The costumes and direct eye contact with the camera create a stunning snapshot into Hekla’s talent and confident psyche.

Stam’s physical chaos, like carrying an open ceramic mug on the L, matches perfectly with a life in the arts. The parallels between the meta script and the screenplay are fantastic. The audience gets a peek into Hekla’s freshly broken-off relationship as she delivers monologues and songs during her various auditions. It speaks directly to the creative process and motivation during a performance. Stam and Smith delve into the irony of desiring a career as a successful actor. Once anonymity fades, everything changes.

Elizabeth is fantastic. In whatever character she is playing, you cannot take your eyes off her. She is a true chameleon. HEKLA is undeniably compelling in both visual style and storytelling. Anyone who has dipped their toe in the industry will connect with the film instantly. Smith and Stam deliver all the anxiety, whimsy, and reality of living your dreams.

WRITERS: Michael Glover Smith & Elizabeth Stam
DIR: Michael Glover Smith
PRODS: Aaron Wertheimer, Michael Glover Smith, Elizabeth Stam
CAST: Elizabeth Stam, Wendy Robie, Mary Tilden, Brookelyn Hebert

HEKLA is a comedy-drama about the emotional cost of pursuing a creative life. Hekla, a determined Chicago actress, races through auditions, breakups, and self-doubt, risking her heart and career to claim her voice and step fully into the artist and woman she’s meant to be. Set over one day in Chicago, the film explores how ambition, identity, and vulnerability collide when you’re chasing something as personal, and uncertain, as an acting career. Beneath the humor and dramatic momentum lies a story about the importance of showing up for yourself, even if the world isn’t clapping for you yet.

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YALE (DWF LA 2026) Based on an astounding true story

Posted on June 22, 2026 by Liz Whittemore — Leave a reply

YALE

Jay Silverman‘s Dances With Film LA feature, YALE, opens this festival edition. Mackenzie’s unresolved childhood trauma manifests as alcoholism and a successful but unfulfilling writing career. After an altercation with a fan leads her to another arrest, her already strained relationship with her ailing son becomes way more complicated. Ryan needs a kidney transplant, forcing Mack to track down her estranged father. What begins as a transactional relationship develops into a meeting of the minds, a hashing out of past wounds, family secrets, and a connection neither expects.

Based on the wild true story of writer Van Billet‘s maternal grandfather, the screenplay explores cyclical trauma with authentic heart and laughs. Mack quickly realizes how disconnected she is from Ryan. Yale’s jokes are simultaneously funny and eyeroll-inducing. But the depth lies within the sadness and unfathomable reality of Yale Parker.

The similarities between Mac and Yale are narrative heaven. In their cynical back-and-forth, they both treat truth like an inconvenience and deeply care about Ryan. Together, they navigate the crappy hand they’ve been dealt by chasing down a kidney.

Rachel Harris plays Mac’s literary agent and only friend, Susan. Any time we see her, it immediately elevates the project. Benjamin Mackey gives Ryan a wonderful spunk, easily holding his own alongside the adults.

Kevin Dunn makes Yale a fully fleshed-out and terribly charming guy. He manages to be lovable through a laundry list of bad behaviors. Caitlin McGee is undeniably grounded, bouncing off Dunn like an absolute pro. She has a Kate Walsh look and energy. She genuinely owns every beat. Dunn and McGee have fabulous chemistry. They are incredible scene partners.

Billet’s script delivers a nuanced take on generational trauma, desperation, and eventually a father-daughter road movie. There is so much meat on the bone, Yale could easily translate into an entire series. DWF LA 2026 audiences are in for quite a ride.

WRITER: Van Billet
DIR: Jay Silverman
PRODS: Jay Silverman, Bethany Cerrona, Ian Christian Blanche, Kevin Dunn, Joe Gamache
CAST: Caitlin McGee, Kevin Dunn, Rachael Harris, Benjamin Mackey, Dominic Leeder

Based on a true story about a troubled woman who must confront her deadbeat father who abandoned her as a child as the last ditch effort to find a donor kidney for her dying son.

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TEMPEST (DWF LA 2026) A Gripping Journey Through Grief and Parallel Realities

Posted on June 19, 2026 by Liz Whittemore — Leave a reply

TEMPEST

The first fifteen minutes of Gregory J. Green‘s DWFLA 2026 film TEMPEST have no dialogue. The plot rolls out on a stormy night against Brendon Cassidy’s beautifully whimsical score. Five years after the death of her son, successful maritime artist Miranda exists mired in grief, in a waning marriage where communication is barely viable. After accidentally triggering a dimensional shift and experiencing a taste of another life, Miranda cannot stop herself from exploring what she believes might be the answer to all her wishes.

Visually captivating, DP Kody Newton immediately differentiates between dimensions by using different lens colors. Sad Miranda’s world is constantly overcast, while her other self exists in a warm light. Slowly, the audience discovers the physical and emotional differences. Scott Campbell‘s stellar production design plays an intrinsic role.

Tempest Miranda (Erica Piccininni) cries in anguish

Performances are fabulous. Each actor plays a dual role, and they are distinct, vibrant, and nuanced. Our Miranda, Erica Piccininni, is a star. She brings such grace and vulnerability to both women. You can see the wheels turning, and you want to be a part of every beat.

The writing is clever. Writer Garry Williams juxtaposes scenes in both dimensions. Fans of the television series Sliders and the film Sliding Doors will adore this. If you are not either crying or contemplating life halfway through TEMPEST, check your pulse. Through themes of grief, marriage, and healing, TEMPEST is an extraordinary journey through the ever-present “what-ifs,” and a stunning reminder to be grateful and kind to ourselves.

TEMPEST Trailer:

WRITER: Garry Williams

DIR: Gregory J. Green

PROD: David Weisenberg

CAST: Erica Piccininni, Josh Bywater, Jacob Buster, Allison Pistorious

Miranda may be a successful artist, but her life and marriage are in ruins. One hopeless night, lightning flashes, dimensions shift, and Miranda is overjoyed to find herself in a parallel world where none of her heartbreaks exist. But this new life crumbles when the alternate Miranda, whose own world has been usurped, starts desperately trying to return.

WORLD Premiere | USA, 2026, 95 min.FRI JUN 19 @ 930PM

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Stand Clear ‘ the Closing Doors (Tribeca 2026) Comedy of Humanity and Errors

Posted on June 14, 2026 by Liz Whittemore — Leave a reply

Stand Clear ‘ the Closing Doors

Stacey Sargeant‘s Tribeca 2026 short film Stand Clear ‘ the Closing Doors is an absolutely genius illustration of intrusive thoughts. This is a quintessential New York story in every single way.

It takes guts to thrive, hell even exist, in the city. We’ve all pushed past people to get off a train, moved cars because of a smell, and cried on the train at any given hour of the day. While Stand Clear ‘ the Closing Doors is a universal snapshot of public transportation, it is also one of humanity and connection found every minute in the melting pot of culture and stories in the greatest city in the world.

full_Stand_Clear_the_Closing_Doors-Clean-16x9-03

Thoughtfully shot by Timothy Naylor, if you are a local, you feel like you’re placed right next to Sargeant. She has managed to produce a living, breathing sense memory on film. Simultaneously funny, infuriating, and deeply moving, I cannot wait to see more from her.

Starring STACEY SARGEANT, GRACE REX, and CLAUDIA LOGAN
Directed by STACEY SARGEANT
Produced by STACEY SARGEANT and BECKY MORRISON
Executive Producers JEREMY KATZ, STACEY SARGEANT, and VERONA SARGEANT
Creative Producers ESTHER DE ROTHSCHILD and ADEPERO ODUYE
Cinematography TIMOTHY NAYLOR
Edited by JONATHAN ROGERS

SYNOPSIS

When a woman makes a simple request of a fellow NYC subway passenger, an everyday moment turns into a bizarre battle for space, peace, and dignity.

Comedy, Drama, New York, Women | 7 minutes | Not Rated | 2026 | English | USA

For more Tribeca 2026, click here!

‘HOLO’ (Tribeca 2026 short) Immersive therapy dying for development.

Posted on June 7, 2026 by Liz Whittemore — Leave a reply

HOLO

In an effort to help Claire process her unresolved trauma, a tech company called Looking Glass creates a motion capture hologram version of her late husband Jared. The session is an advanced form of immersion therapy. But the complexity of their relationship puts everyone involved in danger.

Shane West, heartthrob to a generation of women like me thanks to A Walk To Remember, still exudes an effortless charm that leaps off the screen. As Jared, he taps into a terrifying rage. Morgan Kohan gives Claire every bit of herself. It’s the arc we die for. Bravo to Zelda Williams for playing Jared’s human counterpart (more of her, please), and to director Alexander DeSouza and Ashley Brandon for the seamless editing. Magali Lafeur nails the production design.

DeSouza creates an ominous atmosphere. Screenwriter Alexander Hernandez-Maxwell pulls on our darkest desires and intrusive thoughts. Fans of Severence, Westworld, and the 2024 doc, Eternal You, will find HOLO both deeply intriguing and emotionally depraved, which is the highest of compliments. While the short stands proudly on its own, audiences will no doubt clamor for more. HOLO is ripe for development, and I love that DeSouza knows it.

Remaining Tribeca Screenings of HOLO:

Wed June 10 – 8:30 PM

Shorts Theater at Spring Studios

Sat June 13 – 9:15 PM

AMC 19th St. East 6

Directed by

Alexander DeSouza

Producer

Michael Ren

Andrew Brace

Alexander DeSouza

Executive Producer

Miranda Guzman

Alex Hernandez-Maxwell

Renzo Sunga

Danny Laboy Valdez

Shane West

Writer

Alex Hernandez-Maxwell

Production Designer

Magali Lafleur

Jasmine Asiedu-Anguah

Cast

Shane West

Morgan Kohan

Zelda Williams

Tony Nappo

Beth Hornby

Editor

Alexander DeSouza

Ashley Brandon

Cinematographer

Julian Lomaga

Music

Alexander Taylor

Sound

James M. Findlay

Rosángela Hernández Gómez

Costume Designer

Caroline Allander

For more Tribeca 2026, click here!

‘Carolina Caroline’ (2026) Thrilling and sexy crime romance is a dreamer’s paradise.

Posted on June 6, 2026 by Liz Whittemore — Leave a reply

Carolina Caroline

Adam Carter Rehmeier, the filmmaking genius behind Dinner in America, brings a Bonnie-and-Clyde love story to the big screen that is destined to sweep you off your feet. Smalltown girl meets con man and sparks fly in Carolina Caroline.

Samara Weaving plays Caroline with both a curious innocence and a ferocious need. A woman with deep-seated mommy issues and supposed free will looking to feel seen. Kyle Gallner, AKA My Music Boyfriend (IYKYK), AKA Scream King, is our charming bad influence, Oliver. A whip-smart, observant, effortless hustler, his journey is just as complex as Weaving’s. Gallner always makes it look easy. The two share a goo-goo-eyed chemistry that makes the knees weak. You are buying every dangerous and sensual beat.

As their crimes progress from petty to armed, Caroline’s conscience creeps in, and a close call digs a deeper hole for her and Oliver. Rehmeier keeps the audience on their toes from the get-go, using Oliver’s teaching techniques to lure you into his game, but suspect a potential long con. But Rehmeier and writer Tom Dean are smarter than that with a script that knocks it out of the park.

Of course, the score god Chris Bear did the music. Bear, Rehmeier, and editor Justin Krohn understand the emotional impact of a strategically placed song. The red, white, and blue costumes (which match the opening credits) are iconic. Rehmeier’s ability to create a visual identity in his films is truly chef’s kiss.

Anyone who wishes their daydreams were their reality. Anyone longing to break the rules. Anyone desperately trying to break a trauma cycle. Anyone willing to forgive in an emotional freefall, Carolina Caroline will steal your heart.

Carolina Caroline Trailer:

Carolina Caroline is in theaters June 5.

https://carolinacarolinemovie.com/

Starring Samara Weaving, Kyle Gallner, Kyra Sedgwick, and Jon Gries. Acclaimed director Adam Carter Rehmeier’s romantic crime thriller stars Samara Weaving (READY OR NOT, BORDERLINE) as Caroline Daniels, whose desire to leave her small Texas town brings her into the orbit of a charismatic con man (Kyle Gallner), and together they weave a path of crime and passion across the American Southeast. Also starring Kyra Sedgwick, the film features a wide-ranging country music soundtrack, with tracks from artists such as Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton, Loretta Lynn, and over a dozen others.

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‘The Dead Place’ (2026) Ultra indie horror comes to BloodStreamTV today

Posted on June 1, 2026 by Liz Whittemore — Leave a reply

The Dead Place

First-time filmmaker Michael Pickle‘s The Dead Place is the epitome of microbudget indie filmmaking. High school senior Isaac is having a shitty year. His ability to see the dead makes him a target for the school bullies and evil. A little “I see dead people” combined with possession by a serial killer’s soul, ala Chucky. Ya know, very after-school special.

The cast has a few solid performances, and true to form in the history of horror films, a large number of the ensemble are most definitely NOT high school-aged, nor are any of the staff remotely close to real-life teachers. Frankly, I love this weird tradition. Lexi Graves and Teon Kelley are genuinely fantastic. David Howard Thornton, best known to fans as Art The Clown, sticks out for his over-the-top shenanigans, but quite frankly, his energy saved me from paying bills on my phone during the final third.

The score features repetitive synth notes, reminiscent of 80s slashers. The edit could use a shave. The set looks closer to a flop house rental than a family home. The practical makeup on David Howard Thornton is super fun. Spoiler Alert: The janitor kill is probably my favorite.

The script deals with bullying and trauma from an ostracized and othered perspective, with a wicked twist. Pickle is clearly a genre fan, and The Dead Place is proof of his passion, as the climax contains homages a plenty. High five to Matt Rasmussen‘s end credits choices. Very cool. The Dead Place debuts on BloodStreamTV June 1st.

The Dead Place Trailer:

The Dead Place will celebrate its Red Carpet Theatrical Premiere on June 10th, at Beverly Hills’ Lumiere Cinema, with cast and crew in attendance. Tickets for the event are now on-sale HERE.

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Tribeca 2026 overflows with greatness

Posted on May 31, 2026 by Liz Whittemore — Leave a reply

TRIBECA 2026

Every year, just as summer creeps around the corner, New York City is buzzing with fresh storytelling ideas, and at Tribeca 2026, a whopping 103 World Premieres are taking place. One of the best aspects about the festival, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, is the reminder that cinephiles, both serious and casual, can mix and mingle and claim bragging rights to having seen “the” film everyone will be talking about all year. You might find yourself scoring a rush ticket, and accidentally ride the escalators alongside your favorite star or filmmaker. It really is that special and unexpected. Without exception, the fest boasts something for every moviegoer, and Tribeca 2026 promises to deliver the thrills, chills, laughs, tears, gasps, and gaffaws. Here are some of the films we are saving a seat for.

NARRATIVE FEATURES

Act One

In this rhythmic psychological thriller, a lonely aspiring teen actress finds herself drawn to an acting teacher who pulls her into a web of desire and control, blurring the lines of seduction and obsession.

What Is To Come Tribeca 2026

After backing out of a suicide pact that leaves her husband dead, a sheltered farmer’s wife flees the shame and hidden debts that destroyed their life together and disappears into the port city of Eilat, where an unexpected bond with migrants, refugees, and a compassionate hotel manager forces her to rebuild herself from nothing and discover a life beyond the one she was told to live.

Lucy Schulman

After a crushing breakup, Lucy moves back in with her eccentric single dad and dives into bad dates, false starts, and growing pains. Big-hearted and sharply funny, Lucy Schulman is a charming comedic coming-of-age story from multihyphenate Tribeca alum Ellie Sachs.

Ponderosa

Synopsis: When the buffet where Zeke’s mom works closes down, he’s forced to entertain the wild advances of a rich regular who is weirdly and vehemently obsessed with becoming his father.

Deepfake

After a breakup, rudderless millennial Jane hires a team of Gen-Z consultants to reinvent her life. But what begins as a makeover soon spirals into a sharp social media satire about image, app culture, and the cost of becoming someone else.

DOCUMENTARY Tribeca 2026

Sara Bareilles: Good Grief

Seven years after her Grammy Award-winning Amidst the Chaos, Sara Bareilles reunites with her closest collaborators to record a new album. What emerges is an intimate, cinematic process that lays bare the musician’s deep connections and inspirations in Tribeca alum Josh Alexander’s moving music documentary.

‘Omaha'(2026) A heartbreaking act of love and desperation

Posted on April 24, 2026 by Liz Whittemore — Leave a reply

Omaha

Cole Webley‘s Omaha finds a grieving husband and father of two young children at the end of his rope during the 2008 financial crisis. To avoid the shame of the family’s eviction, Martin sweeps his kids and their golden retriever Rex into the car during the early morning hours, convincing them they are embarking on a cross-country road trip.

9-year-old Ella quickly pieces things together, keeping her anxiety to herself. As the money runs out and Ella witnesses her father spiral day by day, she cannot fathom how this story will end.

Molly Belle Wright and Wyatt Solis play Ella and Charlie. These two young actors will blow you away. Their chemistry with John Magaro is something from the movie gods. Wright bears the weight of being the eldest daughter, exquisitely. A performance immediately clocked by those who have lived it.

Magaro slowly sinks into a state of desperation as each hour ticks by, knowing he has almost zero options to keep up the ruse. It is a deeply affecting turn.

Christopher Bear‘s music is akin to an American folktale, almost echoing Taylor Swift. Paul Meyers‘ camerawork and Jai Shukla’s editing create a tangibility that touches your soul. The film’s deliberate pacing and lingering shots allow the audience to be in the moments of realization, joy, and grief of this little family.

Writer Robert Machoian taps into a specific, heart-rending phenomenon explained in the film’s final moment, yet, as unnecessary wars rage on and prices rise, Omaha‘s impact does not simply exist in the realm of 2008. It is any day now for so many families. As a parent, it is a visceral watch. If you don’t find yourself in the deepest hurt while watching this film, count your blessings.

Watch the trailer here:

OMAHA, the debut feature from Cole Webley, opens in New York on April 24 via Greenwich Entertainment

The film stars John Magaro in his first leading role and premiered to strong reviews in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Shot on location across Utah, Nebraska, and Wyoming, OMAHA lends an authentic, sweeping backdrop to its journey through the American West.

Set against the 2008 financial crisis, OMAHA follows a struggling father (Magaro) on a road trip across the American West with his two children, Ella and Charlie. What begins as a seemingly spontaneous journey gradually reveals deeper emotional stakes, exploring parenthood, love, and the quiet desperation of protecting your children when you’re unsure you can.

In his feature directorial debut, Webley favors emotional authenticity over sentimentality, matched by a remarkable breakout performance from 11-year-old Molly Belle Wright. Written by Robert Machoian (The Killing of Two Lovers) and shot by Paul Meyers, ASC, the intimate screenplay and striking visuals mirror the characters’ inner lives with subtlety and grace.

Following Sundance, OMAHA has continued to resonate, earning honors at Jakarta World Cinema (Best Film, First Features), Deauville (Jury Prize), Richmond (Grand Jury Award, Best Feature), Nashville (Audience Award), Munich (CineKindl Award), Dallas (Grand Jury Award), and Miami (Jordan Ressler First Feature Award).

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‘Mabel’ (2026) Real growth is hard work, in this darling coming-of-age tale.

Posted on April 14, 2026 by Liz Whittemore — Leave a reply

Mabel

Nicholas Ma‘s darling coming-of-age film Mabel follows Callie, a 6th-grade botany-obsessed girl who struggles to adjust to her family’s move.

Callie is a genuinely confident and incredibly intelligent tween. Her exasperation with life feels warranted as she navigates starting a new school and the subtle racism from the adults. Feeling uninspired by those around her, Callie sneaks into an 8th-grade science class taught by a spitfire, long-term substitute. She sees an opportunity to connect through her passion, but finds growing up more challenging than growing plants.

Callie’s closest ally is her fern, Mabel. She would rather focus on plants than peers, making it difficult to accept anyone’s attempt to push her beyond her comfort zone. Her parents are doing their best, but Callie’s stubbornness and outright sass offer both laughs and frustration. When she tries to entice Ms. G with an experiment, Callie learns that loyalty and friendship must be carefully cultivated, and even then, it’s up to nature.

Judy Greer is a gem. Having worked with and for scientists, Greer nails the bluntness and often curt tone in Ms. G’s delivery. It’s a performance that wins in its specificity. Newcomer Lexi Perkel‘s raw turn will undoubtedly hit the core of anyone raising a headstrong leader. Perkel settles easily into Callie’s hyper focus. You can see the light in her eyes as the two become one. Perkel is so effortless, you’d think she were the subject of a documentary.

Mabel struggles slightly with pacing, even at a satisfying 84-minute runtime, but its relatable storytelling keeps it a breezy watch. Anyone who has ever felt different, misunderstood, or any parent of a child on the spectrum (even though Callie is specifically not) will relate to the desire to find connection and genuine friendship. Mabel is a solid family film.

Mabel Trailer:

MABEL Opens in New York at the Cinema Village on April 17

Directed by Nicholas Ma
Written by Nicholas Ma & Joy Goodwin
Produced by Ben Howe, Luca Borghese, & Helen Estabrook
Executive Produced by Jennifer Westphal, Joe Plummer, Bill Helman, John Boccardo, Derek Esplin, Duane Fernandez, Rebecca Fernandez, & Clara Wu
Starring Judy Greer, Christine Ko, Lexi Perkel & Quincy Dunn-Baker

*Official Selection – 2024 San Francisco Film Festival*

Biracial Callie (Lexi Perkel) loves trees and plants and little else in Nicholas Ma’s warm debut feature. Surly with her parents and intolerant of people who don’t share her interests, she’s also unhappy about changing middle schools after her family relocates.

But as luck would have it, substitute teacher Ms. G (Judy Greer) is starting a botany unit in a high school science class, and Callie wangles her way in. Held rapt by Ms. G’s lectures and online speeches, Callie develops an experiment raising chrysanthemums in darkness and manages to lure Agnes, her ebullient younger neighbor, into working on the project with her. Precocious, determined, and wryly funny, Callie is a unique protagonist who leverages her love of botany to propel herself into adolescence.

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NIGHTBORN

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GODHEAD

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Tight Lettuce

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Fantasia 2026.

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TENDER

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Lady Puritan

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The Goose That Laid The Golden Egg

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THE REVERB

The Reverb

NORTH AMERICAN Premiere | USA, 2026, 30 min.SERIES BLK 9 > SAT JUN 27 @ 4PM

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COIN

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Alexander DeSouza

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Carolina Caroline

Carolina Caroline is in theaters June 5.

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The Dead Place

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NORTH AMERICAN Premiere | USA, 2026, 30 min.
SERIES BLK 9 > SAT JUN 27 @ 4PM