When eccentric ad exec André learns he’s dying of colon cancer, he faces it with the same irreverent humor and wild creativity he’s had his entire life—and decides to make an unconventional documentary about his journey. Featuring inappropriate anecdotes, stop-motion animation, and a lively score, this singular film delivers both humorous and profound reflections on life’s fragility, while also challenging societal taboos around death and dying with wit and grace. Winner: US Documentary Competition Audience Award & Jonathan Oppenheim Editing Award, 2025 Sundance Film Festival.

What happens when comedy becomes a tool for navigating one of the world’s most complex conflicts? This thought-provoking documentary follows Israeli comedian Noam Shuster-Eliassi as she channels her upbringing in the Oasis of Peace—an intentionally mixed Jewish-Palestinian village—into bold, sharply observed humor. Her one-woman show challenges both societal norms and the limits of traditional coexistence, revealing the power of laughter to spark difficult conversations in the face of deeply ingrained divisions. Winner: Special Jury Award: Freedom of Expression, 2025 Sundance Film Festival.

Acclaimed poet laureate and spoken word icon Andrea Gibson has long been celebrated for their fearless writing on social justice and LGBTQ+ themes. Now, facing a terminal cancer diagnosis, Andrea and partner Megan Falley open their lives to director Ryan White’s deeply moving—and often disarmingly funny—portrait. Through intimate moments and Gibson’s powerful poetry, the film offers a universal reflection on life, love, and resilience, celebrating the beauty of living in the face of adversity and the transformative power of art. Winner: Festival Favorite Award, 2025 Sundance Film Festival.

In a remote North Macedonian village, 15-year-old Ahmet finds solace in music amidst the strictures of tradition and family expectations. Navigating a forbidden first love, he turns to electronic beats as a means of escape, hoping to dazzle the girl of his affections at the village festival with the help of his adorable younger brother. This charming and beautifully lensed coming-of-age tale, set against a vibrant backdrop of cultural contrasts, celebrates the unifying power of music and demonstrates the courage it takes to defy convention. Winner: World Cinema Dramatic Competition Audience Award, Special Jury Award for Creative Vision, 2025 Sundance Film Festival.

After her husband’s death, fiercely independent horse trainer Tabatha struggles to keep her South Dakota ranch afloat while facing unresolved grief and financial uncertainty. Surrounded by her children and the wayward teens she’s taken in, Tabatha forges an unconventional family on society’s margins. Filmmaker Kate Beecroft blends real-life footage, TikTok videos, and dramatized scenes with both non-actors and professionals to craft a strikingly original portrait of resilience and chosen family in the modern American West. Winner: NEXT Audience Award, 2025 Sundance Film Festival.

For centuries, people have called out to the universe looking for answers—in Disney and Pixar’s all-new feature film Elio the universe calls back! The cosmic misadventure introduces Elio, a space fanatic with an active imagination and a huge alien obsession. So, when he’s beamed up to the Communiverse, an interplanetary organization with representatives from galaxies far and wide, Elio’s all in for the epic undertaking. Mistakenly identified as Earth’s leader, Elio must form new bonds with eccentric alien lifeforms, navigate a crisis of intergalactic proportions, and somehow discover who and where he is truly meant to be.

Sam experiences a disorienting panic attack that unexpectedly leads him to a new role: babysitting for Dianne, an actress and mother navigating a strained marriage. Over a summer, an unexpected connection forms between Sam and Dianne as they discover a comfortable understanding and shared experience of mental health hurdles. Matthew Shear’s directorial debut plunges the audience into the disquieting and often darkly humorous limbo of mental illness. Winner: Narrative Feature Competition Audience Award & Special Jury Award for Performance, 2025 SXSW Film Festival.

Set against the breathtaking snowscapes of Arctic Norway, this uplifting documentary follows teenagers at an unconventional high school as they embark on a transformative journey. Through wilderness survival skills and dog-sledding, these young adults disconnect from the chaos of modern life to confront their insecurities and discover resilience. Artfully infusing Norse mythology within their storytelling, directors and past NFF honorees Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady masterfully capture the students’ experiences as they learn valuable lessons about trust and self-reliance on the edge of adulthood.

In her debut feature, Jing Ai Ng builds a dramatic clash of loyalty and truths in a dark comedy drama. Beneath the vibrant pulse of Miami’s art world, siblings Raymond and Coco Zhang orchestrate a lucrative deception with their flawless art forgeries. After an enigmatic millionaire strong-arms them into replicating masterpieces for his family’s esteemed collection, their carefully constructed reality starts to crack. As the shady underbelly of the art world is revealed, loyalties are tested and the stakes escalate, plunging all the players into increasing peril.

Acclaimed documentarian Amy Berg’s evocative portrait of Jeff Buckley invites viewers—fans and newcomers alike—into the world of a musician whose life was as enigmatic as his voice was unforgettable. Through never-before-seen footage, intimate recordings, and candid accounts from friends, family, and collaborators, the film traces Buckley’s meteoric rise and tragic loss after releasing just one album before his untimely death in 1997. Exploring themes of love, artistic integrity, and identity, it captures the enduring impact of his brief career with emotional depth and striking honesty.

Marking the momentous 50th anniversary of the cinematic phenomenon that thrilled audiences worldwide, Steven Spielberg offers an unprecedented glimpse into the captivating genesis and enduring legacy of Jaws. This insightful exploration delves into the journey of Jaws, tracing its origins from Peter Benchley’s gripping novel to Spielberg’s masterful film adaptation. The impact of Jaws on popular culture, the art of filmmaking, and even the critical field of shark conservation remains profound half a century later. The film features compelling interviews with Hollywood’s most influential directors, from Steven Soderbergh to Jordan Peele, who speak to the film’s lasting influence, alongside insights from leading shark scientists, who address the complex relationship between humans and these often-misunderstood creatures. Packed with never-before-seen footage from Spielberg’s personal archive and jaw-dropping behind-the-scenes stories, JAWS @ 50 is a thrilling love letter to cinema.

A collection of family-friendly short films, with amusing animals, silly stories, and fun-filled adventures! Curated to spark curiosity and wonder, these films are meant to inspire all through the magic of storytelling! Suitable for kids over 5.