Ben Stiller leads a powerhouse panel of comedians in a bold, hilarious conversation on comedy, chaos, and creative truth-telling.

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.

In his pursuit of the best birthday ever, comedian Nick Thune realizes he’s always wanted to lose somebody.

A talkative parrot attempts to befriend a boy with Tourette’s syndrome.

An immersion into a weekend gathering of “widows” - people of all ages, genders, and orientations - this glimpse of a grieving community is devastating and unexpectedly funny.

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.

A mother surprises her kids with a trip to the place she wants to be buried. The kids disagree with her decision.

A live taping of The Back Room podcast featuring award-winning documentarian Alex Gibney in a sharp, revealing conversation.

After the screening, stay for an on-stage conversation with filmmaker Kim A. Snyder, producer Maria Cuomo Cole, and New Jersey Librarian of the Year 2023, Martha Hickson, for a vital conversation about the cultural stakes of this fight—and the enduring role of libraries as bastions of truth, access, and democracy.

Two master storytellers, 50+ films—Tony Gilroy and Scott Frank go deep on craft, legacy, and redefining screenwriting for the screen.

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.

When parents gather their four adult children over dinner to solidify the family will, the children's self-absorbed agendas send the conversation careening into chaos, leading to a desperate battle of wills.

Step into Elin Hilderbrand’s world at a seaside garden soiree celebrating her Nantucket novels and their high-profile screen adaptations.

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.

82-year-old artist Freeman Vines hand-carves guitars, some from the wood from trees linked to the lynching of a young Black man in a small eastern North Carolina town.

A family wakes up on a Nantucket beach with no recollection of the past, and must retrace their steps to save their future.

Inspired by a true story of resilience and compassion. Henrietta, a young chicken, escapes a factory farm and finds a loving home, highlighting the power of love and connection.

Join us for a landmark In Their Shoes® conversation following an exclusive 30-minute sneak peek of The American Revolution, the sweeping new 12-hour documentary series from acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns.

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.

Kid President introduces his most kid-friendly policy yet: a ban on all vegetables!

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.

Three Florida women search for new homes after their trailer park is slated for closure by its corporate owner, Trinity Broadcasting Network.

A festival favorite, Late Night Storytelling returns for our 30th anniversary, hosted by Ophira Eisenberg—this time inspired by the theme: DIRTY THIRTY.

A top-notch cast leads this film adaptation of Eugene O’Neill’s semi- autobiographical play of the same name. In an exploration of family dynamics under the weight of addiction, illness, and well-buried resentments, we see the Tyrone family through an unflinching lens as they battle personal demons. The searing drama unfolds over one single day as resentments come to the surface and tension permeates the house. Powerhouse performances from Jessica Lange and Ed Harris make this a must-see film that leaves a lasting impression.

Set against the backdrop of the post-industrial American Dream in the heart of the Midwest, this film offers a poignant slice of life, unfolding over a single day. When America’s beloved televised antiques appraisal show rolls into Cleveland, transformative events are set into motion as the individual journeys of five disparate souls unexpectedly converge. In their directorial debut, Marisa Guterman and Keith Gerchak expertly bring the warmth of the heartland to the big screen in a delightful blend of quirky charm and whimsical spirit.

Lulina draws her greatest fears over the infinite white ground of the Moon. Magically, her illustrations come to life and teach her that her problems aren''t as monstrous as her imagination depicted them.

Seeking refuge from the familiar and the expected, Erin and Charlie embark on a journey to the stark beauty of Joshua Tree. The arid desert landscape forces them to confront the core of their relationship, facing unforeseen obstacles and wrestling with shifting dynamics. While Erin struggles with her inner turmoil, Charlie’s patience is tested, and his sunny disposition starts to crack. Directing from a script she co-wrote with Mark Duplass, Katie Aselton beautifully captures the vast emptiness and raw intensity of a couple navigating uncharted territory.

Born into a hearing family, Marlee Matlin overcame isolation and adversity before rising to fame with Children of a Lesser God, for which she became the first Deaf performer to win an Academy Award. With intimacy and care, director Shoshannah Stern—a Deaf filmmaker inspired by Matlin’s groundbreaking career—captures the actress’ reflections on her life in her own language of ASL. Blending archival footage with revealing conversations, Stern’s affecting film explores Matlin’s professional triumphs, personal struggles, and advocacy for accessibility and authentic representation, while candidly confronting the challenges that come when attempting to break barriers in Hollywood.

Julie Delpy directs and stars in this sharp, funny satire about a quaint French village whose residents—motivated as much by government subsidies as by goodwill—eagerly agree to host refugees fleeing the ravages of war. When a Syrian family arrives instead of the expected Ukrainians, chaos erupts as the villagers’ assumptions and prejudices are exposed. Delpy’s storytelling skewers both reactionary and progressive attitudes, while the newcomers, carrying their own harrowing past, defy stereotypes as they upend small-town routines in this crowd-pleasing comedy.

In the early 1990s, inspired by their unconventional teacher, high school students in upstate New York launched a documentary investigation that uncovered toxic pollution, organized crime, and political corruption in their community. Thirty years later, filmmakers Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine (Boys State, NFF 2020) revisit this unlikely but true story, reuniting the students with their mentor and blending archival material with present-day reflections on their transformative experience. The result is a stirring tribute to civic engagement, investigative journalism, and the lasting impact of great teachers.

Kickstart your day with a cup of coffee and NFF filmmakers, producers, and actors. Join us at the Sister Ship to enjoy this daily, iconic Festival event series, with light fare and moderated conversation. Complimentary coffee, tea, and breakfast items from WHEAT.

Pasha, a nonconformist teacher, is tasked with filming his provincial Russian school’s various activities, uniquely positioning him to unobtrusively document the chilling militarization of education following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. As patriotic performances and battlefield training replace traditional learning and propaganda is used to turn students into ideological recruits, his candid footage sheds light on the impossible ethical dilemmas faced by ordinary citizens under authoritarian rule. Winner: World Cinema Documentary Competition Special Jury Award, 2025 Sundance Film Festival.

In an exploration of culinary legend Nobuyuki Matsuhisa’s empire, we see the intimate side of a man who has redefined global gastronomy. This cinema verité film, helmed by Matt Tyrnauer, offers a deep and sweeping view of Nobu’s remarkable journey, from his origins in Japan to his ascent to global prominence—a challenging odyssey marked by significant hurdles. Through exclusive access to Nobu himself, his vast international enterprise, and the insights of his closest collaborators, friends, and renowned admirers, the film unveils the extraordinary story behind the iconic name.

A young couple’s romantic weekend getaway quickly spirals into chaos in this dark comedy. When a playful moment turns serious, and miscommunication leads to panic, Iris (Molly Gordon) handcuffs Isaac (Logan Lerman) to a bed, triggering a battle of wills as she tries to force a conversation about commitment. Fueled by witty dialogue and escalating absurdity, Oh, Hi! showcases standout performances from its ensemble. With unexpected twists, this off-kilter comedy delivers laughs through its clever exploration of love, control, and the messy realities of modern relationships.

Before dawn breaks, a father wakes his two children, packs them into their barely-functioning car, and sets out on the road, carrying only a few belongings and a sense of loss. John Magaro delivers a career-defining performance, portraying a man quietly unraveling under the weight of grief and desperation. Molly Belle Wright is extraordinary as his perceptive daughter, while Wyatt Solis brings innocence and charm as the youngest family member. As their path unfolds along this intimate road trip full of both tenderness and heartbreak, unexpected turns lead to a haunting conclusion.

A Native American kid scrambles to charge his dying video game console at a bustling intertribal powwow.

Posing provocative and perhaps unanswerable questions about society’s conception of crime and punishment, Predators examines the phenomenon of To Catch a Predator, which exposed child predators through televised sting operations. Director David Osit conducts a thoughtful, layered analysis of the show and its legacy, surfacing legally and ethically questionable tactics employed to turn vigilante justice into media spectacle. In the process, Osit asks viewers to consider their own complicity in consuming true crime programs, which trade in public humiliation and schadenfreude as popular entertainment.

Lindsay Utz and Michelle Walshe’s inspiring documentary offers an intimate and rousing portrait of Jacinda Ardern’s extraordinary tenure as New Zealand’s prime minister from 2017 to 2023. Through a compelling mix of archival footage, personal home videos, and candid audio recordings, their film chronicles her rise to power amid unprecedented crises, including the Christchurch mosque shootings, the White Island eruption, and the global COVID-19 pandemic. Highlighting Ardern’s empathetic yet resolute approach to governance and emphasizing her commitment to kindness, resilience, and social justice, the documentary captures the challenges she faced as a young leader and working mother—the second head of state in modern history to give birth while in office. In doing so, it shows her determination to lead with humanity and common sense. With a dynamic storytelling approach that blends public moments with private reflections, Prime Minister is a stirring celebration of compassionate stewardship and courage, and serves as a powerful reminder of the impact one leader can have in uniting a nation and inspiring hope in turbulent times. Winner: World Cinema Documentary Competition Audience Award, 2025 Sundance Film Festival .

In this adaptation of the New York Times bestseller, Azar Nafisi, a former professor at Tehran University, secretly gathers seven of her most committed female students to read forbidden Western classics. As fundamentalists seize control, the women remove their veils and speak about their hopes, disappointments, femininity, and their search for a place in an increasingly oppressive society. Through their daring engagement with books, they ignite the transformative power of literature against the backdrop of revolutionary Iran, collectively forging paths toward their futures.

Celebrate three decades of storytelling at NFF’s Screenwriters Tribute—an unforgettable evening of awards, wit, and cinematic brilliance.

Narrated by Forest Whitaker, Seaweed Stories is a global look at seaweed - a marine organism, which may hold answers to humanity’s biggest challenges.

A decades-old love triangle resurfaces at an assisted living facility.

A collection of six short films about wandering souls finding their courage, the healing power of rediscovering oneself, and navigating physical and emotional landscapes.

These short films offer a compelling narrative about the power of connection and the need for community, from diverse perspectives that illuminate the human experience.

From the bonds of romantic love to complex family dynamics, these five short films explore strength, fragility, and the poignant emotional cords that connect us all.

When a lonely polar bear can't find a friend... he makes one!

What does it take to stand out in a sea of voices? Filmmakers Jennifer Tiexiera and Guy Mossman take audiences behind the scenes of the National Speech and Debate Association’s prestigious National Tournament, where the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Josh Gad, and Brad Pitt once competed. In this rousing documentary, five gifted high school students—Esther, Mfaz, Sam, Noor, and Noah—spend a year crafting and perfecting original speeches on thought-provoking topics, including school shootings, disability advocacy, and assisted suicide. As they prepare to face one of the world’s largest academic competitions, the stakes are high—not just for winning but for sparking meaningful dialogue in front of thousands of viewers. While charting the students’ road to Nationals, the film also explores their dynamic and diverse personal lives, deftly balancing humor with poignant reflections on youth navigating an uncertain future. With its compelling blend of heartfelt storytelling and sharp social commentary, this coming of age documentary celebrates the power of speech to inspire change while showcasing the creativity and ambition of tomorrow’s next generation of leaders, poised to shape the world through the power of words.

Two brothers trapped in a cycle of petty crime and poor decisions see their already fragile bond unravel after a failed theft.

A sun-dappled lake becomes the stage for four quietly luminous stories. Crafted as her film school thesis project, Sierra Falconer’s impressive debut draws from her own Michigan upbringing to weave an anthology of life on Green Lake: a girl learning to sail, a prodigy struggling at summer camp, two sisters running a bed-and-breakfast, and a fisherman chasing an elusive catch. With naturalistic performances and evocative cinematography, the film reveals the beauty in ordinary moments, inviting audiences to linger in the gentle rhythms of community and change.

A middle-aged American woman finds herself alone in Mexico City. When she encounters a group of young American tourists, she jumps at the opportunity for a little adventure.

Jay Duplass returns to the big screen in this Baltimore-set comedy. A chipped tooth on Christmas Eve sends Cliff, teetering on the fragile edge of newfound sobriety, spiraling into an unlikely and poignant escapade. His emergency savior (and dentist), Didi, is a woman whose life experiences and perspectives stand in stark contrast to his own. As they navigate the city together, the reasons for Cliff’s sobriety and the complexities of Didi’s life begin to surface, revealing vulnerabilities and unexpected common ground. Winner: Narrative Spotlight Audience Award, 2025 SXSW Film Festival.

Elizabeth, an impossibly precocious seven year old Lego constructor, struggles with “imagination blur” as her three year old sister attempts to free her from her rigid thinking.

In a country where eligible bachelors outnumber women by tens of millions, three single men join a weeklong dating program, hoping to find love. Guided by Hao, a charismatic coach who teaches “strategic deception,” they navigate the realities of modern romance shaped by the legacy of China’s one-child policy. Director Violet Du Feng infuses her film with vibrant visuals and incisive social critique, highlighting the contradictions of Hao’s advice through his marriage to a fellow coach with opposing views. The result is a funny and deeply human portrait of connection that resonates across cultures.

Rows of quiet bookshelves become battlegrounds in this urgent, eye-opening documentary, as librarians in Texas, Florida, and beyond emerge as unlikely defenders of democracy. Director Kim A. Snyder follows these courageous stewards of knowledge as they risk careers and safety to resist sweeping book bans targeting marginalized communities. Exposing the coordinate campaigns behind censorship and the personal toll on those who stand against it, The Librarians serves as both a chronicle of our present culture wars and a rousing call to fierce action to protect our freedoms.

Two estranged, grieving brothers must work to keep their beloved music store in business.

Explore the sights and sounds of the world you love, through the eyes and ears of a little Sound Collector!

Inspired by Tove Jansson’s cherished novel, this film beautifully portrays the evolving bond between Sophia, a perceptive nine-year-old on the cusp of adolescence, and her wise grandmother. The family inhabits the tranquil simplicity of a summer cottage on a pristine islet in the Gulf of Finland. Glenn Close stars as the matronly grandmother who poses fundamental questions about the essence of life and death and the nature of divinity. As the summer comes to an end, we witness a family strengthened by love and connection.

A Chinese American teenager and her boyfriend set out to buy the morning after pill in post-Roe America.

Two lonely suburbanites find solace in freshly painted walls.

A couple of little mushroom fairies put on a magic show for Tiny Toot and her friends.

A struggling contractor risks his young sons’ wellbeing to cut a sweet deal.

Based on a true story, Stephanie Laing’s uplifting underdog drama follows Amanda (Rose Byrne), an unhoused woman whose only refuge is her 1991 Toyota Corolla—until it’s stolen, towed, and then held hostage for a staggering $21,634. Facing impossible odds, Amanda launches a relentless legal battle against the system, refusing to be broken by bureaucracy or indifference. Byrne’s performance is a standout, capturing Amanda’s vulnerability and fierce determination, while Octavia Spencer, Ariana DeBose, Demi Lovato, and Simon Rex impress in key supporting roles. Tow is a powerful testament to resilience, justice, and the fight to reclaim dignity.

This darkly comedic drama centers on the unlikely, intense friendship that develops between two men who meet in a support group for those grieving the loss of their twins. Written, directed, and produced by James Sweeney, who also stars alongside a remarkable Dylan O’Brien, the film deftly balances witty humor with palpable emotion. Sweeney’s clever, nuanced script captures the awkwardness, vulnerability, and unexpected intimacy of their connection, while both leads deliver impressive, deeply layered performances that vividly bring their characters’ grief and desires to life. Adding further depth, Lauren Graham and Aisling Franciosi contribute memorable supporting roles—Graham as a mother navigating complex family dynamics, and Franciosi as Marcie, an unexpectedly perceptive receptionist whose presence adds both warmth and intrigue. As the bond between the two men deepens, secrets surface, challenging perceptions of identity, love, and loss. With a keen eye for tone and character, Twinless blends black comedy and psychological thriller elements, creating a compelling, unpredictable narrative that unfolds with striking originality and emotional intensity as it explores the complexities of human connection and the ways we cope with grief. Winner: US Dramatic Competition Audience Award & Special Jury Award: Acting, 2025 Sundance Film Festival