February 19

Gauntlet (USA)	6:00 PM	OFFICIAL SELECTION
Director MATT ESKANDARI
Bai Ling and Dustin Nguyen lead the cast in this Sci-Fi tale of a sunken Castle underneath the earth, five strangers wake. They have no food. No memory. No water. And no way out. These strangers are from every normal walk of life, yet they each have a secret. They don't know it yet, but they're capable of something they never imagined. They must organize and band together for the sinister adventure that awaits them. At Studio 22
WORLD PREMIERE

NOVR (AUSTRALIA)	7:30 PM	official selection
Director GEOFF O'ROURKE
As their planet is being invaded by an alien race, soldiers Ash and Zack stumble across what might be mankind's only hope to avoid extinction: A NOVR. Along the way, they meet an eccentric called Dodge, who trusts the voices in his head more than real people, and a religious group of super-soldiers. Both of these new acquaintances want the NOVR for their own devices, and either could be the best chance Ash and Zack have of staying alive. At Studio 22
hriff PREMIERE

Time (AUSTRALIA)	7:30 PM	OFFICIAL SELECTION
Director LIAM CONNOR
Time is about one young boys exploration of the foolish idea of time travel might actually be possible. 12-year-old James, endured a dysfunctional upbringing, and now has to deal with the consequences of his own beliefs, as well as the reactions of others as he learns how to manipulate time itself. At Studio 22
NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE

AERIAL: Los Angeles - Architectural Giants (USA)	8:00 PM	OFFICIAL SELECTION
Director LOUIS HALCYON SIMMONS
Imagine yourself soaring through the extraordinary city of downtown Los Angeles. This magical city at night lights up to your imagination as you breeze by some of L.A.’s historical and incredible architectural giants. View through the stunning parallel vision of aerial cinematographer Louis Halcyon Simmons as he takes you on this visually stimulating journey through what we know as the City of Angels. This documentary short willkeep you on the edge of your seat, just feet away from those giants of steel. At Studio 22
HOLLYWOOD PREMIERE

Memoriam (BRAZIL)	8:00 PM	OFFICAL SELECTION
Director JOHIL CARVALHO, SÉRGIO LACERDA, & LUIZ FELIPE MATOS
A sensory journey to the capital of Brazil through sounds, images, testimonials and the maestro Jorge Antunes' electroacoustic music. At Studio 22
NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE

A Man Who Writes (SPAIN)	8:00 PM	OFFICIAL SELECTION
Director CARLOS HERNANDO
This short documentary tells the story of Cuban poet Raul Rivero who was sentenced to twenty years of prison and spent nearly two years confined in a punishment cell. Thanks to international pressure, he was released and deported to Spain. Today he lives in exile in Madrid. At Studio 22
WORLD PREMIERE

The Bear Print Shirt (JAPAN)	8:45 PM	OFFICAL SELECTION
Director MASANORI NAKA
This quirky and charming Japanese film is a unique comedy that looks at the story of the relationships between men & women, salesmen (and one special Bear Print shirt). At Studio 22
WORLD premiere

Poor Cocaine (ISRAEL)	8:45 PM	OFFICAL SELECTION
Director ALEX OSMOLOVSKY
The story of the film is about two police officers in their normal working day. All goes wrong, as the police officers chase after justice, love, and cocaine. Needless to mention that the policemen win every adventure in this brutal comedy. At Studio 22
HOLLYWOOD PREMIERE

The Yearbook (USA)	8:45 PM	OFFICAL SELECTION
Director J.P. JACOBSEN
As fifth grade and elementary school draws to a close, Leena, bright and friendly, if slightly awkward, summons the courage to ask her secret crush, the popular Matt, to sign her yearbook and give her first kiss. At Studio 22
world PREMIERE

Language of the Unknown – A Film About Wayne Shorter (GERMANY)	9:30 PM	OFFICAL SELECTION
Director UMIT ULUDAG
Wayne Shorter, who celebrated his 80th birthday on August 25, does not bother to be celebrated for his many past successes. His maxim is to reinvent his music in each concert, and always generate radical originality. In this documentary we get a view into his restless tour schedule and see how he is inspired by this task. After legendary work with the Art Blakey Jazz Messengers, the Miles Davis Quintet and the Weather Report, he formed the Wayne Shorter Quartet. At Studio 22
WORLD PREMIERE

Bloody Lip (UK)	10:30 PM	OFFICAL SELECTION
Director ADRIEL LEFF
'Rocky' meets 'Spinal Tap' in this comedy mockumentary about a professional boxer with just seven days to prepare for the fight of his life against his childhood rival, a bout which, if triumphant, will result in him achieving his life's goal of bettering the win/loss record laid down by his father. A funny and touching indepedent feature the HRIFF is proud to recommend. At Studio 22
HRIFF PREMIERE