LOSER (USA)

11:00 AM
DS3A

Director: Carolyn Miller

Starring Dale Dickey (Winter's Bone), Billy Zane (Titanic), Shanley Caswell (The Conjuring) and Jack Brett Anderson (Runaway). and based on a short story by acclaimed novelist Aimee Bender, and showcased on NPR's 'This American Life,' this film deals with themes of connection and loss and how grief can sometimes open surreal worlds within us. After Jack loses his father, he begins to hear and feel other things that are lost. Trees uprooted from their forests, objects bought from pawn shops. Jack can find all these things, yet who will find him?

Official Selection

Feb 20, Regal Cinemas LA LIVE

MOMMA RIG (USA)

11:00 AM
DS3A

Director: Josh Kaplan

Two brothers, Dale & Earl Desmond, live alone on their family's isolated, dying oil field. Their last rig, Momma, who the brothers speak to and believe is their mother, is drying up and they must confront the end of their family's legacy. An offer from a land developer, pressure from a mentor to sell their land, and a visit from a mysterious stranger push the already feuding brothers to the edge of their sanity. Alone and afraid, they must decide between leaving their condemned birthright behind or staying with Momma until the bitter end.

Official Selection

Feb 20, Regal Cinemas LA LIVE

THE MISSION (USA)

11:00 AM
DS3A

Director: Josh Roush

The Mission is a short dark-comedy about a day in the life of two Mormon brothers experiencing the opposite ends of their faith. As they monotonously canvas the same area yet again, a frisky, sexy woman puts the moves on Brother Joseph. To the horror of Brother Bradley, Joe must now choose between brotherhood, the church or his own independence.

Official Selection

Feb 20, Regal Cinemas LA LIVE

LOS NIÑOS SICARIOS (USA)

11:00 AM
DS3A

Director: Rob Lamber

Beto appears to be a normal American teenage boy. He lives in an U.S. suburb, plays football with friends, and rides bikes. However, underneath the exterior of 'normal' is a military trained assassin. His nice suburban home is actually a cell group of other teenage assassins just like him. They are given orders from higher ups in the Cartel and are to remain 'on call' for specific targets. Their job is to kill targets in the U.S. and Mexico. Depending on the target, payout is between $10,000 to $50,000 per kill. Based on real events, we take a peek into a day in the life of an American born child hitman or little assassin.

Official Selection

Feb 20, Regal Cinemas LA LIVE

THE LOTUS GUN (USA)

12:00 PM

Director: Amanda Milius

A post-apocalyptic psychedelic Western - In the year 2077, civilization has collapsed after a final World War and Nora and Daphine live an idyllic life as mountain trappers, alone, living off the land, relying on no one, far away from any other people. One day, a wandering stranger, shows up on their land…and all hell breaks loose.

Best Student Film

Feb 20, Regal Cinemas LA LIVE

CLOSURE (USA)

12:00 PM

Director: Josh Kaplan

Two lovers hunt each other in the wilderness to put an end to their relationship. A short film without words that explores the crushing reality of separating from the one you love. Shot on location in the wilderness of Montana.

Official Selection

Feb 20, Regal Cinemas LA LIVE

PAM (USA)

12:30 PM
DS3B

Director: Kathleen Cecchin

Despite the best helicopter parenting techniques available in the 1970's, three oblivious latchkey schoolgirls turn the most innocuous household items into instruments of self-destruction while trying to escape the monotony of a suburban afternoon. Animation assists in the telling of a fateful trip from the grocery store in this short film by the producer of BELLFLOWER.

Official Selection

Feb 20, Regal Cinemas LA LIVE

CADILLAC CITY (USA)

12:30 PM
DS3B

Director: Frederick Keeve

A present day coming-of-age teen drama that follows six teenagers who skip out on high school graduation to explore Los Angeles over one day and night, confronting their darkest secrets and envisioning their most passionate dreams. Inspired by John Hughes’ films like The Breakfast Club, and teen classics like Rebel without a Cause, this film has a contemporary viewpoint.

Official Selection

Feb 20, Regal Cinemas LA LIVE

The Tow (USA)

12:30 PM
DS3B

Director: Ian Bohen

Life costs us daily and we’re forced to pay with time, effort, anguish and money. Some men resign themselves to a life of work to afford these debts. Some men are content to simply take what is not theirs. The Tow examines two men forced to decide where the line between victims and criminals blur, pushing each towards the breaking point... Until one man decides to push back.

Official Selection

Feb 20, Regal Cinemas LA LIVE

EMMETT IN PEOPLELAND (USA)

12:30 PM
DS3B

Director: Alan Shearman

A comedy with Larry Hankin, Howard Hesseman, & Fred Willard. Hoping for a ransom of half-a million dollars, a distraught and debt-ridden Banker (Howard Hesseman) follows the advice of his semi-streetwise chauffeur: kidnap a particular grunge-rock singer and her grunge-rock producer because they wouldn't miss a quarter million each.

Official Selection

Feb 20, Regal Cinemas LA LIVE

Primitive Technology (USA)

1:30 PM
DS3C

Director: Bo Price

A group of misfits make their dreams come true... by building inventions out of rubbish. Have you ever wanted to be a famous outlaw? A worldwide hero? Or fly like a big beautiful bird? Join Prim Tech, and your dream will come true TODAY!

Official Selection

Feb 20, Regal Cinemas LA LIVE

Room 3 (USA)

1:30 PM
DS3C

Director: Blake Hodges

When Jessica becomes tormented by disturbing visions from a past life, she attempts a new experimental form of therapy. There, she meets the mysterious Nathan, who forces her to confront her past and break free from it for good. Although, "Room 3" is set in a soft sci-fi world (one in which a part of the population has the ability to see into their past lives) it is a simple story of overcoming ones burdens. Coming face to face with her mistakes, our heroine is able to learn from them. Releasing trauma and attachments from her past is the only way she learns to live her life in the present.

Official Selection

Feb 20, Regal Cinemas LA LIVE

FEARING LOVE (USA)

1:30 PM
DS3C

Director: Tobias Deml

"Fearing Love" by Serge Devant & Damiano feat. Camille Safiya premiered on VICE Thump and is a music video of the dark kind, inspired by "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind": Two lovers struggle with an irreparable relationship, which drives her to a hasty and unpredictable decision: Erasing him from her memory, with the risk of an accidental lobotomy. As the memories disappears, his space-time literally crumbles around him. He runs for his life - will they see each other one last time?

Best Music Video

Feb 20, Regal Cinemas LA LIVE

FRAMED – THE ADVENTURES OF ZION MAN (USA)

1:30 PM
DS3C

Director: Brenda Lee Lau

Jaeden Lieberher stars in this small film with a big message, using live action and animation to bring a young boys fantasy to life. Inspired by the true story of Walter Kahn. Germany 1933 was a confusing place for a Jewish boy, coming of age when nothing made sense. How does a boy survive? By drawing comic book heroes he created a universe where he could defeat the predators invading his real world.
"The world is a dangerous place to live, not because those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." - Albert Einstein

Official Selection

Feb 20, Regal Cinemas LA LIVE

BROTHERHOOD OF THE POPCORN (USA)

2:30 PM

Director: Inda Reid

BROTHERHOOD OF THE POPCORN is a heartfelt documentary about a group who call themselves The Cliffhangers who have met at a Hollywood theater for 35 years to watch and celebrate film. This documentary interviews people from all sectors of the film industry including preservationists, animators, and actors. Film critic, Leonard Maltin, describes this movie as “an affectionate portrait of friends from a wide range of backgrounds, whose common interest is a love of old movies." and calls the documentary "disarming and enjoyable, especially if you happen to share that love."

Official Selection

Feb 20, Regal Cinemas LA LIVE

HIBISCUS (USA)

4:00 PM

Director: Tawan Bazemore

A cemetery worker (Brandon Fisher) bored by his unfulfilled life, reads an ancient mystic prayer book over a young woman named Teresa's grave (Mia Topalian). To his surprise, she comes back to life, however, there is a catch, she will only have 3 days to experience this new life, before returning back to the grave. Ralph will learn to appreciate life and live it to its fullest.

Official Selection

Feb 20, Regal Cinemas LA LIVE

FINAL STOP (USA)

5:30 PM
DS3G

Director: Bobby B. Grubic

This story is about being in the wrong place at the wrong time, resulting in someone’s whole life changing for the worse..

Official Selection

Feb 20, Regal Cinemas LA LIVE

KIA (Iran)

5:30 PM
DS3G

Director: Arya Moghaddam

While attending his first day of school on September 11, 2001, a young Iranian boy named Kia becomes the unwilling symbol of everything his classmates fear.

Official Selection

Feb 20, Regal Cinemas LA LIVE

FLOCK OF FOUR (USA)

5:30 PM
DS3G

Director: Gregory Caruso

Flock of Four is a short film about a group of four best, high-school friends who not only play jazz but also listen to the likes of Dave Brubeck, Duke Ellington and Count Basie every weekend. The film takes place during on summer night in Los Angeles in 1961 when the leader of the pack, Benny Grover, proposes to idea of going down to Central Avenue to see real jazz.

Official Selection

Feb 20, Regal Cinemas LA LIVE

BIPOLAR & CHEESE (USA)

5:30 PM
DS3G

Director: Scarlet Perez

Do you know anyone with Bipolar Disorder? Do you like Cheese? BIPOLAR & CHEESE is a short film that touches on both. It's centered around romance and cheese... And for some people, their romance with cheese."

Official Selection

Feb 20, Regal Cinemas LA LIVE

THE ART OF HUMAN SALVAGE (USA)

6:30 PM
DS3L

Director: Dempsey Tillman

The Art of Human Salvage is set in the near future when a mystery corporation replaces government, free speech is a crime, and photography punishable by death. A ten-year-old boy needs a Salvage Officer to rescue him from impending execution. This film resembles a mix of Blade Runner and Children of Men. Director Dempsey Tillman is best known for the film Collector (starring the late Brad Renfro). This film stars Edward James Olmos (Battlestar Galactica, 2 Guns, Bladerunner), Jamie Walters (Beverly Hills 90210, Shout, The Heights), and Matthew Boylan (Straight Out Of Compton, 24, CSI).

Official Selection

Feb 20, Regal Cinemas LA LIVE

ANNA (USA)

6:30 PM
DS3L

Director: Julian Buchan

Following the failure of his relationship with the manipulative Anna, Richard finds himself haunted not only by her memory, but by the extremes he went to to keep her. Told through his eyes, 'ANNA' takes us back to the events of one night and its chilling repercussions.

Official Selection

Feb 20, Regal Cinemas LA LIVE

LOVELY DAY (USA)

6:30 PM
DS3L

Director: ADAM REJWAN

A happy couple drive to a garage sale, only to discover a bound and gagged woman and several tied up corpses nearby in this exciting horror film.

Official Selection

Feb 20, Regal Cinemas LA LIVE

BRENTWOOD STRANGLER (Australia)

6:30 PM
DS3L

Director: John Fitzpatrick

Be warned! The Brentwood Strangler is going to wreck-havoc for the holidays! It's the holiday season in Los Angeles and women are being strangled to death in the Westwood area, a lonely woman goes on a blind date unbeknownst to her that her date is an active and notorious serial killer, The Brentwood Strangler. Is love in the air? Or is Maggie in for the worst (and last) date of her life? BRENTWOOD STRANGLER is an exciting new thriller featuring a cast of distinguished actors including: JORDAN LADD (Death Proof, Cabin Fever, Grace) and ADAM J. YEEND (Skypemare, Liz & Dick).

Best Horror Short

Feb 20, Regal Cinemas LA LIVE

LOVE MEET HOPE (USA)

7:30 PM

Director: Bennie Woodell

Love Meet Hope is a fantastical film about love and relationships, letting go of your past, and finding the courage to change. It stars 7-time Emmy Award winning actor Ed Asner, Amanda Markowitz and Bradley Fowler, who all achieve inspiring and raw performances. The creative cinematography and unique storyline bring this film to life in a way that is both aesthetically and emotionally beautiful. Celebrate life and love on this honest journey through heartache, laughter, and imagination. This heartwarming film will touch and inspire all festival goers.

Best Dramatic Film

Feb 20, Regal Cinemas LA LIVE

The Guest House (USA)

9:15 PM

Director: Maria Gargiulo

When a single dad rents the guest house of a wealthy bachelor, he soon discovers his landlord’s generosity comes with a price. The Guest House is a quirky indie thriller, with a fresh twist on the stalking genre. It features some recognizable talent including, 2014 Emmy award winning actress Eileen Davidson, Daniel Baldwin, of the famous Baldwin acting family, and Vince Van Patten, member of the famous Van Patten family. Other notables are Paul Linke (CHiPS), Actor/Comedian, Jason Stuart, Sal Velez Jr., and the rising star, Savannah Lathem. 2-time Emmy nominated composer, Mark Koval, composed a powerful score that adds to the drama and intensity of this twisted thriller.

Best Actress / Best Editing (Eric Won)

Feb 20, Regal Cinemas LA LIVE

The X SPECIES (USA)

10:45 PM

Director: Neko Sparks

Deep in the woods, an archaeological expedition is on the verge of a historic discovery, when find themselves with no defense against an unrelenting predator. Taking refuge in the catacombs of a cave hidden in the hills, tensions escalate as the team begins a descent into insanity navigating their way through winding and endless caverns. As fight to survive turns to fear, the real terror begins in ancient grounds, where humans have always been prey...

Best Horror Film

Feb 20, Regal Cinemas LA LIVE

SAT NIGHT PARTY (DTLA)

9:45 PM

Celebrate the first Saturday of screenings in LA LIVE at this Sat Night Party with drinks and socializing. The HRIFF Saturday Night Party Event takes place in downtown Los Angeles. Meet your fellow filmmakers and have fun and drinks after your screening. Venue To Be Announced. Stay Tuned. Tickets available online only! Sat Night Party Ticket Required. All-Festival Screening Pass not valid for party events.
A fun filled social event Not To Be Missed!!

Feb 20, DTLA / T.B.A.