DAY ONE - HRIFF 2021

Red Post on Escher Street" is the best argument for Sono's vital body of work since 2015's "The Whispering Star," and a perfect opportunity for newcomers to get their toes wet." - David Ehrlich Yahoo.com

"Sion Sono's ode to movie extras is his best film..., a wonderful reminder of what makes his work special. ...an exhilarating postmodern comedy. " - Indiewire.com

Tadashi Kobayashi, a genius film director, holds an audition for his new film project. Several unique actors and actresses apply for the roles but most of them do not pass. They decide to participate as extras on his project.

Can the film come to a completion without accident?

Written & Directed by Sion Sono. Starring Morgan Maara, Tomoko Fujita, Mitsuru Fukikoshi, Matsuri Kohira

WORLD PREMIERE

'Who Wants Dessert?' is a thriller short starring Sean Young and Brigitte Graham. Annie is a young wife and mother with the perfect life. When an unexpected tragedy turns her reality upside down, help arrives in the form of a therapist assigned to her case. But nothing prepares the therapist for exactly how far Annie will go to protect her family. Sean Young (Blade Runner, No Way Out) is brilliant as the therapist, keeping the audience guessing until the very end and Brigitte Graham digs deep as her patient, with a determination to save her family at any cost.

WEST COAST PREMIERE

It's girls night out as a group of friends go out on a bar crawl. That is, until things get a little crazy halfway through the night at El Coyote. The group gets separated and it becomes every woman for themselves. An ode to the feeling of 80s horror and cinema, “Bar Crawl” takes you to where you might not expect it to.

WORLD PREMIERE

"Life Is Beautiful" is a short film and music video by the band Black Oxygen. Starring David Lyle, Nick Lyle, Danny Trejo, Sid Mallya, Tasha Reign, and STRETCH. It was written by Anthony L. Gilardi and produced by Tip-Top Productions.

The film follows two brothers who had a dream that was lost along with the passing of their father. He had always encouraged them that they could do anything that they put their mind to but it was different now. Feeling tired, out of place, and wanting more from life, this dream is reignited.

They go on a wild journey to realize that "Life Is Beautiful!"

WORLD PREMIERE

A writer, suffering post puppy depression, is convinced she’s an absolute failure both professionally and as a pet owner. Yet, miracles can come in furry packages, as her faith is renewed by an unlikely, toilet challenged muse. Written, directed and starring Kelly Rebecca Walsh, who with the guidance of father, Joseph Walsh (writer/producer of Robert Altman’s cult classic, “California Split”), and godfather Elliott Gould, had the creative support to see this little unsuspecting comedy through.

WORLD PREMIERE

Dave and Steve are two action movie buffs who love movie star, Chad Worthington. When they decide to make their own film, they know it won't ever be up to par without Chad playing the lead. How do two idiots get a major action movie star in their bad film? They kidnap him of course. But when they accidentally kill Chad, they have to find a way to finish what they started.

"Let's Make A Movie" is a film for fans of "Pineapple Express" and "Eastbound and Down."

NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE