It’s the anniversary of Moley becoming the keeper of Manny. While Dotty, with a little help from her Uncle Mishmosh, goes back in time to see what she had missed before she came to MoleTown.

But when she gets stuck in the past with nobody recognizing her, Dotty must go to her uncle for help in order to bring her back to present-day MoleTown without interfering with the past.

Starring Warwick Davis, Jessica Henwick, Stanley Tucci & Richard E. Grant

My Melancholy Baby takes a look at 48 hours in the difficult life of the Burrows family.

This story is told through the eyes of the older son Miles Burrows, a 19- year-old drug addict who hasn’t been home because his home life is the underlying reason for his addiction.

Based on a true story by Keith Sharon, who also wrote “Showtime” with Robert DeNiro and Eddie Murphy and “Finding Steve McQueen” with Forest Whittaker, the film brings important topics like autism and addiction's impact on a family.

AWARD SHORTS PROGRAM A-24

Simultaneously set in a local bowling alley and a magically musical twin universe, the playfully melodramatic “Bowler Up!” tells the story of two exteammates forced to face their unsavory likeness.

For Cal and Winnie, it’s not about winning, but the fun of the game—until one of them screws up. In both worlds, music is the key to the team’s tournament success. If it can make them, it’ll break them, and foul play is afoot.

Watch the seams come apart for this band of misfits in cartoonish mixedmedia pop-rock glamor!

AWARD SHORTS PROGRAM A-24

In an effort to prove that humanity can survive on Mars, eight NASA scientists are locked inside a fully enclosed simulation Mars Base for two years.

The crew must produce scientific research and sustain life on the base on their own, supported only by an underfunded & bizarre Mission Control unit. They have what it takes to execute all of the science, but do they have what it takes to survive being locked in a room with each other?

AWARD SHORTS PROGRAM A-24

The members of the acclaimed art collective California Locos give their views on what makes post-modern Los Angeles tick.

Chaz Bojórquez, Dave Tourjé, John Van Hamersveld, Norton Wisdom and Gary Wong all share their asymmetrical insights emanating from their diverse approaches in art and culture, having been born and raised in the mega-metropolis.

Music by Los Savages with Ian Espinoza, Dave Tourjé, Jim Grinta, Toby Holmes & Bryan Head.

THRILLER PROGRAM B-24

A young female violinist with undiagnosed autism spirals out of control as she works on a new opus with a domineering composer, embarking on a psychedelic journey that both pushes her to the edge of mental collapse and fuels her creative power.

Director Warren Fischer is also known for being part of the former electroclash duo & performance troupe Fischerspooner.

THRILLER PROGRAM B-24

Good Samaritans stumble into a feud between greedy narcotic syndicates and become lost in a violent maze of betrayal and revenge.

This is the beginning-of-the-end for an American narcotics organization tied to cartel operations within the United States, and nothing is what it seems. The only way out is further down the spiral; if you reach hell, you’ve gone too far.

AWARD PROGRAM C-24

A devilishly charming retiree and his thirty-something friend find comfort, happiness and mutual enlightenment in spending time together navigating the human condition.

Life - wherever you’re from, whatever age you are, and whatever your background is - can be profoundly confusing, painful, scary, funny, and loving. Friendships help us navigate this myriad of emotions and human condition.

Barney & Herb is based on real life interactions had with the director's 84- year old friend that has now since passed. Herb inspired and taught by his actions - the life he lived was a beautiful example. An inspiration. A muse. A royal pain in the ass. The real Herb was a seasoned life veteran with zero shits left to give and he exuded that energy.

“If it wasn’t for my friends I don’t think I’d be around anymore because I’d have nothing left to live for” Herb showed that in the end - what matters most in life is human connection and the film Barney & Herb is a loving illustration of that fact.

AWARD PROGRAM C-24

This film explores the life of Sigourney Johnson and her 3 friends as they navigate through their dating lives.

After a very traumatic incident, Sigourney is faced with the reality of figuring out how to date when she’s handed an unexpected curve ball that she will have to deal with for the rest of her life. Her friends are by her side to support her on this journey, while figuring out their own dating lives.

Just when they thought dating was hard, unexpected situations arise that make it that much harder.

SHORTS PROGRAM D-24

On a nearby habitable planet, J and K finally have a chance to escape lifelong captivity from a mining camp. With a slim chance of survival, the two of them experience and see the outside world for the first time.

As new emotions are sparked between the two of them, they must defy tyranny in search of a better life in seek of a new destination called “The Beyond”. After only hearing rumors about this distant place, J and K must juggle between heightened emotions and sacrifice.

SHORTS PROGRAM D-24

An homage to 80’s television, this parody of Knight Rider lends itself perfectly to the down-tempo, musical landscape created by and starring John Roberts of Bob’s Burger fame, alongside Margaret Cho, Jay Huguley & Sherri Solinger.

SHORTS PROGRAM D-24

In this provocative experiment in non-narrative storytelling, a man takes us on his journey toward inner peace and self-love.

Through the use of positive affirmations and soothing music, we enter his subconscious, where memories and symbolic imagery combine to form a dreamscape. A dreamscape leading, it seems, to enlightenment and a state of higher consciousness. When, in the film's final seconds, we are snapped back to reality, we are forced to reexamine our assumptions of what this journey truly represents. Ultimately, it is up to the viewer to come to his/her/ their own conclusion.

SHORTS PROGRAM D-24

Seeds follows a desperate mother and her daughter, Sky, as they traverse a desolate and unforgiving wasteland in search of a rumored fertile valley. Their journey takes an unexpected turn when they encounter an old man and his grandson, leading to a harrowing struggle for survival and the discovery of their own humanity in the face of desperation.

This film, at its heart, is about the loss of trust in older generations and the strength required for a new generation to take leadership. With everything going on in the world today, from climate change to the rise of authoritarianism in government, this film came from the filmmaker's desire to tell a story about betrayal from the perspective of a teenager, and how to move forward with oneself.

SHORTS PROGRAM D-24

A consortium of global scientists and journalists receives an exclusive invitation to participate in the inaugural groundbreaking symposium held within an overlooked foreign nation. Contrary to expectations of engaging in a discourse on synthetic intelligence, their DNA is surreptitiously cloned by an exceedingly sophisticated humanoid A.I. apparatus developed by the country's prodigious mastermind.

To elude captivity, the collective resorts to manipulating and reprogramming the extant robotic entities from the laboratory. However, the ultimate outcome remains shrouded in enigma, as the A.I. creation known as Maxima transcends the bounds of human imagination, far surpassing any prior conception of technological advancement.

Inspired by a true story that happened in 2019.

HORROR PROGRAM E-24

After what started as a normal day at Grillz, the nightmare begins when a group of young adults enter the restaurant, liquored up and demanding. Their obnoxious behavior ricochets throughout the restaurant, causing Nina, a hard-working server, to feel unappreciated and to make matters worse, ...they don't leave a tip.

Suddenly, one by one, they are getting murdered. Sliced, diced, blended, and bagged, no one is safe from what lurks beyond the kitchen. Managers, line cooks, customers, and servers all have a reason to seek revenge and anyone could be the killer. Whether at home, the alley, or the restaurant: BEWARE!

You should have left a tip.

HORROR PROGRAM E-24

In the heart of Koreatown, Los Angeles, a young woman must protect her ailing father from a sinister entity…

HORROR PROGRAM E-24

A scam artist tarot reader is about to scam her easiest victim - or is he?

HORROR PROGRAM E-24

A composer struggling with writer’s block receives inspiration from a mysterious music box. The box plays an entrancing melody that the composer can’t seem to recreate.

When he wakes up with music coursing through his head, he’s overcome with creative euphoria... until he realizes the music won’t stop. And something else might be rattling around in his head. Something alive.

Join all our HRIFF Celebrity Guests, Award Winners & fans of cinema at the HRIFF Red Carpet Photo and Press event.

Press & Staff Photography from 5:15pm to 6:15pm
Red Carpet Line-Up Begins at 5:00pm
Red Carpet Photo Area will closed today from 6:30pm-7:30pm
Additional Photo Backdrops are available for self-taken photos from 7:30pm-10:00pm today.

Press, Media Photographers including Getty and Wire Image, and festival-approved (officially checked-in) Paparazzi will be on hand from 5:15pm to 6:15pm to shoot festival filmmakers, cast, crew, and our celebrity guests.

Staff Photographers will also be on hand from 5:00pm till 6:30pm - as well as sporadically throughout the evening, to take photos for the festival's social media and website.

Award Ceremony requires purchased Award Ceremony Ticket for entry, but this Red Carpet Press Event is open to all HRIFF 2024 festival guests and filmmakers.

The HRIFF Award Ceremony is a star-studded event not to be missed! Cheer on your favorite filmmakers both emerging & legendary, and get ready to be surprised, as this event always has few unexpected celebrity guests!

Pierce Brosnan, Joe Mantegna, Gary Cole, Dominic Purcell, Frances Fisher, Tyler Blackburn, John Robinson, Lee Meriwether, Dee Wallace, Uwe Boll, (as well as friends no longer with us that includes Martin Landau, John Heard, the wonderful Joe Polito, and the legendary Harry Dean Stanton being just a few of the fantastic icons who've stopped by in recent years.

Come join the celebration to find out who is stopping by the Award Ceremony stage this year.

Award Ceremony Line-Up Begins at: 5:45pm.

Award Ceremony doors open for seating at: 6:15pm.

Award Ceremony begins promptly at 6:25pm.

No Late Entry After 6:30pm - All guests arriving after 6:30pm will be required to wait for ushers to escort late any late arrivals during appropriate pauses during the ceremony. Arrive prior to 6:30pm to avoid ceremony interruption and make sure you don't miss a thing!

No Entry to Award Ceremony without commemorative Award Ceremony Physical Ticket. No other festival passes or tickets are valid for entry to the Award Ceremony.

Award Ceremony Tickets are On-Sale at the Official Festival Ticketing Website. Tickets for the Award Ceremony sell out quickly.
Get your Award Ceremony Tickets Today!

The HRIFF 2024 Award Ceremony event is preceded by the HRIFF Red Carpet Press & Photo Event that occurs from 5:15pm - 6:15pm nearby our Award Ceremony venue, located at L.A. LIVE.

Radici invites audiences on an intimate and heartwarming journey as a mother and son explore the roots of their family's heritage, tracing the origins of a beloved saint's feast from their small Italian town of Montefalcione to the vibrant streets of Boston, Massachusetts.

Through touching encounters, shared laughter, and poignant reflections, this documentary captures the essence of heritage, tradition, and the timeless connections that bind generations.

Sponsored by the Russo Brother's Italian American film grant

Greta grew up as a kid in Germany loving the music of Willie Nelson. Now, trapped in a lifeless marriage, this bumbling, endearing woman embarks on an extraordinary, impulsive adventure to witness Willie Nelson's farewell concert in Las Vegas.

Disconnected from her world, she encounters a menagerie of wonderfully eccentric characters, unique parts of the intricate tapestry of America and the human existence.

With Willie Nelson and one of the final screen performances from legendary director and actor Peter Bogdonavich.

The film follows 1980s hair band CougarSnake, whose career ended just as it was starting.

In the present day, a mention of the band in an interview by Billboardcharting, Gen-Z music star Bryce Cooper (Brandon Butler), creates a frenzy to find the members of the group and reunite them as opening act for Cooper’s forthcoming charity concert.

Tom Everett Scott stars as Jesse, the bass player for CougarSnake, who has settled into single fatherhood, but never as a rockstar. Unsure whether he wants to relive his faded rockstar dreams, his daughter Alex (McKaley Miller) and her best friend Kat (Teala Dunn) join forces to change his mind to get the band back together.

Jake Bongiovi plays Justin, a pizza delivery driver with the voice of a rock god. Justin has the potential to become the bands new lead singer, but he first must overcome stage fright to lead the band back to glory.

FILM PROGRAM F-24

In the hopes of boosting their professional draft stock, a rivalry is born as an injury plagued hockey player (King) and a hockey prodigy (Zane) attend a private workout for the head coach of the LA Captains, Coach Richards. They will all soon learn that the game they love is as cold as the ice they skate on.

Cold As Ice will screen with the Trailer for the film Dark Feathers.

FILM PROGRAM F-24

The trailer for the Award Winning feature film "Dark Feathers" will screen directly before the screening of "Cold As Ice" as part of FILM PROGRAM F-24.

The feature film Dark Feathers screens at this year's Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival on Wed Feb. 21st at 9:30pm.

A sweet-natured tale of redemption following a washed up 90's porn star "Nick D", now a Venice Beach nobody, who gets a second chance to restart his mainstream acting career in order to win back the Oscar nominated actress girlfriend from his past.

So Shot is a film for anyone who’s had to swallow the tough pill of regret, look at their own mistakes, and own them in order to find a way to move on.

It is the story of Doug, a bartender dealing with the long-suppressed regret of breaking up with his first love, Abigail. After years spent bantering with co-worker buddies and cussing over Sunday football with his dad, Doug finds that his comfortable routine is triggering the thought of his ex. No matter what he does, he can’t stop seeing her in his mind, forcing him to deal with the emotional fallout he’s buried for so long.

At his breaking point, Doug admits to his co-workers that he screwed up and that he has to get together again with his ex, for his own sanity. But he hasn’t considered that she may be more sane without him.

This film explores the ache that comes from suffering caused by your own mistakes. Doug is deeply human and equally defensive of his flaws, but he learns that although he has to live with his decisions, regret doesn’t have to define what he and Abigail had.

Award Night After-Party: 10:30pm - 12:30am
Line-up for entry begins at: 10:15pm

After seeing celebrities on the Red Carpet at our Red Carpet & Press Event and then purchasing tickets to see our honored festival filmmakers at the star-studded 2024 Award Ceremony, also make sure not to forget to purchase tickets to the biggest and best social event of the season:
The Award Night Gala After-Party!

Socialize with fellow festival attendees and meet your favorite festival filmmakers while drinking, eating, or dancing to our private DJ in a VIP, exclusive, private nightlife setting where you can chill out and have fun after a long day of film viewing and a busy evening of celebrity sightseeing.

Who can say what stars may come to party and rub elbows with you?

Don't miss the most talked about, biggest nighttime party extravaganza event of the festival. Join us for our BIGGEST and WILDEST party celebration. This years AWARD NIGHT AFTER-PARTY is taking place at a new and secret location. And the party starts only a few hours after the Award Ceremony concludes.

All HRIFF Party Events take place at or with walking distance of LA LIVE - where most of this year's festival film screenings take place. Make sure to get your All-Party Pass &/or your Award Night After-Party ticket soon - as this event will sell out fast!

No Minors Allowed at this event.
21 & up only (with ID).