SHORT FILM PROGRAM A-5

Mick, a musician who found success, still longs for his ex, Lily.

One night, she appears just as she was 10 years ago - a time traveler from the past. Given a second chance, can he rewrite their story and change their fate?

SHORT FILM PROGRAM A-5

Upon his monthly supply run into town. Manaba, a young Native American trader, finds a Native American woman, laying beaten and unconscious, on the desert sand.

After cleaning her wounds, Manaba warms the woman by a fire, as she shares tales about how she ended up lost in the desert. It is a common story about the treatment of the Natives during the late 1800s, but it is also a story of resilience, and a woman's fighting spirit. A woman who refuses to be tamed.

SHORT FILM PROGRAM A-5

At the funeral for the father they never knew, Alex and Nathaniel discover that not only are they brothers, but the man who sired them was the most interesting man who ever lived.

Their estranged father has left them a massive inheritance, but in an effort to make the boys a family and make them real men (I.e exactly like him), to get the money this bumbling pair must relive every one of their father's amazing deeds.

SHORT FILM PROGRAM A-5

Test 486 tells the story of Max, a professor on sick leave, who after an office injury, becomes convinced he can manipulate matter with his mind.

Enlisting his skeptical colleague Reggie and an unwitting test subject, Carson, Max conducts a groundbreaking experiment in telekinesis—leading to unexpected and astonishing results.

Come Together: Art’s Power for Change is a documentary series exploring how art shapes culture and fuels social progress.

This pilot revisits Dirty Laundry (2006), a groundbreaking comedy that challenged norms on identity, family, and belonging. With an all-star cast (Rockmond Dunbar, Loretta Devine, Jenifer Lewis) it became a cultural touchstone.

By embracing an underrepresented narrative with authenticity and wit, Come Together is a tribute to the transformative power of storytelling—honoring the intersection of art, culture, and progress.

"Dirty Laundry made an enormous impact on shifting the cultural consciousness in Black communities." - Keith Boykin (NY Times Bestselling Author/CNN Contributor)

How is the world affected by a catastrophic event?

Everyday people live through a government mandated quarantine during a global pandemic while desperate scientists race to find a cure before it’s too late. Lead virologist Edward Bellows plays tête-a-tête with hard-hitting journalist Grace Baxter as the world collapses under the weight of a global pandemic.

She holds nothing back as she fires question after question, seeking answers from the beleaguered professor. Meanwhile, Britt and Marnie, college roommates being forced to live together, must deal with their newfound realities of this global pandemic.

This amazing film is a glimpse into an imminent future where the rights of women will be discarded.

In such a world simple freedoms would stress and break beneath the weight of a society in an oppressive state of retrograde. In this seven minute warning we see the hints of this, both in music, tone and props. The outcome is both inevitable and tragic.

Screens with: "Ucronia"

A man wrestles with his personal demons and obsession with a writer's life in this awardwinning dramatic feature film.

Screens with: "ana 0091"

Phil, a theater maintenance guy, loves cinema so much that his dream is to live in New Zealand, where Lord of the Rings was filmed. Lily, a fellow co-worker, begins to pique his interest when her passion for cinema aligns with his.

Phil’s love life and dreams start to dissipate, however, when on one fateful night at a party he creates a cult devoted to do anything for him- by accident. Together with the world’s worst confidant- Lonnie, a clueless rapper, Phil has to make some unscrupulous decisions regarding his present and future…

Start the festival off right! Socialize with filmmakers & festival guests in this low-key meet-up event that is not-to-be-missed.

The festival's Opening Night Reception is one of the most fun meet-ups of the festival; a more personal event compared to our other parties and events, where it is easier to make new friends and collaborators in a casual bar setting.

Purchase an HRIFF Party-Ticket Package to be able to check out all of our party events! Get your tickets today!

9:30pm-10:30pm
Line Up begins at 9:20pm
Doors at 9:25pm
21 & Up