4:00 PM
Director: Robert Christopher Smith
Vengeance Turns: Volume One” reveals the heartbreaking, often horrifying transformation experienced by REBECCA FALCON following a brutal attack in which she is left bloody, broken and dying; her husband and children slaughtered. Rebecca, the once devoted mother and loving wife becomes “Mia”, a bloodthirsty, claw-wielding vigilante who lives for nothing except revenge.
"Vengeance Turns: Volume One" will change viewers' definitions of "revenge western" and leave them dying for "Volume Two" coming soon.
WORLD PREMIERE
5:30 PM
Director: Isabel Schnall
After going through an exhausting breakup, Izzie is challenged to go on a different date, every day, for a week. What ensues is both hilarity and heartbreak as she tries to redefine what "closure" really means.
Starring newcomer actor, writer and director Isabel Schnall, and shot by Academy and Emmy award winning cinematographer, Reuben Aaronson.
BEST INDEPENDENT FILM 2021
HRIFF PREMIERE
5:30 PM
Director: Kyle Haggarty
Three lost young women converge on one dark urban night, and find themselves forced to confront the deepest depths of their lives and their souls.
WORLD PREMIERE
5:30 PM
Director: Nika Agiashvili
Starring Rainey Qualley, George Finn and Timothy V. Murphy. Written and directed by Nika Agiashvili, filmed in black and white in downtown Los Angeles, this gritty and visceral story follows Delilah, like a hero out of Albert Camus novel, as she tells us how she 'can't feel anything' after the murder of her younger brother as she has spent the last three years plotting her revenge with the help of the newly released convict, Gecko.
Starring: Rainey Qualley, George Finn, and Timothy V. Murphy
2021 BEST ACTRESS in a Short Film - Rainey Qualley
NORTH AMERICA PREMIERE
6:30 PM
Director: Grant Housley
First time, first year elementary school teacher Ms. Wright has no idea that she is walking into a wacky world of hilarious conflicts that include highly competitive teachers, kids with zero verbal filters, a quirky coworker in mermaid couture, and a conniving teacher who will stop at nothing to remain on top.
Can Ms. Wright hold onto her idealistic zeal and not fall prey to the dark side of Open House?
WORLD PREMIERE
6:30 PM
Director: Colin Thomas Jennings
Three best friends search to find the answer to a simple question, but instead are taken on a journey of stupidity.
HRIFF PREMIERE
6:30 PM
Director: Kelly Rebecca Walsh
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.
BEST ACTRESS - Kelly Rebecca Walsh 2021
WORLD PREMIERE
7:00 PM
Director: Max Beasley
John Tarzan (Demorge Brown) is a private eye at the end of his rope. The setting is Los Angeles, 1971, but far removed from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. Rather, John spends his time in the fringes and valleys of the city, whether it's his hovel in South Pasadena, or the "ranch style house in Rancho" where the parents (Paul Danke and Christina Marie Leonard) have asked for his help to find their missing daughter. But she's not the only thing missing in John's life; a recent heartbreak haunts him as he figures out his next move.
WORLD PREMIERE
7:00 PM
Director: Ron Geffen
The new music video from Plastic Rhino.
The battle of 2020 zeitgeists in America represented in a nutshell as the 7 deadly sins. Which sin will win the fight for America's throne? Watch and find out. Plastic Rhino is an Alternative Hard Rock Duo from Los Angeles, CA. Music available on all streaming platforms. Subscribe to our music videos on youtube.
Starring: Atara Glazer, Emily Heath, Jade Kim, Gustavo Cubias, Nick Buzzerio, Nick Baird, and Jack Glazer
HRIFF PREMIERE
7:00 PM
Director: Emilio Guerrero Alexander
In a futuristic Mexico where the law no longer exists, three twisted Agents of Order go on their routine patrol through the city in search of wicked fun and brutality when they come across a homeless busker and target him as the victim of the night.
Inspired by true events where the band's lead guitarist got kidnapped by police, Perdidos In Pantitlán takes place in a not-so-absurd reality where police are in full control of the city. It's represented in a cyberpunk, sci-fi environment to reflect on how today's world needs to be seen through a preposterous optic to be understood and see how we're not that far away from what is depicted.
BEST MUSIC VIDEO 2021
WORLD PREMIERE
7:00 PM
Director: Jessica Fee & Sara Friedman
Ophelia’s spaceship crash lands on a planet much like Earth. She transmits observations into the ether, while trying to fill her time with productive activities such as reading or baking. Eventually, the monotony of these activities lead to more destructive habits, which threaten her fragile sense of self and build towards an impending crisis.
‘Transmissions from Inner Space’ operates as an allegory for the cyclical nature of life, speaking on the inevitability of change, and the patterns through which history repeats itself. Although the tone is melancholic and introspective, ‘Transmissions from Inner Space’ aims to ultimately convey a feeling of hope and resilience. We are not alone in our isolation, and this time in history offers an opportunity for rebirth.
‘Transmissions from Inner Space’ was shot on Super 8 film by an all female crew.
BEST EXPERIMENTAL FILM 2021
HOLLYWOOD PREMIERE
7:00 PM
Director: Ryan Coyle
The day before the Redondo Fun Factory closes forever, and Lindsey contemplates whether she can enjoy life while knowing that it too will eventually end.
In a nutshell, the theme of this experimental film asks "Is life worth living," with a decaying arcade being a stand-in for existence as a whole.
While philosophical and unconventional, the film maintains an original structure and consistent point of view and attempts to offer an actual answer to this question.
This film was shot on 16mm film using a Krasnogorsk-3 camera, with sound recorded on a Nagra IV tape recorder. The presence of the old-fashioned equipment drew a lot of attention during filming, and the film was written while driving down to the Rendono Beach Fun Factory and recorded with only single takes.
"The "Tilt-A-Whirl" shot towards the end of the movie made me very nauseous, but is also one of the best moments I've had making movies."
- Ryan Coyle (Director)
BEST EXPERIMENTAL SHORT 2021
WORLD PREMIERE
7:30 PM
Director: Shane Woodson
The devil pays a visit to Los Angeles in this horror anthology of twisted tales that follows the paths of several serial killers on their nights of terror and destruction. The story begins with B-Actor Jonathan Jones (Shane Woodson), a Hollywood based method actor who auditions for casting director Alex Fillmore (Eric Roberts). Jonathan loses himself in his role, committing murder, then crosses paths with a dangerous female serial killer (Tori London). Later in the film, a troubled artist named Matt, finds a book of magic that changes the course of his life. By the time we near the end of our eight intertwining tales of terror, we are left with a gambler playing for his soul and wondering who or what is the greatest killer of them all?
2022 BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR - Eric Roberts
2022 BEST INDEPENDENT FILM
WORLD PREMIERE
9:00 PM
Director: Peter Meech
A young celebrity receives a letter from a mysterious stalker and develops catalepsy, a condition that paralyzes her whenever she feels threatened. As more letters arrive, suspicion falls on members of her inner circle, all of whom are dangerously obsessed with her.
AROUND ROBIN was shot on location in Los Angeles, in and around a charming postwar apartment building. The film combines professional actors with actual residents of the building who serve as a Greek chorus, commenting on the murder that lies at the center of the film.
Starring: Clementine Nicholson, Torrance Coombs, Ann Pirvu, and Peter Meech
2022 BEST MYSTERY FILM
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PREMIERE
10:15 PM
Director: Scott Slone
A team of paranormal investigators search a sacred Native American cave for clues in the unsolved disappearance of four local teens.
Starring: Dylan Sprayberry, Robert Bailey Jr., Valentina de Angelis, Rebecca Forsythe, and Troy James
2022 BEST HORROR FILM
HRIFF PREMIERE