LAFF announces global line-up, spotlights Cuba, Mexico

Opening and closing night films, galas, conversations, artists in residence, LAFCA’s Films That Got Away and additional special guests and programming for the Festival Talks will be announced in due course.

Festival top brass said they received more than 5,025 submissions from global filmmakers compared to more than 4,700 last year. The final selections represent 27 world, North American, and US premieres. 

The number of films competing in the narrative and documentary competition categories has increased this year from 18 to 19, of which 11 are world premieres and eight are North American or US premieres. The number of female feature filmmakers also increased this year from 21 to 23.

“We experienced our most successful year ever when we were downtown last year for the first time, and we can’t wait to return with this diverse, rich and exciting programme of film,” Los Angeles Film Festival director Rebecca Yeldham said.  “We’re looking forward to reuniting our community of filmmakers and film lovers with this year’s program of memorable cinematic events and experiences.”

“I’m very excited about the broad range of movies we’ve assembled for our second year downtown,” the festival’s artistic director David Ansen said. “Many of them are made in Los Angeles and reflect the city’s tremendous diversity,” said. 

“Film Independent has been producing the Los Angeles Film Festival for 10 years now, and we’re incredibly proud of its growth, the diverse artists we’ve supported, and the breadth of films we’ve shared with both a local and international audience,” outgoing Film Independent executive director Dawn Hudson said.  “This year’s festival also has many returning filmmakers, as well as Fellows who have gone through Film Independent’s year-round programmes, and we’re excited to screen their latest work.” 

Narrative Competition
Comprised of films by emerging filmmakers that compete for the Filmmaker Award. The jury determines the winner and films are eligible for the audience award for best narrative feature.
The Bad Intentions, dir Rosario Garcia-Montero (Argentina-Germany-Peru) US Premiere
The Dynamiter, dir Matthew Gordon North American Premiere
Familiar Grounds, dir Stephane Lefleur (Canada) North American Premiere
The Fatherless, dir Marie Kreutzer (Austria) North American Premiere
How To Cheat, dir Amber Sealey World Premiere
Mamitas, dir Nicholas Ozeki World Premiere
An Ordinary Family, dir Mike Akel World Premiere
Please Do Not Disturb, dir Mohsen Abdolvahab (Iran) North American Premiere
Sawdust City, dir David Nordstrom World Premiere
You Hurt My Feelings, dir Steve Collins World Premiere

Documentary Competition
The winner is determined by a panel of jurors and films are eligible for the audience award for best documentary feature.
Cheonggyecheon Medley: Dream Of Iron, dir Kelvin Kyung Kun Park (South Korea) US Premiere
Family Instinct, dir Andris Gauja (Latvia) US Premiere
Once I Was A Champion, dir Gerard Roxburgh World Premiere
Paraiso For Sale, dir Anayansi Prado World Premiere
Salaam Dunk, dir David Fine (Iraq-US) World Premiere
Somewhere Between, dir Linda Goldstein Knowlton US Premiere
Unfinished Spaces, dirs. Alysa Nahimas, Ben Murray World Premiere
Unraveled, dir Marc H Simon World Premiere
Wish Me Away, dirs. Bobbie Birleffi, Beverly Kopf World Premiere

International Showcase
“Innovative” independent narrative and documentary features from outside the US. Films are eligible for audience awards for best international feature, best narrative feature or best documentary feature.
108, dir Renate Costa (Spain-Paraguay)
Christopher And His Kind, Geoffrey Sax (UK) North American Premiere
Come Rain, Come Shine, dir Lee Yoon-ki (South Korea) North American Premiere
Curling, dir Denis Cote (Canada)
The Destiny Of Lesser Animals, dir Deron Albright (Ghana-US)
Elite Squad 2: The Enemy Within, dir Jose Padilha (Brazil)
Eternity, dir Sivaroj Kongsakul (Thailand)
Family Portrait In Black And White, dir Julia Ivanova (Canada)
Kawasaki’s Rose, dir Jan Hrebejk (Czech Republic)
Love Crime, dir Alain Corneau (France)
Medianeras, dir Gustavo Taretto (Argentina-Germany-Spain) North American Premiere
Mysteries Of Lisbon, dir Raul Ruiz (Portugal)
Ocaso, Theo Court dir (Chile) North American Premiere
Position Among The Stars, dir Leonard Retel Helmrich (Netherlands)
The Salesman, dir Sebastien Pilote (Canada)
Self Made, dir Gillian Wearing (England)
Senna, dir Asif Kapadia (England)
Tomboy, dir Celine Sciamma (France) – North American Premiere

Summer Showcase
An advance look at this summer’s hot independent releases from the festival circuit. Films are eligible for audience awards for best international feature, best narrative feature or best documentary feature.
Another Earth, dir Mike Cahill
Elevate, dir Anne Buford
The Future, dir Miranda July
The Guard, dir John Michael McDonagh (Ireland)
Higher Ground, dir Vera Farmiga
Leave It On The Floor, dir Sheldon Larry – World Premiere
Letters From The Big Man, dir Christopher Munch
L!fe Happens, dir Kat Coiro – World Premiere
Natural Selection, dir Robbie Pickering
Page One: Inside The New York Times, dir Andrew Rossi
The Pruitt-lgoe Myth, dir Chad Freidrichs
Renée, dir Eric Drath
Sex Crimes Unit, dir Lisa F Jackson
Skateistan: Four Wheels And A Board In Kabul, dir Kai Sehr
Terri, dir Azazel Jacobs
Tyrannosaur, dir Paddy Considine (England)
Where Soldiers Come From, dir Heather Courtney
Winnie the Pooh, dirs. Stephen J Anderson, Don Hall

Outdoor Screenings at the Ford Amphitheatre
Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels Of A Tribe Called Quest, dir Michael Rapaport
Detective Dee And The Mystery Of The Phantom Flame, dir Tsui Hark (Hong Kong)
The Seduction Of Ingmar Bergman, dirs. Guy Maddin and Ron & Russel Mael, aka Sparks World Musical Premiere

International Spotlight – Cuba
Sponsored by the Department of Cultural Affairs and UCLA Latin American Institute. 
Habana Eva, dir Fina Torres (Cuba-France-Venezuela)
Operation Peter Pan: Flying Back To Cuba, dir Estela Bravo (Cuba)
Suite Habana (2003), dir Fernando Pérez (Cuba)
Ticket To Paradise, dir Gerardo Chijona Valdes (Cuba)

Documenting Mexico
Inspired by the efforts of the Ambulante Film Festival, a traveling film event designed to promote a documentary culture across Mexico, come two documentaries from Mexico’s vibrant documentary filmmaking culture. Sponsored by HOY.
The Night Watchman, dir Natalia Almada (Mexico)
The Tiniest Place, dir Tatiana Huezo (Mexico)

Community Screenings
Presented free to the public. Films are eligible for audience awards for best narrative feature or best documentary feature.
The Bully Project, dir Lee Hirsch
Your Own Movie – vote at LAFilmFest.com for this free outdoor screening
Crime After Crime, dir Yoav Potash – Grand Performances Screening
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off(1983), dir John Hughes – 25th Anniversary Screening
Hot Coffee, dir Susan Saladoff
On The Ice, dir Andrew Okpeaha MacLean – Project: Involve Screening
Project Nim, dir James Marsh (UK)
Stand By Me(1986), dir Rob Reiner – 25th Anniversary Screening

The Beyond
Films “that dare to be different.” Entries are eligible for audience awards for best international feature, best narrative feature or best documentary feature.
Entrance, dirs Dallas Hallam, Patrick Horvath
Haunters, dir Kim Min-suk (South Korea) North American Premiere
The Innkeepers, dir Ti West
Karate Robo Zarborger, dir Iguchi Noboru (Japan) North American Premiere
The Yellow Sea, dir Na Hong-jin (South Korea) (pictured)