NFNV is back for a hybrid festival this Fall in the greatest city in the world! Join us for in-person screenings, virtual programs, Q&As, and a closing night rooftop party. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month we are collaborating with Katra LatinX Festival for a special block highlighting this community’s rich, personal and dynamic stories. We are truly excited this Fall’s diverse lineup which includes stories from underrepresented, multicultural and vibrant communities from around the globe. Join us virtually and in-person at Brooklyn’s famed Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas and XERB.TV September 25-30th for inclusive works by talented local, national and international filmmakers and episodic creators.
The Alamo Lineup + Ticket Info is below. The Virtual Online Programs can be found HERE
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 28TH | BLOCK 1 | 6:15pm
FARDOSA – directed by Rukia Mahamed, Iqlaas Osman, Anton Tammi
Fardosa is a collaboration between its co-stars Rukia Mahamed and Iqlaas Osman – first-time actors, writers and filmmakers – and director Anton Tammi. Fardosa is a short coming-of-age film shot in Helsinki, Finland 2019
Tati’s Fashion Show – directed by Amir Arison
Tati’s Fashion Show, presented by Angelight Films, is a short film born from the imagination of 8-year-old creator, superstar and survivor, Tatianna Bernard. We follow Tati as she facilitates and stars in her own fashion show.
Experiment One – directed by Toni Marmol
In the liminal heat of summer following High School graduation, Leo is confronted with his fast approaching adult and repressed emotions he must face before college.
Dummies – directed by Anna Basse, Halle Charlton
A group of friends on an indie improv team await the results of an audition they think will change their lives. Their friendships are put to the test as they face heartbreak, jealousy and perhaps the most meaningless of all: long form improv.
New York Minute – directed by Lynn Bianchi
This work continues Lynn Bianchi’s relationship with New York City and its inhabitants – her home and inspiration since 1968. New York Minute was developed and created during lockdown – the year of loneliness and isolation – yet Lynn never felt lonely because the city was right outside her window – still alive and forever hopeful. A love letter to New York, this work is an abstraction of one day in the city – from dawn till dusk – moments that last a minute, or maybe a lifetime.
Hopeful – directed by Alyssa Rallo Bennett
The daughter of an art curator attempts to swindle a wealthy client into buying a piece far above market value in a contained tale of power imbalances, normalized dishonesty, and the risks we take for our loved ones.
Entropy – directed by Dan Chen
In the course of conducting experiments on memory and time during the pandemic, a lovesick scientist with a morbid fear of rejection, makes an unexpected connection.
Hot Girl – directed by Shannon Sullivan, Heather Luscombe
In the midst of the Covid-19 Pandemic, Mia is a young woman in the throes of the female experience and what it means to be a “Hot Girl”, this slice of life takes a look at her social commentary and journey to acceptance.
Polished – directed by Colleen Dodge
“Polished” is a vulnerable glimpse into the decisions – from simple to complex – a young woman must make while navigating through a busy work day in New York City.
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 28TH | BLOCK 2 | 8:45pm
Adjustment of Status – directed by Josh Deal
An immigration officer has a surprise revelation during a not-so-routine Green Card interview.
Ana Wa Enti – directed by Alexandra Muhawi-Ho
33-year-old Amira struggles to find her place in between her Arab and American identities while living with and navigating her relationship with her culturally traditional, yet loving mother.
The Lottery Ticket – directed by Pirooz Kalayeh
Pirooz Kalayeh was born in Iran, but raised in America. His whole life has always been split like this. Inside the house, was gormet sabzi, Persian rugs, and eating on the floor. Outside, was hamburgers, Star Wars, Scooby Doo, and America. After describing how his mother tells stories like a comedian with phrases like “this’ll make you laugh for two hours”, she tells a story on the phone about how she loves buying lottery tickets during the pandemic, and, then, how she actually won the lottery when he was younger.
Connor – directed by Hilary Bettis
A woman struggling to cope with her young son’s tragic death finds solace in a balloon that belonged to the child. But this new comfort alienates her from her living son, forcing her to face her unimaginable grief before she loses the child she still has.
Sorry – produced by Halima Henderson
In this modern romantic (?) comedy, a Tinder date takes an unexpected turn when Cassandra, a chronically single Black woman, stops apologizing and starts speaking her mind.
grist – directed by Shannon Harris
Hannah ends three-year on-again, off-again “situationship” with Roman due to irreconcilable world views that have potentially serious ramifications. But it wasn’t “all a wash.”
My Neighbor, Miguel – directed by Daniel Navarro
An exuberant 72 year-old gay artist named Miguel recalls his time in San Francisco during the AIDS epidemic and reflects on art, community and life after such an isolating, traumatic time that affected the entire world.
MASS – directed by Linus Ignatius
Trey feels small. He is gay, HIV-positive and lonely in NYC. All around him are hulking, powerful men, intimidating and challenging him everywhere he looks. Throughout his day, he obsesses over how to get BIG – and his insecurities keep him trapped in a cycle of trauma and abuse.
On The Table – directed by Diana Arnold, Nick Canfield
On The Table is a blend of film, theater, and the dining experience. Breaking the fourth wall, Diana Arnold carries us with her from table to table during a busy night at work in the service industry. She gracefully guides the audience through hilarious customer interactions, personal anecdotes, and poignant moments by sharing with us her two decades of experience at the city’s best restaurants. We are reminded of why we go out to eat, what we are really craving, and how connection with others is what matters most.
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 29TH | BLOCK 1 | 6:15pm
The Great Escape – directed by Adam Berley
Now is the perfect time for Abigail and Charles to begin their family. Or is it? On paper, the results from the pregnancy test should fit into their mutual plan; instead, it leads them to question the stability of their foundation.
Katie, Chuck, and Rachel, Too – directed by Haddie Webster
A student film about connection and disconnection, friendship and romance, the self and the other.
A Place To Belong – directed by Simon Bonneau
A first generation immigrant questions her decision to relocate to Western North Carolina and struggles with a personal project to help her reconcile with her dual identity as both Afghan and American.
Expedition 37 – directed by Maggie Colligan
One woman’s heroic story of her failed space mission.
Whatever It Takes – directed by Sean Michael Bradley
Survival takes on a whole new meaning in this thrilling action-packed short film.
Takeover – directed by Emma Francis-Snyder
“Takeover” explores the twelve historic hours on July 14, 1970, in which fifty members of the Young Lords Party stormed the dilapidated Lincoln Hospital in the South Bronx, drove out their administrative staff, barricaded entrances and windows, and made their cries for decent healthcare known to the world. They raised the Puerto Rican flag atop the building, as well as a banner reading “The People’s Hospital” – a nom de guerre still used today. Through archival footage, seamless reenactments, and modern-day interviews, we follow the Young Lords’ resistance against institutions curated by wealth and white supremacy, and their fight for the most basic of human rights: the right to accessible, quality healthcare.
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 29TH | BLOCK 2: KATRA LATINX CORNER | 8:45pm
Grownasskid – directed by Ryan Roman
We follow a set of Jersey City youths as they attempt to make their way into adulthood. They face issues typical to those of any young adult and find themselves in situations that could only come from living in one of the most overshadowed inner-cities in the US.
Cranberry Nights – directed by Sara Robin
Juana’s life is uprooted when her friend unwittingly reveals the secret that she’s undocumented.
What’s in the Woods? – directed by Michel Dominguez Beddome
What is it like to be stuck in a person’s nightmare?
Ten years ago, this film was born out of just that, a nightmare. Writer, Maggie Colligan, woke up and documented every nitty, gritty facet of the chaos of her dream. So here we are. We meet three friends: Jerry, Lauren, and Meg. Setting: An Isolated cabin. Warm lights, relaxing crickets. It is a good time. Then, Meg goes out for a smoke. And then, she finds a boy. The three friends act quickly to protect him, but from what? A man, a creature? What was it? What was that noise in the darkness, that face in the woods?
Kangaroo Court – directed by Jason Begue
Two high-school boys perform a real-life transcript between an unstable murder suspect and a foul-mouthed judge during a national speech and debate tournament to disturbing and shocking results.
Merce, Season 2 – directed by Tyne Firmin, Charles Sanchez
Merce is a hilarious, award-winning musical comedy series about a middle-aged, HIV-positive man living in New York City. He is unashamedly and flamboyantly gay, a Pollyanna who sees some events in his life through an MGM lens. Merce is bawdy, outrageous and fun, proving that…
Life can be positive when you’re positive!
Saving Salvador – directed by Luisa Maria González
A dark comedy about three sisters who take matters into their own hands when bureaucratic chaos prevents them from doing what’s right for their father.
Señorita – directed by Paula Cajiao
An amateur female boxer on the rise fights against her opponents as she deals with her father’s alcoholism.
THE FORGOTTEN PLACE – directed by Oscar Rene Lozoya
All Eric ever wanted was a friend. He just never knew how to find one.
Adapted from short play THE FORGOTTEN PLACE (winner, 2018 Samuel French Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival, 2019 Short+Sweet Hollywood.)