2023 New Faces New Voices Official Virtual Selections:
BLOCK 1
THE LAST ELECTION AND OTHER LOVE STORIES – Directed by Miguel Silveira
As finalists in a podcast competition worth 20 thousand dollars, Khadim Diop and his creative partner, Xisko Monroe, created an audio ethnography about the 2020 presidential election. Working exclusively in Times Square from sunrise November 3, 2020, to sunrise November 4, 2020, they ask all interviewees three questions: Where were you in the last election? What are the most important issues in this election? Do you think this will be the last election? Conflict arises between the podcasters when Xisko’s sister challenges Khadim’s personal political choices and breaks his heart. Shot in one day in Times Square NYC, “The Last Election and Other Love Stories” is both fiction and documentary.
LILI – Directed by Brian Rios
A father and daughter must cross the border in order to find a better life, but the daughter cannot speak.
ENAMORADO – Directed by Eduardo Rivera Salas
As a fateful meeting at a Liquor store leaves Damian longing for Izan, the relationship between the two blossoms out of innocence and fantasy, yet nothing ever more than that.
THE LIST – Directed by Heliya Alam
When a young girl goes into a deep coma, the words of five people from her life become the only medicine for her survival.
BLOCK 2
IN HER NAME – Directed by Sarah Carter
“In Her Name” is a dramedy about estranged sisters forced to confront their differences while dealing with family bankruptcy and their formerly important artist father’s terminal illness. Immersed in the absurdity of the Los Angeles art world they fall through the spiritual rabbit hole that is their childhood home. However tragic their lives remain, they find love again.
JUNIOR’S GIANT – Directed by Paula Brancati
A close-knit Grandfather and his trans-granddaughter struggle when his dementia sparks an imaginary giant and gender confusion, causing pain for them both.