NYLA International Film Festival
2025 Selections
Selections
(Following films will screen in Los Angeles)
“ Indigo Room ” by Marta Miniucchi
The virtuous functioning of an intensive care unit in Bologna is jeopardised by the arrival of a new director who has a vision of management that is very distant with the previous one. All those who live in this place will have to deal with an unexpected situation and find new solutions in order to reach a new balance. In this context, two young patients meet and understand each other because of the universal experiences of illness and youth that they share and that creates a profound bond between the two. Medical staff and patients go through their personal lives and are influenced by these events. But life is full of resources and surprises. Sometimes.
“ Into The Reds Tale ” by Alisdair Zhang
An abomination mimic creature enters the story of 'Little Red Riding Hood' and disguises itself as her, tricking the Big Bad Wolf into walking into a trap
“ Jazz On A Wave ” by Bob Merz
In the racially charged atmosphere of 1949 Los Angeles, the electrifying jazz scene of Central Avenue, anchored by John Dolphin’s groundbreaking record store, unexpectedly ignites a cultural collision with the sun-drenched, rebellious world of Southern California surfing, forging an unlikely alliance between musical legends and wave-riding youth determined to break down societal barriers.
“ Lena and Vladimir ” by Igor Aleksov
When a mysterious man with a tragic secret shelters a young runaway girl with an abusive past, their unlikely bond challenges them to overcome their haunting past and to find hope in an unexpected place.
“ Midnight Ink ” by John Chiodi
A brash young boy and his shy friend embark on a moonlit journey to get a tattoo.
“ Only Mortals Can Be Heroes ” by Wes Fisher
Adam Weaver loses his Faith as he struggles to move forward in life guided by friends who he considers enemies and is enslaved by a drug that has no mercy or remorse, Heroin.
Loosely based on the poignant true story written by David J. Weaver
“ PAPmusic - Animation for Fashion ” by Leikié
A new Italian fashion house, alongside its young and eclectic team, launches an innovative collection. Love, personality clashes, and work dynamics intertwine continuously, sustained by a fast-paced and amusing rhythm, with many twists and turns. At the heart of the story is the romantic yet conflicted relationship between HIM, the commercial director, and HER, the company’s designer. Playful episodes, romantic entanglements, workplace dynamics, and plenty of music accompany a fast-paced narrative that captivates the viewer from start to finish in "PAPmusic - Animation for Fashion."
“ Polemos ” by Evgen Brooks
"Polemos" artistically highlights the centuries-long battle for freedom and independence. At all historical times, Ukraine has given birth to warriors whose worldview was based on the desire for freedom and the willingness to give up everything for it, even their lives. Different generations of warriors depicted in the film are manifestations of the same tradition, in which the fight for freedom is the most important principle.
“ Shallow End ” Dir. by Maria de la Cruz Rudloff
Twenty-something year old Agatha comes home after a lengthy stay in rehab, a shattered person. In her small town, everything seems to remind her of the life she once had and the people she held dear before it all went wrong.
“ Quiet Souls ” by John T. Frederick
Passionately challenging in class, a Philosophy professor is rendered speechless in his personal life... by love, marriage, divorce.
“ Sacred Steel ” by Ryan Patrick Cooke
Trexel Unit AJN-A 852 burst into existence, his spirit unblemished and at peace. But tranquility proves fleeting, as the insertion of his core processor shatters his serenity. Now, driven by a maddening quest to reclaim his lost bliss, AJN-A 852 forms an unholy alliance with a ruthless scientist.
“ Sunset Prelude ” by Yiannis Margetousakis
Christina Mani´s imposing presence in the water along with the piano as her natural continuation is symbolising harmony as well as strength while the dancers are on the shore whereby they complete the "circle", symbolising grounding and the connection with our emotions and earth .
“ The Age Of Empath ” by Steve Brown
In a near-future world where thoughts shape reality, a compassionate scientist and a group of extraordinary empaths must fight a covert, militarized faction bent on controlling humanity's consciousness.
“ The Bloody Island ” by Gianni Petrizzo
After visiting an island with her companion, a woman wishes to be alone to reflect on her actions. The companion leaves the island, deciding to return the next day. Inevitably, the island becomes a metaphor for a place of redemption or condemnation. The sea a metaphor for the unknown and narrow border. What will fate hold in store for her?
“ The Curtain ” by Leslie-Ann Coles
Mother-daughter tensions bind one generation to the next in a seedy motel room where love, sex and a wish for redemption lurk beyond the curtain when Beatrice, 50, is confronted with her own mortality. Beatrice revisits an old haunt from her childhood to reconcile herself with those she loves, evoking the memory of her mother following a mastectomy.
“ The Love of A Flower and A Branch ” by XIAOFEI LIU
This story is a coming-of-age romantic comedy that follows Zhao Yizhi and Yan Binghua, two young people facing illness. It depicts their journey from meeting to falling in love, their mutual influence and encouragement, and their adoption of a positive and optimistic outlook in the face of illness and life's challenges as they move forward.
“ The Perception of Silence ” by Jeff Kimball
Anton's life forever changes when his wife is killed in a workplace violence shooting. He struggles with existential questions and searches the deep space of our universe for answers.
“ The Tale of Sang Kancil (Dongeng Sang Kancil)
” Dir. by Ahmad Razuri Roseli, Nik Ahmad Rasyidi Nik Othman, Zulhilmi Md Rozali
The Mousedeer was saving itself from a predator. In desperate measure, it had to push its child down the cliff to protect it from becoming prey. A few years later, the young The Mousedeer grew to be someone who always helped jungle dwellers to solve their problems. One day, The Mousedeer looked up at the steep clift, the place where it last saw its mother getting killed by the Dark Shadow. It wished to look for the Dark Shadow that killed its mother and seek revenge for it. The Crow showed up and gave hope for The Mousedeer to fulfill its dream. And so the journey of the Mousedeer looking for Dark Shadow begins. Throughout its journey, it met with 3 predators that rule the land, the Elephant, river, the Crocodile Bujang Senang, and sky, the Fierce Eagle. When the Dark Shadow aimed to rule the jungle, The Mousedeer then worked with the jungle dwellers to defeat the Dark Shadow. The Mousedeer also get the supports from the three predators. With the help from everyone, along with The Mousedeer’s wise and clever thinking finally, the Dark Shadow managed to be defeated. The Mousedeer managed to avenge its mother’s death as well as saving the jungle.
“ Voodoo Valentinos ” by Michael Louis Gould
The paths of two girlfriendless, working class, teenage misfits are dramatically and hilariously altered by a 'voodoo cabbie' who collects them en route to a middle class, village party to which they have not been invited.
“ Wicked Women and Their Men ” by Merrill Anway Jones
The recent emergence and spread of online celebrity scams have resulted in millions of dollars being stolen from innocent victims who believed they were developing real connections to and helping their favorite celebrities.
“ Fighting Demons ” by Simon Stock
In one of the world’s most brutal and unforgiving sports, four fighters step into the ring—not just to battle their opponents, but to confront their own inner struggles. Fighting Demons is an in-depth exploration of the motivations that drive professional athletes to compete in Bare Knuckle Boxing, a sport where every punch carries the risk of severe injury, and only the toughest survive.
“ Still Life ” by Ya Qin
A man woke up finding out the girl he spent the night with was disappeared, he started to look for the girl all over the city. Along the journey, he started to recall the car accident the girl had, this man is stuck in time.
“ The Gift ” by Rafael Tres
The day after the death of his inseparable wife, Ernesto receives a visit from the old friend daughter who brings him a gift from the afterlife
“ Mei Mei ” by Daniel Jiaxuan Huang
Last November, cancer cruelly took my beloved grandpa. As a child, his home welcomed me and my sister with warm meals and laughter. Though an ocean away studying abroad in the United States when he passed, grief overwhelmed me at the sight of his lifeless face on my mother's phone. I struggled to accept his absence. Yet, in the depths of sorrow, a glimmer of humanity emerged. Mei, a single mother and overworked hospital caretaker, tended to Grandpa in his final days. Society deemed her role insignificant, salary minuscule. But compassion anchored her care. Daily, she kept Grandpa company through card games, back rubs, and conversation, easing his loneliness. Her bare hands never recoiled from the messy indignities of illness. My grandpa cherished her gentle attendance, telling my mother that Mei cared for him like family.
“ Saras ” by Jude Peter Damian
Saraswathi, a woman from a low income fishermen community, aspires her son to pursue higher education from World class Institute.
“ Lie With Me ” by Chris Fell
Sophia shares her story of falling victim to „tinder swindler“ Ben. Their love affair goes straight to abuse, but Sophia is not to be victimized. Her creative revenge teaches Ben an important lesson: pain. She teaches us a lesson, too: everybody lies, all the time.
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Los Angeles Screenings
15th Annual