Half-Light expertly places the audience directly in the midst of a backseat hookup, and I found myself captivated by every movement of the camera, each detail in the sound design, and the stunning performances. Intimate in both story and form, this is one you don’t want to miss.

Teeming with patience and passion, Fruits of Labour paints an understated, impactful portrait of director Ophelia Spinosa’s father. I’ve revisited this documentary several times since my first watch, and a new facet of the film reveals itself and resonates with me each time.

Between the adept directing and tantalizing tension-building, Raza Tariq’s thriller Taming a Seahorse was an instant favorite of mine – I can’t wait to watch this one in a packed theater.

Featuring some of my favorite performances in the fest, I immediately fell in love with this film. With its efficient storytelling, thoughtful production design, and open-hearted script, it's a succinct and satisfying watch!

An amalgamation of animation forms, Frog in my Throat brilliantly balances an honest portrayal of anxiety with humor, resilience, and optimism. Well-paced and constructed with painstaking detail, I have an endless appreciation for this film.