Synopsis

An Almost Christmas Story follows Moon, a curious young owl who unexpectedly finds himself stuck in a Christmas tree destined for Rockefeller Plaza. In his attempts to escape the bustling city, Moon befriends a lost little girl named Luna. Together, they embark on a heartwarming adventure, discovering the magic of the holiday season and forming an unlikely bond as they journey back home to their parents.

Screening as part of Industry Days

Keynote Conversation and Screening: Cinematic Storytelling with Director David Lowery
Friday, Oct 18 | 12:45pm

Join a moderated conversation with David Lowery, the acclaimed filmmaker (The Green Knight, Pete’s Dragon, A Ghost Story) whose diverse filmography spans a wide range of genres, characterized by his singular sense of heightened naturalism. Lowery will also screen and discuss his latest project, An Almost Christmas Story, a Disney+ animated short meant to evoke cardboard art, and the latest entry in producer Alfonso Cuarón’s series following award-winners Le Pupille and The Shepherd. Lowery is currently in post-production on A24’s highly anticipated epic pop melodrama Mother Mary, starring Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel.

Learn more about Industry Days and register to attend…

Synopsis

Directed by Pablo Larraín (ChicagoIFF selections Spencer, Jackie, Neruda, The Club) and starring Academy Award®-winner Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas, Maria presents a tumultuous and beautiful depiction of one of the world’s most renowned artists and reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days in Paris, as La Callas negotiates the blurred boundaries between her public image and private self. The film also stars Pierfrancesco Favino, Alba Rohrwacher, Haluk Bilginer and Kodi Smit-McPhee.

Synopsis

Elwood Curtis’s college dream shatters alongside a two-lane Florida highway. Bearing the brunt of an innocent misstep, he’s sentenced to the netherworld of Nickel Academy, a brutal reformatory sunk deep in the Jim Crow South. There, he encounters another ward, the seen-it-all Turner. The two Black teens strike up an alliance: Turner dispenses fundamental tips for survival, and Elwood clings to his optimistic worldview. Backdropped by the burgeoning civil rights movement, Elwood and Turner’s existence appears worlds away from Rev. Martin Luther King’s burnished oratory. Despite Nickel’s brutality, Elwood strives to hold onto his humanity, awakening a new vision for Turner.

Synopsis

As World War II raged around the globe, a professor from Eastern Europe and his 18-year-old bride created an oasis just across the Southern California border in Tecate, Mexico. It became known as Rancho La Puerta, a sanctuary for people from all over the world to come and learn about health and wellness. That 17-year-old girl, Deborah Szekely, is now 102 years old and is the living embodiment of everything the Ranch aspires to be and to teach. The Ranch and its sister property, The Golden Door in San Marcos, California, continue today to serve celebrities, royalty, and anyone in search of a healthier life. Szekely is considered the founder of the modern-day spa industry, the Godmother of Fitness, and this film explores her incredible life, along with the obstacles and triumphs of being a woman entrepreneur.

Synopsis

A group of friends bring a newcomer named Judy to a certified jerk’s house party. Judy is sweet, wears a nice dress — and she’s a shape-shifter battling an identity crisis while targeting her next victim.

This film screens as part of the After Dark Shorts: Disturbing Diversions program.