Programmers' Picks: Beth Barrett

Ghostlight

A beautifully woven tale about family, theatre, love, grief, hilarity, and all the things in between. A true Sundance discovery.

Young Hearts

Starring the literally luminous Lou Gossens, this tender coming-of-age film is the coming-out story we all wish we had, with all the confusion of young love, friendship, and dealing with a father enjoying unlikely success as a midlife pop-singing sensation.

The Queen of My Dreams

Based on her short film (which premiered at SIFF 2012), this debut feature from Fawzia Mirza tells a mother-daughter love story mixing up the Technicolor Karachi 1960s, Bollywood, and the adventures of a modern-day queer Pakistani Canadian woman.

Girls Will Be Girls

Set in a strict boarding school in the Himalayas, a young girl's sexual awakening comes into conflict with the narrow views of her emotionally stunted mother. Incredible debut film from Shuchi Talati that won both the Grand Jury and Audience Awards at Sundance.

A New Kind of Wilderness

Living the ideal Norwegian pastoral dream, taking long walks, and growing their own food takes on a different tone when young mother Maria passes away and the rest of the family has to deal with their grief, uncertainty, and what “home” means. Truly stunning. 

Love Machina

A tale of everlasting and eternal love for futurists Martine and Bina, thanks to advances in AI and robotics. From Benjamin Smoke director Peter Sillen.

The Missile

Just around Christmas 1984, single mother Marjatta unwittingly becomes part of history when an errant Russian missile lands outside their rural Lapland town, and the world rushes in to figure out if it is armed, in this Finnish comedy loosely based on a true story.

Food Roots

Director Michele Josue and Chicago restaurateur Billy Dec go on a journey through Filipino food, family, and what it means to be part of a community, especially a community that loves their food.

Hollywoodgate

When the U.S. pulled out of Afghanistan, the military left behind all the broken, obsolete, and incomplete equipment and weapons, never believing the Taliban would teach themselves how to fix them. Director Ibrahim Nash’at dangerously embedded himself with the new residents in this stunning verité.

Opening & Closing Nights, and our Tribute Events

And lastly, our Opening Night Thelma, Closing Night Sing Sing, and Tribute events to iconic actresses June Squibb and Jean Smart!