The Echelon Studios International Film Festival has unveiled the line-up for its 2nd edition
Echelon Studios has revealed its 62 official selections for the second annual Echelon Studios International Film Festival, taking place from August 15 to 24 in Los Angeles.
Curated from more than 500 submissions, this year’s program brings together a diverse slate of independent films spanning narrative, documentary, animation and experimental cinema.
“Every film in this year’s lineup stood out for their originality and purpose,” said Jesse Randall, Festival Director. “They reflect the kinds of stories we believe need to be told – stories that cross borders, challenge norms, and stay with you long after the credits roll. This year’s selection proves that independent film is not only thriving, it’s leading the way.”
Best US Feature Competition
The Premiere – Jon Silver
The Activated Man – Kelsey Aho
Swoon – Byron Manuel
The Haunting of Hollywood – Lilia Doytchinova
Silent Notes – Toni Comas
One Night Only – Avery Maycock
Dr. Quarantine – White Cross
Distancia – T.S. Meeks
Mean Boys – Alexander Justin Gonzales
Swing & A Miss! – Jack Murtha
Best US Short Competition
Fishers of Men – Chris Capel
Come Out, Wherever You Are – Dan Burns
And We’ll Be Okay – Francesca Escarraga
Bible Camp – Hyon Jung Lee
Where the Children Go to Play – Alex Benton
T-Minus – Emily Lerer
Light Bunny – Valerian Zamel
To All the Girls I Could’ve Loved Before – Adolfo Mena Cejas
The Valley of Hearts Delight – Mike Timm
The Connoisseur – Josh Levine
Best International Feature Competition
In a Fishbowl (Γυάλα) – Konstantinos Fragkoulis
Where The Flowers Blooming – Zhihui Long
Witte Wieven – Monique van Kessel
The Fragile King – Tristan Holmes
Light Blue – Babak Khajeh-Pasha
The Ballad of Piargy – Silvia Pankova
Bawla (Batty) – Vishesh Mankal
A Vipers’ Pit – Martin Bonnici
Continente – Flavio Armone
Ladies (Senhoritas) – Mykaela Plotkin
Seems Like Love – Yana Klimova-Yusupova
Best International Short Competition
Water Whispers – Brian Szeto
Spider-Zan – Maryam Khodabakhsh
Maitighar – Lucas Tothe
Boi de Conchas (The Shell Covered Ox) – Daniel Barosa
Bad Blood – Lucero Rubio
Soulmate – Richard Fenwick
Silver Static – Dominic Stewart
30 – Peter Koevari
Leveled – Sara Rangooni
Ten Past Two – Gaurav Bhatt
Best Documentary Competition
Avant-Drag! – Fil Ieropoulos
Goodnight, Mister Stalin – Benjamin Kodboel
In Their Own Time – Sourya Dipta Ghosh
Untenable Pantanal – Raphael Scire
Sunchong – Yoontaek Hong
Old Lesbians – Meghan McDonough
Genny – The Uncle – Nicola Bianchi
The Heart Revolution – Benedikt Just
Blue Notes & Higher Grounds – Erik de Bruyn
Clear Sky – Shawn Clearsky Davis, Michael Del Monte
Best Series Competition
Get a Real Job – Samantha Lochs
Palookaville – Theodore Collatos
Hard To Swallow – Tunde Wey, Theo Schear
Rat Czar – Ana Bretón
Loft and Found – Pete O’Hare
Ada – Elizabeth Cox, Kirill Yeretsky
Insects in the City – Mark Polish
From Buckingham Palace – Nita Mistry
Patrons – Patrick Wimp
The Self-Love Act – Kareema Bee
Girls Aren’t Funny – Jasia Kaulbach
In-person screenings will be held on August 21 with the main reception taking place August 23, supported by NFMLA. All official selections will be available to stream on Eventive from Friday, August 15 through Sunday, August 24.
The festival’s program also features a series of educational panels with industry experts around independent film distribution to support filmmakers in navigating the festival circuit and planning future projects.
