The Friend’s House is Here

US Dramatic Special Jury Award for Ensemble Cast

In Tehran’s underground art scene, two young women build a blissful world of freedom and sisterhood. But when their creative circle is exposed, they must fight to save each other.

Take Me Home

Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award: US Dramatic

Anna, a 38-year-old Korean adoptee with a cognitive disability, cares for her aging parents in a fragile balance of meeting one another’s needs. When a Florida heat wave shatters their family and Anna’s routine, her future is uncertain until she creates a world where she can thrive.

Union County

Assigned to a county-mandated drug court program, Cody Parsons embarks on the tenuous journey toward recovery amid the opioid epidemic in rural Ohio.

Carousel

A divorced doctor’s carefully constructed life in Cleveland is upended when his daughter’s debate aspirations and the unexpected return of a past love force him to confront his own choices and embrace a second chance.

Hot Water

After he’s kicked out of his Indiana high school, an American kid and his Lebanese mom hit the road west.

Ha-chan, Shake Your Booty!

Directing Award: US Dramatic

Haru and Luis love competing in Tokyo’s ballroom dance scene, but after tragedy strikes, Haru withdraws into isolation. When friends coax her back to the studio, she develops an infatuation with the new instructor. She must face what comes next as sparks fly.

Worried

No one is more worried about Jules and Poppy than Jules and Poppy.

Callback

Max arrives home to find that his boyfriend has booked a callback. All hell breaks loose.

Balloon Animals

Two grocery store employees have an unexpected, helium-fueled encounter with a late-night customer.

Birdie

In 1970, a 16-year-old Nigerian refugee in Virginia tries to keep her family together when a newcomer draws her sister away.

Soft Boil

Lulu takes a job as a nanny only to discover that her new boss isn’t who she expected.