Festival Flashback: 2023

When a series of package bombs shows up on the doorsteps of prominent politicians and businessmen in the summer of 1919, U.S. Bureau of Investigation Agent William Flynn (David Strathairn) is assigned the task of finding those responsible. He becomes immersed in an investigation that uncovers an anarchist plot to destroy democracy. Inspired by true events of the 1920s the film sets the stage for a timely thriller with resoundingly similar parallels to the contemporary war on terrorism and the role government plays to defeat it.

A hardened rancher struggles to conceal a devastating loss from her sister.

Lost on the dreary Oregon coast, Fran finds solace in her cubicle, listening to the constant hum of officemates and occasionally daydreaming to pass the time. She is ghosting through life, unable to pop her bubble of isolation, when a friendly new coworker, Robert, persistently tries to connect with her. Though it goes against every fiber of her being, she may have to give this guy a chance. Director Rachel Lambert and team craft beautiful cinema for this delicately told story of love for the socially awkward and emotionally challenged. The film is made all the more human by its lovely cast, most prominent in the penetrating eyes of lead actress/producer, Daisy Ridley, and the caring smile of lead actor, Dave Merheje. An unexpected fable on the virtues of living.

A solitary man is called out of retirement to help an old friend.

A collector by the name of John Stavola reveals that his collection is not ordinary. He collects murderabilia and goes into detail about what got him to collect and why he does it.

Three actors audition to play the Palestinian-Jewish actor and activist, Juliano Mer-Khamis, a former IDF paratrooper who defiantly identified as “100% Palestinian and 100% Jewish.” During a tense rehearsal meant to determine which of them is most suited to authentically portray Juliano Mer-Khamis, the three Julianos find their sense-of-self fractured and disrupted.

A young man struggles to communicate with his stroke-afflicted father, and at the same time, stay true to himself.

Overwhelmed with the pressures of high school. Iggy Fransisco attempts to make friends and is rejected. A classmate Abigail notices this and offers her friendship to Iggy.

Grieving the suicide of a friend, Frances Henderson heads to Las Vegas, the suicide capitol of the nation to seek answers. There she learns about the shocking suicide of a teenage boy. While investigating the boy’s suicide and the suicide epidemic further she learns that the city is also burdened by a national problem scrambling to bury decades of nuclear excess in a nearby mountain. Artfully maneuvering between two stories burgeoning with existential questions, THIS MUCH WE KNOW masterfully links the seemingly disparate subjects of self-annihilation and environmental issues into something supernatural, unforgettable and transcendental.

When Finn and Sam meet to celebrate the life of Lily — Sam’s dead wife — a Freudian slip by Finn creates an awkward moment that Sam initially brushes off as a mistake that even Lily would appreciate. But the comment haunts Sam and he needles Finn for the truth over an evening of drinks and darts — but their friendship might not survive the truth.

A woman gets mistaken for a sidekick and gets pulled into an adventure.

The Driftless Short Film Series continues DFF’s tradition of highlighting groundbreaking short films during the festival. This year’s series features selections from the Madison chapter of this year’s 48 Hour Film Project. This event is part of a global event that takes place on different weekends in more than 100 cities throughout the year. In each city, local teams — beginners and professionals alike — compete to make a short film in only a weekend. Enjoy cutting edge filmmaking and spirited discussion.

This year’s short films include:

• Atomic Hearts (6m)
• Awakening Wanda (8m)

Less Scary Block

• A Cloudy Moon (6m)
• Bent Circuits (11m)
• Man In The Mirror (8m)
• Mutism (4m)
• Rise Of The Cheese People (3m)
• Rookie Mistake (7m)
• Sitting In My Room (6m)
• Super Skillet (8m)

Scarier Block

• Reunion (6m)
• A Walk In The Woods (6m)
• Capital Games (7m)
• Runners Less Extended (9m)
• The Gatekeeper (13m)
• The Gloam (6m)
• Together (8m)

Nick is looking forward to reuniting with his best friend from High School, but regrets a slip of the tongue on a phone call he wants to take back.

🏅 Top Film — Yes We Cannes International Competition

New owners of a small-town building discover an ancient secret in the walls of its basement.

AmDue to the travel ban imposed on Iran in 2017, immigrants were forced to cross the border illegally into the United States. This is the story of an Iranian man’s multiple attempt to cross over the border illegally from Mexico to the United States in pursuit of a better life.

Mary is a young, resilient, and loving Black woman. While grocery shopping with her two kids, she encounters her childhood sexual abuser. This story unveils three generations of women who deal with generational trauma. This short film echoes a common narrative of Black communities in real life.

A heartwarming documentary that pays tribute to the incredible strength and unwavering love of Angelica, a single Mexican mother. This intimate film delves into Angelica’s extraordinary journey as she overcomes obstacles, and becomes a source of inspiration for her children.

🏅 Grand Prize winner, U.S.-Mexico Bicentennial Kaleidoscope Short Film Contest

Oliver, a recent high school graduate, is kicked out of his house after his parents find out he is gay. He struggles to make it on his own as he tries to find a way to pay for college.

A day in the life of an elderly gentleman, Hank Crute, as he deals with the trials and tribulations of a resident of Spring Valley retirement home, bad food, conniving females and an unexpected doctor’s visit.

A dramedy that follows two childhood friends as they travel cross country. Joe is making the big move to Los Angeles, while Mike is there for the ride. Along the way, they discuss everything from why Niagara Falls is not so special to what it means to never move away from home.

🏅 Winner – Spirit of Independent Filmmaking, Stony Brook Film Festival

Fiction, reality, the private, and the performed overlap on a routine but emotional day at a medical center.

The search for an authentic life leads an existential bike mechanic to discover the universal truths and transformative powers of love. From the safe confines of a humble Milwaukee bike shop, Charlie passively pursues the “authentic” life while actively carving up the idiosyncrasies of the post-modern world. His guarded life is upended after meeting Chloe, a beguiling photojournalist, who challenges his many long-held beliefs and ironically teaches him the genuine meaning of life, love and being your true self.

The film follows two fictional immigrant ancestors as they explore our subjective perceptions of a shared American past. Set in the late 19th Century, these inhabitants perform their required daily tasks while searching for each other and a greater meaning to their existence. The story is told through highly cinematic images with no dialogue and in settings ranging from a 18th Century mansion to a fire-scorched prairie, the enigmatic storylines of the two characters remain separate but interwoven.

A short embodied reflection of darkness, sound, and light.