Nova '78 is a compelling documentary by Aaron Brookner and Rodrigo Areias, showcasing rare footage from the 1978 Nova Convention in New York City, which celebrated William S. Burroughs' return to the U.S. The film features influential artists and captures vibrant moments of 1970s counterculture and creative freedom, originally shot by Howard Brookner.
"In Black & Color" is an innovative film program transitioning from black and white to color, showcasing a diverse array of experimental shorts that explore surreal and comedic themes. This collection emphasizes artistic creativity, affirming cinema's potential to inspire and challenge expectations through dynamic storytelling and visual transformation.
On one night only, TFF and SCAMS present "SIGNIFICANTLY LESS DECEPTIVE," a live audio-visual performance by Negativland and SUE-C at the Challenger Learning Center IMAX. Separate ticket purchase is required, not included in TFF passes. Doors open at 9:00 p.m., with general admission seating and priority entry for passholders.
"Lost Cause," directed by Adam Kritzer, is a provocative musical that transforms a Yom Kippur service into an improvised therapy session for a controversial bureaucrat like Stephen Miller. The film examines themes of power and accountability while intertwining ethics and artistic expression, influenced by Rebecca Garten’s writings. The narrative highlights the unseen architects of policy and national narratives.
XYZZY, a film by Jess Johnson and Simon Ward, offers a mesmerizing 40-minute journey through surreal landscapes and creatures in a planetarium setting. This immersive experience fuses hand-drawn artistry, animation, and a unique musical score, blending reality and fantasy. Vinyl soundtracks will be available at the show.
Escape into a program of short films that blurs the lines between reality and artifice, from an urban food co-op's technological experiment gone awry to a sci-fi thief's journey in a dystopian colony. Other tales include a noir story of a memory-battling agent, a surrealist disruption of an American sitcom's reality, and a poignant Midwestern story of grief. The collection concludes with an absurdist tragedy set in a repressive society where affection is forbidden.
In this program, boundaries blur and perspectives drift. This collection of eight experimental shorts invites viewers into liminal spaces—between land and sea, memory and myth, ritual and rebellion. Each film offers a distinct lens on transformation, whether through decaying landscapes, fractured identities, or surreal encounters.
Scott Gracheff's film explores a 25-year marriage between artist Joe Coleman and muse Whitney Ward, as he creates his largest portrait of her. Delving into the complexities of life, love, and art, the documentary candidly reveals Whitney's vulnerabilities and Joe's artistic perspective, set against compelling biographical details.
A film by Robby Rackleff and Alan Resnick follows Obie, a loser who encounters the Dance Freak, a creature resembling him. His ex, Dorty, tries to save him with the help of scientist Gorgul. The 2025 experimental horror-comedy features a mix of black and white and color. 97 minutes long.
"Dread Beat an Blood," directed by Franco Rosso, is a documentary celebrating Linton Kwesi Johnson, a pivotal figure in dub poetry and Black activism in Britain. The film features Johnson's performances and activism, marking the 50th anniversary of his iconic poem. It showcases Jamaican culture's impact on 1970s England, restored beautifully for North American audiences. Preceded by a screening of the short film "Freeman Vines."