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The Valley Film Festival proudly welcomes back its alumni for an extraordinary showcase of short films and previews that span continents, genres, and emotional landscapes. From hard-hitting drama to sharp comedy, chilling suspense to heartfelt documentary, this lineup is proof that VFF filmmakers are telling stories that resonate across the globe.

In COME BACK (Helen O’Reilly), 11-year-old Jenny adores her older sister Lisa—until a day of innocent fun turns sinister when Jenny witnesses Lisa being bullied and steps in with haunting consequences.

THE HEART OF TEXAS (Gregory JM Kasunich) follows Janie May, an aspiring country singer chasing her big break, whose path collides with Jesús, an undocumented worker—forcing both to confront the fragile pursuit of the American dream.

A NIGHT IN YANGON (Shivam Ganesan) explores the cracks beneath a family’s flawless facade as they spend a night in a hotel during Yangon's frequent power outages, confronting crises that threaten to unravel them.

DON’T GO OUTSIDE (Michael James Hull) thrusts us into suspense when Jason, warned by his mother to stay indoors, hears someone crying for help outside—facing a perilous choice between safety and compassion.

The trailer for APOCALYPSE DEATH PARTY (Russ Emanuel) teases a global horror: a virologist racing to cure a deadly virus while fractured relationships and collapsing societies push humanity to the brink.

In the short documentary STARTING WHISTLE (Eve Sanchez), VFF alumna Maren "Nightmaren" juggles the demands of work and family by day and transforms into a fierce competitor on the roller derby track by night, exploring themes of gender, sport, and power.

In WHY ARE YOU LIKE THIS (Nate Hapke), an evening among friends is all fun and games... unless you're Kara.

THE BREAKUP (Michael Piscitelli & Gregory Cohen) delivers sharp comedy in a therapist’s office, where brutal honesty sparks an unexpected and hilarious chain reaction between a couple on the edge.

MS. ROSSI 3: MS. ROSSI MEETS THE MOB (Pat Battistini) finds the beloved character caught in new chaos after being scooped up by the wrong driver at the airport—with mobsters waiting in the wings.

Together, these films promise a night of captivating stories, unexpected twists, and unforgettable voices. More than just a screening, this program is a celebration of Valley Film Festival alumni and the global reach of their independent spirit.

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Note: Films are unrated by the MPAA. Program is current at time of publication and titles may be subject to change. 

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For 25 years The Valley Film Festival has been supporting films “Made in the (818)” and the tradition continues with our opening night feature program:

In DOROTHEA, the infamous serial killer Dorothea Puente faces her final moments behind bars—but not before revealing the grotesque secrets of her past. From a childhood scarred by abuse and betrayal to the horrors hidden within her Sacramento boarding house, her confessions expose the terrifying path that turned a home into a graveyard. Based on true events.

Paired with the searing short IT’S OVER. THE END., two former friends reunite to return each other’s belongings—only to descend into a final confrontation that’s as brutal as it is unforgettable.

Both films pack shocking twists that will keep audiences guessing until the last frame.

More than a night of horror—our “Made in the (818)” program is a showcase of local talent with stories that will haunt you long after the credits roll.

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Note: Films are unrated by the MPAA. Program is current at time of publication and titles may be subject to change. 

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Join us for an evening where coffee and culture collide in two unforgettable films exploring labor, resilience, and a touch of absurdity.

The feature documentary THE EMPTY CHAIR offers an intimate look at the young Starbucks workers—many of them queer and transgender—who dared to challenge a corporate giant. This underdog story captures their fight for dignity and fair working conditions, charting the highs and lows of a grassroots union movement that reignited the spirit of labor activism across the country.

Balancing the serious with the satirical, the short narrative film CAST & BREW takes us behind the scenes of a film set teetering on collapse when coffee—the crew’s lifeblood—runs out. With a demanding lead actor, frazzled AD, and a global coffee shortage brewing, the film hilariously mirrors the chaos of both filmmaking and our caffeine-fueled culture.

Together, these films spark a lively conversation about work, power, and the rituals—be they unions or coffee—that keep us going.

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Note: Films are unrated by the MPAA. Program is current at time of publication and titles may be subject to change. 

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Step into a night of high-stakes drama and raw emotion with two films that confront the forces shaping our world.

From Denmark, the feature thriller THE LONE KILLER plunges into the tense aftermath of two terrorist attacks in Copenhagen. As chaos grips the city, the editor of the struggling Copenhagen Daily News seizes the chance to revive his paper with a headline that could secure its future—only to discover that the cost of chasing relevance can be devastating. A gripping exploration of ambition, legacy, and the moral price of survival in a fractured Europe.

Balancing global crisis with intimate truth, the short dramatic film THE TALK delivers a searing portrait of one Black parent’s difficult conversation with their child. What begins with tenderness soon reveals the deep scars of systemic racism, the ache of personal loss, and the ever-present fear carried by families of color.

Together, these films force us to confront the weight of choice, identity, and survival in a world where both headlines and heartlines carry life-altering consequences.

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Note: Films are unrated by the MPAA. Program is current at time of publication and titles may be subject to change. 

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Eight short films. Eight powerful journeys. From eerie hauntings to heartfelt reckonings, surreal comedy to visionary science fiction, this dramatic shorts program showcases daring voices from around the world who aren’t afraid to explore what it means to be human.

In KIDDO (Maks Nowicki, Poland), a recently divorced father goes to shocking lengths to bond with his young daughter, only to be challenged by his estranged teenage son in this raw family drama.

GIVEN (Marissa Vonn, United States) follows Callie, a diner manager hiding from the world, whose encounter with an old flame forces her to confront a life-altering choice 25 years in the making.

In ENTANGLEMENT (Darlene Conte, United States), scientists Cassie and Finn pursue the frontier of conscious entanglement—until the work that once united them threatens to tear them apart.

THE LAST NIGHT (Tivoli Silas, United States) delivers a tender, haunting tale of a teenage girl who must finally say goodbye to her ghostly Halloween friend before moving away.

A gripping mystery unfolds in THE KNOWING: EPISODE 1 (James Brown Orleans, United States), where Ryan Edison reunites with his brother just as women begin vanishing. With claims of clairvoyant powers, Ryan pinpoints victims’ locations—but suspicion lingers: is he gifted, or guilty?

In TARZANA BOY (Tomas Jason Carrasco, United States), an obsession with an ‘80s pop anthem leads one boy into conflict with a tough crowd in a sharp exploration of music, identity, and belonging.

DIEZ SEGUNDOS (Gloria Laino, Puerto Rico) finds Fredi, haunted by guilt over a tragic loss, finally seeking redemption and forgiveness through a mystical sign and the one relationship that matters most.

And in ALARMS (Nicolas Panay, France), a construction foreman fights to ensure that progress in building a new eco-district does not come at the expense of safety, blending social commentary with taut suspense.

Together, these films form an unforgettable program filled with mystery, magic, love, guilt, obsession, and hope—stories that cross borders, genres, and emotions, but share one common thread: they’ll stay with you long after the lights go up.

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Note: Films are unrated by the MPAA. Program is current at time of publication and titles may be subject to change. 

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Step into the shadows with two gripping films from Valley Film Festival alumni that dive deep into crime, survival, and the dark corners of human ambition.

The feature CLOWN-N-OUT (IN VALLEY VILLAGE) follows a down-on-his-luck clown whose desperate choices drag him into a brutal criminal underworld. With nods to classic noir and gritty indie filmmaking, the film weaves a tense story of lies, betrayal, and the fight to survive when the joke has gone too far.

Paired with the hard-hitting short THE BAD MAN: The night takes us to Bangkok, where a ruthless hitman returns to his old territory. His mission is simple—get in, kill, get out—but in his world, nothing ever stays simple, and no one stands in his way.

Together, these films deliver a pulse-pounding double feature that celebrates the raw spirit of independent cinema and the bold vision of returning VFF filmmakers.

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Note: Films are unrated by the MPAA. Program is current at time of publication and titles may be subject to change. 

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Join us for a night of twisted tales, dark humor, and surreal imagination as three films push the boundaries of storytelling.

The feature RUFUS takes center stage, as a man from the hood spins five chilling stories to his family and friends—much to his wife’s dismay. From a mortician working on the wrong night, to a singer discovering the dark side of the entertainment industry, to unsettling visions of adoption, malpractice, and the cost of war, each tale builds a haunting mosaic of corruption, fear, and survival.

Lightening the mood, the short dark comedy CROSS MY HEART follows a woman so determined to craft the perfect relationship that she’ll stop at nothing—even if it means taking matters into her own hands.

Preceding the evening, the trailer for GO DOWN, DILLER teases a bizarre and heartfelt journey: when a middle-aged hotel security officer discovers a talking bear behind the counter of a fast food restaurant, he’s forced to face his anxieties about being a single father to a teenage daughter.

Together, these films promise a night of unsettling thrills, biting comedy, and unforgettable cinematic oddities—perfect for audiences who crave stories that dare to surprise.

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Note: Films are unrated by the MPAA. Program is current at time of publication and titles may be subject to change. 

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Lace up for an evening where running becomes more than a sport—it’s a test of character, resilience, and the bonds that shape us.

In the feature MARATONA DI NEW YORK (The Marathon), Mario and Steve prepare for the New York City Marathon with grueling long-distance training runs framed by breathtaking Italian sunsets. Along the way, their banter, arguments, and reflections reveal both the humor and heartbreak of friendship tested by ambition—until the race leaves room for only one winner.

Paired with the dramatic short STARTING LINE, the night shifts to the intensity of sibling rivalry. When a driven cross-country coach pits brothers Brody and Archie against each other, competition spirals into conflict.

Together, these films capture the exhilaration, strain, and emotional stakes of competition—on the road, on the track, and deep within the human heart.

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Note: Films are unrated by the MPAA. Program is current at time of publication and titles may be subject to change. 

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Embark on two powerful journeys of courage, tradition, and transformation that celebrate the strength of community and the spirit of resilience.

In 2500 MILES, a dedicated sewing teacher sets off on an extraordinary motorcycle ride from Los Angeles to her hometown of Selma, Alabama. Returning to the very school where she first learned to read and write, she shares her craft with the next generation—stitching together past and present in a moving story of empowerment and return.

BEYOND THE HERD offers an intimate portrait of Mexican-American equestrians Amber and Isidro, whose unbreakable bond with wild mustangs mirrors their own struggles against discrimination. As resources dwindle, their work becomes both an act of survival and a testament to resilience—transforming untamed horses into loyal companions and symbols of strength.

Together, these documentaries weave unforgettable narratives of perseverance and identity, reminding us that journeys of the heart are as transformative as the miles traveled.

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Note: Films are unrated by the MPAA. Program is current at time of publication and titles may be subject to change. 

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Step into a night of striking stories that challenge authority, probe identity, and illuminate the bonds that hold us together.

The feature MOTHERLAND imagines an alternate present where the state raises children so parents are “free” from the burden of family. When a loyal rule enforcer uncovers a harrowing truth, her discovery sparks rebellion in a world where love itself has been outlawed. Featuring a powerhouse cast that includes Miriam Silverman, Nestor Carbonell, Holland Taylor, Emily Arancio, and Molly Hager, the film confronts the cost of control and the courage it takes to fight back.

In the short INDIGO, Amber—a woman caught in a haze of disconnection and regret—wrestles with the longing for change. The film captures her deeply internal journey with raw emotional honesty, pulling us into the quiet battles of self and soul.

Opening the program, the music video BABY BRIGHT by acclaimed artist Nadia Reid tells the lyrical story of a mother and daughter escaping their troubled past in search of healing, hope, and each other.

Together, these works explore rebellion, renewal, and the fragile beauty of human connection—making for an evening of cinema that resonates long after the credits roll.

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Note: Films are unrated by the MPAA. Program is current at time of publication and titles may be subject to change. 

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Step into an evening of bold storytelling where love, ambition, and reinvention collide with humor, grit, and just the right amount of edge.

Set against the neon glow of 1980s Los Angeles, the feature LOVEBUG follows Douglass (Logan Pepper), a naive young man who tumbles headfirst into the chaotic orbit of Gracie, a hustler with big ideas and no shame. After their first wild night together, she convinces him to step into the adult film industry—with her as his unlikely manager. What begins as an innocent infatuation quickly becomes a coming-of-age tale soaked in sex, hustle, and Hollywood dreams.

The comedy-drama FAIRYTALES ARE FOR LOSERS introduces two best friends from drama school—one Brit, one Yank—who find themselves reeling after their marriages simultaneously collapse. Instead of despair, they hatch a daring plan to rewrite their happily-ever-after, proving that sometimes friendship is the greatest fairytale of all.

Preceding both, satirist Jeff Hilliard’s music video MY FACE takes a wickedly funny look at power, role-play, and the eccentric ways a high-level executive chooses to blow off steam.

Together, these films and music video deliver an evening of satire, sex, heartbreak, and reinvention—a cinematic cocktail that’s as outrageous as it is heartfelt.

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Note: Films are unrated by the MPAA. Program is current at time of publication and titles may be subject to change. 

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Experience two powerful stories of reinvention, resilience, and the courage to step beyond society’s expectations.

Set in 1960s Peru, the feature MISTURA follows a privileged French-Peruvian woman whose world crumbles after her husband’s betrayal casts her out of Lima’s elite social circles. Forced to confront the people and traditions she was taught to disdain, she discovers solidarity, strength, and a daring new identity through a culinary venture that celebrates Peru’s extraordinary diversity. With food as both battleground and bridge, her journey sparks a cultural awakening that redefines not only her life, but also the meaning of Peru itself.

The short drama THE CALLBACK brings the spotlight to a modern-day struggle. A young actress, juggling the grind of waitressing and the sting of her boss’s abuse, finds the strength to rise above in time for an audition that could change everything.

Together, these films explore the strength it takes to reclaim power, rewrite destiny, and embrace transformation—in the kitchen, on the stage, and within the human spirit.

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Note: Films are unrated by the MPAA. Program is current at time of publication and titles may be subject to change. 

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Explore two extraordinary stories where music becomes both a battleground and a bridge between tradition and innovation.

In DANIEL HO: LIFE AS AN AUDITION, ukulele virtuoso Daniel Ho takes audiences on an intimate journey through triumph and adversity. From growing up in Hawaii—surfboards, slack-key guitar, and the searing loss of his mother—to winning GRAMMY awards and facing backlash over his identity, Ho’s story is one of resilience, independence, and the power of music to both preserve heritage and transcend borders. His life redefines Hawaiian music as a language for the world.

In stark contrast, COMPOSER BOT plunges into the digital frontier of creativity. As AI-generated songs flood the internet by the millions, a composer responds by coding an app that clones his own musical sensibilities—an audacious experiment that questions the role of authenticity, artistry, and survival in the age of artificial intelligence.

Together, these films offer a dynamic double feature: one artist’s fight to honor roots and identity, and another’s quest to adapt and endure in a radically changing soundscape.

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Note: Films are unrated by the MPAA. Program is current at time of publication and titles may be subject to change. 

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Get ready for a night of sharp wit, big dreams, and bigger laughs as three wildly different stories collide on screen.

The feature comedy THE PROSPECT follows high school senior Jerry Vanetti, who’s been rejected from every college he applied to. Desperate to escape small-town obscurity, he masterminds an outrageous scam—posing as a star baseball recruit despite never having played the game. With the AV Club faking highlight reels and the drama department staging a phony exhibition, Jerry will do whatever it takes to hit his shot at the big leagues.

In the romantic comedy MY SO-CALLED IRAQI WEDDING, Iraqi-American Samira has finally found true love with Adam—just as she’s nearing 40. But while Samira dreams of her happily-ever-after, her mother dreams bigger: the wedding. Funny, heartfelt, and steeped in cultural expectation, the film explores what it means to find love while balancing family, tradition, and self-discovery.

Kicking off the program, Kyle Goulston’s music video F*CK YOU, BRYCE sets the tone with a bold, satirical punch, blending irreverent humor with biting commentary.

Together, these works deliver an evening of comedy, chaos, and romance that dares you not to laugh, swoon, and cheer.

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Note: Films are unrated by the MPAA. Program is current at time of publication and titles may be subject to change.