Cinequest 2014

A dark comedy about a social media junkie who fakes his own death via social media just to see which of his "friends" will show up to the funeral.

A girl risks everything for freedom after being trafficked from her mountain village in Nepal to a brothel in India.

An immigrant single mother discontented by her regular life decides to take a chance working at a Japanese restaurant and realize her dream to become a sushi chef and provide a better future to her family.

Todd Lucas is a naive songwriter from the Midwest. BJ Fairchild is a brash saxophonist from The Valley. Alone, they are pathetic losers. Together, they form the most mediocre R&B duo of the 1980s - Eternity.

THE RUGBY PLAYER is an uplifting and stereotype-shattering documentary that tells the story of a mother, a son, and what it takes to be a hero. The film explores the lives of Mark Bingham, one of the passengers of United Flight 93 on 9/11, and his mother, Alice Hoagland, a former United Airlines flight attendant. THE RUGBY PLAYER is an intimate portrait of how a son's heroism can inspire a nation, and how a mother's love can turn profound loss into unshakable resolve. Utilizing footage shot by Bingham himself, this timely film provides keen insights for the national debates on LGBT rights, marriage equality and gay athletes in sports.

The story of Oscar Grant III, a 22-year-old Bay Area resident, who crosses paths with friends, enemies, family, and strangers on the last day of 2008.

A feel-good film about suicide! After many failed attempts at suicide, twenty-something Tom comes to the conclusion that he needs to think outside the box. He plans out the spectacular suicide.

David, the host of a local gay radio show in Buffalo, New York, struggles with self-doubt when his single sister asks him to be the father figure for her soon to be adopted Brazilian child. This story explores the exceptionally colorful relationship between a brother and sister, and the impact of the spoken word on the human spirit.

A novice nun about to take her vows uncovers a family secret dating back to the German occupation.

A pianist with stage fright endures a performance under the eyes of a mysterious sniper, who will shoot and kill him if a wrong note is played.

In late 18th century ice is a commodity more valuable than gold. When corrupt officials conspire to form a monopoly and fix its price, a gang of 11 professionals is formed to steal all the royal ice blocks in five storage for a night

In Jerusalem, a bullied teen befriends his grandfather and long lost uncle and soon they decide to solve their financial problems by robbing a bank.

To survive, a dying Newfoundland fishing village must convince a young doctor to take up residence by any means necessary.

A young guy decides to skip college in favor of joining his father on the lot of his used-car business.

SlingShot focuses on noted Segway inventor Dean Kamen and his work to solve the world's water crisis. An eccentric genius with a provocative world view, Kamen is an inspiration for future scientists. His inventions help people in need and ease suffering. SlingShot is about an indomitable man who just might have enough passion and innovative thinking to create a solution for a crisis affecting billions. Kamen lives in a house with secret passages, a closet full of denim and a helicopter garage. His latest passion: the SlingShot water purification system created to obliterate half of human illness on the planet. Kamen reminisces about improving home dialysis technology and choosing to forgo parenthood while lamenting he has only one lifetime for inventing. SlingShot is both an inspirational character study and a look at Kamen's vapor compression distiller from its earliest development through recent trials in rural Ghana and beyond.

Palestinian and Israeli businessmen co-found solar energy company amid community opposition. Utilize social media to garner support for their venture and Israel-Palestine peace process.

Two sisters travel to a cheesy tourist trap where they battle toxic monsters dressed in bigfoot costumes in order to save the ones they love.

Two loving couple are blessed with a newborn baby. Their new blessing changes everything, and the mother is taking the major load of baby duty. Until one day she gets to a point where she decides to leave the house for a break, and leave the father for the very first time alone with their kid.

Simple silhouettes and old photographs shape hand-colored 16mm textures into a dream-like vision of shorelines and seascapes.

The adaptation from a poem by Walt Curtis about a cowboy town that torments the local drunk.

Love in the Time of Advertising is an animated short film about a young man living inside of a billboard, charged with updating the advertisements. When a tear in the sign reveals a beautiful young lady living across the highway, he falls instantly in love. Unable to leave his billboard home to tell her how he feels, he decides to use the only method he knows in order to get his message across - advertising.

A black comedy exploring some of life's common fears: fear of the unknown, of failure, rejection and finally the fear of death. Narrated by George Takei.

Mr Hublot is a withdrawn, idiosyncratic character with OCD, scared of change and the outside world. Robot Pet's arrival turns his life upside down: he has to share his home with this very invasive companion.

The Numberlys is an epic homage to Fritz Lang's Metropolis, but for kids. Friends 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 live in a world where there is no alphabet - only numbers. One day, they decide they want something different from their orderly, black-and-white world. They set out to create each letter of the alphabet and bring color, creativity and jellybeans to their world.

Cats, dogs, ants and swans enjoy an unexpectedly adventurous and colorful evening of frolic, music, libations and more.