Section
Narrative Programs
We reflect upon impact and inspiration to imagine the tales that affirm our histories and build towards our future. With 16 Narrative Features in the festival, each film brings in a perspective from all over the globe; united in varying degrees of connection and joy. Travel to Japan to meet an old picture book writer named Yamazaki, and understand what romance and love means to him as an elderly gay man. In Pasadena, CA, we’ll meet Laela and Colin; two long lost high school sweethearts who unexpectedly reunite 23 years after being separated during the 1998 riots in Jakarta, Visit Iran to meet Esmail, a newly named Patriarch, and his family that is constantly arguing and under pressure from various debts in the face of sanctions against Iran, And enter an ethereal, mythical tale of a colonial-era boarding school in the Himalayan mountains, to meet the mischievous sixteen-year-old Jaivardhana and his crush Tarini. We are excited to celebrate these World, International and LA Premiere presentations. Filmmakers will be in attendance to connect with audiences after the screenings.
