We would like to thank all of 2020 Sponsors for helping us make the 23rd Annual Arpa International Film Festival powered by Seed&Spark possible. Your generous support continues to embrace gifted filmmakers who are trying to make a difference. Thank you!

NOMINATED FOR THE BEST SHORT ANIMATED FILM AWARD

A useless, damaged, forgotten block of marble, after years of neglect ends up becoming one of the most beloved works of art. 

Director & Writer: James C. Bourne

View the pre-recorded Q&A here.

WEST COAST PREMIERE

Jo Swing is an accordionist, native from Lyon and Kessy Mac Queen is a singer, native from the Caribbean islands. Two French artists with disabilities who have passionate dreams in Music but they never met before.

Director & Writer: Nwaye Zar Che Soe / Producer: Benjamin Lemaitre  / Cast: Jo Swing, Kessy Mac Queen

UC IRVINE'S STUDENT FILM

A look into the inner workings of a west-coast college rowing team, and the passion that drives them to move forward.

Director: Larry Tang / Producer: Luis Gonzales, Anteater TV / Cast: UCI Rowing Team

NOMINATED FOR THE BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY FILM AWARD

Healing and redemption while pursuing a running record on the 470km Lebanon Mountain Trail.

Director: Bachar Khattar / Producers: Patrick Vaughan, Denise Jabbour, Jerome Gary, Tim Rockwood, Bachar Khattar / Cast: Patrick Vaughan, Avedis Kalpaklian, Ali Kedami, Laurent Esteoule-Bado, Phyllis Neriah Tsang

View the pre-recorded Q&A here.

WORLD PREMIERE

An elderly man remembers the full life of love he has lived, with the help of a wish he made on a dandelion years before.

Director: Jorg Viktor Steins-Lauss / Writers: Ryan T. Johnson, Michael Coles, Alex Nicole McConnell / Producers: Jorg Viktor Steins-Lauss, Mark Ragunton, Ryan T. Johnson / Cast: Ryan T. Johnson, Sidney Flack, Alex Nicole McConnell, Gaynell Doshier, Corey Cannon, Kayli Hessler, Kathy Jordan, David Murphy, Katrina Johnson, Marcos Calvillo

Elza is a tired young mother who has lost her bearings and values in life. 

Directors, Writers & Producers: Alex Fedosov & Elvira Sinelnik / Cast: Elvira Sinelnik, Erin Michele Soto, Ian Michaels, Sophia Fedosov

LOS ANGELES PREMIERE

A Poker-man Tournament turns into an epic final showdown between an elite member and an underdog.

Director: Lloyd Ea / Writer & Producer: Albert Le / Cast: Derick Gonzalez, Lilla Lavanakul, Andrew Stefani, Kerry Vang, Albert Le

LOS ANGELES PREMIERE 

The story of Jeff Pifher and his band Socrates' Trial and their idea of what jazz can be today.

Director: Alexander Craven / Producers: Jeff Pifher, Merlin Showalter, Jeff Pifher / Cast: Harlan Hodges, Ian Wurfl, Eric England, Misha Bigos, Colin Cook, Corey Coverstone, René G. Boscio, Jason LaRocca

WORLD PREMIERE

Unframed is about painted characters who discover a world outside of their frame, who cross boundaries to which they were predisposed to originally.

Director: Sona Yeghiazaryan / Writers: Tatev Yeghiazaryan, Sona Yeghiazaryan / Producer: Tatev / Cast: Armen Azadian, Seda Sargsyan,  Lucy Yeghiazaryan, Tatev