Henrick Vartanian
Once again, film warriors ascend to Mammoth Lakes, California for another round of exciting indie films by new and also familiar artists. The Mammoth Lakes Film Festival is the self-proclaimed premiere festival dedicated to discovering and supporting the next generation of filmmakers – and we strongly agree, here at Brave New Hollywood.
MLFF is a five-day festival that screens independent features and shorts in the spectacular setting of Mammoth Lakes—California’s premier mountain resort, high in the Eastern Sierra, held over Memorial Day weekend, from May 22-26, 2024.
This year, the opening night film, on May 22 is NEVER LOOK AWAY, a documentary by actress, filmmaker, Lucy Lawless focusing on Margaret Moth, the daring CNN combat camerawoman, who risks it all to put the viewer inside the conflict. When a fateful injury gets in the way of her appetite for danger and adrenaline, she has to find the strength to carry on.
The opening night gala welcoming filmmakers will also happen this same night at the Sierra Center Screening Room Lounge.
All eyes on Indie Films at the 10th Annual Mammoth Lakes Film Festival
Spotlighting a few films we want to watch at this year’s festival
BRANDO WITH A GLASS EYE (feature film, Greece), directed by Antonis Tsonis makes its West Coast Premiere. Starring Yiannis Niarros, the film tells the story of a method actor getting involved in a heist that goes wrong. By befriending a critically injured victim, he tries to reconcile his guilt before his one shot audition in New York. With English subtitles, BRANDO screens on Friday May 24.
Returning to the festival is Noel David Taylor with his latest cult/fantasy feature film WELCOME FILMMAKERS. In the not-too-distant future/parallel universe/dream, Guy finds himself at a film festival for a movie that may or may not exist, that he has allegedly made. A paranoid and disorienting quest for identity leads him into a world of V.R. video games, underground raves, and other-worldly entities. Reality unravels leaving nothing behind, but that’s fine. Taylor brought his quirky comedy-fantasy, MAN UNDER THE TABLE to MLFF in 2021
From Iran, comes WINTER THRESHOLD (documentary) by Soudabeh Beizaei making its international Premiere on May 24. The film is about an Iranian mother’s unyielding love for her son transforms into a powerful journey of self-discovery as Mahsa navigates unexpected challenges, revealing not only her dedication to Kasra’s education but also the haunting truth about her own marriage.
THE LAST NIGHT IN THE LIFE OF DEATH (Narrative feature) by 17-year-old actor, director, Isaiah Brody, originally from Venice, California. This fantasy, letter-to-younger-self film digs into the nightly visits by Death who comes to take care of people who move on from here to forever. But on one of those nights, tonight, something has changed, and Death is confronted with the possibility that there is no longer any use for his kind. Making its world premiere at the Mammoth Lakes Film Festival, on May 24, 2024
ATIKAMEKW SUNS (Narrative feature, Canada), directed by Chloé Leriche. This documentary/fiction hybrid examines the coverup of a crime against a Native American family, freely inspired by the dreams, impressions, and memories of the victims’ loved ones. Screening on Saturday, May 25, 2024.
BLACK BOX DIARIES (Documentary Feature – USA, United Kingdom, Japan), directed by Shiori Ito. Journalist Shiori Ito investigates her own sexual assault, seeking to prosecute the high-profile offender. Her quest becomes a landmark case, exposing Japan’s outdated judicial and societal systems. Screening on Sunday, May 26.
At Brave New Hollywood, we highly recommend the documentaries and the short film line ups. The MLFF team seem to have extra special talents in selecting these genres of films.
For a complete line up of feature length narrative, documentaries and shorts screening at this year’s Mammoth Lakes Film Festival Click Here.
