After the death of her friend Robin Williams, comedian Margaret Cho took to the streets with the mantra “Don’t grieve Robin, BE Robin.” What started as Margaret busking on the corner with a bag of socks and a guitar case, rapidly turned into hundreds of musicians, comedians, and homeless advocates spreading food, clothes, money and awareness in an amazing humanitarian street theater experience.  The result is this entertaining documentary that not only captures the events, but shares a deeply moving and inspiring story. -Chris Metzler

Plays with:  SILVER DOGS, Erin Drake-Prior, 18 min.

“Everything here feels cannily attuned to a wry, singular if not always explicable comic sensibility.” -Dennis Harvey, Variety

Reminiscent of early deadpan comedies by Jim Jarmusch and Wayne Wang films, and made by a crew of four with their families and friends. Indignant slacker Takashi (Kiyohiko Shibukawa) has an attitude. Unfortunately there’s no one but his ancient grandmother (Misao Hirayama, the director’s 96-year-old grandmother) and pleasant friend Shohei (Kaori Iida) to hear Takashi’s apathetic wisecracks in the small city of Otawara, Japan. One day, Yuka (Ayasa Takahashi) appears and announces herself to be his half-sister by their deadbeat father. It doesn’t take long to size up her near-middle-aged unemployed sibling, charging him to take action that sets the film off on a fantastical turn. Prolific character actor Shibukawa shines as lead in this delightful comedy from Tochigi Prefecture film collective Foolish Piggies. Official selection at the film festivals:

Changing Season chronicles a transitional year-in-the-life of famed farmer, slow food advocate, and sansei, David “Mas” Masumoto, and his compelling relationship with daughter Nikiko, who returns to the family farm with the intention of stepping into her father’s work boots. Mas’ hopes and hesitations for the future are shored up with his daughter’s return, even as the family navigates other struggles. The film is interspliced with moments of Nikiko’s razor sharp meditations on her family’s internment during WWII and her role as a queer, progressive farmer in the Central Valley. -Chris Metzler

Plays with:  TOUCHING THE UNTOUCHABLE, Chihiro Wimbush and Meena Srinivasan, 8 min.

From the isolation of his secluded desert compound in Southern California, Edwin Borsheim, eccentric founder of the long forgotten shock metal band Kettle Cadaver, ruminates on a life of violence, mayhem and personal destruction lived on the absolute edge of the known musical universe. This is anything but your typical music doc of sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll. -Chris Metzler

Co-presented by Noise Pop

G.J.’s mother Cindy (Rene Russo), was the ultimate groupie of one-hit wonder 80’s new wave band OXO, and married G.J.’s stepfather Frank (Oliver Platt) with dreams of glamor and awards shows. It didn’t quite work out. Meanwhile, G.J. is getting ready to head off to film school, only to find his parents have blown his inheritance on a basement studio for his out-of-work drunk stepfather. Both Frank and Cindy swear this time they will change for sure, and G.J. turns a camera on them to catch their empty promise. A narrative version of his This American Life-featured documentary, director Echternkamp mines his own family’s imperfections for a touching and hilarious story of failure and denial. -Bears Fonte

After the film, please join us right down the street for DJ Shindog’s one hit wonder 80s/90s dance mix, open bar and some special surprises!

Hustlers Convention is a hip-hop history lesson that feels at times like a rap cousin of Searching for Sugar Man.  As the filmmaker goes in search of the artist behind the influential 1973 album Hustlers Convention that changed the world, Mike Todd’s documentary re-examines a lost ancestral moment of black consciousness and black pop culture.  Interviews include George Clinton, Fab 5 Freddy, Ice-T and Chuck D as the film builds to the album's first live performance by Jalal Nuriddin aka Lightnin' Rod. -Chris Metzler

Co-Presented by Noise Pop

Faced with the challenges of war and conflict, several musicians in post-9/11 Pakistan go on a quest for self-identity and start a music show designed to help reclaim the rich and vast musical heritage of the region. Bringing together unique cultural experiences and musical genres, including but not limited to Folk, Sufi, Rock, Pop and Rap, the filmmakers capture the show from its humble beginnings. The result is an experience that unifies eastern and western sounds to make music that resonated across the globe and inspired inward reflection. -Chris Metzler

Co-presented by Noise Pop

For the first time in 12 years, Emi (a struggling actress) returns to her small hometown in Japan. While on the surface everything seems to be as she left it, her childhood friends have grown into responsible adults -- forcing Emi to confront realistic matters: marriage, pregnancy, economic hardship, and aging. Director/writer Chihiro Amano crafts a universal tale of modern adult life. Starring Emiri Kosaki, Kiyohiko Shibukawa, and Takehirto Sato.

Writer-Director Chihiro Amano has been directing films since 2009, and movie critic Tom Mes describes her as “profusely talented.” Starring Emiri Kosaki, Kiyohiko Shibukawa, and Takehirto Sato. Official selection at the Aichi International Women’s Film Festival in Japan. –Jeff M. Giordano

“There is more than a nod to classic Yesilçam comedies here, and the laughs come in thick and fast throughout this action-packed comedy adventure.” - Ipek Özerim, T-Vine: Film Review

A comedy focusing on veterinary surgeon and professor Niyazi Gul, teaches students in the university's veterinary department. When he isn't educating young minds, Niyazi searches for the missing ingredient in a magic elixir handed down from his grandfather. Sultan and Ryza, who race horses, hear about this magical serum, which could boost the speed and strength of their steeds. Thus, unassuming Niyazi becomes embroiled in an action-packed, comedic adventure to unravel the secret of his grandfather's recipe. (Time Out). Starring Ata Demirer, Demet Akbag, Levent Ülgen, and Sebnem Bozoklu. (Time Out) –Jeff M. Giordano

In this biting, darkly comedic exploration of the 2011 Occupy Wall Street movement -- an alternative perspective is offered.As the 2011 Occupy Wall Street movement rages, Robert and John (New York investment bankers) who are angered by the noise, smell, and hassle of the protests -– form their own counter movement: Occupy Occupy Wall Street. Director/writer Brendan Gibbons offers a poignant gaze at a defining issue of our time. Starring Jason Selvig, Davram Stiefler, and Julia Collier. Official selection at the Brooklyn Film Festival. -Jeff M. Giordano

Prince goes Sahel in this remake of Purple Rain in the Saharan Desert.  The first feature film in the Tamashek language (which has no word for "purple," hence the title), the film tells the universal story of a musician trying to make it against all odds. With a purple robe and matching chopper, a smoking hot guitarist arrives in a music-mad Niger town and sets about wooing a local beauty, clashing with his pious father and fencing with the jealous king of the local scene until their climactic six-string shootout. -Chris Metzler

Co-presented by Noise Pop

“Slackjaw provides yet another example of an outlaw attitude that's alive and well in American movies.” –Eric Kohn (Indiewire)

Slackjaw is a mildly absurd, bromantic-dark comedy about the path to personal responsibility -- amidst the divisive fog of a politicized landscape. Bestowed as one of the 10 Best Undistributed Movies of 2015, by Indiewire’s Film Critic. Rob and his best friend Austyn apply to become human guinea pigs at the local medical testing facility of a vaguely intentioned, multi-national company called EvCorp. As the facility's mere presence has bitterly polarized their town, the two apply in stealth. Only Austyn is accepted, and ushered away, out of contact –- for his immersion into EvCorp's depths. As Rob navigates both sides of the town's deepening rift -- guilt and denial do battle in his mind, evoking eerie visions, paranoia, and a strange physical malady! Fans of Rick Alverson's Entertainment and Joel Potrykus' Buzzard should run to this movie. Official s

Velvet-voiced soul singer Syl Johnson struggled for decades before leaving the music business in the 1980s to open a Chicago fried-fish chain. But with the dawn of hip hop came the unexpected, widespread embrace of his 1967 song “Different Strokes” – sampled by artists as diverse as Run-DMC, Michael Jackson, the Wu-Tang Clan, Beastie Boys, Kid Rock, En Vogue, Usher and Kanye West, among many others – and new opportunities for the savvy performer emerged. With a lively soundtrack and an original score by Yo La Tengo, this buoyant documentary celebrates one man who can’t stop the music. -Chris Metzler

Co-presented by Noise Pop

A world-weary private investigator (John Hawkes) finds himself tangled up in sleazy scandal involving strip clubs, petty drug pushers, and missing girls. A love-letter to classic 70s Hollywood, Dennis Hauk’s debut feature plays out in five, twenty-two minute shots, the maximum allowed on Techniscope 35 mm. There is no Birdman-esque trickery here, just gritty camerawork making the most out of five locations from the City of Angels (fallen and otherwise). As Hawkes’ Mel Sampson tries to keep a promise to a girl he met just once, on a memorable night, he unravels a plot that pulls him out of his own self-imposed ennui and into the fray of justice. Also featuring Robert Forster, Rider Strong, Crystal Reed, Dichen Lachman, Natalie Zea and Jeff Fahey. Presented in glorious 35mm. -Bears Fonte

Join IndieFest staff, volunteers and filmmakers at our Wrap Party at the brand new Vortex Room!

Uncover the real story behind punk rock perseverance. As lead singer of the seminal L.A. punk rock band The Skulls, Steven “Billy Bones” Fortuna was an early pioneer of the genre, creating a lasting influence for uncounted musical successors. This raucous documentary focuses on his unwavering perseverance amid adversity throughout the past four decades, and includes interviews with the many he inspired, including the guys of Green Day. -Chris Metzler

Co-presented by Noise Pop

Director/writer Christopher Jason Bell delivers a timely portrait of survival and hope in post-911 America.

This atmospheric experience follows Ahmad, a middle-aged Syrian immigrant, holding wishes of starting his own taxi service. When he loses his menial employment at a gas station, Ahmad attempts to navigate the current American economy with optimism and faith. But when work is scarce, he begins to question his relationships and identity. Starring Ahmad Chahrour in his feature-film debut. -Jeff M. Giordano