Festival Puts 6 World Premieres in the Mix

This year, submissions to the Los Angeles Film Festival rose 25% to more than 2,500 entries. A total of 153 films from 22 countries will screen, including 15 works by first-time filmmakers and more than 17 digital films. Half the films are features and half documentaries. Six films, in no particular order, below, will be making their world premieres:

“2wks, 1yr,” written and directed by Chris McKay that illuminates the small moments in a couple’s life as they face a crossroads in their relationship.

“Showboy,” directed by and starring Christian Taylor and Lindy Heymann, about the absurdities involved in trying to make it as a performer in Hollywood and Las Vegas.

“Searching for Paradise,” Myra Paci’s feature about a daughter’s reaction when she learns her late father had cheated on her mother.

“Big O,” a documentary by Michaline Babich about three sexually dysfunctional women on a quest for greater satisfaction.

“I Am Trying to Break Your Heart,” documentary by Sam Jones about a turbulent year in the life of the rock band Wilco as it slides from great promise to great rejection and near breakup.

“Shaolin Ulysses: Kungfu Monks in America,” a documentary by Mei-Juin Chen and Martha Burr about the adventures of fighting monks in New York City, Houston and Las Vegas.

*

Lynn Smith