NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) celebrated military movies as it screened films about a Mexican family receiving a surprising visit from I.C.E., a military wife struggling with work-life balance, and a homeless man feeding his dog, among other emotional tales.
The program began with Made in Baleares, a selection of films curated in partnership with the Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival. The program continued with InFocus: Veteran Cinema Shorts, a collection of films spotlighting the talent of military veterans behind and in front of the camera. Next came the Los Angeles premiere of Alberto and the Concrete Jungle, which tells a story of an adventurous digital nomad on a quest for freedom. The evening concluded with Fall Shorts, a mix of short narratives from NFMLA’s ongoing programming.
NFMLA showcases films by filmmakers of all backgrounds throughout the year in addition to its special InFocus programming, which celebrates diversity, inclusion, and region. All filmmakers are welcome and encouraged to submit their projects which will be considered for all upcoming NFMLA Festivals, regardless of the InFocus programming. Here is some information on the filmmakers and their films, as well as their video interviews with NFMLA Board Chair Danny De Lillo (Twitter/Instagram: @dannydelillo).
“Green,” directed by Kylie Murphy
About Kylie: Kylie Murphy is a filmmaker from New Jersey. She recently graduated from NYU Tisch Film and TV, where “Green” won Best Undergraduate Film at the Fusion Film Festival. She approaches film with a DIY spirit, often writing, directing, producing, editing, and shooting her projects. She currently works as a freelance editor.
About “Green”: A female standup gets bumped when a famous comic returns after sexual misconduct allegations.
Watch the NFMLA interview with Kylie Murphy, director of “Green”:
Twitter: @kypicture_
Instagram: @kypicture
“3:35 to Boston,” directed by Kay Barnes
About Kay: Kay Barnes is a writer-director born in Alabama. After graduating high school, she joined the Army National Guard, which took her worldwide. While serving her country, she earned a B.A. in Theatre from the University of Alabama and completed a PA course through the Georgia Film Academy. She immediately immersed herself in the Atlanta film industry. She has been a fellow in the Warner Media Veterans in Media Fellowship and the Writer’s Guild Foundation Veterans Writing Project.
About “3:35 to Boston”: A military wife, struggling to balance all the pieces of her life, breaks down when she realizes that the life she had planned for herself may not be possible.
Watch the NFMLA interview with Kay Barnes, director of “3:35 to Boston”:
Twitter: @thekaybarnes
Instagram: @thekaybarnes
“I.C.E.,” directed by Enrique “Rico” Diaz
About Enrique: Enrique “Rico” Diaz served as a Captain for the United States Marine Corps and earned a combat action ribbon while serving with a special operations unit. As a result of his service, he was disabled for a few years. He persevered through painful surgeries and innovative therapies to complete his film education at UCLA. His films were accepted into many top festivals, including Cannes, South by Southwest, LA Shorts Fest, and Palm Springs International ShortFest. The films he directed have won several awards, including Best Short. His short “DeKalb Elementary” was nominated for the 2018 Oscar for Best Live Action Short.
About Simon: Simon Morton is an award-winning writer, actor, filmmaker and professional airplane pilot based in Los Angeles. He wrote and acted in his first stage play at the age of 12 and pursued stand-up comedy before studying the Meisner technique.
About “I.C.E.”: A well-to-do Mexican family gets a surprise visit by I.C.E., which has been renamed “Immigration and Customs Encouragement.”
Watch the NFMLA interview with Enrique “Rico” Diaz, director of “I.C.E.” and Simon Morton, writer of “I.C.E”:
Instagram: @thesimonmorton
“TwoBears,” directed by Anthony Florez
About Anthony: Anthony Florez is a member of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe of Northern Nevada. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2008, serving as a Surface Warfare Officer onboard the USS Nashville and USS Antietam. After departing the Navy, he accepted the Dean’s Fellowship in Television Writing to study at NYU Tisch Graduate Dramatic Writing Program. He recently worked on “Dark Winds,” an upcoming AMC television drama, and directed his short film “TwoBears.” Anthony currently serves as the Co-Chair of the WGA Native American and Indigenous Writers Committee (NAIWC).
About “TwoBears”: An over-the-hill janitor volunteers to spar with the local boxing champion.
Watch the NFMLA interview with Anthony Florez, director of “TwoBears”:
Instagram: @rezgolf
“The Hideaway,” directed by Jane Stephens Rosenthal
About Jane: Jane Stephens Rosenthal is a poet, actor and filmmaker living in Los Angeles. She graduated from the American Film Institute as a Directing Fellow. Her award-winning thesis film, “The Hideaway,” continues to play the festival circuit. In 2015 she started writing the acclaimed L.A. opera “Hopscotch.” When writing this film, she realized that if she wanted to feel the story from the inside, she had to direct it. She fell in love. She is currently working on her first feature.
About “The Hideaway”: After hearing a rumor that her mother is a stripper, 14-year-old Nika becomes determined to discover the truth, unknowingly crossing the threshold into adulthood.
Watch the NFMLA interview with Jane Stephens Rosenthal, director of “The Hideaway”:
Instagram: @janestephensrosenthal
“Guide On,” directed by Paige Compton
About Paige: Paige Compton earned a B.F.A. in Digital Filmmaking and Video Production from the Art Institute of Washington and an M.F.A. in Directing at the American Film Institute. During her time in the US Army, she held the title of Visual Information Equipment Operator/Maintainer (25R) and cross-trained in Graphic Design and Photography. The last four years of her military service were spent as an Audio Visual Director for the offices of the 44th President and Vice President of the United States. Paige is currently working on writing her first feature.
About “Guide On”: On her first day of basic training, an Army recruit stands out as she defiantly fights to be the first female guidon bearer.
Watch the NFMLA interview with Paige Compton, director of “Guide On”:
“What Kind Of Day Has It Been?” directed by Elijah Reynolds
About Elijah: Elijah Reynolds had a long passion for film while growing up in Heartland, Missouri. At a young age, Elijah was an advocate for others and chose film as his platform to bring awareness to social and political issues. After graduating high school, Elijah moved to L.A. and began his career in the film industry. After working in television development at Canny Lads Productions and Shoe Money Productions, Elijah switched to the creative side of the industry. In 2019 he produced four short films: “XOXO, Darla,” “Empty Nest,” “Exodus 4: The Face Of God,” and “What Kind of Day Has It Been?” Elijah hopes that “What Kind of Day Has It Been?” will spark conversations about mental health and public education.
About “What Kind Of Day Has It Been?”: Three high school students go through their stressful but normal day. Everything is totally ordinary — until it’s not.
Watch the NFMLA interview with Elijah Reynolds, director of “What Kind Of Day Has It Been?”:
“Peaches,” directed by Jared Januschka
About Max: Max Curry is a disabled veteran and Los Angeles-based producer who currently works for ACE Content. He still serves his fellow citizens as a Captain in the United States Army Reserves. Before his current job, he assisted entertainment executives at Higher Ground Productions and worked for film festivals in the mid-Atlantic, where he developed an appreciation for the technology, creativity and effort that goes into storytelling.
About “Peaches”: A homeless man finds his self-worth by finding a way to feed his dog.
Watch the NFMLA interview with Max Curry, writer of “Peaches”:
“Green Silk,” directed by Marina Wagner Moll
About Marina: Marina Wagner Moll is a Majorcan writer and filmmaker. She has a degree in Cinematography and Audiovisual Arts and received Honors for Daniel Tubau in Feature Film Screenplay. She also earned her Master’s degree in Executive Production from ECAM. In 2019, she received the Finalist Award for her short film “La tierra que no pisas” at the V International Short Film Competition of Abcguionistas. In 2020, she presented “Green Silk.” Currently, she is a script analyst for major production companies in Spain and is in the process of publishing her first novel.
About “Green Silk”: Through a radio program that features love letters, María finds refuge from the mistreatment of her son.
Watch the NFMLA interview with Marina Wagner Moll, director of “Green Silk”:
Twitter: @farofotogramas
Instagram: @minawagner
Main image: A scene from “3:35 to Boston”
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