Roxie First Looks #11

With Filmmakers Q&A after the Sunday, July 26th screening!

First Looks, the Roxie’s Oscar-Qualifying Theatrical Release program, supports filmmakers in their Academy Award quest. We put together a unique lineup of shorts (with running times of 40 minutes and under) from any genre (documentary, narrative, and animation) to serve as the film’s Academy qualifying run. 

Filmmakers interested in participating can check out more info here.

The Second Life of Freddie Nole (21 minutes)
Director: Dana Nachman

Synopsis: When Freddie Nole drives to meet a man walking out of prison, he’s not just offering a ride, he’s
offering hope, dignity, and a path to permanent freedom. As this vérité road trip unfolds, we
come to learn the remarkable story behind Freddie’s mission, a staggering mistake that cost him
50 years of freedom but ultimately brings him right back to the prison door.

The Motorcycle Man (11 minutes)
Director: Jason Ward

Synopsis: An easy-riding and sharp-tongued former motorcycle racer acts as reluctant guide to two young travelers searching for Ken Kesey’s cabin in Northern California’s Santa Cruz Mountains.

Le Poids de la Fumée (The Weight of Smoke) (16:15 minutes)
Director: Jake Rowland

Synopsis: A young woman adrift in Paris contemplates the tragic beauty of art, the passage of
childhood, and her place on the eternal carousel of fate.

The Piano (8 minutes)
Director: Avery Kroll

Synopsis: One night, a young girl discovers her father bent over the keys at the piano, sparking a lifelong bond that resonates far beyond their final note.

Feathers and Blood (15:30 minutes)
Director: Jane Sanger

Synopsis: On a remote, failing farm, elderly widow Mary clings desperately to the only life
she has ever known attempting to rewild her barren farm. Childless and increasingly isolated, she refuses lucrative offers from property developers and rejects the painful truth that dementia is slowly stealing her memories and independence.

Clay (9:30 minutes)
Director: Kevin Haefelin

Synopsis: “Crack of dawn, little one crawls out craving form.”

Emerging from a plaster egg in Central Park, a baby embarks on a lyrical voyage through the city’s pulse, uncovering her true form.

The View (18 minutes)
Director:  Alli Sadegiani

Synopsis: In 1980s Sweden, an immigrant boy embarks on a journey of self-discovery, identity and love, finding solace in video games and a secret friendship. As he navigates societal pressure, admiration for Prince, and a life-changing condition, he questions where true acceptance lies.