Mammoth Lakes Film Festival has announced the lineup for its 12th annual event, which will be held May 20-24 at the California mountain resort. The festival will open with the presentation of the Sierra Spirit Award to Oscar-winning actress Marlee Matlin and a 40th anniversary screening of “Children of a Lesser God.” The festival concludes on May 24 with a screening of Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner Nuisance Bear, followed by a Q&A with director Jack Wiseman.
The festival will feature 12 U.S. West Coast, international and world premieres, as well as 32 short stories, 15 short documentaries, 16 animated shorts, music videos and a screenplay competition. New this year is Reel Flavors & Fine Vines, a wine and food pairing event created by winemaker Rachel Stellarlys Davis of Napa Valley’s Stellarlys Wines and chefs from the new Limelight Mammoth Hotel & Residences.
“We are honored to celebrate this year’s Sierra Spirit Award recipient, Marlee Matlin, whose groundbreaking career has redefined cinematic expression and expanded the possibilities of cinema,” said Festival Director Shira Dubrovner. “In addition to her recognition, this year’s program will feature bold, award-winning films from leading film festivals, along with new discoveries that push boundaries, reflecting the same spirit of storytelling that Marley has always championed.”
Programming Director Paul Sbrizzi added, “Even as our country and the world move through dark times of violence and political turmoil, compelling, personal and innovative expression in film continues. We are committed to finding the best, evaluating each film on its own merits, and bringing together a community of inspiring, inspiring and visionary filmmakers.”
The lineup of feature films is as follows:
Features of North American stories:
“Danny Is My Boyfriend” (USA) – When her new boyfriend Danny asks her to take care of his dog while he’s out of town to help prepare for his sister’s baby’s nondenominational circumcision party, it feels like a major milestone: proof that her relationship (and life) is on track. But that illusion is shattered when a stranger on the street recognizes the dog as her boyfriend Danny’s dog. Brooke Smith stars in “The Silence of the Lambs.” Directed and written by Lucy Sandler and Mekhi Lakatos.
“Debt to the Dead” (Mexico) A thrilling, deeply human, wild and stylish black and white neo-noir. Cipriano Zuzunaga (Gerardo Trejo Luna) is a tired police officer whose best days are behind him. When Juan Perea, the son of a prominent congressman, is kidnapped, Zuzunaga is ordered to conduct a solo investigation in a city area where there are many suspects. Directed and written by Daniel Castro Zimbrón. International premiere.
“Mono 222” (USA) – A gorgeous, colorful, kaleidoscopic semi-documentary about the world of curious, creative, multicultural 20-somethings who love, fight, and light up the Los Angeles nights. A snapshot of a generation learning, losing, and yearning in the heart of a restless city. Directed and written by Quinton Dominguez. world premiere
“Ten Will” (USA) – One of the most daring films of the year, Ten Will is a comedy-drama about a newly released sex offender trying to survive on the streets of Los Angeles, rejected by other homeless people, and then proposing to a woman who writes him a letter while in prison. DeFalco has a unique style that includes dynamic zooms, high-stakes scenes where characters talk to each other, and a comedic sensibility that’s somewhere between Harmony Korine and John Waters. Directed and written by Max DeFalco.
“Toronto Apartment” (Canada) – A quirky lo-fi comedy anchored by a great lead performance from writer/director Tristan Wheeler. An absurdist, satirical look at the struggle to survive in the big city, it’s reminiscent of Boots Riley’s sensibilities and classic Jim Carrey comedy. Directed and written by Tristan Wheeler. World premiere.
International story features:
“I Dream of a Lion” (Brazil/Portugal/Spain) – A raw, moving, surreal and hilarious story of a Brazilian woman (Dennis Fraga) with terminal cancer who seeks a dignified death and connects with a much younger comrade as she becomes involved in a shadowy secret euthanasia organization. Directed and written by Paolo Malinou-Blanco. west coast premiere
“Memories of Princess Mumbi” (Kenya, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia) – Swiss-Kenyan director Damien Hauser takes us to an Africa like we have never seen before. In 2093, film director Kube travels to Umata to document life after modern technology is banned due to war. Local filmmaker Mumbi takes on the challenge of creating without AI, leading us to discover beauty in life’s simple moments. Directed and written by Damien Hauser.
“Noir” (Turkey) – A darkly bold, wryly funny story about a violent, patriarchal Turkish family whose suspicion of outsiders grows after the death of a family member. A true auteur film with stunningly innovative visuals and exuberant performances. Directed and written by Ragip Ergun.
international premiere
“Spring Came on Laughing” (Egypt) – This black comedy anthology presents four stories and a captivating finale. Misunderstandings and confusion escalate from a chaotic brunch to a marriage proposal to a wild birthday party. The wedding day turns into a nightmare when an allegation of theft shakes up the beauty salon. As the seasons change, the autumn finale brings hope of rejuvenation. Directed and written by Noha Adel. North American Premier
“Tony Odyssey” (Brazil) – Tony and his best friend Ivy plan to rob the bar where he is enslaved and steal reality-altering drugs that will set him on a psychedelic adventure. Through extravagant, surreal visions and shattered memories, Tony searches for answers and the power to rewrite his destiny, confronting his past and confronting God himself. Directed and written by Thales Banzai.
Documentary features:
“Bombed at Harvey’s” (USA) – In 1980, a 1,000 pound dynamite bomb was delivered to Harvey’s Wagon Wheel Casino in Lake Tahoe with a $3 million ransom note demanding payment within 24 hours. The FBI rushes to arrest the extortionist as the bomb squad works to disarm him. Directed by Amy Vandrien Stokle and Brian Stokle. west coast premiere
“The Moths & The Flame” (USA) – A moving observational documentary about young, cheerful and caring black fathers in Florida as they experience the inevitable changes in their lives that come with starting a family. The work uses a stark visual aesthetic to subvert stereotypes about young black men and explores the subject’s vulnerability and humor. Premiered in Berlin in 2026. Directed by Kevin Content. North American Premier
“Nuisance Bear” (Canada, USA, UK) – Closing Night Film. Polar bears’ traditional migratory routes lead polar bears into populated areas, creating conflicts between human interests and wild nature as animals struggle to survive in a changing world. Directed by Gabriela Osio Vanden and Jack Wiseman. Sundance Jury Award Winner — U.S. Documentary Competition.
“Sugarfly” (USA) – A surprisingly intimate and revealing portrait of two Native American drug addicts living in Seattle. They are both very creative and intelligent old souls. The palpable emotional bond between the two men and the filmmakers allows us to witness the beauty of their psyches and the depth of their struggles with their inner demons with great empathy using an unsettlingly harsh visual approach. The director is Max Schoenfeld. world premiere
“Welded Together” (Belarus) – A surprisingly intimate, poetic and truthful look at 18-year-old Katya, whose life as a welder is full of daily struggles and harsh realities. She is determined to protect her sister from the alcoholic Mother and Child Protection Service and works hard for a better future for them both. Directed by Anastasia Miroshnichenko. west coast premiere
Spotlight presentation:
Opening Night Sierra Spirit Awards Presentation: Marley Matlin – The festival’s highest honor, the Sierra Spirit Awards, is given to individuals who have carved out their own independent path in the world of film and television. The 40th anniversary screening of Children of a Lesser God will include a conversation with the host about her career.
“Inborn” (USA) – Simple, shocking, darkly beautiful imagery and over-the-top performances dramatize the psychology of a man deeply disappointed in his childhood and trying to recreate it by any means necessary. Directed and written by Joey Hirsch. world premiere
“Mountains of the Moon” (USA) – The invisible connections between sports, life, music, and the living Earth are illustrated to the timeless songs of the Grateful Dead. Shot almost entirely at night using state-of-the-art cinematography, the film takes viewers on a surreal journey through ocean, river, and mountain landscapes. We feature the world’s greatest athletes, adventurers, and thinkers. Directed and written by Chris Benchtler. world premiere
“One in a Million” (USA, UK, Germany) – An epic 10-year film that follows the journey of a young Syrian girl to Germany and back home. She and her family face the challenges of war and life as refugees, and experience culture shock, especially regarding the role of women in society. Directed by Itab Azzam and Jack McInnes. The film won the Audience Award at the Sundance World Cinema Documentary Competition.
