Announcing World Premiere: Overload

If you're the kind of person who loves to curl up on the sofa and watch a Friday night thriller, you have to check out Overload, filmmaker Robert Fritz's first full-length feature film. An intellectual and artist, Fritz is already an accomplished author and pioneer on structural dynamics, but he shows his storytelling chops—no doubt a testimony to his training at the Boston Conservatory of Music—in creating such a seat-of-pants, intelligent and creatively plotted thriller.

With its love story subplot, Overload is a worthy date movie, and if you're anything like some of the festival's judges, the film will keep you glued to your seat. Here's the Trailer.

Announcing World Premiere: Strange Little Girl

Turkish filmmaker Bessy Adut makes her world debut with this heartfelt story of a girl who doesn't fit in. Shot as a college final project and completed in May 2009, Strange Little Girl exhibits Adut's keen eye for nuance, remarkable sensitivity, and dedication to her craft.

The youthful lead in the movie finds a way to alter her perceptions through the lens of a video camera, and through doing so, Adut alters us, as well. You can watch the trailer here: Strange Little Girl Trailer

Announcing World Premiere: NZ XPRESS

This visually arresting and experimental film was shot entirely in the sweeping and varied landscapes of New Zealand. Montreal-based filmmaker Patrick van der Heyden is making his world premiere at New Hope.

Centering on a displaced traveler who lands in New Zealand in a fantastical way, the filmmaker takes us on a journey through some of earth's most exotic treasures. The film is better watched than described, so here's the trailer: NZ XPRESS Trailer

The Crimson Mask

This award-winning movie by Brooklyn filmmaker Elias Plagianos has won accolades ranging from Best Feature Film to Best Director and enters our festival under the Action category. This is the producer/director's first feature film.

The plot involves two men, a wealthy businessman named Thomas Caine and a down-and-out pro wrestler named Parker, both of whom find themselves unwitting prey in an age-old conspiracy. You'll find a taste of Plagianos's imaginative thriller here: The Crimson Mask Trailer

Announcing World Premiere: The Journey

Nollywood filmmaker Chineze Anyaene marks herself as the youngest lady in the history of Nigeria to shoot a film on 35mm with her debut, The Journey (Ije). And after witnessing the professional-level craftsmanship and acting, moviegoers will be doubly impressed to learn it was a student final project funded by Port Harcourt, Stella Maris Scholls Abuja Nigeria, Kodak and Panavision. If you're still wondering why we have a Student film category, here's your answer.

The story involves Chioma and her restless sister, Anya, who after growing up in the Nigerian countryside find themselves fighting for justice as Anya is accused of killing three people, one her husband, in a Hollywood Hills mansion. Don't miss the trailer: The Journey (Ije) Trailer

Announcing North American Premiere: Hope

There's something poetic about premiering a film called Hope in New Hope Film Festival's inaugural year.

This 1 hour and 44 minute documentary tells the story of an Iraqi refugee, Amal Basry, who goes from watching Titanic in a Baghdad cinema to clinging to a floating body in the waters between Indonesia and Australia. Australian producer and director Steve Thomas and co-producer Kim Anning collaborated with their courageous subject in this North American premiere.

Here's the trailer: Hope Trailer

Fantastic Glass Portrait

Having screened in 2009 at Asian American International Film Festival and CUNY Asian American Film Festival, this student film made its way to New Hope under our Mid-Atlantic Student category. Filmmaker Arckii MunJong Kim shot the 30-minute short as a final project.

The film tells the story of Archii, a Korean immigrant to New York City who creates art in a secret drawing room for 16 years until her American-born daughter discovers the secret, unlocking an identity crisis long hidden from view.

Here's the trailer: Fantastic Glass Portrait Trailer