CLIMAX 2024 Announces Film Festival Lineup

Under the visionary artistic direction of Raúl Asensio Diez, the CLIMAX Festival Internacional de Cinema Independiente is thrilled to announce its lineup for the virtual exhibition starting April 24, 2024. The festival, a celebration of global independent cinema, showcases a selection of films that exemplify thematic diversity and artistic depth.

The CLIMAX 2024 lineup promises a rich tapestry of cinematic experiences, beginning with Michelle Renee Arthur’s “Rings Of The Unpromised,” a thought-provoking exploration of human resilience; while Luis Villanueva’s “Wish U Were Here” merges retro aesthetics with modern technology to explore memory and identity. “Sedalia,” directed by Dustin Gene Chitty, is a cinematic contemplation on resilience and the transformative power of loss, as a man and a young boy confront the ruins of their world, echoing Chitty’s personal journey through grief and change.

Also leading this year’s selection is “Folded Whispers” by Mark Anthony Thomas, Shane McFarland, and Jordon Rooney. This poignant documentary short delves into the heart of Pittsburgh’s East Liberty neighborhood, exploring urban identity through a tapestry of poetry and introspection.

Mario Luis Telles’ “TIME” takes viewers on a journey beyond the dream of rock and roll stardom, blending humor with a philosophical examination of human desire and the passage of time. Stefano Giannotti’s “And There’s Someone” offers a serene yet profound meditation on mortality, set against a backdrop of aquatic tranquility.

Tyrone Evans Clark brings diversity and depth with multiple entries. His “Homeless Sam and Sally – The Movie” offers a poignant, humorous take on homelessness, balancing comedy with reality. In “Onnie The Witch,” Clark voices a witch faced with life’s minor annoyances, a metaphor for larger struggles, presented through vibrant animation. “The Tissue Man,” another animated musical from Clark, turns pandemic-induced tissue scarcity into a whimsical adventure, exemplifying human adaptability.

Music finds its voice in “Sick Love,” a music video by IamSnap, a.k.a. Shannon Obrien, depicting the harrowing journey through heroin addiction with raw realism and stylistic flair, while Jorge Barbosa’s “Diary: Gisele Shaw” documents the wrestling star’s trials and triumphs as a transgender woman in professional wrestling.

Aleš Urbanczik and Grzegorz Oleksa’s “Finding the Line” is a captivating 58-minute documentary that explores the transformative world of Structural Integration, inviting viewers to ponder the deeper connections of the mind and body.

Rory Knox’s “Ghosting Society” delves into the themes of existential despair and the quest for authenticity, as three men retreat into the wilderness. Nick Benjamin’s “A State Of” is a psychological thriller that skillfully portrays the complexities of mental illness, challenging viewers’ perceptions of reality.

Sam Kauffmann’s “Talking Trees” is a thought-provoking short film that highlights the interconnectedness between humanity and nature. Jacob Henry Miles’ animated “The Cleaners” ingeniously reflects on the human struggle against disorder through a Freudian and Jungian lens.

Lastly, Laura Splan’s “Baroque Bodies (Ambient Portals)” is a visual and intellectual marvel that fuses art, science, and technology, showcasing 3D molecular models and AI-generated landscapes that invite viewers to reconsider the natural and technological worlds.

Together, these films represent the festival’s commitment to showcasing a spectrum of human experiences, from resilience in the face of adversity to the celebration of diversity and the human spirit’s boundless creativity.

Additionally, the festival is proud to announce the projects currently nominated for Best Motion Picture of the Year: “No.8 Reporting” (Canada) by Aljosha Kilmov and Matthew Lyon, “The House of Loss” (Japan) by Jinkyu Jeon, “Naked Woman” (UK) by Ross Casswell, “Victim of Love” (Denmark) by Jesper Isaksen, “Visions in the Dark” (USA) by Flavia Moraes, and “Man with Shadow” (Slovenia) by Ema Kugler.

Join the celebration of innovative storytelling and cinematic brilliance at the CLIMAX Festival Internacional de Cinema Independiente on April 24, 2024.