Stolen Kingdom is a documentary that delves into the history of mischief, scandal, and theft at Walt Disney World, ultimately leading to the theft of an animatronic valued at nearly half a million dollars. The film features key figures from the park’s underground exploration community, each sharing their unique stories. As the narrative unfolds, early pranks and antics are shown to have inspired more recent crimes, culminating in a true crime mystery. What begins as a tale of friendship and passion ends with one lingering question: Who stole Buzzy?
Hatched
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
Starring: Amber Tamblyn, Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera, Blake Lively, Jenna Boyd, Bradley Whitford
Bridget (Blake Lively), Carmen (America Ferrera), Lena (Alexis Bledel) and Tibby (Amber Tamblyn) are best friends living in Maryland. After many summers together, the four are finally going their separate ways for a few months: while Bridget heads to Mexico, and Lena visits family in Greece, Carmen and Tibby stay closer to home. No matter where they are, they are connected by a pair of jeans that they take turns sharing — pants that fit all four girls and exemplify their tight bond.
Pinocchio (1940)
Starring: Dickie Jones, Christian Rub, Cliff Edwards, Evelyn Venable, Walter Catlett
When the woodworker Geppetto (Christian Rub) sees a falling star, he wishes that the puppet he just finished, Pinocchio (Dickie Jones), could become a real boy. In the night, the Blue Fairy (Evelyn Venable) grants Geppetto’s wish and asks Jiminy Cricket (Cliff Edwards) to serve as the wooden boy’s conscience. But the naive and trusting Pinocchio falls into the clutches of the wicked Honest John (Walter Catlett), who leads him astray to the sinful Pleasure Island.
Troll 2 (1990)
Starring: Michael Paul Stephenson, George Hardy, Margo Prey, Connie Young, Robert Ormsby, Deborah Reed
When young Joshua (Michael Stephenson) learns that he will be going on vacation with his family to a small town called Nilbog, he protests adamantly. He is warned by the spirit of his deceased grandfather that goblins populate the town. His parents, Michael (George Hardy) and Diana (Margo Prey), dismiss his apprehensions, but soon learn to appreciate their son’s warnings. Guided by his grandfather’s ghost, will Joshua and his family stand a chance in fighting off these evil beings?
Mimic
Starring: Mira Sorvino, Jeremy Northam, Alexander Goodwin, Giancarlo Giannini, Charles S. Dutton, Josh Brolin
When a cockroach-spread plague threatens to decimate the child population of New York City, evolutionary biologist Susan Tyler (Mira Sorvino) and her research associates rig up a species of “Judas” bugs and introduce them into the environment, where they will mimic the diseased roaches and infiltrate their grubby habitats. So far so good … until the bugs keep on evolving and learn to mimic their next prey — humans.
The Godfather Part III
Starring: Al Pacino, Diane Keaton, Andy Garcia, Talia Shire, Eli Wallach, Joe Mantegna, George Hamilton, Bridget Fonda, Sofia Coppola
Our print of The Godfather Part III fell through, so we’ve had to switch format to DCP, which is The Godfather Coda (2020) version of the film
As Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) ages, he finds that being the head of the Corleone crime family isn’t getting any easier. He wants his family out of the Mafia, but the mob kingpin (Eli Wallach) isn’t eager to let one of the most powerful and wealthy families go legit. Making matters even worse is Michael’s nephew, Vincent (Andy Garcia). Not only does Vincent want a piece of the Corleone family’s criminal empire, but he also wants Michael’s daughter, Mary (Sofia Coppola).
The Black Room
Starring: Stephen Knight, Cassandra Gava, Jimmy Stathis, Clara Perryman, Linnea Quigley, Christopher McDonald
Ah yes – October – the month of friendly frolics with Ghouls and Goblins… BUT: who among you are daring enough to follow The Deuce into… THE BLACK ROOM?!!? Where Fantasy is laced with Fear and Kinky is forever knocking at the door!!
Tired with the tepid tedium of living the vanilla life of “wife and 2 kids,” horn-dog hubby secures himself a “private” sex-pad within the (yes – painted black!) walls of a Hollywood Hills mansion – despite the very obvious bizzarity of the brother/sister duo doing the leasing… The titular tryst-room being not only titularly painted and bedecked – but also a bounty of bravado decorating!! That unexplainably glowing coffee-table!? All those only-in-the-movies too-many-to-count magically always lit candles?!? The abundance of particularly placed ornate mirrors?? Perhaps doing double-duty for some surreptitious spying by the somewhat suspiciously sexual and satiate-needy sibs??!!?? And what is becoming of all the horn-dog hubby’s picked-up paramours? Does horn-dog hubby even care after he’s had his “fun”?? Even more to horn-dog hubby’s surprise, his (no Plain Jane, herself) henceforth left-alone wife – in a bit of the ol’ “what’s good for the goose is good for the gander” table-turning, even if initially getting the gander’s dander in an uproar – soon gets things in the titular dalliance-filled-digs swinging swingingly for them both!! But what parents in their right minds would leave their tykes with the likes of Linnea Quigley as the babysitter!!??!!
Despite its wildly willy-nilly release-dates ranging anywhere from 1982 to 1985 – “research” shows THE BLACK ROOM eventually turning up for a less-than 2 week run on 42nd St as the B-pic to 1985’s HELL HOLE – splitting their short-lived Deuce days between first the Selwyn (to be replaced by DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN) and then over to the Times Square (to be replaced by RETURN OF THE JEDI) – and it’s rumored that when the wind is “right” one can still hear those theater owners’ sizable sighs of relief swirling eddy-like betwixt what’s left of the two one-time movie palaces… a sound The Deuce plans to transplant with some proper panting that this singular sexed-up head-scratcher deserves!! (And if any y’all can explain what the heckle is happening in that poster – please drop us a line…)
The Aristocats
Starring: Phil Harris, Eva Gabor, Sterling Holloway, Scatman Crothers
When a retired opera singer leaves her inheritance to her cat, Duchess (Eva Gabor), and three kittens, the woman’s butler drugs the cats and abandons them in the countryside in order to inherit the fortune himself. Lost in unfamiliar territory, Duchess and the kittens meet Thomas O’Malley (Phil Harris), an alley cat willing to help them return to their home in Paris. They meet several kooky characters along the way, including two English geese and an alley cat jazz band.
Gas Food Lodging
Starring: Brooke Adams, Ione Skye, Fairuza Balk, James Brolin
The Future of Film is Female continues its year-long celebration of 90s cinema with a screening of Allison Anders GAS FOOD LODGING. To make an additional $10 donation to The Future of Film is Female, select the “Event + Donation” ticket on the checkout screen.
“Imagine The Last Picture Show shot in color and shaped by a rueful feminine perspective, in a place where women are hopelessly anchored while the men drift through like tumbleweed. The becalmed town of Laramie, N.M., is the setting in which Nora (Brooke Adams), a hard-working waitress with a knowing, generous grin, has tried to bring up her two unruly daughters. … Gas Food Lodging is a big film in a small setting, a keenly observed character study of women who don’t know their own strength. The film shows how they find that strength and heal old wounds, discovering great reserves of grace and hope in the process.” —Janet Maslin, The New York Times, July 31, 1992
Nitehawk Shorts Animation Showcase
Welcome to a showcase of some of our favorite animated shorts from the Nitehawk Shorts Festival from 2022 – 2025. These shorts range from silly to sexy to surreal, and everywhere in between, and beautifully showcase the work of up and coming animators from all over the world. The screening will be followed by a panel with some of the animators of these shorts.
Pussy Love Linda Krauss
Germany 2023 4 min. English
Hey Puss! Still playing hard to get? Let me be your pussycat.
Are You Still Watching? Tali Polichtuk, Kitty Chrystal
Australia 2021 6 min. English
During one of Melbourne’s COVID-19 lockdowns, Jamie keeps themselves entertained bingeing on queer film and TV. What begins as mere escapism turns sensual when they start having delusions involving their favourite queer characters.
Buzzkill Peter Ahern
U.S. 2022 5 min. English
Tune in to the blind date woes of Rick and Becky.
Sierra Sander Joon
Estonia 2022 16 min.
A boy accidentally turns himself into a car tire. Loosely inspired by the director’s childhood.
TRICHOTILLOMANIA! Kelly Schiesswohl
U.S. 2020 – 2021 4 min. English
The story of one girl’s Google-search-gone-wrong to find out why she can’t stop pulling out her hair.
Unbearable Stephen Sues
U.S. 2024 7 min. English
A bear struggling with insomnia during hibernation season seeks help from a rabbit hypnotist, who uses unorthodox methods to get to the root of the problem.
Ninety-five Senses Jerusha Hess, Jared Hess
U.S. 2022 13 min. English
An ode to the five senses delivered by a death-row inmate (Tim Blake Nelson) with little time left to enjoy them.
PAWN SHOP Amouri Edwards
U.S. 2024 4 min. English
A magical pawn shop owner trades enchanted objects that alter the state of three unsuspecting customers – an old wise lady, a little boy and a vain man.
Nuevo Rico Kristian Mercado
Puerto Rico, U.S. 2020 16 min. English, Spanish
A brother and sister stumble upon a celestial secret that changes their lives forever and propels them into Reggaetón stardom, but they soon discover that their newfound fame comes at a deep price.
Launch Leah Shore
U.S. 2021 3 min. English
“Thirty-five years after astronauts placed reflectors on the lunar surface, scientists have used these devices to test Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity. The findings may help to explain physical laws of the universe.” – Nasa
Night Ahmad Saleh
Germany, Qatar, Palestine, Jordan 2021 16 min. Arabic
Night has to trick the mother of a missing child into sleeping in order to save her soul.
Flutz Ryan McCown
U.S. 2022 8 min. English
A rivalry between two figure skaters. And a witch.
For more animated Nitehawk Shorts alumni, check out screenings of FANTASTIC PLANET and THE TIME MASTERS.
