Starring: Koji Imada, Sayaka Maeda, Takashi Fujii

Director Masaaki Yuasa’s masterful mash of visual styles, Mind Game is a psychedelic trip into the grave and beyond, following a down-on-his-luck loser named Nishi nursing a lifelong crush on his childhood girlfriend. On a particularly bad day, Nishi finds out that his dream girl’s engaged… and then he’s murdered by the Yakuza. Nishi’s death sets him off on a twist-turny, loop-dee-loop journey where he meets God, winds up in the belly of a whale and beyond. Told using an innovative blend of animation techniques, Mind Game hops from experimental photography to slapdash storyboards to beautifully rendered CG and back again.

Starring: Megumi Hayashibara, Tôru Emori, Katsunosuke Hori

The final film of visionary director Satoshi Kon (Perfect Blue, Millenium Actress), Paprika takes place in a near future where a device allows therapists to explore the dreamscapes of their patients. The head of the scientific team behind this new treatment, Atusko Chiba, creates an alter-ego named Paprika to help patients navigate their subconscious. When a thief steals the device and begins entering the minds of the public, the worlds of dreams and reality merge into a single psychedelic carnival.

This screening of Robot Carnival will feature a 35mm print of the U.S. theatrical dub of the film produced by Streamline Pictures.

Released on video in Japan, but theatrically in the U.S., animated anthology film Robot Carnival collects nine shorts on robotics and artificial intelligence from nine up-and-coming anime directors of the day. Featuring a wide-range of styles and influences, the film kickstarted the careers of directors like Katsuhiro Otomo (Akira), Yasuomi Umetsu (Kite, Mezzo Forte), and Hiroyuki Kitakubo (Roujin Z, Golden Boy) and several others who graduated to some of the most popular titles of the 1980s (Bubblegum Crisis, City Hunter, Char’s Counterattack, Urotsukidoji).

35mm original theatrical print courtesy of the UCLA Film & Television Archive.

This screening of Fist of the North Star will feature a 35mm print of the U.S. theatrical dub of the film produced by Streamline Pictures.

A full-scale nuclear war has left the planet a burned-out wasteland with the remnants of humanity are picked apart by murderous marauders. Wandering alone in the wastes is Kenshiro, the Fist of the North Star, a master of the Hokuto Shinken – a powerful martial arts style that basically amounts to punching bad guys so hard they explode. A hyper-violent classic from director Toyoo Ashida (Vampire Hunter D).

35mm original theatrical print courtesy of the UCLA Film & Television Archive.

Starring: Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Fred Savage,  Mandy Patinkin, André the Giant, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest, Peter Cook, Peter Falk, Wallace Shawn

A fairy tale adventure about a beautiful young woman and her one true love. He must find her after a long separation and save her. They must battle the evils of the mythical kingdom of Florin to be reunited with each other. Based on the William Goldman novel “The Princess Bride” which earned its own loyal audience.

Starring: James Cromwell, Mickey Rooney, Magda Szubanski, Mary Stein

After Babe’s great victory in the shepherding contest, Farmer Arthur Hoggett turns down all offers to make money with his pig’s talents. But when he gets hurt severely in the well, his wife has to take up farming. She does her best but cannot meet the bank’s requirements, which results in the necessity of getting back to Babe. Soon, Esme Hoggett is sitting in a plane headed for “the” city. There, Babe unwillingly causes deep trouble. He has to stay with Mrs. Hoggett in the only hotel in town that accepts pets. Friendly neighbours send officials who catch all animals from the hotel: Cats, dogs, chimpanzees and many others. Babe, who managed to stay free, decides to help his new friends and gets unexpected help – not only by Ferdinand, who flew all the way to the city.

Starring: Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, Linda Hunt, John Lithgow

It ain’t easy bein’ green — especially if you’re a likable (albeit smelly) ogre named Shrek. On a mission to retrieve a gorgeous princess from the clutches of a fire-breathing dragon, Shrek teams up with an unlikely compatriot — a wisecracking donkey.

The 2017 Shorts program is…hard to describe. If you’re too busy to take a mescaline-laced road trip to a strange city with your funniest friends, just come and watch these shorts. It’ll feel pretty much the same, and you won’t have to pay for gas. Featuring new work from Alan Resnick, Joe Firestone, Kati Skelton, Nathan Truesdale, and so, so, so much more.

Improv is Love

Directed by Doron Max Hagay

In this laugh-out-loud classic, an aspiring improviser has his priorities in wild disarray.

The Best Day of My Life

Directed by Tynan Delong

A single day in the misadventures of Eliza Hurwitz, a sweetly naive sales associate at Manhattan’s USA Girl Doll Store, who dreams of becoming an ENT doctor. A rare entrance of a series project into the festival. Stellar performances and a singular script make this a must-see.

What a Feeling

Directed by Jeff Nash

A dancer finds herself up for the opportunity of a lifetime. Does she have what it takes to achieve her dream?

Men Don’t Whisper

Directed by Jordan Firstman

After being emasculated at a sales conference, gay couple Reese and Peyton decide the only way to regain their confidence and prove their masculinity is to sleep with some women. When they meet fellow conference attendees and pleasure seekers Beth and Dominique, it seems like a perfect match. Unfortunately sealing the deal is easier said than done.

Weird Creatures

Directed by Manolo Moreno

Johnny Bubble

Directed by Alan Resnick

Johnny Bubble is a fictional creature who has lived a long and happy life with a beautiful family and strong ties to the community.

Business

Directed by Kati Skelton

A terrified young man gets caught up in a surreal and demoralizing ‘business opportunity.’ Will he make it out alive?

Magic Ranch

Directed by Eamon Monaghan

Two ranch hands try to work through their personal problems and perform a weekly magic show.

Balloonfest

Directed by Nathan Truesdell

A Rust Belt city attempts to reclaim its pride by releasing millions of balloons into the skies.

The 2017 Shorts program is…hard to describe. If you’re too busy to take a mescaline-laced road trip to a strange city with your funniest friends, just come and watch these shorts. It’ll feel pretty much the same, and you won’t have to pay for gas. Featuring new work from Alan Resnick, Joe Firestone, Kati Skelton, Nathan Truesdale, and so, so, so much more.

This is That Night

Directed by Matt Braunsdorf

An innocuous fourth date between Jon and Kris evolves into a marathon conversation as they begin to really fall for each other. However, once they call out how well it’s going, all bets are off.

Petals

Directed by Ryan Bennett and Max Rosen

Man goes by the name “Petals”, rolls into town and boy, oh boy.

Buzz

Directed by Mitch Magee

A codependent woman has her life disrupted when her servile best friend wants to move out of their isolated mountain home to be with a man. She hatches an unusual plan to ensure she will never be alone. Patrick Carroll (Hail, Caeser!) plays Buzz, the object of such contentious desire, alongside James Pumphrey (FX’s You’re The Worst).

Ewwww

Directed by Alexei Slate

A couple’s first date ends with a rather unwelcome revelation. This comedy/sexhorror mashup is built like a grand mystery. See if you can spot the clues along the way.

Weird Creatures

Directed by Manolo Moreno

Johnny Bubble

Directed by Alan Resnick

Johnny Bubble is a fictional creature who has lived a long and happy life with a beautiful family and strong ties to the community.

Business

Directed by Kati Skelton

A terrified young man gets caught up in a surreal and demoralizing ‘business opportunity. Will he make it out alive?

Magic Ranch

Directed by Eamon Monaghan

Two ranch hands try to work through their personal problems and perform a weekly magic show.

Balloonfest (Documentary)

Directed by Nathan Truesdell

Cleveland attempts to overcome its nickname, ‘The Mistake by the Lake’, by launching a bunch of balloons.