Grace

Running time: 89 mins

** TRAILER available online NOW!**

World Premiere

As her circle of family and friends crumbles around her, Gabby, terminally ill from ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or "Lou Gehrig's disease?, is certainly the only one who maintains any poise in the face of her illness. All Gabby really wants is to spend her remaining days with her son.

Gabby?s "starving artist" brother Jessie?s inability to accept his sister?s impending fate is, unfortunately, reflected through inevitable conflicts, as he takes it out on those around him?his own girlfriend, who records Gabby's oral history; Gabby's husband, who drowns his sorrows at the local bar and is resigned to lodging his wife in a hospice; and even strangers at the local café, whose pretensions Jessie satirizes while writing in his journal.

Director Anthony Scarpa's first narrative feature is a moving portrayal of a family coming to terms and of a brother and sister who must depend on each other to find strength. Featuring incredible performances by its cast, especially Kyle Ingleman and Kate Clarke, Grace is a raw, emotional journey that is both heartfelt and stirring.

Tim Shively

Screening with:
Changing Room; dir. Edward Ruggiero; 8min/BetaSP/United States ? A young Muslim girl finds that it takes more than a change of clothing to undo her deeply ingrained religious beliefs.

EMERGING MAVERICKS / NEW VISIONS