Code Black
When: June 20
Where: Theaters
Director: Ryan McGarry
Starring: Danny Cheng, Andrew Eads, Jamie Eng
Why We’re Excited: Wider audiences will now have a chance to experience the winner of Best Documentary at last year’s Los Angeles Film Festival. Physician and first time-filmmaker Ryan McGarry takes us inside the intense and chaotic environment of an inner-city ER described as “the hurt locker of medicine.”
 

Obvious Child
When: June 6
Where: Theaters
Director: Gillian Robespierre
Starring: Jenny Slate, Jake Lacy, Gaby Hoffmann
Why We’re Excited: It’s not every day you get to see an abortion-themed romantic comedy. It’s also written, directed and starring some really smart, hilarious new female faces in independent film.
  

Four Dogs
When: June 10
Where: Vimeo
Director: Joe Burke
Starring: Oliver Cooper, Dan Bakkedahl, Rebecca Goldstein
Why We’re Excited: With an abundance of innovative short film works under his belt, the first feature from Burke is a comedic slice of LA life that premiered at last year’s Los Angeles Film Festival. Aspiring actors chasing the dream in La La Land will especially relate to the film.
 

Hellion
When: June 13
Where: Theaters/VOD
Director: Kat Candler
Starring: Aaron Paul, Juliette Lewis, Josh Wiggins
Why We’re Excited: Aaron Paul packed such a punch on the beloved Breaking Bad, it’s awesome to see him in an emotionally charged big-screen role. It’s also directed by a strong, independent female filmmaker, and was a nominee recently at both Sundance and SXSW.
 

The Grand Budapest Hotel
When: June 17
Where: DVD/VOD
Director: Wes Anderson
Starring: Ralph Fiennes
Why We’re Excited: There’s never a dull moment when we get to experience something from the vivid and zany imagination of Wes Anderson. Like all of his films, this adventurous comedy boasts a big cast, colorful imagery, original music and inventive sets, while still capturing the independent spirit of his work.

Test
When: June 6
Where: Theaters/VOD
Director: Chris Mason Johnson
Starring: Scott Marlowe, Matthew Risch, Evan Boomer
Why We’re Excited: Shot for less than half-a-million dollars, this romantic drama transports us to San Francisco, during the AIDS epidemic in the mid-80s. Brave characters, with a passion for modern dance face life-changing challenges that test their will for survival.
 

The Case Against 8
When: June 6
Where: Theaters
Directors: Ben Cotner, Ryan White
Why We’re Excited: Shot over five years, this touching documentary explores the case challenging California’s ban on same-sex marriage, with an inside look at the first federal marriage equality lawsuit that went to the U.S. Supreme Court. Winner of the SXSW Audience Award and a Directing Award at Sundance, this one is sure to require a big box of tissues. Aside from a limited theatrical release, HBO will also air the film on June 23.
 

The Big Ask
When: Now Playing
Where: Theaters/VOD
Directors: Thomas Beatty, Rebecca Fishman
Starring: Gillian Jacobs, Zachary Knighton, David Krumholtz, Melanie Lynskey
Why We’re Excited: This indie dramedy marks the debut of a filmmaking duo, is produced by Film Independent Fellow Jennifer Westin and features a fun cast of indie regulars and newcomers!
  

Yves Saint Laurent
When: June 25
Where: Theaters
Director: Jalil Lespert
Starring: Pierre Niney, Charlotte Le Bon, Guillaume Gallienne
Why We’re Excited:  Starting at the beginning of his career in 1958, this biopic focuses on the iconic French fashion designer’s rise to fame, and his passionate affair with lover and business partner, Pierre Berge.

Venus in Fur
When: June 20
Where: DVD/VOD
Director: Roman Polanski
Starring: Emmanuelle Seigner, Mathieu Amalric
Why We’re Excited: International filmmaker Polanski is no stranger to controversy, and his latest, sexually-charged film raised eyebrows at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, where it was nominated for the Palme d’Or.  Amidst a film industry backdrop, telling the seductive tale of how far an actress will go to convince a director she’s perfect for a role–the film also earned Polanski the Best Director honor at the Cesar Awards in France.

Chris Lombardi / Intern Blogger 

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