Blackbird
When:  Now Playing
Where:  Theaters
Director:  Patrik Ian-Polk
Starring:  Mo’Nique, Julian Walker, Isaiah Washington
Why We’re Excited: It’s been quite some time since a heartfelt coming out story has been captured on the big screen and this indie drama introduces a character seldom represented within the genre. Patrik Ian-Polk (creator of Logo’s Noah’s Ark) shines light on a young man’s emotional struggle with his sexuality and the challenges of dealing with such growing up in a southern Baptist community. LGBT youth in particular may find an inspirational hero in the main character, which features a breakthrough performance from Julian Walker and co-stars Film Independent Spirit Award Winner Mo’Nique.

Welcome to Me 
When: May 1
Where: Theaters
Director: Shira Piven
Starring: Kristen Wiig, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tim Robbins
Why We’re Excited: After premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival, buzz quickly built for this zany dramedy, mainly due to Kristen Wiig’s performance as a woman with borderline personality disorder who wins the mega-millions and spends the money on producing her own talk show. It’s always exciting when a film puts the spotlight on a strong female lead, especially if the character isn’t one we’ve often come across. Actress, writer and director Shira Piven’s second feature tackles the subject of mental illness and feature some heavy material, but we with Wigg in the lead we’re pretty sure there will be some laughs in store.

Ride
When: May 1
Where: Theaters
Director: Helen Hunt
Starring: Helen Hunt, Luke Wilson, Brenton Thwaites
Why We’re Excited:  It’s great to see Oscar and Spirit Award winning actress Helen Hunt getting behind the camera again, as well as in front. Delivering her second feature as writer-director, Hunt plays an overbearing mother who discovers her son has dropped out of college to become a surfer. After traveling cross-country to California to try and talk some sense into him, she’ll soon discover there may be a lot she can learn from him as well. Perfectly timed for Mother’s Day, this life-affirming comedy refreshingly puts the focus on a sexy, strong, middle-aged woman. Go Helen.

I Am Big Bird: The Carol Spinney Story
When: May 6
Where: Theaters/ITunes
Directors: Dave LaMattina, Chad N. Walker
Why We’re Excited: Since 1969, Carol Spinney has been warming the hearts of American families as Sesame Street’s beloved Big Bird. This documentary introduces audiences to the 78-year-old man in the bird suit, revealing interesting facts you probably didn’t know about one of television’s longest running shows. Made on a shoestring budget, partially consisting of fan donations, the film was a favorite at lasts year’s Los Angeles Film Festival.

Every Secret Thing
When: May 15
Where: Theaters
Director: Amy Berg
Starring: Diane Lane, Elizabeth Banks, Dakota Fanning
Why We’re Excited: Another film showcasing the artistry of many talented women is this gripping crime drama based on Laura Lippman’s page-turning novel. Academy Award nominated filmmaker Amy Berg directs an all-star cast, including Spirit Award nominee Diane Lane and Elizabeth Banks as a detective investigating the link between missing children and an infant’s death some years prior. The mysterious thriller was written by Spirit Award Winner Nicole Holofcener and premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Slow West
When: May 15
Where: Theaters/VOD
Director: John Maclean
Starring: Ben Mendelsohn, Michael Fassbender, Kodi Smit-McPhee
Why We’re Excited: Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, John Maclean’s feature debut is an action-packed western thriller that just so happens to be funny and a romantic tale of young love. Kodi Smit-McPhee stars as a 19-year-old boy traveling across the 19^th-century frontier with a mysterious stranger, as he searches for the love of his life. It’s always fun when a good western comes along. It also doesn’t hurt to have the ever-cool Michael Fassbender starring.

All the Wilderness
When: May 18
Where: DVD/VOD
Director: Michael James Johnson
Starring: Kodi Smit-McPhee, Virginia Madsen, Danny DeVito
Why We’re Excited: Michael James Johnson makes his feature film debut with this coming-of-age drama about a restless teenager who is struggling with the absence of his father and rebelling against his single mother. The film premiered at SXSW and features a brave performance from rising star Kodi Smit-McPhee (also seen in Slow West), as well as Spirit Award Winner Virginia Madsen.

Aloft
When: May 22
Where: Theaters
Director: Claudia Llosa
Starring: Jennifer Connelly, Cillian Murphy
Why We’re Excited: Another unconventional option for Mother’s Day is Claudia Llosa’s latest drama. Featuring two actors who never seem to shy away from awesome indie, Jennifer Connelly stars as a faith healer with a dark past, and Cillian Murphy is the son she abandoned 20 years ago. Mysteries surrounding the desertion are revealed and emotions are in high gear when mother and son are reunited. The film premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival where it was nominated for the Golden Berlin Bear.

Sunshine Superman
When: May 22
Where: Theaters
Directors: Marah Strauch
Why We’re Excited: Another documentary to check out this month comes from Film Independent Fellow Marah Strauch who worked on the film in our Doc Lab. In her first film, Strauch takes audiences to great heights while working with a very small budget and introduces audiences to Carl Boenish. Boenish is the zealous skydiver who is also known as the father of the BASE jumping movement.

Results
When: May 29
Where: Theaters, VOD & ITunes
Director: Andrew Bujalski
Starring: Guy Pearce, Kevin Corrigan, Cobie Smulders
Why We’re Excited: When you throw love, sex, money, marriage and divorce into a blender, you’re bound to get some chaotic and hilarious results. In the latest comedy from Spirit Award winning filmmaker and Film Independent Fellow funny guy Andrew Bujalski, a personal trainer and the owner of the gym where she works experience some unexpected changes in their personal lives upon the arrival of a new wealthy client. The film, which was a winner of our Arri grant, premiered at Sundance, where it was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize and featured the talents of Film Independent Fellows Houston King, who produced the film and Matthias Grunsky, the director of photography.
 

Chris Lombardi / Film Independent Blogger

Key
Film Independent Fellow or Member 
Los Angeles Film Festival Alum  
Spirit Award Winner  
First-time Filmmaker 
Microbudget 
Female Filmmaker 
Filmmaker of Color 
LGBT Filmmaker