Josh Hamm

I haven't been writing as much as I have in the past, but I'd enjoy being part of the jury again.

I'll second The Invitation and The Treasure . I'd also like to nominate Never Eat Alone by Sofia Bohdanowicz (I have a screener for it, so PM me if you want a link). It's a slight, minor independent film from Canada (premiered this year, but doesn't have distribution to my knowledge), it’s also one of the most precious, tender films I’ve seen all year, and easily one of my favourites. There are few films in 2016 as emotionally resonant as this one. It is a rare film whose plot is perfectly encompassed by its thematic conceits, in which form and narrative are codependent. Docufiction, blending an unfinished documentary shot a year prior to the narrative elements, Never Eat Alone is a profound meditation on the threads of time, as light as gossamer, connecting us to family, meaning and the ways the past bleeds into the present.But above all, it's a film which feels so deeply and on such a personal level, that it is impossible not to be caught up in its world of loneliness and regret and love in the midst of it all. Also, does anyone have a screener for The Mermaid, The Unknown Girl, or Things To Come ?

There's also these Letterboxd lists: "Indian Submissions for the Academy Award" https://letterboxd.com/russman/list/indian-submissions-for-the-academy-award/ "Top 10 Introduction to Indian Cinema" https://letterboxd.com/ishark/list/top-10-introduction-to-indian-cinema/

I'll second Manchester By The Sea and Personal Shopper. And glad to have Jessica as a new member! (and, out of curiosity, did anyone end up approaching Melissa Tamminga about joining?)

Second: Right Now, Wrong Then

I've yet to see most of the festival fare that's making its way round this year, so I'll have more to contribute after the next three weeks, but in the meantime... I second: Sully Knight of Cups Kubo and the Two Strings Our Little Sister And I'd like to nominate: The BFG Mountains May Depart

Second Troubled Water.

Being There was one of my first thoughts. Some other options include Hail the Conquering Hero, The Lion in Winter, Paths of Glory, The Great Dictator, Dr. Strangelove, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Nashville .

Near the end of last year, as I was mulling over my favourite films of the year, I realized how many great first features were released in 2015. So here's my Top 30 Debut Films of 2015 , published at PopOptiq.

Thanks for sharing this, Darren. In the Shadow of Women was my first Garrel, and at the time I saw it, I wasn't quite sure how to approach it. This interview is the sort of source I've been needing to immerse myself in to help my relationship with the film.

In the theatre, that party scene was puzzling to me as well (partially due to the face recognition of Brownstein, only for the scene to fizzle out). It turns out Haynes did pare it down for length.

I saw this at VIFF last year, but due to some miscommunication with volunteers about seat availability, got into the theatre about 15 minutes after it started, and while I enjoyed the mise-en-scene, I never settled into its rhythm. I definitely need to give this another shot.

I'll second James White.

I'd be tempted to nominate Tu Dors Nicole as well (or, as I like to call it Francais Ha), but it's been so long since I've seen it, I don't know if I could make a tangible connection to the "faith" aspect of the jury.

I'll go ahead and nominate The Kindergarten Teacher. Here's a good interview with the director: https://mubi.com/notebook/posts/nadav-lapid-discusses-the-kindergarten-teacher