Thursday, Feb. 13 through Sunday, Feb. 16.—WHITE RIVER JUNCTION—The White River Indie Film Festival (WRIF) returns to the Upper Valley, bringing an electrifying selection of global indie films, compelling documentaries, and locally produced works. Hosted at JAM – Junction Arts & Media and the Briggs Opera House, this year’s festival carries the theme “Hand Over Heart,” intertwining romance and activism to showcase how love—whether for another person or a cause—can drive meaningful change.
A cinematic exploration of love and resistance
The 2025 WRIF lineup highlights personal and political narratives, showing how acts of defiance and devotion stem from the same source: deep compassion. Whether through stories of rekindled romance or movements confronting injustice, this year’s selections invite audiences to reflect on love’s transformative power.
Among the highly anticipated films is “A Photographic Memory,” a daughter’s poignant attempt to understand her late mother—a pioneering photojournalist—through the images she left behind. The film will accompany “Endlessly an Observer,” a short documentary on Vermont photographer Suzanne Opton, whose work will be displayed in the Briggs Opera House lobby.
For fans of queer cinema, “Young Hearts” (Belgium) offers a tender exploration of young love, while “The Balconettes” (France), co-written by Céline Sciamma, takes audiences on a campy, ghostly, and revenge-fueled ride. Meanwhile, “No Other Land” (Palestine), a Berlinale Best Documentary Winner and Oscar nominee, will screen alongside a discussion on the intersection of art and activism moderated by Dartmouth College historian Aseel Najib.
If comedy is what inspires, 2024’s indie sensation, “Hundreds of Beavers,” screening on Feb. 13, shouldn’t be missed. This brilliant blend of cartoon slapstick and silent films is a true crowd pleasure.
Expanding the festival experience
Beyond screenings, WRIF fosters community engagement through a variety of interactive events:
Stand-Up Comedy Night (Feb. 12) – Featuring Paul Ollinger, this event doubles as a fundraiser for JAM’s community programs.
#PitchFest (Feb. 13) – Local filmmakers pitch their next big ideas in a fast-paced competition for funding and support.
Filmmaker Friday at JAM (Feb. 14) – Workshops and a VT/NH filmmaking panel connect creatives with industry insights.
Emerging Filmmakers Brunch (Feb. 15) – An informal gathering at Putnam’s Vine/Yard where up-and-coming talent can network.
Spotlight on Vermont’s storytellers
Vermont filmmakers and their stories take center stage at WRIF. “Love of the Land,” by Travis Van Alstyne, will be among the Emerging Filmmakers selections, alongside two Vermont-based communal living films, “Free Farm” and “Far Out”. Esteemed director Paul Schrader’s “Oh, Canada,” starring Richard Gere, will also make its regional debut.
The festival wraps up with “To a Land Unknown,” a gripping migration thriller offering an intimate look at the Palestinian diasporic experience. The closing film will be paired with Emerging Filmmaker Annika Murdock’s “Deepfake Girl.”
For a complete schedule, ticket information, and festival passes, visit: uvjam.org.
