L.A. Times Short Docs celebrates filmmaking with a West Coast perspective. We seek bold voices who break with convention. We present undiscovered stories that challenge, move and inspire audiences.

L.A. Times Studios aims to showcase diverse, acclaimed and emerging filmmakers and to start conversations around the films we program. We host live and virtual events with filmmakers in venues across Los Angeles and online to engage audiences.

Films:

A Swim Lesson / (Directors: Rashida Jones and Will McCormack) — Watching Bill Marsh teach children how to swim is like witnessing a great opera, one filled with intense agony and ecstasy, absurdism, fear, hope, despair, joy, connection, love, some vomit, and lots of belching.

Stud Country / (Directors: Lina Abascal and Alexandra Kern) — Stud Country, a Los Angeles-based queer country western line dancing event, was created to preserve Los Angeles’ little known 50-plus-year queer line dancing tradition. Despite its success and fiercely committed community, the event is set to lose its venue due to gentrification.

American Seams / (Director: Carly Jakins) — The stories of three quilters combine to reveal an intimate portrait of rural women in the American West. Featuring Brenda Bailey, Sara Buscaglia, and Susan “Traditional Woman” Hudson.

Love in the Time of Migration / (Directors: Chelsea Abbas and Erin Semine Kökdil) — For Ronny and Suly, falling in love was the easy part. Here’s the story of how their bond survives the challenges and uncertainties of separation and detainment as they pursue the American dream.

When the Smoke Clears / (Directors: Misha Kaurin Kapany Schwarz & Maarya Zafar)— After a lack of success with traditional psychotherapy and pharmaceuticals for PTSD and depression, two first responders journey to Mexico to undergo psychedelic treatment, guided by traditional healers.