With a story line that reminds us a little bit of this year's psychological thriller The Forest, Nadia Litz's The People Garden involves a loved one last seen in the wilds of Japan. The Canadian indie stars Dree Hemingway (Ernest Hemingway's great-granddaughter) and Pamela Anderson, who, in a stretch, plays a former nineties sex icon. (May 10 to 12, TIFF Bell Lightbox, 14A)
From the Dora-winning actor-playwright Hrant Alianak, a non-linear indie drama about a despondent woman who goes on a dark trip of self-discovery while she slowly loses her mind. Alianak's second feature comes on the heels of last year's A Trip to the Island, a story, like Burning, Burning, set in Toronto. (Kingsway, 18A)
Lakeshorts International Short Film Festival
A two-day short-film fandango kicks off with a Canadian program on May 6, followed by an international schedule and gala one night later. (May 6 and 7, the Assembly Hall in Etobicoke; lakeshorts.ca)
For its 24th edition, the TJFF is seemingly hoping the future of Jewish film rests in the past. Its impressive lineup, which features four world premieres, includes the nostalgia-tinged doc Honest Ed Mirvish: The World's Most Unusual Shopkeeper, which examines the history of Toronto's colourful retailer, as well as By Sidney Lumet, an exploration of the late director's white-hot seventies career. Other, more contemporary, features include the dark comedy Atomic Falafel, the romcom The Tenth Man and the horror comedy Freak Out. (May 5 to 15, various venues; tjff.com)