CHECK YOUR HEAD

Two years after his short film about a drug-addicted inner-city teacher won sundance, Ryan Fleck returns with his feature-length adaptation of that story, Half Nelson. By Matthew Ross.

OLD SCHOOL

Dito Montiel adapts his own autobiographical memoir, A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, into a haunting cinematic memory piece. By Scott Macaulay.

WATCHING THE DETECTIVES

Fearless filmmaker Kirby Dick turns the tables on independent film’s favorite whipping boy — the MPAA. By Anthony Kaufman.

SUPER FREAKS

This year’s Sundance hit, Little Miss Sunshine, is a winning comedy/drama about the ultimate dysfunctional family. By Josh Horowitz.

MARRIAGE AND ITS DISCONTENTS

Distributor turned writer-director Jeff Lipsky explores the vissicitudes of contemporary unions in his second feature, Flannel Pajamas. By Adam Pincus.

EXIT STRATEGY

Cunning French filmmaker François Ozon takes a decidedly somber tone with his mortal melodrama, Time to Leave. By Peter Bowen.

DOUBLE TALK

Jason Guerrasio talks with Hans Canosa about making his split-screen drama Conversations With Other Women.

25 NEW FACES OF INDEPENDENT FILM 2006

Filmmaker’s annual survey of new talent.

THANKS FOR THE ADD

Alexandra Delyle and Liz Cole on how MySpace and viral marketing have changed the landscape of indie film.

LUST OBJECTS

David Leitner surveys the coolest gear at NAB.

PRODUCED BY

Kendall Morgan on the double bind for independent filmmakers.

START YOUR ENGINES

Alexandra Delyle profiles the LAFF/Filmmaker Fast Track class of 2006.

The Descent; Cannes Diary; the Polish Brothers’ new book; Flamingo Features; 13 (Tzameti); Four Seasons Lodge; Janus Films at the NYFF; Brother Theodore; Activision; Luna on DVD; dotSUB; Twelve Disciples of Nelson Mandela; Queer Duck.