“Y.”, the Israeli filmmaker at the center of Nadav Lapid’s semi-autobiographical tale of overboiling frustrations has a lot on his mind. He’s in the the early stages of conceiving a new film about a Palestinian activist that takes inspiration in reaction to an incendiary tweet. His mother, who’s also happens to be his frequent collaborator and screenwriter who also happens to be his mother is gravely ill; and paid appearance in a tiny remote village to show his previous work for the Ministry of Culture has taken him away from both of these more pressing concerns.

It’s here! SIFF returns to in-person (and online) format this year beginning on Thursday night with a screening of Navalny at the Paramount followed by a gala in the street (like audiences and juries, the vital and thrilling documentary wowed us at Sundance; it’s a home run for a SIFF opener). By now, we’re all used to outdoor dining; so the springlike weather with its cool temperatures and ever-present threat of showers shouldn’t pose too much of an imposition. This is a city that knows well the virtues of layering so a little weather shouldn’t dampen the mood of a crowd eager to celebrate the return of its signature film festival. 

Below, we each highlight a few films to look forward to in the opening days of the festival as it kicks into full gear on Friday.