Girl Dad

When teenage Provi needs a break from her life in Brooklyn, she surprises her estranged father by spending the summer with him in Los Angeles. A rideshare driver by day and struggling composer by night, he is hardly prepared to become a full-time dad overnight—as exemplified by the empty space in his kitchen where a refrigerator should be. Amid their earnest yet clumsy attempts to reconnect, the surprisingly tumultuous search for this essential appliance becomes a catalyst for reconciliation and the push they both need to pursue what they truly want. Propelled by captivating performances from Marsai Martin and Courtney B. Vance, this father-daughter story overflows with tenderness, humor, and heart. Writer-director Solvan “Slick” Naim reminds us that small acts of love—whether tracking down a used refrigerator on a tight budget or teaching a parent how to share their art on TikTok—can repair and strengthen familial bonds. —Celeste Wong

California Premiere

Solvan “Slick” Naim is an Algerian-American filmmaker, writer, actor, and rapper based in New York. His projects often blend comedy and character-driven storytelling with a strong visual style. He is the creator of the Netflix comedy series It’s Bruno! (2019), which he also wrote, directed, and starred in. His feature and television work includes directing Full Circle (2013) and episodes of series such as Mo, Snowfall, Power, The Blacklist, The Equalizer, and Daredevil: Born Again.