Marc Maron Starrer 'In Memoriam' to Kick Off 11th Annual Indie Street Film Festival; Full Lineup Revealed (Exclusive)

Hollywood Buzz News - July 22, 2026

The 11th annual Indie Street Film Festival announced today that "In Memoriam," a dramedy short starring Marc Maron, will open the event, with the full lineup of films slated for the five-day gathering now available. Festival organizers shared the exclusive details ahead of the August 3-7 run in Red Bank, New Jersey.

Maron, known for his stand-up work and roles in "GLOW" and "Anything's Possible," leads the 15-minute film as a man grappling with loss. The project marks a departure from his usual comedic territory, blending humor with emotional weight as the narrative follows a heartbroken young man who journeys through his most painful and precious memories to discover the truth of healing attained by releasing them, finding hope in the future.

Opening Night Spotlight

"In Memoriam" was directed by Benjamin Dilsisian and was originally released in May 2023. The film has yet to receive a critical rating on TMDb, but festival programmers cited its emotional resonance and Maron's performance as key reasons for the selection. The short also features Karl Schreyer in the dual role of Jonathan and Memory Jonathan, alongside Eleana Zouganeli as Emma. Supporting cast includes Nick Beiber, Dennan Dick, Betsy Dilsisian, Michael Dilsisian, Nathan Johnson, and Lydia Meyerdirk, many of whom appear as stagehands.

The Indie Street Film Festival has built a reputation for launching independent projects with crossover appeal, and this year's slate continues that tradition. Organizers emphasized that the opening night choice reflects a desire to balance accessibility with artistic ambition. "In Memoriam" fits that brief-a compact, character-driven piece that doesn't shy from heavy themes yet leaves audiences with a sense of forward motion.

Festival Lineup Highlights

Beyond the opener, this year's program spans features, documentaries, and shorts from emerging and established voices. The full lineup includes narrative features like "The Last Stop," a rural drama about a bus driver confronting his town's decline, and "Stray Voltage," a thriller set in a decommissioned power plant. Documentary selections range from "Woodshed," which profiles Appalachian musicians preserving lost traditions, to "Byte of the Apple," examining Silicon Valley's influence on small business owners.

Short-film blocks are organized thematically, with categories including "Second Acts," "Home Front," and "Digital Detox." Several entries revisit the festival's core themes of resilience and reinvention-an echo of "In Memoriam's" own arc. The festival will also host panel discussions on distribution challenges, the state of indie exhibition, and mentorship programs for first-time filmmakers.

A Growing Platform

Since its inception, the Indie Street Film Festival has expanded from a small gathering of regional filmmakers to a nationally recognized event. With an emphasis on community engagement, the festival partners with local venues in Red Bank, including the historic Count Basie Center for the Arts. Organizers noted that this year's submission pool was the largest yet, with entries from 38 states and a dozen countries.

The decision to lead with "In Memoriam" underscores the festival's commitment to shorts as a vital format. While features often dominate headlines, programmers pointed out that short films frequently serve as testing grounds for innovative storytelling techniques and emerging talent. Maron's involvement brings additional visibility, but the film itself was chosen on its merits, according to director of programming Carla Neves.

"We look for films that stick with you," Neves said in a statement. "'In Memoriam' does that. It's a simple story, told with care, and Marc brings a sincerity that elevates every scene."

Practical Details

Tickets for opening night and full festival passes went on sale this morning through the Indie Street Film Festival website. The August 3 screening of "In Memoriam" will be followed by a Q&A with Dilsisian and select cast members. Maron's attendance has not been confirmed, though festival representatives said they are "in discussions with his team."

For those unable to attend in person, the festival will offer a limited number of virtual passes for select screenings, though the opening night event will be in-person only. Additional programming details, including party and networking opportunities, will be released in the coming days.

The full lineup is available now on the festival's official channels. With "In Memoriam" setting the tone, this year's Indie Street Film Festival appears poised to deliver another slate of honest, emotionally grounded cinema-starting with one short film's journey through memory and toward hope.

Source: Hollywood Reporter