Actor and 2025 Freedom of Expression Award recipient Daveed Diggs expected to attend
In a remote corner of Joshua Tree, a woman finds herself suspended between what was and what might be. As she moves hazily from one day to the next, her husband, played by Daveed Diggs (recipient of the 2025 Freedom of Expression Award), begins to appear—sometimes vividly, sometimes fleetingly. Defying easy categorization, Magic Hour is equal parts psychological drama and spiritual reverie. Director Katie Aselton, who also stars, keeps the focus tight and the tone restrained, using silence, open space, and small gestures to build tension and mood. Diggs delivers a layered performance that oscillates between joy, frustration, and tenderness, foregrounding what’s at stake between these two deeply connected individuals. Shot in warm, natural light and unfolding at a deliberate pace, Magic Hour follows a woman quietly unraveling and trying to put herself back together. A questioning film that forgoes tidy resolutions, Aselton embraces life’s uncertainty, offering a story that feels both grounded and gently surreal. —Lori Donnelly
California Premiere
Katie Aselton is an acclaimed actor and filmmaker known for her dynamic presence in both independent film and television. She gained recognition with her breakout role in the indie hit The Puffy Chair and made her directorial debut with the critically praised The Freebie. Magic Hour marks her fourth feature as a director.