Bear

A small-town grandmother (Tessa Rose, REDFERN NOW) is forced to bring her beloved dog, Bear, to the vet to be put down after an uncharacteristically violent moment. So begins this ingenious ghost story from Australian writer-director-cinematographer Rebecca Parker (THIS GIRL IN THE DESERT) that manages to address a multitude of difficult themes with tremendous wisdom and compassion. Strong scripting, a brilliant genre concept and a hugely endearing canine performance (one of several at this year’s festival) make BEAR the perfect package. It will give you chills. It just may leave you in tears.