After the death of her husband, Tabatha — a young, tattooed, rebellious horse trainer — wrestles with financial insecurity and unresolved grief while providing refuge for a group of wayward teenagers on her broken-down ranch in the Badlands.

A chance encounter brought together writer-director Kate Beecroft and her latest subject and lead, Tabatha Zimiga. A wrong turn down an unnamed road led to years of cohabitation on Zimiga’s unusual ranch, where she and her band of teenage girls reinvent the American West, the nuclear family, and the place of women within both. In this creative work of hybridity, first-time feature director Beecroft collaborates beautifully with the actual individuals who inspired this project and a cast that includes Scoot McNairy and Jennifer Ehle. Together they weave fact and fiction into this sweepingly cinematic and deeply rooted human story. Shot in gorgeous harmony with its stunning natural setting, East of Wall is a testament to the value of people, skill, and generosity.—Ash Hoyle

Available in person. Also available online for the public (January 30–February 2) and credentialed press and industry (January 29–February 2).