“Running Aground” navigates the choppy waters of the tense relationships within the director’s family. Graduate directing student Jake O’Hare was inspired to create a documentary reenacting his changing family dynamics after learning about the sailing trips his father Scott, his aunt Sharon, his uncle Craig and his father’s alcoholic stepfather embarked on in the 1970s. Read more...

Photo: Graduate documentary production student Jake O’Hare created “Running Aground,” a documentary reenacting his changing family dynamics after learning about the sailing trips his father Scott and his siblings embarked on in the 1970s. O’Hare cast young actors to portray the 1970s versions of his family members. (Tanmay Shankar/Daily Bruin)

Mahjong will be the key to preventing the apocalypse in “The Lucky One.” Four goddesses, who reign over love, death, wealth and fertility, will play a never-ending round of the Chinese board game in the comedic film. Read more...

Photo: Graduate student Yichi Zhang wrote and directed “The Lucky One,” which follows four goddesses, who reign over love, death, wealth and fertility, playing a never-ending game of mahjong. While the set design does not itself emphasize the Chinese inspirations behind the film, Zhang said it highlights the theme of luck. (Ashley Kenney/Daily Bruin)