Familiar Touch
| writer         = Sarah Friedland
| starring       = 
| music          = 
| cinematography = Gabe C. Elder
| editing        = 
| production_companies = 
| distributor    = 
| released       = 
| runtime        = 91 minutes
| country        = United States
| language       = English
| budget         = 
| gross          = 
}}

Familiar Touch is an 2024 American drama film, written, directed, and produced by Sarah Friedland in her directorial debut. It stars Kathleen Chalfant, Carolyn Michelle Smith, Andy McQueen and H. Jon Benjamin.

It had its world premiere at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on September 3, 2024, where it won the Lion of the Future, and the Orizzonti section Best Director and Best Actress prizes.

Premise
A woman transitions to life in assisted living contending with her relationship to herself and her caregivers.

Cast
 Kathleen Chalfant as Ruth
 Carolyn Michelle Smith as Vanessa
 Andy McQueen as Brian
 H. Jon Benjamin as Steve

Production
Principal photography took place at the Villa Gardens retirement community in Pasadena, California, with residents participating in a filmmaking workshop and acting in the film.

Release & awards
Familiar Touch had its world premiere at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on September 3, 2024, in the Orizzonti (Horizons) section, where director Sarah Friedland won the Luigi de Laurentiis prize for best first film, alongside the Best Director award, while Kathleen Chalfant won the Best Actress award.Israel-Gaza Conflict In Focus At Venice Awards Ceremony As Multiple Winners Voice Support For Palestinian People

In her acceptance speech for the first award, Friedland made a political statement, saying: “As a Jewish American artist working in a time-based medium, I must note, I’m accepting this award on the 336th day of Israel’s genocide in Gaza and 76th year of occupation. I believe it is our responsibility as filmmakers to use the institutional platforms through which we work to redress Israel’s impunity on the global stage. I stand in solidarity with The people of Palestine and their struggle for liberation.”

References

External links
 

Category:American drama films
Category:2024 directorial debut films
Category:2024 independent films
Category:2020s American films
Category:2020s English-language films
Category:Films about old age