13 must-see movies at Nashville Film Festival

More than 280 independent films will screen at the Regal Green Hills Cinema April 16-25 as part of the 46th annual Nashville Film Festival. Since you likely won't be able to cram in nearly 300 films in 10 days, we've narrowed down the list a bit. Here are 13 buzzed-about movies that are worth your time:

"Welcome to Me"

7 p.m. Friday, April 24

Director: Shira Piven

Cast: Kristen Wiig, James Marsden, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Wes Bentley, Tim Robbins, Joan Cusack and Linda Cardellini

Why you should see this film: "The cast alone is enough to draw amazing," said Brian Owens, artistic director of the NaFF. Will undoubtedly make people laugh, but audiences will be surprised by its depth. Owens said he believes it's Wiig's best work to date.

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"The Tribe"

7 p.m. Thursday, April 23 and 1:15 p.m. Friday, April 24

Director: Miroslav Slaboshpytsky

Cast: Grigoriy Fesenko, Yana Novikova, Rosa Babiy and Alexander Dsiadevich

Why you should see this film: Given that it's over two hours and told in sign language without subtitles, it could be a tough sell, and it's for adults only. However, since premiering at Cannes it's won several awards and, according to NaFF's Owens, those who make the choice to challenge themselves will "never stop talking about it."

"Orion: The Man Who Would be King"

6 p.m. Wednesday, April 22 and 2:30 p.m. Thursday, April 23

Director: Jeanie Finlay

Cast: Jimmy Ellis, Nannette Uselton Clarke, Nick Scott Petta and Carole Halupke

Why you should this film: It's described as a quirky and unusual film that tells the story of Jimmy Ellis, an unknown singer plucked from obscurity and thrust into the spotlight as part of a crazy scheme that had him masquerade as Elvis.

"In My Father's House"

6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 21 and 1:45 p.m. Wednesday, April 22

Director: Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg

Cast: Che "Rhymefest" Smith

Why you should see this film: Stern and Sundberg are best known for making "Joan Rivers — a Piece of Work." In this film, they follow rapper Che "Rhymefest" Smith, who won a Grammy earlier this year for co-writing "Glory" and previously won a Grammy for co-writing "Jesus Walks" with Kanye West, as he returns to Chicago to reconnect with the homeless father who abandoned him as a child. Like a lot of his music, this is about the responsibility of fatherhood.

"Me and Earl and the Dying Girl"

6:45 p.m. Sunday, April 19

Director: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon

Cast: Thomas Mann, Connie Britton, Nick Offerman, Jon Bernthal, Olivia Cooke, Bobb'e J. Thompson, Molly Shannon and RJ Cyler

Why you should see this film: "I think it's safe to say no movie garnered more buzz coming out of Sundance than 'Me and Earl and the Dying Girl,' " said Owens, who annually attends Sundance and the Toronto festivals. It won the U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic and the Audience Award for U.S. Drama. Owens said it's vital people know about this film and he stressed not to wait on getting a ticket.

"Naz & Maalik"

8:30 p.m. Sunday, April 19 and 3:15 p.m. Wednesday, April 22

Director: Jay Dockendorf

Cast: Curtiss Cook Jr., Kerwin Johnson Jr., Annie Grier, Anderson Footman, Bradley Custer and Ashleigh Awusie

Why you should see this film: Dockendorf is thought to have one of the freshest voices. This is the story of two young Muslim boys who are in love and — for obvious reasons — have to keep their relationship a secret from their families.

"The Ambassador to Bern"

5:15 p.m. Friday, April 17 and Tuesday, April 21

Director: Attila Szász

Cast: János Kulka, József Kádas, Rémusz Szikszai and Laszlo I. Kish

Why you should see this film: It's a Hungarian film set in the 1950s, but takes place at the Embassy in Switzerland, where many Hungarians fled following the revolution. The Hollywood Reporter called it a "tautly paced political thriller" and likened it to the films of Costa-Gavras.

"Made in Japan"

7:15 pm Saturday, April 18 and noon Monday, April 20

Director: Josh Bishop

Cast: Tomi Fujiyama, Elijah Wood, Charlie Louvin and John Walker

Why you should see this film: Tomi Fujiyama was the first female country star from Japan. She recorded seven albums with Columbia and performed all over the world, including the "Grand Ole Opry," where she famously received a standing ovation in 1964, after following Johnny Cash. Forty years later, she and her husband return to Nashville, where she performs one more time on the "Opry" stage.

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"Sweet Micky for President"

9:30 p.m. Saturday, April 18 and 3:45 p.m. Sunday, April 19

Director: Ben Patterson

Cast: Pras Michel, Michel Martelly, Wyclef Jean, Sean Penn and Ben Stiller

Why you should see this film: Owens likes how the filmmakers use music to bring the audience into the story of Pras Michel of the Fugees as he returns home to Haiti after the 2010 earthquake and helps Michel Martelly (aka Sweet Micky), who is thought of as a man of the people, mobilize his campaign for president. It's the convergence of music and politics in an effort to make a difference.

"Love & Mercy"

7:30 p.m. Friday, April 17

Director: Bill Pohlad

Cast: Paul Dano, John Cusack, Elizabeth Banks, Paul Giamatti and Jake Abel

Why you should see this film: "I saw this back in Toronto in September and I knew from day one that I wanted it," said Owens. It's the story of Brian Wilson and the creation of "Pet Sounds." Dano plays Wilson at the time of the recording, while Cusack plays Wilson in the 80s during his profound struggles with mental illness.

"World of Tomorrow"

7:45 p.m. Friday, April 17 and 4:30 p.m. Monday, April 20

Director: Don Hertzfeldt

Why you should see this film: "World of Tomorrow" is part of a series of animated short films screening during the Shorts—Animated Showcase. Earlier this year it won the Short Film Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. Unlike the Oscars and the Golden Globes, which segregates the animated films from live-action and documentaries, all short films compete together and "World of Tomorrow" was chosen from more than 60 entries.

"Adult Beginners"

7 p.m. Thursday, April 16

Director: Ross Katz

Cast: Nick Kroll, Rose Byrne, Bobby Canavale, Joel McHale, Josh Charles, Jane Krakowski and Bobby Moynihan

Why you should see this film: Even fans of "Kroll Show" on Comedy Central will be surprised by the flawed and imperfect, but believable, characters Kroll portrays in the film. Ross Katz, who was an Academy Award-nominated producer for "Lost in Translation," makes his directorial debut.

"Wolf Totem"

6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 23

Director: Jean-Jacques Annaud

Cast: Shaofeng Freng, Shawn Dou and Ankhnyam Ragchaa

Why you should see this film: This is one of five films being brought to Nashville — all of which are making their North American premieres — by a contingency of filmmakers from China. Ironically, it was helmed by a French director, Jean-Jacques Annaud, but uniquely Chinese. The narrative follows a young Beijing student sent to live among the nomadic herdmen of Inner Mongolia who is struggling to find his true place in the world.

If you go

What: 46th annual Nashville Film Festival

When: April 16-25

Where: Regal Green Hills Cinema 16, 3815 Green Hills Village Drive

Admission: Tickets to individual films are $12, with discounts for members; VIP packages also are available.

Details: www.nashvillefilmfestival.org