Whether you’ve been in a relationship for 10-plus years or single for the same amount of time, there’s always a place for romance in films. The “Love & Romance” block has enough variety within its genre, from comedy to sci-fi to straight-up drama. First up is Erin Brown Thomas’ [SUBTEXT], a fun and original spin on the horrors of the first date. From the film’s opening seconds, Thomas reveals that she has an eye for style through breakneck editing, and it spins further out of control when the subjects’ inner thoughts are declared out loud. The writing and dialogue may not carry at times, but the film ends strongly, and Thomas deserves credit for relaying a characteristic mood that will stand out.

On the more humorous side, My Eyes Are Up Here, directed by Nathan Morris, tracks the fallout from a one-night stand. The film picks up after a romp between a disabled fashion model and a slacker, and the awkwardness that ensues as they try to purchase the Morning After pill. Jillian Mercado gives a solid performance as Sonya, and has solid chemistry with scene partner Ben Cura. The film deals with a disabled person’s views on sex, and the non-disabled person’s biases, in a frank and honest manner that helps in the end. Not all of the humor lands as intended, but it’s a thoughtful romance that we don’t see often enough.

For a more queer perspective, the curiously titled A90 isn’t too dissimilar from this year’s Past Lives (yes, really!) as it touches on themes like fate and lost opportunities. Annette (Marli Sue) develops a crush on a female patron (Sinead MacIness) of the roadside café where she works, but can’t work up the courage to make a move – and it doesn’t help that the patron appears with a significant other one day. Writer and director Olivia J. Middleton injects the film with a palpable sense of longing and chemistry, maximizing its runtime to focus on its principal characters, while keeping the dialogue to a minimum. This is an easy recommendation, and the best of the “Love & Romance” block.

Pragma takes a decidedly sci-fi-adjacent approach, by dealing with the very idea of chemistry and attraction. Featuring turns from Ted Lasso stars Nick Mohammed and Phil Dunster, the film follows a dating experiment that feels like a humorous take on speed dating in a 1984-esque world. Lucy Heath – who also wrote the film – stars as Willow, who goes on a series of dates but is transfixed by her first match with Jack, played by Dunster. Mohammed appears as the dryly observant overseer, who watches and weighs in on all of the dates. At 19 minutes, Pragma takes its time to develop Willow and Jack. The film could have easily taken narrative shortcuts or cheap laughs, but director Ellie Heydon prioritizes the emotional complexity of its characters and the idea of long-term and short-term happiness, and it leads to a more satisfying result.

The Love & Romance block will screen at Indy Film Fest on July 19 at 7:30pm at the Living Room Theaters in Indianapolis, and virtually through July 23. Buy tickets here.