The sprawling in-person Cinequest remains the South Bay’s premier film experience, but Cinejoy — the offshoot streaming film fest — offers its share of rewards for movie buffs.

This year’s robust program kicks off March 1, and stays true to the Cinequest vision, showcasing numerous world, national and Bay Area premieres both in short and feature-length form.

It tallies up to 155 films and many come with nifty interactive elements, including Spotlight Events that feature live-streamed conversations with filmmakers and actors, along with communal screenings and events.

Which movies should you not miss? We have 10 ideas. Most films are available to stream throughout the March 1-12 festival. Individual screenings are $3.99; live-streamed Spotlight film events cost $11.99. For a full program and to purchase tickets, visit creatics.org.

And don’t forget that Cinequest is slated to unfurl its red carpet Aug. 11-20.

Here’s our roundup of recommended films.

“Daddy”: Four shifty candidates for fatherhood get caught up in a clash of male egos in this clever black comedy, an impressive first feature from Michigan boyhood chums Neal Kelley and Jono Sherman. In the not-so-distant future, wanna-be parents are required to pass key tests so they can attain the green light to procreate. The process leads to four clueless guys (Kelley, Sherman, Pomme Koch and Yuriy Sardarov) gathering at an isolated Northern Californian estate where they wait unsupervised for the arrival of a “monitor” to confirm if they have the right stuff for the job. They keep waiting and start acting like squabbling infants themselves. Kelley and Sherman deliver on a solid premise and give us a convincing critique on the fragility of the male psyche. This duo has a promising future. Details: 5:15 p.m. March 2 screening includes Q&A with Kelley and Sherman and members of the cast.

“Share?”: A Black man (Melvin Gregg) wakes up stripped to his white boxer briefs in eerie, unfamiliar surroundings, a Spartan-like room that resembles a prison cell. How did he land in this predicament and who tossed him in there? Those are a few questions he and director/screenwriter Ira Rosensweig wrangle with in an intense, somewhat experimental thriller, receiving a world premiere. Rosensweig’s tightly wound feature is built on various interactions the protagonist has with others who are in the same pickle where they are able to gain purchasing power via “performance” pieces that earns them “likes.” The sly “Share?” never overstays its welcome (humming along at roughly 78 minutes) as it wags a finger at our social media ways and does so by giving off the vibe of a shared Zoom-like experience. Details: 5:15 p.m. March 3 screening includes Q&A with the cast and director.

“Scrap”: Meet Beth (Vivian Kerr), a single Los Angeles mom who’s lying about her job status once she gets laid off and can’t land another gig. She’s living in her car while her daughter stays with her put-upon brother Ben (Anthony Rapp), a best-selling author stuck in a creative rut, and his wife Stacy (Lana Parrilla), a powerhouse attorney. Kerr’s first feature could have used some tightening up, but it brings to light the plight of someone who living in crisis mode and approaches that relatable topic not with cynicism but hope. Details: 5:15 p.m. March 1 scree ning includes Q&A with cast and filmmakers.

“How to Run the Holidays”: While the timing (post-Christmas) might seem a bit off for watching a seasonal dramedy, the comedic timing couldn’t be more perfect in Arlen Konopaki’s consistently funny and engaging charmer. It receives a world premiere. A big break eludes ambitious SoCal comedian (Amber Nash) who ventures home for the holidays once she learns that her kooky dad (Colin Mochrie) had an accident. Her family includes a brother (Luke Davis) with special needs and a penchant for porn and an effervescent sister (Kate Lambert) with a script she’s overly eager to get into someone’s hands. Every line of dialogue pops like a shaken-up bottle of champagne in this enjoyable outing. Details: 5:15 p.m. March 12 screening includes Q&A with cast and filmmakers.

“East Bay”: Shot and set throughout the East Bay and occasionally in San Francisco, director Daniel Yoon’s quirky drama finds a 39-year-old Korean American part-time filmmaker lamenting that he’s been a loser in life. Told in a rather unconventional, fit-and-start manner, “East Bay” distinguishes itself with humorous characters and comedic encounters along with a sweet romance Jack (Yoon) has with a film festival organizer (Constance Wu of “Crazy Rich Asians”). At times, though, it plays things a little too loose (a bit featuring gay slurs backfires) for its own good. Still, “East Bay’s” puppy-dog demeanor and existential ways will likely win you over. Details: 5:15 p.m. March 10 screening includes Q&A with filmmakers and cast.

“Brothers Broken”: In Geoff Levin and Lily Richard’s straightforward account, the once unbreakable bonds between two San Jose brothers — both members of a ‘60s band — get ripped apart by one sibling’s 46-year devotion to the Church of Scientology. Levin reflects on how it put a stranglehold on his life, shutting off relatives, friends and others not associated with L. Ron Hubbard’s program. The brothers’ estrangement between brothers leads to reconciliation and that reunion is one of the best parts of this scrappy little documentary. Other fascinating side bits help as well, such as brother Robert Levin’s innovations, including the popular indoor cycling program. It’s well worth a look, and even features Rick Springfield. So props to that. Details: Available to stream March 1-12.

“Egghead & Twinkie”: A grassroots campaign led to the expansion of director/screenwriter Sarah Kambe Holland’s 2019 short and that was money well spent since the result is such a sweet tween dramedy about recent high school grads/friends Egghead (Louis Tomeo) and Twinkie (Sabrina Jieafa). The two embark on a zany road trip so Twinkie can meet face-to-face with an Instagramming rocker girl (Asahi Hirano) who’s captured her heart. Meanwhile, Egghead reveals hidden feelings for Twinkie who’s ready to come out and get more in tune with her own Asian American heritage. This peppy world premiere is guaranteed to boost your spirits. Details: Available to stream March 1-12.

“Till Love Do Us Part”: College lecturer Shu (Liang Cuishan) leaves her dispassionate fiance (Ren Bin) behind in China while she goes on a work trip in Prague. There, she runs into the mercurial avant-garde theater director Fan (Zhang Ningaho), a looker who is everything her staid, by-the-book betrothed isn’t. Guess what happens next? Director and screenwriter Ran Li’s debut feature is a sensual beauty, a strikingly shot romantic drama about shaking loose the bounds of tradition and deciding whether to to go down a certain — or uncertain — path ahead. It’s one of the best, most exciting films in this year’s lineup. Details: Available to stream March 1-12.

“Bibi”: The allusions to author Shirley Jackson’s classic writings pile up early and forebodingly in this atmospheric Gothic thriller about unreliable narrator Vivian (Elizabeth Paige) holed up in a mansion with the less-than-pleased younger Bibi (Judith Ann DiMinni). Both characters who are haunted by past secrets that are itching to crawl to the surface. Saying anything further would spoil the mood that is strategically executed in director/screenwriter Christopher Beatty’s spellbinder. Although his first feature, a world premiere, doesn’t entirely stick the landing at the end, Tammy Blanchard’s sparkplug presence as a drunken neighbor makes all of it go down easy. Details: Available to stream March 1-12.

“The Secret Song”: Anyone who ever had a special teacher, one who elevated and inspired them forever in life, will appreciate and identify with Samantha Campbell’s documentary on the influential life and career of San Francisco music teacher, Doug Goodkin. Campbell takes us into the classroom to talk to students and other teachers and Campbell who’s final year found him shifting to online, a major change that shows his and his students resiliency in unprecedented times. Details: Available to stream March 1-12.

Contact Randy Myers at [email protected].