Omaha is one of those small-scale indie films under 90 minutes that first pique our curiosity with a slightly mysterious promise, before sweeping us away with raw emotional power.

After a family tragedy, a father wakes his two children one morning and takes them on a road trip bound for Nebraska. Ten-year-old Ella keeps asking questions, trying to make sense of the journey alongside the audience, while also surrendering to the breathtaking landscapes and the simple joy of time spent together as a family. Yet the father’s grief quietly seeps through, clouding the atmosphere.

It comes as no surprise to find Robert Machoian credited on the screenplay — his subtle, piercing style echoes his equally independent and striking feature The Integrity of Joseph Chambers.

John Magaro rounds out the picture of indie perfection, bringing a tortured presence softened by the tenderness of his performance.

Stephen Cole Webley’s debut feature is nothing short of a small wonder — deeply moving, heartbreakingly human.