Animation Short – Official Selection – September 2023
Closet Combat Episode 2 | United States | 2023 | 03’
Director: Augustus Hinton
Writer: Augustus Hinton
Producer: Augustus Hinton
Cast: Philip Lamont, Michael Schwengel
Synopsis: Ted, a closeted, gay high school boy, imagines literally fighting his way out of an encounter with bullies at a track meet.
It’s Dance Time | United Kingdom | 2023 | 05’
Director: Qiushu Li
Writer: Qiushu Li
Synopsis: An intimate conversation between two schoolgirls during a group dance between classes, talking about body changes and the experience of UFO sightings.
Kaijuice | United States | 2023 | 02’
Director: Vinh Nguyen
Writer: Vinh Nguyen
Producer: Vinh Nguyen
Cast: Deanna Moorehead, Shania Mathews, Vinh Nguyen
Synopsis: Kaijuice, it’s puberty in a can!
Best Before | Sweden | 2023 | 05’
Director: Martin Pålman
Writer: Martin Pålman
Producer: Martin Pålman
Synopsis: A milk package has mysteriously disappeared from the fridge after passing its best-before date, this leaves the rest of the products sad and confused and a major search operation is launched.
Take Care | United States | 2023 | 09’
Director: Kaylee Anne Hatfield
Writer: Kaylee Anne Hatfield
Producers: Benjamin Neal Reichle, Kaylee Anne Hatfield
Synopsis: A bereaved elderly man has let his life fall apart – until his deceased botanist wife reincarnates as a sickly plant. The two listen to each other’s needs and help however they can.
Commercial/Ad/TVC – Official Selection – September 2023
Timeless Shine | Malabar Gold And Diamonds | India | 2022 | 01’
Director: Rohan Mathew
Writers: Rohan Mathew, Pallavi Kainady
Producer: Rohan Mathew
Cast: Namitha Chacko
Synopsis: Celeberating Mother’s day and Nurse’s day in 2022, which fell close to each other, we looked at nurses as an extension of the caregiving that a mother gives. The video drew parallels of the life of a girl in two separate window; one a flashback denoted with the more filmic look with grains and the warmer more sepia tones. The otherside with a more blue, more sterile modern look. The one side shows how the mother taught the daughter ideas of caring and caregiving and the other shows how the daughter now exhibits these signs as a nurse. The two separate sides come together in the end in a very heart warming scene.
A Badge | China | 2023 | 05’
Director: Xiaojie Shen
Writer: Kun Li
Producer: Cheng Shu
Cast: Yifei Chen, Zhenlin Cao
Synopsis: The promotion of biogas power generation as a new energy source encountered difficulties in the village. This situation greatly distressed Li Xiang, an employee of the biogas power station, and Zhao Yao, a power supply worker. Despite their efforts, the villagers remained skeptical. Frustrated by repeated setbacks, the two were at a loss until they coincidentally met Qi Qi, who was collecting recyclable waste in exchange for credit for an environmental campaign. This encounter sparked an idea for Zhao Yao…
Acura MDX Commercial “Storm Chaser” (Director’s Cut) | United States | 2023 | 02’
Director: Martin Lisius
Writer: Martin Lisius
Producer: Martin Lisius
Synopsis: Acura MDX “Storm Chaser” production synopsis Version: Director’s Cut (1:11) Spec commercial for Acura MDX created by filmmaker and storm chaser Martin Lisius. Filmed on-location, primarily in Texas, during May – July, 2023, this production required the crew to synchronize shooting dates with extreme weather. Blowing dust, hail, flooding and tornadoes were a regular part of shooting. Some of the car shots were filmed during severe weather while others used composited footage shot by Lisius. This is the ultimate “truth in advertising” commercial. The Acura MDX SUV featured in the product shots was also the production vehicle used to track the storms that appear in the spot. 100 percent of the commercial was filmed by Lisius, including shots he appears in. Lisius combines his writing, directing, and shooting skills with his 35 years of storm chasing experience to make this unique commercial possible. Writer/Director/Cinematographer: Martin Lisius Associate Producer: Kim George Other versions: Original 30-Second Commercial
Debut – Official Selection – September 2023
Deafening Silence | Austria | 2021 | 24’
Director: Sander Mudde
Writer: Sander Mudde
Producer: Stella Hofstadler
Cast: Samira Lehmann, Birgit Stauber, Jörg Reifmesser, Daniel van der Weert, Angelika Lepper
Synopsis: A small suburban family gets struck by tragedy. Since both parents do not know how to cope with the loss of their eldest son, it is ultimately up to their 11-year-old deaf daughter Magdalena and her fairy-tale book, to start the healing process.
HALVES | India | 2023 | 33’
Director: Divyanshu Asopa
Writer: Divyanshu Asopa
Producer: Divyanshu Asopa
Cast: Kaveri Seth, Keith Antony Sequeira
Synopais: As a young man & woman go on their second date, the lingering question from their intimate encounter leads them on a soul-searching journey. Amidst conversations about culture, art, and their past, they delve into the depths of their innermost thoughts, questioning the transience of love in an ever-changing world.
Je te ferai un film | Tunisia | 2023 | 19’
Director: Amani Jaafer
Writer: Amani Jaafer
Producers: Omar Ben Ali, Fady Atallah
Cast: Sabrine Ghannoudi, Hakim Faris
Synopsis: A misunderstanding between Nadia, a cineast and her former lover sparks a slow-burning conflict that delves deep into their shared past, exploring the bittersweet nuances of longing and moving on and navigating the complexities of love and heartbreak.
Rat in the Kitchen | India | 2023 | 22’
Director: Arkish Aftab
Writer: Arkish Aftab
Producers: Purvi Khan, Afroz Khan
Cast: Mantra Mugdh, Aishwarya Desai
Synopsis: After a bitter separation from his wife, Vikram starts to live alone, which makes him spiral into a life of loneliness, negligence and alcoholism. He begins to notice that his food is going missing and his kitchen is ransacked every time he comes home. Thinking he has a rat problem, he installs CCTV cameras around his house. But what he uncovers instead, is far more bizarre and macabre.
Documentary Short – Official Selection – September 2023
Y WERIN / HIRAETH | United Kingdom | 2023 | 15
Directors: Ella Spottiswood, Adam Evans
Producers: Adam Evans, Ella Spottiswood
Cast: Jonny Owen, Charlotte James
Synopsis: A non-exploitative and honest insight into a town considered to be the most deprived area in Wales. Two creatives explore how the people and landscapes of Merthyr Tydfil have impacted their lives and art.
Icelandic Fragments | Iceland | 2023 | 30’
Directors: Manfred de Fouquières, Patrick Evesque
Writers: Manfred de Fouquières, Patrick Evesque
Producers: Motion Digital Raw (MODIRAW), ATELIER PEV, Manfred de Fouquières, Patrick Evesque
Cast: Lene, Ólafur, Mathias, Knútur, Kalli, Kristín, Ármann
Synopsis: Icelandic Fragments illustrates the testimonies of seven individuals, exiled from sandstone or by force, away from the continental gesticulations, close to the rumblings of the world, it is in contact with bare landscapes and a relentless nature, that they reconnect with the essential, time and creativity. Their authentic perspectives help us to continue our journey in search of ourselves.
We are Seventeen | Republic of Korea | 2023 | 25’
Director: Melissa Kim
Writer: Melissa Kim
Producer: Junseok Kim
Cast: Melissa Kim, Kate Moon, Junseok Kim, Gift Natasha
Synopsis: The documentary We are Seventeen follows the lives of teenage single mothers in Uganda who have been robbed of their dreams at an early age. Considering the cultural norms of their society, members of Girls Be Strong work towards building a brighter future for younger girls of Uganda.
Experimental Short – Official Selection – September 2023
Floating Flies | Austria | 2022 | 08’
Director: Victoria Halper
Writer: Victoria Halper
Producer: Victoria Halper
Cast: Victoria Halper
Synopsis: A short film exploring the permanent and uncontrollable changes to the eye that aging brings with it through the perspective of a young woman. The desire for clear vision is challenged by semi-transparent and opaque untouchable black objects floating in one’s eye, known as mouches volantes. An autobiographical experimentation on film and digital material featuring analog shadows of specks of dust and mould inside the camera lens, overclocked digital static and ever increasing ominous black holes of nothingness.
Best Self | Australia | 2023 | 09’
Director: Phebe Schmidt
Writer: Phebe Schmidt
Producer: Gabrielle Pearson
Cast: Daniella Casmi
Synopsis: She is present. She is perfect. She is doing well.
The Scholar’s Study: Still Life | Canada | 2018 | 07’
Director: Carol Elinor Sawyer
Writer: Carol Elinor Sawyer
Producer: Carol Elinor Sawyer
Synopsis: This film was shot when Sawyer was clearing out her father’s study, more than a decade after his death. The contents of the art historian’s desk – including the many magnifying glasses and spare sets of eyeglasses he kept – and his inventory of plexiglass stands (originally used to display various objects of study), are the chief protagonists in the work. Curator Kimberley Phillips describes the film in her essay for the exhibition 13 Ways to Summon ghosts: “A seam runs vertically through through the shot, undermining the coherence of the visual field and placing a rupture at the centre of the image. The tactic further intensifies a sense of loss and a longing for our experience of space—and memory—to be reliable, as well as whole.” The film soundtrack incorporates excerpts of a recording made by Sawyer’s father in the 1960’s, as a audio guide for an exhibition. The disembodied voice instructs the listener to observe various details, but these are not available in the footage.
A Tiny Love Story | 2023 | 03’
Director: Laura Days
Synopsis: A tiny hamster gets his tiny heart broken and learns that his feelings can be much larger than himself.
Mini Short – Official Selection – September 2023
DUENDE | Spain | 2023 | 03’
Director: Gina Onegina
Writer: Gina Onegina
Producers: Alexander Zarshchikov, Alla Melnikova, Anastasiya Yakimenko
Cast: Roman Starcevic, Dídac González, Maksym Pakhomov
Synopsis: Prepare to be captivated by this visually stunning Fashion Film that delves deep into the contentious world of bullfighting. With its exploration of Spanish culture and its nuanced portrayal of masculinity, the film provokes thought and introspection. It skillfully intertwines themes of violence, humor, and the timeless concept of men’s fashion. Through a modern lens, the bullfighter costume is reimagined, creating a captivating fusion of tradition and contemporary style. This thought-provoking film is a must-watch for anyone seeking a fresh perspective on cultural and sartorial norms. Three young men playing an unknown game in historical arena in Barcelona, where, now banned bullfight, took place before. What are you expecting from them?..
The Last March Of An Ad Creative | United States | 2023 | 03’
Director: Kiran Koshy
Writer: Jason N Farmanov, Kiran Koshy
Producer: Adam Kaiser, Gleason Barber, Steve Wi
Cast: Devin Bonnée, Kenneth Bingham, Lee Hackett
Synopsis: An agency creative attempts to lure fresh talent to the industry as he makes his final walk toward redundancy in this film about ageism in advertising.
A Tiny Love Story | 2023 | 03’
Director: Laura Days
Synopsis: A tiny hamster gets his tiny heart broken and learns that his feelings can be much larger than himself.
Music Video – Official Selection – September 2023
They are watching you | France | 2023 | 05’
Director: Quentin Bernard
Writer: Quentin Bernard
Producers: Duo du Bas, Eskemm Films
Cast: Elsa Corre, Hélène Jacquelot, Odette Picaud
Synopsis: Two women discover a mysterious workshop where a collection of stitched dolls are carefully placed on tables and shelves. The artist Odette Picaud installs them in her lair and undertakes a performance of sewing and patching with the singers of “Duo du Bas” as her material…
HEAL | Germany | 2023 | 09’
Director: Om Shira
Writer: Om Shira
Producer: Om Shira
Cast: Aline Novaro, Josué Avalos, Parastoo Salamat
Synopsis: A music video for Om Shira´s latest release “HEAL”. HEAL has become a multidimensional hologram, revealing different facets of ourselves with each ray of light. It urges us to listen to our inner voice and experience healing, even when it seems impossible in an increasingly complex world. While largely autobiographical, HEAL is a vessel of countless stories and emotions that Om has encountered on his journey. Over 15 artists from 3 continents have been involved into the creation of HEAL incl. Riosentí, a duo from Mexico/Argentina, Ryan Carniaux – jazz professor from New York and a very engaged team of videographers, dancers and costume designers from Iran. ”Heal my little friend – sitting in my chest like a bird…”
Life After Her | United States | 2023 | 14’
Director: Daniel Mayúgba
Writers: Cody Apache Grosse, Daniel Mayúgba
Producers: Andrés Paredés Arroyo Martínez, Bryan Casallo
Cast: Cody Apache Grosse, Antonella Nuzzo, Seraphina Russell, Seraphina Violet Cueller
Synopsis: ‘Life After Her’ is an experimental audio, visual film directed by Daniel Mayúgba that explores the volatile world of an artist, where lines between perception and reality are continuously tested. Blending the complexities of a psychological thriller, sci-fi, and the music of alternative R&B artist, Apache Grosse, this episodic narrative confronts the underlying question about the sacrifices one makes in the relentless pursuit of art.
amalgaMOTION | Canada | 2023 | 05’
Directors: Adam Daniel Mezei, Crystal Finn-Dunn
Producers: Adam Daniel Mezei, Jade Yurich, Crystal Finn-Dunn
Cast: Tariq A. Chin, O’Shani “Ocean” Cardwell, Mike “Tricky Troublez” Smith, Gautam “Siddartha” Tiwari, Matthew “Snoopy” Cuff, Crystal Finn-Dunn, Natalie Poirier, Joel Famadico, Jr., Victoria Barrie, Julia Walton, Raoul Pillay, Indiana Mehta
Synopsis: A visually stunning celebration of diverse dance styles fusing into harmony. Captivating choreography, mesmerizing synergy. Prepare for a spectacular journey where cultures unite through dance.
Narrative Short – Official Selection – September 2023
Wool | United Kingdom | 2023 | 14’
Director: Alfie David Gardener
Writer: Alfie David Gardener
Producer: Alfie David Gardener
Cast: Sam Barrett
Synopsis: Jed, a young sheep farmer, struggles to come to terms with his dads cancer diagnosis and is reluctant to speak out about his difficulties with the situation. This changes for Jed when he discovers lamb that has died in his field. It is only then that Jed is able to let out his true emotions.
Nevermore | Czech Republic | 2021 | 08’
Director: Sheida Sheikhha
Writers: Sheida Sheikhha, Bruno Grandino
Producers: Sheida Sheikhha, Bruno Grandino
Cast: Klara Kousalova, Alan Michailov, Teodor Pribil
Synopsis: After the accidental death of her 4 year old son, a mother battles with her inner fears and demons as she come to terms with the fact that her older son is responsible for this tragedy.
STUCK | Switzerland | 2023 | 02’
Director: Gregory Köfer
Writer: Gregory Köfer
Producer: Gregory Köfer
Cast: Youna, Keith Dallison
Synopsis: Stuck in a Ramen Store in Tokyo, Yuri craves change. A strange customer appears and turns her world upside down forever.
Back & Forth | Hong Kong | 2023 | 14’
Director: Chun Hei Che
Writers: Shuk Han Wan, Chun Hei Che
Producer: Ashely Choi
Cast: Leanne Li, Daniel Ho
Synopsis: In the night when Piscis Austrinids meteor shower appears, Sze runs into Fai on the ferry with mixed feelings. There is an old saying: “One can go back to the past in the night of the meteor shower.” With the saying coming true that night, Sze goes back to 10 years ago where she is still in a relationship with Fai. In the night when she is supposed to break up with him, Sze chooses to continue the relationship with Fai. The outcome, however, deviates from her expectation.
No/Low Budget – Official Selection – September 2023
The Suicidal | France | 2022 | 13’
Director: Mazigh BOUAICH
Writer: Mazigh Bouaïch
Producer: Mazigh Bouaïch
Cast: Clémence Boisnard, Mazigh Bouaïch, Mamadou Dian
Synopsis: A girl is on a roof ready to jump, but a man comes and wants to jump too. The two of them doesn’t want to belong to this crazy world anymore. But now they’ve met, things are a little bit different.
Sorry for Your Loss | United States | 2022 | 05’
Director: Chyan Lo
Writer: Chyan Lo
Producer: Chyan Lo
Cast: Jennifer McClintion
Synopsis: In the office of the Limbo transfer station, Miyu realized the cause of her death.
You Do Not Have To Be Good | Ireland | 2023 | 07’
Director: Annie Ryan
Writers: Annie Ryan, Gillian Buckle
Producers: Annie Ryan, Mark Lynch
Cast: Simone Collins, Gillian Buckle
Synopsis: A young woman is sitting outside a chemist. Her friend has bought her something, handing her a small paper bag. They walk until they find a place to pee by the sea and wait for the result of the test. One friend holds space for the other with gentleness, helping her to find the courage to move forward with integrity.
Tell Him I Left | United States | 2022 | 05’
Director: Vidhi N Bansal
Writers: Vidhi N Bansal, Paridhi N Bansal
Producers: Liam Young, Andre Zakhya, Shuruq Tramontini, Alexey Marfin
Cast: Justin David
Synopsis: “Tell Him I Left,” is a short film set in a dystopian world of religious extremities. The belief systems plaguing the two worlds have pulled them apart and created constant tension, giving rise to an in-between, where the non conformists often wander. The film allows you to explore this world by following the journey of a letter from one world to the other, while crusading the forest in- between. “Tell Him I Left” was created out of Vidhi’s keen interest in visually stunning dystopias combined with her childhood plagued with religious indoctrination.
Short Comedy – Official Selection – September 2023
Who’s Annie? | United States | 2023 | 30’
Director: SOPHIA PEER
Writers: SOPHIA PEER, Annie Sicherman
Producers: Ryan Cunningham, Randy Stulberg
Cast: Annie Pisapia, Sofia Dobrushin
Synopsis: After jail-time, 12-step programs and five marriages, Annie begins her acting career in her mid-fifties with the help of a young director she met at a Burger King. In this show within a show, Annie tackles both her gigs as an actor and the role of herself in her own life story.
Born Again Virgin | United States | 2023 | 11’
Director: Teia Kane
Writers: Teia Kane, Saba Eskandari
Producers: Saba Eskandari, Teia Kane
Cast: Saba Eskandari, Anahid Ariya
Synopsis: “Born Again Virgin” is a captivating tale set in Iran, where Azadeh, a young woman, keeps a secret hidden from her husband and sister. Her sister urges her to undergo a surgical procedure to regain her virginity before her wedding night, but Azadeh has yet to do so. With the wedding day looming, Azadeh must confront the consequences of her choices and make a life-altering decision. The film offers a glimpse into the enigmatic world of women in traditional societies as they navigate the intricate balance between societal expectations and their own desires.
The Umbrella Thief | Brazil | 2023 | 24’
Director: José Eduardo Lins
Writer: José Eduardo Lins
Producer: Guilherme Nasser
Cast: Pedro Manoel Nabuco, Wilson Rabelo, Alexia Dechamps
Synopsis: A young man steals an umbrella out of necessity. When confronted by the victim of his actions, an even larger necessity reveals itself. Based on the short story by Carolina Nabuco, whose events are true, “The Umbrella Thief” is a timeless tale of salvation in the face of death.
Fur ?oat | Russian Federation | 2022 | 23’
Director: Evgeny Vedrov
Writers: Evgeny Vedrov, Daria Rubtsova
Producers: Evgeny Vedrov, Mira Albor, Daria Rubtsova
Cast: Larisa Krupina, Irina Yazvinskaya, Elena Starodvorskaya
Synopsis: A female pensioner goes to the city centre. At the station square, she is accosted by fur coat salesmen. They “sell” an expensive fur coat to the grandmother on the cheap – she remains confused for a few days. She doesn’t know whether she is being tricked or whether it’s a miracle.
Best Before | Sweden | 2023 | 05’
Director: Martin Pålman
Writer: Martin Pålman
Producer: Martin Pålman
Cast: A milk package has mysteriously disappeared from the fridge after passing its best-before date, this leaves the rest of the products sad and confused and a major search operation is launched.
Short Drama – Official Selection – September 2023
Born Again Virgin | United States | 2023 | 11’
Director: Teia Kane
Writers: Teia Kane, Saba Eskandari
Producers: Saba Eskandari, Teia Kane
Cast: Saba Eskandari, Anahid Ariya
Synopsis: “Born Again Virgin” is a captivating tale set in Iran, where Azadeh, a young woman, keeps a secret hidden from her husband and sister. Her sister urges her to undergo a surgical procedure to regain her virginity before her wedding night, but Azadeh has yet to do so. With the wedding day looming, Azadeh must confront the consequences of her choices and make a life-altering decision. The film offers a glimpse into the enigmatic world of women in traditional societies as they navigate the intricate balance between societal expectations and their own desires.
The Umbrella Thief | Brazil | 2023 | 24’
Director: José Eduardo Lins
Writer: José Eduardo Lins
Producer: Guilherme Nasser
Cast: Pedro Manoel Nabuco, Wilson Rabelo, Alexia Dechamps
Synopsis: A young man steals an umbrella out of necessity. When confronted by the victim of his actions, an even larger necessity reveals itself. Based on the short story by Carolina Nabuco, whose events are true, “The Umbrella Thief” is a timeless tale of salvation in the face of death.
Fur coat | Russian Federation | 2022 | 23’
Director: Evgeny Vedrov
Writers: Evgeny Vedrov, Daria Rubtsova
Producers: Evgeny Vedrov, Mira Albor, Daria Rubtsova
Cast: Larisa Krupina, Irina Yazvinskaya, Elena Starodvorskaya
Synopsis: A female pensioner goes to the city centre. At the station square, she is accosted by fur coat salesmen. They “sell” an expensive fur coat to the grandmother on the cheap – she remains confused for a few days. She doesn’t know whether she is being tricked or whether it’s a miracle.
Back & Forth | Hong Kong | 2023 | 14’
Director: Chun Hei Che
Writers: Shuk Han Wan, Chun Hei Che
Producer: Ashely Choi
Cast: Leanne Li, Daniel Ho
Synopsis: In the night when Piscis Austrinids meteor shower appears, Sze runs into Fai on the ferry with mixed feelings. There is an old saying: “One can go back to the past in the night of the meteor shower.” With the saying coming true that night, Sze goes back to 10 years ago where she is still in a relationship with Fai. In the night when she is supposed to break up with him, Sze chooses to continue the relationship with Fai. The outcome, however, deviates from her expectation.
Short Thriller/Mystery – Official Selection – September 2023
Inshore | Turkey | 2022 | 14’
Director: Elif Öner
Writer: Elif Öner
Producers: Batuhan Semir, Elif Öner
Cast: Ezgi Bozkurt, Selin Köseoglu, Arda Anarat
Synopsis: On a day when Artemis and Defne were at the beach, they encounters Tarik, who runs a camp nearby. In this way, Tarik will be involved the relationship, feelings and concerns of the duo. Thus, laughter will be replaced by uncanny moments.
Best Before | Sweden | 2023 | 05’
Director: Martin Pålman
Writer: Martin Pålman
Producer: Martin Pålman
Cast: A milk package has mysteriously disappeared from the fridge after passing its best-before date, this leaves the rest of the products sad and confused and a major search operation is launched.
Rat in the Kitchen | India | 2023 | 22’
Director: Arkish Aftab
Writer: Arkish Aftab
Producers: Purvi Khan, Afroz Khan
Cast: Mantra Mugdh, Aishwarya Desai
Synopsis: After a bitter separation from his wife, Vikram starts to live alone, which makes him spiral into a life of loneliness, negligence and alcoholism. He begins to notice that his food is going missing and his kitchen is ransacked every time he comes home. Thinking he has a rat problem, he installs CCTV cameras around his house. But what he uncovers instead, is far more bizarre and macabre.
Student Short – Official Selection – September 2023
Holy Madonna Ecuador | 2022 | 15’
Directors: Esteban Javier Vera, Tommy Cachimuel, Salvador Rosendo Yugcha
Writers: Esteban Javier Vera, Salvador Rosendo Yugcha
Cast: Angie Sofía Cardenas, Mabel Yuliana Quizhpi, Jhonny Romero, Pablo Aguirre Andrade
Synopsis: Martina is a young novice who is dedicated to assisting the priest Francisco in funeral masses. With the unexpected death of Afrodita, a charismatic and respected drag queen whose last wish was to be veiled with joy and party, her secret past within the Lgbtiq+ community reappears, which he must face. Between Vogue, an ex-girlfriend and her fear of coming out of the closet, she will understand that she does not have to fear love and living authentically.
Precipice | United Kingdom | 2023 | 08’
Director: Chaa (Çagri) Ustaoglu
Writer: Chaa (Çagri) Ustaoglu
Producers: Chaa (Çagri) Ustaoglu, Hal Pilkington, Bryn Chiappe
Cast: Peter Horvath, Andras B. Horvath
Synopsis: A man in a room begins to hear an odd sound. As he desperately searches the room, the sound only grows until he finds its source to be something unexpected.
Jackpot | 2023 | 25’
Director: Márk Makkai
Writer: Márk Makkai
Producers: Sámuel Molnár, Márk Makkai
Cast: Kristóf Németh B., Barbara Kerekes, Géza Aszalos, Andrea Fincziski, Gábor Tollas, Márk Makkai, Piotr Bankowski, Balázs Soó-Zöld, Márton Nagy
Synopsis: A gambling-addicted guy wants to convince a bartender girl with an exciting story to get some money.
Edward Has A Tree Inside Him | Australia | 2023 | 17’
Director: Kristoffer Lucia
Writer: Kristoffer Lucia
Producers: Kristoffer Lucia, Genevieve Brandenburg
Cast: Tayla Cecere, Daniel Millar
Synopsis: A young woman is thrust into a caretaking role after her boyfriend is diagnosed with a unique illness…
Childhood | Republic of Korea |2022 | 29’
Director: Lichen Guan
Writer: Lichen Guan
Producer: Tiantian Wei
Cast: Yoonsung Woo, Soohyun Kim, Yurim Cha
Synopsis: Park Min-jae, a young boy who is often targeted by teacher Ha,and Jo Su-mi, a chubby and dirty girl who is often bullied by students.The two often fight, they don’t like each other. One day they are ridiculed by teacher Ha and insulted in front of the students, their relationship have been changed.
Pontianak | United States | 2023 | 12’
Director: Kayla Aalia
Writer: Kayla Aalia
Producer: Arina Sakun
Cast: Celine Diva Tulaar, Jeremy Luis Rivera, Angela Lin
Synopsis: Nakia, a young woman trapped in an abusive relationship, finds herself at a crossroads when she discovers she is pregnant with her boyfriend’s child. Filled with anger, pain, and a desperate need for justice, Nakia resorts to a forbidden path in her quest for revenge. However, her intentions unknowingly set in motion a series of events that spiral out of control.
Rosario | United Kingdom | 2023 | 11’
Director: Tamara Egea Ferguson
Writer: Tamara Egea Ferguson
Producer: Tamara Egea Ferguson
Cast: Leticia Sánchez, Austin Miller
Synopsis: Rosario follows a flamenco dancer who falls into artistic obsession when challenged by a mysterious guitar melody.
The Campsie Fells | United Kingdom | 2022 | 18’
Director: Luca MacCormick
Writer: Luca MacCormick
Producers: Luca MacCormick, Fiann MacLeod, Liam Boyd, Alexander Davidson
Cast: Raymond Mearns, Ben Paterson
Synopsis: Dylan meets with his father Peter to scatter his grandfather’s ashes at the hills of the Campsie Fells.
Some Place Home (and what remains of Chernobyl) | Russian Federation | 2023 | 22’
Director: Diana Matsepuro
Producer: Diana Matsepuro
Cast: New York University
Synopsis: Is home a feeling, a memory, or a place? In this short documentary, the filmmaker travels back to her home country, Russia, to accompany her father on his first return visit to the house he grew up in the town of Klintsy. Klintsy used to be a vibrant city but now it is an emptying small town that was affected by the Chernobyl accident in 1986 and from February 2022 became dangerously close to the front of the current war between Russia and Ukraine. The filmmaker’s father sold his family house in Klintsy some years ago and has not visited this place since then.
Bunny Guard | United States | 2023 | 09’
Director: Ho Chung Tang
Writer: Ho Chung Tang
Producer: Yuka Saito
Cast: Peter Zizzo, Ryan Chiu
Synopsis: With his son battling a deadly disease in the hospital, Adam is visited by an unexpected guest who has come for a purpose.
Never Say Cry | China | 17’
Director: Ziyao Liu
Writer: Ziyao Liu
Producer: Changhui Shi
Cast: Angela Lin, Gloria Ho
Synopsis: When mom’s temporary visit turns into an indefinite stay due to the pandemic, Lei is forced to confront the seemingly irreconcilable gap between them.
Take Care | United States | 2023 | 09’
Director: Kaylee Anne Hatfield
Writer: Kaylee Anne Hatfield
Producers: Benjamin Neal Reichle, Kaylee Anne Hatfield
Synopsis: A bereaved elderly man has let his life fall apart – until his deceased botanist wife reincarnates as a sickly plant. The two listen to each other’s needs and help however they can.
We are Seventeen | Republic of Korea | 2023 | 25’
Director: Melissa Kim
Writer: Melissa Kim
Producer: Junseok Kim
Cast: Melissa Kim, Kate Moon, Junseok Kim, Gift Natasha
Synopsis: The documentary We are Seventeen follows the lives of teenage single mothers in Uganda who have been robbed of their dreams at an early age. Considering the cultural norms of their society, members of Girls Be Strong work towards building a brighter future for younger girls of Uganda.
Tell Him I Left | United States | 2022 | 05’
Director: Vidhi N Bansal
Writers: Vidhi N Bansal, Paridhi N Bansal
Producers: Liam Young, Andre Zakhya, Shuruq Tramontini, Alexey Marfin
Cast: Justin David
Synopsis: “Tell Him I Left,” is a short film set in a dystopian world of religious extremities. The belief systems plaguing the two worlds have pulled them apart and created constant tension, giving rise to an in-between, where the non conformists often wander. The film allows you to explore this world by following the journey of a letter from one world to the other, while crusading the forest in- between. “Tell Him I Left” was created out of Vidhi’s keen interest in visually stunning dystopias combined with her childhood plagued with religious indoctrination.
Fur ?oat | Russian Federation | 2022 | 23’
Director: Evgeny Vedrov
Writers: Evgeny Vedrov, Daria Rubtsova
Producers: Evgeny Vedrov, Mira Albor, Daria Rubtsova
Cast: Larisa Krupina, Irina Yazvinskaya, Elena Starodvorskaya
Synopsis: A female pensioner goes to the city centre. At the station square, she is accosted by fur coat salesmen. They “sell” an expensive fur coat to the grandmother on the cheap – she remains confused for a few days. She doesn’t know whether she is being tricked or whether it’s a miracle.
