Beverly Hills Film Festival (BHFF) serves as a cinematic cultural template for emerging, talented filmmakers who wish to express their uniqueness through the lens of past excellence while exposing themselves to the latest innovative concepts in the arts. The Beverly Hills Film Festival’s objective is to merge today’s filmmaking pioneers with the wealth of cinematic heritage by edifying and developing the cinematic community.

Schedule of Events:

May 1, 2024:

Block 1 at 1:00 PM:

Cat Got Your Tongue:

Comedy(12 min) United Kingdom
Directed By: Georgina Hellier
Written By: Georgina Hellier
Produced By: Georgina Hellier, Tess Kermode, Andy Harold
Cast: Georgina Hellier, David Sterne, Sid Sagar

Synopsis: Cat Got Your Tongue is a heartfelt comedy about not being able to carry on living until you’ve buried what’s already dead. Hazel is trying to track down the man she thought she had a connection with. At her friend Nick’s store, she assists the elderly Brian and consequently learns more about love and relationships.

I,Lina:

Comedy(12 min) Italy
Directed By: Luana Fanelli
Written By: Luana Fanelli
Produced By: Luana Fanelli, Finalestudio, Azione Dramatic Arts, CREI interpreti LIS
Cast: Magdalena Lazzari, Aurora Lo Monaco, Luigi Imola, Michele Capuano, Clio Evans, Ismaele Mele

Synopsis: Lina spends her 14th birthday just like every other day, stuck on the farm working and not in education like her more affluent teenage neighbour Clara, who attends a school for the deaf. Overhearing her older brother wanting to attend a party but needing female accompaniment to get in, Lina shares this knowledge with Clara. This news is the perfect excuse for the two girlfriends to make up a plan and escape their sad reality, for just one night.

Gift:

Comedy(22 min) China
Directed By: Xiaotong Jiang
Written By: Xiaotong Jiang
Produced By: Jun Ying
Cast: Ke Bai, Benyu Zhang, Hehuizi Zheng

Synopsis: Two desperate men, Shui and Jin, plan a gold shop robbery. As they wait, Shui shares his dream of taking his loved one to the Maldives, sparking a transformation in both men towards justice. A leaflet of beaches serves as a symbol of hope, guiding them away from crime and towards a brighter future.

Block 2 at 1:15 PM:

When I Close My Eyes:

Drama(5 min) United States
Directed By: Lily Gavin
Written By: Lily Gavin
Produced By: Ani Schroeter, Lily Gavin, Matt Parker
Cast: Aimee Mullins, Tallulah Rose Sanders, Agnes Post, Nedra Williams, Youngja Yoo

Synopsis: A young girl in New York City, witnesses the growing disconnect of the world around her, including her family. She turns to the outside world and uses her sensitivity and imagination to connect to the spiritual and physical world; through voices and visions, she finds freedom from a world that is collapsing onto itself.

How I Sound:

Drama(7 min) United States
Directed By: Zuzana Martinkova
Written By: Zuzana Martinkova
Produced By: Marisha Legan-Johnson, Zuzana Martinkova
Cast: Alexis Beckman, Jessica Khatib

Synopsis: Overwhelming circumstances push Faith to make a decision of ending her life by jumping from the rooftop. However, her death sentence is thwarted by a random girl in a hoodie who somehow knows more than she should.

Fiona:

Drama(12 min) United States
Directed By: Makeda Diggs
Written By: Makeda Diggs
Produced By: Jennifer Downes, Makeda Diggs
Cast: Makeda Diggs, Hannah Lipton

Synopsis: For most of her life, Fiona was a pre-professional violinist training to become a soloist. After experiencing a great loss, she grapples with what it means for her that she no longer plays. Amidst the identity crisis that ensues, Fiona finds new meaning in music, friendship, and her interpretation of joy.

Run Away to Mars:

Drama(14 min) United States
Directed By: Courtney Paige
Written By: Courtney Paige
Produced By: Courtney Paige, Kyler Fisher, Adam Sigal, Joanna Clark, Matthew Tucker, Adam Sigal, Shane Morrisun
Cast: Kyler Fisher, Taytum Fisher, Oakley Fisher, Kevin Forrest Clark

Synopsis: A man goes on a mission to preach the gospel only to find he’s put his family in a life or death situation with a cult

Pendulum:

Drama(15 min) United States
Directed By: Britt Falardeau
Written By: Britt Falardeau
Produced By: Britt Falardeau, Daniel Novick, Meghan Redding
Cast: Daniel Novick, Meghan Redding, Ernesto Ruvalcaba

Synopsis: Spiritual Stomach Flu: A period where one suffers from depression, anxiety, and/or overwhelming feelings of being lost. Like a stomach flu, symptoms can vary between individuals and the best treatment is rest, release, and time. Pendulum is a short film about Cal and his spiritual stomach flu. Desperate for a way out, he returns to his family’s ranch as means to cope, ultimately finding, sometimes the only way through is to surrender.

American Oxygen:

Drama (20 min) United States
Directed By: Adam Hazelton, Emily Hazelton
Written By: Adam Hazelton & Emily Hazelton
Produced By: Emily Hazelton
Cast: Flora Jiwu Wang, Shiva Ayama, Dakota Loesch, Dwayne Tarver

Synopsis: A young woman living on permanent supplemental oxygen rushes to catch the last bus to L.A. and be healed by a miracle-working televangelist.

Driving There:

Drama (21 min) United States
Directed By: Marlaina Smith
Written By: Marlaina Smith
Produced By: Marlaina Smith
Cast: Luke Dimyan, Marlaina Smith, Sandra Saad, Tom Shohat, Kendrick Patino

Synopsis: Daniel, a young man grappling with loss, embarks on a solitary road trip to a familiar yet changed destination. As he navigates his memories, he encounters Marly, a spirited but burdened traveler.Taking on the road together, the gap between their experiences gradually narrows, bringing each other closer to what pulls at their hearts.

Block 3 at 1:30 PM:

Lace and Fog:

Drama (3 min) United States
Directed By: Ally May
Written By: Ally May
Produced By: Ally May, Craig Vincent
Cast: Alan Zeichner, Johnny Rosales, Alicia Dawn Hampton, Sherill Quinn

Synopsis: A man struggling with his memory wanders in to a bar and is met with unfamiliar faces.

Glimpse of Childhood:

Drama (7 min) United States
Directed By: Nizami Murtuzayev
Written By: Nizami Murtuzayev
Produced By: Ohia Morrison, Grace Ward
Cast: Justine Colan, Alessandra Eelen, Kristiana Roemer, David Nash, Sam Brinkley

Synopsis: On her birthday, a young girl finds herself in the company of a guilt-ridden and emotionally detached family, where each member grapples with personal challenges in an attempt to rise above their troubles.

X AE A-12:

Drama (10 min) United States
Directed By: Chris Collins
Written By: Chris Collins
Produced By: Terrell Sandefur
Cast: Steven Morana, Malia Rock

Synopsis: X wakes up from a haunting nightmare in which the Tesla Roadster his father gave him explodes in front of his eyes, setting off a series of reflections and insights that will change his life forever.

Two Cents & A Footlong:

Drama (11 min) United States
Directed By: Kanin Guntzelman
Written By: Kanin Guntzelman
Produced By: Kanin Guntzelman, Elisa Logan, Brando Ross, David Hunter, Jane DiMambro, David Pierce
Cast: George Russo, Saul Trujillo, Arielle Uppaluri

Synopsis: When a depressed insomniac walks into a sandwich shop at 4 in the morning, he’s forced to assess every decision he’s ever made in his life—all because the sandwich guy asks him, “How’s it going?”

Next:

Drama (18 min) United States
Directed By: Chelsea Alden
Written By: Jennings Rice
Produced By: Nina Madzirov, Jennings Rice, Chelsea Alden
Cast: Jennings Rice, David Beatty, Maite Garcia, Steph Martinez, Coby Larinde

Synopsis: What if dying was a little like going to the DMV? Sara Clayborne is about to find out.

The Lost Weekend:

Drama (21 min) United States
Directed By: Charlie Norton
Written By: Charlie Norton
Produced By: Charlie Norton, Ted Omo, Brendan Egan, Stephen Astor
Cast: Brendan Egan, Chloe Lang, Henry Lynch, Mathew Ray, Olivia Donnelly, Elise Ramaekers

Synopsis: In the Summer of 2004, James, a teenage boy grappling with his masculinity, embarks on a weekend trip to Cape Cod. As he confronts toxic expectations about what it means to be a man, James must make a life-changing decision that will shape his future.

Block 4 at 2:45 PM:

The Sadness in Freedom:

Drama (7 min) United States
Directed By: Aylya Marzolf
Written By: Aylya Marzolf
Produced By: Sibongile Mlambo
Cast: Melodie Casta, Brent Bailey

Synopsis: Leah, grappling with the weight of death and the ache of solitude, finds herself entangled in a web of conflicting emotions. Amidst the echoes of happier times and haunting memories of abuse, she mourns the loss of her beloved and wrestles with self-blame for his outbursts.

The Noise:

Drama (10 min) United States
Directed By: Bryce Gheisar
Written By: Jillian Shea Spaeder
Produced By: Jillian Shea Spaeder, Shane Brady
Cast: Jillian Shea Spaeder, Shane Brady

Synopsis: Ella secretly struggles with an eating disorder. On her birthday, her family makes her a rich, mouth-watering meal that causes the negative thoughts in her head to become incessant. The personified version of these thoughts takes an intimidating physical form—The Noise—who continuously pulls Ella into a liminal space to discipline her for her actions. Ella does her best to engage in everyday life, but the harder she fights against The Noise, the more monstrous it becomes.

The Jukebox:

Drama (18 min) United States
Directed By: Jon Housholder, Jeff Schafer
Written By: Jon Housholder, Jeff Schafer
Produced By: Brent Kunze
Cast: Chester Shepherd, Joseph Gray, Zach Humphrey, Harrison Fowler, Luca Acevado, Tania Joy, Peggy Barnell

Synopsis: In The Jukebox, memories of the past swirl in the mind of a young man who must watch as his father succumbs to a terminal illness. Years after, while still seeking closure, this same man is unexpectedly reunited with an heirloom from his youth.

Seul:

Drama (20 min) United States
Directed By: Timothy Arielli
Written By: Blake Leon
Produced By: Blake Leon, Timothy Arielli, Lena Coccetti
Cast: Blake Leon, Sade Katarina, Jax Buresh, Marisa Petroro, Ozborne Williams

Synopsis: After completing his second tour in Afghanistan, Jason (Blake Leon) did not come home the same man he was when he left. Struggling with PTSD, alcoholism, and hallucinations, finding his way back into society may not be possible.

Lines:

Drama (24 min) United States
Directed By: Sara Werner
Written By: Liesl Wilke
Produced By: Liesl Wilke, Spark Arts & Letters, Nicholle Navarro, Tracy Mulholland
Cast: Julia Wilke, Philip Solheim, Lauren Han, Ken Weiler, Jonathan LaPaglia, Tracy Mulholland, Mark Adler

Synopsis: An 80s Ivy League college student grapples with confusion and shame after a visit to an older painter’s studio off campus.

Sam:

Drama (26 min) United States
Directed By: Luka Bursac
Written By: Luka Bursac, Sonja Devi
Produced By: Luka Bursac Sonja Devi, Shamsa Al Habtoor
Cast: Chad Coe, Sonja Devi, Marco Cacioppo, Kate D’Aronzo, Luis Andres Sanchez, Bodhi Tabatabai

Synopsis: After receiving a phone call from his ex-girlfriend, Z goes through a spiral of emotions and memories in the final attempt to get his lover back.

Block 5 at 3:30 PM:

Betty Bites Back:

Comedy (3 min) United States
Directed By: Jessica Michael Davis
Written By: Jessica Michael Davis, Author: Mindy McGinnis
Produced By: Jessica Michael Davis, Jeffrey Weber, MARS, Stacey Maltin
Cast: Jessica Michael Davis, Jeffrey Weber, Alexandria Benford

Synopsis: Adapted from the short story “Vagina Dentata” by Mindy McGinnis featured in “Betty Bites Back: Stories to Scare the Patriarchy” and follows a young woman who is requesting to have retractable teeth surgically installed in her vagina.

Catch Him:

Drama (10 min) United States
Directed By: Leah Bleich
Written By: Leah Bleich
Produced By: Max Berger, Harley Harrison
Cast: Harley Harrison, Christina Toth

Synopsis: With just a few minutes to spare before his daughter arrives, a young dad must catch the guinea pig roaming free in his house.

Far Out:

Comedy (10 min) United States
Directed By: Mackenzie Lauren Taylor
Written By: Mackenzie Lauren Taylor, Frank Gress
Produced By: Mackenzie Lauren Taylor
Cast: Henley Gorham, Frank Gress, Mackenzie Lauren Taylor

Synopsis: Two young, runaway hitchhikers encounter a mystery man on their way to Los Angeles in the year 1969.

#Cringe:

Comedy (14 min) United States
Directed By: Alexandra Madison
Written By: Alexandra Madison
Produced By: Jonathon Bouffard, Alexandra Madison
Cast: Jonathon Bouffard, Alexandra Madison

Synopsis: A famous influencer couple goes on a luxury weekend brand trip to the desert, where they uncover secrets about their marriage.

The Purple Glasses:

Comedy (15 min) United States
Directed By: Susan Sullivan
Written By: Autumn Palen, Susan Sullivan
Produced By: Brent McHenry, Susan Sullivan
Cast: Carolina Rezende, Ariana Gomez, Audrey Pinto, Melissa Paladino, Roberto Raad, Annie Tedesco, Shane Sterling

Synopsis: Set in the late 80’s during middle school, The Purple Glasses explores the fun and new found freedom that this age brings along with the emotions of it all. Emily, a precocious young student, loses her glasses shortly after a fight with her cool-girl classmate Sara. Sara is left with a decision that brings her to a new realization. The story involves a twist of fate that brings the two middle school girls together.

Pepperoni:

Comedy (17 min) United States
Directed By: Jacob Staudenmaier
Written By: Jacob Staudenmaier
Produced By: Ashley Beuhler, Nikki Ghalili
Cast: Toby Grey, Leandro Cano, Ronan Adair Mailhot, Elena Hollander, Rhett Phares, Andre Hotchko, Bijan Shemirani, Fanny Pierre

Synopsis: Sam, an awkward middle schooler, seeks the help of his favorite wrestler after a school bully threatens to reveal his darkest secret: his pepperoni nipples.

Chakras For Sale:

Comedy (19 min) United States
Directed By: Punya Chatterjee
Written By: Punya Chatterjee
Produced By: Toni Adeyemi
Cast: Rishi Mahesh, Karan Menon, Dani Lyle, Maya Rangulu, Shamik Ganguly, Karthik Kal

Synopsis: After failing to make it big as a rock band, four Indian Americans in 1960s San Francisco attempt one last rebrand to ride the hippie wave and finally get their big break.

Barely Breathing:

Comedy (20 min) United States
Directed By: Derek Evans
Written By: Neal Reddy
Produced By: Alina Lia, Jamie Flanagan, Neal Reddy, Derek Evans
Cast: Neal Reddy, Anil Bajaj, Lindsay Marie Bytof, Gunner Willis, Vas Sanchez, Alex Nguyen, Johnny Land, Kyle Gaskin, Pedro Hoyos, Kasey O’Barr, Dre Bravo, Jakkar Thompson

Synopsis: Barely Breathing is a dark comedy about Sai, who is guilted into moving in with his Father and Step Mother after nearly dying in an embarrassing autoerotic asphyxiation (AEA) accident. In order to get his dad off his back, Sai begins “hanging” with an AEA support group filled with loveable misfits but humor can only hide so much. As Sai begins to get comfortable, the distance between him and his father grows deeper in the lingering chasm left behind by the death of Sai’s mother ten years prior.

Block 6 at 3:45 PM:

Would You?:

Comedy (5 min) United States
Directed By: Autumn Palen
Written By: Kyle Matthew, Autumn Palen
Produced By: Kyle Matthew, Autumn Palen
Cast: Kyle Matthew, Jonetta Kaiser, Chris Williams, Patrick Pankhurst

Synopsis: A couple’s five year anniversary unravels as the unconditional nature of their love is put into question.

Guy Meets Girl:

Comedy (8 min) United States
Directed By: Alex Forstenhausler
Written By: Alex Forstenhausler
Produced By: Lindsay-Elizabeth Hand
Cast: Gianmarco Soresi, Sarah Pribis, George Nicolaidis

Synopsis: More than just your average romantic comedy, “Guy Meets Girl” explores modern romance by showing different versions of a chance encounter. Who is right? Who is wrong? Or does the truth lie somewhere in between?

The First Time:

Comedy (8 min) United States
Directed By: Michael Chi Peer
Written By: Michael Chi Peer
Produced By: Andre Abrahamians
Cast: Logan Miller, Medalion Rahimi

Synopsis: A modern couple comes to an uncomfortable crossroads in their relationship, and it doesn’t smell good.

Missing Her:

Comedy (14 min) United States
Directed By: Karl Shefelman
Written By: Mike Gerbi
Produced By: Jennifer Plotzke, Mike Gerbi
Cast: Mike Gerbi, Lena Josephine Marano, Trent Dawson

Synopsis: When a middle-aged man, coping in a dystopian world, is forced to spread his dead wife’s ashes by a government mandated deadline, a stranger’s kindness is the only lifeline to help him through the sacred ritual before time runs out.

3.2.1:

Comedy (16 min) United States
Directed By: Aleksa Palladino
Written By: Aleksa Palladino
Produced By: Logan Donovan, Aleksa Palladino
Cast: Aleksa Palladino, Andrew Perez

Synopsis: A night designed for an anonymous hookup devolves (evolves) into a night of emotional intimacy when a failed attempt at role-play exposes a personal struggle.

Hold You So Tight:

Comedy (16 min) United States
Directed By: Eric Rudnick
Written By: Eric Rudnick
Produced By: Joan Baron, Cameron Fife, Tamika Katon-Donegal, Mike McNamara, Stacey Risotti, Davey Robertson, Eric Rudnick
Cast: Charisma Carpenter, Kristina Wong, Kareem Ferguson, Eric Rudnick, Tamika Katon-Donegal, Steve Chiotakis

Synopsis: A woman on the verge of a mental breakdown meets two men in a motel room who run a business that clients claim “Frees you from the burdens of this world” – only to discover that the procedure involves a hug from a homemade robot.

Lock it Up:

Comedy (20 min) United States
Directed By: Laura Colella
Written By: Laura Colella
Produced By: Patrick Clarke, Laura Colella, Charles Shi
Cast: Billy Finn, Brian Moller, Elise Hudson, Joan Darling, Mindy Fox, Aizhaneya Carter, Olugbenga Joseph, Danusia Trevino, Michael Staffieri, Maiya Jannah.

Synopsis: On a film set with a troubled director, ripples become waves that throw the whole crew off course. Will they find their way or is individualism the enemy of collective action? Witness action-packed inaction in action!

Block 7 at 5:30 PM:

Bau, Artist at War:

Comedy (130 min) United States
Directed By: Sean McNamara
Written By: Deborah Smerecnik, Ron Bass, Sonia Kifferstein
Produced By: David Brookwell, Marc Griffith, Michelle P. Griffith, Sean McNamara, Deborah Smerecnik
Cast: Emile Hirsch, Inbar Lavi, Yan Tual, Josh Zuckerman, Josh Blacker, Adam Tsekhman, Edward Foy

Synopsis: Bau, Artist at War” is based on the true story of Joseph and Rebecca Bau, whose wedding took place in the Plaszow concentration camp during WWII, an event immortalized in Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List. This film is a war drama, love story, and espionage tale that needs to be told in this era where survivors are dying, and the Holocaust is slipping from memory. Using his artistic skills and his sense of humor in the camps, Joseph stays alive and helps hundreds to escape. Miraculously, he finds love in the midst of despair—a love that will last a lifetime. Years later, when called to be a key witness in the trial of the brutal Nazi officer who tortured him and killed his father, he is thrust back into vivid memories of the Holocaust and calls upon this love and resilience of spirit to face the ultimate demon of his past.

Block 8 at 5:45 PM:

Murder at Hollow Creek:

Action (94 min) United States
Directed By: David Lipper
Written By: Keli Price
Produced By: David Lipper, Robert A. Daly Jr., Keli Price
Cast: Mickey Rourke, Keli Price, Jason Patric, Penelope Ann Miller, Perrey Reeves, Patrick Muldoon, Paul Ben-Victor, Casper Van Dien, Jack Kesy, Jessica Lord, Tiffany Hines, David Lipper

Synopsis: A cursed necklace results in three kids losing their parents at a young age, at the hands of a Serbian mob boss (Mickey Rourke). Detective Harris (Jason Patric) makes it his life’s mission to solve these murders and give closure to these kids.

Block 9 at 6:00 PM:

The Kindness Within:

Documentary (91 min) United States
Directed By: Steven Tati
Written By: Asimakis “Alfa” Pagidas, Leon Logothetis
Produced By: Leon Logothetis, Chris Philip, Erick Torres, Steven Priovolos, Will Allen, Betsy Chasse
Cast: Sadhguru, Yasmin Mogahed, Mike Dooley, Neale Donald Walsch, Kute Blackson, Dr. Gabor Mate’, Sister Draupadi, Richard Rohr, SadhviJi, Inni Kaur, Kurtis Lee Thomas, Ted Klontz

Synopsis: Come on the journey of a lifetime with Leon Logothetis aka the Kindness Guy – five-time best selling author, host of the Kindness Diaries on Netflix and Discovery+ and a former broker. Watch as he finally faces his pain, surrenders to his calling, and goes on an incredible, soul-stirring adventure to find the meaning of life.

Block 10 at 7:45 PM:

Chuck Zito: An American Story:

Documentary (87 min) United States
Directed By: Dominique Milano
Written By: Chuck Zito, Mark Chapman
Produced By: Dominique Milano, Ryan march, John Ierardi, Fabrice Sopoglian, Todd Causley
Cast: Sylvester Stallone, James Caan, Pamela Anderson, Mickey Rourke, Chazz Palmiteri, Joan Jett , Robert Davi , Robert Patrick , Tony Danza

Synopsis: The film covers the life of Chuck Zito, a bodyguard of hollywood elite documented by his best friends and clients like Sylvester Stallone, James Caan, and Pamela Anderson

Block 11 at 8:00 PM:

And You Are…?:

Drama (18 min) United States
Directed By: Alicia Coppola
Written By: Alicia Coppola
Produced By: Alicia Coppola, Nancy Kirhoffer, Anthony Micheal Jones
Cast: Jane Seymour, Zach Barack, Diana Lu

Synopsis: And You Are? is the most unlikely of buddy films: Lynn, a grandmother suffering from Alzheimer’s only has the past to prove she exists. Her transgender grandson Max, desperately wants to erase his past as it never proved his true existence.

Me:

Comedy (90 min) United States
Directed By: Jefery Levy
Written By: Jefery Levy, Susan Traylor
Produced By: Jefery Levy and Susan Traylor
Cast: Jefery Levy and Susan Traylor and Jennifer Jason Leigh

Synopsis: A film about a crazy person who believes he is living in his own reality show.

Block 12 at 8:15 PM:

Finding Serenity:

Drama (5 min) United States
Directed By: Kim Richards
Written By: Jana Brown
Produced By: Kim Richards, Rachel Shimko
Cast: Emily Swallow, Emma Schertz, Jack Schertz

Synopsis: Becca (Emily Swallow) is a strong willed woman who has her life together, except for her feelings. One afternoon, when faced with a memory of her lost brother, Becca battles her emotions leading her into a journey of what was. Along this ride, Becca realizes to get the closure she needs she’ll have to tap into the good moments of grief.

The Flip Side:

Drama (6 min) United States
Directed By: Sophie Worm
Written By: Brandon Duncan
Produced By: Hyten Davidson, Ashley Bacon, Brandon Duncan, Brianna Cala
Cast: Ashley Bacon, Hyten Davidson

Synopsis: In a 1973 hospital nursery, a new mother has second thoughts about a done-deal adoption, while a strange woman tries to convince her to take the baby and run.

The Divorce Party:

Comedy (91 min) United States
Directed By: Heidi Weitzer
Written By: Heidi Weitzer
Produced By: Geenah Krisht, Adrienne Childress
Cast: Desiree Staples, Rumer Willis, Michelle Meredith, Kimia Behpoornia, Sarah Hollis, Laith Ashley, Dionne Gipson, Cap Peterson

Synopsis: Xan gathers her friends in Joshua Tree to celebrate her divorce. Chaos ensues when Xan reveals she wants her friends to help her spend her life savings and live out their wildest fantasies to prevent her ex from seeing a dime of it.

May 2, 2024:

Block 1 at 1:30 PM:

Relationship Rehab:

Animation (1 min) United States
Directed By: Voice Directed by Donna Grillo
Written By: Nikki Moore
Produced By: Nikki Moore, Donna Grillo
Cast: Nikki Moore

Synopsis: We follow Dr. Sally and group therapy participants as they navigate relationship woes. Olivia goes through, yet, another breakup. Let’s see what the doc has to say…

Tree:

Animation (5 min) United States
Directed By: Jeongmin Koo
Written By: Jeongmin Koo
Produced By: Jeongmin Koo
Cast: Paul Johnson, Ethan Joonseo Park

Synopsis: A man comes up to the lonely and broken tree on a small hill. As he reaches the wounded tree, he goes back to the past for his memories and feelings. However, even the ones he wished to forget start to haunt him.

Starship:

Animation (6 min) Australia
Directed By: Christian Debney
Written By: Christian Debney
Produced By: Christian Debney. Jonathan Hairman.
Cast:

Synopsis: An astronaut embarks on a momentous journey to Mars, driven by the deep-seated desire to fulfill her late father’s wishes. As she traverses the void between Earth and the Red Planet, her thoughts linger on the memories of her father. Upon setting foot on the Martian surface, she not only realizes her own dreams but also honors the legacy of her father, making his long-held aspiration of reaching Mars a reality through her, cementing their bond across the infinite expanse of space.

The Esteemed Priority:

Animation (6 min) United States
Directed By: Al Bohl
Written By: Al Bohl
Produced By: Al Bohl
Cast: Denise Robinson

Synopsis: The Esteemed Priority is a short stop motion animated film using silhouettes in the classic tradition of the filmmaker Lotte Reiniger. It’s a story as old as time but just as timely. In today’s world where the chaos of hate, prejudice, and racism is everywhere we ask the questions, “what is love? Is what we call love, really love? How do you know? Is there a means to measure or determine if we truly love something or someone?” Yes, there is a way, and this makes love – the priority of highest esteem. A man went on a journey….

Driftwood:

Animation (9 min) United States
Directed By: Christopher Hills Eaton
Written By: Christopher Hills Eaton
Produced By: Anderson Clark, Christopher Hills Eaton, Brad Post
Cast: Aaron Mark Brown

Synopsis: A young sailor survives the attack on Pearl Harbor by clinging to a floating driftwood log, but when he’s finally rescued, he refuses to let go, leading to a lifelong relationship of sacrifice and respect.

Back to Normal:

Animation (10 min) United States
Directed By: Cecilia De Jesus
Written By: Cecilia De Jesus
Produced By: Jaena Sta. Ana, Donnie McCormick
Cast: Angel Stafford

Synopsis: Two little blobs named Red and Orange make their way through a global pandemic that completely upends their lives. The isolation of lockdown takes a heavy toll on Red, whose mental health deteriorates as Orange tries to find ways to show love and support.

Luki & the Lights:

Animation (10 min) United States
Directed By: Toby Cochran
Written By: Toby Cochran, Sascha Groen, Janna Brouwer-Schouten
Produced By: Adrian Ochoa
Cast: Anjo Snijders, Kendra Vernon, Toby Cochran

Synopsis: LUKi, a charming and upbeat robot known for living life to the fullest, is diagnosed with the life-altering disease ALS. He must choose how to face life going forward.

Aikane:

Animation (13 min) United States
Directed By: Daniel Sousa, Dean Hamer, Joe Wilson
Written By: Dean Hamer
Produced By: Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Judith Light, Daniel Karslake
Cast:

Synopsis: A valiant island warrior, wounded in battle against foreign invaders, falls into a mysterious underwater world. When the octopus who rescued him transforms into a handsome young man, they fall in love and an epic adventure begins.

Tomorrow:

Animation (16 min) Iran
Directed By: Aryasb Feiz
Written By: Aryasb Feiz, Kaveh Ruintan, Amir Zoghi
Produced By: Aryasb Feiz, Sadia Ashraf, Farida Rafique
Cast: Farvaag, Mahsa Ahmadpour

Synopsis: A scrappy 10-year-old urchin, struggling to survive the day-to-day hardships of 1970s Iranian street life, forms a friendship with a stray dog, forever changing their lives.

A Shattering:

Animation (20 min) United States
Directed By: Jan Jalenak
Written By: Jan Jalenak
Produced By: Baby Doll Films, Janey Huey
Cast: Scott Cohen, Kelly Wolf, Isabelle Phillips

Synopsis: A carefully constructed marriage implodes when an unexpected call unleashes the fragility and wounds that have been simmering for years.

Sri Aurobindo - A New Dawn:

Animation (27 min) India
Directed By: Suresh Eriyat
Written By: Arkish Aftab, Shania Brinda Symons
Produced By: Nilima Eriyat
Cast: Victor Banerjee, Deepti Naval

Synopsis: What does freedom mean to you? Sri Aurobindo dedicated his lifetime in the pursuit of finding the answer to this question. This film is a tribute to his selfless endeavor for mankind.

Block 2 at 1:45 PM:

Way of Life:

Documentary (8 min) Australia
Directed By: Tom Park
Written By: Tom Park
Produced By: Descent Productions
Cast:

Synopsis: Way of Life is an ocean based documentary shot in Koh Tao, Thailand. The film explores the history of Koh Tao, and its people’s deep, yet changing connection to the ocean and the underwater world. The story focuses on the incredible reef conservation and restoration work local groups and businesses have been engaged in for the last 15 years, in efforts to alleviate pressure off their natural coral reefs which have suffered from Koh Tao’s recent surge in popularity. The film explores the reef restoration methods Koh Tao residents have employed to protect their way of life.

For Your Eyes Only:

Documentary (11 min) United Kingdom
Directed By: Sergio Angot, Barry Hoffman
Written By: Sergio Angot
Produced By: Sergio Angot
Cast: John Mills, Paul Little, Jacob O’Neill, Adam Thorn, Michael Goldberg, Sharon Vardi, Eric Price, Greg Nichols, Tom Hawknill, Chris Priest, Tristan Carlyon, Toby Stokes, Adam Brody, Orlando Harrington, Heather Murphy, Andrea Berlese

Synopsis: For Your Eyes Only is a short documentary that chronicles the end of the homonymous videoshop in London. Its absence leaves an open wound in the local community who grew to see the shop’s staff as an extension of their families. A closure symptomatic of a city that has morphed into a ruthless grinding machine that relegates small independent businesses to history books.

Heart of Recovery:

Documentary (19 min) United States
Directed By: Kassi Crews
Written By: The Beacon House Association of San Pedro
Produced By: Kassi Crews, Jonathan Higgins, Victoria Villarreal, Zach Martin, Avalon Silver, Nathan Swan, Ivan Rizo Patron
Cast: The Beacon House Association of San Pedro

Synopsis: Heart Of Recovery takes viewers on a compelling journey into the heart of The Beacon House Association of San Pedro, a state-licensed-and-certified substance abuse recovery program that has been a transformative force in the lives of countless men for over five decades.

We Rise:

Documentary (64 min) United States
Directed By: Michael Afendakis
Written By: Michael Afendakis, Jonathan Leveck
Produced By: Michael Afendakis, Jonathan Leveck
Cast: Sammi Phan, Jessica Hellman, Sofia Kupper, Angela Liu, James Scharf, Bernie Greenfield, Ren Pham, Celia Zimmerman, Lucas Simone

Synopsis: Driven to the cause of social justice, Sofia, Jessica, Sammi, Angela, Celia and Lucas, the impressive rising stars of a high school mock trial team from the heart of Silicon Valley, navigate the defense and prosecution positions of a murder case while sharing their personal challenges, crises, and long fought for victories that have molded them into the strong, powerful, resilient young adults they have now become.

Block 3 at 2:00 PM:

Mary Pickford a blessing and a curse:

Documentary (53 min) France
Directed By: Clara and Julia Kuperberg
Written By: Clara Kuperberg, Julia Kuperberg
Produced By: Clara Kuperberg, Julia Kuperberg
Cast: Tracey Goessel, Tony Maietta, Katleen Feeley

Synopsis: Mary Pickford’s name remains inseparable from the legend of American cinema. She invented the star system at the beginning of the 20th century, and was the biggest star ever known, not just in Hollywood, but worldwide, at a time when actors didn’t even have their names on movie posters. She was more than a pioneer, she was a jack-of-all-trades: world-famous star, producer, formidable businesswoman, screenwriter, director in the shadows, and studio boss. Mary Pickford alone embodied the entire legend of cinema and the advent of women in that particular era.

Block 4 at 3:30 PM:

Building The Beatles:

Documentary (72 min) United States
Directed By: Tony Guma, John Rose
Written By: Cinema Vérité style documentary with talking heads
Produced By: John Rose, Tony Guma
Cast: Sam Leach, Allan Williams, Pete Best, Mike Pender, Freda Kelly, Billy J Kramer

Synopsis: Although Brian Epstein is recognized as the one who made the the Beatles worldwide famous, he didn’t “discover” them. Beatlemania was born long before Epstein came on the scene. The Beatles were already the number one standout group in Liverpool’s massive Mersey Beat scene drawing thousands of screaming fans to their shows. The Mersey Beat movement started with a number of local promoters. This is their story for without them there may have never been a Beatles.

Block 5 at 3:45 PM:

Package+:

Comedy (10 min) United States
Directed By: Adam Foster Jacobs
Written By: Adam Foster Jacobs
Produced By: Serena Violet Hodges
Cast: Tessa Williams, Ravi Kapoor, Roddy O’Hehir, Vee Kumari, Yordanos K Himed, Janira Hernandez

Synopsis: Package+ (Package Plus) follows Diamond (Tessa Williams), a delivery driver who arrives late to work and is placed on a substitute route for premium customers. Under the stress of falling behind, she makes a terrible mistake. The fallout from this event is not as expected – it’s business as usual.

Hang Loose:

Comedy (12 min) United States
Directed By: Tim K
Written By: Tim K, David Neher
Produced By: Abigail Jones
Cast: David Neher, Jack Allison

Synopsis: Dave really needs to clear the air with his annoying roommate.

Pinewood:

Comedy (12 min) United States
Directed By: Josh Kahn
Written By: Josh Kahn
Produced By: Joy Chanik, Tom Culliver, Josh Kahn
Cast: Eric Zaklukiewicz, Charlotte Raith, Alyssa Mann, Tristan Maghett, Dexter Ahmed

Synopsis: Bill begs his competitive-to-a-fault daughter Clarice to play fair as they arrive at what’s sure to be a contentious Cub Scouts Pinewood Derby tournament. Bill, having slept with (and ghosted) another parent, the vindictive Nance, is doing his best to stay out of the fray, but he can’t help but get involved in the drama after Clarice begins sabotaging her opponents’ cars for her own benefit. Calamity ensues as the other race attendees catch on to Clarice’s plans, but Bill and Clarice end up understanding one another better than ever before.

Who Am I?:

Comedy (12 min) United States
Directed By: Christine Lakin
Written By: Alex Ellis
Produced By: Alex Ellis
Cast: Petey Pablo, Alex Ellis

Synopsis: Who Am I is a short film about Petey, a skeptic who discovers the value of therapy in confronting his past and finding his true self. Through humor and music, it challenges the stigma around mental health and offers a message of growth and self-discovery.

Enforcer of the Month:

Comedy (13 min) United States
Directed By: Michael Ashton
Written By: Michael Ashton
Produced By: Michael Ashton, Kelly Hayden
Cast: Michael Ashton, Robin D. Stanton, Cassidy Kidd, David Sandoval Jr, Ethan Dampf, Tim Martin

Synopsis: In the competitive world of parking enforcement, the “Enforcer of the Month” title is the holy grail. Harold Birkeland has dominated the competition by winning seven consecutive months, much to the frustration of the passive Jimmy Wen. Tired of Harold’s winning streak, Jimmy teams up with a new colleague to bring Harold down and claim the top spot for himself. As the race heats up, Jimmy and his partner must decide if winning is truly worth it.

We’re Good:

Comedy (14 min)United States
Directed By: Sadie Dean
Written By: Sadie Dean
Produced By: Sadie Dean, Yusuf Khan, Rob Palmer
Cast: Shira Gross, Mike Wierzenski

Synopsis: A chronically content couple realizes they have never had an actual argument and feel their relationship is lacking. A shocking turn in their evening leads to them exposing their secret feelings.

Ready:

Comedy (15 min) United States
Directed By: Kirby
Written By: Kirby
Produced By: Kirby, Daniel Smith Coleman
Cast: Kirby, Larry Fields, Yesel Manrique, Ayden Mayeri

Synopsis: A millennial couple in the throes of a pregnancy scare, try to weigh the pros and cons of parenthood, whilst simultaneously preparing to host a friends baby shower.

Marry, Mary:

Comedy (16 min) United States
Directed By: David A. Vargas
Written By: David A. Vargas
Produced By: David A. Vargas, Turner Munch
Cast: David Sullivan, Briana Marin Lopez, Jordan Wall, Oscar Torre, Jon Carter Levings

Synopsis: After finding out he only has months to live, Bryan tries to convince his best friend to marry his wife after he dies.

Block 6 at 4:00 PM:

Aska:

Drama (10 min) United States
Directed By: Haina Zhou
Written By: Haina Zhou
Produced By: Haina Zhou
Cast: Diana Dulinkova, Janusz Hummel

Synopsis: Returning to her childhood home to invite her emotionally distant father to become her chaperone. Aska ultimately realizes that there are some things that she has to ultimately leave behind.

To Shoot or Not to Shoot:

Drama (10 min) Switzerland
Directed By: Nelson Gains Wagner
Written By: Nelson Gains Wagner
Produced By: Philip Delaquis
Cast: Elsa Langnäse, Gilles Marti, Marcus Signer

Synopsis: A shooting range somewhere in Switzerland. Fog lies over the fields; winter is already here. Lukas, Simone, and Urs, their adoptive father, are training for the upcoming competition. The psychological confinement, the constant pressure, and the dark secret create a charged atmosphere. Simone gives his brother a chance for revenge. Should he take it?

The Accident:

Drama (12 min) Ireland
Directed By: John Fahey
Written By: John Fahey
Produced By: John Fahey
Cast: Alex Conlon, Freda King, Anthony Bohan, Siobhan Aislinn, Tim Casey

Synopsis: Chris has been involved in a terrible car accident. He is consumed by guilt. Chris’s wife Sarah’s relationship with Chris changes a lot because of the accident. Ger and Paul will never be the same after the accident. We explore the consequences of the accident and we see the guilt, regret and sorrow that it has caused.

Wrecker:

Drama (14 min) Ireland
Directed By: Martina McGlynn
Written By: Aoife Bradshaw
Produced By: Garret Daly, Emma Scott, Eamonn Fitzgerald
Cast: Sam Keeley, Cameron Barron

Synopsis: In 1849 Ireland, a young girl grows suspicious about how her father has been providing for them as famine tears through their community.

Scarlet:

Drama (24 min) Bulgaria
Directed By: Maria Bobeva
Written By: Maria Bobeva
Produced By: Maria Bobeva, Petro Dushkov, Stanislava Ivy
Cast: Eleonora Ivanova, Nika Ignatieva, Mira Boyajieva , Pavel Hristov, Sergej Ivanov, Stanislava Ivy, Venci Venc

Synopsis: Stella is a social worker from the State Child Protection Agency in Sofia, Bulgaria sent on a signal to check a house in a rundown area of the city. She enters the world of the 9 year old Scarlet and her negligent mother – a victim herself, abused by a despotic boyfriend, a small-scale thug. Beneath the girl’s innocence, charm and vivid imagination, Stella starts to slowly uncover the chilling details and the dark secrets within the household and in the surrounding environment. Is she strong enough to save the girl, who finds in her a friend, maybe even the mother she’s been missing ever since birth…?

The First:

Drama (28 min) Russian Federation
Directed By: Yurii Mezhevich
Written By: Yurii Mezhevich
Produced By: Ekaterina Mezhevich
Cast: Yurii Mezhevich, Artem Bystrov, Oleg Topolyanskii, Petr Skvortsov, Olga Lapshina, Maria Lapshina

Synopsis: Russia, March 1934. Mitrofan Nikitin, who once shared the ideas of revolution, realises that there is a gap between Party’s promises and reality. He decides to do something that has never been done, to raise awareness about country’s and society’s problems.

Block 7 at 5:30 PM:

Beyond The Grave:

Documentary (82 min) United States
Directed By: Serena DC
Written By: Serena DC
Produced By: Serena DC, Miko Allyn Quinones, Evan Jenkins
Cast: Serena DC, Dr. Eben Alexander, Susan Grau, Dr. Max Moore, Adam M Curry, Andrea Perron, Mary Telliano, Ellen Wheaton

Synopsis: What happens when we die? This film investigates near death experiences and reaches beyond the grave to explore conversations with the dead, cryonics, consciousness and paranormal phenomena with the world’s leading experts & experiencers.

Block 8 at 6:00 PM:

Joe Baby:

Action (86 min) United States
Directed By: Steven Brand
Written By: Todd Samovitz
Produced By: David Lipper, Robert A. Daly Jr.
Cast: Dichen Lachman, Willa Fitzgerald, Corin Nemec, Harvey Keitel, Ron Perlman, Kenneth Choi, Dan Bakkedahl, Kelly Hu

Synopsis: Joe Baby (Dichen Lachman) is a private investigator searching for money that has been stolen from Heather Stanton (Willa Fitzgerald), only to find all roads lead to the mysterious death of her father, Walter Baby (Corin Nemec).

Block 9 at 6:10 PM:

Bleecker:

Comedy (103 min) United States
Directed By: Edith Hagigi
Written By: Edith Hagigi
Produced By: Edith Hagigi, Andy Zolot, Gary Giudice, Alvaro R. Valente, Tal Hagigi, Ben Stiller, Christine Taylor, Robyn J. Davis
Cast: Bob Ari, Alicia Crowder, Aidan Fiske, Tovah Feldshuh, Anita Gillette, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Ben Stiller, Christine Taylor, Callie Thorne

Synopsis: Bleecker tells the intertwining stories of a motley of characters in NYC’s Village. Maya, a straight face here who has come to The Big Apple to find her place in this world, a longtime couple who express their affection by bickering, a Texan lass who is forever searching for love, and others who create distractions for themselves instead of dealing with what’s really gnawing at their souls: big questions without answers. As Maya settles in, she starts to care about these folks, which leads her through twists and turns to her own self-purpose.

Block 10 at 7:15 PM:

Ana:

Drama (14 min) United States
Directed By: Amauta M. Firmino
Written By: Amauta M. Firmino
Produced By: Sarah Sullivan, Ana Blundell, Maxwell Neely-Cohen, Don Gummer
Cast: Louisa Jacobson, Maia Mihanovich

Synopsis: A young woman struggling to find inspiration is interrupted by a mysterious guest who tests her limits. She locks herself up in her studio, hoping she’ll catch inspiration in solitude, but soon learns that inspiration isn’t something you can simply catch — inspiration catches you.

Wrong Numbers:

Drama (90 min) United States
Directed By: Duane Edwards
Written By: Frederick Mensch
Produced By: Duane Edwards, Phil Lee, Darryl Manuel, David Kelsey
Cast: David Kelsey and Emily Hall

Synopsis: After a disastrous blind date, Emma strikes up a conversation with Jack. They stumble into a one-night stand that turns out complicated and destructive.

Block 11 at 7:30 PM:

Stall:

Drama (14 min) United States
Directed By: Jordan Blazak
Written By: Jordan Blazak
Produced By: Devi Rawal
Cast: Teddy Larsen, Jean Evans

Synopsis: On a roadtrip to spread their father’s ashes, two estranged siblings must settle their differences when their vehicle breaks down in the frigid Sierra mountains.

Mississippi Scholar:

Drama (90 min) United States
Directed By: Marcus Bleecker
Written By: P.J. Leonard, Obba Babatunde, Marcus Bleecker
Produced By: P.J. Leonard, Joey Chimenti, Morgan Cutturini, Nora Kirrane
Cast: Shannon Brown, Gisla Stringer, Sonny Marinelli, Obba Babatunde

Synopsis: Mississippi Scholar reveals the impediments one underprivileged intellectual must overcome to realize his dreams of the future.

Block 12 at 7:50 PM:

The Shifting:

Drama (16 min) United States
Directed By: Tony C. Silva
Written By: Tony C. Silva
Produced By: Nick Larovere, Tony C. Silva
Cast: Sean Dillingham, Michael Harrelson, Kaleb Papali’i

Synopsis: On a quest to find his lost son, a man faces great challenges as he wanders through a land that shifts constantly through space and time.

The Lost Princess:

Drama (95 min) Morocco
Directed By: Jean-Daniel Camus, Hicham Hajji, Jonathan McConnell
Written By: Hicham Hajji, Irma Lake
Produced By: Cillian O’Sullivan, Soraya Azzabi, Gary Dourdan, Robert Knepper, Eric Roberts
Cast: </strong >

Synopsis: Alec Touati discovers his true destiny when he stumbles upon a haunted castle with a tragic love story. With Nassim and Hana’s help, he fights to protect the castle’s legacy and fulfill his ancestral purpose.

May 3, 2024:

Block 1 at 12:30 PM:

End:

Mystery (13 min) United States
Directed By: Perry Billett
Written By: Donn Einstein
Produced By: Donn Einstein
Cast: Dan Lauria, Devyn LaBella, Donn Einstein

Synopsis: A dark mystery that centers on love and the lengths that a father would go to protect his only daughter

Virtual Insanity:

Drama (14 min) United States
Directed By: Geoff Ryan
Written By: Valmina May, Joelle Faden
Produced By: Piper Samuels
Cast: Joelle Faden, Ren Montero, Shannon Gibbs, Bianca R. Turner

Synopsis: Juni’s night out with friends becomes a turbulent journey through extreme social anxiety and feeling trapped in her own mind where reality seems unreal.

Little Anna:

Drama (16 min) United States
Directed By: J. Batzli
Written By: J. Batzli
Produced By: Mike Hogan, David Beazley
Cast: Eliza Blair, Charlotte Raith, Shaun Duke Jr.

Synopsis: Fourth-grade teacher Anna Wheeler receives a new student also named Anna Wheeler, triggering eerie similarities and traumatic memories when the girl’s father fails to pick her up from school.

When You Wish:

Drama (17 min) United States
Directed By: Christopher Dodge
Written By: Christopher Dodge
Produced By: Oscar Alvarez, Christopher Dodge, Kayvon Derak Shanian
Cast: Pepe Serna, Victoria Love, Olga Aguilar

Synopsis: Ignacio struggles with the distant loss of his family until a star falls into his life granting wishes he never thought possible.

Haunted:

Drama (45 min) United States
Directed By: Jon Amiel
Written By: Jon Amiel, Soraya Garre
Produced By: Soraya Garre, Leanna Tallmeister
Cast: Soraya Garre, Sophia Center, Imani Hanson, Daniel Lee, Tommy Drake

Synopsis: Kate is haunted by the seemingly malevolent spirit of a teenage boy. But is he really malevolent? Is he real? And who are the other people who seem to appear and disappear at random in her artist’s studio? Kate soon finds herself drawn into a frightening labyrinth, where dreams, nightmares, memory and reality violently collide.

Block 2 at 1:00 PM:

Film 101:

Comedy (7 min) United States
Directed By: Ella Jerrier
Written By: Ella Jerrier
Produced By: Ella Jerrier
Cast: Tessa Espinola, Ryker Baloun, Kambri Pellerin, Audrey Kim, Justin Fry

Synopsis: Four high schoolers scramble to complete an assignment for their Film 101 class

Plant Baby:

Comedy (7 min) United States
Directed By: Arabella Sharkey
Written By: Arabella Sharkey
Produced By: Patrice Yip
Cast: Sage Guarino, Jenna Maryn Sierra

Synopsis: A struggling drug addict takes care of a plant baby, hoping that by nurturing it, he can learn to take care of himself. However, his addiction beckons him to take one more hit.

Dead Presidents:

Comedy (11 min) United States
Directed By: Ryan Lilienfield
Written By: Ryan Lilienfield
Produced By: Gabrielle Chapman
Cast: Galen Howard, Blake Sheldon, Corey Landis, Pierce Lackey

Synopsis: Two brothers, one robbery, no plan. After their pops gets blasted on a stick-up job, stoner brothers Mark and Chris pack the blunts and strap up to rob a local bank. Bad comes to worse as the robbery devolves into a hostage situation through a series of mistakes. With a slip of the finger, their dreams of beers, boobs, and bud in Amsterdam go up in smoke.

Ick:

Comedy (11 min) United States
Directed By: India Opzoomer
Written By: India Opzoomer, Lindsay Howard
Produced By: Sinead Keirans, Joie Parma
Cast: Sydney Estella, Jakob Jankowski, Mia King, Collin Brown

Synopsis: A teenage girl’s prom night fantasy collides headfirst with reality.

Our Summer:

Comedy (11 min) United States
Directed By: Alex Lathrop–Melting
Written By: Alex Lathrop-Melting
Produced By: Frankie Spiller
Cast: Casper Sargent, Breanna Ahlgren, Jordy Gertner, and Forest Carsten

Synopsis: Bruce needs to find out what happened when a clown shows up to the pool to crash his hungover hangout!

Organic Meet:

Comedy (14 min) United States
Directed By: Robert Shaffer Jr.
Written By: Robert Shaffer Jr.
Produced By: Robert Shaffer Jr., Dylan Clemens, Maddie Keith
Cast: Tenzing Kalden, Will Baruch, Mike George, Morgan Lewis, Wyatt Gillespie

Synopsis: An aimless young woman attempts to meet her soulmate using OrganicMeet, a new-age match-making service that encourages single hopefuls to meet in a grocery store, organically.

Mike:

Comedy (16 min) United States
Directed By: Duc Anh Nguyen
Written By: Duc Anh Nguyen
Produced By: Chris Merola, Janine Bujie Zhang, Duc Anh Nguyen
Cast: Jackie Tran, Cole Chisholm, Kyra Heenan, George Triplett, Aidan Driscoll, Nam Lien Dang, Nicole Swirsky, Joseph Steven, Andrea Harhoff, John Minch

Synopsis: Set within the first day of school, Hiep Nguyen is an exuberant Vietnamese student going on an exchange program at an all-white Christian high school in South Dakota.

I’m Todor. I Mean, Bill.:

Comedy (17 min) United States
Directed By: Madison Leonard
Written By: Madison Leonard
Produced By: Rachael Dahl, Elizabete Sadauska, Madison Leonard
Cast: Arye Gross, Christie Griffin, Laura Candela

Synopsis: A quirky romantic comedy about a grief stricken widower in the throes of a mid-life crisis searches for intimacy in the most unorthodox of ways when he makes an unexpected connection with a spirited young woman in his neighborhood.

To the Moon and Back:

Comedy (18 min) United States
Directed By: Charlie Posey
Written By: Charlie Posey, Emily Liberatore
Produced By: Nikki Spina
Cast: Emily Abeles, Katherine Martin, James Bobo, Ted Wells

Synopsis: When, Rhea, a wide-eyed young girl, asks the moon to send her a friend, she comes face-to-face with the older version of herself, now depressed and in a dead-end job, and must learn to love who she is.

Block 3 at 1:30 PM:

Funnel Mantra:

Drama (11 min) Mexico
Directed By: Andres Gonzalez
Written By: Andres Gonzalez
Produced By: Miguel Gonzalez, Karen Kotto, Andres Gonzalez
Cast: Yatzini Aparicio, Roberto Oropeza.

Synopsis: Through a psychoanalytic session, an artist recapitulates a stage of her life looking for a personal temporal metric to be able to judge free will and personal patterns.

Red Lake:

Horror (14 min) Ireland
Directed By: Shaun Dunne
Written By: Claire Bermingham, Dani Alvarado
Produced By: Claire Bermingham, Aoife O’Neill, Max Brady, Pull the Trigger Productions
Cast: Claire Bermingham, Hazel Doupe, Terry O’Neill

The Dark and The Safe:

Drama (14 min) Sweden
Directed By: Mirai Inoue Strand
Written By: Mirai Inoue Strand
Produced By: Simon Dahlstrom
Cast: Vincent Pettersson, Martin Forsström

Synopsis: Washed-up sheriff Alder needs the help of the 12-year old cowboy Noel to find an infamous bandit known only as “The Darkness”

Dream:

Drama (15 min) Russian Federation
Directed By: Artur Matveev
Written By: Artur Matveev
Produced By: Andrey Lisyanskiy, Stanislav Khatyukhin
Cast: Aleksandra Kulikova, Anton Vlasov, Andrey Trushin, Anastasia Baktimirova, Alexey Soshin

Synopsis: In pursuit of his dreams, Igor faces the devastating loss of his loved one, a truth he struggles to accept. Supported by his pragmatic friend Mr. Raef, Igor wrestles with the temptation to take drastic action in his grief, realizing the profound consequences it could have on his path and identity. It’s a poignant exploration of love, loss, and moral dilemmas.

Annie’s Movie:

Drama (16 min) Finland
Directed By: Nuutti Aleksis
Written By: Nuutti Aleksis
Produced By: Nuutti Aleksis, Kalliope Poulianos
Cast: Christi Glass, John Robilette, Marie Elizabeth, Serena Gordon

Synopsis: Annie from New Jersey is driving across the United States. When her credit card stops working and she runs out of gas, she stops at a desolate motel. Despite clues that Annie might be running away from something, the lonely motel owner wants to help her. That might not turn out well for him.

Block 4 at 2:40 PM:

Born From Dust: The Art of Richard Wilks:

Documentary (5 min) United States
Directed By: Simone Staff, Nick Paskhover
Written By: Simone Staff, Nick Paskhover
Produced By: Simone Staff, Nick Paskhover
Cast: Richard Wilks

Synopsis: In this captivating and visually stunning documentary, we embark on an inspiring journey alongside Richard Wilks –a multimedia sculptor– as he undergoes a remarkable transformation. Beginning as a 2D graphic designer, he dares to venture into uncharted territory, where his artistic evolution takes the form of colossal 3D sculptures meticulously crafted from repurposed materials.

California Locos Renaissance and Rebellion:

Documentary (9 min) United States
Directed By: Dave Tourje
Written By: Adam Cude
Produced By: Dave Tourje, Alana Reinhart, Michelle Irwin, Ariana Flanagan
Cast: Chaz Bojorquez, Dave Tourje, John Van Hamersveld, Norton Wisdom, Gary Wong

Synopsis: The members of the acclaimed art collective California Locos give their views on what makes post-modern Los Angeles tick. Chaz Bojorquez, Dave Tourje, John Van Hamersveld, Norton Wisdom and Gary Wong all share their asymmetrical insights emanating from their diverse approaches in art and culture, having been born and raised in the mega-metropolis. Music by Los Savages with Ian Espinoza, Dave Tourjé, Jim Grinta, Toby Holmes and Bryan Head.

How It Breathes:

Documentary (9 min) United States
Directed By: Jack Gordon
Written By: Jack Gordon
Produced By: Jack Gordon
Cast: Elijah Jamal Balbed

Synopsis: As the District of Columbia changed around Elijah Jamal Babled, his budding career as a musician exposed him to the people and music providing a voice and an outlet to the people of DC. Now tasked with preserving and sharing that tradition, Balbed reflects on balancing that responsibility with creating a musical identity of his own.

The Chicago Lago:

Documentary (10 min) United States
Directed By: Valerie Zabriskie
Written By:
Produced By: Valerie Zabriskie
Cast: Ivan Vazquez, DJ Shon Dervis, Drummer Ernie Adams, Furious Styles, Logan Lu

Synopsis: The Chicago Lago is a heartfelt story of a contemporary Mexican American/indigenous visual artist and designer born and based in Chicago, Illinois. The representation of music, Chicago, and hip-hop culture in his work reflects what saved his life and the need to give all that love back to the community.

The Collector:

Documentary (15 min) United States
Directed By: Carrie Wachob, Jim Picariello
Written By: Carrie Wachob
Produced By: Carrie Wachob, Marghee Baldridge
Cast: Willard Carroll

Synopsis: After watching The Wizard of Oz when he was five years old, Willard Carroll started a journey down his own yellow brick road to become a pop culture fanatic and award-winning filmmaker. Owner of the world’s largest private collection of Oz memorabilia, Willard is living proof that one story can change the entire trajectory of your life.

Incandescence:

Documentary (20 min) United States
Directed By: Reisha Perlmutter
Written By: Reisha Perlmutter
Produced By: Reisha Perlmutter, DK Johnston
Cast: Ruby Vizcarra, Reisha, Perlmutter

Synopsis: A NYC classically trained painter finds new meaning in realism. She connects with a woman on a journey to find self acceptance through her albinism in the Yucatan’s cenotes. Together, they find something real beyond the constructs of the outside world.

Nature Humaine: a journey into the art of Jean-Paul Bourdier:

Documentary (24 min) United States
Directed By: Theo Francocci
Written By: Theo Francocci
Produced By: Pele Pictures LLC, Matt Richardson, Persephone Godwin
Cast: Jean-Paul Bourdier

Synopsis: Poetry, the evolution of humanity, and the celebration of life meet in the art photography of Jean-Paul Bourdier.

Block 5 at 3:20 PM:

All-American Terrorist:

Drama (14 min) United States
Directed By: Payton Bayless
Written By: Payton Bayless
Produced By: Payton Bayless, Blake Bennett, Emily Hileman
Cast: Nick Basile, Ryan Francis, Ben Stillwell White, Logan Collins

Synopsis: After the subtle death of his little sister. Moses sets out for help, In an attempt to restore the balance of his life and protect his family. However, he lands himself in greater danger when he seeks out help from the wrong side of the barrel.

The Wrong Movie:

Drama (96 min) United States
Directed By: Keren Cytter
Written By: Keren Cytter
Produced By: Georgica Pettus
Cast: Laura Hajek, Ashby Bland, Elijah Lajmer, John Verdil, Edward Baker, Devery Doleman, Jordan Raf

Synopsis: The Wrong Movie follows the relationships between one woman and a drone, a sex addict, a confused actor, and a tormented neighbor who’s grieving her dead father.

Block 6 at 3:45 PM:

Just Now Jeffrey:

Comedy (120 min) South Africa
Directed By: Brett Morris, Hylton Tannenbaum
Written By: Brett Morris, Hylton Tannenbaum
Produced By: Shireen Hattingh, Daniel Kaplan, Brett Morris, Hylton Tannenbaum
Cast: Julian Robinson, Dino Vavatzanidis, Rob van Vuuren, Nik Rabinowitz, Nicky Rebelo, Natasha Loring, Mila Rayne.

Synopsis: While the world was radically changing around him, teenager Jeffrey Greenbaum hardly noticed. He just needed to get laid. Jeffrey convinces his best pal Brad Berman, to help devise a strategy to lose their virginity before they finish high school. But things don’t go as planned and Jeffrey and Brad soon become entangled in a crazy web of love, lust, videotape piracy, rugby violence, political protest, antisemitism and Afrikaans pornography.

Block 7 at 4:50 PM:

Jackpot:

Fantasy (9 min) United States
Directed By: Chance Thomas Garcia
Written By: Chance Thomas Garcia
Produced By: Chance Thomas Garcia, Lindsey Schlandt
Cast: Todd Cattell, Preston Alkire, Kelsie McDonald, Nelson Smith, Dana Cummings, and Chance Thomas Garcia

Synopsis: A father, mother and son gather in front of the television set to cast their votes and watch the Society for Population Control’s nightly lottery.

Things Worse:

Drama (13 min) United States
Directed By: O.G. Ellison
Written By: O.G. Ellison
Produced By: O.G. Ellison, Aida Rodriguez, Roberto Jose Melgar
Cast: Roberto Jose Melgar, Alondra Andrade, Richard Lee Warren, Deyshaun Tucker

Synopsis: A corrupt detective loses his grip on reality in the final weeks of his contract. When the department maintains their usual racket, he struggles within to maintain his sanity while visions of his past haunt him.

Caller 102: A Ballad of Cyberspace:

Thriller (17 min) United States
Directed By: Turner Barrowman, Jack Goldfisher
Written By: Turner Barrowman, Jack Goldfisher
Produced By: Turner Barrowman, Jack Goldfisher, Brandon Scott Wolf, Jacqueline Medina, Elliott Thornton
Cast: Josh Brener, Arryn Zech, Sean Carrigan, Brianna Baker, Dan Cole, Gabriella Weltman

Synopsis: When a blackhat hacker working on a highly secretive project gets hit with a coincidentally-timed power surge, he begins to unravel a web of conspiracy that threatens to bring down his life’s work and send him spiraling into oblivion.

The Inevitable Process of Drowning:

Drama (18 min) United States
Directed By: Marco Bazzi
Written By: Marco Bazzi
Produced By: Marco Bazzi
Cast: Havon Baraka, Liam Hawley

Synopsis: In a dystopian reality, Ryan’s perception blurs between reality and dreams. After receiving a mysterious card, he complies and finds himself facing a procedure that demands the sacrifice of his best friend. Ryan questions the system, suspecting manipulation through substances in food and water that suppress dreaming and enforce compliance to a sinister agenda disguised as freedom.

Viscera:

Fantasy (20 min) United States
Directed By: David Venghaus Jr.
Written By: Zach Canon
Produced By: Nick Moon, Zach Canon, Rena D Cruz Art, Hannah Canon, Canaan Sanders, Karen-Ann Clancy, Sean O. Mcguinnes
Cast: Zach Canon, Molly B. Thomas, Carrie Lloyd, Hannah Canon, Canaan Sanders

Synopsis: Stuck in a cycle from infidelity, Coline and Young seek out an experimental therapist for solutions. When the Therapists’ method border on inhumane, they must find common ground to avoid permanent damage.

Demolition:

Thriller (21 min) United States
Directed By: Megan Raney Aarons
Written By: Megan Raney Aarons
Produced By: Colin K Gray, Megan Raney Aarons, Chiara Fornetti, Eden Perry, Allison Cox
Cast: Sloan: Lacey Claire Rogers, Therapist: Stephen Park, Podcaster: Fanny Veliz Grande, Gal Pal: Eden Perry, Latin Lover: Alessandro Marino, Unhoused: Amara Agomuo, Teen: Kaitlyn Kemp, Girl In Hall: Helen Day

Synopsis: A twisted look at influencer culture, social media & AI, Demolition is a playful psychological thriller about a lonely bikini model questioning her own authenticity in the face of a wild crisis of consciousness.

Block 8 at 5:30 PM:

George & Marcus:

Comedy (5 min) United States
Directed By: Neill Barry
Written By: Neill Barry
Produced By: Neill Barry,Bethany Barry
Cast: Pancho Moler,Evan Eckenrode

Synopsis: A father and son are forced to live under the same roof,what could go wrong.

Snip, Snip:

Comedy (5 min) United States
Directed By: The Edelmans
Written By: The Edelmans
Produced By: Molly Edelman, Walker Edelman
Cast: Molly Edelman, Walker Edelman, Annika Foster, Cole Cuomo

Synopsis: While hosting a party, Rose and Cameron are forced to look parenthood in the face. Their newly pregnant friends corner them and can’t stop bragging about the gift of their journey. Overwhelmed and annoyed the couple lock themselves in their bedroom to fight about babies, vasectomies, and…the future.

Black Friday:

Comedy (6 min) United States
Directed By: Jenna Milly
Written By: Jenna Milly, Ann Marie Allison
Produced By: Jenna Milly, Andrew DeCesare, Mike Day
Cast: Abbey McBride, Bayne Gibby, Thomas Forbes-Johnson, Quincy Cho, Vanessa Zamarripa, Hardy Awadjie, Lianna Holston, Max Maddox, Ianula Darlaiane, Jaclyn Neuffer, Umit Tayanc, Mike Day

Synopsis: A female comedy set in the world of Black Friday. When one woman sets out to buy a doll for her daughter, she discovers it’s not that easy to win at the game of being a mom.

Gut Punch:

Comedy (13 min) United States
Directed By: Jon Ryan Sugimoto
Written By: Jon Ryan Sugimoto
Produced By: Jon Ryan Sugimoto and Brenna Webb
Cast: Joe List, Radel Ortiz, Greer Barned, Sabrina Piper, Adam Alpert, Luis Rosa, Justin Whang

Synopsis: When a customer Dan (Joe List) coughs a little too much, Manny (Radel Ortiz), the owner wants to boot Dan out of the bodega. Dan resists, and soon he, Manny and Rex get into an argument over probiotics, prebiotics and antibiotics, each side making passionate but ill-informed points and spinning the discussion into increasingly absurd directions.

Another Happy Day:

Comedy (90 min) United States
Directed By: Nora Fiffer
Written By: Nora Fiffer
Produced By: Jessie Holder Tourtellotte
Cast: Lauren Lapkus, Marilyn Dodds Frank, Jean Elie, Carrie Coon

Synopsis: Desperate for some company, a delirious new mother tumbles into a magnetic friendship with her estranged aunt – an eccentric recluse with even more demands than her baby.

Block 9 at 5:50 PM:

96% Cooked:

Comedy (6 min) United States
Directed By: Mike Langer
Written By: Mike Langer
Produced By: Ceylan Carhoglu, Mike Langer
Cast: Lindsey Naves, Charley Rossman, Lee Citron, Monica Casey

Synopsis: At the tail end of a funeral service, a woman begins to suspect there’s something wrong with her father’s urn…

Pretty as a Picture:

Horror (7 min) United States
Directed By: Ryan Nielsen
Written By: Ryan Nielsen
Produced By: Ari Wojciech
Cast: Claire Manning, Garrett Pominville, Mike Danner

Synopsis: A young model becomes the focus of a mysterious photographer, who will do anything for the perfect image.

The Diet:

Drama (8 min) United States
Directed By: Linnea Joelsson
Written By: Linnea Joelsson
Produced By: Linnea Joelsson, Justin Aguirre, Alyssa Lana
Cast: Liz Fenning

Synopsis: In a strict world, how far would you to change your life if it meant changing your diet.

I’m Glad That You’re Sorry:

Comedy (9 min) United States
Directed By: Jourdan Henderson
Written By: Jourdan Henderson, Carla Miller
Produced By: Jourdan Henderson, Michael Day
Cast: Emily Pendergast, Lisa Schurga, Allison Dunbar, Chad Jamian, Mitch Silpa, Michael Churven, Melanie Johnson, Andrew Friedman

Synopsis: When Gina brings her boyfriend, Brian, to her dysfunctional family’s Thanksgiving dinner, tensions rise, secrets spill, and an unexpected confrontation leaves Brian shell-shocked and desperate for an escape.

L’Agence & Choose Love present “Pool Party”:

Comedy (9 min) United States
Directed By: Brandon Bernath
Written By: Brandon Bernath
Produced By: Brandon Bernath, Elizabeth Mihelich
Cast: Daigo Yamashita, Rachelle Carson Begley

Synopsis: Beverly Holloway, an aged Brentwood heiress and Danny Dynamite, her young Japanese rockabilly boyfriend, break up… again. But this time, it’s serious. Beverly decides to throw a pool party and invite all of her friends. Will Beverly and Danny get back together, or is it finally over?

Wake:

Drama (12 min) United States
Directed By: Sean Carter
Written By: Sean Carter
Produced By: Lauren Fash
Cast: K Steele; Milly Sanders; Lavelle Roby; Catherine McCafferty

Synopsis: With a hurricane raging outside their hospital, two nurses have one last job before evacuating: stow the “dead-on- arrival” corpse of a young girl in the downstairs morgue before the building floods. But the corpse quickly reveals itself to be more than it seems.

Larry in the Sky with Diamonds:

Comedy (24 min) United States
Directed By: David Sonnenborn
Written By: Peter S. Kim, David Sonnenborn
Produced By: Lauren C. Brooks, Clement Chan, Wei Chen, Brent Hagata, Peter S. Kim, Jeremy Klavens, Aaron Klemanski, Rex Lee, Katy Palfrey, David Sonnenborn
Cast: Peter S. Kim, Rex Lee, Sterling Jones, Franqi French, Harry Hart-Browne, May Lee, Andre Hotchko, William Shin, Elaine Rivkin, Esther Moon, Scot Shamblin, Elim Uraimov

Synopsis: Matt, a suddenly divorced and unemployed gay man, overdoses on psychedelics and reconnects with his Uncle Larry who died of AIDS in the ‘90s. Be he a ghost, a guardian angel, or a drug-induced hallucination, Larry is the one person, alive or dead, who can get Matt’s life back on track.

Drawn:

Horror (25 min) United States
Directed By: Ty Clancey
Written By: Ty Clancey
Produced By: Bo Clancey, Ty Clancey
Cast: Jesse Garcia, Clayne Crawford, Diana Zermeño

Synopsis: A widower and his young daughter fend off a predatory land speculator by any means necessary in this psychological thriller set on a dying ranch in the Southwest. With shifting points of view and a twisting power structure, the story delves deep into our perception of control, unraveling a family mystery that spawns eerie tension, abducts our expectations of good and evil, and draws us in to a shocking reveal.

Block 10 at 6:50 PM:

Camera:

Drama (112 min) United States
Directed By: Jay Silverman
Written By: Jamie Murphy, Joe Gamache
Produced By: Jay Silverman, Bethany Cerrona, Ian Christian Blanche, Beau Bridges, Joe Gamache
Cast: Beau Bridges, Jessica Parker Kennedy, Miguel Gabriel, Bruce Davison, Scotty Tovar, Jorge-Luis Pallo, Ross Partridge

Synopsis: Camera is the heartwarming story of loss, hope, and healing that follows Oscar, a 9-year-old boy who cannot speak but has a gift to see great beauty where others only see despair. When a broken film camera brings him together with Eric, an eccentric repairman, an unlikely friendship develops. Under Eric’s mentorship, Oscar finds his voice through photography and in doing so heals a wounded community.

Block 11 at 7:45 PM:

The Invisibles:

Drama (107 min) Canada
Directed By: Andrew Currie
Written By: Andrew Currie & Colin Aussant
Produced By: Mary Anne Waterhouse, Lee Kim
Cast: Tim Blake Nelson, Bruce Greenwood, Nathan Alexis, Gretchen Mol

Synopsis: In the midst of a crumbling marriage and a stalled career, Charlie feels increasingly invisible—until he literally starts to disappear. The Invisibles takes us on a visually arresting journey to a parallel dimension where the disappeared co-exist, unnoticed by the real world. As Charlie tries to return to his wife, he’s forced to confront the real reason he disappeared in the first place.

Block 12 at 8:00 PM:

Love and Taxes:

Romance (103 min) United States
Directed By: Ken Feinberg, Craig D. Tollis
Written By: Lloyd J. Schwartz
Produced By: Ken Feinberg, Lloyd.J. Schwartz, Juan Feldman, Jill Gray Savarese
Cast: Jake Reiner, Alexis Abrams

Synopsis: In this unique 70s romance crafted by Lloyd J. Schwartz, renowned “Brady Bunch” writer and producer, an unconventional story unfolds between a CPA and a waitress. Their connection, an annual meeting under the guise of preparing her taxes. Yet, with each passing year, these sessions evolve into much more than number crunching.

Block 13 at 9:00 PM:

Silent Thunder:

Horror (107 min) United States
Directed By: Isaac Medeiros
Written By: Isaac Medeiros
Produced By: Jack Lucarelli, Michael Lazari, Gigi Rice, Ted McGinley, Rich Turner
Cast: Ted McGinley, Jonathan Stoddard, Jack Lucarelli, Laura James Ecker, Cassi Colvin, Brent Kublick, Rich Turner

Synopsis: With the help of two bank robbers, a U.S Marshal sets out to rescue five prostitutes who have been abducted by a gang of desert dwelling, otherworldly, monsters.

May 4, 2024:

Block 1 at 1:00 PM:

Foolhardy Love:

Drama (6 min) United States
Directed By: Richard Eick
Written By: Richard Eick
Produced By: Richard Eick
Cast: Gabriella Gonzalez Biziou, Richard Eick

Synopsis: Foolhardy Love is the story of newlyweds, Ashley and Benny, on the night before Benny is leaving for a long term music gig. What starts as a charming evening together devolves into unexpected news and truths about each other’s plans for the foreseeable future.

Lacuna:

Drama (8 min) United States
Directed By: Hannah Colburn
Written By: Hannah Colburn
Produced By: Hannah Colburn
Cast: Sydney Ross Mitchell, Liam Clifton

Synopsis: Lacuna, a young woman, disillusioned by a fleeting romance, seeks solace in a radio ad promising companionship for lonely hearts. Her decision to respond leads her down a path that blurs the lines between fantasy and reality, ultimately challenging her perception of intimacy and human connection.

No Matter What:

Drama (9 min) United States
Directed By: Christopher James Thompson
Written By: Jimmy Willden, Brian Cobos
Produced By: Jake Gonzales
Cast: Brian Cobos, Kelsey Pribilski-Ray, Eric Davis

Synopsis: An intimate exploration of mental health and its impact on a relationship

Tiny, Texas:

Drama (12 min) United States
Directed By: David Lykes Keenan
Written By: David Lykes Keenan, AnnaClare Hicks
Produced By: AnnaClare Hicks, Tom Suhler, Jacob Ryan Hamilton
Cast: David Harrod, Jr., Chase Bolnick

Synopsis: In 1980s Texas, a star player and his coach face off on the basketball court where hard truths are revealed as the onion of their relationship is peeled back.

Chasing June:

Drama (14 min) United States
Directed By: Alana Areyzaga, Shelby Slager
Written By: Nathan L Slager & Shelby Slager
Produced By: Nathan L Slager, Shelby Slager
Cast: Sargon, Shelby Slager, Craig Ymson

Synopsis: Oliver, June, and Michael were inseparable until a terrible accident set them on separate paths. Now, after three years, Oliver is returning home, hoping to avoid his past. But June won’t let him.

Rumia:

Drama (15 min) United States
Directed By: Anthony Vazquez
Written By: Anthony Vazquez, Sofia Di Bíasio
Produced By: Anthony Vazquez, Ben Weinswig, Jolene Mendes
Cast: Sofia Di Biasio, Francisco Martos, Angels Rates

Synopsis: Sofi, a young, ambitious, immigrant dance teacher has always been clear about one thing: she will not have children. Even after finally meeting a man who loves her the way she’s always dreamed of, her stance remains firm. When the relationship suddenly comes to an end and she begins to show early signs of pregnancy, her world is turned upside down. Grappling with her new reality, Sofi questions and reevaluates her core values as she attempts to make the right decision.

Fin:

Drama (16 min) United States
Directed By: Cely Riva
Written By: Cintia Ballbe
Produced By: Bárbara Bloemink
Cast: Cely Riva, Cintia Ballbe, Betty Cutie, Yannick Weermeijer, Barbara Bloemink

Synopsis: Two lovers reunite in Amsterdam, Netherlands where their love will be put to a test. Upon consulting with a psychic in her dreams, Martina is on her way to figure out whether to stay with her partner or go back to New York.

Block 2 at 1:15 PM:

Nagaatti:

Drama (5 min) United States
Directed By: Barento Taha
Written By: Barento Taha
Produced By: Khana Tillman
Cast: Biniam Bizuneh, Martha Woldu, Aayden William

Beneath the Camouflage:

Drama (6 min) United States
Directed By: Joshua Bowen
Written By: Joshua Bowen
Produced By: Julia Safrin
Cast: Steve Aaron, Vincent Amiel

Synopsis: Joseph takes his son Aaron hunting, hoping for a shot at fixing their relationship and saying goodbye to his own father.

Farewell:

Drama (6 min) United States
Directed By: Samuel Benitez
Written By: Samuel Benitez
Produced By: Pierce Thomas
Cast: Ashlee Weber, Cameron Diskin, Carter Nelson

Synopsis: Jackie is trying to cope with the loss of her son by her love of cooking, but she can’t distinguish between what’s real and what’s fantasy anymore.

Virago:

Drama (9 min) United States
Directed By: Aida Gevorgyan
Written By: Aida Gevorgyan
Produced By: Carly Rogers
Cast: Anastasia Antonia, Benjamin Irving

Synopsis: A nomad mother fights to bring new life into the world

P.E.:

Drama (10 min) United States
Directed By: Daniel Colella
Written By: Daniel Colella
Produced By: Briauna Draper, Dallas Garcia
Cast: Patrick Whiteside (“Ben” – lead), Ruben “Speedy’ Valente (“Jason” – Supporting), Mary Pumper (“Ms. Holmes” – Supporting)

Synopsis: A heavy-set teenager braves the nightmare of P.E. swim class.

Rules are Made:

Drama (11 min) United States
Directed By: Juliet Lucas
Written By: Juliet Lucas
Produced By: Lydia Wills
Cast: Violet Kay, Grace Engels, Khan Nguyen, Bianka Lynn Garcia

Synopsis: A young girl struggles with the realities of exploring her sexual nature and history of self-harm and eating disorders while in the confines of a very fundamentalist church culture.

In a Foreign and Unknown Land:

Drama (12 min) United States
Directed By: Ricardo Villanueva Avalos
Written By: Ricardo Villanueva Avalos, Hannah Broadbent, Emi Edwards
Produced By: Emi Edwards
Cast: Janis Guzman, Franco Acosta, Andrea Salinas, Carrigan Clark

Synopsis: A family who has recently moved from Mexico to Utah following a job opportunity struggles to adapt to their new circumstances. At the end of the day, they come together to share a burnt meal, but each is lost in their own reflections on the difficult day they’ve had.

In the Gray:

Drama (13 min) United States
Directed By: Alexandra Hensley
Written By: Alexandra Hensley
Produced By: Kelan Brown, Tricha Kumar
Cast: Emily Rhoads, Joy Cooper, James Bobo, Alison Walsh, Chris Quintos, Nicole Stubbs

Synopsis: When Tami, a 33-year-old wife of a pastor, becomes pregnant with what would be her sixth child. She realizes that another baby would be an impossible burden. With despair and the courage of her convictions, Tami makes the long and lonely drive to a clinic in order to terminate her pregnancy. Once inside, the fear and guilt overwhelm her. It is only through the strength and compassion of the other women that Tami is able to calm down, and for once in her life make a decision totally for herself.

On the Dying Grass:

Drama (15 min) United States
Directed By: Nicholas Grimaldi
Written By: Brendan Wendlandt
Produced By: Augustus Boettcher
Cast: Adrianne Washington, Christopher Pio, Casey Worthington

Synopsis: After a Hollywood agent suffers the loss of her closest friend and biggest client, she is asked to continue representing an AI version of the deceased actor.

Un Dia Más Un Dia Menos:

Drama (15 min) United States
Directed By: Audrey Saca
Written By: Audrey Saca
Produced By: Brittany Burkett, Ruben Fuentes Jr., Stephanie Ledesma
Cast: Valentin Guereque, Carlos Solorzano, Dan Lopecci, Anthony Calix, Iker Sanchez, Daisy Garcia, Christopher Alvarez

Synopsis: In 1960s rural Durango, Mexico, a young boy has his life change when he finds himself abandoned by his father on his uncle’s ranch. With nowhere to go, Leo grows up on his uncle’s ranch being exploited as a worker for over a decade. Soon Leo will discover the truth that his uncle has been hiding from him all these years, prompting him to finally escape the ranch and his uncle forever.

Block 3 at 1:30 PM:

109 Below:

Documentary (13 min) United States
Directed By: Nick Martini
Written By: Writer Name Here
Produced By: Sarah Stewart, Ben Osborne, Lex Hinson
Cast: Joe Lentini, Alexa Siegel, Hugh Herr, Paul Cormier

Synopsis: 109 Below tells a tale of resilience and grit. An attempted rescue on Mount Washington in 1982 changed not only the course of two climbers’ lives, but the lives of the rescuers who attempted to save them — and the future of prosthetics, forever.

Interception: Jayne Kennedy American Sportscaster:

Horror (15 min) United States
Directed By: Raphael Cosme
Written By: Raphael Cosme, Richard Manzo
Produced By: Raphael Cosme, Perla Cosme
Cast: Olivia Montalbano, Scot Scurlock, Anna Fleece, Ainslee Nipper

Synopsis: When Terry turns to garden gnomes to cope with a tragic accident, things start to go south when a pet fish is introduced.

Space for Art:

Documentary (15 min) United States
Directed By: Maclovia Martel
Written By: Maclovia Martel
Produced By: Michael Potter, Margaret McCarthy
Cast: Nicole Stott

Synopsis: Space for Art is an extraordinary documentary film on the power of hope, courage, and healing. Featuring astronatut and artist, Nicole Stott, the film follows her on perhaps her most important mission of uniting a planetary community of children through the awe and wonder of space exploration and the healing power of art.

I Was One Of Them:

Documentary (19 min) United States
Directed By: Carol Ciancutti
Written By: Carol Ciancutti
Produced By: Carol Ciancutti, Gary Sharfin
Cast: Cecilia Wanjiku Njoroge, Joyce Wanjiku Kiiru, Susan Kinyua, Jane Njeri Muchiri

Synopsis: The story of how the lives of three women were transformed through the work of one program. How mentoring, friendship and education are universal forces for the empowerment of women. The film is a slice of life portrait of three women in Kenya; Cecilia, Joyce and Jane. Through the guidance and education from a program called the Kianda Business Women Support Program, we see how each was given the chance to grow, thrive and empower those around them.

Space Coast:

Documentary (23 min) United States
Directed By: Justin Barber
Written By:
Produced By: Adrienne Hall, Elliot Feld
Cast: Mark Shimei, Sheetal Puri, Eliana Sheriff

Synopsis: People from around the world gather on the Space Coast to witness the launch of Artemis-1, the ‘World’s most powerful rocket.’ But Mark, a veteran of the Space Shuttle Program, doubts this ‘moondoggle’ will ever fly.

Block 4 at 2:40 PM:

For What I’m Not:

Drama (6 min) United States
Directed By: Cooper Roth
Written By: Cooper Roth
Produced By: Isabelle Leonard
Cast: Jacob Bertrand, Teresa Bascle

Synopsis: Calvin and Harley go through objects they want to put in a time capsule, uncovering insecurities and obstacles that could make or break their relationship.

Runaway:

Drama (8 min) United States
Directed By: Cesar Oyarzabal
Written By: Ellison Mann, Cesar Oyarzabal
Produced By: Chris Zilong Wang
Cast: Oona Yaffe, Ken Driesslein, Stephanie Van Vlack

Synopsis: For Alexia, you either face your fears or run away forever. She ran away but made sure no one else could escape their secrets anymore.

Courage:

Drama (12 min) United States
Directed By: Ryan Gomes
Written By: Ryan Gomes
Produced By: John Dooley, Ryan Gomes, Jared Jorge, David-Mathew Barnes, Robert Cunniff
Cast: Ian Fidance, Ashley Ottesen, Christopher Riley

Synopsis: Luke, a quiet 6 year old, doesn’t get the love he needs, so he builds a relationship with his favorite superhero action figure, Captain Courage. He sees the world through the lens of this comic and uses it to cope with the world around him. Now Luke faces his biggest challenge, finding the courage to fight back against the scariest thing any kid has to deal with: His world falling apart.

Daffodils:

Drama (12 min) United States
Directed By: Smahi Anand
Written By: Smahi Anand
Produced By: Smahi Anand, Shaily Sanghvi
Cast: Carly Roseman, David Lovio, Alyson Merki

Synopsis: Olivia is a 23 year old orphan who suffers from paralysis and a weakened immune system. She feels at peace when she visits a church, hence, she wants to be in a peaceful mindset because she does not know which day might be her last day. Olivia is at the church stairs, when a church janitor ,Mike who always cribs about his life and has disrupted relations with his family, sees her struggling and offers to help her. Her visits to the church become frequent and both of them start spending time together. One day, Olivia invites Mike to meet her sister Lindsey over dinner. Lindsey makes him uncomfortable by asking questions about his family which makes Olivia furious. Mike and Olivia talk about life and Olivia’s will to live which inspires him. Olivia makes him realise how blessed he is to have a family with whom he ruined his relations and how she would do anything to bring her dead parents back. When Olivia reveals to Mike that her recent diagnosis report has shown that her condition has worsened and she has to undergo surgery , Mike is unable to process this information as he is scared of losing her. He pays his respect to her by bringing a bouquet of daffodils which were her favourite flowers and were always given to her by her mother.

Split:

Drama (14 min) United States
Directed By: Vincent Essid
Written By: Zac Thurman
Produced By: David Willner, Camilla Papadopouo
Cast: Jeromy Ramos, Eddie Alfano, Dominique Star, BJ Wolf, Anna DeMaria

Synopsis: SPLIT is the story of a lonely teenager who discovers that the jukebox in his family’s bowling alley, sends him back to the glory days of it in the 1980s. With the bowling alley closing down and with limited chances to go back in time, he must choose between a shot at love in the past or healing the relationship with his father in the present.

Navel:

Drama (16 min) United States
Directed By: Elsa Xu
Written By: Elsa Xu
Produced By: Chris Zilong Wang , Jiaqi Zheng
Cast: Grace Schenkel , Flynn Jungbin Byun , Michael McClure , Michael C. Liu , Lane Jackson , Caroline Yan

Synopsis: Upon observing a young client’s desire to camouflage her C-section scar with a tattoo, Ann, a young tattooist, embarks on a journey of self-acceptance. This transformative experience involves a metaphysical trip through her eye, heart, stomach, and womb, ultimately leading her to embrace her own body.

The Butterflies of Love:

Drama (16 min) United States
Directed By: Aiden Glikmann
Written By: Aiden Glikmann
Produced By: Elizabeth Murphy
Cast: CJ Eldred, Jane Papageorge, Randall Kirby, Virginia Shannon, Rick Zieff, Leilani Smith

Synopsis: Two elderly musical stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood are given technology to make themselves young again. As they rekindle their love in the modern world, they discover their gift of youth carries the burden of a lifetime of pain and regret.

I’m Looking Forward to Joining You:

Drama (18 min) United States
Directed By: Sawyer Nicoll
Written By: Sawyer Nicoll
Produced By: Gabby Vile
Cast: Kirsten Hoj, Curran Seth, Sean O’Shea

Synopsis: In a world doomed by an impending solar flare, a young couple struggles to find purpose as they challenge their fate.

Block 5 at 3:20 PM:

It Came From Within:

Horror (5 min) United States
Directed By: Queenie Zhang
Written By: Queenie Zhang
Produced By: Ashayla Blakely
Cast: Samaya Perez, My Linh Tinnierella, Madison Beehner

Synopsis: Amelia is struggling to understand a new disease that only infects women and must regain control of her body before time runs out.

Slickback:

Mystery (10 min) United States
Directed By: Drew Rodgers
Written By: Drew Rodgers
Produced By: Yinka Akinlade
Cast: Jacques Pelletier, Sara Bunge

Synopsis: When an egotistical hopeless romantic known only as Slickback gets stranded at the house of his single-date ex, he gears up for a last ditch chance to win her over.

Ghost Goose:

Drama (12 min) United States
Directed By: Seth Woodhouse
Written By: Seth Woodhouse, Norris Palmer
Produced By: Norris Palmer, Diana Postolache, Quinton Buxton
Cast: Sheila Daley, Cecilia Diamond, Maddox Simmons

Synopsis: Jill, Ella, and Graham move into a mansion after Jill’s divorce. Strange events unfold, with Ella discovering a mysterious Goose. Graham confronts Ella, realizing she’s possessed. Jill breaks the spell, reconciling with her children. They leave, hopeful for the future.

The Herald:

Drama (14 min) United States
Directed By: Ian Cardamone
Written By: Ian Cardamone
Produced By: Kathryn Steenburgh, Ian Cardamone
Cast: Nick Delzompo, Kathryn Steenburgh, Kanika Talwar, Joey Williams

Synopsis: Set in 1978, The Herald follows William, an aspiring college journalist who intends to publish a hit piece about an infamous commune. One night, while trying to convince fellow classmate Kate to join the independent publication that he runs out of his dorm room, two former members of the commune show up on his doorstep demanding information about one of William’s sources.

Blackberry:

Thriller (15 min) United States
Directed By: Katie O’Grady
Written By: Samantha Mei Paull
Produced By: Katie O’Grady, Jessica Barr, Jessica More
Cast: Samantha Mei Paull, Cassidy Vafi, Serena Audrey, Paloma Williams, Tala Fatemi

Synopsis: When a group of friends escapes their summer camp for an adventure, things take a mysterious turn as their return to camp reveals that the rest of the camp has vanished. All that remains are mystic markings and unsettling clues which point to secret lore and supernatural forces at play.

Gnomes:

Horror (15 min) United States
Directed By: Raphael Cosme
Written By: Raphael Cosme, Richard Manzo
Produced By: Raphael Cosme, Perla Cosme
Cast: Olivia Montalbano, Scot Scurlock, Anna Fleece, Ainslee Nipper

Synopsis: When Terry turns to garden gnomes to cope with a tragic accident, things start to go south when a pet fish is introduced.

Penance:

Drama (15 min) United States
Directed By: R. Julian Tuttle
Written By: Lucas Brawner, Rohan Kumar
Produced By: Rohan Kumar
Cast: Jeremy Urann, Rob McCrea, Darren Cruz

Synopsis: An oil worker living under the radar in a small desert town is forced to uproot his life when someone from his violent past catches up to him.

Neon Hereafter:

Drama (16 min) United States
Directed By: Pacey Hansen
Written By: Pacey Hansen
Produced By: DeMori Hawkins
Cast: Brittany Hoffner, Spencer Makow, Finnegan Greisl

Synopsis: The hypnotic buzz and glow of neon engrosses Cecilia as she struggles to evade her addiction, disturbed past, and the nightmarish monster ceaselessly stalking her.

Block 6 at 3:30 PM:

The Last Dinner:

Drama (15 min) France
Directed By: Marie-Ange Casalta
Written By: Marie-Ange Casalta
Produced By: Romuald Boulanger, Marie-Ange Casalta
Cast: Roger Bart, Francois-Xavier Demaison, Sabine Crossen, Paul Spera

Synopsis: On a happy getaway weekend with his best friends, Simon finds out that there is going to be a nuclear attack in 20 minutes. He decides to not tell his friends so they can enjoy the last moments of their lives. But Simon is only human…

Document 56:

Comedy (31 min) Romania
Directed By: Christopher Landry
Written By: Christopher Landry, Doru Lupeanu
Produced By: Christopher Landry
Cast: Stefan Iancu, Alexandru Georgescu

Synopsis: Based on true events. In Cold War-era Romania, two Securitate officers intercept a letter from former US president Richard Nixon to Nicolae Ceausescu proposing a joint covert arrangement to finance Saddam Hussein and the army of Iraq. With 48 hours to prepare for the arrival of CIA operatives, the two agents race to determine the hidden agenda of the visit – and each other.

Block 7 at 4:30 PM:

Cathy’s Doll:

Drama (8 min) Australia
Directed By: Taylor Venter
Written By: Taylor Venter
Produced By: Taylor Venter
Cast: Evie Rose Bennett, Paul McKenzie, Helen O’Connor, Freyja Benjamin, Paul Talbot

Synopsis: A watchful little girl observes shades of grief at her father’s funeral, ultimately coming to terms with loss in her own unique way.

Pale:

Drama (9 min) Australia
Directed By: Andrew Gray
Written By: Andrew Gray & Billy Kayani
Produced By: Andrew Gray
Cast: Alex Botto, Tyneak Hellings, Melinda Fall, Franco Leo, Serkan Tokgoz, Andrew Gray

Synopsis: A young woman struggling with past trauma receives bad news regarding her father.

Room 57:

Drama (11 min) Canada
Directed By: Mazdak Taebi
Written By: Fedya Noorelahi, Mazdak Taebi
Produced By: Mazdak Taebi
Cast: Nikta Atapour, Yusef Kashefi, Solmaz Alizadeh

Synopsis: After getting arrested for dancing in the streets of Tehran, 22-year-old Lida is summoned to the Islamic Republic Judiciary for punishment.

The Choice:

Drama (13 min) United Kingdom
Directed By: Paul Hendy
Written By: Tim Whitnall
Produced By: Paul Hendy
Cast: Rita Simons, Alex MacQueen

Synopsis: The Choice is a haunting, psychological drama, which tells the story of a famous TV personality whose life and career implodes when a mysterious visitor comes to call.

Bottle Money:

Drama (14 min) New Zealand
Directed By: Rebekah Tyler
Written By: Rebekah Tyler
Produced By: Madison Smith, Emma Mortimer
Cast: Jack Tyler, Romy Hooper, Alice Richardson, Oskar Fee, Troy Kingi, Davida McKenzie, Tom Robson

Synopsis: As 16-year-old Nelson protects his siblings from the chaos of their unstable mum, he must decide: how much longer can he stand to love her?

The Dog - A Rapidly Condensed Guide to Treading Water:

Drama (14 min) Canada
Directed By: Michael Makaroff
Written By: Hugh Allen, Michael Makaroff
Produced By: Charlie Gudgeon, Michael Makaroff
Cast: Kevin McNulty, Kamantha Naidoo, Ryan Trieus

Synopsis: An underwriter recounts his career in body part insurance sales in an attempt to affirm his life choices.

Master of the House:

Drama (16 min) Canada
Directed By: Dylan Maranda
Written By: Dylan Maranda, Nick Balaz
Produced By: Spencer Foley
Cast: Brendan Meyer, Kira Doxtator, Matthew MacCaull, Jennifer McLean

Synopsis: A young sommelier struggles to balance friendship and ambition on the night an acclaimed restaurant critic dines at his work, a restaurant hyped on reinventing Indigenous cuisine.

Maestro’s Hand:

Drama (17 min) South Africa
Directed By: Khanyo O. Mjamba
Written By: Khanyo O. Mjamba
Produced By: Khosie Dali
Cast: Nkanyiso Ngcobo, Faca Khulu

Synopsis: Zwai, a welder supporting his dependent father, finds solace in playing jazz on his digital piano keyboard. Encouraged by Felicia, he auditions as a pianist but faces opposition from his father. A confrontation leads to Zwai breaking free, symbolized by his refusal to assist his father, marking a new beginning for both.

Block 8 at 4:45 PM:

Confessions from a War:

Documentary (38 min) Lebanon
Directed By: Shawn Thompson, Leon Shahabian
Written By: Shawn Thompson
Produced By: Jerome Gary, Denise Jabber, Leon Shahabian
Cast: Colette Tannous, Ziad Saab, Elie Abi Tayeh, Assad Chaftari

Synopsis: Confessions From A War is a feature documentary in the tradition of The Sorrow and the Pity about the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990). It is not about what happened but about the emotional and psychological cost of war and the value of forgiveness and repentance. Finally, it is not just about this war; it is about all wars.

I Built A Ukrainian Inside Myself:

Documentary (60 min) United States
Directed By: David Van Hooser
Written By: David Van Hooser
Produced By: David Van Hooser, Christina Katrakis, Roman Kudlay
Cast: Christina Katrakis, Roman Kudlay

Synopsis: There is a war for humanity going on behind the bombs and bullets of Russia’s war against Ukraine. A journey to Ukraine following the Russian invasion reveals how everyday people quickly created ways to feed, house and serve the millions looking for sanctuary from the hostilities.

Block 9 at 5:30 PM:

Before the Oil:

Documentary (11 min)The Netherlands
Directed By: Roel Swierenga
Written By: Odd Kvinen
Produced By: Roel Swierenga, Martijn Heemstra
Cast: Odd Kvinen

Synopsis: In the remote mountains of southern Norway, Odd Kvinen operates a husky farm, showcasing Norway’s pre-oil era when the nation was economically challenged. His educational program explores the transition brought by the discovery of oil and the development of hydroelectric power, leading to prosperity. Kvinen’s teachings emphasize the energy shift, environmental stewardship, and the imperative of transitioning to renewable sources. The dilemma lies in the nation’s need for more energy while aiming to reduce reliance on oil. Are we ready to confront the realities and embrace cleaner energy alternatives?

The Shamans of Oaxaca:

Documentary (11 min) United States
Directed By: Vern Moen
Written By: Vern Moen
Produced By: David DeRothschild, Vern Moen

Synopsis: “Suffering is part of life, but we have to adapt, and those are the opportunities to grow.” Dia de los muertos is the most sacred time in Mexico. For the Shaman that are charged with both the ushering of the deceased through the portal of life and the preservation of a fading culture, it is a time of great significance and tradition. In a small town outside Oaxaca, a shaman abuelita reflects on the difficulties of life and teaches her daughter the importance of remembering their ancestors.

The Vessel:

Documentary (25 min) United States
Directed By: Brendan Garvey
Written By: Brendan Garvey
Produced By: Brendan Garvey, Henry Van Zytveld, Isaak Kimmel
Cast: Rodney Smith Jr, The town of Huntsville, Alabama

Synopsis: As a recent immigrant to the United States and Alabama, Rodney Smith Jr. was feeling lonely and without purpose. 7 years later, he has built a charity empire. “The Vessel” explores the story of how one man mowing his elderly neighbor’s lawn led to neighborhoods across the world feeling like home again.

Earthbound: Nzambi Matee:

Documentary (48 min) United States
Directed By: Farhoud Meybodi
Produced By: Sean Hobbs
Cast: Nzambi Matee

Synopsis: Earthbound: Nzambi Matee explores the life and achievements of Nzambi Matee, a Kenyan innovator and entrepreneur who is tackling the plastic waste epidemic in her hometown of Nairobi. Despite all the risks, Nzambi perseveres in her pursuit of pioneering technology that transforms plastic waste into paving bricks, eventually earning worldwide recognition as a United Nations Young Champion of the Earth.

Block 10 at 6:30 PM:

You’re Early:

Thriller (5 min) United States
Directed By: Will Maloney
Written By: Robert Bruinewoud
Produced By: Will Maloney
Cast: Taryn Manning, Michael Adrian Palermo, Hoyt Richards

Synopsis: When a struggling actress walks into a home invasion, she must put on the performance of a lifetime to save her husband.

Shrike:

Drama (13 min) United States
Directed By: Rebecca Lynne Loftin
Written By: Rebecca Lynne Loftin
Produced By: Rebecca Lynne Loftin, Russell Sheaffer, Hannah McSwiggen?, Madi Bready
Cast: Pedro Correa, Martha Ruby Clark

Synopsis: After a one-night stand, Carolyn, numb and unhappily engaged, will do almost anything to break the monotony of her life and connect with her new companion, John—including pushing him to his breaking point. SHRIKE is an exploration of female personhood through the lens of desire, rage, and the strangeness lurking just beneath the surface in all of us.

Beautiful Friend:

Mystery (80 min) United States
Directed By: Truman Kewley
Written By: Truman Kewley
Produced By: Ryan Hoang, Truman Kewley, Yoonie Kim, Nicole Wilson
Cast: Adam Jones, Alexandrea Meyer

Synopsis: In this gripping psychological thriller, a sociopathic incel spirals into obsession, kidnapping a woman to fulfill his warped fantasy of a perfect girlfriend. As their twisted relationship unfolds, a harrowing journey of self-discovery ensues, revealing dark truths and unleashing chilling consequences.

Block 11 at 7:00 PM:

Vaja - People Are People:

Action (4 min) United States
Directed By: Vaja
Written By: Vaja
Produced By: Vaja, Steve Horner, Michael W. Abbott, David Christopher Lee
Cast: Vaja, Max Ryan

Synopsis: As the video reaches its climax, the cityscape and desert transforms into a beautiful array of colors, symbolizing unity. Her mesmerizing performance and message becomes clear: “People Are People.” She strives to encourage humanity to reflect on the timeless message of this meaningful iconic song and the importance of acceptance in a world that often seems divided. Despite our differences, we are all, indeed, people. In the end, her meaningful journey captures the pure essence of her story.

Runaways:

Action (14 min) United States
Directed By: Jack Szarabajka
Written By: Joel Steiger, Carrie Wilson
Produced By: Emma Elizabeth Steiger, Diane Steiger, Cory Shanbom, Bix Giegerich, Jack Szarabjka, Harrison Richmond Schulman
Cast: Emma Elizabeth Steiger, Jessie Gill, Keith Szarabajka, Amy Benedict, Andres Londono, Russell Curry, Ames Miyako

Synopsis: Runaways is a mystery-thriller set in the US-Mexico border town of Nogales, Arizona; a town defined by its connection to the current border conflict debate. Our story follows polar-opposite sisters Rachel and Danielle who suddenly become fugitives, traveling with a caravan of migrants after being framed for the murder of their own mother by the their stepfather, Sheriff Frank McKay.

Overtime:

Action (17 min) United States
Directed By: Scout Pertofsky
Written By: Scout Pertofsky
Produced By: Gianfranco Svagelj
Cast: Lisa Jacqueline Starrett, Jeff DeGlow, Alicia Underwood, Doug Jeffery

Synopsis: A salary worker trapped in her office building after dark finds herself in a battle of wits and strength against a mysterious creature that not only wants her life but her job too.

Bareknuckle:

Action (18 min) United States
Directed By: Alex De Ocampo
Written By: Mark Labella, Alex De Ocampo, Roger Porter
Produced By: Kevin Kreider, Devon Diep, Anita Siraki
Cast: Jordan Mahr, Michae Naizu, Yvette Lu, Mark Labella, Dylan Santos, Jose Mataes, Devon Diep

Synopsis: In the unforgiving shadows of the criminal underworld, a conflicted hitman finds himself ensnared in a dangerous game of love and power with his toxic boss. As he confronts his deepest desires and struggles with his identity, he must navigate the treacherous paths of his profession. Determined to break free from his destructive entanglement, he embarks on a perilous journey of self-discovery, seeking redemption and a chance to redefine his destiny.

Revv:

Action (18 min) United States
Directed By: Taylor Handley
Written By: Taylor Handley
Produced By: Joey Moran, Ben Brady, Send Dobson, Taylor Handley
Cast: Taylor Handley, Aynsley Bubbico, Marlene Forte, Sean O’Bryan, Samantha MacLachlan, Spenser Hindman, Marlowe Dobson, Emma Griffin, Laurence Handley, Jeff Wolfe.

Synopsis: Revv is a slow-burning revenge thriller that follows John “Revv” Revere on his last day on earth… or so he thinks. Upon his release from prison, Revv is a shotgun blast of raw emotion and determination as he sets out on the suicide mission he’s planned for seven years. With each step down memory lane, Revv gets closer to his ultimate goal while preparing for his final moments. However, unexpected encounters and circumstances make him question his murderous motivation when he finally confronts the man responsible for all his pain and suffering.

Cold as Ice:

Drama (24 min) United States
Directed By: Oliver Mack Calhoun
Written By: Oliver Mack Calhoun
Produced By: Oliver Mack Calhoun, Javier Montoya
Cast: Akil Thomas, Dylan Playfair, Max Williams, Jason Kurth, Tyler Scherer, Paul Dupree, Pierce Mayer, David Babbitt

Synopsis: In the hopes of boosting their professional draft stock, a rivalry is born as an injury plagued hockey player (King) and a hockey prodigy (Zane) attend a private workout for the head coach of the LA Captains, Coach Richards. They will all soon learn that the game they love is as cold as the ice they skate on.

Block 12 at 7:30 PM:

Relapse!:

Documentary (4 min) Ghana
Directed By: Arinzechukwu Patrick, Justyna Obasi
Written By: Arinzechukwu Patrick, Justyna Obasi
Produced By: Random Photo Journal Anorak Film
Cast: Lionel Mbila, Prince Naah, Julian Mihindou

Synopsis: Seen through the personal journey of Lionel, Relapse enters an exploration of Ghanaian youth culture, in life, addiction, love, and loneliness, told via the shared experience of friends and community, and the unwanted shadows that bond them. As he anticipates the arrival of his first child, Lionel’s reliance on substances is replaced by the need to be a reliable presence as a father, in a raw observation of street culture’s lesser-documented facets.

Nine Lives:

Documentary (8 min) United States
Directed By: Jessie Davidson
Written By:
Produced By: Daniel DeVorzon
Cast: Daniel DeVorzon, Barry DeVorzon, Jelinda DeVorzon, Arielle Feinberg, Michael Feinberg, John Fink, Jody Jones

Synopsis: Nine Lives is the heartwarming story of one free-spirited cat and all of the humans who love her. Despite a perilous start in life as a feral stray surviving in the Utah winter, this cat found her way to a neighborhood in Montecito, California. Alice (as she was originally named) began wandering into neighbors’ homes and many fell in love with her and each gave her a unique name like Snowpea, Daisy, and Butterscotch Swirl. Through interviews and actual cell phone footage and photos captured by the interviewees, Nine Lives illustrates how this cat weaves through their lives and teaches profound lessons about love, resilience, and the transformative power of unexpected connections.

Comedy on Rye: Katz’s First Comedy Show:

Documentary (23 min) United States
Directed By: Will DeVito
Written By:
Produced By: David Levine, Ethan Mansoor, Will DeVito, Alex Smithline, Beth Palomba
Cast: David Levine, Ethan Mansoor, Roy Wood Jr., Jessica Kirson, Matthew Arevalo, Chris Turner, David Manheim, Jake Dell, Michael Schulman

Synopsis: Two 24-year-old Manhattanites and childhood best friends embark on a unique quest: to host the first comedy show in New York’s iconic Katz’s Delicatessen. But when the duo only has one hour to transform the space and seat nearly 300 people, mayhem ensues in hopes of throwing a show as worthy as Katz’s pastrami.

Albert Pyun- King of Cult Movies:

Documentary (58 min) United States
Directed By: Lisa D’Apolito
Written By: Lisa D’Apolito, Andrea Lewis
Produced By: John Landolif, Lisa D’Apolito
Cast: Seth Green, Ice T , Christopher Lambert

Synopsis: Throughout cult film director Albert Pyun’s incredible 40-year career, his bizarre, fantastical films were often criticized and parodied but even now the incredible worlds he brought to life continue to captivate fans worldwide. Albert Pyun: King of Cult Movies tells the story of a rebel and his love for filmmaking, a free spirit who always did Hollywood his way while working with some of the industry’s biggest stars, including Burt Reynolds, Dennis Hopper, Charlie Sheen, Kris Kristopherson, Snoop Dog, Courteney Cox, and so many more. The documentary is comprised of interviews with the stars of his films including Christopher Lambert, Ice-T and Seth Green, with archival footage from his library of 50+ films, intimate conversations with the love of his life, and vérité scenes of Albert making Cyborg Overture: Bad *** Angels while fighting illness and dementia. It also showcases never-before-seen clips from Albert’s unfinished movie, Interstellar Civil War and Captain America.

Block 13 at 8:50 PM:

The Ballad of a Hustler:

Drama (103 min) United States
Directed By: Heitor Dhalia
Written By: Bernardo Barreto
Produced By: Bernardo Barreto, Jon Keeyes, Stefanie Coimbra
Cast: Bernardo Barreto, Robbie Johns, Emeraude Toubia, Andrea Beltrao, Frank Rodriguez, Drew Moerlein, Analisa Velez, Patricia Black, Brendan Dooling, Carme Boixadera, Robin Lord Taylor, Natalia Rodriguez, Dean Vasquez, Gino Vento, Kyle Klaus.

Synopsis: A Latino ex-con saddled with a six-year-old boy scours the underbelly of New York City trying to find the missing mother.

Block 14 at 9:00 PM:

Branded Tigers:

Drama (6 min) United States
Directed By: Ethan Hasse
Written By: Ethan Hasse
Produced By: Ethan Hasse, Polina Herman
Cast: Justin Landers, Jake Kelly, Retesh Gupta, Thomas Voltz, Ethan Harrington, Tanner Kurland, Jimmy Hernandez

Synopsis: After moving to a new school, a lonely student is recruited by a mysterious gang that rejects all technology – with nefarious intentions.

Buzz Cut:

Drama (11 min) United States
Directed By: Kiersten Villanueva
Written By: Kiersten Villanueva
Produced By: Chris Quintos Cathcart, Kiersten Villanueva, Byron Atienza, Leon Pierce Jr., Jon Jon Augustavo, Bernard Badion, Tara Aquino
Cast: EJ Neri, Carlin James, Alex Castillo

Synopsis: Union City, California 2013. EDWARD, a Filipino-American born and raised in the Bay Area, runs a barbershop. He’s finishing up with SAM, a regular. Outside, students are marching. They chant: “Know History, Know Self!” The march is about the renaming of a middle school after Filipino labor leaders Larry Itliong and Phillip Vera-Cruz. Sam downplays the efforts, claiming the funding raised could be better spent elsewhere. Edward is indifferent. He finishes up and Sam leaves. NICK, a Filipino transfer student, escapes his bullies by forcing his way into Edward’s shop for a place to hide. Edward reluctantly agrees after Nick asks for a haircut. The two learn more about each other. Nick, who was once a bright-eyed immigrant with hopes for a good life in America, realizes he doesn’t belong. Edward revisits a past trauma, recalling a time when he befriended another transfer student named LUIS. Through their conversation, they find a friend in each other and a desire for a fresh start. They part ways with a new outlook on their moral footing in America and the importance of community.

Chasing Shadows:

Drama (11 min) United States
Directed By: Attila Balazs Gyula
Written By: Erin Elizabeth Cook, Attila Balazs Gyula
Produced By: Erin Elizabeth Cook, Bryce Barfield, Chase Spivey, Attila Gyula Balazs, Garrett Sneed, Debbie Cook
Cast: Erin Elizabeth Cook, Kyle Pennington, Benji Van Katz, Miranda LoPresti, Mattea White, Brandon Elon Russell, Attila Gyula Balazs, Dale Niehaus, William Alyn Hill, Mary Kidd, Debbie Cook, Todd Wisdom

Synopsis: Kate, Randall, and Logan sneak Charlie out of the hospital to fulfill his dying wish, but as obstacles present on their final family road trip, Kate fears she won’t be able to keep her promise to her husband.

Specter:

Drama (12 min) United States
Directed By: Karlos Kuan
Written By: Karlos Kuan
Produced By: Karlos Kuan
Cast: Olivia Francis, Annika Johnson, Hiro Ortiz

Synopsis: A solitary twenty-something gets the news that her estranged mother is dying. Haunted by their troubled past, she must find the courage to let her resentment go and call her one last time.

2002:

Drama (15 min) United States
Directed By: Skyler Ehorn
Written By: Skyler Ehorn
Produced By: Producer Names here
Cast: Colton Craig, Jonny West, Benni Ola, Kameron Gaxiola, Jeremy Fletcher, David Bowman, Kianah McWilson, Adrian Vasquez

Synopsis: 2002 is focused on themes of early 2000’s youth in West Los Angeles. We follow a group of friends trying to sell pot as they bounce through different groups and reckless events unfold.

Francis Bacon:

Drama (15 min) United States
Directed By: Darcy Cagen
Written By: Darcy Cagen
Produced By: Sining Xiang
Cast: Madelyn Levine, Jennifer Estlin, Michael Joseph Mitchell, Adam Rebora, Croix Perkins

Synopsis: When a disillusioned young woman drops out of college, she wanders around Chicago searching for meaning and connection.

The Heart of Texas:

Drama (15 min) United States
Directed By: Gregory JM Kasunich
Written By: Gregory JM Kasunich, Lauren Noll
Produced By: Jordan Ochel, Sol Bautista, Gregory JM Kasunich, Lauren Noll
Cast: Lauren Noll, Carlos Cravioto

Synopsis: An aspiring country singer stuck in the paycheck-to-paycheck grind, gets big news that she’s a radio contest finalist while finishing her overnight shift at a local diner in Waco, TX. She must race to the station to sing for hometown country music hero Harlan Thompson in hopes of winning the opening act spot on his upcoming tour. In a chaotic dash to the studio, she collides her car into Jesús, an undocumented worker who refuses medical care or police assistance out of fear of being discovered and deported. The two engage in a struggle, each in pursuit of their own American dreams. In the end, they do the only the thing they know how to do: fend for themselves.

The Snow Leopard:

Drama (15 min) United States
Directed By: Taylor Joshua Rankin
Written By: Taylor Joshua Rankin
Produced By: Anna G. Robertson, Caitlyn Durkin, Taylor Joshua Rankin
Cast: Serra Naiman, Julian Lopez-Morillas, Alexandra Simpson, Ivo Bokulic, Jenna Flohr, Elijah Lacin

Synopsis: A composer meets with her composition teacher to help put the final touches on a new piece she is writing for string quartet.

May 5, 2024:

Awards Night Gala:

Location: The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, Blossom Ballroom, 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048.

Dates: May 1 - 5, 2024

Location:

TCL Chinese 6 Theatres,
6925 Hollywood Boulevard,
Hollywood, CA 90028.

Buy Tickets

Click here for more information.