Animation Short – Official Selection – December 2019
“glimmen” (KRYPT III) | Germany | 2019 | 21’
Director: Lars Nagler
Writer: Lars Nagler
Producer: Lars Nagler
Synopsis: In “glimmen“ protagonist FRAME is enabled to escape from a self-destructive industrial dystopia in order to approach his senses, empathy, self-knowledge and own strength again after this stupid and faceless phase of his existence and to perceive the outside world, freedom, dreams and joy in general. During this odyssey he is regressively brought back to his evolutionary origin – and thus to a new beginning of himself, in whatever shape, form and environment it will be. FRAME is accompanied by two godlike superordinate voices who support him as “escape helpers”. A circle in circles closes and circles on… – a little story about independence and against oppression.
Just a Small | Republic of Korea | 2019 | 05’
Director: Na Kyung Kim
Synopsis: Just like ancient mural paintings, a painting drawn on six of 30 inches * 40 inches panels has a story to tell. It is a story of a small eel wishing to become something greater than itself.
Lost in Place | United States | 2019 | 05’
Director: Morgan Holub
Writer: Morgan Holub
Producer: Morgan Holub
Synopsis: A young girl and her pet robot go on a journey, physically and emotionally.
PLAYGROUNDS | United Kingdom | 2019 | 05’
Directors: Antonio Milo, Fabrizio Fioretti
Synopsis: PLAYGROUNDS is a short film that travels back to the early ’90s, lost deep in the suburbs, absent parents allow forgotten kids to escape to other worlds where they can’t be found.
Oh, Darling! | Germany | 2019 | 05’
Director: Cornelius Joksch
Synopsis: Obsessed with birds of all sorts, clumsy but loveable loner Andy finds himself lucky one day, when out of nowhere the most stunning bird he’s ever seen lands on his windowsill. Tempted by the outlook of getting recognition amongst fellow bird-aficionados, Andy gets a little carried away…
anpu – ZOEA | Taiwan | 2019 | 06’
Director: POWEI SU
Synopsis: Mitten crabs have long been viewed as an environmental index for assessing the ecological state of rivers and streams in taiwan. the species has a unique spawning migration pattern, the species has seen a gradual decline in population over the past few decades, mainly attributed to overharvesting and pollution. as a result, their existence has also faded away in the popular consciousness. the narrative for the video comes from the director’s childhood memories. it starts in the streets under an overpass, where mitten crabs are being sold by a vendor with red lanterns lining his stand. two mitten crabs suddenly jump out of captivity and escape into the nearby sewers. as the crabs make their way into the city’s dark underbelly of water ways, they embark upon a voyage of spawning migration. they cross a terrain of cracked soil before finally reach the deep and enchanting ocean. the video combines both camera shot footage and animation, giving the audience a glimpse of the magnificence of the locales that are often overlooked by humans, through the perspective of the video’s eight-legged protagonists. throughout the video, the plot and details weave a narrative that illustrates the infinite metaphors and imagination projected onto life itself.
Documentary Short – Official Selection – December 2019
Hedtoft | Greenland | 2019 | 13’
Writer: Per Kunuk Lyberth-Lynge
Synopsis: The personal story of the greatest tragedy in Greenlandic maritime history, told by the grandson of one of the 95 passengers who lost their lives on the cold stormy night of January 30th, 1959, when M/S Hans Hedtoft – on its maiden voyage – allegedly hit an iceberg.
Oneself | Netherlands | 2018 | 30’
Director: Carolien van Maaswaal
Producer: Lotte Schmidt
Synopsis: After her mothers death, Carolien started wondering more and more about the concept of autonomy. Making choices seems like a matter of course, your own right to shape your life just the way you want it to be. But how valuable is life when you’re not able to make your own choices?
LOVE ME | France | 2019 | 08’
Director: Mathieu Lee
Synopsis: LOVE ME is a film that tells the love story of Vladimir, Ksenia and Theo for voguing, a dance that allows them to express themselves, grow and feel loved. Each one reveals his feelings, an exercise that requires trust and sincerity where the goal is to be accepted.
Gold Smile | Israel | 2019 | 05’
Director: Alon daniel
Writer: Alon daniel
Producer: Alon daniel
Cast: Mohammed Kahil
Synopsis: “Gold Smile” is a film about Mohammed Kahil, a Jaffa-born Muslim Arab. When you grow up in a disbanded family where the father is a delinquent, a drug dealer, who goes out and enters on a daily basis from prison, it seeps into the family’s roots.When the roots are rotten, they are difficult to treat and even more difficult to revive the tree. The tree needs to grow, get out of its source soil, let it bloom in places it has not seen before.This movie teaches us how Mohammed Kahil, the boy who stole his friends’ money for the big trip they dreamed of, went through a process, cleansed of anything bad he had done in the past and even realized his own mistakes.
Experimental Short – Official Selection – December 2019
TO HER | Italy | 2019 | 13’
Director: Jacopo Ardolino
Writer: Jacopo Ardolino
Producers: Jacopo Ardolino, Giulia Diana
Cast: Ghemon, Isabella Torre, Lialiana Fiorelli
Synopsis: Orpheus lives in the memory of a past love from which he cannot free himself. His empty eyes make him unable to see love again but the encounter with a painter will give him the courage to embark on a journey into his own hell to permanently erase the shadow of Eurydice.
I Grew Up by Jake (ft. Asylum Boy) | United States | 2019 | 17’
Director: Henry Nelson
Writer: Henry Nelson
Producers: Hnery Nelson, Jake Lewis
Cast: Jake Lewis
Synopsis: Jake does his very best to make a music video that he sees as honest
Office Song | United Kingdom | 2020 | 15’
Director: Marcus Markou
Writer: Marcus Markou
Producer: Muireann Price
Cast: Terry Mynott , Georgia Maguire , Tim Plester , Farshid Rokey , Kelda Holmes
Synopsis: It’s another office affair – one of thousands. But in Office Song, the inner world of ordinary office workers and their humdrum lives bursts into life with poetry and something greater than the sum of their tedious working day is revealed.
Stoners / Slices of Infinity | Portugal | 2019 | 08’
Director: Fred Miranda
Writer: Mariana Emauz
Producer: Colisão Studios
Cast: Maria Carlos, Luis Malaquias
Synopsis: Conceptual Thriller homaging the Portuguese Marble.
Swing | Syrian Arab Republic | 2019 | 04’
Synopsis: A film depicting the emotional experience of a depressed individual. As a mood disorder it can isolate a person from everything, and burden them daily . In its extreme it can push us to resolve situations in violent actions. Here in the destruction of oneself, lies an end or a new beginning.
Mini Short– Official Selection – December 2019
A Map of the World | United Kingdom | 2013 | 03’
Director: Vera Graziadei
Writer: Vera Graziadei
Producer: Vera Graziadei
Cast: Oliver Birch, Nikolai Graziadei, Harper Gildener
Synopsis: Single fatherhood is weighing heavy on Ed and the state of the world is not helping. In order to distract his exuberant children, he sets them an impossible task – of putting together a map of the world, that he cuts up in little pieces. His kids’ solution to solving the puzzle, gives him an unexpected ray of hope.
Love and Separation | Italy | 2020 | 02’
Director: Dario Scommegna
Writer: Dario Scommegna
Producer: Dario Scommegna
Cast: Ruggiero Scommegna, Gangai Carmela
Synopsis: Mom and Dad are slowly descending into a senile mindset. In my eyes, their bond can not be frowned upon. This is a simple representation (despite their inner separation), that genuine love will always be with them until death.
Antelope Mile | United States | 2019 | 03’
Director: Joseph LaGuidice
Writer: Joseph LaGuidice
Producers: Eric Rosenberg, Stephanie Love Rosenberg , Joseph LaGuidice, R. Bryan Moore
Cast: R. Bryan Moore, Chase Levy, Howard Hart, Eric Rosenberg
Synopsis: Two buddies have car troubles on their way to Las Vegas.
Music Video – Official Selection – December 2019
Red Omen – Ed Roman | United States | 2018 | 04’
Directors: Ed Roman, Nelson Diaz and There Be Dragons Creative Media
Writer: Ed Roman
Producer: Ed Roman
Synopsis: Award winning Canadian singer songwriter Ed Roman along with animator extraordinaire Nelson Diaz from There Be Dragons Creative Media in NYC have created an exquisite animation to the title track of Ed Roman’s latest album Red Omen. The message is for awareness of Dyslexia.
On My Heels | United States | 2019 | 05’
Director: Christopher Spurgin
Synopsis: Rotoscope animation. Music: “On My Heels” by Flat Teeth, used with permission. Source video: “You’re No Good” dir. George Kaczender meets Berne Convention standards for public domain.
Said No Lover | United States | 2019 | 04’
Director: Miguel Rodrick
Writer: Miguel Rodrick
Producer: Miguel Rodrick
Synopsis: Music Video for the song Said No Lover by Aaron Gibson & Nahuel Bronzini. A song about leaving everything you love, and the demons that follow you.
Luna | United Kingdom | 2019 | 08’
Director: Giovanni Bolzani Valenzano
Writer: Giovanni Bolzani Valenzano
Producer: Lewis O’Loughlin
Cast: Greta O’Brien Vial
Synopsis: The video portrays Luna’s dream, a little girl whose mum, Greta, is single and has to work late night shifts at a children’s hospital. Luna dreams of her mum as a magical and fierce creature.This music video is a little tale of the moment in our life’s before we see our parents simply as people. The video delves into a kids perception of her mothers daily life.
ODPAM “Winters In Rotterdam” | Israel | 2020 | 05’
Director: Alon daniel
Writer: Alon daniel
Producer: Alon daniel
Cast: Daniel Elbaz, Andrea Frankfurt
Synopsis: A music video that showing us a couple who lives everyday in the regular apartment. The girl at a certain moment feels an urge to dance and everything becomes distorted for him.
anpu – ZOE | Taiwan | 2019 | 06’
Director: POWEI SU
Synopsis: Mitten crabs have long been viewed as an environmental index for assessing the ecological state of rivers and streams in taiwan. the species has a unique spawning migration pattern, the species has seen a gradual decline in population over the past few decades, mainly attributed to overharvesting and pollution. as a result, their existence has also faded away in the popular consciousness. the narrative for the video comes from the director’s childhood memories. it starts in the streets under an overpass, where mitten crabs are being sold by a vendor with red lanterns lining his stand. two mitten crabs suddenly jump out of captivity and escape into the nearby sewers. as the crabs make their way into the city’s dark underbelly of water ways, they embark upon a voyage of spawning migration. they cross a terrain of cracked soil before finally reach the deep and enchanting ocean. the video combines both camera shot footage and animation, giving the audience a glimpse of the magnificence of the locales that are often overlooked by humans, through the perspective of the video’s eight-legged protagonists. throughout the video, the plot and details weave a narrative that illustrates the infinite metaphors and imagination projected onto life itself.
Narrative Short – Official Selection – December 2019
STARBOY | United Kingdom | 2019 | 18’
Director: Joëlle Bentolila
Writer: Joëlle Bentolila
Producer: Tibo Travers
Cast: Barney Harris, Tallulah Haddon, James Larkin
Synopsis: A mystical young Hasidic man increasingly doubts his identity, his gender, and the nature of being as conflict between him and his pious young wife escalates with shocking consequences.
The Rabbit | Italy | 2018 | 15’
Director: Lana Vlady
Writer: Lana Vlady
Producers: Maurizio Piazza, Andrea Calbucci, Lana Vlady
Cast: Lana Vlady, Lidia Carew, Magdalena Grochowska, Giulia Valentini, Antonio De Matteo, Michele Bevilacqua
Synopsis: Young sprinter Maria has to face the greatest race of her life in order to reunite with her best friend and find a long lost connection to her mother.
Phalaenopsis alba | Greece | 17’
Director: Yeorgia M. Sotirchou
Writer: Yeorgia M. Sotirchou
Producers: Dimitris Koutsomitsos, Yeorgia M. Sotirchou
Cast: Elena Topalidou, Eleana Stravodimou, Kostas Laskos, Serafita Grigoriadou
Synopsis: Everything in Katerina’s life seems in order. However, she’s feeling deeply lonely and she’s looking for a solution following a rather unusual way.
Chlorine | Australia | 2019 | 18’
Director: Melissa Anastasi
Writer: Melissa Anastasi
Producer: Jessica Carrera
Cast: Marlo Kelly, Clementine Bell, Ezekiel Simat
Synopsis: In a desperate bid for attention, 11-year-old Keira compulsively steals from pregnant women at her local aquatic centre. But her actions put her at risk of losing the only family she has.
Nora | Norway | 2018 | 21’
Director: Meena Rathore
Writer: Meena Rathore
Producer: Khalid Maimouni
Cast: Maria Sand, Mattis Hermann Nyquist, Aayushi Lahiri
Synopsis: From Oslo to Mumbai this film explores what happens when a seemingly perfect couple fail to live up to the expectaions of society and their social surroundings? On a trip to the east, how far are they willing to go in order to fit in back home in the west? Inspired by Ibsens play, A Doll´s House, the film also explores if we have changed our views and expectations of Nora in todays globalised society.
Birthday | United States | 2019 | 14’
Director: Mojtaba Mirshekari
Writer: Mojtaba Mirshekari
Producers: Sarahi Salazar, Keegan O’Brien
Cast: Joseph Lopez, Luana Fitzgerald, Dillon LeMaster, Chris Conley, Catherine Lane, Ariel Jay
Synopsis: Frank tries to celebrate his 70th birthday by throwing a party and inviting his friends, family and neighbors, but no one comes to his party except some new neighbors. They spend a great time together, but not everything goes as he expected.
Unblinded | Sweden | 2020 | 13’
Director: Paul Jerndal
Writer: Paul Jerndal
Producer: Paul Jerndal
Cast: Frida Gustavsson , David Larsson
Synopsis: Emma who is struggling with depression gets embroiled in a passionate relationship with Mark, an egocentric pop star. Her vulnerability and his recklessness reach a climax one evening when Emma finds the strength to resist.
A Lonely Duck | China | 2019 | 15’
Director: GaoKexin
Writer: GaoKexin
Producer: HeZiheng
Cast: ZhangHu
Synopsis: As the drought approaches in Qing River, Cheng is struggling to make ends meet, as his daughter needs money for school. His wife expects him to leave the river and work on the land. Cheng keeps trying to gather money but without any success. One day, an unforseen stranger came on the boat, requesting Cheng with stacks of money to look for a corpse…
Nearby Memories | France | 2019 | 15’
Director: Moreau Pauline
Writer: Paul Louis
Producers: Virgery Geoffroy, Moreau Pauline
Cast: Hékimian Sasha, Clavel David, Vion Padrig, Goaziou Morgane, Bouvet Benoit
Synopsis: Olivia embarks on a tumultuous boat trip filled with distant memories in an attempt to find her place in the world. Within this trip flows a daring question, wouldn’t the land of her ancestors hold the answers to her existential crisis ?
Trespassers | United States | 2019 | 31’
Director: Yasmine Asha
Writer: Yasmine Asha
Producers: Yasmine Asha, Navid Navid
Cast: Belle Adams, Jamila Hernandez, Jonathan Freeman, Adam Dorsey, Paul Bond, Barbara Lee Bragg, Luca Sammarcelli
Synopsis: “A young, single mother struggles to make ends meet. Unexpected help comes from the undocumented teen Sofia, who not only saves Crystal’s life, but also makes her question her anti-immigrant sentiment.” United States, 2019. Presidential elections are near and the political climate is unstable. Crystal, a white, conservative single mother, is rooting for Trump. Working two jobs, she still is unable to afford her diabetic son’s mounting medical bills. Repeatedly late on rent, her landlord threatens to evict her within three days. Desperate for a solution, Crystal turns to her boss to ask for a loan who offers to help while implying that she sleeps with him in return. For Crystal, there seems to be no way out. Back in her car, about to begin her late-night shift as a driver, she starts to consider the offer unwillingly when suddenly Sofia, a young Latina, knocks on Crystal’s window in urgent need of a ride. Arrived at the destination, Sofia asks Crystal to wait for her until she returns in exchange for extra cash. Time passes by and Sofia doesn’t seem to be coming back, Crystal, who wants to receive the money she has been promised, decides to confront Sofia. As she knocks on the door, which was left ajar, she sees Sofia’s handbag on the floor. Hesitant at first, she decides to step inside the house and steal money out of Sofia’s wallet. While she’s at it, a tall man catches her and corners her with a gun. Crystal attempts to flee but the situation gets tenser as he forcefully pushes her even further inside. There, she sees Sofia laying unconscious on the ground. In panic, Crystal tries to escape again but the man aggressively pushes her onto the bed and sexually assaults her. In the meantime, Sofia regains consciousness. Guided by courage and empathy for Crystal, she takes the man’s gun and manages to fire the single, critical shot to kill the attacker. After rescuing Crystal, Sofia collects a black bag and both rush to the door. Shaken up from what had just happened Crystal is deeply upset and repeatedly demands that they call the police. It is at this moment when Sofia reveals that she is an undocumented immigrant and will face deportation if they did. Although Crystal feels no sympathy for the desperate Sofia, she decides not to call the police yet. United by the shared shock, the two women open up to one another, revealing their vulnerable sides in an emotional conversation. Sofia suggests to drive Crystal home and Crystal, who is exhausted, decides to accept the offer. On the road, Crystal gives in to her much-needed sleep. Sofia notices Crystal’s eviction note. The next morning Crystal wakes up in panic. She is alone in the passenger seat of her car. With Sofia nowhere in sight, she notices a black bag next to her, with a note on top of it. The note reads “x, Sofia”. Crystal opens the bag and is surprised to discover that it is full of money. Crystal realizes Sofia has saved her life twice. In that moment, someone knocks on her window. The film ends with a shot of Crystal as she is scrolling down the window of her car, facing her demanding landlord once again.
Love.Me | Italy | 2019 | 19’
Director: Nicola Schito
Writers: Nicola Schito, Marco Doodle Masperi
Producer: Nicola Schito
Cast: Edoardo Lomazzi, Margherita Varricchio
Synopsis: “Love.Me – (Mi.Ami)” tells of “Anzi Love”, an alien experiment that through the protagonist “Harumi”, wants to comprehend what Love between a man and a woman is. Harumi is subjected to many forms of violence, mistaking them as proofs of Love. The consequence is the research of violence to feel beloved. The experiment “Anzi Love” deduces what Love is not.
M O R I T U R I | France | 2019 | 17’
Director: Léo Lebesgue
Writers: Léo Lebesgue, Fareed Kairon
Producers: Léo Lebesgue, James Gentry
Cast: Leonor Oberson, Rodolphe Lechat
Synopsis: Marie is desperately waiting for a man she thinks she will never see again.
The Listener | Russian Federation | 2019 | 21’
Director: Petr Melnikov
Writer: Petr Melnikov
Producers: Petr Melnikov, Vladimir Loginov, Ekaterina Kuzina
Cast: Sergey Pavlov, Diana Klyushkina
Synopsis: Nick hears how his girlfriend is sleep talking about an eerie murder. Next night she gives more details and he becomes paranoid.
The Last Pizza | China | 2019 | 07’
Director: Gert Kombate
Writers: Gert Kombate, Godspeed Tao, Lexi Chen, Simba Damian Kudzai
Producers: Gert Kombate, Lexi Chen
Cast: Giampaolo De Santi, Alberto Lancellotti, Barret Coates, 朱逸迪 Yidi Zhu
Synopsis: Two filmmakers brainstorm a fictional screenplay about a pizza so special, the protagonists in their story are fighting each other for who gets the last pizza. Through the writing process, the pair end up ordering a pizza from a nearby restaurant, not knowing the shocking discovery they are about to face.
Ornamentation Is A Gift | United States | 2019 | 10’
Director: Raymond smiling
Writer: Raymond smiling
Producer: Carole McCarty
Cast: Nadia Aboulhosn, Emilia Ortiz, Lian Amado, Rachel K. Cabeza
Synopsis: Celeste turns to her mother for support and comfort after she is bullied at school. Instead of the warmth she’s expecting, she receives a lesson in aggression, manipulation, and hard power—in the form of a makeup tutorial. Years later, we find her all grown up. Her beauty an armor against the world. Her mother’s daughter. Yet still without comfort.
The Fugitives | Poland | 2019 | 23’
Directors: Michał Domaszewski, Konrad Domaszewski
Writer: Michał Domaszewski
Producers: Ewa Fushman, Michał Domaszewski
Cast: Waldemar Nowak, Dominik Piotrowski
Synopsis: The story is about two patients (ex-policeman and a thief) who escape from polish hospital to experience last great adventure.
Draft | Russian Federation | 2020 | 15’
Director: Olga Alikberova
Writers: Olga Alikberova, Gorislav Volokhin
Producers: Olga Alikberova, Olga Skorodumova
Cast: Orit Blayzer, Sergey Davydov, Julia Egereva, Timofei Habibullin
Synopsis: We all perceive reality differently. One and the same romantic evening a man will see quite differently from what a woman sees. She is a romantic young lady who comes to visit her former boss, whom she is still in love with, and hopes that this evening will be the beginning of a big beautiful love story. And she is a nasty girl, of which there are hundreds who care only about his money and silk clothes. He is a gallant intellectual writer, versed in art, and ready to sing serenades to her. And he is a narcissistic womanizer, collecting a collection of broken hearts. Is the truth somewhere in the middle and can it be the same for two people?
No/Low Budget – Official Selection – December 2019
Homicidal Heroes | Canada | 2019 | 06’
Director: Gemma Eva
Writer: Gemma Eva
Producer: Gemma Eva
Cast: Tim Maitland, Dalton Mugridge , Elizaveta Gorshkova, Martin Ouellette
Synopsis: Two vigilantes are accused of murder, but they think they did the right thing. When an investigator questions them, along with the deceased man’s girlfriend, he gets two sides of the story. It’s up to the investigator to make the right choice. Who is the real hero and who is the real villain in the eyes of a vigilante?
Weakday | Australia | 2019 | 10’
Director: Morgan Knox-Lee
Writers: Scott Kunesch, Morgan Knox-Lee
Producer: Regina Wong
Cast: Scott Kunesch, Robert Jackson, Chelsea Sargent, Chris Allard
Synopsis: A day in the life of Robert Townsley, a depressed millennial who not only hates his job but the way he continues to fail through life. However, this truly is a story about nothing. Showing how unimportant life really is.
At Your Fingertips | United Kingdom | 2019 | 09’
Director: Thanos Pantsos
Writer: Tom McDermott
Producer: Misia Pawlowska
Cast: Maite Guilera, Peter Jakubow, Simon Furness
Synopsis: Tomek has been away on the work trip far too many times, leaving Yasmin pregnant, alone at the new house. Every day they talk via the video call, but tonight is different. Tomek is late, Yasmin’s had enough of waiting for him to realise she cannot do everything on her own but when they are about to reach the top of the conflict, Yasmin hears the noise, which changes everything.
Lobe | Canada | 2019 | 06’
Director: Michael Armstrong
Writer: Michael Armstrong
Producer: Colin Greenfield
Synopsis: When Ellen’s husband disappears on their camping trip, she must decide whether she wants
The Rendez-Vous | Germany | 2019 | 05’
Director: Mo Jäger
Writers: Noémi Besedes, Mo Jäger
Producers: Mo Jäger, Noémi Besedes
Cast: Noémi Besedes, Mélanie Fouché
Synopsis: Sometimes there is no other way than to speak from the heart.
The Fall | United States | 2019 | 06’
Director: Bryan A. Mackenzie
Writer: Bryan A. Mackenzie
Producers: Eric Sanderson, Bex Francis , Madalain Ziarek
Cast: Scott Noble , Trevor Hooper, Ryan Gerberding , Richie Gray, Kyle Van Dusen , Alexis Aguirre
Synopsis: A cunning racketeer faced with an internal threat, attempts to weed out the traitor in a telling game of chance.
Reoccurring | United Kingdom | 2020 | 14’
Directors: Clemente Lohr, Toby Elwes, Alessio Marzilli, José Solórzano Híjar
Writer: Clemente Lohr
Producers: Clemente Lohr , Toby Elwes
Cast: Ola Forman, Clemente Lohr, Paolo Marconi, Alessandra Celani, Lorién Sauret, Ximena Romo
‘Reoccurring’ is the combined work of three independent film crews in London, Rome and Mexico City. This multilingual, zero budget, film drifts between locations yet follows a single universal story. With glimpses of young love, parental frustration and social angst, ‘Reoccurring’ exposes a shared human experience across international borders.
Portrait of a man as an island. | Portugal | 2019 | 10’
Director: João Pedro Soares
Writer: João Pedro Soares
Producer: João Pedro Soares
Cast: Luís Gabriel
Synopsis: A short visit into the universe of a man who, in the solitude of our days, did not allow reality to smother his dreams.
Short Comedy – Official Selection – December 2019
THE PLUNGE | United Kingdom | 2019 | 10’
Director: Simon Ryninks
Writer: Omar Khan
Producer: Tibo Travers
Cast: Lydia Wilson, Omar Khan
Synopsis: After a night of passion Emily tells Jay that she’d like to use a strap-on. Scared of losing a girl he has a connection with, Jay reluctantly agrees.
“Riccardo that bounced on to the stars” | Italy | 2019 | 13’
Director: Lana Vlady
Writer: Armando Maria Trotta
Producer: Ariens Damsi
Cast: Giorgia Sinicorni, Carlotta Amati, Davide Paganini
Synopsis: Because of Riccardo, Lisa’s chick who decided to take a flight from the fourth floor, Marianna will have to explain to her seven-year-old daughter that there is something in the world called “death”.
In Brighton | Switzerland | 2019 | 20’
Directors: Riccardo Bernasconi, Francesca Reverdito
Writer: Nicola Pedrozzi
Cast: Nicola Pedrozzi, Fotina Papatheodorou, Gordon Winter
Synopsis: Bright and a bit self-assured, Mark Bianco earns a living with guitar lessons to bored students. He draws animals with his computer, but never considered it more than a hobby. Nefèli Pontiakòs is a Greek student going through a personal crisis, sensitive and little unconventional. In the magic of an English Channel neighborhood, their relationship is impeded by her allergy to being touched, and by his ironic sense of superiority.
My Queen | Argentina | 2019 | 13’
Director: Marlene Grinberg
Writer: Marlene Grinberg
Producer: Florencia Clérico
Cast: Florencia Dyszel, Monica Raiola, Daniela Korovsky, Mariano Sayavedra, Ariel Langsam, Nicolás Dymiez Parzajuk, Kiara Fonte
Synopsis: It’s Friday night in Buenos Aires. Ruth, (65 years old), who embraces tradition as well as liberation, prepares the Shabbat dinner with her non-Jewish masseur boyfriend, Gustavo (40 years old). Gus takes part in the evening’s dinner, unleashing discomfort, envy and anger amongst Ruth’s family.
SALSE CONNECTION | Italy | 2019 | 15’
Director: Francesco Barozzi
Writers: Francesco Barozzi , Nicola Xella, Natalia Guerrieri
Producers: Francesco Barozzi , Nicola Xella
Cast: Miro Landoni, Gino Andreoli , Giuseppe Sepe, Marco Marzaioli
Synopsis: Miro is a retired man who is struggling to make ends meet and his landlord wants to evict him. He works as avolunteer in the nature reserve Salse di Nirano together with Vasile, a Moldovan intern, and Bruno, the frightful janitor. To everyone’s surprise, some weird holes in the muddy ground of the nature park have appeared and no one can find an explanation. One night, Miro randomly bumps into the responsible of this profound mystery. From that moment, his life changes unexpectedly and he finds himself in a new adventure full of strange twists and turns. — Miro è un pensionato che fatica ad arrivare a fine mese, al punto che il suo padrone di casa minaccia di sfrattarlo. Lavora come volontario alla Riserva Naturale delle Salse di Nirano, insieme a Vasile, lo stagista moldavo, e a Bruno, il minaccioso custode. Nel parco naturale iniziano a comparire degli strani buchi nel fango di cui nessuno riesce a dare una spiegazione. Una notte, per puro caso, Miro si imbatte nel responsabile di questo mistero. Da questo momento, la sua quotidianità subisce una svolta imprevista, proiettandolo in un’avventura piena di comicità e colpi di scena.
Uncle Jake’s Place | United States | 2019 | 04’
Directors: Mack Judd, Don Markus
Writer: Mack Judd
Cast: Mack Judd, Wolfgang Stein
Synopsis: A loner practices self-care with the help of his favorite childhood show.
BANG. BANG. | United States | 2019 | 04’
Director: Steven Pierce
Writers: James Allerdyce, Steven Pierce
Producer: James Allerdyce
Cast: Chey Kennedy , Timothy Goodwin, Ryan Guess, Isiah Stratton , Billy Walker
Synopsis: In a repressed, old and dusty western town, a hero rides in to bring justice.
Monday: Pixelface | Finland | 2019 | 22’
Director: Samuli Valkama
Writers: John Lundsten, Melli Maikkula
Producers: John Lundsten, Melli Maikkula
Cast: Jarkko Niemi, Saara Kotkaniemi, Niina Koponen, Iikka Forss, Teijo Eloranta
Synopsis: Monday is a surreal black comedy anthology series about normal people who encounter miracles in their every day lives. In Episode 1: Pixelface, a man is preparing for his wedding, when his face starts becoming increasingly pixelated.
The Last Pizza | China | 2019 | 07’
Director: Gert Kombate
Writers: Gert Kombate, Godspeed Tao, Lexi Chen, Simba Damian Kudzai
Producers: Gert Kombate, Lexi Chen
Cast: Giampaolo De Santi, Alberto Lancellotti, Barret Coates, 朱逸迪 Yidi Zhu
Synopsis: Two filmmakers brainstorm a fictional screenplay about a pizza so special, the protagonists in their story are fighting each other for who gets the last pizza. Through the writing process, the pair end up ordering a pizza from a nearby restaurant, not knowing the shocking discovery they are about to face.
Short Drama – Official Selection – December 2019
INNOCENCE | United Kingdom | 2019 | 20’
Director: Ben Reid
Writers: Ben Reid, Owen Gower
Producers: Tibo Travers, Ken Ross
Cast: Tommy Jessop, Alice Lowe, Lawrence Spellman, Richard Glover, Beth Asher, Faraz Ayub
Synopsis: When a worker falls to his death at a care home, it appears to be a terrible accident. But when a detective questions a young man with Down syndrome spotted at the scene, they uncover a crime more shocking than anyone imagined.
The First Officer | Greece | 2019 | 13’
Director: Yannis Ferchatis
Writer: Yannis
Producer: Yannis Ferchatis
Cast: Sofia Manolakou, Giannis Papasotiriou, Kostas Spiropoulos, Melita Ferchati
Synopsis: The relationships of three people unfold, yielding an amorous carousel that reveals the shadows in their relationships. During a parallel action, Katerina learns of her lover Peter’s secret life, while Nikos tries to win back her heart.
Best Game Ever | Hungary | 2018 | 20’
Director: Kristóf Deák
Producers: Anna Udvardy, László Dreissiger, Gábor Osváth
Cast: Tamás Rétfalvi
Synopsis: When two CCTV technicians find out about an AI machine threatening their jobs, they must get out of their chairs to beat the system – leading them to an unexpected solution. The new short film of Academy Award-winner Kristóf Deák.
Sara’ s Book | United States | 2019 | 27’
Director: Iber Deari
Writer: Mrika Krasniqi
Producer: Mrika Krasniqi
Cast: Mona Mustafa, Mirsad Abazi, Drita Kaba Karaga, Muzafer Etemi, Sefedin Shabani
Synopsis: Sarah is a young woman who receives divine visions from Mother Teresa, but no one believes her. Everyone thinks that she’s sick.
Briefcase Without A Handle | Belarus | 2019 | 15’
Director: Sergei Kuklov
Writer: Sergei Kuklov
Producer: Sergei Kuklov
Cast: Igor Petrov, Alexander Abramovich, Vitaliy Holodok
Synopsis: “A Suitcase without a Handle”, a set expression meaning “Something that is a pain to carry around, and a shame to throw away.” Two thugs, each with a secret agenda to escape their life of crime once and for all, are tasked with picking up a briefcase at a near-border cafe.
Three Days | Spain | 2019 | 10’
Director: Santiago Hernández Tocarruncho
Writer: Santiago Hernández Tocarruncho
Producers: Diego Franco Klein, Santiago Hernández Tocarruncho, Angélica Germanetti
Cast: Diego Franco Klein, Angélica Germanetti
Synopsis: After three days of sex and drugs, Martin and Claudia start mixing lust with love with unintended consequences.
The Devil in the Street | Finland | 2019 | 10’
Director: Rickard Stolpe
Writer: Rickard Stolpe
Producer: Rickard Stolpe
Cast: Sannah Nedergård, Dennis Nylund
Synopsis: On her way home at night a young woman meets her ex and a burst of mixed emotions take over and the devil comes to visit.
ON AIR | France | 2019 | 20’
Director: M Marceau Brossard
Writer: Marceau Brossard
Synopsis: 1:30pm. The Daily News on a big tv channel are going live. Everything goes smoothly, until a hacker takes over the whole set.
Morgan | Germany | 2019 | 05’
Director: Alexander Kohn
Writers: Olivia Lina Gasche, Tizia Florence
Producers: Olivia Lina Gasche, Anna-Maria Hadorn
Cast: Olivia Lina Gasche, Anna-Maria Hadorn
Synopsis: “What are we doing here if you don’t care about me?” We are our harshest critics, but we let others get away with things we would have blamed ourselves for long ago. We’d rather keep our mouths shut than take the risk of being rejected. Why are we judging ourselves so intensely? How do we make the way from self-pity, selfishness and self-destruction to a self-confidence that faces us with unconditional love? The short film “Morgan” shows an insight into the life of a young woman who is dissatisfied with her life and with herself. In a bar she meets “B”, who takes care of Morgan’s questions – but not as Morgan might have wished.
Shadows at Dawn | Italy | 2019 | 15’
Director: Vincenzo Laurella
Writer: Vincenzo Laurella
Producer: Vincenzo Laurella
Cast: Angelo Tosto, Matilde Piana, Marta Cirello
Synopsis: An old veteran returns home after many years and is welcomed by his wife. The two talk all night, sharing their memories. But there’s something strange in the woman’s words and the house itself seems to dissolve into a dream… Short movie shot on Super16mm film
The Last Caravan | Israel | 2019 | 14’
Director: Lev Brodinsky
Writer: Lev Brodinsky
Producer: Yael Perlov
Synopsis: The year is 1994. A caravan site, built by the Israeli Government for immigrants from the Soviet Union, is about to be dismantled. Ilya (9) remains to defend the caravan of his grandfather, Jenia, who refuses to be evacuated.
Métèque | United Kingdom | 2019 | 29’
Director: Lauren Blackwell
Writers: Lyna Dubarry, Lou Stassen
Producers: Oisin Nolan, Alex Clement, Lyna Dubarry
Cast: Lyna Dubarry, Lou Stassen, Oisin Nolan, Elliot Janks , Amelia Parillon , Hana Hrzic , Anne Hayward
Synopsis: A successful young banker living in the UK is confronted with a crisis when her visa gets revoked. Based on a true story, Métèque follows the life a young, hard-working woman, whose security, comfort and trust in her reality is stripped away from her and she is faced with the questions of “Where do I belong now”? Following themes of displacement, she grapples with her identity in a society that no longer wants her, amongst a group of shifting friends who struggle to understand her experiences and her undeniable desire for a love that she needs but is unable to ask for.
The King of Hearts | Canada | 2019 | 15’
Director: Stanton Chong
Writer: Alex Duong
Producer: Alex Duong
Synopsis: That night at the Bermuda Lounge would be compared to a contemporary retelling of Romeo & Juliet if Romeo was a special-op marine able to use unique skills to avoid police while hunting down an abduction ring responsible for the disappearance of the love of his life. As always, it began as most stories do; with a cryptic message. When “Billy” received the strange cellphone video from an overly cheerful Julie, he knew something wasn’t quite right. Julie had been out partying with a group of friends to celebrate Billy’s imminent return home … but she wasn’t there to greet him when he arrived. In fact, no one had heard from her since that night at the Bermuda Lounge. Teaming up with Julie’s sister Victoria, Billy sets out to find answers. Who they discover is JOHNNY SHUFFLER, the trust fund son of one of the town’s elite who has been using the bar as a staging ground to lure young woman into his fold. Johnny makes the mistake of lacing Victoria’s drink, exposing himself and his operation to Billy. That’s when the bar fight begins. It would be the first thread in a chain of events that would see a military patriot, disenfranchised with the war abroad, bring the the fight home in a clandestine way to fulfill the vow he made before he shipped out. To defend, protect, to always remain faithful. Semper fidelis
Ornamentation Is A Gift | United States | 2019 | 10’
Director: Raymond smiling
Writer: Raymond smiling
Producer: Carole McCarty
Cast: Nadia Aboulhosn, Emilia Ortiz, Lian Amado, Rachel K. Cabeza
Synopsis: Celeste turns to her mother for support and comfort after she is bullied at school. Instead of the warmth she’s expecting, she receives a lesson in aggression, manipulation, and hard power—in the form of a makeup tutorial. Years later, we find her all grown up. Her beauty an armor against the world. Her mother’s daughter. Yet still without comfort.
The Fugitives | Poland | 2019 | 23’
Directors: Michał Domaszewski, Konrad Domaszewski
Writer: Michał Domaszewski
Producers: Ewa Fushman, Michał Domaszewski
Cast: Waldemar Nowak, Dominik Piotrowski
Synopsis: The story is about two patients (ex-policeman and a thief) who escape from polish hospital to experience last great adventure.
Draft | Russian Federation | 2020 | 15’
Director: Olga Alikberova
Writers: Olga Alikberova, Gorislav Volokhin
Producers: Olga Alikberova, Olga Skorodumova
Cast: Orit Blayzer, Sergey Davydov, Julia Egereva, Timofei Habibullin
Synopsis: We all perceive reality differently. One and the same romantic evening a man will see quite differently from what a woman sees. She is a romantic young lady who comes to visit her former boss, whom she is still in love with, and hopes that this evening will be the beginning of a big beautiful love story. And she is a nasty girl, of which there are hundreds who care only about his money and silk clothes. He is a gallant intellectual writer, versed in art, and ready to sing serenades to her. And he is a narcissistic womanizer, collecting a collection of broken hearts. Is the truth somewhere in the middle and can it be the same for two people?
Student Short – Official Selection – December 2019
Wild Garlic | Bulgaria | 2019 | 25’
Director: Chris Zahariev
Writer: Chris Zahariev
Producer: Elena Doroshenko
Cast: Todor Lazarov, Zhorzheta Chakarova
Synopsis: To kill or get killed? That’s the decision Angel have to take. And take it quick. Grown up on the streets in Eastern Europe, Angel now works for a crime organization. When he fails his boss in a money deal, he is given one last chance for redemption. Will Angel commit the murder of a rival drug dealer and what’s going to happen when in his mess he cross roads with an lost elderly woman, who is trying to go back home? “Wild Garlic” is a film about unexpected meetings, which reminds us that somewhere deep down we all have power for a new beginning.
The Housecats | United Kingdom | 2019 | 14’
Director: Molly Hackett
Producer: Molly Hackett
Synopsis: With more tigers living in private ownership in America than in the wild, ‘The Housecats’ explores the lives of these tigers and the people who care for them. Could a new law help end this trade forever?
ADULTS | Russian Federation | 2019 | 27’
Director: Zhenya Kryukova
Writer: Zhenya Kryukova
Producer: Leonid Kryukov
Cast: Natalya Romanycheva, Evgeny Ovsyanikov
Synopsis: Estranged brother and sister meet again at their father’s funeral. The brother appears aloof, while the sister is clearly hurt and resentful towards her brother. Now that both their parents are gone—nothing binds them, so then why is it so hard for them to just be strangers?
Death and Taxes | Canada | 2019 | 12’
Director: Cameron Saville
Writer: Cameron Saville
Producer: Nathan Cawley
Cast: David Lewis, Malia McMullen
Mammoth | China | 2019 | 15’
Director: Jiamin Huang
Writer: Jiamin Huang
Producer: Zeyi Chen
Cast: Jiayi Li
Synopsis: A 17-year-old girl Chen Jialai, who is going to participate in a cheerleading competition, suddenly learns the death of her classmate. Under the thinking and perplexity about the nature of death, she needs to make a choice.
Blindman’s buff | Poland | 2019 | 05’
Director: Filip Twardowski
Writer: Filip Twardowski
Producer: Lodz Film School
Cast: Zofia Bukowska
Synopsis: A lonely girl is playing the game of blindman’s buff. Heartless faith throws her into memories of both carefree times and brutal reality of war.
Out to Sea | United Kingdom | 2018 | 06’
Director: Heidi O’Loughlin
Writer: Moira James-Moore
Producers: Maisie Ellen Williams, Paul Bancilhon
Cast: Matt Addis, Danny Vears
Synopsis: A young child desperate to be a pirate regularly wanders down to the beach, often by herself at her father’s annoyance. After starting school she’s teased for her pirate antics and after finding a bottle with a treasure map at the beach, her love for the pirate way is invigorated. After scorning her for yet another solo beach trip her father reads out the treasure map to her and covers the fact that it’s a note that’s too mature for her little eyes, but joins in on the fun and acts like a pirate too. Their relationship grows stronger again.
Men Discussing Their Feelings in an Emotionally Healthy Way | Netherlands | 2019 | 23’
Director: Cas Mulder, Simon Becks
Writer: Simon Becks
Producers: Maarten Valstar, Rosa van Iterson
Cast: Matthijs van de Sande Bakhuyzen , Hannah van Lunteren , Minne Koole, Matti Stooker
The Ruby Earring | United States | 05’
Director: Yi Zhang
Writer: Yi Zhang
Producer: Feifei Gong
Synopsis: A local girl has a new opinion about her life and re-think her dream after a conversation with an urban girl.
Window | United Kingdom | 2019 | 08’
Director: Adam Bastin
Writers: Jake Mason, Brandon Shears, Christopher Moore
Producer: Jake Mason
Cast: Mike Harley, Adam Stafford-Smith, Amina Williams
Synopsis: An elderly man sitting in his front room is disturbed by a commotion outside. Outside his window, an aggressive argument unfolding between a young couple is unfolding. Will the man help them?
Short Fantasy/Sci-Fi – Official Selection – December 2019
Disconnected | United States | 2019 | 05’
Director: Zach Stamey
Writer: Zach Stamey
Producers: Carolina Stamey, Zach Stamey
Cast: Kyle Faulkner, Alicia Dupuis, Emma Farmer, Officer Michael Vaught, Rich Font
Synopsis: A man receives unbelievable news on a phone call from his family and he struggles to stay connected.
The Light Thief | Spain | 2015 | 19’
Director: Eva Daoud
Writer: Eva Daoud
Synopsis: When the essence of Love is snatched from someone and locked away in a vessel with no name , what happens to those persons and how do they change? How can the broken hearted souls break that curse and recover from their pain? Can they regain their spark by overcoming dark supernatural forces?
Cyclops | Norway | 2020 | 11’
Director: Nikolai Lundh
Writer: Nikolai Lundh
Synopsis: A mother, who has recently lost her vision, enlists the aid of a robber in the search for her eyes, but trust between them quickly fades.
Tumbili | United States | 2019 | 07’
Director: Brando Benetton
Writer: Brando Benetton
Producer: Mauricio Zambrano
Cast: Bradley Stryker, Lilith Max
Synopsis: A mischievous eight-year-old discovers a magical wooden box locked inside her house, mistakenly releasing the supernatural danger within it.
Nocturne | Italy | 2018 | 17’
Director: Luigi Caporilli Razza
Writers: Luigi Caporilli Razza, Francesco Ferraris
Producers: Giulia Sferrazza, Filippo Locantore, Luciano Romano
Synopsis: ENG_ When a scientific commission confirms the imminent catastrophe depicted by the prophecy of an ancient religious cult, the young reporter Ander Leverin is sent to investigate the rational truth beneath these forgotten superstitions. The things she is going to discover will bring her logic and her rationality to confront a primordial terror, hidden in the deepest and obscure corners of the human mind. ITA_ Quando una commissione di studiosi conferma la futura catastrofe planetaria profetizzata da un antico culto religioso, la giovane giornalista Ander Leverin viene inviata dal suo giornale a scoprire quale verità scientifica si celi davvero dietro questa coltre di superstizioni perse nel tempo. Ciò che scoprirà porterà la sua logica e la sua razionalità a scontrarsi con un terrore primordiale, celato nei più reconditi meandri della mente umana.