Animation Short – Official Selection – March 2020
Twinless | Israel | 2019 | 07’
Directors: Sapir Danan, Ronalee Israel
Writers: Sapir Danan, Ronalee Israel
Producers: Sapir Danan, Ronalee Israel
Synopsis: This is Millie’s story, the story of a young woman dealing with the pain and loss that have tormented her since the prenatal death of her twin sister. On her birthday, Millie is drawn through her birthday cake into the depths of her memory. This journey exposes her maturation process in the shadow of the lost twin, her feeling towards this lost opportunity brought about by fate, and her contemplations of what could have been.
Napo | Brazil | 2020 | 17’
Director: Gustavo Ribeiro
Writers: Gustavo Ribeiro , Gabriela Antonia Rosa
Producers: Thais Peixe, Gustavo Ribeiro
Synopsis: John, unable to understand the illness that drives his grandfather between past and present states, stumbles into an old album full of photographs and then let the images guide his imagination, transforming his grandpa’s memories into drawing interpretations. Drawings that shapes their relationship into a history of remembrance and memory building.
The water of the earth | France | 2020 | 05’
Director: Romain Claris
Producer: Romain Claris
Synopsis: Freely inspired by some thirty paintings by great masters of painting such as Qi Baishi, Gao Xingjian, Shoda Koho, or Katsushika Hokusai, Chloé Guêze paints this tale of Oceania. Director Statement Using the classic tools of dramaturgy, the tale offers, with its metaphors and allegories, several levels of reading, that’s its sweet strength! Often considered to be aimed at young audiences, all nevertheless, young or old, are invited to dream and make up their own story. For some, “Water from the Earth” will be the story of an ordinary little frog who just wanted to become extraordinary, the tragi-comic resolution may then make people smile. For others, it may also take on and illustrate the ravages of ultra-capitalism, and then propose to look for ways in which we could all live better together…
Children Short – Official Selection – March 2020
The red bowtie | Romania | 2020 | 02’
Director: Andrei Mitoiu
Writer: Andrei Mitoiu
Cast: Andrei Mitoiu, Valentina Mitoiu
Synopsis: A shy teddy bear wearing a red bowtie arrives into a new town. At his new school, he is being constantly made fun of his shoes and bowtie, so he feels he is not accepted by his colleagues. During the class he tries to raise his hand to answer, but after his colleagues laugh at him, he decides to give up. At night, at his house, he draws how he was being laughed at. The next day, while he is eating, a new girl sits near him. She wears a red bow on her head, and she waves her hand hello. Happy, the teddy bear waves his hand back as well. Suddenly, the tripod fails, and tilts up revealing the puppet master, that was controlling the puppets.
One Minute to Midnight | United States | 2020 | 07’
Synopsis: A NASA scientist in 2063 creates a powerful energy source, but before he can transmit it for mass production, a mysterious force shows him a desolate future. Will he choose fame and fortune, or will he save the world without anyone knowing? Please Note: All music used is properly licsensed. If the status of this film as a high school student production is in question, please contact via email (jamesbramm@icloud.com) requesting a student ID scan.
Commercial/Ad/TVC Short – Official Selection – March 2020
Where | Taiwan | 02’
Director: Marco Wu
Writer: Marco Wu
Synopsis: Brief Pingtung is the southernmost county in Taiwan known for its agriculture and traditional society. Through local government’s continuous dedication and visionary urban planning, Pingtung has transformed into one of the major tourist destinations best known for both seasonal and all-year-round attractions. Solution MARQ Films had delivered the most unforgettable tourism commercial film of the year with rapid cutting between exotic-looking locations. Blended with dazzling colors and groovy earworm music, MARQ Films also put on fancy group dance to increase internet shares and discussion. What surprised the audience most was all of the locations were shot in Pingtung. Which created a trendy topic of “Where in Pingtung?” Impact This tourism commercial film was published on Mayor of Pingtung County’s Facebook page and immediately went viral on social media that created millions of views and shares within a weekend. It is commended the most attractive Taiwanese tourist commercial of the year.
Redleaf – Confusion | Poland | 2020 | 01’
Director: Artur Czerwiński
Writer: Artur Czerwiński
Producer: Artur Czerwiński
Synopsis: A short story around a curious tea.
Archetypes | Italy | 2020 | 01’
Director: Carlo De Agostini
Writer: Mark Thomas
Producer: Barbara Bongetta
Cast: Mark Thomas
Synopsis: Moellhausen, a leading company in fragrances and flavors, created a set of scents based on the twelve archetypes, but… “What is an archetype?” In the iconic New York, Mark from the back seat of a historical checkered cab looks at the city flowing through, giving a fascinating interpretation of what archetypes are. “They are around us”, he says looking at the people down the street on a rainy night, “They are among us”, referring to the taxi driver that guides him through the night as a sage. “In most cases, we are”, revealing that he’s an archetype himself.
Documentary Short – Official Selection – March 2020
Repeat | United States | 2020 | 09’
Director: Ly Bolia
Writer: Ly Bolia
Producer: Ly Bolia
Synopsis: We are all met by a single destiny how we face it is up to us. A man struggles with his mother’s independence and strong will as he tries help her through the early stages of dementia.
Jo & Kessy | France | 2019 | 17’
Director: Nwaye Zar Che Soe
Producer: Benjamin Lemaitre
Synopsis: The two French artists with disabilities who have passionate dreams in Music but they never met before. Jo Swing is an accordionist, native from Lyon and Kessy Mac Queen is a singer, native from the Caribbean islands. Although they are living in the technological era, it makes them face the difficulties in somehow to get into an inclusive society because of the old-fashioned concepts. They both patient in learning from their blindness and strongly believe that Music can lead in a way of love to overwhelm their obstacles in the modern age. They also astonished in meeting with the Myanmar filmmaker who comes from a place where they’ve never heard before.
Last Chance Dance | United States | 2020 | 09’
Directors: Molly Stanfield, Steven Yao
Producers: Steven Yao, Molly Stanfield
Cast: Frances Brantley, Mary Alex Bachus, Jania Shanley
Synopsis: A documentary about the leaving of a dance teacher and her close relationship with her students.
Sacred Blood (EN-US) | Brazil | 2020 | 22’
Director: Thainá Prado
Writer: Thainá Prado
Producer: Thainá Prado
Synopsis: Sacred Blood is a documentary (short film) about the period taboo in Nigeria and its consequences. In addition, it tells about the adaptation of girls and women to the use of menstrual cups, promoting self-knowledge, empowerment and sustainability.
Music lives here | Russian Federation | 2019 | 27’
Director: Polina Stepanova
Writer: Polina Stepanova
Producer: Irkutsk region film foundation
Synopsis: Music has been living in Irkutsk Region Philharmonic Hall for 80 years already. The film tells us about the mission of a musician, about intergenerational continuity and how the hand of a master leads and directs his pupil. About the role of the conductor in the Symphony orchestra, the power of folk music, about the voices “flying to God”. Philharmonic music travels and gets to different parts of the world, and the rattling sound of tram becomes integral part of love and harmony (of Philharmonic).
‘Extraordinary People – The Burns Victim & The Bosphorus’ | United Kingdom | 2019 | 23’
Director: Ben Hull
Producer: Greg Whyte
Cast: Greg Whyte, Sylvia MacGregor
Synopsis: The most heroic feats of human endurance are often performed quietly, and by people that you may never hear about. Two time Olympian and sports scientist, Professor Greg Whyte knows all about endurance. As the physical expert for ‘Sport Relief’, he has helped train dozens of high-profile celebrities, successfully completing over 30 endurance challenges broadcast on the BBC, helping raise millions of pounds for charity. But it struck Greg that the real heroes, are people you might not be so familiar with. At his London clinic, Greg often works with people who are physically disabled. Many, despite their disability, campaign to make life better for others, often by undertaking incredible physical feats of endurance. Their stories are humbling, remarkable and truly inspiring, and Greg decided that he wanted to share those stories with you. ‘The Burns victim and the Bosphorus’- introduces you to Sylvia Mac, who suffered horrific, life-changing injuries as a child, and who has battled with physical and mental issues her whole life. Despite no open water experience, Sylvia is going to attempt to swim from Asia to Europe along a treacherous stretch of water called The Bosphorus, in order to help raise awareness for body disfigurement. We follow her throughout the highs and lows of her preparation. Will she make it? You’ll have to wait and see. And this is just one story. Through what is hoped will become a series, Professor Greg Whyte want to help break the stigma of disability. To bring you some truly beautiful stories and to introduce the world to more, ‘Extraordinary People’.
Experimental Short – Official Selection – March 2020
16 years | Germany | 2020 | 04’
Director: Patrick Buhr
Synopsis: Suddenly it felt right to abort a 16 year old project.
Wombstone | Estonia | 2019 | 17’
Director: Kersti Uibo
Writer: Kersti Uibo
Producer: Ülo Pikkov
Synopsis: A child opens its eyes for the first time and asks where do I fit into this landscape. Am I a giant or a tiny insect?
Landstrength | 2019 | 05’
Director: Jérémy Griffaud
Synopsis: Landstrength is composed of handmade drawings and cutted up images from internet. The film shows powerful landscapes, tough trees and mountains making war. The vegetal world is now bodybuildt and ready to fight. This video plays with some stereotypes of the manly individual and social codes of indimidating masculinity.
TRENDS | United States | 2020 | 02’
Director: Ion Oprea
Synopsis: The project started as an exploration of different techniques and visual languages inspired by the current projects in the Motion Graphics industry. Hence the name TRENDS. Slowly but surely, it outgrew the initial premise and started to take on a life of its own with more ideas and techniques, but maintaining the original underlying principle at its core. This led to a series of five short pieces, each with its own title that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Mini Video Short – Official Selection – March 2020
Day Off | Canada | 2019 | 03’
Director: Maitê Arrieira Mahl
Writer: Maite Arrieira Mahl
Producer: Maite Arrieira Mahl
Cast: Maria
Synopsis: While celebrating her birthday, Maria is surprised by an unexpected heart warming gift.
O Rage ! | France | 2020 | 03’
Director: Florent Sabatier
Writers: Florent Sabatier, Marie Coustaury
Producer: Florent Sabatier
Cast: David Baïot, Yves Batek Mendy, Anthony Cruz, Antoine Piquet, Samuel Kefi Abrick
Synopsis: Diego is reading his last song’s lyrics to friends when policemen intervene violently…
Gardens or a Big Old World | Greece | 2020 | 02’
Director: Υannis Zafiris
Writer: Υannis Zafiris
Producer: Υannis Zafiris
Cast: Mandy Peacock
Synopsis: Scientists claim that plants emit ‘’ supersonic ’’ screams when they get stressed, just like humans do when they are in distress or in a state of fear… A woman is looking at her window for a strange noise.
In the Garden | United Kingdom | 2020 | 03’
Director: India-Inés Levy
Writer: India-Inés Levy
Producer: Zaelo Films
Cast: Isabella Speaight , Samuel Woodhams
Synopsis: 1783. Berkshire, England. As the last day of summer draws to a close, Frederick and Clementine, two young and attractive aristocrats, talk beneath an old oak tree. Despite the idyllic setting, something more sinister begins to reveal itself.
I’ll say it first | Russian Federation | 2020 | 03’
Director: Alena Shevchenko
Writers: Alena Shevchenko, VICTORIA PRIVALOVA
Producers: ALENA SHEVCHENKO, KONSTANTIN MELNIKOV, TIMUR ZIATOV
Cast: DIANA HELZINA
Synopsis: What woman wants? You never know, until get in their mind. This is a story about a girl who wants to text to a boy first, but she really hesitates to make a first step. At the same time she acts like she doesn’t care at all. The main idea is to show that woman aren’t always so confident as they act and how many thoughts can be in one mind in one second before they make a decision . This image was inspired by soviet decade. I wanted to face modern digital world and old sovietу flat as a metaphor that technology changes but dreams stay the same.
Death by Plastic (I) | Germany | 2020 |01’
Director: Tarek Shayne Tabet
Producer: Tarek Shayne Tabet
Cast: Pauline Stöhr
Synopsis: A young woman mysteriously finds herself in front of a wall of plastic. She playfully interacts with the fluttering sheets. They gradually surround her and attempt to asphyxiate, and kill her. She frantically tries to break away.
TRENDS | United States | 2020 | 02’
Director: Ion Oprea
Synopsis: The project started as an exploration of different techniques and visual languages inspired by the current projects in the Motion Graphics industry. Hence the name TRENDS. Slowly but surely, it outgrew the initial premise and started to take on a life of its own with more ideas and techniques, but maintaining the original underlying principle at its core. This led to a series of five short pieces, each with its own title that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Fashion Short – Official Selection – March 2020
Little Stories | Mexico | 2017 | 04’
Director: José Menéndez
Writer: José Menéndez
Producer: Laura Güemes
Synopsis: Fashion Film / Music Video for the song Little Stories by Palmeras
I’ll say it first | Russian Federation | 2020 | 03’
Director: Alena Shevchenko
Writers: Alena Shevchenko, VICTORIA PRIVALOVA
Producers: ALENA SHEVCHENKO, KONSTANTIN MELNIKOV, TIMUR ZIATOV
Cast: DIANA HELZINA
Synopsis: What woman wants? You never know, until get in their mind. This is a story about a girl who wants to text to a boy first, but she really hesitates to make a first step. At the same time she acts like she doesn’t care at all. The main idea is to show that woman aren’t always so confident as they act and how many thoughts can be in one mind in one second before they make a decision . This image was inspired by soviet decade. I wanted to face modern digital world and old sovietу flat as a metaphor that technology changes but dreams stay the same.
Music Video – Official Selection – March 2020
Dead Body F*ck Party | United States | 2019 | 03’
Director: Zach Cooper
Cast: Jehiel Winters
Synopsis: Think Creepshow; 90’s Punk – Zombie Music Video
Dream | United States | 2020 | 04’
Directors: Maxi Witrak, Jose Muro
Writers: Maxi Witrak, Kim Berthet
Producers: Maxi Witrak, Kim Berthet
Cast: Kim Berthet, Maxi Witrak
Synopsis: Debut music video for Mik&Maxi, a poppunk duo from Los Angeles, CA.
HAPPY SAD FACE – HEART SHIELD | United States | 2020 | 05’
Director: Rawn Erickson II
Writer: Rawn Erickson II
Producers: The Machine , Shirah Wagner , Rawn Erickson II
Cast: Lou Becker , Happy Sad Face
Synopsis: Bigfoot hunter sets out on his final mission to find Sasquatch. He finds it, and they fall in love. Dancing, frolicking, holding hands and making love. Until the creature rips the Bigfoot hunters heart out.
Anthony has died now | Switzerland | 2020 | 08’
Director: Baptiste Jehan
Writer: Baptiste Jehan
Producer: ADIEU-N°4
Cast: Vidal Arzoni, Milanko Puranovic
Synopsis: This is a tribute project, a way of saying farewell. A strong bond, a brotherhood, some moments shared together. To send out a message of love, a powerful one, one that shakes you up, just a way of passing, on an emotion. The hood enables one to hide their emotions. Yet also to keep the anonymity of the person, and to let your interpretation take over. Everyone is free to make the character their own. An intense, dark and radiant story.
Narrative Short – Official Selection – March 2020
Cry Wolf | Canada | 2019 | 22’
Director: W. V. Saumur
Writer: W. V. Saumur
Producer: Corinne Gaudreau
Cast: Véronique Perron , Thomas Vallières, Rose Adam
Synopsis: Emma, fashion model at the height of her glory, is intimately convinced that she is observed behind the snowy trees. The photoshoot might run longer. Henry, prestige photographer, is growing impatient…
In Astratto Non Si È | Italy | 06’
Director: Andrea Di Salvatore
Writers: Andrea Di Salvatore – Mattia Rubino – Vincenzo Corrado
Producer: Andrea Di Salvatore
Synopsis: A small theater company from a small town is preparing to go on stage and, in the last 5 minutes before going on stage, an important figure disappears within the cast, and it is immediately chaos.
Touch | Israel | 2019 | 25’
Director: Nir Berger
Writer: Nir Berger
Producer: Leah Tonic
Cast: Neta Roth, Itamar Moalem
Synopsis: A dark romantic comedy in the age of social media. The film features no spoken dialogue, as its protagonist communicates solely through text messages. Adele is an aggressive, self-conscious 17-year-old girl who spends most of her time “trolling” (i.e insulting) her classmates online. When she is hit on by another internet troll, Uri, they flirt until he urges her to send a picture in which she is actually visible. But instead of sending her own picture, Adele sends Uri a picture of a random pretty girl from Syria – sparking another unexpected relationship. *** Winner – Best Short Film & Best Screenplay – Moscow Shorts (Nov. 2019) *** Winner – Award of Excellence Special Mention – Accolade Global Film Competition (March 2020) *** Nominated – Best Short Film – Jersualem Film Festival (2019) *** Nominated (TBD) – Mammoth Lakes Film Festival (USA, 2020) *** Finalist – Asian New Force – ifva Awards (Hong Kong, March 2020) *** Nominated (TBD) – Discover Film (UK, October 2020) *** Official Selection – Washington Jewish Film Festival (USA, 2020) *** Nominated – Best Indie Short (TBD) – Tel Aviv International Student Film Festival (Israel, 2020) *** Shortlisted (TBD) – Minikino Film Week (Indonesia, 2020) *** Official Selection – rolling ideas (Romania, 2020) *** Official Selection – River Film Festival (Italy, 2020) *** Finalist (TBD) – Huesca International Film Festival (Spain, 2020)
Sycamore | Turkey | 2019 | 15’
Director: Mehmet Tığlı
Writer: Mehmet Tığlı
Producer: Erkan Şimşir
Cast: Mahmut Gökgöz, Barış Aksavaş, Sefa Turan
Synopsis: An old man spends the day wandering the streets of Istanbul. He communicates with the trees and seagulls rather than other people. All day, he checks the ATMs to find change like a child, even though he does not own an ATM card. He gets happy when he finds money and indignant when he doesn’t. For the old man, life is like a game that has remained from his childhood. And the sycamore leaves are a part of this innocent game.
The Next One | Czech Republic | 2020 | 15’
Director: Dominik György
Writer: Dominik György
Producer: Dominik György
Cast: Lesana Sovičová, Jana Krajčiová, Ludmila Jakubův
Synopsis: About men without men.
No/Low Budget – Official Selection – March 2020
The Anniversary | Italy | 2020 | 11’
Director: Davide Serra
Writer: Davide Serra
Producer: Davide Serra
Cast: Liliana Letterese
Synopsis: A widow pays tribute to her dead husband on the day of their wedding anniversary.
Papua New Guinea | The Last Frontier | United States | 2020 | 05’
Director: Dylan Dickerson
Synopsis: A cultural travel film of one of the most undiscovered nation’s on earth, Papua New Guinea
Bride | China | 2020 | 03’
Director: Xinwenzhang
Writer: Xinwenzhang
Producer: Chengjunxu
Synopsis: The bride is the new mother, is the beginning of a new cycle of life
POSTPARTUM | Germany | 2020 | 05’
Director: Henriette Rietz
Writer: Henriette Rietz
Synopsis: The animated film »POSTPARTUM« is about the chaotic phase in life of a new mother. Pumped up with hormones and lacking sleep, this intense time has burned deep into the protagonist’s heart. This film is an honest and very personal insight into the world of an overwhelmed mother, who seriously thought that parental leave would become a sort of sabbatical.
NOVELTY | United States | 2018 | 04’
Director: Saunder Lynne Boyle
Writer: Saunder Lynne Boyle
Producer: Sydney Simoncini
Cast: Stephane Belhandouz, Amelia Xanthe Boscov
Synopsis: NOVELTY follows a dejected wind-up toy in a Paris souvenir shop as he investigates the meaning of art and life.
Lipstick | New Zealand | 2020 | 04’
Director: Arthur Gay
Cast: Matapia Rihari Oneroa, Rainton Reuben Oneroa, Tasman Vance
Synopsis: A young adolescent boy is confronted by his new found feelings on sexuality.
(Dys)Functional | 13’
Director: Adam Nowak
Writer: Marek Nowak
Producer: Adam Nowak
Cast: Agnieszka Kawiorska
Synopsis: In the near future, humanism is lost by a longing for profit. People lose their jobs and are replaced by intelligent robots – androids. Frustrated official – Adrian – is sent to a modern robot called Eva, who stopped appearing at her workplace. Adrian’s job is to find the fault and fix it. This meeting is a chance for both of them to think about their lives and the decisions they have made.
Short Comedy – Official Selection – March 2020
The Painting | Sweden | 2020 | 07’
Director: Dan Jonsson
Writer: Jonathan Norberg
Producer: Jonathan Norberg
Cast: Maria Forslin, Jonas Radehorn, Kattis Melander, Christer Ölén
Synopsis: Malin and Alex are invited to dinner with their new neighbors. But it turns out the neighbors have a hidden agenda.
Nice to Meat You | Singapore | 2020 | 16’
Director: Nicholas Teo
Writers: Natasha Wee, Nicholas Teo
Producers: Brenlyn Ng, Natasha Wee
Cast: Scott Hillyard, Geraldine Wu
Synopsis: A young Jeffery Tan acts on a cannibalistic impulse tries to eat his classmate. His father has a doctor prescribe Jeffery pills to curb his tendencies and forces him to become vegetarian. Twelve years later, Jeffery’s father passes away and Jeffery discards his pills as a mark of his freedom. He then opens his home to a new roommate, Renae Lim. Upon his first taste of meat, his repressed cannibalistic instincts kick in, and he formulates a plan to eat Renae. Following his three-step meat-priming plan, everything seems to be going perfectly until Jeffery realises he has developed feelings for Renae. Although his affection for Renae grows, Jeffery’s cravings seem to be stronger. What will he choose in the end – love or hunger?
The VV Vlog- #RelationshipGoals | United Kingdom | 2020 | 07’
Director: Sophia Carr-Gomm
Writer: Carlotta Morelli
Producer: Carlotta Morelli
Cast: Carlotta Morelli, Julian Moore-Cook, Mitchell Mullen, Val Adams
Synopsis: The VV Vlog is a YouTube Channel spoof by Valentina Valentino, a fashion model-turned-activist who educates her followers on trends and social issues. In this episode Valentina helps her unlucky-single-followers find a boyfriend.
Short Drama – Official Selection – March 2020
Teddy | United Kingdom | 2019 | 05’
Director: Graeme Willetts
Writer: Graeme Willetts
Producer: Graeme Willetts
Cast: Blake Sealey, James Reynard, Keane Holbrook
Synopsis: Matt is a man-child on a road trip holiday with his beloved Teddy Bear. But when their car breaks down, Matt realises he’s lost. He must change his ways if he wants to move on.
Resonance | United States | 2018 | 05’
Director: Alan Capinpin
Writer: Alan Capinpin
Producers: Alan Capinpin, Marcus Slabine
Cast: Rick J. Koch, Fergus Scully
Synopsis: Hitman David and his protege Quinn venture through the woods on what they believe to be a simple assignment. As they reminisce about their past, they bring up questions about their futures.
Pastel | Switzerland | 16’
Director: Michael Guillod
Writer: Michael Guillod
Cornland Studio Sàrl
Nathalie Sabato, Yann Philipona
Synopsis: Elisabeth catches her son James kissing a young man. She now faces a life struggle. She decides to fight for what she believes to be sickness and cure her only son from his presumed homosexuality. During the process of the conversion therapy, what she believes to be the cure, things get clearer. She begins to realise that appearances can be deceiving…
Color of a nation | India | 2020 | 15’
Director: Raja Valluru
Writers: Raja Valluru, sundaram tallavajula
Producer: Kasturi valluru
Cast: Tanikella bharani
Synopsis: Set during the politically driven Calcutta riots of 1946, Color of a Nation is about a family separated in the midst of the disorder and bloodshed. The story follows the father’s desperate search for his family and the trials the family faces to be reunited.
Daddy Issues | Denmark | 2019 | 23’
Director: Cecilie Kronborg Thomsen
Writer: Cecilie Kronborg Thomsen
Cast: Isabella Møller Hansen, Eigil Hedegaard
Synopsis: 17-year-old Agnes works at a café while she tries to deal with the disappointment of her father’s absence in her life. And with her father’s announcement about moving abroad, Agnes fells left behind again. But in the middle of the tragedy, a love affair occurs between Agnes and the middle-aged man, Esben (40), who one day steps into the café. A love affair that is either a compensation for Agnes’ absent father, or simply caused by the uncontrollable power of emotions.
Gathering | Sweden | 2019 | 09’
Directors: Magnus af Sandeberg, Sofia Brattvall
Writers: Sofia Brattvall, Magnus af Sandeberg
Producers: Magnus af Sandeberg, Sofia Brattvall
Cast: Tuva Jagell, Marius Pierazzi Tezcan
Synopsis: The film is a portrait of how drugs affect both buyers and sellers and raises questions about who is really to blame.
The Touching | Czech Republic | 2020 | 30’
Director: Dominik György
Writer: Dominik György
Producer: Natália Pavlove
Cast: Heřman Tajovský, Kryštof Brand, Ludmila Jakubův, Jana Oľhová, Erika Stárková
Synopsis: Behind the door of David’s and Mark’s room is hidden secret of their mutual self-discovery. But when Marek’s teenage curiosity disappears, he realize that they have crossed the limits of brotherly love, which younger David cannot understand yet…
Student Short – Official Selection – March 2020
Promise Me | United States | 2020 | 15’
Director: James Austen
Writer: Angela Romeo
Producers: James Austen, Yujun Chen
Cast: Nikhaar Kishnani, Clint Campbell
Synopsis: A man is haunted by the loss of his fiancée and struggles to find a way to move forward
The Thrush | Switzerland | 2020 | 11’
Director: Kenneth Gilomen
Writer: Kenneth Gilomen
Producer: Zürcher Hochschule der Künste
Cast: Manfred Liechti, Annina Euling, Florian Steiner
Synopsis: Bern, Switzerland. Two police officers, conducting a traffic check. Jürg, the experienced one, takes it easy and often even turns a blind eye. Martina, a newbie, persuades Jürg to stop a traffic offender. But the routine check does not go as planned and takes a tragic turn.
WineGame | United States | 2020 | 04’
Director: Vahan Bedelian
Writer: Vahan Bedelian
Producers: Sophia Zhu, Walker Entertainer Academy, Loyola Marymount University School of Film & Television
Cast: Phillip E. Walker
Synopsis: Vahan Bedelian’s silent, absurdist, micro short film retells the Sisyphus punishment myth with the stone rolling up the hill being found expensive wine and a worker’s wagon. Hollywood’s Phillip E. Walker-MFA is this one-man-movie’s lone performer.
JACK AND CHAN | Russian Federation | 2020 | 18’
Director: Alexey Petrashevich
Writer: Alexey Petrashevich
Producer: Alexey Petrashevich
Synopsis: The recently appointed Mayor of the provincial town makes casual preparations for impending inspection by an image committee, all the while enjoying his new state of life and the recently purchased new imported car with money intended for acquire an international celebrity. Right before the committee’s arrival, the Mayor is informed that a registered international celebrity in his town is a crucial requirement, which won’t be possible to ignore.
Like You Said You’d Be | United States | 2020 | 13’
Director: Cole Bacani
Writer: Cole Bacani
Producers: Cole Bacani, Norrie Palmer
Cast: Nicole McCullough, Damon McKinnis, John Lane
Synopsis: After her latest project is canceled due to uncontrollable circumstances, Nicole turns to the music in her head as she searches for an escape from her disappointment.
The Next Stop | Czech Republic | 2018 | 13’
Director: Dominik György
Writer: Dominik György
Cast: Jana Oľhová, Ondřej Novák
Synopsis: Mentally disabled driver and tired stewardess traveling with bus on the road of life. How far can they drive? “Dear passengers, fasten your seatbelts.” The affection of a loving mother to fulfill her disabled son’s dream by playing a game that gives him the opportunity to live in the world of fantasy in where he is so happy, also fulfills the goal of surviving and preserving peace in the family. The son has grown but not mentally, so the mother’s play for herself has become a daily struggle and suffering. How long she can keep this long-lasting treatment under control is questionable. Will be The Next Stop their final destination?
Short Fantasy/Sci-Fi – Official Selection – March 2020
When a Tree Falls | Canada | 07’
Director: Matt Kincses
Writers: John Porter, Matt Kincses
Producers: Matt Kincses, Kaio Kathriner
Cast: Brenna Llewellyn, Paul Nicholas
Synopsis: A mystical Forest Goddess warns a hard working Lumberjack to leave her forest alone.
3:14PM China | 2020 | 20’
Director: I Fu Chen
Writers: Yimei Huang, Yinuo Wang
Producers: Jacqueline W. Liu, Yuyu Yang
Cast: Zaizai Lin, Cheng-Wei Ho
Synopsis: An 11 year-old boy Yi lives with his mother in a static world where time perpetually stops at 3:14 p.m. They move frequently to escape from the bad guys. Yi has a crush on a static girl in his temporary residence, and often visits her after his mother falls asleep. He wishes time starts moving again so the girl will play with him. As his mother finds out about his secret, they got into a big quarrel. All of a sudden, Dr. Cheng and his gang find them through the noise. During the standoff, Yi realizes he stopped time when the world was about to be destroyed. Dr. Cheng attempts to kill Yi to keep time static. Yi’s mother sacrifices herself to save him. Yi faces a conundrum. Shall he live alone in this static world, or shall he activate time and embark on an unknown journey?
New Year’s Eve dinner | China | 2020 | 23’
Director: Xinwenzhang
Writer: Xinwenzhang
Producer: Chengjunxu
Cast: Yixinzhao, xiaopangli, zhouyangli
Synopsis: 未来世界里，人畜地位颠倒，人为其食，绝望与希望交替，看看颠倒过来的世界我们的处境与命运。
XENO | France | 2020 | 14’
Director: Fanny GALAN
Writer: Fanny GALAN
Producer: Fanny GALAN – XENO PRODUCTION
Cast: Mélia LUCCHINI
Synopsis: Taxidermist for the animal cause, Lou cannot bring herself to let a fox die, whatever it costs. An eye for an eye, a heart for a heart.
(Dys)Functional | 13’
Director: Adam Nowak
Writer: Marek Nowak
Producer: Adam Nowak
Cast: Agnieszka Kawiorska
Synopsis: In the near future, humanism is lost by a longing for profit. People lose their jobs and are replaced by intelligent robots – androids. Frustrated official – Adrian – is sent to a modern robot called Eva, who stopped appearing at her workplace. Adrian’s job is to find the fault and fix it. This meeting is a chance for both of them to think about their lives and the decisions they have made.
Instant Doctor | United States | 2020 | 07’
Directors: Youth, Diogo Gameiro
Writers: Bianca Troncone, David Stemler, Bernardo Romero, Youth
Producer: Nani Matias
Cast: Fernando Alves Pinto
Synopsis: What will the future of healthcare hold? Will algorithms eclipse doctors entirely? We hope not. Instant doctor is a short film to show appreciation for doctors and healthcare human workers everywhere.
Stop Motion/Time Lapse – Official Selection – March 2020
To the dusty sea | France | 2020 | 13’
Director: Héloïse Ferlay
Writer: Héloïse Ferlay
Producer: EnsAD
Synopsis: Left alone in the deepest of the summer, Malo and Zoe are trying their best to catch their mother’s elusive eye…
BRAVE FACTORY | Ukraine | 2020 | 06’
Directors: Tina AJ, Andrew AJ
Writer: Timur Basha
Producers: Aleksandra Kostina, Aleksandr Rijov
Synopsis: The Beetle and his faithful friend Tree made their way to the factory to turn a rational industrial facility into a world of irrational beauty. To free all its inhabitants from conventions and morals and work not for production and marketing, but for art, music and the moment of unity.
Curtain Call | United States | 2019 | 04’
Director: Angel Yau
Writer: Angel Yau
Cast: Angel Yau
Synopsis: All the moments I have been on stage in childhood and what that have taught me.
Short Horror – Official Selection – March 2020
As The Devil Drives | Ireland | 2019 | 19’
Director: Callum Patrick O’Brien
Writer: Callum Patrick O’Brien
Producers: Philip Emo, David Toolan
Cast: Cormac Ó Broin, Eleanor O’Brien
Synopsis: In a small Irish town – Ken, infatuated with his best friend’s girlfriend, confesses his sins and desires to a mysterious, cold young woman, who turns his own choices against him – entangling him in her dark designs as she reveals herself to be an agent of a very old, familiar evil.
One of the Missing | Hungary | 2019 | 12’
Director: Gábor Szentiványi
Writers: Gábor Szentiványi, György Benyák
Producer: András Muskovszky
Cast: Roland Tzafetaas
Synopsis: A freedom fighter trapped under rubble-after the building he was hiding in is bombed-wrestles his demons as he faces certain death.