Program Notes - Animation
Gray Matters -- Egypt
Run Time: 01:25
Gray Matters is a stop-motion animated short film that highlights fascinating aspects of the human brain in a fun, illustrated, educational, and sarcastic tone.
Mariam Khodeir, Director, Writer, Producer. Andrea Quintero, Director, Animator. Eric Green, Voice Over. Mariam Khodeir, Producer.
12 & 1/2 Cents -- USA
Run Time 02:52
A backpacker waits at a decrepit bus stop for his journey to continue, but the quarter he finds will afford him a change in destination...
Nick Beaufait, Director. Kyrie Collier, Producer. Jane Gorelik, Storyboards. Allison Yeh, Concept Art. Nicholas Hausmann, Animatic Editor. Nick Beaufait, Editor.
Leo Ko, Original Score
Astro Turf -- Australia
Poem Based
Run Time 01:38
deserts stalk the earth
at ever-increasing kilometers per year
annihilate soil that nurtures new growth
fill the girlchild’s eyes with grit.
Gaele Sobott, Director, Writer, Producer. Daria Lytvynenko, Animator. Latif Rabhi, Sound Designer. Kate Hood, Voice Artist, Miriana Marusic, Editor.
9th Circle -- Canada
Run Time 01:05
A short drop and a sudden stop.
Mark Dagondon, Director, Animator, Modeller, Texturer, Rigger. Polistrumentist Music.
Student, Sheridan College
.
Bill & Peg -- Canada
Run Time 02:00
It's hard to be grumpy when you're naked.
Katrina Westin, Director, Writer, Producer. John Moore, Key Cast "Bill" Caitlin Moore, Key Cast, "Peg"
Ships a Comin' -- USA
Poem Based
Run Time: 02:55
Inspired by Octavia Butler and Zora Neale Hurston, "ships a comin" explores Afrofuturism and contemporary Black issues to examine the African American experience in the past and future.
Ebony Gilbert, Director, Writer, Producer. Frankie Natashia Grinner, Key Cast, "Narrator." Asher fai, Key Cast, "Animator." William CJ Gaston, Key Cast, "Sound Mixer. "
Thank You for Your Call -- Mexico
Run Time: 02:05
Your worst nightmare coming true. Having to wait on the phone with your bank or internet company and they knowing you are not paying attention. Just take a look what could happen.
Erika Patricia Wagner, Director, Writer, Producer.
Andrea Garcia de Alba, Key Cast, "Phone Operator"
Orange Virus -- USA
Run Time: 03:00
This short is an Ode to Agent Orange, a name given by Spike Lee. Interesting life I have lived: During the course of my long career, I actually met James Baldwin, Barack Obama, and Trump. Baldwin's words still roll down like righteous thunder and provide a balm for the Soul of a broken country.
Jim Hall, Director, Writer, Producer, Music, as Original Score.
Crabs in a Barrel -- USA
Run Time: 01:48
This is an animated short film to inspire people to work together instead of pulling each other down. It can be applied to a number of scenarios about life. It is centered on my "hope" that this world can be a better place.
Lady Dhyana Ziegler, Director, Writer, Producer, Key Cast. Joey "Ocean" (Asst. Prod) Webster, Asst Producer, Key Cast. Terrence Ward, Key Cast. Cynthia Fields, Key Cast.
After School -- USA
Run Time: 03:27
A highschool girl reaches out to a shrine spirit in attempt to retrieve some important memories.
Mingyue (Selene) Hu, Director.
Chen Qing, Original Score
Student, NYU
Program Notes Narrative
Coming Home -- Philippines
Run Time: 02:30
In the wake of the murder of a transgender woman in the Philippines, a middle-aged father waits for his son to come home past curfew, only to catch him sneaking into the house. Little does he know, his son is hiding something - a secret they both share.
Jake Muñoz Consing, Director, Writer, Producer. Vince Liban, Producer. Joel Saracho, Key Cast. Brigiding Aricheta, Key Cast. CK Gatpandan, Assistant Director.
Boxed In -- USA
Run Time: 02:00
Due to Covid-19, Edgar and his dog, Eli are forced into isolation. Edgar begins to online shop. Once the excitement of opening new packages wares off, his Hobie becomes an obsession which ultimately leaves him boxed in.
Cameron Early, Director, Writer, Producer.
Quinn Early, Writer, Producer, Key Cast.
Eli Early, Key Cast
Defy the Odds -- USA
Run Time: 03:00
Amateur race car driver, Bill Lester, is faced with a decision that will upend the stable office life he's trapped in. Based on the true story of Bill Lester, the first black NASCAR driver to win a race in NASCAR's Grand-Am series.
Corry Wiens, Director, Writer.
Gavin Buckland, Producer.
Bradford Haynes, Key Cast.
Dark Dreams -- USA
Run Time: 02:40
A tormented soul is lost chasing his dream in a deserted city. But his dream is someone else's nightmare.
Nicola De Prato, Director, Writer, Producer, Cinematographer.
Dino Sardella, Writer.
Cole Elliott, Key Cast.
Sarah Polednak, Key Cast.
Inverse: My Heart -- UK
Run Time: 02:00
Poem Based.
Originating from ancient Mesopotamia, “My Heart Flutters Hastily” is a delightful reminder that those giddy, dizzy feelings you can get when you really like somebody are nothing new. Whether it’s in a world of dating apps and socially-distanced love, or from a time that feels unimaginably distant, people have been falling in love the same way forever.
Jack Jewers, Director.
oanne Chew, Key Cast.
Mappatura-- Italy
Run Time: 03:00
Mappatura. AKA: the city as a musealized taxonomy of human disappointments.
A night of painful solitude, discovering the true nature of a city.
Niccolò Buttigliero Junior, Director, Writer.
Niccolò Buttigliero, Producer, Costume and Set Designer.
Richi "westside" Maione, Writer, Editor, Key Cast.
Riccardo Maione, Producer
Wanda Gomboli, Key Cast.
Niccolò Ferrero, Key Cast.
Speeding Ticket -- USA
Run Time: 01:22
Poem Based
A poem about a man re-counting his past as he debates his speeding ticket.
Maura Garnett, Director
Paul Rabinowitz, Writer
Student, School of Visual Arts in Manhattan.
Mysterious Lines - Canada
Run Time: 02:25
A Documentary
Aski Masinikan is the first experiment to tell the story of the mysterious lines on the plateau of the former reservation site, near Wemotaci. We asked an elder the question: What would be the origin of these mysterious lines?
Bryan Coocoo, Director, Writer, Montage, Camera.
Wapikoni , Producer.
Charles Coocoo, Key Cas.t
Canouk Newashish, Montage, Camera.
Minha Mãe Fazia -- Brazil
Run Time: 03:00
A Documentary
A short documentary film about Arlete Julio, a black business owner, and cook, reminiscing on her biggest influence, the inspiration behind her personal and professional success: her mother.
Andrei Smoler, Director, Producer, Editor, Sound Design.
Arlete Julio, Key Cast
Giovanna Chagas, Key Cast
Marina Ambrósio, Key Cast
Nina Coelho, Key Cast
Pamella Victoria, Production Design
Anselmo Nolasco, Production Assistant ,
Helder André, Production Assistant
Joice Barbosa, Stylist
Program Notes Experimental
Un-fixed Still Life of Dolly S Dali... USA
Run Time: 03:49
Un·fixed still life of Dolly S. Dalí... a mini epic, is a "coming of age" parable OR cautionary tale, of a woman turning into a Dalí painting, through dance and interpretation.
Jennifer Scully-Thurston, Director, Writer, Producer, Key Cast.
Christopher Scully-Thurstom, Composer
Ripley's Aquarium - Canada
Run Time: 03:22
Poem Based.
An interpretation of the poem by Shane Neilson, in which a neurodivergent father and son peruse in meditation through Ripley's Aquarium.
Kevin Andrew Heslop, Director, Producer
Shane Neilson, Writer
Kaz Neilson, Key Cast, "Son"
David John Phillips, Key Cast, "Father"
Nicole Coenen, Cinematographer
Odehimin - Canada
Run Time: 02:45
Odehimin is about reconnecting with oneself and relearning to love oneself.
Kijâtai-Alexandra Veillette-Cheezo, Writer, Director.
Odile Joanette, Producer.
Things She Wants - Canada
Run Time: 02:53.
Poem Based
An interpretation of the prose poem by Paola Ferrante which explodes marriage and explores the lived experience of intimate partner violence.
Kevin Andrew Heslop, Director, Producer
Paola Ferrante, Writer
Niki Carr, Key Cast ,
Nicole Coenen, Cinematographer
Icaro - France
Run Time: 02:13.
Poem Based
Who am I?
A forgotten myth.
A shadow in a wall.
Still I rise..
Inês Loura, Director, Writer
Ludger Newton, Key Cast"Ícaro"
Declan Cullen, Key Cast "Narrator"
Thanos Liberopoulos, Director of Photography
Hugo Ventron, Music composer
Emmanuel Ponty, Sound recording
Léo Houdry, Sound mixing
Mirage - South Africa
Run Time: 02:30.
Mirage is an experimental visual poem centered around depression and overcoming inner turmoil. The film follows the inner monologue of a character as they interrogate their own emotions. This is visualised through the visuals, poetry and dance. The film aims to draw attention to mental health and connect with others who may be battling with depression.
Justine Patterson, Director, Writer
Joshua van der Velden, Producer
Tanzley Jooste, Key Cast
Stephen Rheeder, DP
Chris Bornman, Sound Design
Pandora - USA
Run Time: 02:32
A cine-poem. Pandora, (Greek: “All-Gifts”) the first mortal woman molded of earth and water in Greek mythology. Bestowed with the Olympian gods’ largesse, she nevertheless, was punished for her gift of curiosity - in turn humankind was punished along with her - opening the box unleashed evil into the world, only hope remained inside the jar/box.
Tova Beck-Friedman, Director, Writer
Natalie Rogers, Producer, Key Cast, "Narrator"
The Chess Match - USA
Run Time: 01:50
Life is the like the game of Chess...Play it wise like a Queen! It's a Winners attitude.
Waqar Peter Gill, Director, Producer, Concept, Post Edit
Baltimore Fest, Producer
Dian Comalander, Writer
Shalini Sood, Key Cast, Voice Over
Julius John, Cinemographer
Adnan Gill, Audio Recording,
Regret - USA
Run Time: 01:47
An under two minute woman empowerment motivational musical.
Waqar Peter Gill, Director, Producer, Concept, Post Edit
Dian Comalander Balitmo, Writer
Baltimore Fest, Producer
Dian Comalander, Writer
Shalini Sood, Key Cast, Voice Over
Julius John, Cinemographer
Adnan Gill, Audio Recording
Feity Dahy, Artist Make-up, Hair Stylist
The Dreamer's Awake - USA
Run Time: 02:00
The Dreamer's Awake, questions, " what are the dreams of the blind" and explores one man's dream state- where the surreal beauty of the world is revealed to him.
Alexis Karl, Director, Writer, Producer
Ahmad Razvi, Producer, Key Cast
Inverse Love Song - UK
Run Time: 02:00
Poem Based "The Flower Song" Egypt, c 1400 BCE
A timeless declaration of love and desire, this poem feels as fresh today as it did when it was written – a long, long time ago. The imagery is strikingly sensual; how the narrator describes the sound of their true love’s voice as being like the taste of sweet wine; or wishing they were her very her clothes, so that they could forever be close to her body. It’s passionate, erotic, and quite beautiful. None of the couples you see in the film had met before they came into the studio on the bright, spring day on which it was filmed – with one exception. The older couple are Alfred and Leila Hoffman, who were 92 and 83 at the time of filming, who have been together for over 60 years. The velvet-voiced narration is provided by Adam Roche, host of the Secret History of Hollywood podcast – required listening for all classic movie fans.
Jack Jewers, Producer, Director
Adam Roche, Key Cast, "Narrator"
Key Cast Lovers: Yasmine Alice, Margaret Dane, Natasha Green, Alfred Hoffman, Ashley Rose Kaplan, Marlon Kameka, Ana McMorrow, Tony Richardson, Joseph Simpson-Bushell, Leila Hoffman.
Tom Blount, Cinematographer
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