2 DC Shorts International Film Fest 2022
3DC Shorts International Film Fest 2022
Welcome Letter from the Executive Director Festival Sponsors Festival Highlights Theaters & Venues Ticket Information Celebrations & Parties Filmmaking Workshops Get Involved Showcases of Films DC Shorts Jury Awards Schedule at a Glance 4 DC Shorts International Film Fest 2022 TABLE OF CONTENTS THE 2022 DC SHORTS INTERNATIONAL FILM FEST GUIDE Publisher: Simply Enhance Editor & Art Direction: Simply Enhance + Anavic Ibanez Canlas Cover Design: Tess Rollins + Anavic Ibanez Canlas Original Festival Design and Branding: Tess Rollins, Simply Enhance + Anavic Ibanez Canlas + Aaron Canlas A publication of Simply Enhance, Herndon, VA © 2022 DC Shorts International Film Fest • All Rights Reserved 5 6 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 0 0 0 0
PERSON! DC SHORTS INTERNATIONAL FILM FEST 2022 WE HOPE THAT YOU ENJOY
5DC Shorts International Film Fest 2022
WELCOME TO THE THROWBACK TO BEING BACK IN
…
DC Shorts Family! My name is, Beau Canlas, and it is an absolute honor and pleasure to be included in the source material for this NARRATIVE SHORT we have titled, the 2022 DC Shorts International Film Festival! It is my sincere hope to create an unforgettable exper worthy of inspiring a DOCUMENTARY SHORT film. Keep it short. Keep it REEL. Is the main thing I remembered when I first learned about this amazing festival that has been championing short films since 2003... So let me continue the tradition of an official welcome; but add an AVANT GARDE approach by keeping it, REAL, short and get ANIMATED with you all at the Highbinder Bar during the Fourth Wall Breakout Celebration Party here at the Alamo on Saturday! Enjoy your recliners and personal servers ... because this is the remix 2022
BEAU CANLAS Executive Director DC Film Alliance DC Shorts International Film Fest
THANK YOU TO
6 DC Shorts International Film Fest 2022
OUR SPONSORS
7DC Shorts International Film Fest 2022
We're presenting nine SHOWCASES during the festival week. We have a collection of International, DC Homegrown Locals, Historical, Documentary, Animation, Womens and celebrating First-Time Directors! SHOWCASE INFO STARTS ON PAGE 15! Join our PARTIES! They're a great place to meet filmmakers and film lovers. Our Fourth Wall Breakout Celebration will be at The Highbinder DC at the Alamo Drafthouse and our Filmmaker Awards Brunch at Bar Deco DC! MORE INFO ON PAGE 11!
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
: Through Cinematic Conversations and Mentors, we encourage independent filmmakers to develop the skills to create outstanding media projects. Taught by film professionals and peers, these interactive sessions are designed to build upon one another, developing the skills needed to better compete in the crowded field of filmmakers
DC Shorts proudly presents JURY and AUDIENCE awards to our films. Participate in voting for your favorite after every showcase that's 9 Showcases! It's a great way to conclude the week and catch the selections that might go on to win an Oscar! MORE INFO ON PAGE OUR PROGRAMS DC WINS: DC Shorts WINS! are special showcases of award winning films from previous DC Shorts, plus a few that we wished we had been able to program. Some of the films have received Academy Award nominations. All films have won accolades worldwide.
DC LAUGHS: DC Shorts presents their favorite comedy films with live performances by the area ’ s top stand up comics! Each 90 minute show combines film and live performance for a spectacular and lighthearted evening
MENTORS/CINEMATIC CONVERSATIONS
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: DC Shorts is proud to present seminars for the Film Community on a variety of topics including Lighting on a Budget, Fundraising, Contracts, Film Reviewing, and more. (continued on page 13)
8 DC Shorts International Film Fest 2022 DC Shorts International Film Fest is back with IN PERSON SCREENINGS! We've got 4 days of 77 LIVE screenings at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema DC Bryant St. from September 8 11! But if you can't make it, all 94 films will be available online from September 12 18! MORE INFO ON PAGE
9DC Shorts International Film Fest 2022
THEATERS & VENUES
Attendees must be at least 21 years of age and present a valid photo ID at the door Party tickets must be purchased in advance either online or at a venue box office We cannot offer door sales
BUY AT DCSHORTS.COM $75 + online service charge
Free events require tickets for entry. We recommend reserving online, as these events often sell out quickly
All Access Festival pass holders must be seated 30 minutes prior to showtime to guarantee a seat. Alamo DC will then begin taking food orders After that time, pass holders will be admitted with the general audience on a space available basis Food orders will continue to be taken until the showcase begins Unclaimed seats before the showcase are sold at the door for $20.
BUY AT THE ALAMO $20 DC SHORTS ONLINE FESTIVAL We are very excited to bring you DC Shorts Online! All 94 films may be watched from Sept 12 18 on any computer and most mobile devices
10 DC Shorts International Film Fest 2022
We highly recommend purchasing tickets online, as many shows will sell out in advance BUY AT THE ALAMO $15 Box Office at each venue open 30 to 45 mins before the first show of the day.
PARTY TICKETS
BUY AT DCSHORTS.COM $20 + online service charge
BUY AT THE ALAMO $75 SEATING POLICIES
A NOTE ON FREE EVENTS
TICKET INFORMATION SHOWCASE TICKETS
Each showcase runs approximately 120 minutes, and includes 7 9 films from around the globe BUY AT DCSHORTS.COM $15 + online service charge
All parties include light refreshments and a special selection of alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages.
11DC Shorts International Film Fest 2022 CELEBRATIONS & PARTIES CELEBRATE WITH US! FOURTH WALL BREAKOUT CELEBRATION
The Highbinder at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema DC 630 Rhode Island Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20002 DC Short's Opening Weekend at the spy themed bar of The Highbinder with DJ YungLeifVillage on the 1s and 2s and LIVE performances by local artists: J Matty, eyespk and Caila Baby!
Tickets $20 Celebrate
FILMMAKER AWARDS BRUNCH
Sunday, Sept. 11 (12PM 2PM) Bar Deco DC 717 6th St. NW, Washington, DC 20001 us for our festival's awards brunch, where the Jury awards are announced. Get to know the best of the best from this year's festival and network with filmmakers from around the world, while enjoying a beautiful brunch buffet spread from Bar Deco DC in its stunning industrial interior. Winning filmmakers are presented with a glass trophy and showered with prized packages!
Tickets $20 Join
Saturday, Sept 10 (10PM 12AM)
Saturday, September 10, 2022 2:00 PM 3:00 PM Led by filmmaker, VR/360 creator, and Assistant Professor of Cinema Production a Virginia Tech, Justin Perkinson, this workshop will center on how to tell immersive in the VR/360 medium, utilizing two of his documentaries as case studies.
DC SHORTS 2022 FILMMAKER WORKSHOPS AT ALAMO
FILMMAKING WORKSHOPS
1. “The Art of Make-Up” Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Theater #1 630 Rhode Island Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002 Friday, September 9, 2022 2:00 PM 3:00 PM What is the job of a movie make up artist? Find out during this informative filmmaker workshop led by make up artist Jessie Campbell
2. “Entertainment Law 101 for Filmmakers” Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Theater #1 630 Rhode Island Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
Friday, September 9, 2022 4:00 PM 5:00 PM Led by Brian Frankel; (Wala): Filmmaking is more than only screenwriting and camera angles. Critical aspects of filmmaking include knowing the ins and outs of the law as they relate to contracts, copyright, fair use, and much more. These concepts are key to many for a successful career in the film industry and beyond.
12 DC Shorts International Film Fest 2022 DC Shorts is proud to present seminars for filmmakers of all levels. There is no charge for workshops, but you must reserve a seat! All workshops will be in THEATER 1 at The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema DC!
3 “Virtual Reality / 360° Storytelling” Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Theater #1 630 Rhode Island Ave NE, Washington, D 20002
FILMMAKER RESOURCES
DC Shorts utilizes the @DCSHORTTOOLS Twitter feed to offer a daily collection of jobs, casting notices and events from over 20 D C area and national resources Meanwhile the DC SHORTS TOOLKIT is an open e mail exchange to request information from other filmmakers, post screening information, and even sell old equipment. The DC Shorts Actors List allows for casting notices to be posted for more than 2,000 D.C . and East Coast Actors. OUR INITIATIVES
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Theater #1 630 Rhode Island Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
COLLABORATIVE
ADDITIONAL FILMMAKING WORKSHOPS
13DC Shorts International Film Fest 2022
Led by actor, award winning producer and director Angelo Reyes, this panel will be centered on representation in film and production. The panel will include: (continued from page 8)
5. “Fil Am Panel Discussion: Representation”
LOCAL INITIATIVES are programs, partnerships, film blocks, and panels that support the local film community. YOUTH INITIATIVES expose and educate youth of all ages on film and filmmaking that not only educate, but in spire. COMMUNITY INITIATIVES support underrepresented and marginalized communities.
4:00 PM 5:00 PM
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Theater #1 630 Rhode Island Ave NE, Washington, DC 2
Saturday, September 10, 2022 6:00 PM 8:00 PM
4. "Embracing Your Crazy Ideas"
IMPACT: DC Film Alliance works closely with other grassroots film arts organizations on mutual topics including Submissions, Promotion, Development and more.
Saturday, September 10, 2022
Following a DC premiere of his newest short film DELETE, writer and director Joe Carabeo will lead a creative workshop discussion that incorporates a retrospective on Joe’s mov and how important crazy ideas are to filmmaking, and bringing films to life from incept onward.
Simply go to dcshorts.com/donate. For more information, email info@dcshorts.com.
Become a Partner/Advertiser: The Festival offers exceptional sponsorship opportunities to meet your organization's marketing and philanthropic goals. We also offer many advertising opportunities at our events, festival program guide, slideshows, website and in our bi monthly newsletter. By advertising, your organization will reach a community of loyal film fans and film industry professionals. For more information email info@dcshorts.com
The generous support of individuals has allowed us to provide hundreds of thoughts of individuals of all ages with high quality programming over the past 15 years. As a year round nonprofit arts organization, your support is needed to continue our programming from the DC Shorts Film Festival to free education programs and screenings
GET INVOLVED SUPPORT INDEPENDENT FILMMAKING!
There are many ways to get involved and many ways to support us: Make a Donation: Donate online today and contribute to the many initiatives at DC shorts
14 DC Shorts International Film Fest 2022
Artist Cita Sadeli aka MISS CHELOVE begins work on a mural in a soon to open Indonesian coffeehouse in Washingto paints, Cita talks about her life in the Washington DC area, her cultural heritage, the influence of punk and hip hop how she came to fall in love with graffiti in the 1980’s when there were few women drawn to the culture at the time her Javanese heritage to create a modern woman ornamented in traditional Indonesian jewelry yet rooted in 21st cen im was to elevate a woman’s voice from her community and visually tell her stor ita’s life as she creates her art, one color at a time AT N • DOCUMENTARY, LOCAL, SPECIAL INTEREST • ARGENTINA • SPANISH gentina, people live surrounded by water and isolated from the noise and comforts of the big ond to traditions that are inherited over the years, from generation to generation This is the s a floating grocery boat which he inherited from his father that travels he islands Meanwhile, Franco, his 11 year old son, accompanies him and le ily tradition
MINYAN DUTY IRECTOR: IVAN KANDER • 14 MIN • NARRATIVE, COMEDY, DRAMA, LOCAL • USA • ENGLISH • OUTSTANDING LOCAL FILM (FILMED N DMV OR DMV FILMMAKER) oping to say Kaddish after their mother’s death, Leah and Ariel find themselves one person short of making a Minyan the uorum of ten Jewish adults required for evening prayer service As a result, they turn to an unconventional solution
15DC Shorts International Film Fest 2022 CATWOMAN VS THE WHITE HOUSE DIRECTOR: DAVID SCOTT CALONICO • 12 MIN • DOCUMENTARY, HISTORICAL, LOCAL • USA • WASHINGTON, DC PREMIERE • ENGLISH Newly discovered audio and video tells the full story between Eartha Kitts run in with the President and the First Lady in 1968 DANI'S TWINS DIRECTORS: BRAD ALL GOOD, STEVE DORST • 39 MIN • DOCUMENTARY, BIOGRAPHY, HUMAN RIGHTS, LOCAL • USA • NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE • ENGLISH Dani’s Twins captures the pregnancy and early parenting journey of Daniela Izzie, one of the few quadriplegics in history to ever give birth to twins While a source of great joy, Dani’s twin pregnancy is highly unusual and susceptible to an array of risks, ranging from blood pressure spikes that could lead to a stroke to the almost certain likelihood of preterm labor When the Covid 19 pandemic strikes, it raises the stakes for an already complicated pregnancy Amid these ups and downs, Dani’s story depicts her unwavering determination against all odds to deliver healthy babies and be a great mother F^¢K '€M R!GHT B@¢K DIRECTOR: HARRIS DORAN • 13 MIN • NARRATIVE, COMEDY, LGBTQ • USA • EAST COAST PREMIERE • ENGLISH A queer, Black Baltimore rapper must outwit his "out to get him" day job boss in order to avoid being fired after he accidentally takes drugs
SHOWCASE
PREMIERE • OUTSTANDING LOCAL FILM (FILMED IN DMV OR DMV FILMMAKER)
LOCAL FILM (FILMED IN DMV OR DMV FILMMAKER)
The pin collection of the Honorable Madeleine Albright is a language globally recognized, yet completely her o documentary follows her ascent to the White House, her experiences as the only woman in the room, and the through her pins throughout her storied career OF FILMS
MISS CHELOVE DIRECTOR: SARA T GAMA • 16 MIN • DOCUMENTARY, ART & CULTURE, BIOGRAPHY, LOCAL • USA • ENGLISH • OUTS
THURSDAY SEPT 8 • HOMEGROWN • 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
DIRECTOR: REUBEN ATLAS • 12 MIN • DOCUMENTARY, ART & CULTURE, LOCAL, WOMEN • USA • ENGLISH • WA
THE PINS OF MADELEINE ALBRIGHT
Heart broken following a break up, Martine receives the unexpected visit of her mother, Monique. Too engrossed in her own sadness, Martine doesnt notice right away that her mother is hiding something but, progressively, a bad feeling starts to take hold of her During this short stay, these two very different women will have one last chance of getting closer to one anotehr before they run out of time
Act of God follows a day in the life of Stuart, a disabled man whose life is a mess His caregivers are abandoning him and for good reason: hes an asshole, a fact that becomes quickly apparent to the new guy tasked with getting him out of bed Stuarts commute to work is interrupted by the discovery of a $100 bill lying on the sidewalk, just out of reach It flutters away as soon as he moves towards it, leading him on a chase eventually destroys his wheelchair and forces him to reconsider his toxic ideal of self sufficiency His commute is interrupted by the discovery of a $100 bill lying on the sidewalk, just out of reach. It flutters away as soon as he moves towards it, leading him on a chase that forces him to reconsider his toxic ideal of self sufficiency ARE YOU DOWN?
An up and coming New York based artist with ties to Miami, Michael Richards, has his career cut short when he is in his studio on the 92th floor of the World Trade Center on September 11,2001 Before his passing he creates a prophetic work FANMI DIRECTORS: SANDRINE BRODEUR DESROSIERS, CARMINE PIERRE DUFOUR • 8 MIN • NARRATIVE, DRAMA, FAMILY, WOMEN • CANADA • FRENCH, HAITIAN, HAITIAN CREOLE • WASHINGTON, DC PREMIERE
16 DC Shorts International Film Fest 2022 A DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM AWN MALANGYAON • 10 MIN • DOCUMENTARY, LOCAL, SPECIAL INTEREST • USA • ENGLISH • WASHINGTON, DC UTSTANDING LOCAL FILM (FILMED IN DMV OR DMV FILMMAKER) g an injury, a Costa Rican triathlete returns to compete in the National Championships. MOM DOC NIEL TAYLOR • 14 MIN • DOCUMENTARY, BIOGRAPHY, FAMILY, LOCAL • USA • ENGLISH • OUTSTANDING FIRST R, OUTSTANDING LOCAL FILM (FILMED IN DMV OR DMV FILMMAKER)
MARIAM DIRECTOR: LIONEL META 20 MIN NARRATIVE, DRAMA, FAMILY, INTERNATIONAL FRANCE FRENCH WASHINGTON, DC OUTSTANDING FIRST TIME DIRECTOR Mariam, drawn face and rebellious look, drives her Peugeot. Ready to take on the world to reclaim the custody of her son, 4 years old, the road ahead of her is not the one she expected DIRECTOR: ANDREAS KESSLER 33 MIN NARRATIVE, RUSSIAN, COAST
YIDDISH • EAST
Family members share stories from a mother’s life based on their different perspectives.
SHOWCASE OF FILMS FRIDAY SEPT 9 • THE GAMBLERS • 1:00 PM –
PREMIERE • OUTSTANDING FIRST TIME DIRECTOR
•
Twelve year old violin player Mitka is supposed to execute an attack on several SS officers in the name of a ukrainian partisan movement But this attempt will also put his only friend in life danger 4:00
•
DRAMA, HISTORICAL, THRILLER, WAR • GERMANY • GERMAN, UKRAINIAN,
•
PM THURSDAY SEPT 8 • HOMEGROWN • 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM (CONTINUED)
•
PREMIERE •
•
ACT OF GOD
PREMIERE
NAKAM
•
•
DIRECTOR: DENNIS SCHOLL • 12 MIN • DOCUMENTARY, ART & CULTURE, HISTORICAL • USA • ENGLISH • WORLD PREMIERE
DIRECTORS: SPENCER COOK, PARKER SMITH • 22 MIN • NARRATIVE, COMEDY, DRAMA • USA • ENGLISH • WASHINGTON, DC
DIRECTORS: BENJAMIN ZAUGG,TOBY HENDY, CEDRIC SCHEERLINCK • 11 MIN • ANIMATION, FAMILY, SOCIAL ISSUE, YOUTH • AUSTRALIA • ENGLISH • WASHINGTON, DC PREMIERE
•
17DC Shorts International Film Fest 2022 FRIDAY SEPT 9 • THE GAMBLERS • 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM (CONTINUED) 9 • ANIMATION DOMINATION • 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM POACHERS DIRECTOR: TIFFANY LIN • 13 MIN • NARRATIVE, DRAMA, YOUTH • USA • ENGLISH • WASHINGTON, DC PREMIERE During the summer before they must leave for college, two lifelong best friends come across a unique business opportunity: illegally harvesting and selling succulents from the California coast STREET REPORTER DIRECTOR: LAURA WATERS HINSON • 27 MIN • DOCUMENTARY, HUMAN RIGHTS, LOCAL, SOCIAL ISSUE • USA • ENGLISH • WASHINGTON, DC PREMIERE • OUTSTANDING LOCAL FILM (FILMED IN DMV OR DMV FILMMAKER) An aspiring photojournalist discovers the power of her own voice while struggling to survive homelessness THE ERRAND DIRECTOR: AMANDA RENEE KNOX • 11 MIN • NARRATIVE, DRAMA, YOUTH • UNITED STATES • ENGLISH • WASHINGTON, DC PREMIERE When a young girl hitchhiking is picked up by a stranger, who ends up taking whom for a ride? SHOWCASE OF FILMS 6 PAWS UNDER DIRECTOR: NICOLAS BIANCO LEVRIN • 3 MIN • ANIMATION, NARRATIVE, SUPERNATURAL, COMEDY • FRANCE • NO DIALOGUE • EAST COAST PREMIERE • OUTSTANDING FIRST TIME DIRECTOR
A
BLESSING IN DISGUISE
•
For the cat, life in the cemetery is paradise. It is calm and he only has to stretch out his paw to catch a mouse. But this time, the ghost of the mouse comes to haunt the cat LONG PROTRACTED SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT LARS HENRIK ANDERSSON, LISA RYDBERG 15 MIN ANIMATION, DRAMA, FAMILY, INTERNATIONAL, WOMEN SWEDISH • EAST COAST PREMIERE • OUTSTANDING FIRST TIME DIRECTOR Henrik (10 years old) is given an important task by his Dad Keep track of your mum while he’s away Henrik tries to But what did that really mean? One day Henrik finds a letter in his mum’s handwriting; “I dont wanna live anymore ”
Through its uniquely shaped narrative, drawn out in whimsical animation, this film invites us to bear witness to the emotional struggle of a nuclear family It is a subtle but decisive reminder of the scary dysfunctionality of family that often promises to keep us safe. As the young protagonist struggles with too much responsibility, we witness how he carries the burden of his parents’ obstacles and we become fully immersed in his anxiety as a child The film is embellished with humor to balance and counter the dark and disturbing content.
• SWEDEN •
DIRECTORS: KEVIN KOCH, EMMA HOLZAPFEL • 5 MIN • DOCUMENTARY, ANIMATION, BIOGRAPHY • GERMANY • ENGLISH • UNITED STATES PREMIERE • OUTSTANDING FIRST TIME DIRECTOR
Kevin Hines is one of the few people to have survived a jump from the Golden Gate Bridge In this hand drawn documentary, he reflects on the day that changed his life forever
DIRECTORS:
Finding X is an animated short film that follows X's search for meaning in a world full of numbers It is a heartfelt story about mathematics but also about belonging, identity and value.
FINDING X
AMOK DIRECTOR: BALÁZS TURAI • 14 MIN • ANIMATION, NARRATIVE, HORROR, COMEDY • HUNGARY • NO DIALOGUE • UNITED STATES PREMIERE
After losing his fiancée and his good looks in a freak accident, Clyde must confront his inner demon
DIRECTOR: CHENGLIN XIE • 7 MIN • ANIMATION, EXPERIMENTAL, FANTASY • USA • NO DIALOGUE • EAST COAST PREMIERE
You are what you eat. In a world where people start to look like the thing they eat the most of, you can take this quite literally. When a newcomer prefers different eating habits, the visible consequences turn the world upside down It’s a battle between desire and rationality.
DIRECTOR: RYO HIRANO • 12 MIN • ANIMATION, CRIME, HORROR, SUPERNATURAL • JAPAN • NO DIALOGUE • EAST COAST PREMIERE
In a town of SouthEast Asia, at night, a Yakuza is facing a bloody conflict with local gangs. During the fight, he encounters with a ghost called Krasue(called "Gasoo" in Japanese), a flying woman head with her guts exposed, and being followed by her because of his blood tasteTheir battle eventually leads themselves to the depth of dark and damp jungle maze, where their boundary ms to fade, regardless of what they are, humans, animals or a ghost
RECTOR: CLAIRE SICHEZ • 15 MIN • ANIMATION, DRAMA, FAMILY, YOUTH • FRANCE • NO DIALOGUE • WASHINGTON, DC EMIERE er 20 years of living together, Carine, Fabrice and their son Simon have a well ordered daily life. While Carine is restricted to usehold chores, Fabrice spends his time watching television Each in a different space, their eyes no longer meet MEAL ON THE PLATE
CTOR: AMY BENCH • 14 MIN • DOCUMENTARY, ANIMATION, HUMAN RIGHTS, WAR, YOUTH • USA • ENGLISH • WASHINGTON, REMIERE ight at her home in southeastern Congo, 14 year old Mugeni awakes to the sounds of bombs. As her family scatters to the unding forests to save themselves, Mugeni finds herself completely alone From there, she sets out on a remarkable solo ey across the globe, determined to reunite with her lost loved ones and lift up the Banyamulenge people.
AMOUR EN PLAN (PLANS FOR LOVE)
SPACE RACE DIRECTOR:
E THAN I WANT TO REMEMBER
SHANE DIONEDA • 6 MIN • ANIMATION, FAMILY, SCI FI, YOUTH • USA • NO DIALOGUE • WASHINGTON, DC P Two competing Astronauts race to claim the moon for themselves THE HORK DIRECTOR: NICOLE STAFFORD • 4 MIN • ANIMATION, EXPERIMENTAL, FANTASY • USA • ENGLISH In an alternate dimension, the stoic god of Power Unrecognized waits for unrelenting Greed to come and consume her p THE PIONEERS DIRECTOR: SIMON COTTEE • 10 MIN • ANIMATION, DOCUMENTARY, HISTORICAL • CANADA • ENGLISH • UNITED STATES PREMIERE The Pioneers is a mesmerising rhythmic experience honouring the animal passengers aboard their 59 rocket test flights prior to the first human voyage to space SHOWCASE OF FILMS FRIDAY SEPT 9 • ANIMATION DOMINATION • 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM (CONTINUED)
18 DC Shorts International Film Fest 2022 ND HAIR PARLOUR ANNE BERKAAK • 14 MIN • ANIMATION, DRAMA, HISTORICAL, WAR • NORWAY • NORWEGIAN • EAST COAST focusing on hair, not heroes Five siblings and their hair parlour offer women of the small Norwegian town Narvik a ality in the midst of madness and despair
Karoline’s life is turned upside down when her father, Kjeld, manically starts digging a pit in their backyard The following days turn into a living nightmare as the pit becomes a grave and the land, which has been in the family for generations, pulls Kjeld further and further down into the deep IT GETS DARKER
19DC Shorts International Film Fest 2022
uncanny vision of maturation and masculinity THE LONE WOLF DIRECTOR: FILIPE MELO • 24 MIN • NARRATIVE, DRAMA, THRILLER • PORTUGAL • PORTUGUESE • EAST COAST PREMIERE
dreadful secret SYLVAIN'S HUNT DIRECTOR: THEO COHN • 10 MIN • NARRATIVE, DRAMA, EXPERIMENTAL, FANTASY • USA • ENGLISH • EAST COAST PREMIERE • OUTSTANDING FIRST TIME DIRECTOR Sylvain’s
PREMIERE • OUTSTANDING FIRST TIME DIRECTOR
DIRECTOR: CASPER KJELDSEN • NARRATIVE, DRAMA, HORROR, THRILLER • DENMARK • ENGLISH • EAST COAST PREMIERE
is a surreal
EPT 9 • MIDNIGHT MUNCHIES • 9:00 PM – 12:00 AM
When things go sour with Jason’s most powerful client, he knows his life is on the line. But a visit from his intuition, a man with his exact likeness, claims to have the answers to save him All Jason has to do is trust him But can he?
SHOWCASE OF FILMS
of something familiar. Miniatures, prosthetics, sightless driving mountain shots, puppets, gore effects, all
and
One night on Viva FM's late night host Vitor Lobo a phone
EDICIUS DIRECTOR: UZO OLEH • 22 MIN • NARRATIVE, DRAMA, SCI FI, THRILLER • UNITED KINGDOM • ENGLISH • WASHINGTON, DC
DIRECTORS: DANIEL HABIB, FIRAS ABOU FAKHER • 23 MIN • NARRATIVE, HORROR, THRILLER, WOMEN • LEBANON • ARABIC • WASHINGTON, DC PREMIERE • OUTSTANDING FIRST TIME DIRECTOR Following a traumatic incident, Lara joins her childhood best friend for a relaxing weekend in an isolated resort This idyllic retreat turns out to be a hellish trap to guarantee her silence against her will, Lara will have to find her inner strength and fight her way through the night to make it out alive“It Gets Darker” is a horror comedy that pays homage to the iconic horror classics of the nineties with a unique, contemporary approach to normalized violence and savior narratives.
Ski school instructor Nika tries to hide a fatal accident that happened on the slopes. But when night comes, it turns out that the girl number 26 is missing Nika will confess the accident to his girlfriend Nata, they will share the responsibility of this Hunt depiction serve to make a Son Father rite of passage hunting trip into an
traditional
HOW TO DISAPPEAR
show,
gets
DIRECTOR: JACK CARRIVICK • 17 MIN • NARRATIVE, COMEDY, HORROR, THRILLER • UNITED KINGDOM • ENGLISH
call from an old friend
LILIAS ADIE DIRECTOR: ELIZE DU TOIT • 20 MIN • NARRATIVE, DRAMA, HISTORICAL, THRILLER, WOMEN • UNITED KINGDOM • ENGLISH • EAST COAST PREMIERE • OUTSTANDING FIRST TIME DIRECTOR
together
PREMIERE
Lilias and young Maud walk the Highlands when talk turns to a jealous neighbour they know Accusations of witchcraft lead Lilias to be arrested and interrogated, and when her friend's life is threatened she chooses to confess with thundering wrath. NUMBER 26 DIRECTOR: GVANTSA MEPARISHVILI • 20 MIN • NARRATIVE, CRIME, DRAMA, THRILLER • GEORGIA • GEORGIAN • EAST COAST
Social hermit Nina Moyse decides to take things one step further, removing herself from society completely by trying to totally disappear However her goals change after she discovers she still desires a form of human interaction IN THE SOIL
According to Thai superstition, a virgin can ward off rain by planting lemongrass upside down underneath an open sky This belief remains prevalent to this day As clouds begin to gather, a young production manager on a film set is tasked to carry out this tradition
SHOWCASE OF FILMS
As her fellow female co workers shy away from the duty, she is left with no choice but to take on the burden of becoming the lemongrass girl PATTY VS. PATTY DIRECTOR: CHRIS STRIKES • 18 MIN • DOCUMENTARY, COMEDY, HISTORICAL, SPECIAL INTEREST • CANADA • ENGLISH
The Beauty Bubble Salon & Museum in Joshua Tree is the magical and kitsch filled brainchild of Jeff Hafler.
YANNI DIRECTOR: RACHID ALLAOUA • 20 MIN • NARRATIVE, CRIME, DRAMA, YOUTH • CANADA • ARABIC, FRENCH • EAST COAST PREMIERE • OUTSTANDING FIRST TIME DIRECTOR Yanni, a teenage quebecer of algerian descent, lives in a small town with his single mother When a muslim family moves into town, he is forced by Nicolas, his bully, to commit a hateful act towards them To Nicolas, this may only be a sick joke, but for Yanni it is the opportunity to prove to his opressor that he is on his side, hoping to not be his victim anymore
20 DC Shorts International Film Fest 2022 ENT MARDI GRAS R: ALEJANDRO DE LOS RIOS • 8 MIN • DOCUMENTARY, ART & CULTURE, SOCIAL ISSUE • USA • ENGLISH rdi Gras parades in 2021 were canceled because of coronavirus, it represented the lowest point of the pandemic for the city's od and culture communities "Different Mardi Gras" pairs footage from unusually quiet streets of New Orleans and interviews ral of the city's culture bearers reflecting on the pandemic's effects on their lives
Whilst tackling the stresses of weekend parenting, Tom opens the door to a mysterious stranger who presents opportunity to play an intriguing game with escalating consequences DE THE BEAUTY BUBBLE CTORS: CHERYL BOOKOUT, CHERI GAULKE • 31 MIN • DOCUMENTARY, BIOGRAPHY, HISTORICAL, LGBTQ • USA • ENGLISH • EAST ST PREMIERE
On a winter night in Atlantic City, the manager of a defunct casino must reckon with his parental failures when his unru h l t of an illicit bind.
e the Beauty Bubble is a short documentary film about a renowned collector of hair artifacts fighting to keep his desert dreams
SAFE DIRECTOR: IAN BARLING • 15 MIN • NARRATIVE, CRIME, DRAMA, FAMILY • USA • ENGLISH • WASHINGTON, DC PREMIER
The story of Toronto’s bizarre 1985 “Patty Wars,” when Jamaican bakers went head to head with the Canadian government over the name of their beloved beef patty, as told by Michael Davidson of Kensington Patty Palace
FELLOW CREATURES
SATURDAY SEPT 10 • CULTURE VULTURE • 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM VO DIRECTOR: NICOLAS GOURAULT • 19 MIN • NARRATIVE, DOCUMENTARY, HYBRID • FRANCE • ENGLISH • WASHINGTON, DC PREMIERE • OUTSTANDING FIRST TIME DIRECTOR A sensory investigation about the role of human workers in the training of self driving cars
DIRECTORS: JAMIE GLOVER, JASON MERRELLS • 13 MIN • NARRATIVE, SCI FI, THRILLER • UNITED KINGDOM • ENGLISH • WAS DC PREMIERE
LEMONGRASS GIRL
DIRECTOR: POM BUNSERMVICHA • 18 MIN • NARRATIVE, DRAMA, INTERNATIONAL • THAILAND • THAI • WASHINGTON, DC PREMIERE
DIRECTOR In this collision of reality and fantasy, a teenage girl uses Live Action Role Playing (LARPing) to cope and escape from her mother, who suffers from early onset Alzheimer’s FINDING DAD
21DC Shorts International Film Fest 2022
PAPER GEESE
BREAK ANY SPELL
DIRECTOR: MARILYN COOKE • 16 MIN • NARRATIVE, ARTHOUSE, INTERNATIONAL, SUPERNATURAL • CANADA • FRENCH, C EAST COAST PREMIERE A gifted medical student, Keity wants to continue the family tradition and become a surgeon like her mother and grandm But when her first operation takes a dramatic turn, she buckles under the pressure She has no choice but to accept an in he morgue Haunted by her failure, Keity starts seeing her grandmother’s spirit appear to her in tropical daydreams A e, Keity tries to adapt to the morgue and to the colorful characters both living and dead that she meets Through caring her deceased patients, she learns that life can sometimes lead one down unexpected paths A deeply human and sometimes ny exploration of death, family legacies and the meaning of failure
DIRECTOR: SOFIA GEORGOVASSILI • 14 MIN • NARRATIVE, DRAMA, SOCIAL ISSUE, YOUTH • GREECE • GREEK • WASHINGT PREMIERE
DIRECTOR: ALANA HUTTON SHAW • 30 MIN • NARRATIVE, COMEDY, DRAMA, YOUTH • UNITED KINGDOM • ENGLISH •
SATURDAY SEPT 10 TIES 3:00 PM 6:00 PM OF FILMS
•
–
TECHNO MAMA DIRECTOR: SAULIUS BARADINSKAS • NARRATIVE, DRAMA, INTERNATIONAL, YOUTH • LITHUANIA • LITHUANIAN • EAST COAST
DIRECTOR: ANTON JØSEF • 13 MIN • NARRATIVE, DRAMA, FAMILY, FANTASY, YOUTH • USA • ENGLISH • OUTSTANDING FIRST TIME
• FAMILY
DIRECTOR: ELIZABETH CHATELAIN • 14 MIN • NARRATIVE, DRAMA, FAMILY, YOUTH • USA • ENGLISH • EAST COAST PREMIERE After an unsuccessful goose hunt, a young girl grapples with seeing her father in a new light
PREMIERE Nikita loves to listen techno music and dreams to go to Berlin and visit the famous club “Berghain”. His mother Irena doesn’t know about his son’s dreams and soon enough their mutual expectations will clash
MEMOIR OF A VEERING STORM
MOTHERS DIRECTOR: BIRUTĖ KAPUSTINSKAITĖ • 15 MIN • NARRATIVE, DRAMA, FAMILY, WOMEN • LITHUANIA • LITHUANIAN • NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE • OUTSTANDING FIRST TIME DIRECTOR Aldona is the single mother of a daughter, Miglė, who is soon to become a mother herself When Miglė comes to visit for the weekend during the last days of her pregnancy, Aldona tries to show how much she cares, but instead starts to control her daughter Step by step, Aldona pushes the boundaries between the two, until she crosses the line NO GHOST IN THE MORGUE
OUTSTANDING FIRST TIME DIRECTOR Anita’s alcoholic mum dies, leaving her with a parting gift she’s always wanted; the name of her real father scribbled on a piece of paper. She sets out to find him immediately, bringing along her hilarious (albeit risk av BFF for the ride DIGA TOR: MORAD MOSTAFA • 20 MIN. • NARRATIVE, DRAMA, INTERNATIONAL, WOMEN • EGYPT • ARABIC • EAST COAST ERE ga, a young mother of 18 lives alone with her baby after her husband left for work in a remote city; in an ordinary day she her way through the hustle of Cairo streets to do some visits where she feels uncomfortable with the surroundings
What happens to roe deer during their reproductive period? What does a young female body feel during and after an abor Can a cyclone break out only in our unconscious? It is a morning in September A storm is about to break Α mother drive to school in the morning and picks up a woman at the end of the school day. Anna, a fifteen year old girl sneaks out of sch with the help of her boyfriend, they visit a hospital There, she has to face an event that will jolt her into adulthood
SHOWCASE
SHOWCASE OF FILMS
a 9 year old girl who lives in the Hassidic community in Paris, gets her period for the first time. Myriam, her mother, lly looks at her as if she were a woman Etel is blessed, until she finds out that in her religion, women are considered ure when they have their period
DIRECTOR: SIMON LAGANIÈRE • 13 MIN • NARRATIVE, COMEDY, DRAMA, FAMILY • CANADA • FRENCH • WASHING PREMIERE Bonus, a clumsy and reckless father, has custody of his young son for the day Abated by his recent breakup, he n the child is developing a beautiful relationship with his ex girlfriend’s new lover Afraid that he is being replaced, to dazzle him with a father son moment tinged with magic
FJÄLLNÄS DIRECTOR: MEGAN MACZKO • 23 MIN • NARRATIVE, COMEDY, DRAMA • UNITED KINGDOM • ENGLISH • UN PREMIERE
An eco artist embarks on a trip to a symposium in remote Sweden, herself the keynote figure Fears of he begin to manifest and a suspicious man who’s doggedly undermining her every move, provokes her self s MELONS
DIRECTOR: MATT MACDONALD • 16 MIN • NARRATIVE, COMEDY, SOCIAL ISSUE • USA • ENGLISH • WASHINGTON, DC PREMIERE Melons is a comedy short about a jolly grocery store manager who learns to stand up for himself after a misunderstanding brands him as public enemy #1 MIMINE
MANLIEST MAN DIRECTOR: AARON ADRIAN • 21 MIN • NARRATIVE, COMEDY, DRAMA, YOUTH • USA • ENGLISH • WORLD PREMI OUTSTANDING FIRST TIME DIRECTOR
N'S GOLD A JOE WOLANSKY • 28 MIN • DOCUMENTARY, ACTION & ADVENTURE, BIOGRAPHY • USA • ENGLISH he Rocky Mountains, a man named Forrest Fenn hid a treasure chest estimated to be worth more than a million , he published a poem containing nine clues that would lead searchers to the treasure “Finding Fenn’s Gold,” a y Sara Joe Wolansky, follows several treasure seekers captivated as much by the promise of riches as by the locking the mystery
22 DC Shorts International Film Fest 2022 DAY SEPT 10 • THE HUMORS • 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
CTOR: NICOLAS KRIEF • 18 MIN • NARRATIVE, COMEDY, DRAMA, YOUTH • CANADA • FRENCH • UNITED STATES PREMIERE ice search disturbs the peace and quiet of a suburban family and arouses suspicions in Nicolas about his father Sylvain, a et man with suspicious activities
A socially awkward virgin tries to hire a prostitute with the help of a self proclaimed love guru MEN OF VIRTUE ECTOR: STÉPHANIE HALFON • 30 MIN • NARRATIVE, COMEDY, DRAMA, YOUTH • FRANCE • FRENCH • EAST COAST MIERE • OUTSTANDING FIRST TIME DIRECTOR
RATION CARCAJOU
PREMIERE Ram and Maya move thousands of miles from their home in Nepal in hopes of realizing their dream in New Y to finish his feature film, Maya receives a job offer that puts a strain on their relationship and calls into que willing to sacrifice to maintain the lifestyle of international filmmakers
A budding artist in her 60s hangs joyful sculptures on telephone poles in her urban community Afraid to get caught, she disguises herself as a man and through her random acts of kindness, she comes into her own, making peace with her troubled past.
DIRECTOR: ROMAIN DUMONT • 17MIN • NARRATIVE, COMEDY, DRAMA • CANADA • FRENCH • WASHINGTON, DC PREMIERE
THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY
THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER
DIRECTOR: ALEXIS LOUKAKIS • 23 MIN • NARRATIVE, COMEDY, DRAMA, HISTORICAL, WAR • FRANCE• FRENCH, GER AMERICAN PREMIERE November 11, 1918, Germany has surrendered. The armistice is signed. France must honor the memory of its fighte designating an unknown soldier In an infantry regiment based in the Somme, Corporal Solal and soldiers Malard, K aestracci are assigned to roam the battlefields in search of the ideal corpse …
RECTOR: ALEXANDRE ISABELLE • 13 MIN • NARRATIVE, DRAMA, INTERNATIONAL, HUMAN RIGHTS • CANADA • FRENCH • ASHINGTON, DC PREMIERE cing the climate crisis, Louise, a philosophy teacher, turns words into action
RK GERSTORFER • 28 MIN • NARRATIVE, DRAMA, INTERNATIONAL, HUMAN RIGHTS • AUSTRIA • GERMAN • EAST RE n Vienna in the middle of the night Police officer Nancy and her colleague Albert have the task of evicting a family he night leave everyone involved traumatized FOUR NIGHTS
23DC Shorts International Film Fest 2022 UNDAY SEPT 11 • 9 TO 5 • 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM SHOWCASE OF FILMS
DIRECTOR: DEEPAK RAUNIYAR • 16 MIN • NARRATIVE, DRAMA, INTERNATIONAL • NEPAL • NEPALI, ENGLISH •
HEREFORE, SOCRATES IS MORTAL
Covid significantly increased mortality in hospitals What does this mean for the work of Mathieu, employed in onal hospital center? How does he relate to these people whose souls have recently left their bodies?
POWERS DIRECTOR: PAIGE MORROW KIMBALL• 24 MIN • DOCUMENTARY, ART & CULTURE, BIOGRAPHY, LGBTQ • USA • ENGLISH • WASHINGTON, DC PREMIERE
DIRECTOR: ARTHUR CAHN • 19 MIN • NARRATIVE, DRAMA, SOCIAL ISSUE • FRANCE • FRENCH • EAST COAST PREMIERE The factory where Romain and Adémar work has caught fire, so they decide to enjoy three days of idleness together in the mild summer
TBARE GRENZE
SEE YOU GARBAGE!
For Christmas, three garbage collectors, Élie, Nino and Belz, are surprised to be received for dinner at the house of the Prime Minister and the First Lady They go there, enthusiastic and candid, without suspecting that on the menu, they have a painful series of disappointments and manipulations in store for them See You Garbage! is a dramatic comedy that resembles a revolutionary tale which attempts to explore the encounter between the well coated contempt of the political class and a sudden awareness of MAURER • 10 MIN • DOCUMENTARY, SPECIAL INTEREST • SWITZERLAND • FRENCH • WASHINGTON, DC
24 DC Shorts International Film Fest 2022 A DO YOU HEAR US? VOICES FROM A PLANTATION PRISON R: CINQUE NORTHERN • 26 MIN • DOCUMENTARY, HUMAN RIGHTS, MUSIC & PERFORMANCE • USA • ENGLISH • WASHINGTON, IERE of playwright Liza Jessie Petersons shutdown 2020 performance of her acclaimed play The Peculiar Patriot at Angola, the a State Penitentiary, America’s largest prison plantation The documentary examines what led to the shutdown of the nce, the material that confronted a system, and how the impact of Peterson's visit rippled through Angola long after the record of was erased by prison authorities ASKA DIRECTOR: CLARA MILO • 14 MIN • NARRATIVE, ARTHOUSE, MUSIC & PERFORMANCE • CANADA • ICELANDIC • WASHINGT PREMIERE • OUTSTANDING FIRST TIME DIRECTOR T disciples must throw their mother’s ashes into the mouth of a volcano in order to prevent its collapse into a flo SIMON PLOUFFE • 16 MIN • DOCUMENTARY, ARTHOUSE, EXPERIMENTAL • CANADA • INNU AIMUN • UNITED STATES PREMIERE te pines submerged under the waters of a hydroelectric reservoir on unceded Innu territory transform into flames This between water and fire illustrates our current climate emergency through multiple stories about the relationship between a and its land HOLY CARE DIRECTOR: CRISTIAN PATANÈ • 15 MIN • NARRATIVE, DRAMA, INTERNATIONAL, SUPERNATURAL • ITALY • NO DIALO PREMIERE Gaia works in her family funeral home and takes care of the bodies while the soul is leavingj. But one day, somethin pens TORCYCLIST’S HAPPINESS WON’T FIT INTO HIS SUIT ECTOR: GABRIEL HERRERA • 10 MIN • NARRATIVE, ARTHOUSE, INTERNATIONAL • MEXICO • SPANISH • WASHINGTON, DC PREMIERE e he sits proudly on his beautiful motorbike which he would never loan to anyone He is certain that he alone can explore the jungle A ful re enactment with reversed roles that takes aim at the hubris of the colonial conquerors SMANE ECTOR: JORGE CAMAROTTI • 25 MIN • NARRATIVE, DRAMA, INTERNATIONAL • CANADA • FRENCH • WASHINGTON, DC PREMIERE mane, a newly arrived immigrant living in Montreal, faces a challenging situation when he meets an elderly disoriented lady at the end of his workday.
TOMORROW IS A WATER PALACE DIRECTOR: JUANITA ONZAGA • 15 MIN • DOCUMENTARY, ARTHOUSE, EXPERIMENTAL • COLOMBIA • ITALIAN, SPANISH • WASHINGTON, DC PREMIERE Sybille is the last person alive on a planet with no history or water She roams through arid lands, traveling through strange visions Entities with more memory than humans communicate with her How to persuade the spirit of the waters to come back to earth?
WARSHA DIRECTOR: DANIA BDEIR • 15 MIN • NARRATIVE, ARTHOUSE, MUSIC & PERFORMANCE, LGBTQ • LEBANON • ARABIC • OU FIRST TIME DIRECTOR A Syrian migrant working as a crane operator in Beirut volunteers to cover a shift on one of the most dangerous cranes, w able to find his freedom SEPT 11 • 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
SHOWCASE OF FILMS SUNDAY
DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES •
DC SHORTS JURY AWARDS
DC Shorts is proud to offer both Audience Awards and Jury Awards. The Jury is composed of DC educators and industry professionals.
Cynthia Fuchs Interim Director of Film at George Mas Associate Professor
Andrea Passafiume Film programmer; writer Brad Forder Director of Programming for the Environ Film Festival (DCEFF); documentary filmmaker
DC SHORTS JURY AWARDS
25DC Shorts International Film Fest 2022
CATEGORIES Outstanding Documentary Short Outstanding Local Film Outstanding First Time Filmmaker Outstanding International Narrative Short Outstanding U S Narrative Short OUR JURORS
Dr. Shahriar Shafiani Award winning filmmaker; Assistant Professor in Film at Howard University
Joe Carabeo Award winning cross platform artist; Astray Productions Leena Jayaswal Documentary filmmaker; award win photographer Samantha Plakun Program Manager at the Environmental Film Festival (DCEFF)
Sky Sitney Director of Film and Media Studies at Georgetown University; Professor of the Practice; co creator and co director of Double Exposure; co founder of DC/DOX 2023
Vasilios Papaioannu Filmmaker; photographer; mixed media artist tenure track Assistant Professor in Film at Howard University
26 DC Shorts International Film Fest 2022
27DC Shorts International Film Fest 2022
28 DC Shorts International Film Fest 2022
29DC Shorts International Film Fest 2022
