Setting the Stage. Experience the intimate lounges and inviting social spaces of The
Riviera Palm Springs – home of the 2019 Palm Springs
International
Short Film Festival. As seen in Elle DĂŠcor and
Wallpaper* Magazine.
1 6 0 0 N o r t h I n d i a n C a nyo n D r i ve, Pa l m S p r i n g s | 8 6 6. 7 1 6. 81 47 | R i v i e ra Pa l m S p r i n g s.c o m
TABLE OF CONTENTS BOX OFFICE INFORMATION Box Office Information...............3 PURCHASE TICKETS Online: www.psfilmfest.org By Phone: 760-778-8979 In Person: At Camelot Theatres, 2300 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs, during Box Office Hours
REFUND POLICY: ALL SALES ARE FINAL
BOX OFFICE HOURS 6/10-6/17 – 10AM to 5PM 6/18-6/24 – 1 hour before 1st show until ½ hr after last show begins
SCANNING All tickets and passes will be scanned upon entering each screening and party.
PRICES General Admission $13 Six-Pack (available through 6/17) $69 Forum Panels $13 Opening Night Program & Party $60 Closing Night Program and Party $50 Parties $25 each Chairman’s Pass $500 Insider’s Pass $200
FESTIVAL ETIQUETTE Saving space in line, or seats for other guests is not permitted.
VENUE LOCATIONS Camelot Theatres (Palm Springs Cultural Center), 2300 E. Baristo Road Riviera Hotel, Conference Center, Vista Chino at Indian Canyon
REFUSAL OF SERVICE: The PSIFS reserves the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason. We enforce this policy to ensure a secure, professional and convenient environment for all of our customers.
Late seating is not permitted. Festival will not sell tickets or seat once the program has begun. Any exception to the late seating policy is at the discretion of the Festival Venue Manager. If you need to leave the auditorium for any reason, take your pass or ticket stub and pick up a Re-Entry Card before you leave. No one will be readmitted without their pass or ticket stub and the re-entry card. No recording equipment is permitted in the theater auditorium. No large bags are permitted inside venues; all bags are subject to search.
PICKING UP TICKETS AND PASSES Tickets may be picked up at the Festival box office during the above listed operating hours. PRINT-AT-HOME TICKETS New to the Festival this year! Avoid the box office and print your tickets at home. Tickets are attached to your order confirmation email in PDF form. Simply open the PDF, print and present your tickets at the screening upon entry. Help the environment – you may also present the PDF on your mobile device. Tickets are individually bar-coded, allowing only one scan per use so any attempts to duplicate, alter or sell any copies of the print-at-home tickets will result in admittance being refused to the event. Tickets and/or Vouchers purchased through a third party will not be accepted. PASSES Chairman’s and Insider passes may be picked up at the Film Society Office, 1700 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, Suite 3, June 10-June 14, 12PM4PM. After this date all passes will be available starting June 17 at the Riviera Resort Conference Center. FESTIVAL POLICIES TERMS AND CONDITIONS: By attending the festival, you agree to abide by the Terms and Conditions, which can be found at at www.psfilmfest.org/ about/terms-and-conditions
Please turn off all mobile devices during the film presentation, no talking or texting permitted during the film presentation. Smoking is strictly prohibited at all Festival locations, including e-cigarettes & vapor products. Please complete and return your ballot immediately following each screening. To expedite theater cleaning and seating please discard your waste in the appropriate containers and exit promptly after your screening. All theatre auditoriums are cleared between show times. Any items discovered will be kept in the Lost & Found at the Box Office until June 24. Items unclaimed after this date will be transferred to the Festival Office and held until July 1, 2019.
Festival Sponsors.......................4 Chairman’s Welcome.................6 Board of Directors......................7 Director’s Welcome....................8 Programming Team....................9 Shortfest Staff............................9 Festival Hub.............................10 Schedule.................................12 Forum......................................13 Awards + Jury.........................14 Programs.................................15 Film Index................................44
Many lines are outside of the theaters. Please dress appropriately for comfort, as it can get very warm during the day, and theaters may get chilly. Films are presented in their original language with English subtitles unless otherwise noted.
GENERAL INFORMATION 760.778.8979
#shortfest19
#shortfest19 | PSFILMFEST.ORG 3
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4 Palm Springs International ShortFest | 2019
A PROGRAM SUPPORTING FILMMAKERS ATTENDING THE 2019 PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL SHORTFEST The Palm Springs International Film Society has teamed up with Acme House Company Vacation Rentals to establish the prestigious "Artists in Residence" program supporting filmmakers attending the ShortFest. These eleven storytellers have been granted up to seven nights of housing in a shared Palm Springs Luxury Vacation Home, plus a food and ground transportation stipend to be used during ShortFest. As a long-standing champion of The Palm Springs Film Society, Acme is committed to empowering these emerging filmmakers by providing them time and space to broaden their creative horizons while communing with other storytellers in the pursuit of their artistic goals. Congratulations to these artists and to all the other filmmakers participating in the 2019 Palm Springs International ShortFest.
#shortfest19 | PSFILMFEST.ORG 5
CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME
On behalf of our board of directors, welcome to the silver anniversary of America’s most significant showcase of young film auteurs. The Palm Springs International ShortFest and Short Film Marketplace has been this country’s biggest, most prestigious event of its kind for more than half of its 25 years. But, remarkably, it’s still growing at a tremendous pace. Five years ago, we presented 3,000 short films at the Camelot Theatres and in our marketplace for industry viewing. This year, we have more than 5,500 films, including 369 screening in what is now called the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Most of those shorts come to us unsolicited because of our ever-growing reputation. When our staff asks filmmakers how they heard about ShortFest, the most common answer is, from other filmmakers. The numbers provide proof of that, too. We have roughly 700 writers, directors, producers and actors coming to this six-day festival. That’s more people than the large auditorium in the Palm Springs Cultural Center can hold. On opening night, almost half the audience is typically comprised of filmmakers. That only means we are succeeding in our mission. We call ShortFest a $500,000 educational initiative because it’s intended to give up-and-coming filmmakers the tools and information they need to advance in the industry. We provide audiences with innovative pieces of cinema by artists unleashed from commercial studio demands. But we provide filmmakers with private seminars, master classes and one-on-one meetings with agents, producers and film festival programmers to tell them what the industry expects from those seeking entry into the feature film world. The nightly parties for filmmakers provide great networking – an outstanding learning experience. Notable individuals who have made the leap from ShortFest to major motion pictures include Brie Larson, the Academy Award® winner from “The Room,” Ava DuVernay, nominated for a Golden Globe for “Selma,” and Jason Reitman, who was nominated for four Oscars® for “Up in the Air” and “Juno.” Much of ShortFest’s recent success can be attributed to our veteran programmers guided by our own rising star, Lili Rodriguez. Lili joined our staff in 2014 and earlier this year was named artistic director of the January feature film festival, in addition to her duties as ShortFest director. I want to thank Palm Springs Cultural Center founders Ric and Rozene Supple for the use of their theater and for all they have done for the Palm Springs International Film Society. I also want to thank our managing director, Rhea Lewis-Woodson; education manager Zach Solomon; and operations manager Lauren Tutzauer – these are three outstanding contributors to our success. And I can’t forget our amazing cast of volunteers, individual donors and sponsors. Without them, there would be no Palm Springs International ShortFest. Have yourself a wonderful time at the movies. Sincerely,
Harold Matzner
6 Palm Springs International ShortFest | 2019
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS
DAVID L. BARON ESQ.
HELENE GALEN
JACK GRUNDHOFER
MARSHALL GELFAND
MARY ANN LABAHN
PATRICK MUNDT
Vice Chairman, Treasurer
SIDNEY CRAIG Secretary
Assistant Treasurer
Vice Chairman
Chair of Education Committee
Vice Chairman
Assistant Secretary
JOANN McGRATH
KEVIN McGUIRE
Vice Chairman
JOHN PINKNEY
Assistant Secretary
Vice Chairman
JAN SALTA
Executive Board Member
BOARD MEMBERS
Emeritus Members: Mark Adams Tim Hanlon Jim Houston, in memoriam Cydney Osterman Madeline Redstone Lois Schlecht, in memoriam
JACI FITZSIMONDS FRITZ FRAUCHIGER
ERIC GARNER
STEPHEN BREIMER
JIM BRUNER
MICHAEL CHILDERS
BOB DEVILLE
ROBERT DICKEY
MICHELE FINNEY
PATRICIA GRUNDHOFER
GARY D. HALL
WENDY HECKMANN
CAROL KAPLAN
TERRI KETOVER
GARRY KIEF
MICHELLE KRANS
DONNA MACMILLAN
PETER MAHLER
TRISTAN MILANOVICH
LEE MORCUS
DOMINIQUE SHWE
ELLEN SNEIDER
JUDY VOSSLER
SCOTT WHITE
MURIEL MYERSON DR. MARIE PINIZZOTTO LINDA SHIRVANIAN
#shortfest19 | PSFILMFEST.ORG 7
DIRECTOR’S WELCOME
Happy Birthday to us! It’s been 25 years since ShortFest was birthed into the film festival world and to take its first breath. The year was 1995. There were 80 short films in the program and legend has is you could watch them all for $5. From all accounts, it seems the festival immediately found a welcoming home in Palm Springs, with sponsors and audiences embracing it right away. Given the city’s history with the movies, it’s no surprise. This city loves film–long or short. ShortFest and Palm Springs were simply meant to be. Cut to 2019 and it’s this same spirit that allows the festival to grow and cement itself in the festival circuit. It’s this spirit that allows us to do this year after year, to have a week right in the middle of cozy (i.e., hot) June where strangers come together in dark theaters to watch and celebrate short film. For our 25th edition, we really wanted to celebrate, and not just at our parties like we usually do. We have more films in the lineup (a whopping 369 shorts), which means we have more programs, including seven screenings to kick off Opening Day. We have also added juries – from six juries last year to 11 this year – including the inaugural Local Jury made up of residents from across the Valley. We’ve also partnered with Acme House Company for the Artists in Residence program. Acme has provided housing and stipends to 11 filmmakers (both in the Official Selection and in the Market) attending the festival. In the Forum – the classroom component of ShortFest where we hold panels, classes and interactive industry events – this year we are adding a free public day of events on June 18 aimed at local residents and filmmakers alike with the support from our friends and partners at the University of California Riverside. Free and open to all ages, I highly encourage you all to come (more on Public and Filmmaker Forums on p. 13). Last but certainly not least, at the Riviera, we’ll be including our first art installation created by Joseph Cole, a love letter to older media (p. 11), and for attending filmmakers and industry, we’ve added The Dark Room, a private screening room where we’ll be showing more curated programs, including Live Commentary presentations with Vimeo (p. 11). So much to do! None of this is possible without a dedicated staff led by Rhea Lewis-Woodson and Laurent Tuzauer, our Programming and Screening teams, Harold Matzner and our Board of Directors, our Development team led by Kristin Bloomer, our generous sponsors and, of course, our amazing local audiences. Thank you to all so much for being a part of ShortFest today and for the last 24 editions. Let’s watch some movies!
Liliana Rodriguez
8 Palm Springs International ShortFest | 2019
PROGRAMMING TEAM + STAFF Sudeep Sharma
Laura Henneman
Senior Programmer
Sudeep Sharma is a film programmer currently working at Palm Springs International ShortFest, Sundance, Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles, Aspen ShortsFest and Tribeca. He has held other programming positions including Director of Public Programming for AMPAS. He has a Ph.D. in Cinema and Media Studies from UCLA and currently teaches at CSU-Long Beach.
Laura Henneman is the Manager of Creative Producing and Artist Support at the Sundance Institute. She has worked with film festivals for nearly 15 years, focusing in recent years on programming with the Mill Valley Film Festival and the Palm Springs International Film Festival. This is her fifth season programming for ShortFest.
Jessica Eskelin
Programmer & Programming Coordinator This is Linton’s fourth year serving as both a programmer and programming coordinator at ShortFest. He has worked in a variety of roles in the arts, with previous stints at Cunningham Dance Foundation, Salzburg Experimental Academy of Dance, Laguna Art Museum and the Palm Springs International Film Festival.
Céline Roustan
Clay Pruitt
Programming Coordinator & Jury Coordinator Jessica Eskelin attended her first film festival in January 2017 and has never looked back. She worked as the Programming Intern and Programming Assistant before assuming her current role as the year-round Programming Coordinator for both PSIFF and ShortFest. Outside of film, Jessica loves watching Jeopardy with her dad.
Linton Melita
Senior Programmer
Programmer
Programmer & Forum Producer Clay Pruitt, a Colorado native (woot!), has worked with many organizations including the Sundance Institute, WME, Outfest, AFM, and Film Independent’s Global Media Makers. As a writer/producer, his credits include United Skates (on HBO) and I’m Fine (on Dekkoo). He is currently the Head of Programming at Seed&Spark.
After providing programming support in 2018, Céline is back at ShortFest for the 25th edition as a programmer. Her passion for short films led her to joining the Short of the Week team in 2017. She has also screened for SXSW, TIFF, Inside Out and Outfest. She takes immense pride in, still, having never lost a sock, ever.
SCREENING TEAM: Alexis Rocha, Ana Maria Jennings, Ana Souza, Anesu Masundire, Angelina Quirante, Arturo Levin, Avi Rodriguez, Bailee Ellenz, Bill Stapleton, Brianna Loughridge, Cayden Nelson, Clara Sanders, Corey Lubak, Dominique Oneil, Dominique Wulfekuhle, Donna Lawton, Ebony Bell, Ed Thayer, Elaine Kelfer, Fiona Buzzard, Greta Jursch, Holly Copeland, Jacob Caplan, Jesse Knight, Joan Matthias, John Wintemute, Judith Wajsgrus, Julia Ehler, Kane Ishiyama, Kelanie Aragon, Ken Lin, Laura Hein, Leo Ramos, Luc Agosta, Margo Handelsman, Nancy Downer, Norman Johnston, Pedro Saltipar, Peter Riccolo, Phil Segal, Renae Farias, Ritesh Mehta, Robert Lehman, Robert Torres, Suzanne Hogsett, Whitney Baez, Zac Carmona
Liliana Rodriguez, Artistic Director Rhea A. Lewis-Woodson, Managing Director PROGRAMMING Sudeep Sharma, Senior Programmer Laura Henneman, Senior Programmer Linton Melita, Programmer | Programming Coordinator Celine Roustan, Programmer Clay Pruitt, Forum Producer | Programmer Jessica Eskelin, Programming Coordinator | Jury Coordinator Brenda Barniga, Forum Coordinator Angelina Quirante, Programming Intern Phillip Segal, Programming Intern DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING Kristin Bloomer, Sponsorship & Development Manager Zack Solomon, Membership & Education Manager Israel Wilder, Marketing & Publicity Manager Nadine Koehler, Development Associate Tiffany Carter, Social Media Coordinator Molly Standley, Film Society Coordinator Alaina Trofler, Marketing Intern Michael Granados, Marketing Intern
FESTIVAL ADMINISTRATION
THEATER OPERATIONS
Lauren Tutzauer, Operations Manager Kimberly Date, Office Coordinator Felicia Alford, Accountant Rita Huber-Germscheid, Accounting Assistant Ruby Flores, Production Coordinator Edward Thayer, Video Library Manager Jim Gazan, Volunteer Coordinator Keana Goldsmith, Production Intern Stephanie Pineda, Production Intern
Jeremy Proctor, Technical Manager Joseph Cole, Venue Manager Kaitlyn Ryan, Venue Manager Brian Morataya, Projectionist William MacDonald, Projectionist
GUEST RELATIONS Scarlett Wilmsen, Guest Relations Manager Christina Sasse, Industry Liaison Alyssa Davis, Guest Relations Assistant Debbie Wright, Lounge Coordinator Whitney Kyles, Shuttle Coordinator Sarah Scheideman, Special Events Manager Gina Milanovich, Guest Relations Intern
BOX OFFICE Peter East, Credentials Manager Dennis Pence, Credentials Assistant Paul Kay, Credentials Assistant Deshun Leary, Lead Box Office Supervisor Alex Paz, Box Office Supervisor Joey Woodson, Box Office Supervisor CREATIVE Maya Kalabic, Designer Omar López, Production Artist Nick Cox | Kendall Productions, Video Producer Russell Ryan, Renae Farias, Creative Interns Nathan Cox, Photographer Esmé Ryan, Editor #shortfest19 | PSFILMFEST.ORG 9
FESTIVAL HUB AT THE RIVIERA FILMMAKER + INDUSTRY LOUNGE*
VIDEO LIBRARY*
SHORTSHOTS!
Mix and mingle with fellow filmmakers and industry guests at this casual hangout spot. It’s where you can find snacks, refreshments, and a happy hour from 5pm-7pm most days.
Missed a film on the big screen? Come talk with Ed at the Video Library! A private room with secure screening stations, the Video Library includes 5,000+ short films submitted to ShortFest available for viewing to accredited industry representatives and filmmakers.
In a unique interview series called ShortShots, the ShortFest team brings fun and enlightening conversations with filmmakers to your phone, tablet or personal computer. Look out for them on Youtube and our social media!
Located in the Filmmaker Lounge, the Marketplace offers designated table exhibition space to production, streaming, rental companies, talent agents, distributors and other shortform interested parties who can advertise, promote and interact face-to-face with filmmakers and industry players.
TUE – SAT SUN
9am – 7pm 9am – 5pm
Filmmakers – sign up for your slot in the Filmmaker + Industry Lounge!
*Filmmaker/Market/Industry badges required for entry TUE - SAT SUN MON
9am-7pm 9am-6pm 9am-12pm
Marketplace Booths FRI – SAT 10am – 7pm *Filmmaker/Market/Chairman badges required for entry
WE LOVE OUR
VOLUNTEERS!
thank you! 10 Palm Springs International ShortFest | 2019
THANK YOU TO OUR PATRONS! Michael and Barbara Beyer Dominique Wulfekuhle and Brian Cleary Clara DiFelice Leo Milmet Sarah Milmet Linda Shirvanian Scott Strassner
FESTIVAL HUB AT THE RIVIERA THE DARK ROOM* An intimate pop-up screening room featuring curated programs – including Vimeo Staff Picks with live Filmmaker Commentary – and repeat screenings of shorts from the Official Selection. Jump up on a couch or grab a cushion on the floor for a casual screening experience! *Filmmakers and industry badges only
VIMEO STAFF PICKS WITH LIVE DIRECTOR’S COMMENTARY A person talking during a film can be the most annoying thing imaginable – unless that person is the director. Join Vimeo curator Ina Pira as she screens work from staff picked Palm Springs ShortFest filmmakers with live, unscripted commentary. Founded in 2008, Vimeo Staff Picks has emerged as one of the preeminent channels for online video and one of the most coveted awards for young filmmakers, having helped launch the careers of many celebrated directors. Hear from the next generation of storytellers in a format that’s sure to be eclectic and insightful. The entire program will screen once, then a second time with commentary by the directors. Runtime: 90-100 min
JUXTAPOSITRON, (2018) TO SHORTFEST SELF PARKING
AWARDS BRUNCH
RIVIERA CONFERENCE CENTER
SHORTSHOTS TO HOTEL & POOL
SHUTTLE STOP
ShortFest is pleased to feature an installation by artist and friend of the festival Joseph Cole, located next to the Filmmaker Lounge at the Riviera Hotel. The installation is on view from June 18-22 and open to the public.
FILMMAKER & INDUSTRY LOUNGE
PARKING BEHIND HOTEL
REGISTRATION PRESS DESK PASS PICK-UP
FORUM: PANELS, ROUNDTABLES, ETC.
MARKETPLACE
Friday & Saturday JUXTAPOSITRON
(Thursday-Saturday)
Artist Joseph Cole CRTs, Video displays, video clips, VHS, various mixed media. Explores the relationships of physical media to memory and recursive nostalgia. #shortfest19 | PSFILMFEST.ORG 11
SCHEDULE 10:00AM
11:00AM
12:00PM
1:00PM
2:00PM
3:00PM
4:00PM
Sibling Stories 12:30 pm | 88min
18
6:00PM
Communication Breakdowns 3:00 pm | 94min
Friends Like These 12:00 pm | 93min
TUE
5:00PM
7:00PM
8:00PM
10:00PM
Opening Night Ceremony + Screening
AD 2019 3:30 pm | 96min
6:30 pm | 91min
More Than Meets the Eye 4:00 pm | 87min
Outsiders & Underdogs 1:00 pm | 88min
9:00PM
Opening Night Party @ PS Air Museum 8:30 pm | 120 min
Public Forum @ Riviera (FREE)
WED 19
Same Planet, Different Worlds 10:00 am | 109min
Far from Home 12:45 pm | 101min
Around the World 10:30 am | 90min
Coupling & Uncoupling 1:15 pm | 103min
Face the Music 11:00 am | 102min For the Win 10:00 am | 96min
Roundtable: Curators & Programmers @ Riviera 10:30 am | 60min *Filmmaker/Market Badge ONLY
FRI
The Best Years of Our Lives 10:30 am | 91min
Roundtable: Agents, Managers & Acquisitions @ Riviera 10:30 am | 60min *Filmmaker/Market Badge ONLY
Brief Encounters 10:00 am | 110min
SAT
Roundtable: Labs & Grants @ Riviera 10:00 am | 60min *Filmmaker/Market Badge ONLY
23
MON 24
Talk of the Town 12:45 pm | 90min
Awards Brunch @ Riviera 10:00 am | 120min *Filmmaker/Market/ Industry/Chairman Badges ONLY
Best of Fest 1 10:00 am | 90min
12 Palm Springs International ShortFest | 2019
Class: How to Ruin a Film in 10 Ways @ Riviera 1:15 pm | 60min *Filmmaker/Market Badge ONLY
Departures 3:15 pm | 99min
A Family Affair 8:00 pm | 106min
Panel: Festivals, Audience & Awards Strategy @ Riviera 2:45 pm | 60min
On the Road 6:00 pm | 92min
Thrills & Chills II: It Won't Die 8:00 pm | 104min
Man Up 5:00 pm | 99min Panel: Meet the Programmers @ Riviera 4:00 pm | 60min
Living In Color @ Ace Hotel 10:00 pm | 90 min
Closing Night Ceremony + Screening
We Are the Champions 1:30 pm | 96min
6:30 pm | 90min Closing Night @ Hilton Hotel 8:30 pm | 120 min
Through Thick and Thin 2:00 pm | 89min Best of Fest 3 2:00 pm | 90min
Secrets & Lies 8:30 pm | 104min And Now for Somethhing Completely Different 7:30 pm | 90min
Wild at Heart 4:30 pm | 95min
The Kids Are Alright 1:00 pm | 107min
Best of Fest 2 12:00 pm | 90min
Uncomplicated Kararaoke @ Saguaro 10:00 pm | 90 min
Panel: Labs & Grants & How to Get Them @ Riviera 3:30 pm | 60min
G’day! 2:15 pm | 85min
Interactive: Speed Pitching @ Riviera 11:30 am | 75min *Filmmaker/Market Badge ONLY
Thrills & Chills 7:30 pm | 102min
Sundrenched 5:00 pm | 90min
Desperate Measures 1:45 pm | 94min
Crossroads 11:00 am | 95min
22
SUN
Class: How to Pitch Like a Pro @ Riviera 2:00 pm | 60min *Filmmaker/Market Badge ONLY
Parables, Fantasies... 8:30 pm | 105min
Getting It On 4:30 pm | 97min
Cast Adrift 2:00 pm | 99min
Shorties! 10:30 am | 86min (FREE)
Welcome to the Neighborhood 6:00 pm | 90min
An Apple a Day 3:30 pm | 88min
The Things We Do for Love 1:30 pm | 103min
Interactive: Speed Pitching @ Riviera 12:00 pm | 75min *Filmmaker/Market Badge ONLY
Public Spaces, Private Lives 8:00 pm | 89min
Panel: The Indie Episodic Landscape @ Riviera 3:30 pm | 60min
Class: How to Pitch Like a Pro @ Riviera 2:00 pm | 60min *Filmmaker/Market Badge ONLY
The History of Us 11:00 am | 93min
21
Freaks, Geeks & Creeps 7:30 pm | 94min
Home Is Where the Heart Is 5:00 pm | 104min
The Moments That Define Us 12:45 pm | 99min
The Life Cycle 10:00 am | 102min
Gay!La Party - The Glow Up @ Toucan's 9:30 pm | 90 min
Gay!La: Let's Have a Kiki 7:00 pm | 105min
Anthropocene 4:30 pm | 94min
This American Life 2:00 pm | 98min
Interactive: You've Got Production Questions, We've Got Answers! @ Riviera 12:00 pm | 75min *Filmmaker/Market Badge ONLY
A World Imagined 7:30 pm | 109min
Gay!La: Everything Under the Rainbow 4:00 pm | 102min
Growing Pains 1:30 pm | 94min
Cha Ching! @ Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs 10:00 pm | 120 min
Awkward...! 7:00 pm | 83min
Alone Together 4:45 pm | 96min
My Way 1:00 pm | 105min
Parental Control 11:00 am | 97min
20
WHAT. THE. F**K. 8:30 pm | 88min
Girls On Top 6:00 pm | 92min
On the Job 4:15 pm | 91min
Higher Ground 1:45 pm | 100min
It Takes Two 10:30 am | 96min
THU
All in the Family 3:15 pm | 96min
Best of Fest 4 4:00 pm | 90min
Best of Fest 5 6:00 pm | 90min
Best of Fest 6 8:00 pm | 90min
FORUM Tuesday, June 18th Public Forum in partnership with University of California Riverside A behind-the-scenes look at the current state of how films are being made with presentations by ShortFest Alumni filmmakers, prominent industry crafts professionals, and film critics & educators. FREE and open to the public!
Check the website for details! psfilmfest.org
Three days of roundtables, interactive events, panels, classes and pitching opportunities covering emerging trends led by leading producers, curators, creative execs, agents, press and more industry professionals. Passes *Open to Filmmaker and Market passes only **Open to all passholders Tickets Individual tickets are available for purchase Thursday, June 20th 10:30AM - 11:30AM Roundtable: The Market for Short Form: Curators & Programmers Whoever said that short form was just a stepping stone to long form is just wrong! Talk with a wide range of curators, programmers and platform execs about the many opportunities that exist for short form content. 12PM - 1:15PM Interactive: You’ve Got Production Questions, We’ve Got Answers! These one-on-one sessions will have producers, financiers, distributors, crowdfunding specialists, editors, union reps, casting directors, line producers and more all answering your questions about all things production from pre to post. After 10 minutes it’s musical chairs, so be ready with questions in hand. 2PM - 3PM Class: How to Pitch Like a Pro #1 We know you have another idea or script you’re ready to pitch – feature, episodic, VR or short form, all are welcome! Our industry guests will show you the ropes to a successful pitch, and share stories on the dos and don’ts. They will share some insights and then workshop some of your pitches.
3:30PM - 4:30PM Panel: The Indie Episodic Landscape: Triumphs, Trials & Trends ** Executives and indie creators discuss the current landscape for indie episodic projects. With more content than ever being produced for the small screen, there are opportunities for both established auteurs and fresh voices. In these ever-changing times in entertainment, how can you break into the episodic medium? Friday, June 21st 10:30AM - 11:30AM Roundtable: Big Business: Agents, Managers & Acquisitions Come hear directly from the dealmakers’ mouths. Agents, managers and acquisitions execs discuss the current and future state of the business of filmmaking: from buying and selling, packaging a project, finding representation that works for you, and how to set up a project for distribution success before it’s even made. Be ready to listen and ask your burning questions. 12PM - 1:15PM Interactive: Speed Pitching #1 It’s time to test out those pro pitching skills! Our diverse group of industry professionals – agents, studio executives, financiers, producers and filmmakers – are ready to meet with you one-on-one. You pitch. They respond. Make sure you leave some time for valuable feedback. After 10 minutes it’s musical chairs. 2PM - 3PM Class: How to Pitch Like a Pro #2 We know you have another idea or script you’re ready to pitch – feature, episodic, VR or short form, all are welcome! Our industry guests will show you the ropes to a successful pitch, and share stories on the dos and don’ts. They will share some insights and then workshop some of your pitches. 3:30PM - 4:30PM Panel: Best Foot Forward: Labs & Grants & How to Get Them ** You’ve made your calling card short film, now you’re ready to take things to the next level with funding your next project and/or participating in artist development labs. Hear directly from the source about what to expect from a lab experience and the dos and don’ts of the application process for labs and grants. Saturday, June 22nd 10AM - 11AM Roundtable: Meet & Greet: Labs & Grants A follow-up to Friday’s panel, this is a chance to connect directly with the organizations offering artist development lab programs and/or grants. Our industry guests will lay out their opportunities and have an open discussion with you about what might make sense for your next project and the career you’re working to build.
11:30AM - 12:45PM Interactive: Speed Pitching #2 It’s time to test out those pro pitching skills! Our diverse group of industry professionals – agents, studio executives, financiers, producers and filmmakers – are ready to meet with you one-on-one. You pitch. They respond. Make sure you leave some time for valuable feedback. After 10 minutes it’s musical chairs. *Note: You will need to have attended the How to Pitch Like a Pro #1 or #2 on Thursday or Friday to participate in this session. 1:15PM - 2:15PM Class: How to Ruin a Film in 10 Ways Unnecessary violence or nudity, shooting with the first draft of your script, deciding the crew can feed themselves – whether it’s a writing trope or a mistake during production, we’re all aware of the things that can ruin a film. These industry professionals drill down on the things you should avoid with your future projects before addressing specific challenges you’re facing as a filmmaker. 2:45PM - 3:45PM Panel: Building Momentum: Festivals, Audience & Awards Strategy ** Learn the ropes of audience building and awards strategy with your most recent short film or for your future projects. What choices and opportunities might present themselves and where? How can filmmakers best capitalize on these? Planning for the release of your film is imperative for the best return on these opportunities. Our panelists will discuss steps for releasing your film from planning to distribution! 4PM - 5PM Panel: Meet the Programmers ** Let’s take a quick trip to top festivals and meet their programmers. Our panelists will provide candid insights into the programming process, deciding which festivals are best for your project, and making sure you make the most of your festival experience.
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AWARDS AND JURY
Best of the Festival Award $5,000, courtesy of the Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau; Awarded by the International Jury to a student or non-student short which, do we dare say it again, is the best of the festival. The winner of this award may be eligible to submit their short to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for Oscar® consideration.
Best Live-Action Short Over 15 Minutes $2,000, awarded by the International Jury. The winner of this award may be eligible to submit their short to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for Oscar® consideration.
Future Filmmaker Award $1,000, awarded by the ShortFest programmers. Honors a non-student filmmaker whose work demonstrates that they are poised to take a significant next step in their career.
Best Live-Action Short 15 Minutes and Under $2,000, awarded by the International Jury. The winner of this award may be eligible to submit their short to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for Oscar® consideration.
Best Emerging Student Filmmaker Award $1,000, awarded by the ShortFest programmers. Honors a student filmmaker whose work and vision point to a bright, prospective career in cinema.
Best Documentary Short $2,000, awarded by the Documentary Jury. The winner of this award may be eligible to submit their short to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for Oscar® consideration.
Local Jury Award $250, awarded by the Local Jury to a short that, in the spirit of neighborliness, promotes understanding and acceptance between people.
Vimeo Staff Pick Award Selected by Vimeo curators; Shorts featured in competition are eligible for the Vimeo Staff Pick Award, which includes a $2,500 cash prize and, of course, a Vimeo Staff Pick.
Best International Short $2,000, awarded by the International Jury to the best student or non-student short produced outside of North America.
Bridging the Borders Award $2,500, courtesy of Go Energistics; awarded by Cinema Without Borders to a film that is most successful in bridging and connecting the people of our world closer together.
Best North American Short $1,000, awarded by the International Jury to the best student or non-student short produced in North America.
Best Student Animated Short $500, awarded by the Animation Jury
Best U.S. Short Camera Package courtesy of Panavision, valued at $60,000; Awarded by the International Jury to the best student or nonstudent short produced in the U.S. Best Animated Short $2,000, awarded by the Animation Jury. The winner of this award may be eligible to submit their short to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for Oscar® consideration.
Best Student Live-Action Short Over 15 Minutes $500, awarded by the Student Jury Best Student Live-Action Short 15 Minutes and Under $500, awarded by the Student Jury Best Student Documentary Short $500, awarded by the Documentary Jury
Youth Jury Awards Awarded by ShortFest youth juries composed of local students interested in cinema and the arts. The Kids’ Choice jury is composed of students aged 8-13 and the Young Cineastes jury is composed of students aged 14-17. Kids’ Choice $250 | Young Cineastes $250 AUDIENCE AWARDS Best Animated Short $250, awarded to a student or non-student short which scored the highest on ballots submitted by the audience. Best Documentary Short $250, awarded to a student or non-student short which scored the highest on ballots submitted by the audience. Best Live-Action Short $250, awarded to a student or non-student short which scored the highest on ballots submitted by the audience. Best Student Short $250, awarded to a student short which scored the highest on ballots submitted by the audience.
CHECK THE WEBSITE FOR LIST OF JURORS! psfilmfest.org 14 Palm Springs International ShortFest | 2019
PROGRAMS
Cocoa Fondue Show p.30 Friends Like These, Tuesday, June 18, 12:00pm, 93 mins. Can’t live with `em, can’t live without `em. The best of intentions, philosophical arguments, and more than a little irreverence lace these stories of love and loss in the sphere of friendship. Artem Silendi (France, Frank Ychou) Sisters can be sinners... just like the rest of us. I’m Dead (UK, Dan Sully) Minutes before leaving for his bachelor party, Joe discovers his nextdoor neighbor dead and himself at risk of being framed for her murder. But is there more to his predicament than meets the eye? The Last Supper (UK, Alicia MacDonald) An irreverent take on The Last Supper, from sketch comedy duo Mid-Brow. Little Grey Bubbles (Canada, Charles Wahl) Devastated by her best friend’s death, Kim travels from NYC to Canada to attend his funeral. Meeting his family and friends for the first time, awkwardness ensues as she tries to explain how she never actually met him in person. The Little Mermaid (France, Manon Amacouty) After graduating, three childhood friends pay a service that offers to resurrect their friend who died three years before. On Friendship (Spain, Pablo García Canga) An intense intellectual friendship between two young men becomes even more charged when a woman joins their partnership. It was a long time ago, but one of them still remembers. A film about democracy, memory, love and friendship.
About Bintou p.19 Farewell (Israel, Vitali Agronov) Eighteen-year-old Haim’s carefree adolescence is interrupted after his mother brings his terminally ill older brother home from the hospital. Nefertiti (USA, Valerie Schenkman) Despite being blind and uniquely vulnerable, Nefertiti is determined to follow her desires and live her life on her own terms, with or without the help of her sister. Nefta Football Club (France, Yves Piat) In the south of Tunisia, two soccer-fan brothers bump into a donkey lost in the middle of the desert on the border of Algeria. Strangely, the animal wears headphones over its ears. Our Father’s Cabin (Norway, Jon Olav Stokke) When past merges with the present, two halfbrothers return to a familiar place to complete unfinished business and get a last chance to say goodbye. Outsiders & Underdogs, Tuesday, June 18, 1:00pm, 88 mins. These are the black sheep, the maltreated, the odd ones out, the ones marching to the beats of their own drums. They may be destined to fail but sometimes they beat the odds. No matter what, we’re still rooting for them! Alma (Colombia, Santiago León Cuéllar) A lonely and insecure teenager, facing changes in her body and an attraction to a boy in her class, is forced to confront her fears and to accept herself as she is.
Sibling Stories, Tuesday, June 18, 12:30pm, 88 mins.
Coda (USA, Zoe Jarman) During a bachelorette weekend at a cabin in the woods, Wendy is forced to confront the one-sided relationship with her best friend Kristin.
With life’s myriad challenges, the bond that exists between siblings can at times comfort in ways no others can... or exacerbate the conflict even further.
The Fisherwoman (Dominican Republic, Lorena Durán Jiménez) A group of female villagers in the Dominican Republic must defend their newly built fish farm.
The Afghanistans (Romania, Adrian Silisteanu) Two brothers have opened a small business on land leased from the state. When the authorities ask for early termination of the contract, it sparks a conflict between the two, bringing to light truths they had never dared to say out loud.
Hi, This Is Heather (USA, Steven Stauffer) Weary of constantly sending others off on exotic vacations, a lonely work-from-home travel agent finally reaches her breaking point.
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PROGRAMS Dziadzio (Canada, Aaron Ries) As the summer days grow longer, 22-year-old Stefania — who lives with her aging Polish grandfather in the suburbs of Toronto — begins to spiral into fantasy in this unpredictable and darkly comedic drama about intergenerational disconnect and malaise. Fun Factory (Norway, Lisa Brooke Hansen/Even Hafnor) On a Saturday afternoon at a Norwegian playland, a couple witnesses an argument between two mothers and the playland manager. The couple are wondering if they should intervene, but the situation soon triggers underlying issues of their own. It’s Your Call (USA, Jacquie Phillips) Ava and Peter work at their long-distance relationship through phone calls, texts, Skype, Facetime and social media, only to find that staying connected may not be what they really need. Nest Egg (USA, Henry Loevner) When a lonely young mother tries to become a gestational surrogate to a couple from China, her insecure husband attempts to thwart her plans. Nobody Likes You as Much as I Do (France, Jerzy Rose) An American couple worries about the safety of a Parisian girl following a night of drinking.
Acid Rain p.40 The Last Romantic (Mexico, Natalia Garcia Agraz) Nerdy Hector is the best worker at the bowling alley and is next in line for a big promotion. If only he could also have lovely Magda’s heart as well... Now You Know (USA, Molly Gillis) An uninhibited 10-year-old girl faces the fallout of not being properly “ladylike” at her strict Catholic school. Communication Breakdowns, Tuesday, June 18, 3:00pm, 94 mins. Funny, bittersweet and truthful, these are modern stories of misunderstandings, mix ups, language barriers and things left unsaid. It’s a wonder we can communicate at all.
You Focus On The Shot
No Ill Will (Denmark, Andrias Høgenni) An unexpected run-in between former close friends prompts an uncomfortable confrontation about what friendship means in the social media age. A timely and relatable exploration of our on- and offline obligations to those we care about. AD 2019, Tuesday, June 18, 3:30pm, 96 mins. Instagram, Brexit, selfie-sticks, swatting, gluten-free diets: terms that didn’t exist a few short years ago now undeniably influence our lives. Ranging from parody to deadly serious, this program examines the ups and downs of technology, politics and how we do and don’t understand each other in this particular moment in time. Capital (UK, Freddy Syborn) When a referendum on capital punishment comes back 50.9% in favor of hanging, a group of inept junior civil servants meet on the first day of their new job in the Department of Capital Punishment. It’s up to them to give the British people back control... by bringing back hanging. Green (USA, Suzanne Andrews Correa) An undocumented Turkish pedicab driver unwittingly
We’ll Focus On The Rest
Congratulations To The Filmmakers 16 Palm Springs International ShortFest | 2019
PROGRAMS draws police attention, endangering his brother, his community and himself. The Opposites Games (USA, Anna Samo, Lisa LaBracio) A classroom erupts into a war of words as students grapple with a seemingly simple prompt: what is the opposite of a gun? Selfies (Switzerland, Claudius Gentinetta) In a veritable firework display of digital selfportraits, hundreds of quaint, embarrassing and dreadfully disturbing selfies were arranged and artistically reworked to form a ghastly grin that outshines the abyss of human existence. Swatted (France, Ismaël Joffroy Chandoutis) Online players describe their struggles with “swatting,” a life-threatening cyber-harassment phenomenon that looms over them whenever they play. The events take shape through YouTube videos and wire-frame images from a video game. Swiped (UK, Steve Whiteley) Alarmed by the detrimental effect smart phones are having on those around them, three friends launch a rogue initiative intended to force people to be more present. Third Look (Israel, Efrat Rasner Shefa) A young woman, traveling by bus in Israel, is suddenly forced to navigate her way through confusion, guilt, relief, compassion and alarm when someone sits down next to her. Trump Bites: “I Alone Can Fix It!” (USA, Bill Plympton/Billy Shebar/David C. Roberts) One episode in a series of short animated fantasies based on actual Trump audio clips, handdrawn by Academy Award® nominee Bill Plympton. Upload to Story (Sweden, Emma Pål Brunzell) Two broke friends decide to dupe an unsuspecting drunk and take his cash. But when one comes to understand their mark’s situation she gets cold feet. A piercing look at selfishness and perception in the social media age. More Than Meets the Eye, Tuesday, June 18, 4:00pm 87 mins. Sometimes the most shocking things are hiding in plain sight. Nowhere more so than in this collection of films that reward paying close attention. Brain Jail (USA, Carleton Ranney) A chance encounter with a mysterious stranger forces a young woman to question her reality.
Dunya’s Day p.26 Chaos (Germany, Samuel Auer) What are one jogger, one hobo and two pigs doing in a forest? Try not to blink as this one-shot wonder’s mystery is revealed. Dissect (Iran, Siavash Shahabi) As the police arrive to investigate the sudden death of a boy in his classroom, a teacher must reckon with the reputation he holds in the minds of his students and colleagues. Jaeborn By Numbers (Canada, Roger Gariépy) A triptych consisting of three paint-bynumber tableaux is auctioned for $14 million at Christie’s. Signed by top-selling artist Matt Jaeborn as a child, the art market is apparently blind to the obvious. Seeds of Deceit (Netherlands, Miriam Guttmann) In a shocking breach of trust and ethics,
BEST SUPPORTING ROLE Congratulations to the Palm Springs International ShortFest for celebrating 25 years.
GPSFILMOASIS.COM
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OPENING NIGHT + PROGRAMS rescue workers of the region are ready for their new mission. Despite their professionalism and their determination, nothing seems to go as planned... Men of Vision (USA, Frank Todaro) At the turn of the 20th century, swaggering inventor Hubert Moss is in the midst of a dry spell that threatens to ruin him. Could the young acolyte who shows up at his door be his salvation? The Name of the Son (France, Louis Delva) Tina and Fred, a couple in their fifties, are desperate in their search for a boy’s name. But for whom? And why? Nefta Football Club (France, Yves Piat) In the south of Tunisia, two soccer-fan brothers bump into a donkey lost in the middle of the desert on the border of Algeria. Strangely, the animal wears headphones over its ears. Same Planet, Different Worlds Wednesday, June 19, 10:00am, 109 mins. In the melting pot of the modern world we brush up against real and imagined divides every day. These stories exist along those boundary lines, challenging us to see the humanity on both sides.
Eva Sola p.30 famed Dutch fertility doctor Jan Karbaat inseminated dozens of unsuspecting patients with his own sperm. Seeds of Deceit considers the resulting anger, sadness and curiosity through the testimony of two mothers and their children. Opening Night, Tuesday, June 18, 6:30 pm, 91 mins. Join us for an evening of celebration and good-natured short films as we officially kick off our 25th anniversary year in style! Artem Silendi (France, Frank Ychou) Sisters can be sinners... just like the rest of us. Hors piste (France, Léo Brunel/Loris Cavalier/Camille Jalabert/Oscar Malet) The two best
* ACQ UA R A N C H O M I R AG E .CO M
The Fight (UK, Georgi Banks-Davies) Inspired by a true story, two men, who live in the same city but experience vastly different struggles, are drawn into a fight. Intercontinental (Switzerland, Louis Hans-Moevi) Sarjo is an anonymous worker at a luxury hotel high in the mountains. When he is fired, amid the laundry machines, he decides to take on a new identity and roam the corridors and grounds reserved for guests. Licorice (USA, Gautam Chopra) After getting into a car accident, a teenage girl finds herself in an unfamiliar neighborhood and in need of help.
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18 Palm Springs International ShortFest | 2019
Bodega (USA, Rebecca Halfon) A Syrian bodega owner and two teen girls with a fake ID find common ground on one winter night in Brooklyn.
award-winning
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Ashmina (UK, Dekel Berenson) Ashmina, a young Nepalese girl, works packaging the chutes of paragliding foreign tourists after they land. A larger than usual tip leads her to question fundamental aspects of her life.
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PROGRAMS Mind My Mind (Netherlands, Floor Adams) When relying on social scripts to survive the social world, it’s not easy to go off-script. Especially if you’re obsessed with German dive bombers and just want to date a girl. Around the World, Wednesday, June 19, 10:30am, 90 mins. From the Peruvian highlands to the streets of Guangzhou, these nonfiction shorts highlight the unique experiences and motivations of a diverse selection of people from all over the world. About Bintou (UK, Dezhou Li) A young Malian student in Guangzhou reflects on the challenges of living abroad as an African, Muslim woman. At Her Fingertips (Peru, Erica Nguyen) In the Peruvian highlands, the women artisans behind the hat-making tradition in the small pueblo of Celendín seek equity for the future of their craft as it becomes increasingly threatened by market forces. Brother, Move On (Switzerland, Antshi von Moos) A taxi service “for women by women” offers a small step towards gender equality in Delhi. Edgecombe (USA, Crystal Kayiza) Edgecombe County is a predominantly African American agricultural community in the eastern region of North Carolina. Through a small window of time and space and the stories of three of its residents, we are presented the numerous ways black folks overcome across generations. Inferno (Australia, Patrick Fileti) An explosive portrait of the lives of artisans and their families in the lead up to the festival of San Juan de Dios, when blazing revelry engulfs the town of Tultepec, Mexico, famous for its pyrotechnics industry. Mountain (Belgium, Grégoire Verbeke) Two goatherds in northern Albania mark the arrival of spring by guiding their flock from the lowlands up the towering mountainsides. Face the Music, Wednesday, June 19, 11:00am, 102 mins. A cinematic mixtape of musicians, their instruments and the performances that can either save lives or destroy them.
Excess Will Save Us p.39 Alien Culture (UK, Iesh Thapar) West London, 1979. Racial tensions are running high. Lucky thinks his brother is in trouble, but the truth is far from what he expects. Beautiful Loser (France, Maxime Roy) Michel is an ex-punk. He hangs with his teenage son while simultaneously trying to look after the baby he just had with Hélène, his new wife, who recently left him. Needless to say, his years of drugs and alcohol haven’t left him unscathed. The Culture (Norway, Ernst De Geer) It’s the opening night at the concert house where Arvid works. When his sister steals the spotlight and a resulting confrontation with an important man builds, Arvid’s worst side is revealed. La Espiga (Mexico, Cameron G. Quevedo) Master musicians and luthiers Tacho Utrera and
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PROGRAMS defined by the movement of people, sometimes voluntarily and for love, sometimes through desperation or coercion, across borders and different worlds. American Refugee (USA, Ron Najor) An artist from Iraq must flee his country after the 2003 American led-invasion to try and start a new life in the U.S. Backwards (Israel, Dana Gelman) In Tel Aviv, a ceremony takes place every day with hundreds of foreign citizens waiting to enter the immigration office and their gateway to a better life. Only a few will enter. The rest will be forced to spend another frustrating night outside. Bear With Me (Netherlands, Daphna Awadish) A short animated documentary on immigrants who left their home and crossed borders for love. Family (Belgium, Catherine Cosme) Lisa gives refuge to a Somalian family, while they are waiting for notification about their continuing status in the country. Miscommunications and cultural differences lead to an increase in doubt and anxiety, and with good reason. Marco (UK, Saleem Haddad) When a banker invites a male sex worker to his apartment in London, he finds himself coming face to face with both his own past, and one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises.
Floating p.36 Isidro Nieves make an espiga, a traditional guitar pick used in the Mexican son jarocho genre. Nowhere Bastards (Mexico, Mario González Jiménez) In a small town in Mexico, three local hip hop artists find refuge from adversity in their music, representing the voices of their community in their lyrics. Sousaphone (USA, Flo Linus Baumann) A retiree’s instrument inexplicably goes mute in the days leading up to a long-awaited performance. Far from Home, Wednesday, June 19, 12:45pm, 101 mins. As refugees or as workers, millions travel to distant lands. Poignant films for a world
* L U L U PA L M S P R I N G S . C O M
Coupling & Uncoupling, Wednesday, June 19, 1:15pm, 103 mins. Stories of coming together, breaking apart or finding each other again due to communication issues triggered by usual and unusual catalysts. #Superinlove (Spain, Curro Bernabéu) A young couple is celebrating their “monthiversary” with a romantic dinner but things start to take an awkward turn when the subject of social media comes up. After You Left (USA, April Maxey) Andrea, unable to move on from her past relationship, must meet up with her ex-girlfriend, Alex, who is bringing Andrea the last few items from
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20 Palm Springs International ShortFest | 2019
Sebastian (USA, Sam Fragoso) An emigrating father writes home to his son.
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Naptha (UK, Moin Hussain) Faraz lives and works in a gas station with his aging father Malik, whose increasingly bizarre behavior is causing them to drift apart.
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PROGRAMS their prior life together. Deadman’s Reach (UK, Quentin Vien) After falling asleep on the London Underground, a broken-hearted man finds himself spirited into the desert. The search for his way out will be cathartic and allow him to move on. Hank (USA, Hongyu Li) Hank and Tommy have been married for 15 years. Struggling to keep the spark alive, they decide to open their relationship. Tommy adjusts to their new lifestyle quite well, while Hank struggles with the change and his own age-related insecurities. Love at Twenty (Brazil, Toti Loureiro/Felipe Arrojo Poroger) A romantic and neurotic young man is having a hard time dealing with his girlfriend’s departure for Paris. All his clumsy attempts to forget her will go downhill by a unexpected invitation to have dinner at her parents’ house. Pop 30 (Israel, Shira Billig) After a failed proposal, Mika moves back home and nurses her broken heart by spending all her time on her childhood Atari. Going back to the past won’t heal her heartache, she will have to find another way to move on. Romance Language (Canada, José Gilles Corbett Lourenço) Two strangers engaging in a tryst speak their inner monologues aloud, revealing the selfish, terrible thoughts their anxiety about the situation provokes.
Fuck You p.23
Higher Ground, Wednesday, June 19, 1:45pm, 100 mins. The spiritual, the metaphysical and the supernatural coincide in this series of shorts exploring the power of faith and belief. Astres (Canada, Andrée-Anne Roussel) Hyo-Jin attends the funeral of her younger sister in South Korea, but quickly returns home to Montreal and her job as an astrophysicist. A startling event breaks her logical and scientific spirit and forces her to confront the beyond. Curandera (Peru, Mauricio Rivera Hoffman) Maruja, an Andean woman with mystical powers, works at a household where a little girl never seems to stop acting out her rage. Maruja decides to try to heal her with the help of a special brew. Stone Age (Switzerland, Lou Rambert Preiss) In a vast stone quarry, an explosion reveals an object from the past.
The Summer of the Electric Lion (Chile, Diego Céspedes) Alonso accompanies his dear sister to a hidden house, far from the city. She expects to become the seventh wife of El León, a prophet who (according to stories) electrocutes those who touch him. Tithes & Offering (Kenya, Tony Koros) A fraudulent Kenyan pastor accidentally performs a real miracle. All in the Family, Wednesday, June 19, 3:15pm, 96 mins. The bonds of family transcend time, distance and personal preference. Through thick and thin, we’re in each other’s business ‘til death do us part.
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PROGRAMS Father Figurine (USA, Matt Kazman) When the wealthy patriarch of a family dies, they discover a rather unusual request in his will: for his body to be stuffed and kept on display in their home. If This Isn’t Love (Canada, Luiza Cocora) In a Montreal park, a couple are about to immortalize what should be one of the happiest moments of their lives: their wedding. On the Job, Wednesday, June 19, 4:15pm, 91 mins. Under the hood of a car, the lights of a sound stage, or the heat of a stove, people often give their best selves to their jobs. Films about the unique joy, monotony, fulfillment and misery of work. The Big Break (USA, Philip Andelman) Ted just wants to win once in life, in any way possible. When a straightforward opportunity presents itself for him to be a hero, will he rise to the challenge? Miller & Son (USA, Asher Jelinsky) A transwoman mechanic lives between running her family’s auto shop during the day and expressing her femininity at night, until an unforeseen event threatens the balance of her compartmentalized life.
Goldie p.38 The Christmas Gift (Romania, Bogdan Muresanu) A few days after Ceausescu’s bloody repression in Timisoara, a father’s quiet evening turns to panic as he finds out that his son has mailed a letter to Santa that includes something for him -- his wish to see Ceausescu dead. Elephant in the Room (Switzerland, Chanelle Eidenbenz) When a mother senses that the relationship with her son is getting more and more hopeless, she seeks refuge in her own world with Elias, a rubber doll. Ella (Norway, Tommy Næss) A mother and father are about to visit their 15-year-old daughter, who is in prison for murder, when they are told that their daughter doesn’t want to be touched by her mother.
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Monster Challenge (USA, Michael Giacchino) A hapless man finds himself catapulted into an outrageous series of challenges in an infectiously silly tribute to the eccentricities of Japanese game shows and monster films. Noodle School (USA, Jia Li) At the Dingle Noodle School in Lanzhou, China, students learn the art and business of making hand-pulled noodles. Many see noodles as a path out of the lowest rungs of society to a more stable future. The Path of Least Resistance (USA, Aldo Chacon/Salvador Chacon) After three months of blindness, Lisa Shulte opened her eyes and dedicated her life to creating neon artwork, which has driven her to work with many acclaimed film directors, artists and musicians. A Sister (Belgium, Delphine Girard) An emergency services dispatcher finds her professionalism put to the test when she receives a call from a woman in a desperate situation.
PROGRAMS Alone Together, Wednesday, June 19, 4:45pm, 96 mins. Chance meetings, careful solitude, companionships of convenience, and that unexpected spark of connection–sometimes we’re only truly ourselves while alone, or in the company of strangers. F*ck Bunny (USA, Wesley Wingo) After a traumatic event, a young woman tries to navigate issues of intimacy in a unique relationship. Lake of Happiness (Germany, Aliaksei Paluyan) In a small Belarusian village where time seems to stand still, nine-year-old Jasja’s father sends her to an orphanage after her mother’s death. When she hitchhikes her way back she finds everything has changed, including her understanding of “home.” Long Time Listener, First Time Caller (USA, Nora Kirkpatrick) Nan calls a mysterious latenight radio show to get some answers to her pressing questions about existence, marriage and her purpose on this earth. Nighty Night (USA, Matt Porter) A nervous man struggles to fall asleep during an in-office sleep study and enlists the overnight technician for help. The Noodle Effect (USA, Brandon Winters) A series of vignettes catching different people at particular moments in time. While at first they may seem absurd, each scene slowly reveals itself as a sincere look at vulnerability and frustration.
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Something Like Loneliness (USA, Seth Epstein/Ben Epstein) Upstairs-downstairs neighbors barter sounds captured in food storage containers. With the sounds come fragments of past relationships and the hopes and disappointments that remain.
The Drink (UK, Cosima Spender) Two colleagues head for a drink after work. When she comes back from the bathroom, a bystander informs Zoe that Jack has spiked her drink. Haunted by what could happen, she needs to make a decision.
Girls On Top, Wednesday, June 19, 6:00pm, 92 mins.
Fatiya (France, Marion Desseigne-Ravel) Fatiya, a confident young woman, agrees to replace her cousin at a babysitting gig. When she introduces herself to the mother of the young boy she is supposed to look after, prejudice and racism cause the afternoon to take a turn.
From Mexico to Sweden, women fearlessly lead the way in this international collection of documentary, animated and live-action shorts. The Amazon (France, Alexandra Naoum) Elie, 30, lost a breast fighting cancer. She decided not to replace it. At a party, she reunites with a man from her past and has to face her doubts on her new femininity.
Fuck You (Sweden, Anette Sidor) Alice is together with Johannes but she wants more space to be herself. On a night out with friends, she steals a strap-on and challenges her boyfriend’s thoughts about girls.
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PROGRAMS Awkward...!, Wednesday, June 19, 7:00pm, 83 mins. Unexpected relationship developments and self-realizations can bring up some embarrassing situations. Come laugh and cringe along with our put-upon protagonists. Frida Think (Ireland, Maya Derrington) A woman walks into a party dressed as Frida Kahlo, only to find that her version of unique has mass appeal. The Katy Universe (USA, Patrick Muhlberger) Katy went to a wedding and developed superpowers. Made Public (USA, Foster Wilson) The night before he says “I do,” Dave’s doubts about tying the knot go viral. Alone at the altar he will have to confront his own cold feet. The Plunge (UK, Simon Ryninks) Falling in love can be a pain in the arse. The Proposal (Norway, Det Sporadiske Filmkollektivet) Out on the ocean in a little rowboat, Joachim gets down on his knee and proposes to Toril, the woman of his dreams. Unfortunately Toril has a slightly different perception of their relationship.
Guaxama p.43 The Legend (France, Manon Eyriey) From the opposite building, two girlfriends spy on the most handsome guy in the neighborhood, aka “the Legend,” discussing one friend’s plan to spend the night with him – her first night of love. Maintain Yourself (USA, Ellie LaCourt) A look at the plucking and pulling of everyday rituals women go through in their quest for “beauty.” Shout At Me! (Mexico, Laura Herrero Garvin) Society’s violence and judgments toward women are a heavy burden that Melissa must bear every day. But when she gets in the ring, she’s the one answering back.
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Shiva Baby (USA, Emma Seligman) At a Jewish funeral service with her parents, a young woman runs into her sugar daddy. Sir Thomas (Israel, Raanan Fogel/Michael Amir) A young man finally gets to go home with the girl he has a crush on. Unfortunately, Sir Thomas does not seem to want to cooperate. Whenever You’re Ready (UK, Craig Ainsley) A heartbroken actress goes to an audition. A World Imagined, Wednesday, June 19, 7:30pm, 109 mins. This eclectic mix of inventive films boasts arresting visions of whimsical and dystopian worlds spanning science fiction and fantasy, from Steampunk romance to mind-reading police to interplanetary transportation. Between the Shadows (Portugal, Mónica Santos/Alice Guimarães) Natália, trapped in a tedious job, engages in a search for a stolen heart. In a world where hearts can be deposited in a bank, the protagonist faces a dilemma: give her heart or keep it to herself?
PROGRAMS Boléro (USA, Sarah Gross) In the near future when the United States government has recruited natural-born telepaths to be their secret police, a mute teenage girl stops at nothing to hunt down the telepath responsible for her father’s death. The Bumbry Encounter (USA, Jay K. Raja) While on a road trip to Oregon, the Bumbrys, an interracial newly-wed couple, encounter something extraterrestrial. But when they report it to the authorities, what follows is unexpected. The Colour of Your Lips (Canada, Annick Blanc) In an atmosphere grown suddenly impossible to breathe, a diver and a woman appear to be the only survivors. As their reserves of air run out, will they make love or war? The Shipment (Canada, Bobby Bala) Stranded with his daughter on a wretched spaceport and unable to afford repairs on the family ship, an interplanetary transporter is coerced into choosing between a promise and a way out. Widdershins (UK, Simon P. Biggs) The life of a pampered gentleman is seamlessly automated by machines, but his orderly existence is thrown into chaos when he chooses to pursue a free-spirited woman, against the advice of his robot butler. WHAT. THE. F**K., Wednesday, June 19, 8:30pm, 88 mins. Warning: this program is deliciously weird and risqué. Like “I can’t believe I just saw this” weird or “I might need to sit alone for a bit” weird. Also, if you don’t want to make eye contact with people afterward, we won’t blame you. Caterpillarplasty (Canada, David Barlow-Krelina) In an advanced technological society where the caterpillar has special significance, the people desire metamorphosis. The Dressing (USA, Patrick Moser) In spaces wet and dry living things perform the search for meaning in rhythms. O.I. (Canada, N’cee van Heerden) One afternoon in a Tiki bar, two strangers listen to a man wallowing in the misfortunes that have befallen him all because of an original idea he had. But the one thing he positively cannot tell them is the idea itself. Safe Space (USA, Annabelle Attanasio) A lonely young man uncovers a series of disturbing
Helsinki Mansplaining Massacre p.37 secrets when he gets inducted into an all-male safe space. The Subject (Canada, Patrick Bouchard) In this story-within-a-story about the art of creation, the conceptual limits of animation examine the connections between life and death, body and psyche, individual and community, real and imaginary, as it delves into the invisible worlds within. The Tail (Turkey, Yigit Hepsev) Ekrem lives a quiet life alone except for this one thing he has to take care of from time to time. He runs into his pretty neighbor Sevval as he goes to throw it away. Who’s a Good Boy (USA, Alex Phillips) A creepy park urinator is kidnapped by his victims and becomes their pet dog.
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PROGRAMS Men of Vision (USA, Frank Todaro) At the turn of the 20th century, swaggering inventor Hubert Moss is in the midst of a dry spell that threatens to ruin him. Could the young acolyte who shows up at his door be his salvation? Somebody and Nobody (Germany, Joscha Douma) In this compelling Western that’s as breathtaking for its visuals as it is for its twists, Jonah, a young cowboy, wants to avenge his murdered brother -- to finally step out of his shadow and prove his own manliness to their father. Will “The Machine” (USA, Kent Lamm) Pride and ambition run rampant when an off-kilter high school football star finally meets his match. It Takes Two, Thursday, June 20, 10:30am, 96 mins. Pairs and dyads comprise this program of odd couples, double-crossings and uncanny situations. The Chairs (Azerbaijan, Orkhan Aghazadeh) Kerim and Rena were in love, but had to marry other people. On the hill where all the villagers have to come to use their mobile phones, they see each other every week, but can’t display their feelings, except in a secret way.
Honk For Jesus. Save Your Soul. p.40 For the Win, Thursday, June 20, 10:00am, 96 mins. Tales of (often unchecked) ambition in settings from the Old West to the Middle East. These aspiring alpha men and women will go to great lengths to be top dog, provoking plots that are funny, farcical, silly and downright sinister.
Difficult People (India, Sohil Vaidya) After a matriarch’s passing, a father and son must learn about each other and themselves in this tender and vulnerable look at masculinity in contemporary culture. The Guy (USA, Jon Fusco) Tony struggles to regain control of his mundane existence after it is hijacked by his stunningly masculine, undeniably psychopathic alter-ego. Laugh Lines (Switzerland, Patricia Wenger) Idiosyncratic figures unite and pull apart in this dreamy reflection on companionship.
Dunya’s Day (Saudi Arabia, Raed Alsemari) Hours before her graduation bash at a lavish estate near Riyadh, Dunya is faced with the sudden disappearance of the domestic help.
Manila Is Full of Men Named Boy (USA, Andrew Stephen Lee) Manila, July 7, 2009. As Michael Jackson’s televised funeral plays throughout the country despite terrorist attacks in the south, an estranged son, to impress his father, purchases a child who can drink and smoke.
Heads or Tails (Canada, Fernand-Philippe Morin-Vargas) Panicked at the idea of losing his position, incumbent mayor Joseph L’Heureux refuses to accept the result of his hometown’s municipal election.
Washland Express (USA, Camille Campbell) A young woman reeling from a breakup shares a connection with a carwash employee. Surrounded by bubbles and flashing lights, could this be their tunnel of love? Or will a more sinister story come out in the wash?
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PROGRAMS Parental Control, Thursday, June 20, 11:00am, 97 mins. It’s said that you’re never really “ready” for parenthood, and likewise, no child is truly prepared to lose a mother or father. These varied tales show how the unconditional love for their children can inspire parents’ courageous acts, and what can happen when the roles are reversed. By a Hair (France, Yvonnick Muller/Lauriane Escaffre) Elodie spends her free time helping her father at his butcher shop even though her beauty school exam is a few days away and she desperately needs a model, a hairy one for the waxing portion, in the middle of summer. Mami (USA, Alessandra Lacorazza) Carolina is a young Latinx immigrant woman who lives with her mother and is her sole caretaker as she suffers from incapacitating depression. As Carolina deals with intense forces from outside and within, she’s driven to a shocking action that could lead to her freedom, but at a great cost. Mother Of (Israel, Gan de Lange) This intense short plunges the viewer into the experience of the fiery, protective instincts and decisive, extreme actions of a mother driven to protect her daughter. My Mother’s Eyes (UK, Jenny Wright) A story about motherhood and loss in an abstracted world of childhood memory. The Name of the Son (France, Louis Delva) Tina and Fred, a couple in their fifties, are desperate in their search for a boy’s name. But for whom? And why?
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Project Baby (Denmark, Johannes Pico) Sebastian and Christian are on a couples’ date with potential mothers of a rainbow child. But it’s not easy when most women are only after genetic material and not father figures. Prepare for an evening of prejudice, fish eggs and confusion.
Couper Was Here (USA, Nicole Foley) A heroic and honest portrait of Couper Oroñain–a former firefighter injured on the job–who now lives with disabilities. An unhoused San Francisco resident, we follow her as she cares for fellow unhoused San Franciscans while on a quest to find permanent housing in the city herself.
Your Mother Is a Thief! (Canada, Marie-Josée Saint-Pierre) A stark and haunting animated film on the destructive and healing power of words.
Crowley – Cowboy Up (USA, André Hörmann) After the death of his older brother Yancie, 14-year-old Crowley wants to live up to his legacy of being a great rodeo rider.
My Way, Thursday, June 20, 1:00pm, 105 mins.
How to Make a Rainbow (USA, Ryan Maxey) The camera observes a young girl and her mother over the course of two years as they move together through transitions of home, identity and name.
An awe-inspiring and unforgettable group of documentaries featuring human beings each facing their own struggles, personal and societal, with resolve, creativity and hope.
Shortfest merchandise available at: ✱ Festival Locations ✱ Flagship Store year-round: 170 N. Palm Canyon Official Merchandise Partner of the Palm Springs International Film Festival and Shortfest.
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PROGRAMS age shorts. The Blue Cape (Puerto Rico, Alejandra López) A young boy faces the challenge of saving his sickly grandfather during the devastation of Hurricane Maria. A Little Break (France, Louise Groult) Accompanying her cousin on a camping trip to coastal Normandy, 16-year-old Charlotte discovers that the path to romantic fulfillment can be painful for a young woman in an insensitive world. Milkshake (USA, Brittany Snow) A coming-of-age story of a girl wanting her mother’s approval and validation in Burbank, CA. The School Trip (Italy, Salvatore Allocca) When Megalie can’t take part in a school trip abroad because of the late renewal of her immigrant status, her plan to finally reveal her feelings to her classmate Marco in Paris is put in jeopardy. Spark (Netherlands, Dominique Gimberg) Best friends Emma and Julia spend their summer on a campsite. When a group of older boys arrives, Emma gets a front row seat to Julia’s playful exploration of her sexuality while she is confronted to her own confounding feelings. Youth (Egypt, Farida Zahran) A teenage girl takes a step toward adulthood in contemporary Cairo.
Laugh Lines p.26 Kamali (India, Sasha Rainbow) Suganthi was locked away as a child until the day she was married. Now having left her abusive husband and living in her small fishing village in India, she dreams of a different life for her seven-year-old daughter Kamali, starting with learning how to skateboard.
This American Life, Thursday, June 20, 2:00pm, 98 mins. A deep dive into the state of our country at present. Take a glimpse into the lives of these Americans... The Clinic (USA, Elivia Shaw) Amid a devastating opioid epidemic, a needle exchange and free clinic operates in the shadows of Fresno, CA.
My Last Days: Meet Anthony (USA, Farhoud Meybodi) A courageous young man explores his life before and after his ASL diagnosis and the changes it’s brought to his loved ones and his photography.
Jim (USA, Christopher Black) In an overwhelmingly white classroom, an isolated and black middle school student struggles with the pressure of being the only black voice during an uncomfortable in-class reading activity.
Growing Pains, Thursday, June 20, 1:30pm, 94 mins.
Last Sermon at George’s Creek (USA, Bobby Moser/Spencer Creigh) A pastor in small-town Texas marks his final days at George’s Creek Baptist Church, closing with no new generation in place to inherit the humble place of worship.
Growing up is hard to do but makes for great stories in this collection of coming-of-
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PROGRAMS Sage (USA, Gabe Dinsmoor) After learning from her son that Baltimore had its most violent year on record, one woman works to organize citywide ceasefires that change the way residents think about violence in their communities. Small Talk (USA, Paul Szynol) A handful of inmates weather the slow passage of time with candid reflections on drug addiction. Take Care (USA, Itamar Giladi) A 19-year-old Mexican American valet driver tries to help his undocumented mother get proper medical care after she suffers a fall on the job. Gay!La:, Everything Under the Rainbow, Thursday, June 20, 4:00pm, 102 mins. This Gay!La presentation explores the many definitions, struggles and pleasures within the LGBTQ community, from identity battles and rejection to family dynamics. Bob & Dale (USA, David Rosfeld) An elderly gay couple living off the grid in the Rocky Mountains finds a deeper love when dementia threatens their independence. Far Out (Germany, Jan-Peter Horstmann) In 1987 East Berlin, two men meet in a sexual encounter and decide to spend the night wandering together, discovering their deep similarities and stark differences.
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Lavender (USA, Matthew Puccini) A young gay man grows increasingly entangled in the marriage of an older couple. The Orphan (Brazil, Carolina Markowicz) Jonathas, a queer orphan going through the adoption process in Brazil, has been rejected before because he’s “different.” Will he find the loving home that he deserves? Something About Alex (Netherlands, Reinout Hellenthal) A 14-year-old boy develops a close friendship with his older sister’s boyfriend, and must confront the depth of his feelings when the couple announces that they will be moving away. South of Bix (USA, Justine Lupe, Briana Pozner) A young woman returns home one last time to say goodbye to her dying, senile grandfather, from whom she’s been estranged for quite some time.
Anthropocene, Thursday, June 20, 4:30pm, 94 mins. Ecology takes center stage as these six shorts explore mankind’s impact on the Earth, from the effect of climate change on the Louisiana coast to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. All Inclusive (Switzerland, Corina Schwingruber Ili) Under the spell of mass entertainment on the high seas. Circuit (Switzerland, Delia Hess) The inhabitants of a small planet take part in a shared ecological ritual that recurs in an endless loop.
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PROGRAMS unique human and non-human ecosystem and economy in northern British Columbia. Home Is Where the Heart Is, Thursday, June 20, 5:00pm, 104 mins. For many of us, home is so much more than where we physically reside. It is our heritage, our memories, our loved ones. Eva Sola (Germany, Lara Rodríguez Cruz) A young Spanish woman living in Germany reflects on her uprooted life over the course of a frenetic New Year’s Eve. Father and Daughter (France, Eric Du Bellay) Paul is taking care of his six-month-old baby girl Lou -- alone and full-time. He never leaves his neighborhood and doesn’t take calls. His loved ones are beginning to worry. Garage (Switzerland, Lorraine Perriard) Four young people from different backgrounds live in near-perfect harmony in an abandoned garage. At night, loud noises ring out on the street outside. The four know that they only have so many moments left together before they are forced to leave their home.
A Little Break p.28 Epoch (Ireland, Kevin McGloughlin) A visual representation of our connection to Earth and its vulnerable glory. Homesick (France, Koya Kamura) Two years after the Fukushima nuclear disaster, a young father braves the danger and roams the No-Go-Zone to spend time with his eight-year-old son. Lowland Kids (USA, Sandra Winther) As climate change erases the Louisiana coast, the last two teenagers on Isle de Jean Charles fight to stay on an island that’s been their family home for generations. Matsutake Hunters (Canada, Shannon Walsh) The elusive and highly prized Japanese matsutake mushroom flourishes in formerly logged, second-growth forests, creating a
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God Never Dies (USA, Barbara Cigarroa) Living in hidden America, Paula, a Mexican farmworker, struggles to raise two children on her own. When a new caravan arrives at the cramped lot where they live, Paula allows herself, and her children, to imagine the home is theirs. Sunny Hill (Belgium, Christine Grulois) On a tranquil day in a small French village, a family stages a modest but heroic act of generosity with the help of their local community. Gay!La:, Let’s Have a Kiki, Thursday, June 20, 7:00pm, 105 mins. Drag queens and hookups and throuples, oh my! This second installment of our Gay!La presentation brings you stories from all corners of the rainbow and put you in a mood to celebrate! Bootyful (France, François Barbier) A young woman’s Saturday night takes an unexpected and exciting turn when she meets a liberated queer man who challenges her hard-set ideas on dance, seduction and love. The Cocoa Fondue Show (USA, Andrew Arnold) Budding starlet Cocoa Fondue prepares
PROGRAMS to shoot the pilot of her very own variety show, but there is competition lurking behind the scenes as Cocoa’s rival, Catastrawberry, plots a coup. A Family Affair (UK, Florence Keith-Roach) When Annabelle wakes up in a stranger’s bedroom on her 30th birthday, she thinks the day cannot get any worse. But then Bernard walks in... A Normal Guy (Romania, George Dogaru) Daniel got lucky tonight: this time he is not going home alone again. But is that enough to pull him out of his reality? Ponyboi (USA, River Gallo/Sade Clacken Joseph) On Valentine’s Day, Ponyboi, an intersex sex worker, looks for love and a way out of his seedy life in New Jersey. Through a magical encounter with the man of his dreams, Ponyboi discovers his worth. Sweater (USA, Nick Borenstein) Corey’s day couldn’t be worse. Distraught and downtrodden, he shuffles his way through life. Then he gets a free coffee that changes everything. Throuple (USA, Chrissie De Guzman) Hungover from a bad breakup, a not-so-great stripper makes a house call to a progressive married couple, who eventually challenge the way she sees love, life and her own sexuality. Freaks, Geeks & Creeps, Thursday, June 20, 7:30pm, 94 mins. Whether you’ve ever felt like an outcast or not, you’ll be cheering these films about strange dates, extreme noses, secret clubs and more! Eccentrics, weirdos, nerds and dweebs, we celebrate you! Crude Oil (USA, Christopher Good) Jenny breaks free from a toxic friendship and learns to harness her magical, useless superpower. The Do It Up Date (USA, Emily Ting/Andrew Barchilon) Kip and Shayla decide to go on a big date but first must ready themselves with more than unconventional means. La Bruja (USA, Eliza Cossio/Hayley Kosan) When a Mexican American woman is suddenly dumped by her boyfriend, a mysterious witch offers to help. But first she needs a few items. Mama Pingpong Social Club (Taiwan, Shiang-An Chuang) A lonely middle-aged woman joins an old schoolmate in a pingpong club for moms that is more than it seems. When an unlucky
The Lost Sound p.40 accident changes her body dramatically, it causes her to hatch a plan for perpetual happiness. Nosis (Germany, Vincenz Neuhaus) When a boy with an exceptionally long nose accidentally falls into a cake, his life changes in unforeseen ways and drives him to re-explore life no matter the dark consequences. One Morning a Bunny (France, Anne-Sophie Diégo) After months of practice, Nelly and Kelly are finally going to show off their moves at the local nightclub’s dance contest. Public Spaces, Private Lives, Thursday, June 20, 8:00pm, 89 mins. Hidden desires and private aspirations come to light in this selection of intimate
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PROGRAMS artwork and herself as a woman. Icebergs (Greece, Eirini Vianelli) Based on the book Scenes by Efthymis Filippou, 14 short vignettes illustrate human existence ranging from the mundane to the absurd through a dark comedy lens. Magnetic Harvest (France, Marine Levéel) Mickaël, a pig farmer in rural France, finds his search for an amorous connection interrupted by the sudden return of the charming and youthful Paul. sometimes, i think about dying (USA, Stefanie Abel Horowitz) Fran is thinking about dying, but a man in the office might want to date her. The Life Cycle, Friday, June 21, 10:00am, 102 mins. Tales of turning points in the different stages of life, defining relationships and our endless run against time itself. Ahmed’s Song (France, Foued Mansour) One day Ahmed, employed at the public baths and nearing retirement, encounters Mike, a teenager adrift. Inside the bathhouse walls, in a place on the verge of disappearing, a strange relationship will develop between these two fractured souls.
Mama Pingpong p.31 shorts. Who we are isn’t always how we present ourselves. Alien (South Korea, Jegwang Yeon) When her roommate and co-worker dies attempting to evade immigration agents, Reonghee, in solidarity with her tragically departed compatriot, tries to ensure that the latter receives the dignity in death that she deserves. Alma (Colombia, Santiago León Cuéllar) A lonely and insecure teenager, facing changes in her body and an attraction to a boy in her class, is forced to confront her fears and to accept herself as she is. Baya (Belgium, Alice Gadbled) For her graduation project in photography school, Baya decides to exhibit herself in the nude and must face a new kind of critique on both her
The Artisan (Cuba, Adrián Cárdenas) After being pushed out of his house by a caring neighbor on the anniversary of his wife’s death, Daniel, a local artisan, meanders through the tight-knit community of Gibara, Cuba, encountering many locals who collectively help him confront his loss. Pace (Germany, Kai Stänicke) A man tries to keep pace in front of the hand of a clock, turning ever faster, until he’s overtaken by time itself. Riviera (France, Jonas Schloesing) At the Riviera apartment building, it’s nap time. The heat is dreadful, but true to their habits, people are sunbathing by the pool. From his living room, M. Henriet entertains himself by watching his neighbors but everything seems to be quiet… Shirley Temple (Canada, Audrey Nantel-Gagnon) Amaryllis and Margot, who have conquered most of their teenage battles together, prepare to step into adulthood in this tribute to women’s friendship.
Celebrating Australian stories @ScreenAustralia /screen.australia @screenaustralia
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screenaustralia.gov.au
PROGRAMS
Manila Is Full Of Men Named Boy p.26 Stone (Turkey, Alican Yücesoy) In a strange world, a boy born with the burden of curiosity causes a stir in his village when he pushes the boundaries of custom too far. The Best Years of Our Lives, Friday, June 21, 10:30am, 91 mins. A spotlight on the stories that celebrate and explore the later stages in life, we follow people as they build new relationships, rediscover who they are, look back on the lives they’ve lived and enjoy the ones they are living. Betty Feeds the Animals (USA, James P. Gannon) Betty loves animals. She loves them so much that everyday she puts 30 bowls of food outside of her home to feed them. She feeds skunks, raccoons, cats, foxes and the occasional opossum. This is her story. The Day Don Died (Canada, Steve J. Adams/Sean Horlor) When a condo community learns of a neighbor’s death, the dramatic retelling of his disappearance and demise takes on a life of its own, with each version of the story sounding stranger than the last. Hunters (Switzerland, Benjamin Bucher) Two men spend their retirement in a van, hunting meteorological balloons. After serving all their scientific purposes, those objects become the object of treasure hunts. Lila (Denmark, Maj-Britt La Cour) Lila gets awful news from her doctors and starts distancing herself from her daughter, grandson, life. A chance encounter will give her a new perspective on the little time she has left. Menuett (Germany, Felix Karoulis) For Charlotte it is like any other Sunday, until the doorbell rings and a stranger surprises her with an unusual demand. Phyllis and Francesca 48 Years On (Australia, Edwina Storie) Back in the 1970s, young couple Phyllis and Francesca started the first gay rights activist group in Australia and were interviewed on TV. Decades later, as the country votes on same-sex marriage, they remember the impact of speaking out.
Rain Run Run Away p.36 The History of Us, Friday, June 21, 11:00am, 93 mins. From personal to shared histories, this collection of films looks at the things that shape us—the politics, the moments, the people. Ale y Yose (USA, Erin Semine Kökdil) Two undocumented friends struggle with the reality of an unknown future, reimagining what it means to be a teenage girl in the U.S. Double Exposed (USA, Julie Buck) The filmmaker lays out the brief history of her family over images from a double-exposed 8mm home movie shot by her grandfather. Far From Past (Austria, Nicole Foelsterl) A filmmaker attempts to come to terms with her grandmother’s past as a member of a German-speaking community in Hungary during World War II. Through dialogue characterized by friction and intimacy, they reveal the way families pass on their history from one generation to the next, and how it works its way into the core of relationships. I Am My Own Mother (USA, Andrew Zox) An adopted woman on the cusp of childbirth reinserts herself back into the life of her biological mother and siblings, unsettling the entire family unit. Sister (China, Siqi Song) A man remembers his childhood memory of growing up with an annoying little sister in 1990s China. How would his life have been if things had gone differently? This Is Not a (Iranian) Film (USA, Azar Kafaei) Building on excerpts from letters, cellphone videos and official archives, an Iranian filmmaker questions the relationship between past and present. The Moments That Define Us, Friday, June 21, 12:45pm, 99 mins. The choices we make can change our lives in unalterable ways. The characters in these shorts are forced to reckon with crucial decisions and extraordinary dilemmas. #shortfest19 | PSFILMFEST.ORG 33
PROGRAMS partner Elliot prompts him to deal with his unresolved insecurities related to his sexuality. Listen (USA, Omri Bezalel) An Israeli intelligence operative spends her days listening in on the family of a suspected terrorist. When a tactical opportunity presents itself, will her emotional involvement allow her to make the tough call? Night Swim (USA, Victoria Rivera) Three teenage girls break into a closed-off pool on a hot summer night, but when unwanted guests show up, their friendship is tested and one of them is left behind. The Role (Iran, Farnoosh Samadi) A woman accompanies her husband to his audition and discovers a previously untapped talent. The Things We Do for Love, Friday, June 21, 1:30pm, 103 mins. Romantic and family love tie together this wide-ranging selection of films ranging from poignant to humorous to amazing to heartbreaking. Bolero Station (Switzerland, Rolf Brönnimann) A signalman lives on one side of the tracks, a saleswoman on the other. They see each other every day, but it’s not `til death comes a-knocking that they seize their chance to be together.
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Boy (Belgium, Isabelle Schapira) A 17-year-old girl skips school with her friends for a far more important event: saying goodbye to the boy she’s not ready to leave yet.
Burton Before and After (USA, Courtney Hermann/Kerribeth Elliott) Fifteen years after his gender-affirming transition, a trans man’s longtime friend uncovers a cache of home videos from the past and invites him to go on-camera to revisit the old footage together.
Brotherhood (Canada, Meryam Joobeur) Mohamed is a shepherd in rural Tunisia with his wife and two young sons. Their world is shaken when their oldest son returns after a long journey with a mysterious woman he says is his wife.
Cat Noir (Switzerland, O’Neil Bürgi) A letter, a broken heart. The sound of the rain. A black cat, a plan.
Connected (Poland, Aleksandra Maciejczyk) In this documentary about love, Krzysztof, who is blind, goes skiing with Wiola, his wife and guide.
Debris (USA, Julio O. Ramos) After a disastrous event on his construction site, Armando acts quickly to save his crew, but instead stumbles upon an unspeakable truth. An intense and visceral glimpse of the grim world of human labor trafficking.
In Your Place (Italy, Giuseppe Carleo) Annachiara wants desperately to win back her exboyfriend when her grandma suggests that she use an ancient ritual that could change the destiny of her lost love.
Engaged (USA, David Scala) Darren’s many failed attempts at proposing to his longtime
Loved Ones (Poland, Zofia Kowalewska) Olga’s teenage daughter suddenly goes to the
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34 Palm Springs International ShortFest | 2019
PROGRAMS hospital. The mother needs to face not only the child’s disease, but also her ex-husband, whom she has not contacted for years. Cast Adrift, Friday, June 21, 2:00pm, 99 mins. On the edge of society, the protagonists of these shorts forge their own paths ahead in a world that offers few concessions. Bulles d’air (France, Daouda Diakhate) When a 31-year-old man is released from a long stay in a psychiatric hospital, he goes home to live with his father and younger sister where he’s consumed by the thought of hearing from his ex-girlfriend. Clear Valley Report (USA, Michael Rubin) We track Mr. Tom Gomm, Director of Accounts for the Northeast Region of Clear Valley Foods Incorporated, as he faces the austerity of the everyday urban environment in the midst of the housing crisis. Fixed Water (USA, Christine Haroutounian) An older Armenian mother and daughter contend with co-dependency and alienation while living in the San Fernando Valley in this tender inter-generational portrait. Milk and Rum (Peru, Diego Bedoya) Twenty-year-old Salvador struggles to break his daily routine, with the monotony of his responsibilities becoming increasingly disaffecting as he cares for his young child. Pierre’s Heart (France, Olivier Binder) Pierre is a lonely alcoholic gambler. One day, he wins the jackpot on an online poker site, and decides to start a new life, under the French Riviera sun. An Apple a Day, Friday, June 21, 3:30pm, 88 mins. When dealing with medical news, the situation can get quite upsetting. The protagonists of this collection of shorts find themselves on both the delivering and receiving ends and will have to remember than with health-related matters sometimes you have to take it one day at a time. The Briefing (Poland, Filip Drzewiecki) Medical students begin their rotations at a facility, quickly discovering the enormous responsibility they will bear as practicing physicians. Bug Bite (USA, Emily Ann Hoffman) In this mixed-media comedy, a young woman and a female bed bug form an unlikely bond while contending with toxic masculinity. Peloid (Montenegro, Bojan Stijovic) Roman is a respectable piano professor who has been out of work since getting divorced. He goes on a trip to the Institute of Physical Medicine to visit a father he has not seen for years. This won’t be just an ordinary visit. Thrive (UK, Jamie Di Spirito) After a regular dating app hook-up, two young men make a connection, but it quickly becomes apparent they are looking for different things.
Milkshake p.28 grown beyond her relationship with her boyfriend, she begins to wander. A chance encounter allows her to take control of her fantasies. Floss (China, Popo Fan) The relationship between two young men in Beijing becomes strained after one of them develops an unusual fetish. Lust (Sweden, Alexe Landgren) For a middle-aged woman, staying the night at a friend’s house becomes a sex-fueled mess of confusion and complication when her friend’s teenage son stays up for a late night chat. Straight Up (Sweden, Therese Zoë Richert/China Åhlander) Marcel wants to teach his girlfriend yoga, but instead she wrestles him to bed and challenges him to accept something new about himself. Tenderness (Switzerland, Maxime Rappaz) In an outwardly unremarkable gay sauna, Adrien discovers a unique environment of intimacy, hope and melancholy. Things That Happen in the Bathroom (USA, Edward Hancox) For Jak, the bathroom is a refuge, a place where they can exist without wearing the mask they present to the world. But when their feelings of loneliness threaten to overwhelm them, Jak invites a new hookup into this sanctuary – opening up to all the pleasure, embarrassment and self-discovery that comes with queer intimacy.
Touch Me (Germany, Eileen Byrne) Alice is at the beginning of her fight against breast cancer. She feels helpless despite her loving boyfriend Moritz’s best attempts to adjust to their new reality.
Vibes (USA, Bane Fakih) Mayssa is looking for a sexual release to cure her recent depression but luck – and her mother – are not on her side.
Getting It On, Friday, June 21, 4:30pm, 97 mins.
Sundrenched, Friday, June 21, 5:00pm, 90 mins.
A selection of films about love, sex and everything in between. This one’s got a little steam.
Palm Springs audiences know all about sun, and so do these filmmakers who bring us stories of lost dogs, squirt guns, first loves and poolside miracles – all over the world, everything is heightened by the sparkling sunshine.
Constellations (UK, Anna Maguire) When a young woman realizes her sexual needs have #shortfest19 | PSFILMFEST.ORG 35
PROGRAMS
Mind My Mind p.19 Aylin (Turkey, Ozan Yoleri) Twelve-year-old Irmak idolizes her older teenage friend Aylin, who for Irmak embodies excitement, independence and womanhood. When Aylin plans to move away with her boyfriend, Irmak begins to realize that her feelings for her friend are more complicated than she knew. Dog (Canada, Pascal Sanchez) In a Guadeloupean village, a young boy adopts a stray dog. Devastated by his new companion’s sudden disappearance, he sets out on a quest through this unknown island. The Golden Legend (Spain, Chema García Ibarra/ Ion de Sosa) A summer day at the swimming pool in the village of Montánchez, Spain. From above, Our Lady of Consolation of the Castle keeps her watchful gaze. Rain, Rain, Run Away (France, Clémentine Carrié) Left to her own devices in an August heatwave, a seven-year-old wild child and her cautious companion have an adventure filled with squirt guns, cicadas and rain dances. Summer Hit (Germany, Berthold Wahjudi) Laia from Spain and Emil from Iceland are enjoying their semester abroad in Munich. While Laia feels perfectly fine just having sex with Emil, his profession of deeper feelings puts her on the defensive. Welcome to the Neighborhood, Friday, June 21, 6:00pm, 90 mins. Through stories of keeping up traditions and keeping up with the Joneses, as well as a large dose of the private made public, we explore the places we call home and how our perceptions of others (and of ourselves!) are influenced by close proximity. Curated (USA, Gillian Jacobs) During a reluctant trip to her late grandmother’s grand home in the middle of nowhere, Nancy learns that a person’s sentiment and complexities aren’t limited to the things they leave behind for self-preservation. Floating (Spain, Frankie De Leonardis) When a Russian astronaut wakes on an ISS space 36 Palm Springs International ShortFest | 2019
The Subject p.25 module after an accident, his attention is caught by outside knockings. Someone has come to welcome him... The Neighbors’ Window (USA, Marshall Curry) A middle-aged couple with young children sees their life shaken up when two free-spirited twenty-somethings move in across the street. Peggy (USA, Justin O’Neal Miller) Perfect Peggy is the envy of the neighborhood – but what do her parenting peers really think? Rogue wildlife and a contraband gift tossed into the pressure cooker of an eight-year-old’s birthday party just might jeopardize her pristine polish. Snor (Netherlands, Michael Middelkoop) In an urban neighborhood overcome by rapid gentrification, recently widowed Harry is having a hard time adapting. Scrambling to protect his traditional way of life, Harry spearheads a protest committee in this quirky and relatable tale. Sole Doctor (USA, Paula Bernstein) George’s Shoe Repair is a family-owned business in Portland, Oregon, that has served the community for more than 50 years. George is preparing to pass the store on to his son, Joshua, a former modern dancer. Mia, Joshua’s young daughter, also learns the family trade. Under Covers (USA, Michaela Olsen) From a pigtailed psychopath to naughty nuns and everything in between, this stop-motion animated film conjures a comforting thought: that weird is relative. Thrills & Chills, Friday, June 21, 7:30, 102 mins. Thrill-seekers, rejoice! This collection of genre films will have your heart pumping, your palms sweating and your voices yelping. Atomic Ed (France, Nicolas Hugon) When the body of a neighborhood motorcycle gang member is found horribly mutilated, unleashing a torrent of fear and chaos, an introverted
PROGRAMS
Sousaphone p.20 DYI inventor has no choice but to take matters into his own hands with his own improvised weapons. Bronzed (USA, Mike Egan) Neo-sun worshiper Martin prepares to appease the solar gods with ritual sacrifice. But first he needs a spray tan. Good Morning (USA, Elaine Mongeon) A young woman and her father adapt to terrifying changes they never expected. Helsinki Mansplaining Massacre (Finland, Ilja Rautsi) An intensely hysterical horror comedy about one woman’s desperate struggle to survive a horde of men with frail egos, who just want to explain everything to her. But the biggest horror may be closer to her than she thinks. Possessions (USA, Zeke Farrow) Zeke decides to sell all his things and make a documentary about it. He discovers that some possessions are easier to let go of than others. The Rat (USA, Carlen May-Mann) On Halloween, Jim takes his girlfriend Renee to a haunted house. There she will be forced to confront a terrifying situation and come face to face with the thing that, deep down, she is most afraid of. Wild Love (France, Paul Autric/Quentin Camus/Léa Georges/Maryka Laudet/Zoé Sottiaux/ Corentin Yvergniaux) While on a romantic getaway, Alan and Beverly cause a fatal accident. This crime won’t remain unpunished... A Family Affair, Friday, June 21, 8:00pm, 106 mins. Family is everything! It can be interpreted in many ways, but one thing is for sure, our families are inescapable. This selection of shorts delves into a range of family dynamics that should make you cherish your own. Caucasus (Lithuania, Laurynas Bareisa) Tekle and her young daughter, Ema, return from abroad to visit Dalia, Tekle’s mother. When Ema goes out to walk her dog, Dalia, fearing
Mogu & Perol p.38 something terrible might happen to her granddaughter, starts looking for her. The Good Shepherd (Estonia, Evar Anvelt) Ibrahim is a shepherd whose job is to look after his herd as best as he can. One day he receives a phone call from his brother with a plan he does not want to hear about. Josef Markus Julian (Austria, Özgür Anil) Three generations of Austrian men find themselves, for a brief moment, living under the same roof on a small farm in this haunting portrait of aging, dignity and familial responsibility. The Loved Ones (Russia, Oleg Vitvitski) Yekaterina is organizing her mother’s funeral while her siblings all try to take advantage of her financial situation and only care about the will. Parental Advisory (Belgium, Benjamin Belloir) Clémentine escapes her gloomy life by doing camshows for pay up until one day, during a session, her brother catches her and threatens to tell their mother and forever alter their family’s harmony. Parables, Fantasies & Fables, Friday, June 21, 8:30pm, 105 mins. Step into the ether and lose yourself in this selection of imaginative, unearthly shorts. Blackmaria (Colombia, Juan Pablo Caballero) When Belisario’s wife falls gravely ill, a healer advises him to climb the Andes and bring back a powerful object buried in the snow, in order to save her. Ellinikon (Greece, Konstantinos Prepis) In the abandoned airport of Ellinikon, a man’s peaceful solitude is disrupted by bustling activity, and his ticket out might lead him right back to his starting place. An absurdist take on the myth of Sisyphus. Per tutta la vita (Italy, Roberto Catani) Through a journey back in memory, a woman and a man retrace the more important moments of their love story.
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PROGRAMS
Noodle School p.22
Spermaceti p.38
The Pregnant Ground (UK, Haolu Wang) Following a miscarriage, a woman finds the line between reality and imagination in constant flux, believing the pregnant ground is calling for her. An immersive psychological drama starring Lu Huang.
Swiped (UK, Steve Whiteley) Alarmed by the detrimental effect smartphones are having on those around them, three friends launch a rogue initiative intended to force people to be more present.
Spermaceti (Belgium, Jacky De Groen) Sailors kill time under a blistering sun, awaiting sign of their prey. A young man finds himself on the threshold of an initiation. As we fluctuate between the underwater and the above, boundaries become slippery.
Umbra (Iran, Saeed Jafarian) A few minutes after midnight, a young woman realizes that her partner disappeared after they had sex. Worried, she goes out to seek him in the darkness of the streets.
What Do You Know About the Water and the Moon (China, Jian Luo) During an abortion, instead of aborting the fetus, a girl gives birth to a live jellyfish.
Whiteout (USA, Lance Edmands) When a young couple encounters a strange old man wandering in a snowstorm, they must decide if he needs their help, or if he has more sinister intentions.
Windshriek (France, Frédéric Doazan) In a whirlwind of alphabet creatures, a book bursts into life.
Shorties!, Saturday, June 22, 10:30am, 86 mins.
Brief Encounters, Saturday, June 22, 10:00am, 110 mins. Unexpected meetings or temporary companionships—sometimes our most deeply felt experiences are drawn from the most fleeting shared moments., Autumn Waltz (Serbia, Ognjen Petkovic) A couple trying to escape their besieged town will have to quickly find a way to face off the soldiers barricading their city in order to reach freedom. The Gentleman (Sweden, Hanna Westerlind) On a placid day on neighboring balconies, 75-year-old Gunnar and 23-year-old Jon strike up an unexpected conversation. As they share a glass of wine, the mood shifts toward desire... Nice Talking to You (Pakistan, Saim Sadiq) Two strangers form a silent bond in the world’s loudest city. Sunday (Singapore, Kris Ong) A young woman with a full body rash is driven to violence during a forbidden encounter with her sister’s boyfriend. 38 Palm Springs International ShortFest | 2019
Films for kids and the young at heart, this mix of family-friendly fare features a variety of animated and live action tales. (Parents take note: you’ll encounter a few subtitles here, but nothing that’s required for the enjoyment of the stories.) All in Good Time (Ireland, Bonnie Dempsey) A comic fantasy about two children, one in 1918, the other in 2018, who magically communicate across time through messages in a bottle and help solve each other’s problems. Goldie (USA, Emily Brundige) A giant girl feels out of scale in her colorful little town, only to realize she takes up just the right amount of space. Hors piste (France, Léo Brunel/Loris Cavalier/Camille Jalabert/Oscar Male) The two best rescue workers of the region are ready for their new mission. Despite their professionalism and their determination, nothing seems to go as planned... Marooned (USA, Andy Erekson) Stranded on the Moon and thought to be alone, a determined robot finds an eager helper to assist him in repairing a rocket to take him back home to Earth. Mogu & Perol (Japan, Tsuneo Goda) Every time Mogu prepares a delicious meal, Perol shows
PROGRAMS
Sunny Hill p.30 up and eats all of it. My Brother Luca (Mexico, Carlos Algara/Catalina Serna) When an imaginative little girl discovers that her older brother might have superpowers, she sets out on a quest to make sure everyone else sees him as she does. Thumper (USA, Jack Winemiller) A young ballerina has aspirations to find a beat of her own. Tree #3 (USA, Omer Ben-Shachar) After he’s been cast as a background tree (again!) in his annual middle-school play, an ambitious and imaginative Israeli immigrant boy leads a revolution onstage that his intolerant drama teacher will never forget. Crossroads, Saturday, June 22, 11:00am, 95 mins. The characters in this program stand at a juncture, facing pivotal decisions and lifealtering events. 100 EUR (Austria, Aleksey Lapin) It’s Christmastide in Vienna, but Romanian half-brothers Ion and Andrei have little time for festivity as they chase debts and tie up loose ends on the eve of their departure from the city. Bajo la sombra del guacarí (Colombia, Greg Méndez Lopéz) In a rural village in the wetlands, a town crier brings the news of the dead following a storm. When Abraham finds out the one of them was his friend Ciro, he embarks on a journey to fulfill a promise that will take him to the shade of the guacarí tree. Hush (New Zealand, Armagan Ballantyne) A young woman returns home to her small town with a secret. Liberty (USA, Faren Humes) Best friends Alex and Milagros drift apart as their neighborhood undergoes drastic changes caused by redevelopment.
Nosis p.31 Wasteland (Switzerland, Antoine Flahaut) It is the end of the 1960s and Jérôme has failed his high school exams. His best friend, David, has passed them and is getting ready to leave town, maybe forever. Summer is just beginning but their friendship seems doomed to end. Talk of the Town, Saturday, June 22, 12:45pm, 90 mins. Word gets around fast in these stories about small communities, where it’s hard to avoid your neighbors and everyone knows your name. Bastard (Azerbaijan, Daniel Guliyev) A young man’s devotion to his mother is tested by the sense of shame hanging over their home in a small village in Azerbaijan. Blackwood (Australia, Kalu Oji) A novelist and her teenage son face their own unique challenges over the course of a day, finding recognition and respect difficult to come by in small-town Australia. Excess Will Save Us (Sweden, Morgane Dziurla-Petit) Paranoia strikes a small village in the north of France as a terror alert is set off under mysterious circumstances. Nooreh (India, Ashish Pandey) Nooreh is an eight-year-old girl who lives in a Kashmiri village on the India-Pakistan border. One night she discovers that the frequent gun battles that rage near her home only happen when she sleeps and stop when she’s awake. Truck Slut (USA, Ryan Craver) A lonely, gay 13-year-old reflects on his complicated love for his volatile sister, the night she humiliated him, and her disappearance from their small Southern town. Desperate Measures, Saturday, June 22, 1:45pm, 94 mins. Backed into corners with little recourse left, the protagonists in these stories look for drastic solutions to seemingly hopeless situations.
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PROGRAMS looks at the matrilineal inheritance of linguistic tones in her family, mourning the parts of languages that become extinct through semantic evolution. Rare Birds (Australia, Melanie Scammell) A young woman struggling to cope with the trauma of a sexual assault finds freedom in an unlikely connection. Ritual (Australia, Robert Linsley) When the eldest daughter of a strict Christian family disappears from their remote farm, the local cop sent to investigate is disturbed by what he uncovers. Smile (Australia, Harriet McKern/Remy Varga) A look at the nature of individuality, diversity and the positive impact of Flash Hub, a community-based photography project in Sydney’s Inner West provides professional quality portraits to locals for free. Snare (Australia, Madeleine Gottlieb) A father. A son. A dream to drum. Tomgirl (Australia, Vonne Patiag) A young Filipino boy in western Sydney gets an enchanting crash course in his homeland culture when his uncle reveals himself to be a cross-dresser in the Bakla tradition. Departures, Saturday, June 22, 3:15pm, 99 mins
Pop 30 p.21 Ah Gong (Taiwan, Clifford Miu) Eleven-year-old Chris arrives at the hospital only to realize that his mother and uncles have decided to pull the plug on his beloved grandfather. Bad People (Georgia, Giorgi Tavartkiladze) 1991 Tbilisi, Georgia after the collapse of the USSR. In the midst of a civil war, Gia tries to find medicine for his son when he meets an old friend who fights on the opposite side. Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul. (USA, Adamma Ebo) In the aftermath of a huge and ridiculous scandal, the first lady of a prominent and respected Southern Baptist Mega Church attempts to help her pastor-husband rebuild their now borderline nonexistent congregation. They must, however, reconcile their faith with their personal demons to make the biggest comeback that commodified religion has ever seen. Lockdown (USA, Celine Held, Logan George) Struggling with feelings for her best friend, 14-year-old Marie stages an almost perfect plan. Marooned (China, Shiyou Yan) A young man in China struggles to make ends meet, caught between his loan shark and pregnant girlfriend. His desperation and helplessness will make him consider an unthinkable solution. G’day!, Saturday, June 22, 2:15pm, 85 mins. Documentary, fictional and animated narratives provide a survey of contemporary cinema from this multifaceted, sunburned country. Joy Boy (Australia, Stef Smith) Jonny is a young man caught between his conservative family, an evangelical church and his emergent sexuality. Long Distance (Australia, Anoop Lokkur) A young Indian woman living in Australia gets a call from her mum back home. The Lost Sound (Australia, Steffie Yee) Inspired by the poem “On Ç” by Hiromi Ito, a woman 40 Palm Springs International ShortFest | 2019
Whether leaving home or saying farewell to a loved one, the characters in these heartfelt films find themselves at the end of their respective paths, preparing for the uncertain futures that await them. Exit (USA, Claire Edmondson) After a lovely visit from her daughter, a woman confronts the consequences of an irreversible decision, leading to an emotional exploration of rage, fear and acceptance. Jack (USA, Nick Paonessa) Sam brings his cat to the vet and the news he receives places him in a cat-box of acceptance. Living Room (Australia, Jessica Barclay Lawton) When the time comes, Masayuki confronts oblivion with the help of a mysterious stranger. The Silence of the Dying Fish (Greece, Vasilis Kekatos) On his way to work one morning, Makis is informed that he has died the day before. After failed attempts to prove that he is alive, he accepts his fate and prepares for his funeral. Street Flame (USA, Katherine Propper) A crew of skateboarding teenagers commemorates their friend Jinx on their own terms. Unfolded (Italy, Cristina Picchi) After a sleepless night, a woman leaves her house deciding to put an end to her tormented relationship. But some memories are not so easy to leave behind. Yirga (USA, B.B. Araya) Before she can leave town for a fresh start, Yirga must get one problem out of her head. Wild at Heart, Saturday, June 22, 4:30pm, 95 mins. Burgeoning desires, fiery personalities and questionable choices. The protagonists in these stories remind us that growing up, at whatever age, can be both the hardest and the most exciting time of our lives. Acid Rain (Poland, Tomek Popakul) Young runs away from her depressing hometown and meets Skinny–an unstable weirdo who lives in a camper and runs his not-so-legal errands. Their journey gradually leads them towards more and more excitement, freedom and danger.
PROGRAMS Cadelas (Brazil, Rita Toledo) Amid her arboreal surroundings, Amanda experiences a sexual awakening just as her neighbor receives a litter of new puppies. Only Fools Rush In (Spain, David Moragas) With his visa expiring imminently, Carlos and Mark spend one last night together in New York City, navigating the bittersweet conclusion to their time together. She-Pack (Norway, Fanny Ovesen) It’s a birthday party at a public pool disco, and underdog Ronja challenges the girls’ alpha female to battle for dominance. The game escalates quickly, and as the thirst for power grows, Ronja and the other girls lose control. Yulia & Juliet (Netherlands, Zara Dwinger) In this contemporary love story, based on Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, two teenage girls find love in a juvenile detention center. Man Up, Saturday, June 22, 5:00pm, 99 mins. Crises of masculinity abound in this selection of films, in which gender roles are questioned, relationships tested and sexuality cast into sharp relief. Feathers (USA, A.V. Rockwell) Elizier, an emotionally dejected new enrollee at The Edward R. Mill School for Boys, must overcome memories of a tragic past and the present hazing by his peers in order to tackle the larger issues dominating his young life. Incel (USA, John Merizalde) When his countless real-life efforts at love fail, Sam turns to this anonymous community of the “involuntarily celibate” for help, but instead finds himself increasingly pushed towards extremism. The Iron Wall (USA, Michael Formanski) Dave works for his father’s construction company but dreams of being a photographer. When his dad sees his friend and co-worker Sean kiss him one night after a drunken party thinking Dave is also gay, the toxicity of New England homophobia threatens to destroy everything. The Night the Wind Blew (UK, David Alamouti) Nine-year-old Sami wants nothing more than to be taken seriously by his older brother Ali and his friends. When Ali is forced to take Sami out with him, Sami is presented the chance to prove himself and take his seat at the table. One of the Boys (Netherlands, Ivo van Aart) At korfball practice, a timid young teenager finds himself forced to show his true colors after witnessing his fellow male players’ locker room banter take a cruel turn at the expense of the most popular girl on their team. Something Real (Mexico, Renato Moncayo Dávalos) Alejandro, a lonely middle-aged optometrist, writes a poetic letter to his hypothetical future child, attempting to portray his true self. On the Road, Saturday, June 22, 6:00pm, 92 mins. A lot can happen when we’re neither here nor there, but somewhere in between. Hit the road with these stories of the mysteries, memories and power contained in our cars. Brooklyn Park (USA, Nikola Duravcevic) Alone in New York City, Somali rideshare driver Abdirahim begins his nightshift with the news of a tragedy back home. The faces in the back seat change as he wrestles, unable to connect, with whether the unthinkable can be true–until he has a vision. How to Breathe in Kern County (USA, Chris Filippone) As the workday grinds to a halt, a gathering of street racers makes its way for the backroads of Bakersfield to find catharsis.
Possessions p.37 Just Me and You (Canada, Sandrine Brodeur-Desrosiers) An eight-year-old girl goes on a road trip with her father from Montreal to Mexico and back aboard an 18-wheeler, learning far more about each other’s characters than initially expected. The Phantom 52 (USA, Geoff Marslett) Tom Skerritt voices the inner monologue of a lonely trucker waiting for a reply on the CB radio, pondering a ghost that haunts the lonely highways and a whale that sings a song no other whale can hear. The Shepherd (Norway, Brwa Vahapour) While driving to a wedding with his wife and two daughters, a Kurdish immigrant man hits a deer darting across a snowy Norwegian road. The commonplace tragedy reveals complicated feelings underpinning the family’s foundation. Sylvia (UK, Richard Prendergast) A loving family sets off in their car on what seems like a carefree family outing. Despite the sing alongs and ice-cream stops, it gradually becomes clear that this isn’t a family outing after all. And Now for Something Completely Different…, Saturday, June 22, 7:30pm, 90 mins. Brace yourself for the surreal, the weird and the psychedelic: these shorts will deliver in spades. 61 Beehive Street (UK, Helena Bonastre Rodriguez) A glimpse into the crazy lives of the tenants of four units of the 61 Beehive Street apartment building. Grand Bouquet (Japan, Nao Yoshigai) A helpless woman confronts a “black object” with a power greater than hers. I’m Going Out for Cigarettes (France, Osman Cerfon) Jonathan, 12 years old, lives with his sister, his mother and also some men. They all have the same face, and nest in closets, drawers, TV sets…
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PROGRAMS Deep Tissue (USA, Meredith Alloway) On a regular afternoon, in a motel, a woman orders a specific kind of massage. Girl in the Hallway (Canada, Valerie Barnhart) A man who bore witness to the circumstances surrounding a child’s disappearance struggles with the weight of his silence and inaction. How to Be Alone (USA, Kate Trefry) When her husband leaves for work, a woman’s anxiety and most secret fears seem to manifest and want to attack her. Will she be able to fight for the control of her own mind? Milk (Canada, Santiago Menghini) On a late night, a young teen goes into the kitchen for a glass of milk. Upon encountering his sleepless mother, he quickly realizes things are not as they seem. Percht (Austria, Béla Baptiste) A young couple out for a drink is interrupted by a group of young men in demon-like masks in a small town in the Austrian countryside during Christmas season. Thin Air (Switzerland, Jonas Ulrich) Deep in the Swiss Alps, among winter resorts and old wooden cabins, Georg experiences unusual incidents and strange encounters.
The Orphan p.29 King Wah (I Think I Love You) (USA, Horatio Baltz) A disgruntled delivery man, a woman with chronic déjà vu, Pat Sajak, and a slow dance in a Chinese takeout restaurant. Morning Dew (France, Julie Colly) On an ethereal morning in France, after waking up with a strange outgrowth in place of his nose, Nanni crosses paths with Alouette, a girl whose skirt shivers with mystery. Not Your Panda (Canada, Tigris Alt Sakda) A wry animated history of one of the most charismatic megafauna: Ailuropoda melanoleuca. On the Day You Were Born (USA, Duke Doyle) A reclusive and bitter man named George grows so physically large that he’s forced to leave his house, face the outside world, and reexamine his neglectful relationship with his sister. Piu Piu (USA, Naima Ramos-Chapman) When a restless young woman decides to ditch her boyfriend for a moment of freedom, she must contend with monstrous abuses across several planes of existence: mindfully, physically and spiritually. You Are the Captain (USA, Dan Samiljan) A young woman looking for direction, signs herself up for a mysterious self-help guru’s method to enhance her life. But when she tries to opt out, she finds she may have signed up for more than she bargained for. Thrills & Chills II: It Won’t Die, Saturday, June 22, 8:00pm, 104 mins. Because one was not enough! In this second genre program, even more characters will be put in weird or perilous situations that will trigger a feeling inside you that won’t die...quickly. Boy Gets Eaten (Norway, Sebastian Lagerkvist) A teenage boy is pressured to lose his virginity and now his childhood trauma, that he’d thought was all fantasy, can no longer be ignored.
42 Palm Springs International ShortFest | 2019
Secrets & Lies, Saturday, June 22, 8:30pm, 104 mins. Misguided assumptions, hidden identities and shocking revelations—these films pull back the curtain on the things we keep hidden from ourselves and from each other. Birthday Night (Iran, Omid Shams) Two close friends and work partners wrap up a job on the night of their collective birthdays and are en route to celebrating with their wives when a roadside accident flips their evening, and perhaps their entire friendship, upside-down. Ceremony Night (Iran, Behnam Abedi) An hour before the fair is opened, a worker falls from the top of a Ferris wheel. As he is taken to the hospital, the other workers keep preparing for the big opening ceremony. One worker has questions. Five Secrets to Mom (USA, Charles Dillon Ward) A surreal and darkly comedic short that uses the filmmaker’s actual family photos, Microsoft Paint 95, and an automated voice to tell a story about the comfort and vulnerability in anonymity. I Came Here Alone (Canada, Connor Gaston) A mysterious, life-sized teddy bear is delivered to lonely Margaret. When the stuffed animal reveals a secret, she must decide whether or not she’s truly ready to let anyone else into her life. Second Son (France, Hadrien Bichet) In southwest France, each year on winter holidays, black truffle thieves throw the area’s farmers into paranoia, causing them to spy on their neighbors, accuse their friends, and sometimes find an easy scapegoat. Three Months (Canada, Sasha Alcoloumbre) When a young man belatedly reveals his HIV status to his lover, their romance wavers. The Kids Are Alright, Sunday, June 23, 1:00pm, 107 mins. Sex, violence, politics and companionship–grown-up themes uniquely glimpsed through the lens of childhood. The leads may be kids but this program is decidedly for adults. Ave Eva (Greece, Oliwia Twardowska) What happens in the mind of a seven-year-old girl who accidentally sees her parents in the act of love? This spectacle, unbearably mysterious
PROGRAMS and violent, causes fear and curiosity at the same time. Balloon (USA, Jeremy Merrifield) In the brutal battlefield of junior high, Sam has always tried to stay below the radar, but all that changes when he discovers he has super powers. Golden Malibu (Mexico, Natalia Bermúdez Fierro) An intrepid young girl sneaks out of the house to accompany her older brother for a late-night excursion through the Mexico City underworld. The Land Over There (Germany, Arne Kohlweyer) East Berlin, 1989. With only confusing information provided by adults, Marko tries to understand why it’s such a big deal that some wall has fallen down. Naked in the Streets at Night (France, Benoît Rambourg) With his sick father housebound, Cédric spends the last night of summer with his friend Sofiane. To create a lasting memory, Cédric suggests the two take an excursion around the neighborhood—wearing just their underwear. The Stained Club (France, Mélanie Lopez/Simon Boucly/Marie Ciesielski/Alice Jaunet/Chan Stéphie Peang/Béatrice Viguier) A young boy with stains on his skin finally meets a group of cool kids with different stains on their bodies, eventually coming to realize that these stains aren’t just pretty. Welcome to the Ball (USA, Adam Vincent Wright) A child learns sign language in the hope of making a new friend. We Are the Champions, Sunday, June 23, 1:30pm, 96 mins. Sport and competition are the subject of these films that celebrate the human spirit’s drive for greatness regardless of the forces threatening it. The Hedgehog’s Dilemma (Switzerland, Francesca Scalisi) A middle-aged father is training his daughter to become a champion diver until, on the day of an important competition, an unexpected event changes their relationship forever.
Maradona’s Legs p.43 Abu Eli (Israel, Maya Louzon) The friendship between Avi, a former drug addict, and Jaber, a Sudanese refugee, is in danger. It is Jabber’s last day before being sent to Holot Detention Facility, and Avi decides to take matters into his own hands. Dani (USA, Lizzy Hogenson) A 30-year-old woman, feeling obligated to wear a brave face, delivers her grim breast cancer prognosis to her mother over a simple phone call. Guaxuma (Brazil, Nara Normande) Grains of sand in motion capture happy childhood memories on the beach of a special friendship.
Mack Wrestles (USA, Taylor Hess/Erin Sanger) Follow Mack Beggs, a gifted wrestler from Euless, Texas, as he struggles with his own personal identity and the outside forces that stigmatize transgender athletes.
How I Got to the Moon by Subway (USA, Tyler Rabinowitz) After being diagnosed with ALS, a curmudgeonly older man goes to the hospital with his partner to record his voice bank before he loses the ability to speak.
Stay Close (USA, Luther Clement/Shuhan Fan) The underdog story of Keeth Smart, an African American fencer from Brooklyn who overcomes a gauntlet of hardships on the road to the Olympics.
Kinship (Canada, Jorge Camarotti) A single father must care for his son all on his own, after the boy becomes mute following the loss of his mother. Despite the financial strain caused by his immigrant status, he tries to rebuild his son’s trust so they can be a family again.
Sweetheart Dancers (USA, Ben-Alex Dupris) Sean and Adrian are a Two-Spirit couple determined to rewrite the rules of Native American culture through their participation in the “Sweetheart Dance.” This celebratory contest is held at powwows across the country, primarily for mixed male and female couples, until now.
Maradona’s Legs (Germany, Firas Khoury) During the 1990 World Cup, two young Palestinian boys are looking for “Maradona’s legs”; the last missing sticker that they need in order to complete their world cup album and win a free Atari.
Tracks (France, Sophie Thouvenin) Lala is the only woman in a group of four young middledistance athletes from Mali. Before their visas expire they have one last chance to impress a scout and fulfill their dreams of joining a French athletics club. Through Thick and Thin, Sunday, June 23, 2:00pm, 89 mins. Whether it’s a childhood friend, a deep love, or a close relative, we’ve all had those rideor-die people in our lives. This collection cheers on those connections we cherish most.
Closing Night Screening, Sunday, June 23, 6:30pm Huddle together one more time for farewell remarks and a presentation of this year’s Academy®-qualifying winners followed by a final toast to short films poolside at the Hilton Hotel. Best of the Fest, Monday, June 24, All Day Catch up on award winners and audience favorites all day at the Palm Springs Cultural Center (Camelot)! Check psfilmfest.org on Sunday evening for the list of films.
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FILM INDEX 100 EUR.......................................................................................................39 61 Beehive Street.........................................................................................41 About Bintou.................................................................................................19 Abu Eli..........................................................................................................43 Acid Rain......................................................................................................40 The Afghanistans..........................................................................................15 After You Left................................................................................................20 Ah Gong........................................................................................................40 Ahmed’s Song..............................................................................................32 Ale y Yose.....................................................................................................33 Alien.............................................................................................................32 Alien Culture.................................................................................................19 All Inclusive..................................................................................................29 All in Good Time............................................................................................38 Alma.....................................................................................................15 & 32 The Amazon..................................................................................................23 American Refugee........................................................................................20 Artem Silendi........................................................................................15 & 18 The Artisan...................................................................................................32 Ashmina.......................................................................................................18 Astres...........................................................................................................21 At Her Fingertips...........................................................................................19 Atomic Ed.....................................................................................................36 Autumn Waltz...............................................................................................38 Ave Eva........................................................................................................42 Aylin.............................................................................................................36 Backwards...................................................................................................20 Bad People...................................................................................................40 Bajo la sombra del guacarí...........................................................................39 Balloon.........................................................................................................43 Bastard.........................................................................................................39 Baya.............................................................................................................32 Bear With Me................................................................................................20 Beautiful Loser.............................................................................................19 Betty Feeds the Animals................................................................................33 Between the Shadows..................................................................................24 The Big Break...............................................................................................22 Birthday Night...............................................................................................42 Blackmaria...................................................................................................37 Blackwood....................................................................................................39 The Blue Cape..............................................................................................28 Bob & Dale...................................................................................................29 Bodega.........................................................................................................18 Boléro...........................................................................................................25 Bolero Station...............................................................................................34 Bootyful........................................................................................................30 Boy...............................................................................................................34 Boy Gets Eaten.............................................................................................42 Brain Jail......................................................................................................17 The Briefing..................................................................................................35 Bronzed........................................................................................................37 Brooklyn Park...............................................................................................41 Brotherhood..................................................................................................34 Brother, Move On..........................................................................................19 Bug Bite........................................................................................................35 Bulles d’air...................................................................................................35 The Bumbry Encounter.................................................................................25 Burton Before and After................................................................................34 By a Hair.......................................................................................................27 Cadelas........................................................................................................41 Capital..........................................................................................................16
44 Palm Springs International ShortFest | 2019
Caterpillarplasty............................................................................................25 Cat Noir........................................................................................................34 Caucasus......................................................................................................37 Ceremony Night............................................................................................42 The Chairs....................................................................................................26 Chaos...........................................................................................................17 The Christmas Gift........................................................................................22 Circuit...........................................................................................................29 Clear Valley Report........................................................................................35 The Clinic.....................................................................................................28 The Cocoa Fondue Show..............................................................................30 Coda.............................................................................................................15 The Colour of Your Lips.................................................................................25 Connected....................................................................................................34 Constellations...............................................................................................35 Couper Was Here..........................................................................................27 Crowley – Cowboy Up...................................................................................27 Crude Oil......................................................................................................31 The Culture...................................................................................................19 Curandera.....................................................................................................21 Curated........................................................................................................36 Dani..............................................................................................................43 The Day Don Died.........................................................................................33 Deadman’s Reach.........................................................................................21 Debris...........................................................................................................34 Deep Tissue..................................................................................................42 Difficult People.............................................................................................26 Dissect.........................................................................................................17 Dog..............................................................................................................36 The Do It Up Date.........................................................................................31 Double Exposed............................................................................................33 The Dressing................................................................................................25 The Drink......................................................................................................23 Dunya’s Day.................................................................................................26 Dziadzio........................................................................................................16 Edgecombe..................................................................................................19 Elephant in the Room....................................................................................22 Ella...............................................................................................................22 Ellinikon........................................................................................................37 Engaged.......................................................................................................34 Epoch...........................................................................................................30 Eva Sola.......................................................................................................30 Excess Will Save Us......................................................................................39 Exit...............................................................................................................40 Family..........................................................................................................20 A Family Affair..............................................................................................31 Farewell........................................................................................................15 Far From Past...............................................................................................33 Far Out.........................................................................................................29 Father and Daughter.....................................................................................30 Father Figurine.............................................................................................22 Fatiya...........................................................................................................23 F*ck Bunny...................................................................................................23 Feathers.......................................................................................................41 The Fight......................................................................................................18 The Fisherwoman.........................................................................................15 Five Secrets to Mom.....................................................................................42 Fixed Water...................................................................................................35 Floating........................................................................................................36 Floss.............................................................................................................35 Frida Think....................................................................................................24
Fuck You.......................................................................................................23 Fun Factory..................................................................................................16 Garage..........................................................................................................30 The Gentleman.............................................................................................38 Girl in the Hallway.........................................................................................42 God Never Dies.............................................................................................30 The Golden Legend.......................................................................................36 Golden Malibu...............................................................................................43 Goldie...........................................................................................................38 Good Morning...............................................................................................37 The Good Shepherd......................................................................................37 Grand Bouquet..............................................................................................41 Green...........................................................................................................16 Guaxuma......................................................................................................43 The Guy........................................................................................................26 Hank.............................................................................................................21 Heads or Tails...............................................................................................26 The Hedgehog’s Dilemma.............................................................................43 Helsinki Mansplaining Massacre...................................................................37 Hi, This Is Heather.........................................................................................15 Homesick.....................................................................................................30 Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.....................................................................40 Hors piste.............................................................................................18 & 38 How I Got to the Moon by Subway................................................................43 How to Be Alone...........................................................................................42 How to Breathe in Kern County.....................................................................41 How to Make a Rainbow...............................................................................27 Hunters.........................................................................................................33 Hush.............................................................................................................39 I Am My Own Mother....................................................................................33 I Came Here Alone........................................................................................42 Icebergs.......................................................................................................32 If This Isn’t Love............................................................................................22 I’m Dead.......................................................................................................15 I’m Going Out for Cigarettes..........................................................................41 Incel.............................................................................................................41 Inferno..........................................................................................................19 Intercontinental.............................................................................................18 In Your Place.................................................................................................34 The Iron Wall.................................................................................................41 It’s Your Call..................................................................................................16 Jack.............................................................................................................40 Jaeborn By Numbers....................................................................................17 Jim...............................................................................................................28 Josef Markus Julian......................................................................................37 Joy Boy........................................................................................................40 Just Me and You...........................................................................................41 Kamali..........................................................................................................28 The Katy Universe.........................................................................................24 King Wah (I Think I Love You).........................................................................42 Kinship.........................................................................................................43 La Bruja........................................................................................................31 La Espiga......................................................................................................19 Lake of Happiness........................................................................................23 The Land Over There.....................................................................................43 The Last Romantic........................................................................................16 Last Sermon at George’s Creek.....................................................................28 The Last Supper...........................................................................................15 Laugh Lines..................................................................................................26 Lavender......................................................................................................29 The Legend..................................................................................................24
FILM INDEX Liberty..........................................................................................................39 Licorice........................................................................................................18 Lila...............................................................................................................33 Listen...........................................................................................................34 A Little Break................................................................................................28 Little Grey Bubbles........................................................................................15 The Little Mermaid........................................................................................15 Living Room..................................................................................................40 Lockdown.....................................................................................................40 Long Distance...............................................................................................40 Long Time Listener, First Time Caller.............................................................23 The Lost Sound.............................................................................................40 Love at Twenty..............................................................................................21 Loved Ones...................................................................................................34 The Loved Ones (dir. Oleg Vitvitski)................................................................37 Lowland Kids................................................................................................30 Lust..............................................................................................................35 Mack Wrestles..............................................................................................43 Made Public..................................................................................................24 Magnetic Harvest..........................................................................................32 Maintain Yourself..........................................................................................24 Mama Pingpong Social Club.........................................................................31 Mami............................................................................................................27 Manila Is Full of Men Named Boy..................................................................26 Maradona’s Legs..........................................................................................43 Marco...........................................................................................................20 Marooned.....................................................................................................40 Marooned (Dir. Andrew Erekson)...................................................................38 Matsutake Hunters.......................................................................................30 Men of Vision........................................................................................18 & 26 Menuett........................................................................................................33 Milk..............................................................................................................42 Milk and Rum...............................................................................................35 Milkshake.....................................................................................................28 Miller & Son..................................................................................................22 Mind My Mind...............................................................................................19 Mogu & Perol................................................................................................38 Monster Challenge........................................................................................22 Morning Dew................................................................................................42 Mother Of.....................................................................................................27 mountain......................................................................................................19 My Brother Luca...........................................................................................39 My Last Days: Meet Anthony.........................................................................28 My Mother’s Eyes.........................................................................................27 Naked in the Streets at Night........................................................................43 The Name of the Son............................................................................18 & 27 Naptha..........................................................................................................20 Nefertiti........................................................................................................15 Nefta Football Club...............................................................................15 & 18 The Neighbors’ Window................................................................................36 Nest Egg.......................................................................................................16 Nice Talking to You........................................................................................38 Night Swim...................................................................................................34 The Night the Wind Blew...............................................................................41 Nighty Night..................................................................................................23 Nobody Likes You as Much as I Do................................................................16 No Ill Will......................................................................................................16 The Noodle Effect.........................................................................................23 Noodle School...............................................................................................22 Nooreh.........................................................................................................39 A Normal Guy...............................................................................................31 Nosis............................................................................................................31 Not Your Panda.............................................................................................42
Nowhere Bastards........................................................................................20 Now You Know..............................................................................................16 O.I................................................................................................................25 One Morning a Bunny...................................................................................31 One of the Boys............................................................................................41 On Friendship...............................................................................................15 Only Fools Rush In........................................................................................41 On the Day You Were Born............................................................................42 The Opposites Games...................................................................................17 The Orphan...................................................................................................29 Our Father’s Cabin........................................................................................15 Pace.............................................................................................................32 Parental Advisory..........................................................................................37 The Path of Least Resistance........................................................................22 Peggy...........................................................................................................36 Peloid...........................................................................................................35 Percht...........................................................................................................42 Per tutta la vita.............................................................................................37 The Phantom 52...........................................................................................41 Phyllis and Francesca 48 Years On................................................................33 Pierre’s Heart................................................................................................35 Piu Piu..........................................................................................................42 The Plunge...................................................................................................24 Ponyboi........................................................................................................31 Pop 30..........................................................................................................21 Possessions..................................................................................................37 The Pregnant Ground....................................................................................38 Project Baby.................................................................................................27 The Proposal.................................................................................................24 Rain, Rain, Run Away....................................................................................36 Rare Birds.....................................................................................................40 The Rat.........................................................................................................37 Ritual............................................................................................................40 Riviera..........................................................................................................32 The Role.......................................................................................................34 Romance Language......................................................................................21 Safe Space...................................................................................................25 Sage.............................................................................................................29 The School Trip.............................................................................................28 Sebastian.....................................................................................................20 Second Son..................................................................................................42 Seeds of Deceit............................................................................................17 Selfies..........................................................................................................17 She-Pack......................................................................................................41 The Shepherd...............................................................................................41 The Shipment...............................................................................................25 Shirley Temple..............................................................................................32 Shiva Baby...................................................................................................24 Shout At Me!.................................................................................................24 The Silence of the Dying Fish........................................................................40 Sir Thomas...................................................................................................24 A Sister.........................................................................................................22 Sister (dir. Siqi Song).....................................................................................33 Small Talk.....................................................................................................29 Smile............................................................................................................40 Snare............................................................................................................40 Snor.............................................................................................................36 Sole Doctor...................................................................................................36 Somebody and Nobody.................................................................................26 Something About Alex...................................................................................29 Something Like Loneliness...........................................................................23 Something Real............................................................................................41 sometimes, i think about dying.....................................................................32
Sousaphone..................................................................................................20 South of Bix..................................................................................................29 Spark............................................................................................................28 Spermaceti...................................................................................................38 The Stained Club..........................................................................................43 Stay Close....................................................................................................43 Stone............................................................................................................33 Stone Age.....................................................................................................21 Straight Up...................................................................................................35 Street Flame.................................................................................................40 The Subject..................................................................................................25 Summer Hit..................................................................................................36 The Summer of the Electric Lion...................................................................21 Sunday.........................................................................................................38 Sunny Hill.....................................................................................................30 #Superinlove................................................................................................20 Swatted........................................................................................................17 Sweater........................................................................................................31 Sweetheart Dancers.....................................................................................43 Swiped.................................................................................................17 & 38 Sylvia...........................................................................................................41 The Tail.........................................................................................................25 Take Care.....................................................................................................29 Tenderness...................................................................................................35 Thin Air.........................................................................................................42 Things That Happen in the Bathroom............................................................17 Third Look....................................................................................................17 This Is Not a (Iranian) Film............................................................................33 Three Months...............................................................................................42 Thrive...........................................................................................................35 Throuple.......................................................................................................31 Thumper.......................................................................................................39 Tithes & Offering...........................................................................................21 Tomgirl.........................................................................................................40 Touch Me......................................................................................................35 Tracks..........................................................................................................43 Tree #3.........................................................................................................39 Truck Slut.....................................................................................................39 Trump Bites: “I Alone Can Fix It!”...................................................................17 Umbra..........................................................................................................38 Under Covers................................................................................................36 Unfolded.......................................................................................................40 Upload to Story.............................................................................................17 Vibes............................................................................................................35 Washland Express.........................................................................................26 Wasteland.....................................................................................................39 Welcome to the Ball......................................................................................43 What Do You Know About the Water and the Moon........................................38 Whenever You’re Ready................................................................................24 Whiteout.......................................................................................................38 Who’s a Good Boy.........................................................................................25 Widdershins..................................................................................................25 Wild Love......................................................................................................37 Will “The Machine”.......................................................................................26 windshriek....................................................................................................38 Yirga.............................................................................................................40 You Are the Captain.......................................................................................42 Your Mother Is a Thief!..................................................................................27 Youth............................................................................................................28 Yulia & Juliet.................................................................................................41
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