Palm Springs ShortFest 2023 Festival Guide

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HOSPITALITY

HOW TO FEST

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

BOX OFFICE HOURS

6/19 – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM 6/20 – 6/26 – 1 hour before first show until ½ hour after last show

PRICES

General Admission ......................... $15

PSIFS Members .............................. $12

Opening Night Program & Party ....... $75 Closing Night Program and Party ..... $60

Patron Pass .................................. $500

Insider Pass ................................. $250

VENUE LOCATIONS

Camelot Theatres (at Palm Springs Cultural Center), 2300 E. Baristo Road

Plaza Ballroom, Hilton Hotel Palm Springs, 400 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way

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

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.

FESTIVAL POLICIES

TERMS AND CONDITIONS: By attending the festival, you agree to abide by the Terms and Conditions, which can be found at at psfilmfest.org/about/terms-and-conditions

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.

SCANNING

All tickets and passes will be scanned upon entering each screening and party.

FESTIVAL ETIQUETTE

Saving space in line or seats in the auditorium for other guests or between shows is not permitted.

No outside food or beverages permitted in auditoriums.

If you need to leave the auditorium for any reason, take your Ticket Stub or Festival Pass with you and pick up a RE-ENTRY pass from the volunteer at the door before you leave. No one will be re-admitted without a Ticket Stub/ Festival Pass AND the Re-Entry pass.

No recording equipment is permitted in the theatre auditorium.

Please turn off all cell phones and other electronic devices during the film presentation.

For the pleasure of all guests, there is no talking or texting permitted during the film presentation and no late seating. Those arriving late will be seated in between films.

Please complete and return your ballot immediately following each program.

To expedite theatre cleaning and seating please discard your trash and exit promptly after your screening.

All theatre auditoriums are cleared between show times. Any personal items discovered during the cleaning process will be kept in the Lost & Found at the Box Office. Many lines are outside of the theatres. Please dress appropriately for comfort, as it can get very warm during the day, and theatres may get chilly.

The fine print: All sales are final. Ticket holders must be in their seats at least 15 minutes before show time to be

guaranteed a seat. All films are unrated and may contain adult subject matter. Viewer discretion is advised. All films are presented in their original language with English subtitles unless otherwise noted.

INTRODUCING OUR NEW CHAIRMAN

On behalf of our board of directors, I would like to welcome you to the 2023 edition of the Palm Springs International ShortFest, America’s largest festival of short films. As the newly-elected Chairman of the Palm Springs Film Society and this festival, I am truly honored to lead this amazing gathering of young emerging and veteran filmmakers, actors, writers and industry professionals who share a common, compelling interest in the magic and language of film.

This year’s edition is nothing short of extraordinary. ShortFest has been this country’s largest, most successful event of its kind for 25 years. This year, we received more than 6,000 film submissions from individual filmmakers representing 129 countries. From this massive number, our programmers and screeners, led by our remarkable artistic director Lili Rodriguez, have selected the 299 shorts that will be screened at the Festival and will also be available for industry professionals in our marketplace.

We call ShortFest a $500,000 educational initiative because it gives emerging filmmakers the tools and relationships they need to advance in the industry. We not only provide filmmakers with the opportunity to see their work on the big screen, but we also provide them with seminars, master classes, and one-on-one meetings with agents, producers, and film festival programmers to educate them on what the industry expects from those seeking entry into the world of feature films.

Those lucky enough to be part of the Festival audience have the opportunity to see innovative pieces of cinema that have been created by the filmmakers of tomorrow at an extremely high level of excellence.

We host nightly parties for 600 or 700 filmmakers and industry members to network and build relationships with their peers. We also present cash awards for the best shorts in the festival. Five of these awards qualify films for Academy Award nominations. More than 100 ShortFest Films have gone on to receive Oscar nominations. Some have won awards.

Notable individuals who have made the leap from ShortFest to feature film success 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.” There are many more.

We could not make this happen without the support of Palm Springs Cultural Center, who host us at the former Camelot Theater for the entire festival.

I also want to thank our managing director, Rhea Lewis-Woodson, who is responsible for organizing and operating the Festival, and a second mention for our incredible artistic director, who is also the director of ShortFest, Lili Rodriguez, and her talented team of programmers and screeners - all outstanding contributors to our success. And then there’s our amazing cast of volunteers, individual donors, and sponsors; without them, there would be no Palm Springs International ShortFest.

Most importantly, I want to thank you for giving us an audience.

Sincerely,

Nachhattar Singh Chandi Chairman

Our Chairman, Nachhattar Chandi is an extremely successful businessperson and a leading philanthropist in our valley.

We are very proud that he is our new Chairman.

Sudeep Sharma Director of Programming

Sudeep is Director of Programming for the Palm Spring International ShortFest, where he has programmed since 2014 and served as Interim Artistic Director for the 2022 edition. He is also a Programmer for the Sundance Film Festival focusing on documentary feature film. He has had programming stints at many fests and organizations but thinks nothing is like shorts in the summer in Palm Springs.

Dominique O’Neil Programmer

Dominique Oneil is a San Francisco based film programmer who got their start at a fireworks company. In addition to Palm Springs ShortFest, they have contributed to the programming at SFJFF, SF DocFest, Frameline, and MVFF. They have also worked in various capacities at Sundance, SFFILM, SIFF, and TNT (Fireworks) - ask them about the Big Bang Assortment.

Robert John Torres Programmer

Robert John Torres is a film festival programmer based in Los Angeles, CA. He has previously worked for the Tribeca Film Festival, OUTFEST, Nashville Film Festival, Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles, and more.

PROGRAMMING TEAM

Ash Hoyle Programmer

Ash is a features Programmer at the Sundance Film Festival. He has also worked as the Director of Programming of Damn These Heels Film Festival as well as a Senior Programmer at Outfest Los Angeles. Ash is a 2021 Project Involve Fellow and has also been involved in programming NewFest NY, Sun Valley Film Festival, Overlook Film Festival, and AFI Fest and worked in production at ABC, Mssng Peces, and The Annoyance Theater.

Stephanie Owens Programmer

In addition to programming for Palm Springs ShortFest, Stephanie Owens is a programmer for Sundance Film Festival and has programmed for Full Frame, LA Film Festival, IDA’s Getting Real Conference, and has contributed to festival and funding juries. She also launched the interdisciplinary DocX Archive Lab Fellowship for BIPOC documentary artists at the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University.

ADMINISTRATION

Jesse Knight Programmer

Jesse Knight is a programmer, curator and writer whose contributions include both Palm Springs festivals, AFI Fest, Olympia Film Society, Sundance Institute and more. He can roller-skate backwards out of any awkward social interaction, and likes to talk tough about miserable Polish cinema from the ‘80s, but his real favorite movie is Mermaids starring Cher and Winona Ryder.

Céline Roustan Programmer

A dedicated curator and champion of short films, Céline has made significant contributions as a programmer and writer for the website Short of the Week. In addition to being a programmer at SXSW and the Palm Springs ShortFest, she has been on the screening committee for the Toronto International Film Festival for several years and previously programmed for the San Francisco, Palm Springs, and Dublin International Film Festivals.

SCREENING TEAM

Emily Alvarez-Zurita, Vincent Calvarese, Holly Copeland, Angie Driscoll, Randy Florence, Margo Handelsman, Suzanne Hogsett, Gilbert Khoury, Donna Lawton, Joan Matthias, James Munn, Craig Parish, Shelley Rodriguez, Mike Simonyi, Barbara Sisto, Michelle Webb, Dominique Wulfekuhle

Jessica Eskelin Programming Manager

Nicole Hale Programming Coordinator

Karsyn Hughes Programming Intern Jordan Schudie Programming Intern

HELLO SHORTFESTERS!

Founded on the premise of propelling new talent forward, ShortFest has flourished over the past 29 years in ways I can only imagine would make early supporters burst with pride. Not only has it become a beacon of delight for die-hard film enthusiasts, but it has equally had a profound impact in its commitment to nurturing and empowering emerging talent, providing a platform within an industry that can often present barriers. ShortFest offers a fertile ground where the seeds of imagination are sown, providing educational and networking opportunities that serve as stepping stones for aspiring filmmakers to elevate their craft. With every edition, ShortFest’s legacy of inspiration and growth continues to shine brightly, illuminating the path for future generations of visionary storytellers. We’re so grateful that we can be a part of their journeys.

Our dedicated programming team delved into a vast ocean of 6,200 submissions (a record high). Through countless hours of exploration, they carefully screened each and every one of them, arriving at a selection of 299 films. As always, and in true ShortFest fashion, the films range in themes and across genres from thought-provoking dramas, to the silly and hilarious, all the way to the joyously bizarre! One thing is true about the lineup: these carefully chosen works represent the ingenuity and artistic vision of some of the most exciting filmmakers working in short form–a testament to the boundless talent and creativity that thrives within the realm of short films.

This edition, we are thrilled to return to our pre-pandemic offerings. Back are the nightly filmmaker parties and full capacities in theaters. It is a joy to come together in this way and celebrate the enchanting world of short form cinema, honoring the exceptional talents behind the films. And let us not forget the audience who wholeheartedly embraces and cherishes these films, creating a vibrant community of passionate enthusiasts in our great city of Palm Springs.

Finally, I want to welcome our new Chairman, Nachhattar Singh Chandi, and extend a heartfelt thank you to Harold Matzner for his invaluable support as Chairman of the Board over the last 23 years. Harold’s unwavering commitment to the Palm Springs International Film Society and his passionate advocacy for the arts and philanthropy in the Coachella Valley have left an enduring legacy. We are immensely grateful for his contributions and recognize him as a true champion of the arts and a driving force behind the success of ShortFest.

Enjoy ShortFest. We’ll see you in the theater!

Lili Rodriguez Artistic Director

ADMINISTRATION

EXECUTIVE DEVELOPMENT

FORUM & INDUSTRY

GUEST RELATIONS PUBLICITY

Rhea A. Lewis-Woodson Managing Director

Liliana Rodriguez Artistic Director

Marissa Aguayo Sr. Development Associate

Litzy Pineda Development Intern

Marc Salomon Guest Relations Assistant

Scarlett Wilmsen Guest Relations Manager

Steven Wilson Co-founder Scenario PR

Angie Valdericeda Membership Manager

Kylie Elliot Scenario PR

Austin Good Scenario PR

Ana Souza Forum Producer

Elizabeth Westwood Forum & Industry Coordinator

Christina Sasse Hotel Coordinator

Felicia Alford Accountant/HR Manager

Jose Padilla Accounting Assistant/ Box Office Manager

Judith Beltran Office Coordinator

Debbie Ray Scanlon Volunteer Manager

MARKETING

OPERATIONS

THEATER OPERATIONS

Daniel Mansour Marketing Manager

Martin Foster Creative Services & Designer

Nathan Cox Photographer

Nick Cox Videographer

Isabella Insingo Marketing Intern

Alexis Wells Social Media Intern

Tara Dupuis Special Events Manager/ Credentials Manager

Randi Johns Credentials Assistant

Lorna Schanzenbach Filmmaker Lounge Host

Giovanny Palafox Production Coordinator

Avery Webb Production Intern

Modestina Weeden Technical Manager/ Print Traffic

Brian Morataya Lead Projectionist

Chris Bredenberg Projectionist

Miles Marsico Projectionist

Renae Farias Venue Manager

Zack Solomon Venue Manager

Ron Sylvester Venue Manager

Hilton Palm Springs

(Official Host Hotel) 400 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs

TUE - SAT 9AM - 6PM SUN 9AM - 5PM MON 9AM -12PM

Patron, Filmmaker, Industry, Student & Staff Only

SCREENINGS

FORUM SCHEDULE

JUNE 23 FRIDAY

ASK ME ANYTHING: SHORTS DISTRIBUTION

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

So you’re finishing up your festival circuit, but how can you ensure your film will be seen by wider audiences? What does the current shorts distribution and viewing landscape look like? How can you partner with the right companies and platforms to set your film up for success? Our panel of distinguished guests weigh in on all your shorts distribution questions.

ASK ME ANYTHING: FESTIVALS

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

A Forum favorite! Join us for an open and candid conversation with festival programmers, directors and curators as they reveal how their selection processes work, share tips for your upcoming festival submissions, and outline how to make the most of your festival experiences. Bring all your questions!

PRO PITCHINGAN INTERACTIVE PANEL

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Pitching is an artform… Join us for a lively conversation with distinguished industry executives on the do’s and don’ts of presenting your project and what they look for in a winning idea. Submit your pitch ahead of time for the chance to pitch directly to the panelists and receive feedback live! Three pitches will be pre-selected and confirmed prior to the panel.

THE NEXT STEP: FROM SHORT TO FEATURE

3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Moving into feature filmmaking can be daunting, but endlessly rewarding. Hear from our panel of filmmakers on the best ways to approach this transition and their own challenges, learnings, and creative journeys venturing from the world of shorts into features.

UNPACKING THE WRITERS STRIKE

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

The writer’s strike has surfaced issues and debates that affect all of us in the industry, from implications around the future of artificial intelligence to the significance of streaming residuals and more. What is at stake for filmmakers both established and emerging, and what can we expect in the weeks and months to come? How can we be informed and best support each other as negotiations continue? Whether you’ve got multiple films under your belt or are just starting out, join us for a candid and open conversation about the strike’s impact.

JUNE 24 SATURDAY

GREENER FUTURES: SUSTAINABLE FILMMAKING

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

The climate crisis begs the question - how can we integrate sustainability into our filmmaking? From reducing our carbon footprint on set to prioritizing climate-driven stories, how do we do our part to protect the planet for ourselves and the next generation? Our panel of experts weigh in on ways we can bring stewardship to filmmaking while ensuring impactful stories go further.

FRESH FINANCING

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Looking for funds for your next movie may be challenging, but doesn’t have to be a slog. Hear from our panel of filmmakers on the outside-the-box ways they’ve been able to put money together for their projects, and learn the best approaches, tips and tricks for getting the financing in place for your next film.

ONE ON ONES SESSION 1: INDUSTRY EXECUTIVE MENTORS*

1:15 PM - 2:30 PM

Don’t miss the chance to meet in person with an industry professional. These 15 minute one-on-one meetings give you the opportunity to ask burning questions about areas of the industry you are interested in working in or learning more about, general career advice, or ways to best position yourself and your work as you move forward. Limited seating - advance sign-up required.

ONE ON ONES SESSION 2: FILMMAKER MENTORS*

3:15 PM - 4:30 PM

Don’t miss the chance to meet in person with an established filmmaker. These 15 minute one-on-one meetings give you the opportunity to ask burning questions about careers, aspects of filmmaking you are interested in learning more about, general advice, or ways to best position yourself and your work as you move forward. Limited seating - advance sign-up required.

JUNE 25

SUNDAY

ROUNDTABLE MEET & GREET: REPRESENTATIVES & ARTIST SUPPORT

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Our signature roundtable event returns! Hear directly from prominent agents, managers, and organizations involved in artist support and granting to learn about how they find the filmmakers they work with and what opportunities exist for your project. Bring your questions - we’ll rotate periodically. This event is first-come, first-served with limited seating so we recommend arriving early.

ROUNDTABLE MEET & GREET: DEVELOPMENT & ACQUISITIONS

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Our signature roundtable event returns! Hear directly from prominent development and acquisitions executives to learn about what they look for in selecting and supporting projects, how they build relationships with filmmakers, and how your work can stand out from the crowd. Bring your questions - we’ll rotate periodically. This event is first-come, first-served with limited seating so we recommend arriving early.

One on One Sessions and Roundtables are Filmmaker Only Events

*Registration required for One on One sessions and for pitching at the Pro Pitching Panel

ENJOY VIRTUAL BEST OF FEST JULY 7-13

*Check your Filmmaker, Industry, Patron or Staff Pass for access

JUNE

2:00

2:30

3:00

6:30

JUNE

8:00

Shadow of the Butterflies

Colors of the Jungle

JUNE

JUNE

AWARDS

OSCAR® QUALIFYING

Best of the Festival Award

$5,000 Cash Prize

Best Animated Short

$1,000 Cash Prize

Best Documentary Short

$1,000 Cash Prize

Best Live-Action Short Over 15 Min.

$1,000 Cash Prize

Best Live-Action Short 15 Min. and Under

$1,000 Cash Prize

SPECIAL JURY

Best International Short

$1,000 Cash Prize

Best U.S. Short

$1,000 Cash Prize

Best Comedy Short

$1,000 Cash Prize

Best LGBTQ+ Short

$1,000 Cash Prize

Best Midnight Short

$1,000 Cash Prize

MOZAIK Bridging the Borders Award

$1,500 Cash Prize

AWARDS

STUDENT

Best Student Animated Short

$1,000 Cash Prize

Best Student Documentary Short

$1,000 Cash Prize

Best Student International Short

$1,000 Cash Prize

Best Student U.S. Short

$1,000 Cash Prize

LOCAL JURY Local Jury Award

$1,000, awarded by the Local Jury to a short that, in the spirit of neighborliness, promotes understanding and acceptance between people.

Youth Jury Awards

Awarded by ShortFest youth juries composed of local students interested in cinema and the arts.

Kids’ Choice (students aged 8-13): $1,000 cash prize Young Cineastes (students aged 14-17): $1,000 cash prize

AUDIENCE

Best Animated Short

$600 Cash Prize

Best Documentary Short

$600 Cash Prize

Best Live-Action Short

$600 Cash Prize

Best Student Short

$600 Cash Prize

THANK YOU PATRONS FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT

Nachhattar Singh Chandi

Clara DiFelice

Gina Kakos

Lawrence Kaplan

Krista Levitan

Harold Matzner

Jake Navarro

Marcella Ruble

CINEMATIC ODES

TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 11:00 AM

CAMELOT 1, 90 MINUTES

Experience the profound capacity of cinema to give shape to the nuances of life – including love, memory, loss, and everything in between – through this distinctive collection of personal and poetic films.

BENEATH THE SURFACE

TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 11:30 AM

CAMELOT 2, 90 MINUTES

Whether encouraged or denied, with intention or by accident, something is brewing and bubbling up beneath the surface of these films.

Animal Transport

Argentina, Iván Bustinduy, 18 min.

A man returns to his job in a company that transports animals. On his first trip, one of the cages doesn’t seem to be carrying what it should. The mystery lurking in his truck pushes him to the limit of his own sanity.

At Dusk

Canada, Miryam Charles, 17 min.

On a class trip into the woods, Charlotte is confronted with her inner demons. Venturing alone into the icy forest, away from the peering eyes of the group, Charlotte will have to face her darkest demon yet—her eating disorder.

It Turns Blue

Blue Veil

USA, Shireen Alihaji, 6 min.

In the wake of 9/11, first-gen Muslim teenager Amina discovers her mother’s record collection, unlocking memories and reminding Amina of who she is. In a world that is watching, Amina chooses how she sees herself.

Daughter of the Sea

USA, Alexis C. Garcia, 19 min.

After the death of her grandfather, a young woman experiences a spiritual awakening when she is called by Yemaya, the orisha Goddess of the Sea.

Hills and Mountains

Afghanistan, Salar Pashtoonyar, 8 min.

Shot on location in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, a thought-provoking and humane hybrid of documentary and fiction that delves deeply into the experience of a woman forced to the edge of her society.

Lay Me by the Shore

Canada, David Findlay, 19 min.

Drenched in the warm light of long June days and with the intimidating spectre of an uncertain future looming, a trans boy comes to terms with his best friend’s recent passing.

The Silent Whistle

China, Yingtong Li, 18 min.

Ming is a 19-year-old loner who works the night shift in a convenience store. One day, as the Spring Festival approaches, her neighbor Rui invites her for a “special” dinner, which summons up the secrets of her hidden past.

Will You Look at Me

China, Shuli Huang, 20 min.

As a young Chinese filmmaker returns to his hometown in search of himself, a long overdue conversation with his mother plunges the two of them into a quest for acceptance and love.

Iran, Shadi Karamroudi, 15 min.

An abusive father attacks his 3-year-old daughter during her weekly custody visit. In the aftermath, his older sister steps in, attempting to gently manipulate her niece’s mind so that she remembers the incident as just a game with her father.

SALT IN THE AIR

TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 12:00 PM

CAMELOT 3, 82 MINUTES

From seaside locations in Sri Lanka, South Korea, and Israel amongst others, this diverse selection of animated and live action films finds characters exposed to the elements and dreaming of distant shores.

The Flying Sailor

Canada, Wendy Tilby, Amanda Forbis, 8 min.

A bold blend of comedy, suspense and philosophy, The Flying Sailor is an exhilarating contemplation of the wonder and fragility of existence, based on the true story of two ships colliding in a harbor.

Junglefowl

Canada, Kalainithan Kalaichelvan, 15 min.

In a small village in northern Sri Lanka, a young girl is forced to confront the consequences of a deadly civil war as a wounded freedom fighter is brought in to into their home.

Lot’s Wife

Israel, Ori Birger, 19 min.

Nina treats her son’s Psoriasis disease in the Dead Sea. During the long hours her son is in treatment, Nina is left by herself and begins to drift away into a hazy voyage, daydreaming of another life.

The Sea on the Day When the Magic Returns

South Korea, Hang Luong Jiwon, 24 min.

Sejin once had the power to have anything she wanted just by thinking about it. But now she has lost her magic, perhaps because she can’t think of what she wants. Six hours before her interview to be a tourist interpreter, Sejin heads to the weary sea to save her father.

The Key

Belgium, Rakan Mayasi, 18 min.

An Israeli family’s equilibrium gradually disintegrates as the mysterious sound of a key is heard every evening in the door of their apartment.

Snow White

Croatia, Lana Bari , 14 min. Željka is a 40-year-old woman, living a quiet life in an isolated village. An unexpected visit will take her back to the past, shaking up her daily routine.

Sub Terra

Canada, Jeffrey Zablotny, 8 min.

A tree inspection unexpectedly gives way to a journey into the deep with a haunting and mysterious first-person perspective set below the Earth’s surface.

The Swimmer

Denmark, Máté Boegi, 16 min.

When a sound-recordist brings his girlfriend on a trip to the Danish west coast to record atmospheres, he picks up a disturbing sound that begins to torment his conscience.

THE THINGS WE DO FOR LOVE

TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 2:00 PM

CAMELOT 1, 87 MINUTES

Love has the power to push us to our limits and inspire bold actions. Through a collection of animation, documentary, and live-action films, this program showcases the transformative nature of love and reaffirms its clarifying force in our lives.

August Visitor

USA, Ifeyinwa Arinze, 11 min.

When her widowed mother has a male friend over for dinner, an observant Nigerian American teenager acts out, which leads her to a deeper perception of her mother.

Boat People

Canada, Thao Lam, Kjell Boersma, 10 min.

As a child in Vietnam, Thao’s mother often rescued ants from bowls of sugar water. Years later they would return the favor.

Breaking Silence

USA, Amy Bench, Annie Silverstein, 18 min.

A portrait of a Deaf activist and his formerly incarcerated daughter, who build new bonds through their experiences in the criminal justice system.

Calcutta 8:40 AM

France, Adriano Valerio, 13 min.

Once more, Yann is about to leave Calcutta, returning to Paris. Having just dropped off his son with his mother, he has one night to wander the streets, not knowing when he’ll be able to come back to see him.

I Never Had Dreams of My Son

Ukraine, Jason Blevins, 16 min.

After five years of war, a Ukrainian father finds proof that his missing son may still be alive in captivity.

Last Call

UK, Harry Holland, 19 min.

Navigating an obvious void, Kate will finally have the chance to ask the questions that have haunted her past, and will decide her future.

ON THE JOB

TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 2:30 PM

CAMELOT 2, 84 MINUTES

From truck driving in Qatar, to frantically preparing a boss’s birthday party in Los Angeles, and all the way to outer space – a selection of funny and insightful films about working life in all its forms.

9-5

Serbia, Maša Šarović , 21 min.

An inexperienced copywriter faces the pressures of work and the expectations of his surroundings, which have an increasing impact on his sex life.

Bergie

South Africa, Dian Weys, 7 min.

A law enforcement officer has to remove unhoused people in order to make way for a 10km fun-run.

Find out what happens to a young woman’s feelings when a romantic crush passes its expiration date.

Ice Merchants

Portugal, João Gonzalez, 14 min. Every day, a father and his son jump with a parachute from their vertiginous cold house, attached to a cliff, to go to the village on the ground, far away where they sell the ice they produce daily.

Think Something Nice

Fata Morgana

Germany, Daood Alabdulaa, 29 min.

Truck driver Abu Husain, like many guest workers in Qatar, spends endless hours in a self-contained world of standing, waiting, and tenaciously moving trucks on the fringes of society.

Flail

USA, Ben Gauthier, 13 min.

Allie, a distracted personal assistant, frantically prepares for her boss’s birthday party through a blur of gridlocked parking garages and fast-casual salad chains on a desperate quest to achieve a single thing that she initially set out to do.

Heart of an Astronaut

Sweden, Jennifer Rainsford, 14 min.

Brigitte Godard always dreamed of becoming an astronaut. Today she is a doctor who monitors their bodily functions while aboard the International Space Station.

AMAZING ANIMATION

TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 3:00 PM CAMELOT 3, 92

MINUTES

An exciting collection of funny, moving, thoughtful and always visually evocative animated shorts from around the world.

Ashkasha

Spain, Lara Maltz, 6 min.

Curiosity leads Ashkasha to mysteriously lose her head, so she embarks on a very surreal journey to retrieve it.

Discussion animée entre entendeurs de voix

France, Tristan Thil, 12 min.

Instead of the term schizophrenia, they prefer the term voice hearer. Twice a month, they meet Virginia, who leads a discussion group for people living with this mental disorder, considered incurable.

Menagerie

USA, Jack Gray, 4 min.

A study of the daily motions and mundane tasks of contemporary city life, featuring hundreds of looping animated characters, exploring how the repetitive actions of our day-to-day lives quickly spiral into an endless kaleidoscope of abstraction.

Shadow of the Butterflies

France, Sofia El Khyari, 9 min. In a mysterious forest, a woman is slowly lured into a nostalgic daydream as she observes butterflies.

Switzerland, Claudius Gentinetta, 6 min. At the mercy of the dentist’s chair, the protagonist cannot escape the confrontation with pain and the dregs of the miserable human condition. To distract himself, he takes refuge in a fantasized story of fishermen and the sea.

Way Better

Lithuania, Skirmanta Jakait , 15 min.

A man awaits test results. He expects the worst, yet hopes for the best. Distressed and afraid, he spends a week in a limbo of his own creation, neither here nor there, dreading the things that haven’t happened yet.

Well Wishes My Love, Your Love

Sweden, Gabriel Gabriel Garble, 9 min.

Newly orphaned and freshly wounded from a loss, a boy lends his companion a prosthetic arm for the day. The companion records the limb being exposed to textures and materials. What will become of the limb and the video recordings?

Slow Light

Poland, Katarzyna Kijek, Przemysław Adamski, 11 min.

A boy is born with a strange eye defect. It takes seven years for light to reach his retina and the image to reach his consciousness. As an adult, he cannot understand the present and remains fixated on the past.

TUESDAY, JUNE 20

6:30 PM

CAMELOT 1

Join us for an evening of celebration as we officially kick off the 29th edition of the festival, ShortFest style!

AirHostess-737

Greece, Thanasis Neofotistos, 16 min. Flight attendant Vanina is visibly agitated. She blames her new braces, but her colleagues know the plane is carrying her mother’s dead body to her hometown.

Nai Nai & Wài Pó (Grandma & Grandma)

USA, Sean Wang, 17 min.

Nai Nai is my grandma. Wài Pó is also my grandma. Together, they are a grandma super team that dances, stretches, and farts their sorrows away.

Parker

USA, Sharon Liese, Catherine Hoffman, 13 min. A decision delayed for decades allows three generations of a Kansas City family to finally unify when they do something that countless African Americans before them could not do - choose their own last name.

Help Me Understand

USA, Aemilia Scott, 14 min. Six women come to a consensus.

The Old Young Crow

Japan, Liam LoPinto, 12 min. An Iranian boy befriends an old Japanese woman at a graveyard in Tokyo.

Sisters of the Rotation

Lebanon, Michel Zarazir, Gaby Zarazir, 14 min. At Sisters of the Rotation’s convent, the Earth doesn’t spin by itself.

MEETING PEOPLE IS EASY

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 11:00 AM

CAMELOT 1, 86 MINUTES

Putting yourself out there can be hard, but as these films remind us, a stranger is just a friend, hookup, or life partner you’ve never met.

Crarylake Boats and Floats

USA, Spencer Thielmann, Emily Berge, 9 min.

Summer is over. At the combo hot dog stand boat rental shop, Lane hopes to wait out her shift by getting high and avoiding the rain. The arrival of a flirty late-season boat renter, Cara, throws her plans into chaos.

Out of Water

USA, Madi Stine, 13 min.

When a disenchanted mermaid-for-hire is mistaken for a real mermaid, she plays along to disastrous consequences.

Yokelan, 66

USA, Tang Yi, 9 min.

In Chinatown Manhattan, 66-year-old widowed Yokelan goes to dance class determined to find love again.

ART ATTACK

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 11:30 AM CAMELOT 2, 91 MINUTES

Explore the transformative and provocative influence of art through an assortment of documentary, fiction, and animated short films that celebrate the creative process and its ability to heal and challenge.

Epicenter

South Korea, Hahm Heeyoon, 10 min.

Bukhansan Mountain grows during an earthquake. Little by little, fine cracks appear on the wall that divides the world of fantasy and reality, where someone begins to notice the existence of an invisible world.

Invasive Species

USA, Annie Ning, 13 min.

A young Asian American sound artist grapples with her impostor syndrome as it takes on new extremes at her first artist’s residency.

I Probably Shouldn’t Be Telling You This

USA, Emma Weinswig, 13 min.

Minna, a self-flagellating influencer, is concealing her crush and fandom for Frank while invited to be a guest on his famous podcast. Frank is hiding his deep, longtime online obsession for Minna. They both soon discover they’re even more attracted to the honest truth.

Jammed

Netherlands, Isis Mihrimah Cabolet, 17 min. 70-year-old Edith, who has fallen into social and mental isolation, comes into contact with an equally lonely young man. Although they have absolutely nothing in common, he rekindles the zest for life in her.

Mysore Magic

USA, Abijeet Achar, 14 min.

The true story of an unlikely romance in 1982 at a disco competition in Mysore, India.

No Bedroom

Canada, Ryan Leedu, 11 min.

A young woman selectively arranges viewings for her one-bedroom house, which she may not be genuine about actually renting.

Away

Hungary, Ruslan Fedotow, 29 min.

Two 16-year-old Ukrainian refugees in Budapest help at a school for refugee children and make protest art on the streets — triggering political debate among the Hungarian passersby.

Black Strings

USA, Marquise Mays, 12 min.

The Black String Triage Ensemble, an all-African American orchestra in Milwaukee, performs on the scenes of gun violence. In a city grappling with violence, can these first responders transform the aftermath of tragedies into spaces of recovery, healing and hope?

Dicks That I Like

Germany, Johanna Gustin, 13 min.

Visual artist Daniela Torres creates phallic sculptures inspired by the men who have been dicks to her. In this intimate portrait, Daniela shares her struggles, catharsis, and process with women in her workshop. It is a hands-on approach to healing trauma that yields beautiful results.

Vernissage

Sweden, Arvin Kananian, 14 min.

Simon and Siván are the picture-perfect artsy couple. Everything in their lives is thoroughly curated, from the way they have sex to their choice of celebrity therapist. One night, during another soulless art exhibition, the shiny surface of their relationship starts to crack.

CLOSE-UPS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 12:00 PM

CAMELOT 3, 93 MINUTES

These documentary portraits take you inside the lives of a wide range of fascinating people with intimacy and beauty.

CAMELOT 1, 91 MINUTES

A collection of films about criminals, accomplices, victims and the often amorphous line between them all.

The Fading

Canada, Rafaël Beauchamp, 15 min.

In this dreamlike and anxiety-inducing thriller, a grieving mother is faced with the opportunity to take revenge on a seemingly harmless young man who allegedly killed her son.

Please Hold the Line

Malaysia, Tan Ce Ding, 18 min.

A young female scam call operator in Malaysia is thrust into a terrifying moral dilemma as she desperately navigates a life-changing situation.

CAMELOT 2, 89 MINUTES

Who we present ourselves in public isn’t always who we are in private. Personal secrets, hidden desires and public personas clash in this selection of films.

All I Know

Nigeria, Obinna Onyeri, 16 min.

A young man’s determination to know the whereabouts of his dear friend puts him at risk of exposing their secret.

Aphonia

Poland, Marta Z. Nowak, 12 min.

The routine of a boarding school for deaf children is disturbed by the arrival of a new student who cannot sign and does not speak. A classmate who helps the isolated newcomer soon finds their friendship tested.

File

Iran, Sonia K. Hadad, 20 min.

Call Me Mommy

Ireland, Tara O’Callaghan, 15 min.

A compelling portrait of the multifaceted life of Sinead, a 40-year-old single mother, and online sex worker, who deftly straddles her personal and professional lives while exploring an array of “mommy issues”—including her own.

Clean

Scotland, UK, Miranda Stern, 18 min.

A woman’s love letter and final goodbye to heroin, as she attempts to come off the synthetic opiates that have kept her clean for the past six years.

Kaamoksen Valossa

Finland, Niko Väistö, 27 min.

Antti, a musher from Northern Finland, loves his sled dogs and way of life. When he’s advised to quit he has to decide what he’s willing to risk for his freedom.

Shirampari: Legacies of the River

Peru, Lucía Flórez, 16 min.

In one of the most remote places of the Peruvian Amazon, an Ashéninka boy must overcome his fears and catch a giant catfish using just a hook to start his journey to becoming an adult.

Waking Up In Silence

Germany, Mila Zhluktenko, Daniel Asadi Faezi, 17 min.

Ukrainian children are confronted with their past as they explore their new home in Germany: a former Wehrmacht military barracks.

Presto

Iran, Keyvan Ahmadi, 30 min. While on a particularly dangerous assignment, a drug dealer is forced to take along his father, a former famous magician named Presto who is now living with Alzheimer’s.

Split Ends

Iran, Alireza Kazemipour, 14 min. In Tehran, a long-haired man and a bald woman get fined over not wearing a proper hijab.

ur heinous habit

USA, Eugene Kolb, 14 min. A blackmail email prompts a filmmaker to explore the intersection of shame and masturbation through a series of zoom conversations with his friends.

A 6-year-old mute boy attends a pre-school health screening with his mother. At the test, a decision he makes changes everything.

Green Space

UK, Jamie Fraser, 21 min.

Private moments become public mishaps over one day in a south London park.

Teacups

Australia, Alec Green, Finbar Watson, 7 min.

For almost half a century, Don Ritchie would approach people contemplating suicide at the edge of a cliff 100 feet from his home. Reconciling the suicide of his best friend, Don’s surreal interactions with suicidal individuals asks: Can a simple act of kindness save a life?

Yellow

UK, Elham Ehsas, 13 min.

In Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, Laili walks into a chadari store in Kabul to buy her first full-body veil and face a new future.

IN THE COUNTRY

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 3:00 PM

CAMELOT 3, 88 MINUTES

From France to India, through small villages, fields and woods, these bucolic tales take us to rural lives and the rich diversity of experiences and stories you find there.

Almost Fall

France, Margot Pouppeville, 22 min.

Two women return to a small town in the Dordogne. Every step they take brings them closer to the event that changed their lives sixty years earlier.

Arnasa

Spain, Raúl Barreras, 14 min.

When his grandmother dies, Ekaitz returns to the family farmhouse to take care of his grandfather. Despite their differences, the two find unlikely comfort under complicated and precarious circumstances.

COUPLING & UNCOUPLING

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 5:00 PM

CAMELOT 1, 87 MINUTES

A captivating collection of stories that explore the dynamics of human relationships – from coming together to breaking apart, from choosing to spend a lifetime with someone to moving on – all conveyed with a blend of passion, humor, and wistfulness that feels just right.

For Those Who Don’t Know How USA, Brian Chamberlayne, 12 min. After a painful breakup, a fastidious and intellectual college professor, who has trouble expressing his emotions, wrestles with existential anguish as he tries to figure out how to move on.

The Kidnapping of the Bride

Germany, Sophia Mocorrea, 30 min. Luisa from Buenos Aires and Fred from Brandenburg have a unique relationship in which they’ve created their own universe. At their wedding, the two lovers are increasingly confronted with their social roles and intercultural prejudices.

CODES OF CONDUCT

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 5:30 PM

CAMELOT 2, 95 MINUTES

The unwritten rules of society can exasperate and confuse at every turn. From an awkward funeral, to an online video game feed, to marriage counseling, these shorts examine how we follow—and break—prescribed norms.

Best Friends on a Summer Hike

USA, Mario Furloni, 9 min.

Two men take an uneasy hike on a Northern California coastal trail. A cautionary tale.

Bizarro World

USA, Jonathan Salmon, Abdi Ibrahim, 8 min.

A series of comedic, surreal, and sometimes dramatic films revolving around absurd, and quick stories.

The Breakthrough

USA, Daniel Sinclair, 14 min.

Jane and Teddy are on the brink of divorce – but when their marital problems come to a sticking point, they have an unexpected breakthrough.

Eeva

Croatia, Lucija Mrzljak, Morten Tšinakov, 16 min.

It’s a sad day in Eeva’s life. The rain is pouring down at her husband’s funeral. There is a lot of crying, too much wine, and a couple of strange dreams fill in the gaps.

Creamy

Hungary, Bálint Dániel Sós, 5 min.

An amateur ornithologist confronts a blithe confectioner. A tale of adultery, blackmail and violence unfolds in a small countryside pastry shop.

Home India, Aditi Sharma, 15 min.

A resident tea plantation worker dreads her approaching retirement as she is forced to choose between keeping her home or saving her daughter from an exploitative and back breaking labour system.

SCRED TBM

France, Kevin Le Dortz, 16 min.

Gabriel is a husband and soon-to-be-father leading a double life. He scrupulously organizes secret meetings from a gay hook up app in order to never be unmasked, but everything changes the day he meets a new profile.

Things Unheard Of

Turkey, Ramazan Kilic, 16 min.

A little Kurdish girl tries to put a smile back on her grandmother’s face after the disappearance of her television, her only window into the world.

À la vie à l’amor

Canada, Emilie Mannering, 15 min. Following a tough break-up, Cesar feels numb. On the day of his 30th birthday, he asks one thing and one thing only from the people he meets up with as he records them with his camera: their thoughts on unconditional love.

The Singles Retreat

USA, Jo Firestone, 16 min.

In hope of meeting some nice gentlemen, two 75-year-old friends attend a seniors-only singles retreat in the Poconos. Initially, only Mimi is hopeful for the weekends’ potential, but when Linda runs into her ex from 30 years ago, her outlook starts to change.

(spin)

UK, Precious Wura Alabi, 14 min. Picking a laundromat as the location for their first date, Zekiel has a full wash cycle to convince Izzy that they might just be perfect for each other.

Klette

Belgium, Michael Abay, 17 min.

Morgane, 26 years old, still lives with her mother, has not yet completed her studies, and her love life doesn’t get beyond one-night stands. Now it’s time for her to make a decision.

Movement

Switzerland, Valentine Moser, 7 min.

They wake up next to their loved one, have a job that suits them, and enjoy the simple things around them. Yet, in a society that constantly pushes and demands more, their joy is threatened by problems beyond them.

Simo

Canada, Aziz Zoromba, 24 min.

Simo and Emad’s brotherhood is filled with competition and jealousy. In a desire to prove his popularity and his capabilities to his older brother, Simo does something that has the effect of a bomb on the whole family.

CROSSROADS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 6:00 PM

CAMELOT 3, 89 MINUTES

The characters in this program stand at a crucial juncture, facing pivotal decisions and life-altering events.

ChaCha

China, Chenghua Yang, Shang Zhang, 13 min.

Two middle-aged couples with very different personalities and habits meet in France for some reason and embark on a meaningful and extraordinary journey in an unfamiliar country.

Piece by Piece

Austria, Reza Rasouli, 9 min.

Two teenage friends stroll around the neighborhood, simply passing the time together, but piece by piece new perspectives and identities are revealed.

Room For One More

Australia, Jesse Vogelaar, 7 min. When an entire house collapses on him, Alex realizes he’s close to death. Will he use his final moments to reconnect with loved ones? Or will he go all-in on pitching his brilliant short film idea to old friend Bruno?

The Summer I Got Tough

Euridice, Euridice

Switzerland, Lora Mure-Ravaud, 41 min.

Ondina shares her life with Alexia, with whom she is madly in love. Their love story is passionate and carnal. But one day, Alexia flies to her native Greece and does not return.

I Have No Legs, and I Must Run

China, Yue Li, 15 min.

A competitive runner past his prime struggles with injuries when the arrival of a talented new teammate plants the seeds of dark, obsessive jealousy in his mind.

Killing Bagheera

Germany, Muschirf Shekh Zeyn, 13 min.

Alan and Bekes are refugees who want to enter Europe. While on the run, the two Kurdish brothers are confronted with hidden fears that threaten to divide them.

You Know Where To Find Me

USA, Sam Davis, 20 min.

Frankie’s waited for this day for 23 years. With his mom’s help, he packs up everything he owns and sets out to start a new life alone. The euphoria of newfound independence is short-lived, as the night falls, he misses his mom.

FRIENDS LIKE THESE

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 8:00 PM CAMELOT 1, 92 MINUTES

We can’t always choose the members of our social circles. Unconventional pals, disrespected boundaries and serious fun loom large in this collection of films.

Burial of Life as a Young Girl

France, Maïté Sonnet, 33 min.

Recovering from a break-up, Axelle has to go to her sister’s bachelorette party in a ghostly spa in the mountains. Fortunately, among the guests, there is Marguerite. Through one gaze, love is awakened again.

USA, Victoria Shan Wang, 6 min. Summertime, high school. Jessie wants a reputation of being a tough girl and she knows just how to do it - get punched in the face. Too bad her best friend Savannah can’t bring herself to do it.

The Vacation

USA, Jarreau Carrillo, 11 min. In Flatbush, Brooklyn, four friends are stuck in their car after it breaks down on the way to the beach on the last day of the summer.

CAMELOT 1, 93 MINUTES

An intriguing blend of science and speculative fiction through a collection of eclectic films that explore imagined futures and offer fresh perspectives on our present reality.

Wank

UK, Yasmin Afifi, 13 min.

Four rambunctious boys recount wild tales of boyhood while taking turns going into the bathroom to wank to a seemingly disturbing internet video. As the night progresses, the boys’ true struggles with masculinity are put on display.

Hot Rod

France, Juliette Gilot, 17 min.

Summer 2031, 104°. Saadia, a car mechanic, struggles with a lack of work, when her friends ask ‘what if the car of the future was a horse?’

Mulika

Democratic Republic of Congo, Maisha Maene, 14 min. An ‘afronaut’ emerges from the wreckage of a spaceship in the volcanic crater of Mount Nyiragongo. As he descends into the city below, encountering the people of present-day Goma, he begins to understand what he must do to change the future for his people.

Power Signal

USA, Oscar Boyson, 20 min.

Desperate to find a bathroom in a city that refuses to provide him one, a bike delivery worker discovers an unearthly presence infecting women all over New York.

Rabobesto - Or How I Saved a Monster

Finland, Mari Mantela, 15 min.

On the verge of her marital life, a young woman makes a journey into the night to find out why she has lost her heartbeat and turned golden.

We Were Meant To

USA, Tari Wariebi, 27 min.

In a world where Black men have wings and their first flight is a rite of passage, Akil must defy fears, insecurities, and societal barriers while discovering his perfect launch into manhood.

A DOSE OF REALITY

THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 11:30 AM

CAMELOT 2, 86 MINUTES

Embark on a memorable journey through a series of documentary shorts that will transport you to a range of fascinating locations and introduce you to remarkable people – from the Philippines where sleeping on the job is a norm, to a one-of-a-kind library in Canada, and beyond.

45th Parallel

UK, Lawrence Abu Hamdan, 15 min.

A monologue is performed in a building that inhabits the thickness of a borderline, telling stories of permeable borders and impermeable laws, reflecting on how free movement, free knowledge and free space are under threat.

Amara and Ry’Shauna

USA, Kate Cohen, A.D. Freese, 31 min.

The frequent movement and distress of children trapped within the complex and bureaucratic foster care system are brought to life through heartbreaking, intimate personal stories from 12 year-old Amara and 19 year-old Ry’Shauna.

Liturgy of Anti-tank Obstacles

USA, Dmytro Sukholytkyy-Sobchuk, 12 min.

In Ukraine, every citizen works to contribute to the nationwide resistance. Many train for the needs of the military, whereas sculptors now make anti-tank obstacles. In the workshops, among the art, masters weld metal for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Oasis

Canada, Justine Martin, 14 min.

Twins at the dawn of their teenage years, Raphaël and Rémi’s relationship changes as one of them, suffering from an increasingly marked disability, remains a prisoner of childhood. During one last summer surrounded by nature, time seems to want to stand still.

HIGHER GROUND

THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 12:00 PM CAMELOT 3, 96 MINUTES

The body, the spirit, and the metaphysical collide in this series of shorts exploring the power of faith, belief and ritual.

Arava

Israel, Sarah Meital Benjamin, 27 min.

In 2000s Jerusalem, Arava reluctantly goes on a trip with her best friend, Tzipi. Along the way, they’re confronted with the intricacies of their individual identities, hopes, losses, and their relationship to one another.

Confessions

USA, Stephanie Kaznocha, 11 min. After the death of a friend, two elderly nuns confess they’re tired of waiting to die. One confession leads to another and before they know it, they’re embarking on a journey of selfdiscovery.

ON THE ROAD

THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2:00 PM

CAMELOT 1, 90 MINUTES

Whether on a long road trip or driving through the city, take the scenic route with this collection of shorts about the time we spend in transit with friends, family and mysterious strangers.

Powernapper’s Paradise

Sweden, Samir Arabzadeh, 14 min.

A mosaic of working class life and people in the Philippines where it is perfectly okay to sleep at work.

On My Father’s Grave

France, Jawahine Zentar, 23 min. Maïne and her family are taking her father’s coffin back to his village to be buried. She does not intend to respect the tradition where only men take the deceased to their final resting place while women wait at home.

Our Males and Females

Jordan, Ahmad Alyaseer, 11 min.

An Islamic father and mother are pushed to the extreme when faced with the painful task of attempting to wash and shroud the body of their transgender daughter.

Under G-d

USA, Paula Eiselt, 24 min.

Following the Dobbs U.S. Supreme Court decision, Jewish women, rabbis and other interfaith leaders have begun to challenge the overturning of Roe state by state by launching lawsuits maintaining the separation between church and state and protecting religious freedom for all.

A Beautiful Wildflower Meadow

Poland, Emi Buchwald, 30 min.

Emil is a landscaper who has one simple goal: get his daughter to the airport on time. But Emil is incapable of letting daily adversities go, and his attempts to bring the anarchic universe back to harmony only makes reality more chaotic.

It’s a Date

Ukraine, Nadia Parfan, 6 min.

A car races through the streets at dawn in this thrilling remake, set in 2022 Kyiv, of Claude Lelouch’s C’était un rendez-vous.

Mirage

Iran, Atefeh Salehi, 17 min.

A girl rides a truck on the road. The driver reminds her of her miserable past. After spending a night with the driver, she kills him.

Rest Stop

USA, Crystal Kayiza, 12 min.

On a bus ride from New York to Oklahoma, Meyi, a young Ugandan American girl, realizes her place in the world through her immigrant Mother’s ambitious efforts to reunite their family.

Thirstygirl

USA, Alexandra Qin, 10 min.

On a road trip with her younger sister, Charlie struggles to hide a secret sex addiction.

Women Visiting a City

Spain, Enrique Buleo, 15 min.

Newly widowed, three retired women travel on a bus to explore Europe, looking to start living again. They’ve heard about the wonders of tourism all their lives and are now dying to experience it firsthand.

SIBLING STORIES

THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2:30 PM

CAMELOT 2, 89 MINUTES

Explore the complex and enduring bond between siblings. From Ukrainian sisters navigating a new reality to a young woman uncovering a troubling secret about her future brother-in-law, and even a family ski trip filled with its own set of complications, these films offer a diverse range of stories that highlight the unbreakable connections between brothers and sisters.

The Beads

Brazil, Rafaela Camelo, Emanuel Lavor, 19 min.

In a house surrounded by nature, two sisters prepare an abortion without noticing that there is a snake inside.

I See Them Bloom

Germany, Nikita Gibalenko, 27 min.

Sisters Eugenia and Nastya are warmly welcomed in Munich after fleeing Ukraine. While Nastya tries to enjoy her new life, Eugenia struggles to adjust while there‘s war at home and worries that Nastya is becoming a stranger to her.

Sibling

Belgium, Laura Van Passel, 18 min.

New half-siblings Kato and Alex are on a ski holiday. As the teens become acquainted, their relationship complicates. Initially resistant, Kato cannot ignore the fact that it is not just the ski lift that makes her breathing soar.

Take Me Home

USA, Liz Sargent, 16 min.

After their mother’s death, a cognitively disabled woman and her estranged sister must learn to communicate in order to move forward.

ANIMAL INSTINCTS

THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 3:00 PM CAMELOT 3, 85 MINUTES

Including pufflings off the coast of Iceland, tortoises in the Mojave, and newts at a conference, this collection of documentary and fiction shorts features fauna and the hilarious and moving ways their lives connect with human kind.

Chicken Stories

USA, Jonathan Pickett, 17 min. On a start-up farm outside Oakland, various flocks of chickens surmount daily obstacles while the newbie farmers attempt to Google their way to help.

Eco-Hack!

USA, Josh Izenberg, Brett Marty, 17 min. An unconventional field biologist wages a high-tech war against ravens in the Mojave — think laser cannons, exploding tortoises, and autonomous drones — in a lastditch effort to save the desert tortoise from extinction.

LATE NIGHT

THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 5:00 PM

CAMELOT 1, 89 MINUTES

Identical twins, zombies and late night ramen feature in these surreal, off-center films best experienced under the influence of after-dark.

Wading

USA, Nada Bedair, 9 min.

Layla, a young Muslim Egyptian immigrant, bears witness to the patriarchal forces governing the women of her community when she questions the integrity of her sister’s fiancé.

The Newt Congress

Switzerland, Matthias Sahli, Immanuel Esser, 16 min. For years now, giant talking newts have been used for their labor and as laboratory animals. Participants are gathered at The Newt Congress to optimize the exploitation of the animals in this adaptation of Karel apek’s “War with the Newts”.

On Purpose

Lithuania, Adas Burkšaitis, 15 min. In a small village community, eight-year-old Méta will stop at nothing to find help for her injured dog.

Puffling

UK, Jessica Bishopp, 20 min.

Every summer 18-year-old Birta and 16-year-old Selma rescue pufflings (young puffins) at night on a remote island off the coast of Iceland. On the cusp of their own journey into adulthood away from their home, Birta and Selma take it upon themselves to counteract the human impact on nature, exchanging night-time parties for puffin patrol.

Claudio’s Song

UK, Andreas Nilsson, 9 min.

A young man faces the wrath of a family of criminals that target people who are famous on the internet and extort money from them. When their scheme fails, the plan to kill him takes an unexpected turn.

D.O.D.

USA, Paul Davis, 18 min.

When two survivors of the zombie apocalypse stumble across the remains of a demolished airplane, neither are prepared for what they find.

Death and Ramen

USA, Tiger Ji, 14 min.

A ramen chef spends his final night alive hanging out with the Grim Reaper.

Pennies From Heaven

USA, Sandy Honig, 11 min.

Two identical twins stumble upon a pickup truck filled with pennies, sending them on an absurd farcical adventure through the middle of nowhere that only lands them right back where they started.

Soon-To-Be a Zombie

Japan, Yuki Saito, 24 min.

Remi, a struggling underground idol who dreams of stardom but is too ordinary, gets infected with a zombie virus, which turns her into an overnight sensation.

Vibrator Girl

USA, Kara Strait, 13 min.

Marianne relies heavily on her vibrator for pleasure, unable to orgasm or connect with people. But when her body starts exhibiting mysterious symptoms and her vibrator malfunctions, she consults medical professionals and orgasm gurus to figure out what’s wrong.

FEVER DREAM

THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 5:30 PM CAMELOT 2, 94 MINUTES

Vivid imagery, distorted realities, provocative and mesmerizing stories—like a dream that you can’t shake, these films are made for unpacking.

The Arrival of Aliens

China, Tian Guan, Junjie Lam, 14 min.

A group of people clean a spotless unknown space while a broadcast repeatedly warns about the coming attack of aliens. A sandstorm invades the space, foreshadowing their arrival. One person, however, accidentally discovers the mystery hidden in the sandstorm.

Chomp It!

Singapore, Mark Chua, Lam Li Shuen, 11 min. Two crocodilian men go to a swimming pool to cool off. One of them is seemingly of a different and special kind; the other is unable to control his desire.

Colors of the Jungle

Peru, Julio César Padilla, 10 min. When Tamara’s best friend goes missing in the Amazon rainforest she decides to immerse herself in the deep jungle to find him. Will she?

Coral

USA, Sonia Oleniak, 18 min.

The whales have swallowed the moon and without it, people and animals and things have trouble digesting emotions. On this night, a family of strangers pass through a restaurant where their nightmares and dreams become more vivid.

“Delta Airline Saftey Video

USA, Jordan Michael Blake, 4 min.

Welcome Aboard!

Drifting

Switzerland, Marion Reymond, 13 min.

A young caregiver reverts to a fantasy world to cope with the grief of losing her mother and to escape from the drudgery of the care home where she works.

Mystic Tiger

Spain, Marc Martínez Jordán, 15 min.

After suffering a mysterious accident, a man acquires the ability to traverse time and space. However, the unbridled use of this gift will inevitably lead him to discover the true reason behind his power.

Tomato Kitchen

China, Junyi Xiao, 9 min.

Li Yang’s dinner with his colleagues is bizarrely interrupted when the plight of a strange “tomato man” reveals a dark, surreal truth inside the restaurant’s kitchen.

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THE HISTORY OF US

THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 6:00 PM CAMELOT 3, 91 MINUTES

From personal to shared histories, this collection of films looks at the stories that shape us—the choices, the moments, the people.

Agustina

Mexico, Luciana Herrera Caso, 17 min.

When Agustina realizes that the trip to the moon her teacher had promised her is just imaginary, she is torn apart. As conflict develops in Chile, Agustina must find a way to cope with reality.

Between Her

Israel, Bar Cohen, 29 min.

Aya is a young trans girl, frustrated by love life and men. One evening, she goes out to a bar and meets there by chance, a guy from the distant past. This meeting causes her to face her biggest fear: herself.

David Se Va

USA, Joel Villegas Saldaña, 14 min.

David begrudgingly left Tijuana for Los Angeles when he was 12. Years later, he learns of his estranged father’s passing and returns to a place he once thought was home.

Four Nights and a Fire

USA, Alex Nystrom, 12 min.

Robert, a young Ojibwe photographer, stubbornly takes on the responsibility of keeping a sacred fire alive for four consecutive days and nights in mourning of his father. His father’s spirit tries to reach him from the other side.

GAYLA THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 8:00 PM CAMELOT 1, 83 MINUTES

A celebration of queer life on the big screen from stories of love and heartbreak to tales of self-discovery and empowerment.

100% USDA Certified Organic Homemade Tofu USA, Gbenga Komolafe, 14 min.

Nikki spices things up at her mom’s struggling tofu restaurant while working to afford her breast augmentation surgery.

OUTSIDERS & UNDERDOGS

FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 11:00 AM

CAMELOT 1, 89 MINUTES

Facing dilemmas and with the odds stacked firmly against them, the protagonists in these shorts must surmount tough obstacles and take charge of their own destinies.

Beautiful, FL

USA, Gabriela Ortega, 20 min.

Determined to win an ice cream competition with a flavor inspired by her late Tia Abuela’s Puerto Rican treats, a teen girl turns to her trailer park neighbors to help figure out the winning recipe.

Big Bang

Brazil, Carlos Segundo, 14 min.

In Uberlândia, Brazil, Chico earns his living repairing ovens, into which he enters easily thanks to his small size. Faced with the contempt of a system that relegates him to the ranks of the marginalized, he gradually enters into resistance.

Endless Sea

USA, Sam Shainberg, 19 min.

Christopher at Sea

France, Tom C J Brown, 20 min. After embarking as a passenger onboard a cargo ship returning to Europe, Christopher begins to question his sanity and the very understanding of his perception of time in this romantic psychological thriller at sea.

Gold and Mud

USA, Conor Dooley, 9 min. A sprawling story of love and loss, as reflected on a single face observed through the decades. Centuries, even.

Idiot Fish

France, Hakim Mao, 24 min. A couple on the way home for the holidays decides to role play their first meeting. Jimmy becomes a lost hitchhiker, Guillaume a lonely driver. Pretending they are strangers, they hope to seduce each other again. Until a third player joins the game…

Insta Gay

re-record

Ukraine, Kyrylo Zemlyanyi, 7 min.

A family celebrates the birthday of their son. After a warm birthday greeting, their usual feast takes place.

Still Waters

USA, Aurora Brachman, 12 min.

A daughter asks her mother a question about her mother’s childhood. Her answer begs them to wade through its rippling effects throughout their lives.

Canada, Simon Paluck, 12 min. A millennial Torontonian reels after breaking-up with a popular gay influencer.

Pipes

Switzerland, Jessica Meier, Kilian Feusi, Sujanth Ravichandran, 4 min.

Hired to fix a broken pipe, Bob the plumber lands much to his surprise in a gay fetish club.

Carol, 70, just discovered her heart medication has doubled in price. She hustles to find money, attempting to borrow from her weary family, and pleading with Social Security for assistance. Desperate and reeling, she takes matters into her own hands.

Merv

USA, Sam Roebling, 21 min.

Following his latest romantic humiliation, Simon is unexpectedly summoned to his grandmother’s house to meet her new boyfriend, Merv. The man he encounters there upends his understanding of love, loss, and Chinese takeout.

Porter

Norway, Lisa Enes, 15 min.

Mai Linn is a shy porter at one of the biggest hospitals in Oslo, Norway. Her colleagues hardly notice her and take her for granted. She feels that she is standing still, a bit like moss

GROWING PAINS

FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 11:30 AM

CAMELOT 2, 87 MINUTES

Sensitive, fantastical and authentic, these coming-of-age shorts cover the wide spectrum of experiences of being young and growing up.

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 12:00 PM CAMELOT 3, 87 MINUTES

Home is so much more than a dwelling. Home is our collective pasts, our memories, our loved ones and our shared hopes for a better future.

I Have No Tears, and I Must Cry

USA, Luis Fernando Puente, 13 min.

Maria Luisa is ready to escape immigration limbo, but when her green card interview takes an unexpected turn, she faces the anxiety of losing the life she had planned.

Ptitsa

Poland, Alina Maksimenko, 30 min. During the pandemic, a mother and her adult daughter live their lives in the same home but separate from each other. However, when tragedy strikes their friend, their relationship is put into a different perspective.

Science Around Us

Grown

USA, Jamila Meloche, 16 min.

Left home alone one weekend, 14-year-old Isa tags along with her crush, 18-year-old Telly. She competes for his attention, gets into mischief, and is finally confronted with the reality of the adult world she wants so desperately to be a part of.

Infantry

Brazil, Laís Santos Araújo, 24 min.

Joana longs for her first period. Her brother Dudu yearns for his absent father. With the arrival of a mysterious guest, both will find out that fulfilling your dreams is possible, but may not come without a price.

Make or Break

Germany, Mike Plitt, Falk Schuster, 8 min.

When his mother publicly criticizes the GDR, Alex is sent to a children’s home. He longs for his family and makes several attempts to escape. As punishment, Alex is sent to the Torgau Closed Juvenile Detention Centre. He is suddenly overcome by dark thoughts...

Matapang

France, Lea-Jade Horlier, 23 min.

Mary Ann, a twelve-year-old child born from sex tourism, survives in the slum of Angeles City, Manila. Determined to make it out, she is ready to do anything to find her father.

Weapons and Their Names

USA, Melina Valdez, 16 min.

Struggling to connect with her grieving family after the sudden death of her stepfather, a teenager sneaks off to shoot guns in rural Florida with her best friend.

Netherlands, Arif Abdillah, 20 min.

Budi, a closeted Indonesian transplant to The Netherlands is attempting to clean up the AirBnB he owns as last night’s tenants trashed it and tonight’s are incoming quickly. Worse, he gets a call from his brother that their father is ill and refusing treatment.

BRIEF ENCOUNTERS

FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 2:00 PM

CAMELOT 1, 90 MINUTES

From a surprising knock at the door to the chance encounter on a beach, our most profound and memorable experiences occur in the shortest of time spans. These films examine the abiding impact of terse exchanges and fleeting interactions.

Anthony’s

USA, Sabrina Greco, 13 min.

After a fight with her ex-boyfriend, Aimee runs into her old English teacher, Anthony, and learns about his eccentric new enterprise.

Immaculate

UK, Villo Krisztics, 13 min.

Angela, an 11-year-old precocious Catholic schoolgirl, comes to believe she is pregnant after witnessing something strange in a swimming pool.

The Pass

USA, Pepi Ginsberg, 15 min.

While on holiday, Ben misreads signals from a handsome young man whose friends recommend they explore a private beach called The Pass. Going alone, Ben swims and meets an older man who grows aggressive as he struggles to mask his desires, leaving Ben afraid to get out of the water.

Spring Roll Dream

UK, Mai Vu, 9 min.

Linh is a Vietnamese mother who lives with her son in America. When her father visits and insists on cooking a traditional Vietnamese meal, Linh is confronted with the past and culture she left behind.

White Ant

UK, Shalini Adnani, 15 min.

A middle-aged businessman returns to his abandoned childhood home, where he finds a colony of termites destroying the house. Profoundly disconnected from his past self, he watches on solemnly, as the house caretaker and an exterminator deal with the infestation.

Snow in September

Mongolia, Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir, 20 min.

Davka, a teenager living in the decaying Soviet buildings of Ulaanbaatar, chats with a classmate about manga and they tease each other about sex. When Davka encounters an older woman, his ideas about intimacy and relationships are forced to change.

Soleil de nuit

Canada, Fernando López Escrivá, Maria Camila Arias, 13 min. While training in an abandoned mine for an important mission to the moon, a crew of Canadian astronauts is interrupted by an Atikamekw elder. He agrees to leave on one condition: the astronauts must deliver a sacred message to the spirits of his community on the moon.

Sèt Lam

France, Vincent Fontano, 23 min.

A frightened girl listens to her grandmother tell the strange tale of Edwardo, the first of his kin to have seen and fought death. The child is captivated, feeling that there is a reason her grandmother is recounting this story.

Sprout

USA, Zora Kovac, 8 min.

After an agoraphobic scientist accidentally creates a babylike plant creature, their connection threatens to upend his reclusive way of life.

Walk of Shame

USA, Dane Ray, 16 min.

A mourning widow suspects a stranger in town is wearing her late husband’s Army jacket. She cautiously stalks the man into the night in an attempt to find closure.

STRICTLY BUSINESS

FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 2:30 PM

CAMELOT 2, 87

MINUTES

At turns hilarious and penetrating, the hustle never ends in this program about engaging in the art of commerce.

Alpha Kings

USA, Enrique Pedráza-Botero, Faye Tsakas, 15 min.

From a rented mansion in suburban Texas, a group of young men sell a hyperbolic, alpha male version of themselves on the internet.

Call Me Mommy

USA, Haley Alea Erickson, Taylor Washington, 13 min.

A pedantic mother-to-be hires a stranger to role-play as her unborn daughter.

Halmoni’s Pot

USA, A. Lauren Lee, 10 min.

Grandma Mee-Yung reluctantly agrees to go buy pot for her grandson. But pay full price? Never!

The Launch

USA, KK Apple, 9 min.

When a ruthless tech uber-nerd is faced with pushback right before a big launch, he must find a way to hype up the team — and himself — before going onstage.

Side Hustle

USA, Abby Harri, 15 min.

Eden, a dancer in New York City, pays the bills with financial support from her sugar daddy. Documentary interviews with sugar babies and sex workers weave into Eden’s fictional story through her consumption and interaction with social media, contextualizing her experience within a community of voices.

Step Into the Mattress

USA, Erin Vassilopoulos, 14 min. Up against a deadline that could cost them their jobs, rivaling mattress store employees find common ground in latex.

Walk Out Nice and Smooth

USA, Kerry O’Neill, 11 min.

Thirteen-year-old Dani and their mother embark on an allday odyssey to flip a stolen laptop. Pressures mount as the day runs long, forcing Dani to take drastic measures that unexpectedly bring the two of them closer.

PARABLES, FANTASIES & FABLES

FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 3:00 PM CAMELOT 3, 92

Things That Disappear

MINUTES

Suspend belief and lose yourself in the stories of these imaginative and expressive shorts.

Aikāne

USA, Daniel Sousa, Dean Hamer, Joe Wilson, 14 min. Wounded in battle, an island warrior falls into a mysterious underwater world. When the octopus who rescues him transforms into a handsome young man, they fall in love and an epic adventure begins.

South Korea, Kim Changsoo, 10 min.

An elderly person living alone in a redevelopment area holds a funeral for a dead cat they find in the street.

Untitled Floating Mom Short

USA, Aidan Guynes, 9 min.

A girl’s mother has started to levitate unconsciously. At the same time, the girl grapples with an unusually optimistic doctor’s visit.

The Melting Creatures

Chile, Diego Céspedes, 18 min.

Nataly, a trans woman, is visiting her former lover Leon with her daughter Secreto in a mysterious reclusive community hiding from the sun. These reunions will bring back the memory of a toxic and abusive relationship to Nataly.

Zeb’s Spider

Canada, Alicia Eisen, Sophie Jarvis, 10 min.

An eight-legged force of fate spins a complex web in a superstitious homebody’s life. What begins as a way of coping with an uninvited arachnid soon takes on a monstrous life of its own.

LIFE OF THE PARTY

FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 5:00 PM

CAMELOT 1, 93 MINUTES

Wild nights and poignant moments abound in these stories dedicated to the memorable times we gather to celebrate.

Blond Night

Canada, Gabrielle Demers, 17 min.

Victor is unhappy in his housing for autistic adults. To avoid the Friday disco, he goes out for a walk in the neighborhood where he meets a young sex worker.

Gertrude and Yvan Party Hard

France, Louise Groult, 9 min.

Bored at a party, Gertrude meets Yvan. They test each other, provoke each other, until the meeting takes an absurd and bloody turn.

When You Left Me on That Boulevard

USA, Kayla Abuda Galang, 13 min.

Teenager Ly and her cousins get high before a boisterous family Thanksgiving at their auntie’s house in southeast San Diego in 2006.

NIGHTS TO REMEMBER FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 5:30 PM CAMELOT 2, 92 MINUTES

A collection of nocturnal tales featuring startling intrigue and the beginning and end of romances that can only happen at night.

An Avocado Pit

Portugal, Ary Zara, 18 min.

Larissa, a trans woman, and Cláudio, a cis man, meet one night in the streets of Lisbon. They dance their differences away until morning light in challenge, in surprise, in awe and in recognition.

Underdog

France, David Arlsanian, 21 min.

On a winter night, Mirko, a 23-year-old student, only has a few hours to pay his rent or he will be evicted. Moonlighting as a delivery man, he must deliver as many as orders as possible to pay off his debt.

THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT

FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 6:00 PM

CAMELOT 3, 90 MINUTES

Told through the eyes of children, these moving and perceptive live-action, documentary and animated stories offer distinctly wise perspectives on the world of being a kid.

Closing Dynasty

USA, Lloyd Lee Choi, 17 min.

On a school day, a 7-year-old hustles strangers for money on the streets of New York City.

Death to the Bikini!

Canada, Justine Gauthier, 16 min.

Lili, 10-year-old, rebels when her parents force her to wear a bikini top, even though she has always swam topless.

Good Girls Club: A Virginity Odyssey

Greece, Dimitris Tsakaleas, Lida Vartzioti, 17 min.

It’s the senior year of high school for two best friends on a serious mission: Tonight they will lose their virginity! Nothing goes according to plan and the two must accept that their odyssey is a small step for mankind and a giant step for their womanhood.

Happy Rakhi

USA, Ragini Bhasin, 10 min.

A feisty 9-year-old Indian girl’s relationship with her brothers is tested when she starts her period during their festive celebration of Raksha Bandhan.

More Than Friends

Israel, Omri Laron, 17 min.

Billie finds a love letter that her 11-year-old son Elisha wrote to a boy. Terrified of her son becoming a joke in his class or having his heart broken, Billie crashes a birthday party to keep an eye on him.

The Phone Booth

Germany, Lukas März, Kilian Bohnensack, 10 min.

Tom wants to throw a surprise birthday party for his crush, Anna, but the space is too small, the venue’s rules are too absurd, and Anna is far too difficult to impress. A film about great ambitions in confined spaces.

Incognito

India, Ravi Muppa, 25 min. A lonely motel receptionist makes an extra buck by selling hidden camera footage of his unsuspecting guests on the internet. While filming a young female guest, he realizes she is at risk of being trafficked and faces a crisis of conscience.

It Happened One Night at Melody Lanes

USA, Alex Fofonoff, 11 min. When an angry, young man travels to New York City seeking retribution for the predator who assaulted his sister, he confronts his own toxic masculinity and begins to question the very idea of revenge.

Me & Aydarous

Saudi Arabia, Sara Balghonaim, 8 min. A gutsy Saudi young woman sneaks off for a date only to butt heads with her chaperoning chauffeur.

Mucho, Mucho Amor

USA, Mariano Dongo, 9 min. Elizabeth, a dishwasher, hears about a staff party.

Honolulu

USA, Maya Tanaka, 14 min.

On a Hawai’ian vacation with her aloof father and elegant grandmother, 12 year old Yuki battles bright red sunburns and family scuffles that manage to leave behind deep scars.

Leonetty

USA, Logan Jackson, 11 min.

Leonetty Jones, a quiet, reserved 12-year-old black boy, is sent to live with his elderly grandmother in a small house in a rural neighborhood in New Orleans, Louisiana. Taking care of the household tasks and teased by the local boys over his dark skin complexion, he begins to evaluate the state of his life - all whilst trying to reconnect with his distant mother.

Little to Big

Sweden, Ellinor Hallin, Ellen Fiske, 20 min.

A much loved guinea pig has been put down. A first love has been lost. A little girl is carrying a terrible secret. These stories and more come through a Swedish helpline for young people who are in need of someone to listen.

Stranding

USA, Ben Kadie, 12 min.

Ten-year-old Theo finds solace in a mysterious beached whale while his parents plan their divorce.

THRILLS & CHILLS

FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 8:00 PM CAMELOT 1, 80 MINUTES

Buckle in for this hair-raising and unsettling series of disturbing genre shorts. From a trip to the woods by two young lovers that goes horribly wrong to a pining, deranged taxidermist to an epic allergy attack, expect some unforgettable and gross moments.

Death Snot

USA, Charlie Schwan, 8 min.

Seasonal allergies drive a man to the brink of insanity.

Diaspora

Canada, Tyler Mckenzie Evans, 16 min.

In a Black suburb, a couple begins to notice that their neighbors are disappearing and white people are moving in. They soon discover something much darker is happening.

Meantime

France, Guillaume Scaillet, 13 min.

While waiting for his girlfriend to join him in the calm and quiet countryside, city dweller Marc gradually falls prey to the assault of sounds not usually heard.

Nian USA, Michelle Krusiec, 6 min.

An Asian-American girl stands up to her racist bully armed with a Chinese Demon Mask and the Nian, a mythological creature that eats bad kids.

Black the Sea

Colombia, Juan David Mejía Vásquez, 16 min.

Arnaldo is a middle-aged bohemian musician barely surviving when his daughter visits asking for money, explaining that she is leaving their island community in search of better opportunities. Arnaldo begins to experience his own growing desire to seek new horizons.

Goose Egg

USA, Madeline Leshner, Zach Stone, 13 min.

After Tim is taken hostage by a pair of vengeful vagrants, he must find a way to get home and deliver his mom’s medication before her hallucinatory migraines eclipse her sense of reality.

La Pursé

Brazil, Gabriel Nóbrega, Lucas René, 10 min.

Mr. Badú, an octogenarian taxidermist of questionable taste, is madly in love with his neighbor, Mrs. Aurelia, a short-sighted wrinkly old lady who owns an ill-fated cat. Is this a love story? A comedy? Or an unusual horror story?

Nude

Canada, Olivier Labonté LeMoyne, 14 min.

An ordinary young couple find an isolated place to park their car and be intimate away from prying eyes. At least that’s what they believe... Deep in the forest, a scene of an unsettling encounter between sensuality and horror unfolds.

FACE THE MUSIC

SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 11:00 AM CAMELOT 1, 93 MINUTES

A cinematic mixtape about the power of music to define our lives, in silly, unexpected and profound ways.

Fanatic

USA, Taran Killam, 16 min.

Charlie and Gerald reunite their failed 2000’s boy band for a competition whose prize money could remedy all of their financial woes. What could go wrong?

First Chair

USA, Ethan Montgomery, Luke Montgomery, 13 min. A clarinet player works to keep her spot in first chair when a new player joins the band.

Birdsong

UK, Omi Zola Gupta, Sparsh Ahuja, 17 min. Among the Hmong people of Laos the whistling tradition, a sonic experience between music and speech, is dying. Against the modern condition of urban life in Laos, three practitioners of this vanishing musical language offer a glimpse into the philosophical relationship between society and nature, and sound and reality.

Snail

Iran, Aminreza Alimohammadi, 14 min.

A mother will stop at nothing to make her young son’s dreams come true, even for just a moment.

VHS Tape Replaced

Saudi Arabia, Maha Al-Saati, 17 min.

In 1987, a young Saudi man tries to impress the girl of his dreams by recording a tape of himself mimicking her favorite pop artist.

SHORTIES SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 11:30 AM

CAMELOT 2, 88 MINUTES

Films for kids and the young at heart! Featuring an intrusive rock, an ambitious spider, a Siberian tiger and more, this collection of family friendly animations will charm and entertain people of all ages.

Canary

Canada, Pierre-Hugues Dallaire, Benoit Therriault, 12 min.

A young boy named Sonny works in an underground coal mine with the adults, taking care of the canary that detects deadly methane gas. He teaches the bird to play dead to prank the men, risking their lives for a moment in the sunlight above.

The Social Chameleon USA, Alex Ross, 9 min.

Cosmo the chameleon doesn’t fit in with the other animals. No matter how hard he tries, he just can’t seem to find his place in the jungle. Then, everything changes when he meets another chameleon who shows him how to live by his own true colors!

CANS Can’t Stand

USA, Matt Nadel, Megan Plotka, 19 min.

A group of Black trans women in New Orleans fight to repeal Louisiana’s Crime Against Nature by Solicitation (CANS) law, which police and prosecutors have weaponized for 40 years.

Echo

USA, Benjamin Wolin, Mike Minahan, 17 min. Daniel Kish has found a way to “see” despite being blind. As a pioneer of echolocation, Daniel works to share the technique & help blind people live in a sighted world.

How We Get Free

USA, Geeta Gandbhir, Samantha Knowles, 32 min. Every night 500,00 people sleep in US jails not convicted of any crime because they can’t afford bail. On the front lines in the struggle to end cash bail for good, prison abolitionist Elisabeth Epps moves from grassroots activism to running for public office.

HIGH ANXIETY

Swing to the Moon

France, Marie Bordessoule, Adriana Bouissie, Nadeine de Boer, Elisa Drique, Cloé Lauzu, Vincent Levrero, Solenne Moreau, 7 min.

Living in the forest, little spider Temi dreams of catching the Moon. For that, she will do anything.

Three Trees

Luce and the Rock

Belgium, Britt Raes, 13 min.

One day, out of nowhere, a giant Rock lays in the middle of the peaceful little village where Luce lives. The villagers can’t even open the door to their houses anymore! Luce is angry: go away Rock, you don’t belong here! And why are you here anyway?

Mushka

USA, Andreas Deja, 28 min.

Sarah, a young Ukrainian girl, discovers an orphaned baby Siberian tiger and realizes she must either raise him or leave him to the perils of the snowy wild.

Pond

Switzerland, Lena von Döhren, Eva Rust, 8 min.

A shoal of herrings roams the vast ocean. When seagulls suddenly attack, one small herring finds itself stranded in a tidal pool. Desperately searching for a way out, it joins forces with an array of sea creatures to defend themselves.

The Rainbow Dung Beetle

USA, Ellen Mowat, Cole Dupzyk, 7 min.

Accustomed to camouflaging himself with mud to hide from predators, Desmond the dung beetle learns from his new neighbors that his true colors can be used to his advantage.

Canada, M.R. Horhager, Aaron Hong, 4 min. As the seasons change, three little trees learn about themselves, friendship and their place in the world.

DOING MY PART

SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 12:00 PM

CAMELOT 3, 98 MINUTES

Inspiring true stories of extraordinary individuals who are working tirelessly and with exceptional skill, passion, and dedication to create a more equitable and just world for all.

SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 2:00 PM

CAMELOT 1, 89 MINUTES

With nervous laughter and charged moments, get ready to be on the edge of your seat with this selection of films that go deep.

Baba

Canada, Anya Chirkova, Meran Ismailsoy, 13 min. A middle-aged Iranian man makes a desperate bid to keep his apartment, as his relationship with his son unravels.

Border Conversations

Germany, Jonathan Brunner, 30 min.

As thousands of migrants attempt to enter the EU via Poland’s Belarusian border in November 2021, two Polish activists are confronted with the limits of humanitarian aid.

The Family Circus

USA, Andrew Fitzgerald, 17 min.

A Vietnamese-American family’s plan to cover up a drunk driving accident begins to unravel when their emotional baggage spills out in front of the police.

Queen of Pain

France, Cyril Carbonne, 24 min.

Charlotte, a telephone operator in a suicide prevention center, recognizes the voice of an ex-girlfriend, Lucile. Soon Lucile’s determination to end her life is confronted with feelings that are rekindled by their reunion.

Dún Laoghaire

USA, William Lancaster, 12 min.

A dance of death between a mother and daughter ignites when the daughter attempts to install a new stove in her mother’s house in Dún Laoghaire, Ireland.

Aban

Iran, Abbas Taheri, Mahdieh Toosi, 16 min.

Under constant pressure from her ex-husband, Nazanin feels forced to turn their child, Aban, nine years old, away from their very feminine tastes. One day, Aban is falsely taken to the hospital thinking they are finally undergoing a lifechanging surgery.

A Day in February

UK, Klaas Diersmann, 6 min.

Galyna works in another country to make enough money for her family to survive and one phone call is all she has to ensure their safety.

Ricky

USA, Rashad Frett, 20 min.

An ex-offender struggling with new freedom pursues redemption at all costs when given a job from his neighbor.

Simone

USA, Aisha Amin, 7 min.

One hectic morning, a young mother attempts to navigate the New York City subway to get her baby to daycare on time.

Sunless

USA, Boris Vesselinov, 8 min.

Trapped in the confines of a tiny submarine, two men attempting to set a record disagree on how to navigate a potentially serious issue with their vessel.

PARENTAL CONTROL

SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 2:30 PM

CAMELOT 2, 80 MINUTES

Either in its joy, heartache, or sudden role reversals between parent and child, the terrible beauty of parenthood is at the heart of this collection of films.

The Story of This Life

China, Alex Jiang, 17 min.

After his son dies from COVID-19 in Los Angeles, Chang Dong travels from China to collect his remains. He hires Janice, a Chinese college student, as his interpreter. Despite a rocky start, the two strangers gradually form an unlikely bond.

SULAM

USA, Noam Argov, 11 min. When an immigrant teen must help her mother buy a ladder before school, tensions of belonging in a new country bubble to the surface.

I’m on Fire

USA, Michael Spiccia, 24 min.

Caught in-between his parents’ toxic marriage and daily fights, twelve year old Danny spends his days making mixtapes as he takes his difficult path toward adulthood.

In the Garden of Tulips

USA, Julia Elihu, 13 min.

Amidst the backdrop of the Iran-Iraq war, fifteen year old Caroline, takes a car ride with her father to the Iranian countryside of Birjand.

About Me

Netherlands, Ali Asgari , 15 min.

Young Fatima holds a secret that could change her fate. She must place her trust in a doctor to make a tough decision between cultural tradition and medical ethics.

Cry It Out

USA, Musa Syeed, Kamau Bilal, 10 min.

Parvez, a young dad in Brooklyn, is sleep training his infant son alone--and decides to podcast it. What could go wrong?

Supermarket Affairs

Vietnam, Hang Luong Nguyen, 15 min.

At the local Asian supermarket, a middle-aged Vietnamese immigrant woman argues with her adult daughter over how best to honor her late husband as they shop for his second death anniversary—while inadvertently involving a very handsome stranger.

THE MOMENTS THAT DEFINE US SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 3:00 PM CAMELOT 3, 86 MINUTES

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.

Nocturnal Burger

India, Reema Maya, 27 min.

Somewhere between fantasy, trauma, paranoia, precaution, and the promise of a burger, a night gets catapulted into an investigation of child abuse at a dysfunctional police station in Mumbai.

POWER PLAYS

SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 5:00 PM

CAMELOT 1, 90 MINUTES

Tense standoffs, risky gambits, and subtle manipulation characterize these stories about the lengths we go to control our own lives—and sometimes those of others.

All Choked Up

USA, Allison Volk, 4 min.

A woman must decide whether to save her husband when he starts choking on a sandwich during lunch.

Astonishing Little Feet

USA, Maegan Houang, 9 min.

Afong Moy, the first documented Chinese woman to come to the United States, realizes the men who separated her from her family only have interest in profiting off of the peculiarities of her body.

Poolside Inn

USA, Remington Butler, 11 min.

A woman tries to spend a relaxing evening in a motel hot tub when she is visited by some strange people.

Romance Package For Two

USA, Carlen May-Mann, 13 min.

20-something couple Cleo and Judy run a seedy romance motel, but Cleo is bored. Everything feels colorless and dull until Candy checks in. Cleo is immediately enamored, but Judy’s jealousy could threaten the safety and sanity of all three women.

She Always Wins

UK, Hazel McKibbin, 10 min. When a young woman brings her new boyfriend to his first family visit, a complicated dance of dominance, deference and self-diminishment begins.

GETTING IT ON SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 5:30 PM CAMELOT 2, 91 MINUTES

Including first times, listening in, and an erotic mushroom, a selection of films about love, sex and everything in between. This one’s got a little steam.

Before Madrid

Bulldozer

Denmark, Mads Koudal, 13 min.

Three friends are hanging out at the marina with the adrenaline rushing after they have stolen energy drinks from the supermarket. When they notice an autistic man, Agnes, the “alpha” of the group, starts to exploit the man’s goodnatured way of being.

Galapagos

USA, Kyle Sims, 12 min.

A lonely schoolteacher’s day takes a dark turn when her beloved pet rabbit mysteriously disappears.

Gianna

USA, Kait Schuster, 11 min.

Gina, a Filipina Gemini doing her best, takes the advice of her sliding scale therapist to spend a day with her INNER SABOTEUR. Enter Gianna. Will they make peace, or does Gianna, like, literally want Gina dead?

Misaligned

Poland, Marta Magnuska, 7 min.

A woman and a man are in a room, a gecko sits in a terrarium, several flies are circling a lamp. Gradually we find more and more dependencies, analogies between their activities and observed elements as the rhythm of their universes accelerates.

Uruguay, Nicolás Botana, Ilén Juambeltz, 20 min. Micaela and Santiago are a teenage couple living in a small town in Uruguay. They are very determined to have sex for the first time, or at least try to, before Michaela leaves for Madrid in the morning.

Sorry I Am Late I Was Masturbating

Germany, Alena Shevchenko, 6 min.

Taking her friend’s advice to masturbate in order to relax before an intimidating date, Hanna is in unfamiliar territory. She seeks guidance online, at first stumbling stiffly through instructions and eventually conjuring a vibrant, freeing fantasy.

Troy

USA, Mike Donahue, 16 min.

Troy has loud sex. Troy has loud sex 24-7. Troy shares a wall with Thea and Charlie. Troy is ruining their lives... or is he saving them?

FAMILY AFFAIR

SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 6:00 PM

CAMELOT 3, 89 MINUTES

Irritable grandfathers, prodigal dads, and cute cousins make up some of the familial dramas reminding us of the power of family bonds.

48 Hours

Iran, Azadeh Moussavi, 20 min.

After three years in prison, Nader is given a furlough to go home. He has 48 hours to become a father to his 4-year-old daughter.

All-Inclusive

Colombia, Duván Duque Vargas, 20 min.

Eleven-year-old Fer travels with his family to a countryside resort a few hours outside Bogotá. Although Fer’s father will be doing business, he has promised to make time for family fun, something that has been missing from their lives for a while.

Ecstatic Thing

France, Benjamin Nuel, 34 min.

A couple in crisis finds a strange mushroom in the forest, whose aphrodisiac properties lead them to reconnect to each other. Unfortunately, soon they cannot live without it.

Guilty Pleasures

USA, George Oliver, 15 min. On the eve of their anniversary, Alice and Cam are having difficulty finding chemistry, causing them to look for new ways to spice things up in the bedroom. They are both shocked to discover they have been hiding embarrassing kinks from each other.

The Glasses

USA, Sarah Smith, Frances Chewning, 15 min.

Joseph, a gentle intellectual with a dry sense of humor, has been living with Parkinson’s for two decades. When his beloved only daughter comes home for a visit with her husband and toddler, they visit a new neurologist who has a simple solution for his debilitating wooziness -different glasses.

Nanitic

Canada, Carol Nguyen, 14 min.

While tending to their ant colony, 9-year-old Trang and her cousin Mai gradually become aware of the situation downstairs as the adults care for their ailing grandmother, leaving the two young girls to wonder: What happens to the colony after the queen dies?

The Roof

USA, Alexander Bocchieri, 20 min.

After being sent to stay with his grandfather, a Cheyenne teen uncovers a connection to his family and community in a way he never thought possible.

THRILLS & CHILLS II: BACK FROM THE DEAD SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 8:00 PM CAMELOT 1, 91 MINUTES

Like any good horror villain, this program JUST. WON’T. DIE. Volume II of our genre program with more horrific tales of partners turned against each other, mind controlling bugs, and zombies to keep you up at night.

Dead Enders

USA, Fidel Ruiz-Healy, Tyler Walker, 13 min.

A disaffected, young gas-station clerk on the midnight shift must learn to give a damn about something after malevolent mind-controlling bugs are set loose by irresponsible oil drillers.

Pruning

USA, Lola Blanc, 14 min.

When a far-right political commentator discovers she has inspired a mass shooting, she must contend with her conscience – by any means necessary.

I’m Here

South Korea, Jeong Eun-uk, 27 min.

After 10 years, Sujin’s parents have come home to all live together, but Sujin feels like something is awkward among them.

Prom Car ‘91

USA, Brian Otting, 11 min.

Prom Night, 1991. Carrie and Don plan to have sex for the first time in the back of Don’s dad’s minivan. But when they witness a murder outside the car, their night takes a sharp turn.

Red Rabbit

Ireland, Rory Kerr, 5 min.

An anthropomorphic rabbit struggles to find peace and relaxation at home. These attempts are thwarted by a gleefully destructive shoulder devil who takes pleasure in ruining any chance of tranquility.

Smoking Kills

USA, Dulcinée DeGuere, 12 min.

A casual late-night Tinder date turns macabre when Trey asks Olivia to stop smoking. Fueled by addiction, a desire to dominate, and the dissociative drug GHB, Olivia decides to prove that smoking does, indeed, kill.

Ticks

USA, Sam Max, 9 min.

A drifter, Jenny, encounters a presence in the woods that causes them to turn against their partner and become thirsty for blood.

AWKWARD

SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 1:00 PM

CAMELOT 1, 87 MINUTES

Poor timing, an accidental bluetooth connection, and surprising revelations lead to some cringe inducing – yet often surprisingly touching – moments in these wholly original films.

Accidentally Intentional

Indonesia, Kevin Rahardjo, 14 min.

A 16-year-old teenager is watching porn for the first time when he suddenly realizes the audio is connected to his mother’s car Bluetooth.

Donkey

USA, Matt Kazman, 16 min.

After receiving an emergency call, a struggling actor has to face his family during his lowest moment.

Heritage Day

USA, Lara Everly, 18 min.

After Evie dresses up like her estranged grandmother, a Holocaust survivor, on “Heritage Day” at school, she becomes increasingly obsessed with this dark part of her family history.

Municipal Relaxation Module

Canada, Matthew Rankin, 6 min. Ken has an idea for a bench.

Noodles Forever

USA, McKinley Carlin, 12 min.

On the way to her birthday party, a hapless father accidentally runs over his daughter’s wiener dog.

Shoes Off

USA, Joel Jay Blacker, 7 min.

After a boozy night out, Rick asks his best friend to take his shoes off if he passes out. The night takes a weird turn as his friend obliges and embarks on a bizarre caring spree that seems endless.

Tall Dark and Handsome

UK, Sam Baron, 14 min.

He thought he was her first Indian boyfriend. He was wrong.

UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT

SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 1:30 PM

CAMELOT 2, 83 MINUTES

Whether for the camera or for an audience, for family and friends or complete strangers, this collection of films digs into what it takes to mount a performance and explores the trials, tribulations and history of show business.

Daron, Daron Colbert

USA, Kevin Steen, 14 min.

Living on the edge of one the most polluted zip codes in the US, an actor prepares for a role.

A Dead Marriage

Poland, Michal Toczek, 18 min.

Filip is a professional dead body movie extra. On set, he meets Lucy, also an extra, playing a dead woman. While laying on top of each other during long hours, a bittersweet relationship develops in these unusual circumstances.

TALK OF THE TOWN

SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 2:00 PM

CAMELOT 3, 89 MINUTES

Word gets around fast in these stories about small communities where it’s hard to avoid your neighbors and everyone knows your name.

Ivalu

Greenland, Anders Walter, Pipaluk K Jørgensen, 16 min. Ivalu is gone. Her little sister is desperate to find her. Her father does not care. The vast Greenlandic nature holds secrets. The search for Ivalu is on.

CLOSING NIGHT SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 5:30 PM

JOIN US FOR CLOSING NIGHT AS WE SCREEN

Sanctuary

USA, John Haley, Julia Szromba, 15 min. In the first city in Ohio to ban abortion, a lifelong resident grapples with the transformation of her hometown.

High Noon on the Waterfront

USA, Billy Shebar, David Roberts, 14 min.

On the 75th anniversary of the Hollywood Blacklist, this film explores its impact on two American classics in a visually mesmerizing dialogue between Carl Foreman (voiced by Edward Norton) and Elia Kazan (John Turturro).

Mouthpiece

USA, Graham Goldstein, 10 min.

A distressed actor and her crass dummy quarrel over whether she is settling for her fiancé. In a performance that goes off the rails, the actor must ultimately confront the revealing insecurities that her dummy articulates.

Surprise

Sweden, Laerke Herthoni, 15 min.

Successful actress and unconventional mother Ingrid decides to fly out and surprise her daughter on her birthday. The trip does not turn out as planned and Ingrid is confronted by the consequences of her life choices.

Untitled Movie

USA, Annie Brennen, 12 min.

Zoe is making a movie about a woman who is making a movie. In it, her character has to kiss a woman.

So They Say

Chile, Natalia Luque, 18 min. Rumors spread like wildfire in a small Chilean town as an aborted fetus is found floating on the lake. A single mother’s morals are put to the test when she discovers the culprit to be a young woman she knows.

Tremor

Germany, Rudolf Fitzgerald Leonard, 16 min. During water therapy for his chronic spasms, Leon is involved in an incident that gradually disrupts all aspects of his life.

Tskaltubo

Canada, Toby Andris, 24 min. After 30 years of living as refugees in an abandoned sanatorium in Tskaltubo, Nana and Irakli are finally offered a new apartment in the seaside city of Batumi. Is it too late to start over?

A COLLECTION OF AWARD-WINNING GEMS, REVEAL THE CROWD FAVORITES, AND BID ADIEU TO AN EPIC SHORTFEST. A GRAND FINALE NOT TO BE MISSED!