2022 AWARD WINNERS
AWARD WINNERS
2022 OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
"Love"
Dir. Andrea Ashton, 4 min.
In this narrative art film bringing a modern poem to life, a series of touching vignettes show two women falling in and out of love — but not in any traditional way you’ve seen before. Their story is told in reverse chronology and was physically performed in reverse, as well, although then flipped “forward” in the edit so their movement feels slightly “off,” kind of like how love can make you feel.
First Date
Dir. Z. W. Amundson, 11 min.
It is love at first sight when Rob meets Lee online, that is, until Lee stands Rob up on their first in-person date. With everything in question, Rob must then decide if he will let it go or confront Lee and fight for the relationship he has longed for.
La Tristeza del Mimo
The Sadness of the Mime
Dir. Ángel Puado, 8 min.
Every one of us have our history. For his history, the mime cannot be happy.
A Bird Flew In
Dir. Kirsty Bell, 1 hr. 31 min.
When lockdown is imposed, the cast and crew of a film are taken from the set and sent home – alone. Actors without an audience. Directors without a script. Couples who fall apart. While others come together.
Brothers
Dir. Louis Roba, 2 min.
Two monkeys engage in a playful struggle across the heart of the jungle, until an unexpected event shows the strength of their brotherly bond.
A Lone Star Love
Dir. Ben Myers, 24 min.
David, an Irish National, makes his new home in Austin, Texas with the help of a social media android named Viva. When he meets Texas Native, Layla, he must choose between his synthetic companion and a lone star love.
Now You See Us
Dir. Romina Schwedler, 11 min.
Two actresses “of a certain age” compete fiercely for a role in a TV commercial, but as their audition approaches, the lifelong rivals begin to discover that they face a much larger threat: A society that finds them invisible!
Songs for a Sloth
Dir. Bradley Hasse, 1 hr. 25 min.
On the edge of a nervous breakdown, Maxwell is shocked to find out from his family lawyer that he’s inherited a sloth sanctuary from his father. When a talking sloth then visits his dreams, Maxwell becomes obsessed with saving the animal’s habitat in his waking life by returning to his first passion, music. In order to complete the task though, he must enlist the help of his lazy brother and self-involved sister.
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North of the Night
Dir. Olivier Simon, 1 hr. 30 min.
Jack or Monsieur Jack, Aurore or Monica Vitti, Alice, Emile, the unknown woman of the river. It is men and women that a priori nothing brings closer. And yet …
Seized at a decisive moment in their lives, or their deaths, the characters of AU NORD DE LA NUIT (North of the night) are pushed to cross the other side of the river, in a Paris transformed into a merry-go-round. From one bridge to the other, between shadow and memory, the time of an urban wandering they will hunt, hide, dream vertically, the time of a night, the time of oblivion …
Lionheart
Dir. D. J. Hale, 20 min.
After being cut in the pre-season for suffering a catastrophic leg injury, undrafted undersized football player, Zac Mason, struggles with continuing to chase his dream or accept the reality that his playing days are over.
Removable
Dir. Shu-Ying Chung, 17 min.
An immigrant struggles with guilt after calling the police on her abusive husband, which results in his deportation.
Cook with the Heart
Dir. Mike Hayhurst, 14 min.
A documentary crew questions Stacy about the spiritual, ethical, and culinary dilemmas that come with the growing trend in “ethical cannibalism”.
Twisted Perspective
Dir. John McDermott, 8 min.
Things get awkward very quickly as a wealthy, eccentric couple has over a working class couple for a social visit.
Me Against the World
Dir. Kali Bailey, 12 min.
Mala and Doug live parallel lives in high school. He is the next Michael Jordan and she could cure cancer. In college, however, they collide. Mala tutors Doug to stay on the team. He ignites her social life. An unlikely duo, their friendship raises eyebrows. Will they ever realize that they are perfect for each other?
Infinity + 1
Dir. Flo Demmer, 8 min.
Sam, a young boy, longs for his mother’s love and protection after his father died. She, on the other hand, struggles to be the mother she wants to be while dealing with her own pain. She knows she’ll break down once that moment of weakness overcomes her. So she cuts herself from her feelings while leaving her son with his own behind.
Casanoir
Dir. JT Schindler, 22 min.
“Casanoir” is a parody of the 1942 classic movie, “Casablanca”. It features NYC detectives Trillo & Suede – a ventriloquist and his wooden partner.
The Song of Her
Dir. Rodney Ferrer, 20 min.
A love story of a tortured pipe organist who tries to drown out the sounds of war while working for a secret society of ruthless women.
Aaron with 2 A's
Dir. Michael Goldburg, 17 min.
Aaron retires from his day job to pursue his lifelong dream to be an actor. When he finally manages to land a major role, he discovers he’s his own worst enemy as his long-repressed inner doubts threaten to derail his second career and the relationships that matter most to him.
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I'm Not Nice
Dir. Shannon Morall & Tom A. Capps, 17 min.
When an anti-social superspy misses her target on a hit-gone-wrong, she must face her greatest fear in order to complete her mission: small talk.
How to Order Happiness
Dir. Micah Spayer, 14 min.
In an age where humanity is a phone-call away, Marty, a forty something bachelor, longs for the kinship.
EGÚNGÚN
Masquerade
Dir. Olive Nwosu, 14 min.
Seeking healing, a woman must return to Lagos, the city of her birth.
Miss Blueberry Beauty Pageant
Dir. Sarah Kennedy, 12 min.
Welcome to the 1984 Miss Blueberry Beauty Pageant! Where the girls are a feast for the eyes and as sweet as honey. Follow these three finalists as they navigate the twists and turns of a pageant that reveals a much more sinister secret.
Geography of the Heart
Dir. Alexandra Billington, 30 min.
Ambitious actor’s agent Felix is at the top of his game in Germany and internationally repping his successful actress fiancée Rachel. Life could not be better – except Felix’s mother was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and his father, Hans, secretly struggles to cope. When Felix, in the midst of moving to Berlin from LA, meets real estate agent Anna when viewing an apartment – and he is utterly blindsided by the one feeling he never knew he wanted, one he is shocked to realize he would give up everything for – intimacy. But Anna needs more security than a feeling.
Bienvenue chez Candy
Welcome to Candy's
Dir. Sabine Crossen, 14 min.
Like in a fairy tale, it only took one glance for Etienne to fall head over heels in love with Candy. When she invites him home for a drink, he discovers that this pretty influencer with a vivid imagination did not invite him just by chance. But is Etienne ready to play Candy’s strange little game?
Marijuana Minutes
Dir. Ryan D. Moore, 1 hr. 24 min.
An unambitious stoner finds her easy-going life turned upside down when she stumbles upon a vape pen that allows her to travel through time.
VACÍO
Empty
Dir. Ángel Puado, 9 min.
Without you everything is empty.
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Smashed
Dir. Dawn Spinella, 13 min.
A home shopping network hostess has a total meltdown on live television when she learns that she’s been a sh*t mom to her 18 year-old daughter who’s about to head off to college. She chases the camera from set to set trying to make her bourbon ball quota, getting drunker and drunker along the way, ultimately discovering the value of family.
Oh Crappy Day
Dir. John Lance Bacon, 1 hr. 23 min.
An aspiring young filmmaker hopes to find love through online dating — if he can just keep his OCD on the down low.
The Sands of Time
Dir. James Hughes, 14 min.
A time portal in the sands brings a young couple together.
For I Am Dead
Dir. Patricia Delso Lucas
In late-1800s Europe, Oscar, a wealthy but lonely middle-aged man who has lived a decadent, extravagant life in a chateau filled with wine, courtesans and opium, confesses love to his gardener Jude before he dies of his excesses.
Liza Anonymous
Dir. Aubrey Smyth, 12 min.
A lonely millennial addicted to support groups disguises herself in different personas while trying to fit in, leading her on a theatrical journey which proves that pretending to be someone you’re not doesn’t get you any closer to feeling seen.
Placebo Heart, Ep. 4
"Great Raba"
Dir. Rodney Ferrer, 24 min.
A man who is haunted by his past, while trying to raise a family and keep a drug and alcohol addiction at bay. His world comes crashing when his wife Wanda discovers a secret and his mob affiliated brother in-law Charlie, decides to hunt him down. Now a homeless Merrick spirals into a world of drug abuse, depression and coming to grips with his past, his identity and his survival.
Frankie
Dir. James Kautz, 11 min.
Frankie, a non-binary trans person, crashes their ex-partner’s men-only 12 step meeting, determined to be heard… no matter the cost.