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VOICES OF MADIDI, 24min., Canada Directed by Jonathan Derksen Bolivia’s Madidi National Park is considered to be the most biodiverse place on planet earth. The Uchupiamonas people, who call the park home, are in a constant battle against forces eager to exploit the protected area for its hydroelectric potential, hardwoods and gold. In this documentary, we hear from of the eco-warriors at the front lines.
PEEPAL, 33min., India Directed by Ganesh Hanmantrao Chowgule Peepal is the story of Mahesh, a 10-year-old, nature-loving village boy, who shares a deep and unbreakable bond with a majestic Peepal tree. After the tragic and unexpected death of his father, Mahesh is forced to leave his village and move to the city, leaving behind everything he holds dear, including his beloved tree. As he tearfully bids farewell, he makes a heartfelt promise to the Peepal tree that one day, he will return, buy the surrounding land, and protect it forever.
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PLASTICO, 5min., UK Directed by David Harriman, James Bettney In Almeria Province in Spain there is a sea of plastic sheeting creating the the largest collection of greenhouses in the world. The invernaderos (as called in Spanish) cover upwards of 150 square miles and are visible by the naked eye from space. A large proportion of Europe’s vegetables and fruit is intensively farmed here. There is a huge amout of plastic waste created each year (estimated at more than 30000 tons). Staffed by an army of African migrants working in extreme heat conditions in the summer months.
SKATE FAST TURN LEFT, 1min., USA Directed by Mary Hawkins Two friends, Fifi Fleshwound and Little Mary Switchblade, have a quick conversation about their roller derby years…
WIN/WIN, 5min., USA Directed by Rafael Puga Valega A group of friends gathers to drink beer and play cards after their national football team suffers a tough defeat in a tournament. While playing one of them mentions an interesting idea on how to confront the team situation
BUBBLING SYNAPSES, 4min,. France Directed by William Eguienta An idea… needs space, time & love to grow… But, at what cost? Your friends ? Your wife ? Your kids ? Of course not, it needs to be set aside, in a bubble, waiting for the right moment… The wait is long, too long… This must emerge from its bubble, it must come to life, now !
A THERAPIST, 5min,. USA Directed by Meagan Lynn When 15-year-old Kit’s parents make her go to therapy during their divorce, she’s less than thrilled. But when she meets Dr. Amanda Franklin, Kit realizes therapy is not what she expected at all.
UNDERTOW, 3min,. USA Directed by Justin Taylor Margaret takes the train into the city, as she does every morning, plunging herself into a sea of commuters, memories, & anxiety.
KITTY BRAVO IN FREEFALL FAILURE, 1min,. USA Directed by Spencer Bryant This animated short film is an action-packed rollercoaster featuring daredevil cat Kitty Bravo!
UNCOMFORTABLE, 2min., Ecuador Directed by Olivia Kusijanovic A Fashion Film, created to highight and de-normalize the “Pink Tax”: an unjustified extra price that all women pay to acquire products exactly the same as men, just because they are “for women”
SHRAPNEL, 2min., USA Directed by Nathan Gagnon A Vietnam veteran wakes up in an empty hospital. He notices he is missing one of his legs. As he begins to explore the hospital seeking help or an exit, post traumatic visions manifest before his eyes and he realizes he is not alone.
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THE KENTUCKY COWBOY, 58min., USA Directed by Mike Goldberg Despite becoming a success on the football field, a man struggles internally with mental health issues all his life, as he continuously tries to gain acceptance from his father and legendary football coach.
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WE ARE WE DANCE WE PAINT, 37min., USA Directed by Leslie Dektor For decades, the poor and dispossessed have been herded and confined to Skid Row. In Passing Through, the seemingly lost find a new sense of community.
A NATION’S TABLE, 11min,. Canada Directed by Garrett Smith Ask a farmer, a fisher, a chef, and a home cook to define ‘Canadian food’ and you’ll get four different answers. After all, the food found in Canada is as diverse as the people who live here.
THE CYCLE OF FASHION, 5min., China Directed by Xiruo Jiang The documentary follows the curator, Katherine, as she intends to shed light on the environmental consequences of the fashion industry through her upcoming art exhibition and encourage viewers to rethink their relationship with clothing and consumption. Driven by a desire to approach the reality of fashion waste, Katherine ventures beyond the walls of her gallery and into the heart of garment production factories. Here, she witnesses firsthand the staggering amount of waste generated in the process of creating trendy clothing pieces that often end up discarded or unused.
SMOKE OR FAMILY, 14min., India Directed by Jaswant Mintu The protagonist in the film “Smoke or Family” is a heavy smoker who visits a hospital for a teeth problem. There, doctors tell him to quit smoking, explaining that it’s causing his teeth issues and could lead to lung cancer and other health problems. However, he defends his smoking habit, claiming he is different from other smokers.
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Logline A Double Life unveils the gripping true story of Stephen Bingham, a lawyer accused of passing a gun to prisoners’ rights leader George Jackson in 1971. Forced into a life on the run, Bingham spends 13 years underground, eluding capture while fiercely determined to clear his name.
Short Synopsis A Double Life unveils the gripping true story of Stephen Bingham, a lawyer accused of passing a gun to prisoners’ rights leader George Jackson in 1971. Forced into a life on the run, Bingham spends 13 years underground, eluding capture while fiercely determined to clear his name. Through a mesmerizing blend of firsthand accounts, rare archival materials, and poignant interviews, the story traces Bingham’s astonishing odyssey. As he battles inner demons, seeks new meaning and love, and navigates a world of danger, the film sheds light on his unwavering quest for justice and redemption against all odds.
This film is as much about Steve/Robert as it is about his times. The turbulent era of civil rights, student rebellion, and state surveillance forms the backdrop of a personal story of a man who managed to remain focused on his values and ideals through multiple disruptions and tragedies. The story is told through the multiple perspectives of his friends and colleagues in both the US and France, as well as family members both alive and dead. It is also a generational story, of the tensions that arise when worldviews collide between parents and their children, mirroring wider divides in the society at large. And it is a love story, of Steve and Françoise, who had to make a choice to risk everything. To tell this complex story spanning eras and continents, the narrative weaves back and forth between present and past, through a combination of verité treatments and archival, to unveil a drama of racial injustice, state surveillance, family jealousi es and political divides.
The film has a lyrical quality when Steve and others are reflecting about the times, the decisions, the challenges and the obstacles that have to be confronted after 13 years of a life on the run. Walking in the Vincennes forest in Paris, Steve learns to say his given name again. Paul Harris, part of Steve’s legal defense team, reflects on why people are willing to risk everything to return home as we drive through a dark tunnel, taking us into the heart of complex decision-making.
This is a story that needs to be told. It is powerfully relevant in the present era of social unrest and activism, when we as a nation are struggling to come to terms with the truth of our own dark past. In this contemporary climate, we have much to learn from the life stories of people like Stephen Bingham. It is not only a film of his times, it is a film for our times.
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RecoverED: A Documentary Film About Eating Disorder Recovery, 50min., Canada Directed by Tyler Anderson RecoverED is a compelling documentary that explores the journey of recovery from disordered eating through powerful personal stories of resilience. The film highlights the vital role of community support and the transformative power of hope in healing. It delves into the physical, emotional, and psychological challenges faced by individuals battling eating disorders, shedding light on the multifaceted nature of recovery. RecoverED aims to inspire those struggling and to raise awareness about the recovery process, underscoring that with the right support, perseverance, and resources, recovery is possible.
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ROOMIE, 11min., USA Directed by Macela Robison Joana, a young schoolteacher who lost her job, has no money to pay her rent. Thus, she advertises for a new roommate.
BEWILDERNESS, 4min,. South Africa Directed by Nkhensane Mhishi Bert, a lumberjack, works hard at chopping down the new forest before him. Between chopping down trees, he piles his lumber sky high, disturbs the natural wildlife, and desecrates the clean land with litter and trash. As he gets closer to the forest’s core, he sees a flower that blasts hallucinogenic pollen into his face. Bert loses his bearing on reality and is lured deeper into the forest he sought to destroy through an intense, psychedelic drug trip.
HARD TO SWALLOW, 4min,. South Africa Directed by Mark du Preez Buhloo, a Jelly Baby, whose conjoined twin brother and the rest of his family have been eaten by a lazy man named Trent, who decides to take his revenge. Buhloo must first make his way across the messy wastes of Trent’s room, facing challenges and foes along the way. In the end, Buhloo will find out that taking his revenge will come at a cost.
I’M DEAD, YOU’RE WELCOME, 15min,. USA Directed by Roderick Fenske Four friends reminisce about their legacy after the wake of their friend’s passing. Revelatory private affairs force them to deal with life choices that tangle them closer together in a way they never expected.
BACK TO WORK, 2min,. UK Directed by Michael Bundred A young workforce struggles to adapt to life back at the office, post lockdowns.
MOON THIEF, 11min,. Germany Directed by Robert Peichi London, 1920: When the penniless street artist Jules broke into a townhouse through a window at night, he would not have expected to end up in the nursery and be discovered by two small children. Disguised with their moon lantern over his head, he intends to make the children think they are dreaming. Will he succeed or will the children be able to unmask him sooner or later?
FLORES & CIENFUEGOS, 15min,. Mexico Directed by Henry Bedwell A couple of rusted-old fashioned-middle aged police investigators got themselves stuck in an old parking lot with a blood-thirsty creature, wondering their next move in order to escape this supernatural experience.
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FRIENDSHIP BRACELET, 15min., Greece Directed by Dimitris Andjus Alice is a 12 year old, looking for her lost father. A friendship bracelet will help her find him. The bracelet eventually will unite her parents with the bond of solidarity.
LYON’S LADY, 14min., Bulgaria Directed by Belai Taneri A young Arab girl, Ferdows, who covered her face because of an unknown disease, living in a village where singing is forbidden for women, strives to fulfill her dream with the help of a doctor. Following the doctor’s advice, she decides to create a short film based on the novel “Lyon’s Lady” to showcase her talent at the village festival.
JUST A CAR, 7min,. South Africa Directed by Marlisa Doubell, Simon Antoneli A short film about a young women who is going to sell her car. The narrative depicts all the past memories the old car holds for her. (A story based on the director/actor’s own experience.)
MOONLIT NIGHT OF SPRING RIVER, 8min., Canada Directed by Joe Chang This short animated film is a time-traveling and character-swapping animation of a girl sleepwalking through a Chinese garden. Accompanied by the classic melody of the traditional Chinese folk music “Moonlit Night of Spring River”, the movie provides an interesting perspective on the unique beauty of Chinese gardens and architecture of the Qing Dynasty (1636-1912).
CABALLITO DE MAR, 7min., USA Directed by Bo Sanders A young Mexican cafe waitress finds supernatural solace after losing her loving father.
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DEATH IN LAVENDER, 10min., USA Directed by Tyler W. Moore Secrets begin to unravel after the untimely passing of the patriarch of the Pennington family.
THE LESSON, 11min,. USA Directed by Lindy Hudis The tables are turned when a neurotic and abusive homeowner learns a hard lesson about manners and karma! After verbally abusing a supposedly inept housekeeper, Angela goes to an important business dinner meeting with the CEO of her company, seeking a promotion. The boss’s date and fiancé is Kelly, the young college student working part time as a maid to earn money for school. Somebody is about to learn a lesson!
AURORA, 30min., USA Directed by Thomas Negovan, Aaron Sharps The true story of the first documented UFO crash in American history. Written and directed by Thomas Negovan and Aaron Shaps.
KNOCKOUT, 33min,. USA Directed by Ralph Giordano Knockout is the story of a young man trying to find success in the competitive world of Boxing, only to face external conflict and confront inner demons.
THE BIRDS, 5min., Canada Directed by Joe Chang Unspoken and free from any conventional set of characters, The Birds employs a unique ink washed style to offer a heartfelt, imploring of humankind to take the time to truly admire the beauty of birds and to connect with nature.
Río Monstruo, 6min,. USA Directed by James Crowder A monster in the LA River finds the music of a young girl soothing and needs her all to itself.
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WAKING CONUNDRUM, 11min., Canada Directed by Dale Loon, Alyssa-Rose Hunter Waking up in a room with a ceiling that seems to never end. A man struggles with his memory of recent events but remembers everything else from the past. The man meets a woman and brings him down to great disbelief and shock that shakes every atom in his body. A scheme is planned to escape this room. But is the plan for real?
THE INTERNET OF EVERYTHING, 8min., Canada Directed by Yusuf Begg In a world where every click, swipe, and search is harvested, Bill, a paranoid middle-aged man, becomes increasingly alarmed by the intrusive reach of technology. As devices seem to predict his every move, Bill’s paranoia grows, and he devises a plan to disconnect from the digital grid entirely.
STAR WARS: HEIR TO THE EMPIRE, 14min., UK Directed by Damien Valentine Han Solo, Luke Skywalker and Lando Calrissian arrive at Sluis Van for a much needed break. Instead, they walk into Grand Admiral Thrawn’s massive assault on the shipyards. The Millenium Falcon and Rogue Squadron are all that stand between the defenseless New Republic ships and the approaching Imperial fleet.
TURNCOAT, 28min., South Korea Directed by Jason Montgomery A shrewd merciless crime boss must investigate the scene of his brother’s assassination for answers, revenge, and to avoid the same fate.
Festival Reviews 