Full Screening Schedule for Saturday, Sept. 14th
11:00am – 12:30pm – Animation Shorts Showcase
“Cat”
(China)
A little girl enters a magical cave and ends up meeting the cave’s patron saint.
Directed by: Xin Zhao
“CHAIN”
(USA)
CHAIN tells the story of the mantis catching the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.
Directed by: Ling Han
“Croak Show”
(India)
A delightful music evening in the deep woods turns into chaos when an overly enthusiastic fan accidentally wreaks havoc in a burst of excitement.
Directed by: Suresh Eriyat
“Eilid”
Ireland
This film was created to promote an understanding of a neglected group in our society. It was also crucial to feature unique and underrepresented struggles and triumphs that this group can relate to.
Directed by: Naomi Hanlon
“In Half”
(Spain)
Through a child’s imagination it tells the journey of a man who after falling prey to his fears, he must cross a strange world, a universe full of magic, where he will be confronted with his own fears and conflicts from the past and where he must find solutions for the future to discover his self-identity.
Directed by: Jorge Morais Valle
“Komaneko – A New Journey“
(Japan)
Ojii plans to go on an overseas trip with Koma. Koma is happy to go abroad, but she has to leave her dolls, Momoiro and Haiiro, at home. Will Koma be okay with being away from her beloved dolls?
Directed by: Tsuneo Goda
“Le Charade”
(USA)
A psychological comedy set in a run-down 1950s diner. Le Charade follows the final performance of a lonely mime and the psychotic episode that ensues after his imaginary friend breaks up with him and he is forced to re-enter society.
Directed by: Erika Totoro
“Lines”
(Germany)
An aggressive battle unfolds between red and dark blue. The borderlines between the colors vibrate with tension as they fight for their lives.
Directed by: Martin Schmidt
“Mouse of the Rising Sun”
(USA)
A video game featuring a mouse teaches a 20-something how to persevere, bond with nature, and most importantly, surf!
Directed by: Grace Strom
“Nix’s Symphony”
(Canada)
Libelle, Nix’s mother, possessed exceptional abilities. She not only excelled in the fields of science and engineering, but also gained fame as a distinguished inventor and composer. Nevertheless, at a tender age, Nix, an aspiring musician and inventor in her own right, is now burdened with the responsibility of upholding this remarkable legacy.
Directed by: Karina Loerchner
“Peeping”
(China)
A dance show adapts its act to government bans dictated by a tomato-shaped surveillance machine. The performers follow orders, modifying their routine to stay out of trouble.
Directed by: Yixuan Wang
“re:connection”
(USA)
A 3D animated short film about a mechanic, her robot companion, and the path they take to reconnect their relationship.
Directed by: Kristina Tran
“Unicorn Lady”
(India)
A deeply moving portrayal of her journey, evolving from a life marked by a physical scar to one where she weaves her experiences into a breathtaking mosaic of treasured moments.
Directed by: Rebecca Rechana Paul
1:30pm – 3:00pm – Documentary Shorts Showcase
“It’s Not About Ketchup”
(United Arab Emirates)
It’s Not About Ketchup is a documentary that delves into the intricate lives of a couple facing a challenge in their relationship. Centered around a seemingly trivial issue – their relationship with ketchup – but it has deeper dimensions. The film captures the essence of their journey, portraying the nuanced dynamics of love and understanding.
Directed by: Nasser Saeed
“Olga’s World”
(Russian Federation)
My War is the story of the search and growing up of Olga Stvolova, a Siberian actress with disabilities, who transforms her world with the help of theatre.
Directed by: Margarita Volkova
“Pidgin Kaua’i Style”
(USA)
“Pidgin Kauai Style” is a short documentary that explores the distinct dialect and accent differences of Hawaii Creole, also known as “Pidgin,” as spoken on the Island of Kaua’i.
Directed by: Erica Byers
“Ruiz”
(USA)
After a spirited Air Force member tragically dies in a war plane crash in Afghanistan, her heartbroken Gold Star family and friends navigate their grief, ultimately finding solace in shared memories of her infectious joy and deciding to honor her radiant spirit by living every day with her presence alive in their hearts.
Directed by: Jesse Collier Sutterley
“Swing 46: The Last Swingin Supper Club”
(USA)
Swing 46 is one of the last swingin supper clubs out of the neo/retro swing era. Born on Restaurant Row in Manhattan, it is still going some 27 years later.
Directed by: Jay Kay
“The Breath of the Depth”
(Germany)
The film tells the story of Mehdi Allam, who discovered his new passion for free-diving after a serious climbing accident.
Directed by: Poul Bracker
“The Untranslatable Forest”
(USA)
A journey through a surreal airport where nature and untranslatable words unexpectedly reveal on the way.
Directed by: Ivan Miguel, Andy Camou
3:30pm – 5:00pm – Narrative Shorts Showcase 02
“Summer Knows”
(China)
Summer of 2001, as Beijing wins the bid to host the 29th Summer Olympics, an ordinary Chinese family is slowly falling apart. Catching glimpses of the distress and secrets harbored by each family member, Hui, an innocent six-year-old girl, only wants to seize the summer while it lasts.
Directed by: Hongshi Zhong
“The Difference Between Us”
(USA)
An undocumented immigrant in Philadelphia starts to fall for a roommate she’s never met — forming a connection that will test the limits of her romantic imagination.
Directed by: Imran Siddiquee
“The Dissipation of Poetry”
(China)
The film focuses on the life of young Tibetan people. It illustrates, with roughly textured cinematic styles, the wilderness of Tibetan regions and the daze of youth in this generation of Tibetans.
Directed by: Tsewang Tashi
“The Double Room”
(USA)
Honor, both an artist and dreamer, finds himself in a dystopian reality of the corporate world. Having to face himself, his choice remains in whether to give in for the sake of survival or exist independently from what our culture has conditioned us to accept.
Directed by: Martin Del Carpio
“The Voice”
(Russian Federation)
A late-night encounter at the window of a street café between two unfamiliar individuals. A spontaneous conversation ensues, revolving around cherished memories tied to the voices of beloved family members.
Directed by: Stepan Zhivov
“Valentina”
(Spain)
Nora has been deeply in love with Valentina for years, with whom she meets again at her eighteenth birthday party. As the night progresses, Nora starts to realize that her relationship with Valentina is far from what she desires.
Directed by: Júlia Marcó
6:00pm – 7:00pm – Regional Filmmakers Reception
Join us in the lobby of the Nordlof Center for refreshments, music, and to meet the area filmmakers of the 2024 fest!
7:00pm – 9:00pm – Regional Filmmakers Screening
“Alien Visitor”
(USA)
100 years of radio and television signals is a visiting alien’s only source of reference.
Directed by: William R. Daer
“Controllo”
(USA)
Based on the story of Lucy Rosati in Chicago 1921. After the police fail her, fifteen year old Lucy Rosati, decides to take justice into her own hands after being assaulted by her forty five year old neighbor.
Directed by: Caitlin Presberg
“Enfold”
(USA)
Mysterious figures dance within a shrouded, watery world of textures. Hidden images reverberate with accompanying sounds of glass harmonica.
Directed by: Steve Socki
“Hitchhiking to Mars”
(USA)
Hitchhiking To Mars is both a throwback to the Silent Film Era and a timeless story of yearning for home, and the quest to reach it. As this surreal drama plays out in the seemingly endless deserts of New Mexico, the film examines the allegorical nature of aliens and borders and the challenge of crossing the threshold.
Directed by: Paul L Carr
“Ice Cream. Sladoled”
(USA)
A day in the life of a thirty-something immigrant caught in a rut. He lives in a place where everyone speaks a different language and no one understands anyone else. When his wife asks him to buy ice cream, his day unravels as misunderstandings sink to absurd misadventures.
Directed by: Steve Spremo
“Living with You”
(USA)
Totally Tilly’s biggest online fan has dreams of meeting her. Can he keep it together once given the opportunity?
Directed by: TJ Hill
“Migrate”
(USA)
Music video for the song by Robert Ramirez.
Directed by: Nicholas Snow
“orang. utan.”
(USA)
Rocky the Orangutan lives at the Indianapolis Zoo. His intelligence is the focus of the film which asks whether Orangutans should be considered “persons” and whether the species can be saved in the next decade.
Directed by: Justice Bower
“Raindrops”
(USA)
Inspired by political theorist and author Dr. Achille Mbembe perspective on human existence as “le passant”, our film “Raindrops” explores diasporic themes through dance, music and poetry. We are influenced by surrealism, avant-garde and abstraction as forms of story-telling through humanistic ways.
Directed by: Hart Ginsburg
“Samuel Plato: Preserving a Legacy”
(USA)
As the first African-American architect in Indiana, Samuel Plato overcame the racial restrictions of the early 20th century. Preserving Plato’s deteriorating buildings is crucial to remembering his legacy.
Directed by: Elise Masters