2022 Festival Schedule

Miss Fortunate

Director: Ella Jones

Scarlet’s mum has died, leaving her with two cats, a huge tax bill and a crush on a boy she can’t talk to. A comedy-drama about grief, in which a young woman loses her mother, and finds herself.

The Exit Plan

Director: Angus Wilkinson

In an overpopulated future, an elderly woman is visited by a young government official to check she is complying with the "Exit Plan" policy. However, when the agent interrogates her further he soon realizes she has something 'planned' for him. [This is a co-production between UK & Australia.]

The Body and the Name

Director: Christina Ruloff

Mary lies in a morgue. Although dead, she's still conscious contemplating her past and the relationship with her lover. The warden Doyle gazes at her body and explores the connection between her body and her name.

Divertimento

Director: Keyvan Sheikhalishahi

Jonas Olsen (Kellan Lutz), a chess player haunted by a tragic past, is given an opportunity to participate in a mysterious game, Divertimento.

Stegosaurus

Director: Barry Wilkinson

On a trip to Jurassic Park, a young girl leaves her phone-obsessed mother behind in order to find her favourite dinosaur - the stegosaurus.

Pretty Metal

Director: Mikhail Tot

Pretty Metal is a proof of concept dramatic comedy about a rising female pop group of high school besties who reinvent themselves as a heavy metal band in order to chase fame and fortune after their star member leaves them. Pretty Metal explores the themes of redemption, family, and control. Audiences will be amazed to learn that this film was made in July 2020, during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Release

Director: Paul Francis Zegarac

Alongside digesting trauma from her experience with brain cancer, Anne meets with her family to bury their pet dog. Although times are dark, moments of laughter, play, and meditation bring in some light and hope.

Nickel & Diming

Director: Fernando Lopez

A short series about a man who decides to meet people by selling stuff to strangers on the internet, with each transaction more awkward than the last.

All That Glitters

Director: Dan Bronzite

A desperate teenager snatches a rich woman's handbag but in a bizarre twist of fate discovers her life is not as rosy as it seems and that they have more in common than he realizes.

This is He

Director: Thea Duncan Brooks

Two brothers discover each other's existence when their father passes.

Abuela

Director: Rebeca Ortiz

Left to spend the day alone together, a young girl and her visiting Abuela must find a way to connect, despite the language barrier that separates them.

Dark Mountain

Director: Andrew Richardson

Grieving and struggling for a reason to go on living, a pilgrim climbs the mountain searching for a mythical altar to give him the answer. Exhausted and injured he is visited by a mysterious woman, and visions of the Altar.

It’s the Little Things

Director: Jessica Halas

Every kid has a favorite toy growing up, but so do pets. Sometimes you're not ready to let go.

Napoleon

Director: Johannes Hülsemann

Oliver Bartels and Enrico Schotte are two scoundrels who do shady jobs for concrete factory owner Bodo Schramm. It comes as it must; the inability to work as a team creates a fatal result.

Acceptance

Director: Tillie Sloan Mercerhill

Ann is a college student who must go on a journey of self discovery, asking their friend, N, for help. Ann must figure out their new name and pronouns while attempting to educate everyone around them. Two mean boys in their school, Dylan and Jared, are particularly against it, and are making Ann's life difficult. Ann must educate them, while figuring out and accepting themselves.

Detox

Director: Madison Ledyard-King

A young man, overcome with grief and trauma following a life changing accident, desires to reclaim his life.

Across 109^th Street

Director: Carlson Terry Jones

A young girl is found murdered. The number one suspect is a misguided and rebellious teen. Detective Ike Washington interrogates the teen to find out the truth behind the young girl's death.

Agua Eterna

Director: Steve Wieclaw

Desperate to keep an ancient elixir to himself, an obsessed recluse confronts the man he thinks has discovered his secret.

Down to Clown

Director: Brian Lachowski

Kevin, Emmett, and Ronnie are clowns struggling to find work in a world that is afraid of them. After running over and killing a homeless old man in their clown car, the three clowns have to find a way to dispose of the body to prevent further defamation of clowns.

Viewfinder

Director: Gwen Bueche

A new homeowner discovers a mysterious camera that allows her to travel back in time.

Mama’s Boy

Director: Mickey Staver

“Mama’s Boy” is a short thriller based around a young boy named Charlie and his unnervingly loving Mother. Charlie’s world starts to become the one of his nightmares as his mother’s grasp on him becomes tighter. Hints of rebellion are quashed out of him with sickening sweetness, and by the end, Charlie finds himself just as helpless as a fly being wrapped up to be eaten in a spider web. The question is, are the mother’s overly protective actions innocuous, or more sinister than they seem?

Tasteless

Director: Amnon Carmi

Louisa, head chef of a critically acclaimed restaurant, discovers her sense of taste and smell are gone after recovering from COVID-19. On the brink of financial devastation, she must appease her investors with a number of new dishes. She and her sous chef, Daniel, spend days thinking outside the box to solve the problem. Then her investors pop in for a surprise visit.

The Shipment

Director: Rocky Nguyen

Pulled into a mafia plot, a man in custody recalls his story in order to clear his name of a crime he didn’t commit.

Trial of Errors

Director: Greer Miller

A group of kids put a man from an earlier generation on trial for his crimes against humanity.

Foot Juice

Director: Daniel Bowling

A man demands a woman give him foot juice.

Nightview

Director: Julien Hildum

A mysterious creature awakens in the forest with a murderous appetite, destroying all it comes into contact with.

Don’t Go Out There

Director: Nora Konrad

During a sleepover, two best friends hear a noise in the hallway and must confront what it is.

Friday Night

Director: Lia Polster

What to do on a Friday night?

I am the Hero

Director: Patrick Masteller

One hero, one girl, and many failed tests. Will may be invincible, but he can't tank his less than ideal grades. In a gesture that could be interpreted as pity, Katelyn steps in to help Will get some common sense, and maybe something other than a D+.

Running on Empty

Director: Jake Marzluf

An estranged and failing student athlete, Jaden, is deep in the cycle of painkiller addiction. Cash-strapped and feverish, he turns to his dealer to get a quick fix but comes up short of a full bottle. Jaden gets pushed further to his wits end and, in a desperate ploy for relief, turns to conning his family. A tough conversation with his father locks Jaden into a dark headspace, turning him to his only two historic sources of relief: running and painkillers. A cathartic run on the beach turns out to be the worst hit yet. After losing all of his pills and his only source of income, a defeated Jaden crawls back into bed, on the cusp of withdrawals and the brink of a fever dream Upon waking up from his nightmare, Jaden is forced to reconcile with his actions and decides to get help facing his addiction.

Lost in Grief

Director: Julia Hocker

A girl struggles with grief after losing her mother to cancer and her father is deployed overseas. Her aunt helps her cope with her feelings and open up to her father.

Down the Rabbit Hole

Director: Rachel Hocker

A girl is struggling to write a paper and is down to the deadline when she enters a dream like world where she meets Alice from Alice in Wonderland. After a few failed attempts, Alice is able to give the main character the motivation and inspiration she needs to leave the dream world and finish her paper.

Crawl If You Must

Director: Julian Redondo, Doug Smith

A man discovers paint appearing all over his body and a strange person following him and must find a way to overcome these strange obstacles in his life.

Child’s Play

Director: Barbara Craig Liu, Meghan Grisez

Adult children, Lucy and Tom struggle to get ready for a dance party.

The Sins of Jack Hill

Director: Jimmy Jolly

An outlaw with morals robs a small town store, but is interrupted by a ruthless gunslinger. He must now choose between the money and lives of others, not to mention his own.

In the Key of Madness

Director: Max Jaggers, Simone Massis

After doing better, our main character finds himself with writer's block sending him down a ruinous path toward madness.

Balloons

Director: Julia Reed

Balloons is a surrealism/horror piece following Quinn as she travels through a horrifying dreamscape full of balloons, and is ultimately forced to confront the things she represses while awake.

Sanguine Love

Director: B.J. Halsall

A vampire is upset when the director of his film cannot be found.

What Happens in the Dark

Director: James W Ford

A suspenseful drama about a devious man who does anything to get ahead.

Wu Xia - A Martial Arts Tango

Director: Johnny Wu

Wu Xia means Martial Arts Knights, and It takes two to tango. They are readied to confront the 5 elements to see if they are worthy of the opponent. An all martial arts style extravaganza set in a distant future.

The Hunt

Director: Jason Klingensmith

Three groups of people take part in a treasure hunt that leads to unexpected results.

To Dust I Shall Return

Director: Daniel Michael Tomcik

A young man comes to terms with life and death after a loved one becomes gravely ill.

The Damned Thing is of Such a Color!

Director: B. R. Tatalovic

While visiting Uncle Hugh's remote property in Ohio's countryside, Dr. William Harker encounters an entity that attacks human senses.

One in the Chamber

Director: Lucas Willis

This fun spaghetti western features an unlikely, drunken criminal who is trying his hand at escaping a bank robbery at all costs.

T.R.A.C.E. A Doctor Who Fan Film Webseries Season 1

Director: Johnny Wu

When two worlds collide and the doctor must have both.

A Fistful of Ketchup

Director: John Maslowski

A duel between a bottle of ketchup and a bottle of mustard.

Cabin of Deceit

Director: Scott Edward Brosius

In this neo-noir classic, detective Frank and Roger get more than they bargained for when he takes a case brought to him by a mysterious and secretive woman. As soon as he finds his client's husband and his lover, things begin to go south, fast. Now Frank has to decide if his code of honor is more important than a big payday.

No Such Thing

Director: Jason Klingensmith

After losing her job of twenty-two years, a middle-aged woman stumbles upon an entirely new line of work, thanks to her friendship with a very dangerous woman.

Evenfall: Prologue

Director: Dustin Lee

A woman struggles to protect her son from the ever-increasing dangers of the world around them.

Callous

Director: Tyler Nelson Thomas

A gay couple learns of a murder in the hotel across the street.

Life’s a Bitch Barbie

Director: Alicia Spurlock

Two terrible thieves try to steal a limited edition doll.

Genie of the Lamp

Director: Pauline Nowakowski

A woman is surprised when she is polishing her teapot and a genie is summoned and grants her three wishes.

Animation

Grandpa

Director: Valentine ROLLAND, Théo BONGIOVANNI, Hugo MARTINS, Sophie OUVRARD, Thomas PIOT, Nell MOLINIER

Dive in to a little girl's farewell to her grandfather through an adventure in her memories of a fishing trip.

Golden Hour

Director: Sophie LI, Yan LI, Gabriel REGNIER, Quentin RIGAUX, Adel SABI, Jeremy YE

Filmmaking can sometimes be a very chaotic process. Allie is about to learn it as the director just got one last crazy idea.

EP

Director: Pat Campo

An AI robot and his owner make a living by hacking into computers and stealing important electronic files. During their usual escapade, they stumble upon a hard drive containing EP. But what is EP?

Henry

Director: Elizabeth Phelps

An itinerant puppeteer travels through a dystopian landscape making the best of every circumstance in spite of ongoing run-ins with Municipal authorities. Accompanied by a wayward chicken, he comes across a curious packet of forbidden pictures, a hidden colony of strange rabbits, and a mysterious door.

Goodnight Mr. Vincent Van Gogh

Director: Lindsey Doolittle

How can we talk to our children about suicide? This animation was created to help support those who have lost someone to suicide and promote forward thinking on suicide awareness. The animation is based on the children’s book, “Goodnight Mr. Vincent Van Gogh,” which is on permanent display in the Vincent Van Gogh Library in Nuenen, Netherlands.

Moon Knight

Director: Akshay Tiwari

A dynamic vignette about the bizarre and fractured realities of Marc Spector a.k.a Moon Knight. Inspired from writer Jeff Lemire and artist Greg Smallwood’s epic comic run on the character, it is a journey through death, doubt and delirium which culminates in symbolic rebirth.

Beyond Agog

Director: Linda Loh

"Beyond Agog", is a video derived from the artist’s virtual reality project “Agog”, 2021. “Agog” is an exploratory experience in a sublime space with luminous and colour-saturated structures towering above and around, with various perceptual phenomena and sound to explore and encounter. The works connect to the artist’s research into Neoplatonism and the sublime. While this video is no substitute for the VR experience, it takes on a life of its own by embodying the transitional experiences of wonder from that speculative, non-ordinary “world”. Fleeting encounters and shifting views present precarious moments of clarity between the elusive and ephemeral realms. Light and sound potentially transport and shift perception beyond everyday experience, and the artist connects these transrational ideas to experiences described by Neoplatonic philosophers. Neoplatonism is a lesser known corner of ancient philosophy, yet one that has influenced both (so-called) Eastern and Western traditions. Research into Neoplatonism and the sublime validates that Western culture has, despite appearances, long recognised ineffable experiences as an intrinsic part of human psychology. That acquaintance with these experiences could shift consciousness and transform innate behaviour towards the “good” is both culturally relevant and timely.

Inside the Mind

Director: Grace Prorok

A short motion graphic about cognitive behavior therapy.

Dream

Director: Majid Sabri

A creation in a dream.

Step By Step

Director: Thēodore JANVIER, Fanny PAOLI, Emma GACH, Anabelle DAVID, Julie VALENTIN, Claire ROBERT

A little rain boot wakes up on a river’s side. On her journey through the forest she would overcome any obstacles to find her way back home. On the road she faces many events that will make her grow.

Kayak

Director: Solène BOSSEBOEUF, Flore DECHORGNAT, Tiphaine KLEIN, Auguste LEFORT, Antoine ROSSI

A father and his baby’s kayak outing along a peaceful river turns out to be a real family adventure.

Grumpy Shark

Director: John Maslowski

A girl's visit to the Aquarium takes a fateful turn.

Comedy

Arbor View Memory Gardens

Director: Paul J. Fuccillo

A funeral home employee questions the meaning of life when she encounters a man who claims he's still alive. Adapted from an excerpt of "This Random World" by Steven Dietz.

Ambitious Bathroom Attendant

Director: Jordan Arrant

Joey really loves his job, it just so happens his job is working in bathrooms. He thinks bathroom attendants should be wherever you do your business, so he may pop up in the weirdest places!

Haircut

Director: Stefan Langer

A couple has an unexpectedly close shave while in lockdown during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fried

Director: Mars Fargo

A man's attempts to eat breakfast are constantly interrupted, by the repeated appearances of a stoned out time traveler.

1-800-D-Direct

Director: Clare Macdonald

Joyce and Frances work at 1-800-D-Direct, the latest and greatest Dishwasher sales company in 1960’s Manhattan. But when a customer is given the wrong data, the women must navigate her out of a life or death situation.

Donut Chase

Director: Sarah Baskin

Engorging themselves in the perfect powder, two loony lady cops throw down with some FBI guys.

Magdalenas

Director: José Miguel Santacreu Cortés

Three friends spend the night peacefully at home. When José goes to get some madeleines, he ends up coming back without them and really scared. Have you ever seen yourselves doubled?

Fruits of Labor

Director: Hank Temple, Gideon Temple

A soon-to-be father is encouraged by his sweet wife to take a day for himself. Big mistake.

Future Men of Yesterday

Director: Michael Lipton

In 1962, an amateur race car driver and a Soviet ex-pat attempt history. A vainglorious tale of grand ambitions and crushing gravity told at breakneck speed.

The Quest for the Blue Sun Shield

Director: Lachlan Nagy

Two friends embark on an online journey to get the legendary Blue Sun Shield.

On the Rocks

Director: Patrick Hickman

Dating is hard. Dating in Los Angeles is even harder. Four barflies take shot after shot at a bar in LA trying to find love and get laid.

Blackfire Games

Director: Ethan Edenburg, Aliya Kamalova

After getting into a minor car accident with a gothic married couple who create indie video games, an aspiring documentarian decides to make a film about the release of their next game.

Uku Pacha

Director: Diego Bonilla

In an old van crossing the Andes, three unknown passengers share a secret. A person has committed suicide, the victim of false news spread on social media, and someone blames them for it. You are the fourth passenger and witness of their journey through the Uku Pacha seeking to return the natural order, the order of the Andean worldview. Each trip is a different story, a recurring dream where events never happen in the same way or in the same order: an opportunity for salvation or condemnation.

Anniversary Dinner

Director: Hannah Hayes

Anniversary Dinner is a fun, 360-degree romp that examines a marital misunderstanding from the POV of Rufus the dog --seen from the perspective of the witty family dog.

Beyond Agog

Director: Linda Loh

"Beyond Agog", is a video derived from the artist’s virtual reality project “Agog”, 2021. “Agog” is an exploratory experience in a sublime space with luminous and colour-saturated structures towering above and around, with various perceptual phenomena and sound to explore and encounter. The works connect to the artist’s research into Neoplatonism and the sublime. While this video is no substitute for the VR experience, it takes on a life of its own by embodying the transitional experiences of wonder from that speculative, non-ordinary “world”. Fleeting encounters and shifting views present precarious moments of clarity between the elusive and ephemeral realms. Light and sound potentially transport and shift perception beyond everyday experience, and the artist connects these transrational ideas to experiences described by Neoplatonic philosophers. Neoplatonism is a lesser known corner of ancient philosophy, yet one that has influenced both (so-called) Eastern and Western traditions. Research into Neoplatonism and the sublime validates that Western culture has, despite appearances, long recognised ineffable experiences as an intrinsic part of human psychology. That acquaintance with these experiences could shift consciousness and transform innate behaviour towards the “good” is both culturally relevant and timely.

Music Videos

The Stream

Director: Peter-John Campbell

Official music video for The Stream by Indré.

These Are The Lies

Director: Kseniia Maksimova

Haunted by the memories about his ex-girlfriend, the protagonist is seeking closure from the relationship that didn't work out.

Droplets II Live From the Royal Concert - Konstantyn Napolov

Director: Konstantyn Napolov

The music video by Konstantyn Napolov with the complete award-winning record of Christiaan Richter's masterpiece "Droplets II" was filmed in the completely empty Royal Concertgebouw Amsterdam during the first lockdown in The Netherlands in May 2020. Only eight seats are left in the audience at this tremendous and historically rich concert hall, which didn't host any events for more than a year. This video is based on the "Guard the Mother Earth" ritual script written by Konstantyn Napolov, who was inspired by the Pandemic Covid-19 events and the importance of being careful with our planet. "She can exist without us but we not without her." Single is available on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/21w6XOfWdMYilbVwmoqjId?si=ydhe3V0LQ5CytyvZkC3cDQ Bandcamp: https://konstantynnapolov.bandcamp.com/album/richter-droplets-ii

Ride of the Devil’s Teeth

Director: Jon Hanusa

The galloping drums immediately conjured images of a gang of thieves on horseback riding through the desert in the moonlight. Made with no budget, the video follows along with that thought of galloping horses. Having loosely talked about a Chong Li storyline for the album, this video represents ‘Chong’ as an unstoppable force of violent intensity and punches to the face. Overall, we wanted to convey a fun, hallucinogenic series of images that invoke the likes of the old west, feudal japan, post-apocalyptic hellscapes, and mythological monsters.

Tight Rope

Director: Cole Kornell

The Dreamer (Lea Marra) hears an eerie accordion playing in the woods, seeing glimpses of it everywhere she goes while running to find it. She's suddenly transported to a dark circus, where she's soon surrounded by freaks of all kinds. Is this the place she can escape to? Is she one of the freaks?

Pack Your Bags

Director: Geno F Oradini, Daniel K Cornelius

Warm weather comradery of friends hanging out during a summer day.

Listen to Your Heart

Director: Obediya Jones-Darrell

In this musical short film, a young girl falls in love with a kitten. She finds mystical power within to fight to keep it safe from a mysterious stranger.

Fairy in the Lake

Director: Obediya Jones-Darrell

A short Opera about finding the magic within filmed in Prague & Vancouver, Canada during Covid 19.

Comedy

Hard-ish Bodies

Director: Mike Carreon

A plus-size male stripper knocks on the wrong door and is thrust into the criminal underworld. His only chance to save the club and himself is to do what he does best... DANCE!

Just a Ghoul

Director: Jameson DeSantis

A boy is ghosted when his first date dies, only to be ghosted again when her apparition cannot move on without finishing the date.

Habanos

Director: Zebulon Griffin

Two men being held against their will over a case of mistaken identity have a spirited discourse about the nationality of their captors.

A Sunny Desperation

Director: Emily Tope

A determined photography student must capture a landscape in natural light to save her grade, but soon discovers that the sun will not cooperate with her plans.

After Hours

Director: Neil Haeems

A college student accidentally locks himself out and struggles to get back inside safely.

The Morning After

Director: Dino Kazamia

Last night, Simone hooked up with a random guy. This wouldn’t be unusual if there wasn’t a pandemic going on forcing her and her flat mate Elias into lockdown. Meanwhile, Elias spent all night baking banana bread and can’t wait to tuck into it with his best mate. Unfortunately for them both, Simone can’t remember if she used protection and is in desperate need of emergency contraception. Not keen on heading to a pharmacy in the height of Covid, the two hapless housemates try to gaffer a way out of the pickle they’re in, whilst also coming to terms with the toll lockdown has taken on them. The Morning After is a quick-witted comedy about friendship in the most unusual of circumstances.

Awkward Endeavors

Director: Derek Frey

Awkward Endeavors charts the intersecting lives of three lonely men as they struggle to close the gap between themselves and the rest of the world.

Shaggy Finds His Way

Director: Daniel Wanamaker

A couple months after losing his best friend Scooby and the team breaking up Shaggy is a broken man. He’s lost all will to continue mystery solving without the team and most of all without Scooby. Shaggy must find a new passion for mystery solving and a new way of life that he long thought to be impossible. This film explores themes of loss, depression, uncertainty, and betrayal through the unfamiliar lens of Shaggy/Norville Rogers.

Scones

Director: Cam Lewis

Julie, a mid twenties business analyst, finds herself wondering whether she’s made the right choices in life after her sister, Emma, interrupts her presentation prep to tell her that she is headed to Peru to work on an alpaca farm. Insult is added to injury when Julie’s presentation at work the next day fails to garner the accolades she was expecting. Her co-worker Rose, however, has the perfect plan to reignite Julie’s passion by helping her fulfill her dream of opening her own bakery. Unfortunately, Rose has ulterior motives and Julie and Emma must work together to salvage their relationship when things go sideways.

Hear Me Out!

Director: Ned Farr

After his girlfriend dumps him, a young man hits upon a radical idea to win her back.

The Puca

Director: Alexandria Cree, Kristen Hilkert

A vlogger goes missing after a púca sighting.

The Origin Story (Of Gerald the Lemon)

Director: Taylor Bakken

After suffering a devastating tragedy, a broken young man embarks on a strange journey to a radical Swedish healing program that turns people into fruit.

We're showing select films featuring animals in positive ways such as dogs, cats, pigs, horses, and pigeons! This event will take place at the dog park at the Metropolitan at the 9. In lieu of a ticket charge we ask for food and toy donations to local animal shelters. Dogs are invited and welcomed!!!!

The Barking Lot

Director: Debi Bradshaw, Sean Bradshaw

A pet store cashier reveals a special talent to a customer who would be happier just buying his cat food.

Added Years

Director: Dave Garcia

A film essay of an aging man's love and devotion for his horses.

It’s the Little Things

Director: Jessica Halas

Every kid has a favorite toy growing up, but so do pets. Sometimes you're not ready to let go.

Friends for Life

Director: Jackie Howard

This extraordinary story showcases the relationship of a 16-year-old pig with his caretakers after he lost all function of his back legs in the last year of his life. Tender, funny, candid moments that will surely warm your heart, give you a few belly laughs, and inspire you to love pigs (and not eat them).

The Pigeon Lady

Director: Giulia Brazzale

Every day, an old lady - a philosopher - wanders the streets of the historic center of Rome feeding pigeons but her true mission is another.

Underdogs

Director: Alex Astrella

At the California Men's Colony in Central California, a special connection forms between dogs and their inmate handlers, as the prisoners lovingly prepare the canines to become fully operational service animals.

Found (2021)

Director: Daniel Michael Tomcik

A young man finds and bonds with a stray dog only to discover that its real owner is looking for her and now he must decide whether or not he should give her up.

Vinyl Road

Director: Kara Singleton

In the last breathless moments of an abusive relationship, a battered but brave girl dances the delicate line between love and toxicity, and fights to break the cycle. Includes LGBTQ themes. Featuring original score and choreography.

luv

Director: Gregory Joseph Elek

We watch the evolution of a relationship from the honeymoon phase up until the breakup accompanied by three tracks by up-and-coming hip-hop artist Will Cherry.

Homme Alone

Director: Wei Ying, Brad Dillard

They were together, but now they’re alone. As one of them contemplates this loss, the other won’t go away quietly, threatening both of their existences.

OK, Let’s Start Over

Director: Jonathan Pickett, Steven Kennedy

While sorting endless recycling, two friends engage in an experiment in order to find a deeper connection.

Perfect Peach Summers

Director: Andrew Van Heusden

Peach Summers (she/her/they/them), a beginner drag queen, prepares to host their first show in their hometown. A wig is snatched, however, when the last person they expect arrives hours before the event: Peach's father.

Scenario

Director: Ryan Lucht

Before going on her first date, Alex contemplates three different scenarios in her head on what to do on her date with her love interest, Morgan. Stressing herself out, her scenarios spiral out of control, and she begins thinking less about how to make Morgan happy, and more about which scenario will work that will not have any problems.

Sheer Qorma

Director: Faraz Arif Ansari

Sheer Qorma is a story of belonging and acceptance, identity and family, and how it comes together under one roof, as resilient, queer Muslim women and non-binary characters of colour, choose to embrace love that exists beyond their personal beliefs and social moralities.

Before Night Shift

Director: Po Wei Su

After a post-work conversation over a late night snack, a man realizes he must come to a critical decision about his relationship with his boyfriend.

9:13

Director: Mikhail Tot

A grieving woman turns to supernatural powers to see her lover one last time.

Drama

Chokablok

Director: Cameron Carver

Chase Jenkins just wants to succeed. But why does he feel like he's always falling behind? Part playful, part neurotic, part existential 'CHOKABLOK' is a surreal exploration of our obsession with achievement and the perpetual anxiety of trying to keep up.

Waves

Director: Margarita Milne

On a surfing trip, an Australian woman questions her decision to move to the other side of the world for love.

Rosso

Director: Zach Staads

4 AM on the lake is beautiful, eerie, and there always seems to be something lurking under the murky surface. For an anxious person, being trapped on a boat with someone you don't like can be tense. Stuck for hours afloat, nothing on the line, bad conversation, and cold winds as resentment rises. Both people chained to a rod and tackle because one won't speak up and admit that they want to go home.

Paranoia

Director: Alyssa Katalyna Fritz

After a horrific assault in her home, Lyra begins to suspect her attacker never left.

Chopped & Stacked

Director: Mykael D. Wood

A coming of age, psychological drama about a Father and Son's relationship unraveling as they set out to do landscaping at an old, isolated cabin in the mountains.

Horror

Lapsed

Director: Patrick Masteller

An ordinary walking trail suddenly becomes inescapable as something begins to form in the middle of it.

Momma, Don’t Go

Director: Rafael De Leon Jr.

A mother and daughter struggle to survive a deadly home invasion.

The Shack, an Atmos-Fearic Thriller

Director: Dark Hoffman

There are events in this world that can’t be explained... and shouldn’t. This is an "atmos-fearic" story about a direct lineage of men feeding a centuries old creature in the woods that has a taste for human flesh. On a hunting trip that goes awry, Hank must pass down responsibility of the sacred land to his son, Caleb. With this land comes great duty. They must be fed. Sacrifices are needed...

Reunion

Director: M.r. Fitzgerald

During a viral outbreak that alters humans into something sinister, a father and daughter risk everything to bring their family back together after an infected loved one is taken by their own kind. What would you do for the ones you love?

China Doll

Director: Eddie Shieh

After her abduction, Amelia Chen fights to stay alive against an insatiable captor with a fetish.

Peaking

Director: Daniel Rands

After a long day on set, a sound recordist starts to hear more than just toxic conversation, leading her on a descent into horror. Room by room she searches for the source of an ominous sound she can’t escape from.

The Infamous Third Date

Director: Laurel Johnson

A serial killer is thrown off her game when her latest mark ghosts her.

The Nick

Director: Robert Smellin

Our protagonist, The Character, finds themselves in a death struggle with a wicked and evil part of their own body.

Timber

Director: Viktor Alsbjer

Two people, plagued with memory loss, find that they're stuck with each other in a cabin amongst the timber of a forest.

The Wrangler

Director: Alyssa Katalyna Fritz

On the run from a vampire hunter with a personal vendetta, immortal fugitive Kaia hides her lover from the monster she used to be.

A Small Thing

Director: Scott Edward Brosius

A loving father uses a mixture of science and the occult to bring back his daughter after a tragic accident. But how much of his soul is he willing to pay for her resurrection.

Because I Can

Director: Ron G. George

A woman awakens to find herself in the captivity of a ruthless serial murderer. As events unfold, dark secrets are revealed.

Spaghetti Face

Director: Peter Raber

Darren, James and Andrew love telling scary stories, and they have the perfect place to do it: their backyard clubhouse. It's all fun and games until the legend of Spaghetti Face turns out to be more than just a simple story.

Queen of the Dead

Director: Brandon Jester

When a troubled girl ends up killing herself, her siblings, Jess and Blake uncover the truth of her death and a cult that worships the Queen of the dead.

Running Towards Death

Director: Liz Juhasz

Where are you running to?

Treatment

Director: James O O Williams

A struggling addict agrees to an experimental treatment in lieu of returning to rehab; to spend the night in an abandoned building rumored to be a portal to hell.

Murderer

Director: Eli Manos

A crazed man wants to turn his house plants into salads. The house plants have other ideas...

In the Studio

Director: Robert Motoc

Rock band sacrifices a band member to the Crow Goddess.

Crookery

Director: Jonathan Perry

Nestled in the quiet suburbs, an ordinary family's argumentative evening mixes with a hostile home intrusion. The father falsely defends his home against two looters trying to break in, while the truth is the real criminal trying to break out.

Daughters of a Different Path

Director: Ahmad Mohammed Ghanim

Daughters of a Different Path is a story about a young woman, Leanna, who seeks her mother’s acceptance. After her mother rejects her decision of becoming Muslim, Leanna begins to deal with inner obstacles of doubt. The story is not only about Leanna’s conversion and the repercussions of her decision, but also a story about transforming her mother’s rejection to love.

Last and First Woman

Director: Adnan Siddique

A passionate astronomy student disengages from her college curriculum upon the discovery of an illusive artifact. Shot and produced on location in Columbus, Ohio.

Incognita

Director: Duncan Kelbley, Philip Dae Han

After the death of those closest to her, a survivor of a post apocalyptic world must learn to live on her own.

Something in the Air

Director: Jozif Rey

Experimental short film that takes you on a journey with Ashton as he searches for nirvana. Ashton skates through the city encountering ones who have an urge to move forward in life. Never let your environment hold you back.

One in the Barrel

Director: Lito Caraballo

Hector, a second booger flicker, struggles with the news of his brother's death and sets out for revenge.

Freeway

Director: Ty David Choate

The story follows a kid named Carter who is an all-star hockey player, but due to his environment life begins to crumble. After his mom goes to move in with her boyfriend, he begins to skip school and get into trouble. Carter is left on his own and feels like he has nothing left.

Mississippi: 1968

Director: Dontae Hill, Isaac Bixel

On the heels of high profile deaths involving Emmett Till, Langston, a frustrated young black man from southern Mississippi, holds his seemingly racist boss hostage until he is paid fairly.

Thick as Thieves

Director: Pauline Nowakowski

Two best friends make plans to do something that will change their lives forever.

The Specialist

Director: Debi Fellows

Who do you call when bad things happen after 3am?

Gold. You Idiot

Director: Ryan Nathan Singer

Two moronic gold prospectors venture the northwestern riverbeds in search of riches.

Life’s Work

Director: Jon Mancinetti

A forward-thinking scientist is on the verge of a discovery that will forever change mankind, but the powers that be will stop at nothing to control it. A Twilight Zone inspired, sci-fi mystery.

Eternal Flame

Director: Thomas Zuchowski

After a woman is diagnosed with a terminal illness, her boyfriend uploads her consciousness into a simulation, leading to a series of dark events.

Enjoy an encore presentation of our award winning films followed by a Q&A with the judges of the 2022 Short. Sweet. Film Fest.

Sheer Qorma

Director: Faraz Arif Ansari

Sheer Qorma is a story of belonging and acceptance, identity and family, and how it comes together under one roof, as resilient, queer Muslim women and non-binary characters of colour, choose to embrace love that exists beyond their personal beliefs and social moralities.

Nickel & Diming

Director: Fernando Lopez

A short series about a man who decides to meet people by selling stuff to strangers on the internet, with each transaction more awkward than the last.

The Body and the Name

Director: Christina Ruloff

Mary lies in a morgue. Although dead, she's still conscious contemplating her past and the relationship with her lover. The warden Doyle gazes at her body and explores the connection between her body and her name.

Hello Sunshine

Director: Joe Quint

Roz Pichardo is more than a domestic violence and gun violence survivor, she’s a warrior. Despite of - or because of - being thrown off a bridge by an abusive ex-boyfriend, the unsolved murder of her brother, and the suicide of her identical twin sister, she’s able to channel her trauma into service by helping the often-forgotten people of North Philadelphia. From giving comfort to families of murder victims to saving the lives of over 500 men and women in active opioid addiction, Roz knows that her healing and her survival depends upon healing others.

Kayak

Director: Solène BOSSEBOEUF, Flore DECHORGNAT, Tiphaine KLEIN, Auguste LEFORT, Antoine ROSSI

A father and his baby’s kayak outing along a peaceful river turns out to be a real family adventure.

OK, Let’s Start Over

Director: Jonathan Pickett, Steven Kennedy

While sorting endless recycling, two friends engage in an experiment in order to find a deeper connection.

Miss Fortunate

Director: Ella Jones

Scarlet’s mum has died, leaving her with two cats, a huge tax bill and a crush on a boy she can’t talk to. A comedy-drama about grief, in which a young woman loses her mother, and finds herself.

1-800-D-Direct

Director: Clare Macdonald

Joyce and Frances work at 1-800-D-Direct, the latest and greatest Dishwasher sales company in 1960’s Manhattan. But when a customer is given the wrong data, the women must navigate her out of a life or death situation.

Spaghetti Face

Director: Peter Raber

Darren, James and Andrew love telling scary stories, and they have the perfect place to do it: their backyard clubhouse. It's all fun and games until the legend of Spaghetti Face turns out to be more than just a simple story.

Napoleon

Director: Johannes Hülsemann

Oliver Bartels and Enrico Schotte are two scoundrels who do shady jobs for concrete factory owner Bodo Schramm. It comes as it must; the inability to work as a team creates a fatal result.

From Wine to Vine: The Vineyard Expansion Assistance Program

Director: Chelsie Corso

The short film shows how Ohio's Vineyard Expansion Assistance Program (VEAP) is working to expand new and existing vineyards throughout the state. The documentary recognizes Ohio's remarkable grape growing industry and its grape growers while celebrating the long history of grape growing, which dates back to the 1850s.

Over Fire: The Evolution of Barbecue

Director: Shane White

Barbecue is an idea that predates civilization to a time when our Neanderthal ancestors were eating the charred remains of animals pulled from the ashes of a forest fire. Over millions of years humans have figured out how to master that art of cooking over fire. From the romans, to the Mongols, From Africans to Native Americans this technique has evolved time after time to what Americans now call BBQ.

Bonds of Recovery

Director: Remy Gareau

Focusing on the ripple effects of sobriety, highlighting the benefits of addiction recovery, and discovering that the influence one sober person has on another can be life changing.

For Life Clover

Director: Adam Taylor

A mural dedication that speaks to the love and life of the people of Clover Hall and those who passed away in 2020-2021, featuring America's Got Talent "The Silhouettes."

Underdogs

Director: Alex Astrella

At the California Men's Colony in Central California, a special connection forms between dogs and their inmate handlers, as the prisoners lovingly prepare the canines to become fully operational service animals.

Hello Sunshine

Director: Joe Quint

Roz Pichardo is more than a domestic violence and gun violence survivor, she’s a warrior. Despite of - or because of - being thrown off a bridge by an abusive ex-boyfriend, the unsolved murder of her brother, and the suicide of her identical twin sister, she’s able to channel her trauma into service by helping the often-forgotten people of North Philadelphia. From giving comfort to families of murder victims to saving the lives of over 500 men and women in active opioid addiction, Roz knows that her healing and her survival depends upon healing others.

The Faces of Emma Anderson

Director: Jewell Gwathney, David Tarbert

Emma Anderson is an artist, teacher and inspiring influencer currently based in Cleveland, Ohio. Emma has received many accolades, awards and scholarships throughout the years for her edgy, modern, groundbreaking style. Her biggest achievement is battling and overcoming pediatric brain cancer -- and her ongoing efforts to educate and support those in the community affected by this disease.

Selma, Alabama

Director: Cornell Calhoun III

A fictional journey of women on the 1965 Selma March.

Rabari: The People of the Leopard

Director: Ashwin Gokhale

‘Rabari: The People of the Leopard’ looks at the lives of the Rabaris of the Jawai-Bera area, whose lives have been directly affected by the presence of the leopard, and attempts to understand the nuances of economic migration, the cost of unwanted industrialisation and traditional belief systems.

Faces After Suicide

Director: Lindsey Doolittle

My husband died by suicide at our home and I found him. (TRIGGER WARNING) This video contains information about suicide which may be triggering to survivors. The method is not stated in the film, but how the director’s husband was found is mentioned. This film was created to support suicide loss survivors and help promote forward thinking on raising awareness.

Roger Grein: An Empowering Philanthropist

Director: Bob Kelly

This inspiring documentary tells the life story of Mr. Roger Grein, a man who has overcome a myriad of challenges to become a successful businessman, internationally recognized softball coach, philanthropist, and founder of the Cincinnati-based nonprofit, Magnified Giving. An entrepreneur since age seven, Roger made his first significant philanthropic contribution as a young teenager and has been freely giving of his time, talent and treasure for the past sixty years.

The Endless Wasteland

Director: Samuel Mitchell

Exploring themes of isolation and disillusionment, “The Endless Wasteland” is a visual poem about the artist’s dilemma in a modern world so often defined by apathy and distance.

See the world premiere of all films entered into the first annual Short. Sweet. Film Competition. followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers then an awards ceremony.  End the festival with a networking and social event to officially kick off our 12th annual festival!

Films will be divided into two blocks.  After each block screening will have a Q & A with the team captains afterwards.

Block A

Apocalypse Later
Wild Scarlet Calling
The Freke Showe
Misfit Knights
Attanor Productions
Brutal Flower Films
Snowfall Studios
Short Films Factory
TKF Films
Those Guys

Block B

Rivershead Productions
Hale's Tales Productions
Geechee One Films
MMH Productions
Herbivore Productions
RDV MASTERMINDS
Spire Scope
Them
White Midnight
3 Zero 9