LOS ANGELES SESSION#2
WED, DECEMBER 7, 2022
7pm-9pm
This screening session features 13 short films (see below). All films are in English and/or have English subtitles.
ADDRESS
Marilyn Monroe Theatre
The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute
7936 Santa Monica Boulevard
West Hollywood, California 90046
FREE TICKETS
Reservations are optional. Reserve your ticket here. More free tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the cinema 15 minutes before the screening begins. Thanks to our sponsors, we also offer a free drink after the screening!
FREEWHEELIN' (NORWAY) BY FINN WALTHER
Synopsis: Constrained by his physical impairment, a boy in a wheelchair gets a wild idea when meeting a free-range hen. Freewheelin’ is a one minute story about restraints versus opportunities, and reaching for the stars in the spirit of Ikaros in Greek mythology. Running time: 00:01:20.
Selections/awards: Minimalen Short FF (Audience Award for best 1 minute short film).
DYNAMITE (FRANCE) BY JIM VIEILLE
Synopsis: April 2020. Lêg always stays locked up at home, engrossed by screens that all broadcast the same image: a burning car. But is it the outside world that smoulders or Lêg himself ? Running time: 00:04:37.
Selections/awards: Brussels Independent FF, Sydney World FF, Boston Short FF, and more.
IN LIGHT (ITALY) BY ALICE FASSI
Synopsis: In Light lives in a liminal space between documentary and visual tale. Alternating archival film material with new footage, the short film grants a unique insight into the peaceful and sublime ways of the Universal White Brotherhood. Born in Bulgaria at the beginning of the 20th century, the movement professes the High Ideal passed on by its founder and spiritual guide Master Beinsa Duno: “A heart as pure as a crystal, a mind as radiant as the sun, a soul as vast as the universe, a spirit as powerful as God and one with God.” With In Light, Director Alice Fassi and photographer Marco Gehlhar welcome us into the life of a community of brothers and sisters whose philosophy lies in opening their hearts to the light and the greater good. Swinging between the past and present, In Light is a visual poem illustrating an alternative way of living whose foundations lie in welcoming all and having faith in the goodness of people. Running time: 00:07:36.
CAPITAL: BODY (POLAND) BY MAŁGORZATA MARIA GRESZTA
Synopsis: Coming soon. Running time: 00:01:16.
THE PITCH (USA) BY ENO FREEDMAN BRODMANN
Synopsis: A satirical short film that spoofs the advertising industry by imagining a potential collaboration between chicken nuggets and bluetooth speakers. Starring Lourdes Hernández, it follows a call between an agency creative and director trying to one up each other on the most important product of the year...vegan chicken nuggets. Ridiculous, absurd, yet only too real, The Pitch is a commentary on the agony of the creative process until it all becomes a mess. Running time: 00:08:10.
GRAY MATTERS (EGYPT) BY MARIAM KHODEIR, ANDREA QUINTERO
Synopsis: Gray Matters is a stop-motion animated short film that highlights fascinating aspects of the human brain in a fun, illustrated, educational, and sarcastic tone. Running time: 00:01:25. Selections/awards: Monstra Animation Festival.
FORGET ME NOT (ITALY) BY GIUSEPPE PETRUZZELLIS, FABIO MARIN
Synopsis: Gilda is a middle aged woman, mother and wife. One day she realizes she's having problems setting the table. These are her first symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Through family footage and poetic visions, the stages of her illness become a stream of images on the breach of oblivion. Running time: 00:12:30.
Selections/awards: Visioni dal Mondo, MakeDox Skopje, Sedicicorto Forlì IFF, Mescalito Biopic Fest (Best Short), Rome Prisma Independent FF (Best Editing), and more.
MOSCOW STATE CIRCUS (USA) BY JOSHUA VAN HORN
Synopsis: A short profile on the bears of the Moscow State Circus based on a passage by John McPhee. Running time: 00:01:02.
Selections/awards: Extremely Shorts FF, MicroMania FF, Big Teeth Small Shorts FF.
BELOW 10 (IRAN) BY HOSSEIN FALLAH ABADI
Synopsis: Termeh’s aim is to rank below 10 in university entrance exam any way possible. She goes to the house of Ashkan, a man who sells university entrance exam questions, to buy the questions but she has not taken enough money with her and Ashkan wants something else from her in return. Termeh must choose between accepting or refusing Ashkan’s offer. Running time: 00:13:40.
MONSTER ENCOUNTERS (GERMANY) BY JAMES SMITH
Synopsis: Humans encounter various monsters, but each encounter has a consequence. Running time: 00:01:03.
Selections/awards: South African HorrorFest (Best One Minute Short), Brussels Independent FF, Linoleum Contemporary Animation and Media Art Festival, Hollywood Horrorfest, Warsaw Animation FF, Boston Short FF, HorrorFest International, Santiago Horror FF, Grindsploitation FF, and more.
THE PRISONER (POLAND) BY ŁUKASZ GIERAŃCZYK, FILIP DRZEWIECKI
Synopsis: One night with an ex-convict on the streets of Vancouver. Inspired by cinéma-vérité. Running time: 00:14:24.
Selections/awards: MakeDox Creative Documentary FF, Ghent Viewpoint Documentary FF, Int. Short FF of Cyprus, and more.
EX CRETA (USA) BY JON PORTMAN
Synopsis: A group of bored roommates spy on their neighbor's disturbing ritual. Running time: 00:05:33.
I Love You Don't Leave Me (USA) by Alex Leombruno
Synopsis: An absurdist drama following the endless torment experienced by a young woman dealing with an eating disorder. As she tries to cope with obsessive tendencies and routines, Ghillie, a looming swamp monster, follows close behind. Ghillie is the most prominent thing in Morgan’s life — that is, until she meets a strange neighbor while out jogging and invites her over for dinner. What ensues is a stressful encounter for Morgan as she tries to fight past the thoughts of Ghillie. Running time: 00:15:41.Selections/awards: Boston Short FF, Super Shorts NY, and more.