THE QUIZ SHOW (USA) BY JODIE GRUBB

Synopsis: Using real audio from police body camera footage, this animation features an exchange between police and man who was pulled over for drunk driving. Running time: 00:01:28.

Selections/awards: Toronto International Women FF.

About the director: Jodie Grubb (aka Sock Puppet Master) is a New Jersey-based artist who animates short videos using real audio from 911 calls and police body camera footage. Jodie has over 420,000 followers on TikTok.

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A FEAST THAT NEVER COMES (USA) BY MARIA JURANIC

Trailer

Synopsis: Four characters inhabit cycles within cycles of contentment, discontentment, inertia, movement, desire, and betrayal. A story emerges—told through the marriage of music (Ex-Fiancée) and dance (ChrisMastersDance)—functioning as a set of nesting dolls, inviting you to uncover as many layers as you wish. Running time: 00:05:59.

About the director: An immigrant from Yugoslavia, Maria Juranic is a director and editor working in NY and LA. She has made visuals on a variety of media platforms from music videos and advertising to fashion and film. In the last decade, Maria has been writing and directing short form content for brands and companies as disparate as Conde Nast and Sesame Street. She is also sought out by labels such as Warner and Universal for her music videos. Her work has been seen on MTV, VH1, Rolling Stone and Nowness.

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THE PRISONER (POLAND) BY ŁUKASZ GIERAŃCZYK, FILIP DRZEWIECKI

Trailer

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.

About the director: Lukasz Gieranczyk is a first time filmmaker. Filip Drzewiecki directed "The Briefing" which premiered at the 61st Dok Leipzig and was awarded by Canal+ Poland for the Best Short Documentary.

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A STORY THAT DOESN'T HAVE TO DO WITH ME (USA) BY KYMBERLY MCDANIEL

Trailer

Synopsis: As I seek to connect with my partner about their queer and feminist research in bioarchaeology, a conversation emerges about what is left behind after death. Running time: 00:07:03.

Selections/awards: Viewpoint Documentary FF, Obskuur Ghent FF.

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DEATH, BY KOJI (USA) BY JULIAN LIBY

Trailer

Synopsis: “Death, by Koji” explores Wichita, Kansas-based artist Koji Liby's experience coming out as transgender, his relationship with depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts, and how it influenced his art style. Running time: 00:12:00.

Selections/awards: LGBTQ Unbordered IFF (Award of Excellence), LA IFF Indie Short Fest, Doc Sunback FF.

About the director: Julian is a documentary filmmaker from Wichita, Kansas with a deep passion for telling quirky, odd and offbeat stories. He currently lives in New Haven, Connecticut and is a firm believer that everyone has a story to tell.

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BEFORE WE COLLIDE (UK) BY GUY GOOCH, GREGOR PETRIKOVIC

Synopsis: Before We Collide is a short film shot on a Nishika N8000 analog lenticular camera consisting of over 800 photographs pieced together. In a haunting encounter, the film captures our fragmented perception of time during the pandemic while exploring the dynamics of mutual support. The film does not give the impression that it is made for me, you, or anyone for that matter. It simply exists as an artifact that can be witnessed, like found footage of a ghostly apparition. Running time: 00:01:10.

Selections/awards: Super Shorts London FF, Brussels Independent FF, Hong Kong Arthouse FF, Boston Short FF, and more.

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TRASH DAY (USA) BY CAROLINE VOKAS

Synopsis: America's abundance of discarded goods is examined through New York City dumpster divers. Running time: 00:11:15.

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ANIMA POSSESSION (HONG KONG) BY WAI MO CHAN

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Trailer

Synopsis: A pair of lovers with one being a cyborg go to a shady robotic body shop hoping to have their relationship mended by the mechanic. At his advice, the human owner Jackie agrees to an irreversible upgrade for Tammy, her cyborg Soulmate™️. However, the result isn't as expected. There Tammy meets Anima, a fellow cyborg who taught Tammy that happiness is illusive, and love is nothing but a cruel tango between the intangible sense of love and the harsh reality of physical lust. Running time: 00:25:00.

Selections/awards: Hong Kong Arthouse FF.

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THE PSYCHLIST (NORWAY) BY MARTIN A. WALTHER

Trailer

Synopsis: When his daughter died under tragic events just 11 months old, the bicycle became the only rescue for Per. Running time: 00:08:00.

Selections/awards: Brussels Independent FF, Boston Short FF, Viewpoint Documentary FF, Hong Kong Arthouse FF, and more.

About the director: Martin A. Walther (1986) comes from Trondheim, Norway. He has a BA in film science from the University of Trondheim and a BA in documentary directing from University of Lillehammer. After finishing his education he worked as a teacher for three years before returning to directing film. The documentary short “Train Robbers” was his directorial debut. The film was an international success at film festival, winning several prices, and was selected for the international competition at Clermont Ferrand. 'The Psychlist' is his second film.

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I LOVE YOU DON'T LEAVE ME (USA) BY ALEX LEOMBRUNO

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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.

About the director: Alex Leombruno is a queer filmmaker and musician from suburban Massachusetts. Her body of work explores autobiographical themes of queerness, mental-illness, and adolescence. Through narrative and experimental films, Alex creates worlds and characters rich with vulnerability and emotion.

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