Category: Films in Competition

Everyone has a choice.
This short follows Piper and James as they navigate their seemingly normal relationship which develops into an abusive one. Caged Girl examines how abuse starts, why people choose to stay in these relationships, and some of the many tactics an abuser uses to keep their partners close. May be triggering for some audience members.
Directed by Brianna Paola Jimenez Parra (USA)

Beautiful aerial shots of Santa Paula, CA and the spectacular Poppy Super Bloom 2019 in Lake Elsinore, CA.
Directed by Alexander Santorineos (USA)

“Blow Cut” follows the tragic story of Liam Coch, a 23 year-old virgin who pushes himself into the underground sex trade as a last ditch effort to lose his virginity before getting kicked out of the apartment he shares with his two sex-crazed roommates.

Immediately upon taking a dip in the shallow end at a local strip club, it becomes abundantly clear that Liam’s journey is not for the faint of heart or ill-prepared.

This film is inspired by actual events and loosely follows the classic mythology of Hylas and the Nymphs.

Blow Cut also includes an Original Motion Picture Soundtrack which can be found on our website, http://www.blowcut.com. 
Directed by Bryon Dormandy (USA)

“Keys” is a story of Lei, a 16-year-old piano prodigy who lives in the Western Sydney suburbs. Struggling to survive, she uses her talents on the ivory keys as a constructive creative outlet. Torn between her mentor Mrs Hagedorn and her mother Cecilia, Lei is seeking to win her mother’s affection, even if for a day.
Directed by Jeremiah Puni (Australia)

“Llora Conmigo” tells the story of a modern encounter with the Mexican folk legend, La Llorona. We follow Tomas and his younger brother, Simon, as they walk back from baseball practice. However, after hearing a mysterious woman’s cry, they feel the need to rush back home to their family for safety. That night, Tomas wakes up to find himself alone in his house with a familiar cry emanating from another room. As he ventures throughout his house to look for his missing brother, he finds his deepest and darkest fears realized. He is forced to try to escape La Llorona’s grasp before it’s too late.
Directed by Camilo Urdaneta (USA)

Elira is kidnapped and locked in a dark room. When she turns on the lights, a wet and raspy breath catches her attention. When she gives herself the strength to see the other end of the room, she discovers a strange being that imitates all her movements and has the key to leave the place. When trying to approach him, the creature moves away from her. The only way the creature comes closer is when she turns off the lights. Elira will have to use her wits to escape.
Directed by Rogger Vergara Adrianzén (Peru)

Young and talented artist Francesca is convinced she has achieved all that she wants in life, but deep down she feels trapped in a world that is not her own.
Directed by Jonathan Cadenhead, Michael Duggan, Allen Fletcher and Nathan Rierson (USA)

“Mixed Movie” images were entirely made using a mobile phone and several apps. After being edited, an original soundtrack was composed by Helder Filipe Gonçalves. The film is influenced by a modern surrealistic aesthetics where creativity, randomness and imagination play an important role. There are three controlling ideas that deal with diaristic processes: animated selfies of the director, train trips, and mixed reality worlds, mainly constructed by adding movement and figures to original fixed photographs. Those processes document the possibilities of contemporary social media short videos, neither as an absolute celebration nor as a technophobic critique. Enjoy!
Directed by Vasco Diogo (Portugal)

Daniel Rush (Adam Brashaw), a highly skilled cop with nothing to lose, no wife or children he spends his life working to track down criminals, especially the notorious Ronnie Keys (Mike Wilson) a brutal gangster who’s sole purpose is to see the world crumble. 
On a routine stakeout, Danny and his Partner Sean (Chase Armitage) get caught up in a high speed chase which leads to a devastating kill shot. Danny get’s kidnapped and put in the back of van by Ronnie and his goons. With nowhere to escape Danny has no choice but to kill or be killed.
Directed by Adam Brashaw (UK)

Gwen and Monica’s picture perfect friendship is put to the test when they compete on the cheesy-surreal game show “America’s BFFs”.
Directed by Amrita Singh (USA)