Category: Films in Competition

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)

A heart-warming vignette that portrays a true story of inter-religious kindness when a Nun observes a Jewish ritual.
Directed by Luis ismael (Portugal)

Like a music video, but for poems. “I’m Scared But I’ve Been Here Before”, a visualized poem, literally interprets a surreal and playful sequence of four dreams, each revealing different fears. Poet Melissa Lozada-Oliva and director Benjamin Stillerman assembled selections from the Melissa’s public dream journal to explore daily anxieties (both conscious and not) endemic to living and struggling as an artist, public figure, and role model for young Latinas.
Directed by Benjamin Stillerman (USA)

Alice – main protagonist of the story, she is 15 years old character, lives in cabin in small town near the forest. She has been held captive by her father in her home since she was very young, so she is very introverted and has no social skills. Due to her fathers abuse and no physical outlet for expression or communication, Alice has found an outlet in her own imagination, creating elaborate sometimes disturbing stories she plays out to deal with her own real life traumas.
Directed by Maria Perlifonova (USA)

When you lose someone you care about, is it better to carry your memories with you or try to leave them behind? An everyday shopping trip becomes an emotional whirlwind and a journey towards hope.
Directed by Keegan Luther (USA)

A nudist man leaves his job in Iraq to re-integrate into his colorful family. Finally being able to fully embrace his life of nudism and tiny house living.
Directed by Martin Mercado (USA)

Barrow, Alaska is located farthest north in the US. There are stories that are passed down from generations before us of sea trolls that would come up through the cracks in the ice and quickly seize children that are playing to close to the water. Bone Pile is the English title.
Directed by Jesse Darling and Lars Nelson (USA)