March 6-7, 2021
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Our festival has made a commitment to the community and environment.This year we have chosen to support CAPE (Center For Animal Protection & Education) Free Arts for Abused Children and Local Animal Shelter in Burbank, CA by directly donating 10% of all festival ticket sales.
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Official Selection 2020
PROGRAM
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Saturday, November 14
Block 1, 12:00 PM - 1:45 PM Kindled Losin' Battle Capuchin Culture #Anniversary Room 566 What If... That Stupid Armenian's Motion The Teleios Act Rosa's Esperanza Block 2, 2:00 PM - 3:45PM Resurfacing What's your name PATCHWORK Stolen Apes On & On The Rabbit Hole Block 3, 4:00 PM - 5:45 PM Numb Karma Paper Trails Joc Trust Me Zenith Block 4, 6:00 PM - 7:45 PM Lobisome Never Events Block 5, 8:00 PM The Thing Before The Thing |
Sunday, November 15
Block 6, 12:00 PM - 1:45 PM Darcy on House Arrest LOUISE Sweetheart Matilda Bingo Bingo ROSES Block 7, 2:00 PM - 3:45PM IRON&DIRT Coming Home Lovely Rabbits The mask from home Here Today Petra Yard Sale Block 8, 4:00 PM - 5:45 PM Kaeru Be Good My Shell NOS4A2 GHOST EXTRA INNINGS The Waiting Room Hollow ALM Block 9, 6:00 PM - 7:45 PM An innocent man No Problem UMBILICAL Mrs. Faber Block 10, 8:00 PM Waiting Philophobia: or the Fear of Falling in Love |
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PLEASE NOTE.
We are planning to have a 15-20 minutes Q&A with filmmakers after each block of screenings. It's included in tickets purchase. Sometimes filmmakers do not arrive on time or they just can't be with us that day. So Q&A is only an option and we may or may not have a Q&A with artists. |
Saturday, November 14
Block 1, 12:00 PM - 1:45 PM
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Kindled
Runtime 3:27 Director Natasha Bishop Animation A flame sprite and a wood sprite show that friendship can win no matter the obstacles. |
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Losin' Battle
Runtime 6:34 Director Corbin Rowell Music Video The official music video for the NeVeRSeeN song, "Losin' Battle". |
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Capuchin Culture
Runtime 12:22 Director Luca Antonio Marino Documentary An intimate portrait of a family of capuchin monkeys living in the semi-arid forest of north-eastern Brazil. This film tells the story of mothers and babies, showing how they learn to survive in this harsh environment. Sandstone ridges and pinnacles shape the habitat which is characterised by a dry season with temperatures higher than forty degrees and almost no rain. It is not easy to find water and fresh fruit and these monkeys must rely on all their ingenuity and remarkable skills to survive here. If they want to become independent, youngsters must learn the strategies of their group: hunting, finding water, digging the ground to extract roots and eventually using stone tools to crack open the palm nuts, their favourite food. Capuchins' success is the result of their intelligence, high adaptability and their effective survival strategies. These techniques and behaviours are transmitted to the offspring and represent their own culture, traditions passed across the generations to face the challenges of the Brazilian wilderness. |
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#Anniversary
Runtime 12:00 Director Ellis E. Fowler Drama On his wedding day, Eric Fuller tries to clear his conscience and break things off with his secret lover Sarah, but she's not ready to let him go. This near-future Sci-Fi drama explores love, letting go, and how the technology of today will affect the relationships of tomorrow. |
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Room 566
Runtime 13:12 Director Dylan Snyder Thriller Scott Gamble waits anxiously in the Emergency Room to hear the status of his little sister. After overhearing the nursing staff whispering about the superstitions surrounding Room 566, where his sister is to be placed overnight, he must get her out of the room before it’s too late. |
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What If...
Runtime 7:37 Director Noah Berlow Documentary This short documentary film shatters the preconceptions of homelessness, explores the ramifications of unstable housing for children, and provides a solution to adverse childhood experiences and future health outcomes through the assistance of the Illumination Foundation who seeks to disrupt the cycle of homelessness in Orange County and Southern California. |
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That Stupid Armenian's Motion Picture Show or Garen
Runtime 13:00 Director Hrag Meguerditchian Comedy Garen, a young Armenian man has never fallen in love in his life, though he has tried it has never worked out, except one night he falls in love at first sight, wanting to go and talk to her, he then finds out she is married, finally feeling what it's like to feel rejection, he also feels guilt and decides to apologize to his Ex-girlfriends for making them feel that way as well. |
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The Teleios Act
Runtime 12:01 Director Evan Matthews Thriller In the not-so-distant future, the Teleios Act dictates whether a baby is "perfect" enough to be born into a perfect society, but when the beloved spokes model conceives after a decade of infertility, a clerical mix-up threatens their lives. |
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Rosa's Esperanza
Runtime 11:00 Director Amanda Reyes Drama An intimate story about a mother trying to reconnect with her daughter after bringing her home from being incarcerated for ten years. |
BLOCK 2, 2:00 PM - 3:45PM
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Resurfacing
Runtime 9:59 Director Maja Aro Drama Cara Phillips, a single mother, struggles after the tragic loss of her child. Physiotherapy is the only thing that gets her out of bed. Her physiotherapist oversteps while trying to help a reluctant Cara with her mental state. An encounter with a stranger forces Cara to choose between living or drowning. |
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What's your name
Runtime 14:54 Director Nour Al-Moujabber Drama "I want to record everything to it slow down because I can't stop it, it's out of my hand. I want her to remember her name." |
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PATCHWORK
Runtime 8:00 Director Maria Manero Muro Comedy / Animation Trailer https://vimeo.com/282828698 Patchwork is the story of Loly, a 60 year old woman who needs a liver transplant. Loly is housewife, artist, cheff, psycologist and mother. The story is told by a the donor who gave his/her liver to her. How many organs does it need to be replaced to stop being yourself and becoming someonelse? |
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Stolen Apes
Runtime 18:01 Director COLIN SYTSMA Documentary After a sting operation in Bangkok for two trafficked Orangutans leave those accountable with no consequence Daniel Stiles, a detective in the illegal wildlife trade, thinks of new ways to combat illegal great ape trafficking. |
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On & On
Runtime 5:10 Director Shannon Walsh Drama While preparing for her day, Girl becomes overwhelmed with a dark thought, and an anxiety attack ensues. She fails to get rid of the thought, and her attack worsens. Brother finds her and steadies her breathing, calming her down. She then takes a shower-- the hot water running down her body, distracting her from her existential thoughts. She plays a game of Monopoly, having overcome the attack-- or has she? |
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The Rabbit Hole
Runtime 29:40 Director Richard Bakewell Drama During the end of the Vietnam War, Mason Hurley returns home after losing all of his men in combat. His family is hesitant to embrace his return, as they are concerned he has brought back the monsters with him. The more he tries to not deal with his PTSD, and lock it away, the more it comes to the surface and affects not only Mason but his entire family until it manifests into PTSD Paranormal Psychosis. (A period piece that uses only wardrobe, furniture, and props from the 1970s/1980s era, and the main location is a Victorian home built in the 1870s. In addition the film is made by Veterans, and the extras were all from different branches of military including Vietnam, and The Gulf War.) |
Block 3, 4:00 PM - 5:45PM
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NUMB
Runtime 5:09 Director Rachel Wan Comedy Numb is a short surreal story about a man’s bizarre day and how he just goes with it. Carl is an ordinary man with an ordinary life. He is one of us. But his day is about to get a little unordinary. It starts with his morning coffee unexpectedly turning into some beer-like liquid. Then, as he opens the microwave for the leftover pizza he put in earlier, the bizarreness just continues. Carl seems numb that he just rolls with all the surreal flow. But how are these bizarre occurrences any different from what’s happening in the world today? Carl is numb. But he is one of us. |
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Karma
Runtime 11:39 Director Julien Dolivo Drama When a masked killer calls Kerry Myers, it turns out to be more than a prank from her boyfriend--she finds out about the horror of blackmail. |
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Paper Trails
Runtime 15:58 Director Heather Moser Drama Following a rough breakup, Jamie's life is turned around as mysterious notes appear and interfere with attempts to reconcile her feelings. |
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Joc
Runtime 16:17 Director Andreea Valean Drama Dani, a 12 year old boy living in the outskirts of Bucharest, toils in the busy stop-light traffic selling cold water to support his family. He attempts to pay off all debts by betting all his money in a game organized by children with cardboard boxes on the streetcar tracks. He wins the bet but the money is not enough to buy his sister out of a gang-bang and he is now about to bet his own life on the streetcar tracks. |
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Trust Me
Runtime 19:39 Director Sam Cutler-Kreutz Drama Trust Me is a story about Nicole, a young psychology professor who lives with her cardiologist husband Lawrence and young daughter Haley outside Caldwell New Jersey. Lawrence works away at a hospital every other week. Frustrated with her husband's busy work schedule, Nicole becomes increasingly suspicious that her husband might be having a fling with a younger and less encumbered woman. Nicole starts a campaign of surveillance to catch him in with his new lover. What she discovers in her search is far more complicated and sinister then she could have possibly imagined. |
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Zenith
Runtime 18:23 Director Christopher Yager Drama Zenith is a contemporary fairy tale about overcoming one's mental struggle through an unusual spiritual experience and cosmic guidance. |
Block 4, 6:00 PM - 7:45 PM
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Lobisome
Runtime 10:28 Director Juan De Dios Garduño Thriller Jorge and Iván receive a simple assignment: steal a briefcase and deliver it to their client in the bathrooms of an airport. What they did not imagine is that the briefcase contains a thousand-year curse. |
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Never Events
Runtime 01:17:44 Director Angela Asatrian Documentary Trailer https://youtu.be/yVwxSbwnkoI Medical errors are the 3rd leading cause of death in the U.S. This documentary shares the stories of individuals who have been harmed by medical negligence. It shares the ideas and solutions from top medical professionals and advocates in the U.S. on ways to reduce medical error and better protect ourselves. |
Block 5, 8:00 PM
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The Thing Before The Thing
Runtime 01:41:33 Director Mike Piccirillo Comedy Trailer: https://youtu.be/TZJTjFXhtsU Twelve years ago, a group of friends developed an incredible bond during their college mentorship program. They find themselves reuniting many years later to celebrate the retirement of Harris, the man that brought them together. With time having sent these friends in different directions, they pick up where they left off so long ago. They also find out that even though their mentorship program is over, their relationships with one another continue to evolve. |
Sunday, November 15
Block 6, 12:00 PM - 1:45 PM
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Darcy on House Arrest
Runtime 6:00 Director Heidi Weitzer Comedy A dark comedy about a vapid social media star trapped on house arrest slowly loses her mind from isolation. Everyone in her life seems to know what she did to get on house arrest except for her social climbing assistant. |
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LOUISE
Runtime 18:00 Director Natalie Camou Drama Louise tells the tragedy of how a young girl, in 1912 California, loses her mother just as she is beginning to understand the devastating causes of their estrangement. |
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Sweetheart
Runtime 13:40 Director Diliana Deltcheva Drama Simona gets out of a DUI by accepting a ride home from the cop, who turns out to be a security guard on a power trip. The more she learns about Richard Bland, the more she questions his true intentions. |
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Matilda
Runtime 20:00 Trailer https://vimeo.com/360456271 Director James Rogers-Gahan Drama An Urban Ghost Story, set in NYC one summer night, when the veil between worlds is lifted and Matilda (Jennifer Sklias-Gahan) is confronted with memories of her lover's death, the loss of her family and facing the truth. |
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Bingo Bingo
Runtime 18:25 Director Mathias Eek Drama Bingo Bingo is a comedy-drama about love, desire, jealousy and old rivalry - and friendship. The mood is souring when all tricks in the book are used as Manfred and Torwald fights over getting the jackpot, and also the actual prize - Mildred. But does she really want to be won? |
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ROSES
Runtime 12:05 Director Morgan Bowles Drama Dave is a middle aged, unemployed family man with an obsession for how his front lawn looks. When he learns that his flamboyant neighbor, Brian, has planted a new rose bush in his front yard it sends Dave into a competitive frenzy. With his neighbor one step ahead of him at every turn, Dave sees no choice but to destroy the new rose bush and silence Brian once and for all. |
Block 7, 2:00 PM - 3:45PM
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IRON&DIRT
Runtime 5:52 Director Logan Donovan Drama She was all he ever wanted, He was her way out. |
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Coming Home
Runtime 5:04 Director Mai Shirai Animation Son comes back to his home town to visit his mother's grave during Obon Festival. After his father interrupts him playing music, he hesitantly comes home. Both reflect on the past and are able to share a meal as well as a bonding moment together. |
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Lovely
Runtime 11:13 Director Gabriela Tollman Drama A young woman finds hope while processing the grief of her Mother’s suicide. In LOVELY, Iris navigates loneliness, attraction, grief, and ultimately hope after her Mother's suicide. It’s a film about happenstance, being at the right place at the right time; and about a yearning that – if only for an afternoon – comes to fruition. "Living with an inherent sadness in her heart, Iris – after an encounter with Dylan at a neighborhood bookstore – is struck with a zest for life again…until she has to confront an unbearable family truth." Interesting aspect: More than 80% of LOVELY's leadership crew were female! (Director, Writer, Editor, Cinematographer, Lead, etc.) |
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Rabbits
Runtime 12:17 Director Riley Sugars Comedy Trailer https://vimeo.com/366431709 Set in late 1960’s Australia, Henry and his father George are two different kinds of men, yet the pressures of an overbearing father divert both their futures. |
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The mask from home
Runtime 12:38 Director Jordan Hwang Drama The story is about a Chinese girl's first day in middle school and her unique way to find acceptance. The main character is a Peking Opera dancer and there are a couple of scenes when she performs. |
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Here Today
Runtime 13:32 Director Erica Arvold Drama Story written by Meredith Grace Dabney. A high school girl struggles to find her own identity with a new group of friends and discovers that together, their choices have an impact beyond what they ever imagined. This universally autobiographical tale, written by 16-year-old Meredith Grace Dabney, is a reminder of vulnerability, life’s connections and most importantly that words and actions, however small, affect everyone and everything. |
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Petra
Runtime 17:50 Director Andreas Avgousti Drama Petra's return to her family's old house after 25 years jump starts her journey into mental darkness as she discovers who she really is. |
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Yard Sale
Runtime 17:50 Director Jared Eves Drama Trailer https://vimeo.com/350886730 A family on their way to a reunion find themselves sidetracked to yard sale on a remote farm where they get more than they bargained for. |
Block 8, 4:00 PM - 5:45 PM
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Kaeru
Runtime 5:36 Director Denise Chan Animation A darkroom photographer named Mitsuko struggles with self-doubt. |
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Be Good
Runtime 12:28 Director Anik Jean Drama Nathan is a 6 years old kid like most kids of his age with a lot of imagination. He loves to dress-up and be in a character of monsters, zombies, vampires, super hero. He would prefer to play with someone of his age, a friend than to play with his imagination. but who? the new babysitter might be the one. |
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My Shell
Runtime 10:50 Director A new mum to be and an egg work through all her fears before her due date. CLAIRE (40’s) beautiful, independent woman, lives happily on her own and is delighted with her life and career until the morning she opens the fridge door to find a friendly EGG staring up at her. Claire is pregnant. The egg is a manifestation of her feelings towards the pregnancy from the moment she finds out she is pregnant. She is overcome with joy and then the realisation of this pregnancy has on her perfect life. The reality of being responsible for the health, happiness, and safety of another human being becomes a huge weight on her shoulders. |
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NOS4A2 GHOST
Runtime 12:47 Director David Herman A boy forms a strange and dangerous bond with a possessed car that shows up at his father's garage. |
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EXTRA INNINGS
Runtime 8:34 Director John Gray A reporter interviews the manager of the Boston Red Sox in an attempt to uncover secrets from his past. |
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The Waiting Room
Runtime 15:05 Director Mike West Comedy Trailer https://vimeo.com/312319276 A group of imaginary friends all used to play with a child named Larry. Now Larry is all grown up and none of them have seen him in over 20 years. When Larry suddenly asks them all to hang out again, they reminisce and try to figure out why. |
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Hollow
Runtime 9:40 Director Bobby Huotari Drama A young man returns to his childhood home to confront the ghosts of his past. |
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ALM
Runtime 13:17 Director Alex Killian Drama Trailer https://youtu.be/8dg4C1R-Njc After the death of her best friend Maude, Ellie’s world is in pieces until she starts receiving messages from Maude’s account. Was Maude hacked? Or is her soul living on in the world wide web? |
Block 9, 6:00 PM - 7:45 PM
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Innocent man
Runtime 04:45 Director Jess Cope The video is based on the well-known novel 'To Kill a Mockingbird' and set in the 1930’s. The narrative depicts a father raising his two children and teaching them lessons about the harsh reality of adulthood and racial inequality. |
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No Problem
Runtime 12:24 Director Sebastian Muñoz Comedy There’s support groups for every kind of problem these days, from alcoholics to procrastinators; but what about those poor souls who have no problems? Lucky for them, Fred runs a weekly support group for such people and is excited to welcome Mary, their first new member in ages. Mary’s provocative questions to the long-time members has them fearing they’re not problem free. But it turns out, Mary has more issues than Time Magazine and the group uses this as a learning experience to comfort a person who should be in every other support group except this one. |
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UMBILICAL
Runtime 13:17 Director Jared Deiro Drama 'Umbilical' is a dramatic Short Film about separation and connection. It tells the story of Arthur, a short fused ex-convict seeking answers about the origin of his twin brother Charlie's most recent successful novel “Lost Cause”. Upon discovering the comfortable new lifestyle that Charlie has shut Arthur out of...he kills Charlie out of rage and assimilates himself within the role of the new family, showing no matter how hard we try we will always end up hurting the ones we love. |
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Mrs. Faber
Runtime 57:00 Director Hjalmar Tim Ilmer MRS. FABER Documentary The colorful story of a small town truck driver who wants to become a woman Early eighties. Tough trucker Harm marries shy country girl Siepie. Thirty years later Harm tells her of his deepest desire: to become a woman. This is hard to swallow for Siepie. Besides losing her husband, she fears gossip in their small village community. Mrs. Faber shows Harriette’s deep commitment to her sex change and the impact this transformation has on her marriage and her relationship with her elderly parents and her sister Maaike. They want to see her happy, but losing their son and brother is not easy for them. Also, Mrs. Faber shows how Harriette holds her own in her male-dominated world of dirt track racing and truck driving. All of this makes for a film which is as moving as it is light-hearted, largely carried by Harriette's tenacity, humor and rural down-to-earthness. |
Block 10, 8:00 PM
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Waiting
Runtime 6:00 Director Anthony Cally Drama While anticipating someone to join him, a young man takes notice of the increasingly eccentric patrons in the restaurant. |
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Philophobia: or the Fear of Falling in Love
Runtime 01:25:00 Director Tyler Cole Thriller / Drama Trailer https://youtu.be/chIWa2GdkAA Mildly successful podcaster, Damien Booster, is digging his bachelor lifestyle until a frequent hookup confesses her love for him while delivering an ultimatum. If he shows up for brunch to meet her mother, she'll know he is serious. If not, things are over between them. Now terrified and confused, Damien has to fight the urge to run from the thing that scares him most. |
Official Selection- Screenplays
Wonder Drugs
by Andrew Cooper
The Pinch.
by James Raynor
Paper Memories
by JEAN MAYE
Orson Welles Ashes-Feature
by Debra Knox
by Andrew Cooper
The Pinch.
by James Raynor
Paper Memories
by JEAN MAYE
Orson Welles Ashes-Feature
by Debra Knox