2018 FESTIVAL
PRESS RELEASE
PRESS
OPENING NIGHT - COMEDY |
“A Tragedy” A Comedy
Written and directed by Desmond Confoy, Queens, 1 minute
A peek inside the development of Romeo and Juliet.
Black?
Directed by Guy Calaf, written by Damian Thompson, Manhattan, 10 minutes
Two New York roommates navigate what it means to be black in the world of acting. A funny thought provoking look at how society views a black male.
Peep Show
Written and directed by Tanya Perez, Bronx, 5 minutes
In an effort to keep her adult video/peep show open, an unlikely stranger's request & a bumbling employee spark an interesting new kind of adult entertainment in the struggling shop.
Call the Cobbs
Directed by Shaan Couture, written by Christopher Austin, Dylan Kai Dempsey, Alix C. Duchene, Sandra Manzanares, and Lea Pfandler, Manhattan, 8 minutes
An overly analytical statistician couple struggles to find the most methodical option to get pregnant, but only when faced with a life or death situation involving a Russian criminal, discovers a new approach to build their family.
The Baby *Audience Choice Award Winner
Written and directed A.M. Fine, Brooklyn, 22 minutes
Preston and Julia Sanders are first time parents. Preston gets the shock of a lifetime when his adopted child comes home. Although everyone in his life sees this baby as an angelic child, Preston sees his new son as a pudgy, balding and mischievous adult. It becomes a constant struggle as he attempts to save his marriage and have this new “baby” apart of his family.
Brooklyn?
Directed by Rob Levy, written by Lena Drake and Matthew Tarricone, Queens, 4 minutes
A group of Manhattanites make their way to Brooklyn.
Written and directed by Desmond Confoy, Queens, 1 minute
A peek inside the development of Romeo and Juliet.
Black?
Directed by Guy Calaf, written by Damian Thompson, Manhattan, 10 minutes
Two New York roommates navigate what it means to be black in the world of acting. A funny thought provoking look at how society views a black male.
Peep Show
Written and directed by Tanya Perez, Bronx, 5 minutes
In an effort to keep her adult video/peep show open, an unlikely stranger's request & a bumbling employee spark an interesting new kind of adult entertainment in the struggling shop.
Call the Cobbs
Directed by Shaan Couture, written by Christopher Austin, Dylan Kai Dempsey, Alix C. Duchene, Sandra Manzanares, and Lea Pfandler, Manhattan, 8 minutes
An overly analytical statistician couple struggles to find the most methodical option to get pregnant, but only when faced with a life or death situation involving a Russian criminal, discovers a new approach to build their family.
The Baby *Audience Choice Award Winner
Written and directed A.M. Fine, Brooklyn, 22 minutes
Preston and Julia Sanders are first time parents. Preston gets the shock of a lifetime when his adopted child comes home. Although everyone in his life sees this baby as an angelic child, Preston sees his new son as a pudgy, balding and mischievous adult. It becomes a constant struggle as he attempts to save his marriage and have this new “baby” apart of his family.
Brooklyn?
Directed by Rob Levy, written by Lena Drake and Matthew Tarricone, Queens, 4 minutes
A group of Manhattanites make their way to Brooklyn.
DOCUMENTARY |
Silver Arm Nina *Audience Choice Award Winner
Directed by James Gantt, Queens, 10 minutes
12 years after the passing of his grandmother, James "SoSoon" Gantt realizes that his memories of her are quickly fading despite the fact that he has dedicated much of his life to preserving her legacy since her death.
My dream at the other side
Directed by Carlos Freire, Bronx, 9 minutes
My dream at the other side is the story of an undocumented immigrant that traveled to the United States to be able to build a house for his family in his hometown, Tepexi de Rodriguez, in Mexico. During the last ten years Celestino has worked very hard to build his house and to bring his family to live with him in New York City until it's time to go back and enjoy the rewards of his hard work. Celestino is counting the days to go back home, but he is at a crossroads because he has an American son that holds him back from going home.
Hierve El Agua (Water Boils)
Directed by Liena Vayzman, Queens, 4 minutes
Filmed in the back of a pick-up truck on the backroads to a remote, sacred mineral spring in the mountains of Oaxaca, Mexico. Boundaries deconstructed: travel adventure vs the tourist gaze? Still photography vs the moving image? Life (water) vs death (coffins, vulture)? Spanish vs English? Sound vs image? Body language vs spoken language? Distance of the filmmaker vs desire for the filmed? The barriers of language inundated with a quiet, hidden, perhaps queer desire. Water that sounds is it’s boiling, but it is not: it is only the sound. Filmed and edited by Liena Vayzman. Soundtrack by electronic music duo Matmos. www.lienavayzman.org
America Heard: Refuge of Hope
Directed by Yasmin Mistry, Brooklyn, 5 minutes
Syracuse, New York is an unlikely home to over 10,000 former refugees now living in the U.S.. Two women at the forefront of this community reflect on what their presidential vote means to those whose only true home is the American town that took them in.
Listen
Directed by Min Min Hein, Queens, 13 minutes
Listen is a documentary portrait of revolutionary artist Chaw Ei Thein. Exiled from her homeland of Myanmar, she uses visually striking and emotionally unsettling performance art and artwork as a means of dissent, both to express her political views and to give voice to her victimized experience and inner struggles.
Shinobu
Directed by Hsuan-Yu Pan, Queens, 9 minutes
Taiko drummer Kaoru Watanabe and Fue (Japanese flute)-making master Ranjo, two artist-musicians in traditional Japanese arts, demonstrate how to create a Fue and share their stories about the joys of music and life.
Directed by James Gantt, Queens, 10 minutes
12 years after the passing of his grandmother, James "SoSoon" Gantt realizes that his memories of her are quickly fading despite the fact that he has dedicated much of his life to preserving her legacy since her death.
My dream at the other side
Directed by Carlos Freire, Bronx, 9 minutes
My dream at the other side is the story of an undocumented immigrant that traveled to the United States to be able to build a house for his family in his hometown, Tepexi de Rodriguez, in Mexico. During the last ten years Celestino has worked very hard to build his house and to bring his family to live with him in New York City until it's time to go back and enjoy the rewards of his hard work. Celestino is counting the days to go back home, but he is at a crossroads because he has an American son that holds him back from going home.
Hierve El Agua (Water Boils)
Directed by Liena Vayzman, Queens, 4 minutes
Filmed in the back of a pick-up truck on the backroads to a remote, sacred mineral spring in the mountains of Oaxaca, Mexico. Boundaries deconstructed: travel adventure vs the tourist gaze? Still photography vs the moving image? Life (water) vs death (coffins, vulture)? Spanish vs English? Sound vs image? Body language vs spoken language? Distance of the filmmaker vs desire for the filmed? The barriers of language inundated with a quiet, hidden, perhaps queer desire. Water that sounds is it’s boiling, but it is not: it is only the sound. Filmed and edited by Liena Vayzman. Soundtrack by electronic music duo Matmos. www.lienavayzman.org
America Heard: Refuge of Hope
Directed by Yasmin Mistry, Brooklyn, 5 minutes
Syracuse, New York is an unlikely home to over 10,000 former refugees now living in the U.S.. Two women at the forefront of this community reflect on what their presidential vote means to those whose only true home is the American town that took them in.
Listen
Directed by Min Min Hein, Queens, 13 minutes
Listen is a documentary portrait of revolutionary artist Chaw Ei Thein. Exiled from her homeland of Myanmar, she uses visually striking and emotionally unsettling performance art and artwork as a means of dissent, both to express her political views and to give voice to her victimized experience and inner struggles.
Shinobu
Directed by Hsuan-Yu Pan, Queens, 9 minutes
Taiko drummer Kaoru Watanabe and Fue (Japanese flute)-making master Ranjo, two artist-musicians in traditional Japanese arts, demonstrate how to create a Fue and share their stories about the joys of music and life.
DRAMA |
The Family Robinson
Written and directed by Kyle Lavore, Brooklyn, 6 minutes
A young woman struggles to divulge an important secret to her conservative father.
Hotel Room
Directed by Calla Videt, written by Calla Videt and Arlo Hill, Manhattan, 11 minutes
A woman arrives at a hotel room contemplating an irreversible act. In the hotel room, the parallel paths of strangers begin to collide.
Innocence
Directed by Miranda Jean Larson and Michael Cicchetti, written by Miranda Jean Larson, Queens, 9 minutes
A short film about a girl in her late teens and her experience being sexually assaulted at a college party. A child named Paige tries to save her from committing suicide.
A Cycle *Audience Choice Award Winner
Written and directed by Lea Pfandler, Queens, 15 minutes
Struggling to save both their relationship and their fledgling film project, a German artist couple escapes to New York for yet another new start.
Seeing Glory
Written and directed by Rick Hamilton, Queens, 14 minutes
Gloria prepares a feast of the senses for the rapidly ailing Eva in an attempt to share a perfect evening and be seen for the woman she truly is. Writer-director Rick Hamilton's newest film is a bittersweet story of fine wine, dementia and the immortal words of Virginia Woolf.
Night Live
Written and directed by Dazhi Huang, Brooklyn, 8 minutes
New York and Shanghai, two separate, casual, gay sexual acts were exposed online in real-time, and both had to face instant consequences.
Written and directed by Kyle Lavore, Brooklyn, 6 minutes
A young woman struggles to divulge an important secret to her conservative father.
Hotel Room
Directed by Calla Videt, written by Calla Videt and Arlo Hill, Manhattan, 11 minutes
A woman arrives at a hotel room contemplating an irreversible act. In the hotel room, the parallel paths of strangers begin to collide.
Innocence
Directed by Miranda Jean Larson and Michael Cicchetti, written by Miranda Jean Larson, Queens, 9 minutes
A short film about a girl in her late teens and her experience being sexually assaulted at a college party. A child named Paige tries to save her from committing suicide.
A Cycle *Audience Choice Award Winner
Written and directed by Lea Pfandler, Queens, 15 minutes
Struggling to save both their relationship and their fledgling film project, a German artist couple escapes to New York for yet another new start.
Seeing Glory
Written and directed by Rick Hamilton, Queens, 14 minutes
Gloria prepares a feast of the senses for the rapidly ailing Eva in an attempt to share a perfect evening and be seen for the woman she truly is. Writer-director Rick Hamilton's newest film is a bittersweet story of fine wine, dementia and the immortal words of Virginia Woolf.
Night Live
Written and directed by Dazhi Huang, Brooklyn, 8 minutes
New York and Shanghai, two separate, casual, gay sexual acts were exposed online in real-time, and both had to face instant consequences.
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MIDNIGHT MISCHIEF
Jimmy (Parts 1 + 2): Jimmy and Smile
Directed by Brian Hose, written by Brian Hose and Joe Vilardi, Brooklyn, 8 minutes
Jimmy (Part 1): Jimmy, a high schooler struggling with his sexual identity and depression, is teased and tormented by his friends when he is discovered with the boy he likes.
Smile (Part 2): Jimmy begins taking drugs, and a mysterious figure appears who seduces him into the darkness.
Mary Todd Lincoln or Why I Couldn’t Finish the Video In Time
Written and directed by Katy McCarthy, Brooklyn, 7 minutes
Through simulation, language, and costume, Mary Todd Lincoln or Why I Couldn’t Finish the Video in Time slips between the fictional and the real. On the left channel, you see the artist in her studio, researching Mrs Lincoln for an exhibition proposal. On the right you see the artist playing Mrs. Lincoln in a campy period set. The video discusses the historicization of women and illness through a surreal confluence of past and present.
limbo
Directed by Gokce Erenmemisoglu, written by Solen Yucel, Brooklyn, 2 minutes
Limbo is a short film that is a part of a project by the director. It involves both photography and film. The project tries to make critic of modern humanity and relationships, how senseless we have become by using toy body parts and plastic dolls.
Definitely Soy
Written and directed by Ruben Zaccaroni, Queens, 12 minutes
David and Goliath meet again in a 50's themed diner somewhere in America. A surreal noir movie about crime and punishment.
Robby
Written and directed by Jason Artiga, Queens, 16 minutes
In Halloween 1987 a young woman is brought to a police station as a prime suspect in the murder of her foster parents, she tells detective a malevolent spirit named Robby did it. And Robby is coming.
Swallow It*
Written and directed by Matthew Kohn, Queens, 7 minutes
When Nita enlists Brooke to find the man she thinks tried to steal her daughter's bike, she has a transforming experience.
Red Delicious *Audience Choice Award Winner
Written and directed by Ian Hurdle, Luke Williams, and Justin Gilman, Queens, 4 minutes
An honest man is faced with unholy temptation. Will he resist the calling, or plummet into a realm of eternal punishment?
Directed by Brian Hose, written by Brian Hose and Joe Vilardi, Brooklyn, 8 minutes
Jimmy (Part 1): Jimmy, a high schooler struggling with his sexual identity and depression, is teased and tormented by his friends when he is discovered with the boy he likes.
Smile (Part 2): Jimmy begins taking drugs, and a mysterious figure appears who seduces him into the darkness.
Mary Todd Lincoln or Why I Couldn’t Finish the Video In Time
Written and directed by Katy McCarthy, Brooklyn, 7 minutes
Through simulation, language, and costume, Mary Todd Lincoln or Why I Couldn’t Finish the Video in Time slips between the fictional and the real. On the left channel, you see the artist in her studio, researching Mrs Lincoln for an exhibition proposal. On the right you see the artist playing Mrs. Lincoln in a campy period set. The video discusses the historicization of women and illness through a surreal confluence of past and present.
limbo
Directed by Gokce Erenmemisoglu, written by Solen Yucel, Brooklyn, 2 minutes
Limbo is a short film that is a part of a project by the director. It involves both photography and film. The project tries to make critic of modern humanity and relationships, how senseless we have become by using toy body parts and plastic dolls.
Definitely Soy
Written and directed by Ruben Zaccaroni, Queens, 12 minutes
David and Goliath meet again in a 50's themed diner somewhere in America. A surreal noir movie about crime and punishment.
Robby
Written and directed by Jason Artiga, Queens, 16 minutes
In Halloween 1987 a young woman is brought to a police station as a prime suspect in the murder of her foster parents, she tells detective a malevolent spirit named Robby did it. And Robby is coming.
Swallow It*
Written and directed by Matthew Kohn, Queens, 7 minutes
When Nita enlists Brooke to find the man she thinks tried to steal her daughter's bike, she has a transforming experience.
Red Delicious *Audience Choice Award Winner
Written and directed by Ian Hurdle, Luke Williams, and Justin Gilman, Queens, 4 minutes
An honest man is faced with unholy temptation. Will he resist the calling, or plummet into a realm of eternal punishment?