2019 FESTIVAL
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Still from Crush (Giacomo Gex)
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JUNCTURE: DRAMATIC SHORTS
OPENING NIGHT
THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2019
THALIA SPANISH THEATER—7PM
RUNTIME: 50 MINUTES + Q&A W/ FILMMAKERS
FILMS
Good Girl
Directed by Alicia Herder. Written by Alicia Herder & Sarah Paradise. (Brooklyn)
13 minutes, 19 seconds.
Latina teenager, Harper, creates a bad girl persona when at a party surrounded by her white peers. When she meets Nina, a student bullied to the point of self-harm, Harper is forced to examine who she really is and that there are consequences to her actions.
Crush
Directed by Giacomo Gex. Written by Shai Frumkin & Kyvon Edwin. (Brooklyn/Manhattan)
8 minutes, 30 seconds.
In a society enslaved by phones, Natalie eyes a young man on the subway. She decides to follow him. They begin an unlikely connection that leads them down the path of a happy marriage. But is it all real?
In the Land of Moonstones
Directed by Nicola Rose. (Queens)
38 minutes, 11 seconds.
In the Land of Moonstones is a story about first love, first loss, and The Little Prince, as seen through the eyes of an 11-year-old girl. While visiting her beloved Russian grandma in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, our main character falls in love for the first time with a boy her age. Then, she experiences the joys and sorrows that follow.
Good Girl
Directed by Alicia Herder. Written by Alicia Herder & Sarah Paradise. (Brooklyn)
13 minutes, 19 seconds.
Latina teenager, Harper, creates a bad girl persona when at a party surrounded by her white peers. When she meets Nina, a student bullied to the point of self-harm, Harper is forced to examine who she really is and that there are consequences to her actions.
Crush
Directed by Giacomo Gex. Written by Shai Frumkin & Kyvon Edwin. (Brooklyn/Manhattan)
8 minutes, 30 seconds.
In a society enslaved by phones, Natalie eyes a young man on the subway. She decides to follow him. They begin an unlikely connection that leads them down the path of a happy marriage. But is it all real?
In the Land of Moonstones
Directed by Nicola Rose. (Queens)
38 minutes, 11 seconds.
In the Land of Moonstones is a story about first love, first loss, and The Little Prince, as seen through the eyes of an 11-year-old girl. While visiting her beloved Russian grandma in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, our main character falls in love for the first time with a boy her age. Then, she experiences the joys and sorrows that follow.
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Still from: meridians (Lynn Kim)
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BEING: DOCUMENTARY SHORTS
FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2019
THALIA SPANISH THEATER—7PM
RUNTIME: 65 MINUTES + Q&A W/ FILMMAKERS
FILMS
BREAK THE CAMERA
Directed by Jenna Sofia. (Queens)
5 minutes, 11 seconds.
BREAK THE CAMERA is a short poetic documentary that stars WWII Army vet and beloved family man Salvatore Pantozzi, who, his granddaughter discovers, lived a whole, full life before she existed. The film spotlights a man more comfortable on the sidelines than in the limelight. It stitches past and present together and the result is a bittersweet love note from granddaughter to grandfather, narrated by him.
meridians
Directed by Lynn Kim. (Queens)
9 minutes, 1 second.
Negotiations of space, surface, and subject with bodies, boundaries, and borders. Can we get closer?
Lauren Greenfield: How Capitalism Exploits Insecurities
Directed by Lena Greene, Written by Lauren Greenfield. (Manhattan)
3 minutes.
The filmmaker and photographer Lauren Greenfield, best known for the documentaries Generation Wealth (2018) and The Queen of Versailles (2012), has been poking at the ugly underbelly of consumerism for more than 25 years. Through her unsparing lens, the latest incarnation of the American dream has been revealed in all its blingy, exploitative glory, particularly when it comes to its toll on women and girls. In an interview with Topic recorded in late November of 2018, Greenfield talks about the major themes running through her work, and what she calls “the ultimate cost, and degradation, of capitalism.”
Mystic Lotus
Directed by Dr. Vertna Bradley & Michelle R. Britto, LMSW. (Queens)
12 minutes, 12 seconds.
Mystic Lotus is a journey into the mind of a mother who is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. After giving birth to a daughter, she finds herself catapulted back in time to feelings and images as she is consumed by the fear of her daughter becoming another statistic. Through the use of colorful visual imageries, the mother depicts her inner turmoil as she watches her daughter grow with the hopes that she will eventually evolve as: empowered, spiritually protected, and grounded. The film was shot on location in Marrakech, Casablanca, Madrid, Paris, Marseille, Nice, Cannes, and Niagara Falls, Ontario.
For a Better Life
Directed by Yasmin Mistry. (Brooklyn)
9 minutes, 32 seconds.
Sold for $100 at the age of 5, Fekri suffers through years of abuse before his plight is discovered. After almost a year of hospitalization and therapy Fekri moves into a group home where he finds support, mentorship, and eventual forgiveness towards the family which sold him.
Assigned Sex
Directed by Shaun Dawson. (Manhattan)
30 minutes, 28 seconds.
Shaun Dawson explores gender and sexuality through the lens of Angel, a 23- year old preacher’s kid assigned male at birth. Religion and hyper-masculinity continue to be a powerful influence on how genderqueer people are treated in the Black community. The 30 minute documentary presents uncomfortable perspectives from both trans and cisgender people of color with the hopes of starting a necessary conversation to reduce stigma, eliminate bias and increase inclusion.
BREAK THE CAMERA
Directed by Jenna Sofia. (Queens)
5 minutes, 11 seconds.
BREAK THE CAMERA is a short poetic documentary that stars WWII Army vet and beloved family man Salvatore Pantozzi, who, his granddaughter discovers, lived a whole, full life before she existed. The film spotlights a man more comfortable on the sidelines than in the limelight. It stitches past and present together and the result is a bittersweet love note from granddaughter to grandfather, narrated by him.
meridians
Directed by Lynn Kim. (Queens)
9 minutes, 1 second.
Negotiations of space, surface, and subject with bodies, boundaries, and borders. Can we get closer?
Lauren Greenfield: How Capitalism Exploits Insecurities
Directed by Lena Greene, Written by Lauren Greenfield. (Manhattan)
3 minutes.
The filmmaker and photographer Lauren Greenfield, best known for the documentaries Generation Wealth (2018) and The Queen of Versailles (2012), has been poking at the ugly underbelly of consumerism for more than 25 years. Through her unsparing lens, the latest incarnation of the American dream has been revealed in all its blingy, exploitative glory, particularly when it comes to its toll on women and girls. In an interview with Topic recorded in late November of 2018, Greenfield talks about the major themes running through her work, and what she calls “the ultimate cost, and degradation, of capitalism.”
Mystic Lotus
Directed by Dr. Vertna Bradley & Michelle R. Britto, LMSW. (Queens)
12 minutes, 12 seconds.
Mystic Lotus is a journey into the mind of a mother who is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. After giving birth to a daughter, she finds herself catapulted back in time to feelings and images as she is consumed by the fear of her daughter becoming another statistic. Through the use of colorful visual imageries, the mother depicts her inner turmoil as she watches her daughter grow with the hopes that she will eventually evolve as: empowered, spiritually protected, and grounded. The film was shot on location in Marrakech, Casablanca, Madrid, Paris, Marseille, Nice, Cannes, and Niagara Falls, Ontario.
For a Better Life
Directed by Yasmin Mistry. (Brooklyn)
9 minutes, 32 seconds.
Sold for $100 at the age of 5, Fekri suffers through years of abuse before his plight is discovered. After almost a year of hospitalization and therapy Fekri moves into a group home where he finds support, mentorship, and eventual forgiveness towards the family which sold him.
Assigned Sex
Directed by Shaun Dawson. (Manhattan)
30 minutes, 28 seconds.
Shaun Dawson explores gender and sexuality through the lens of Angel, a 23- year old preacher’s kid assigned male at birth. Religion and hyper-masculinity continue to be a powerful influence on how genderqueer people are treated in the Black community. The 30 minute documentary presents uncomfortable perspectives from both trans and cisgender people of color with the hopes of starting a necessary conversation to reduce stigma, eliminate bias and increase inclusion.
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Still from: Tight Spot (Kevin Haefelin)
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SIDE SPLITTERS: COMEDIC SHORTS
SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 2019
THALIA SPANISH THEATER—2PM
RUNTIME: 42 MINUTES + Q&A W/ FILMMAKERS
FILMS
Kangaroo
Written & Directed by A.M. FINE. (Brooklyn)
9 minutes.
A man gets offered One Million Dollars to watch a film every day. He fulfills his obligations but gets some unexpected results along the way.
Tight Spot
Directed by Kevin Haefelin. (Manhattan)
4 minutes.
Shining the shoes of a walk-in customer, a shiner discovers his client’s dark secret.
'Gossip Ghouls'
Directed by Desmond Confoy, Written by Dakota Granados. (Queens)
60 seconds.
A brutally honest breaking and entering.
Sealand Cares!
Directed by Cara Brown, Written by Brett Epstein. (Brooklyn)
2 minutes, 29 seconds.
The morally questionable Director of Operations at America's favorite marine theme park attempts to steer his new assistant's PR efforts in the "right" direction.
The Ghost and The Writer
Directed by Christina Tucker. (Queens)
13 minutes, 32 seconds.
A withdrawn young writer struggles to adjust to life with his roommate: the ghost of an early 20th century actor.
Coffee and a Donut
Directed by Cary Patrick Martin. (Queens)
11 minutes, 22 seconds.
Pablo is a young immigrant, new to the United States, and speaks no English. When he first comes into a diner, not knowing how to order, he mimics another customer. Thus, a “coffee and a donut” becomes his regular order. Meanwhile, more appetizing meals pass in front of him, which he has to figure out how to order while in a busy environment that leaves him isolated. He befriends Camila, an assertive Latina-American, who takes him under her wing while he learns how to start off with the most important meal of the day.
Kangaroo
Written & Directed by A.M. FINE. (Brooklyn)
9 minutes.
A man gets offered One Million Dollars to watch a film every day. He fulfills his obligations but gets some unexpected results along the way.
Tight Spot
Directed by Kevin Haefelin. (Manhattan)
4 minutes.
Shining the shoes of a walk-in customer, a shiner discovers his client’s dark secret.
'Gossip Ghouls'
Directed by Desmond Confoy, Written by Dakota Granados. (Queens)
60 seconds.
A brutally honest breaking and entering.
Sealand Cares!
Directed by Cara Brown, Written by Brett Epstein. (Brooklyn)
2 minutes, 29 seconds.
The morally questionable Director of Operations at America's favorite marine theme park attempts to steer his new assistant's PR efforts in the "right" direction.
The Ghost and The Writer
Directed by Christina Tucker. (Queens)
13 minutes, 32 seconds.
A withdrawn young writer struggles to adjust to life with his roommate: the ghost of an early 20th century actor.
Coffee and a Donut
Directed by Cary Patrick Martin. (Queens)
11 minutes, 22 seconds.
Pablo is a young immigrant, new to the United States, and speaks no English. When he first comes into a diner, not knowing how to order, he mimics another customer. Thus, a “coffee and a donut” becomes his regular order. Meanwhile, more appetizing meals pass in front of him, which he has to figure out how to order while in a busy environment that leaves him isolated. He befriends Camila, an assertive Latina-American, who takes him under her wing while he learns how to start off with the most important meal of the day.
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Still from: Churros (Emilie Blythe McDonald & Bruce Smolanoff)
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CARTESIAN DOUBT: DRAMATIC / EXPERIMENTAL SHORTS
SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 2019
THALIA SPANISH THEATER—7PM
RUNTIME: 70 MINUTES + Q&A W/ FILMMAKERS
FILMS
Away From You: Integration
Directed by Cely Riva, Written by Cely Riva & Sara Sue Vallee. (Brooklyn)
10 minutes, 40 seconds.
Away from You is an exploration of psychological encounters with an alter ego of a frustrated artist. After loosing a competition, Jane ,the artist goes through a sequence of events with her newly found project, Ruby. Ruby propels new changes in her vision of creativity and faith.
Scarfaced
Directed by J. Anthony Roman. (Manhattan)
8 minutes, 20 seconds.
A meditation on recidivism. Sebastion, recently released from prison, must find a way to provide for his family in a world where he is systematically mistrusted.
ACEDIA
Directed by JP Diaz. (Brooklyn)
15 minutes.
Sean, a young man living in New York, is burdened with the task of finding a cure for his ailing mother, a cure that may or may not be behind a door inside of a mysterious glass building. As Sean begins his journey to this door, he is transmitted into the world of three women sitting quietly in a park, where he is forced to confront his past failures while simultaneously approaching an ambiguous future.
Churros
Directed by Emilie Blythe McDonald & Bruce Smolanoff. (Queens)
13 minutes.
Jo-Jo, a 15 year-old Mexican-American boy who lives with his street vendor mother in NYC, breakdances with a crew and dreams of being “the illest” b-boy in the world. A local gangster attempts to lure him away and one night, Jo-Jo is forced to make one of the most important decisions of his life.
Apocalypse Mambo
Directed by Tobias Belliard. (Manhattan)
14 minutes, 56 seconds.
How do two lost souls find love in New York?
Away From You: Integration
Directed by Cely Riva, Written by Cely Riva & Sara Sue Vallee. (Brooklyn)
10 minutes, 40 seconds.
Away from You is an exploration of psychological encounters with an alter ego of a frustrated artist. After loosing a competition, Jane ,the artist goes through a sequence of events with her newly found project, Ruby. Ruby propels new changes in her vision of creativity and faith.
Scarfaced
Directed by J. Anthony Roman. (Manhattan)
8 minutes, 20 seconds.
A meditation on recidivism. Sebastion, recently released from prison, must find a way to provide for his family in a world where he is systematically mistrusted.
ACEDIA
Directed by JP Diaz. (Brooklyn)
15 minutes.
Sean, a young man living in New York, is burdened with the task of finding a cure for his ailing mother, a cure that may or may not be behind a door inside of a mysterious glass building. As Sean begins his journey to this door, he is transmitted into the world of three women sitting quietly in a park, where he is forced to confront his past failures while simultaneously approaching an ambiguous future.
Churros
Directed by Emilie Blythe McDonald & Bruce Smolanoff. (Queens)
13 minutes.
Jo-Jo, a 15 year-old Mexican-American boy who lives with his street vendor mother in NYC, breakdances with a crew and dreams of being “the illest” b-boy in the world. A local gangster attempts to lure him away and one night, Jo-Jo is forced to make one of the most important decisions of his life.
Apocalypse Mambo
Directed by Tobias Belliard. (Manhattan)
14 minutes, 56 seconds.
How do two lost souls find love in New York?
Still from: Cloud 9 (Travis Houze)
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MIDNIGHT REVERIE: MUSIC VIDEO / HORROR / DARK COMEDY SHORTS
SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 2019
SANGER HALL—11:59 PM (MIDNIGHT)
RUNTIME: 50 MINUTES + Q&A W/ FILMMAKERS
FILMS
Cloud 9
Directed by Travis Houze, Written by Devin White. (Manhattan)
3 minutes, 39 seconds.
Cloud 9 is a music video short with music and a performance by singer/ songwriter Devin White along with a special rap performance by Anthony “Ant Wavy” Andrews.
Your Man
Directed by Alexandra Natalie Leinweber, Written by Allie Scully. (Brooklyn)
6 minutes.
A fever dream date night with lush visuals and tinder fire angst.
OVERRIPE: TO THE DARK SIDE
Written & Directed by Jules Fuentes. (Queens)
6 minutes, 24 seconds.
A group of friends are torn apart by a banana-wielding killer.
MissUnderstood Monster
Directed by Lindsay Serrano. (Queens)
14 minutes, 55 seconds.
Life is hard enough without your "monthly monster." Laura struggles to endure a visit from her Menstruation Demon while juggling a career, dating, an active social life, and her monster junk food cravings... A comedic look at what a woman has to deal with during that special time of the month.
Big - Cocordion
Directed and Edited by Matt Sparks (Queens)
2 minutes, 43 seconds.
Big is about embracing reality and overcoming the struggle to present our inner selves to the world. This is the third single from Cocordion's album tv.antrace.
Box Whose Candle is the Sun
Directed James Jenkins, Original Music by Klute. (Queens)
Sundry thoughts on existence and origin. A television flickers like flame, a man-made icon from the beginning of time. Humility is reveled in the throes of space-time. Based on a poem by Omar Khayyam.
BANG. BANG.
Directed by Steven Pierce, Written by James Allerdyce & Steven Pierce. (Queens)
4 minutes.
In a repressed, old and dusty western town, a hero rides in to bring justice.
Matryoshka
Directed by Manny Serrano, Written by Manny Serrano, Lindsay Serrano & Manen Lyset. (Queens)
9 minutes, 56 seconds.
A group of friends get together for a Halloween Party. After Carol notices an old Matryoshka doll sitting on the table, Tucker proceeds to tell the group about an old game his grandmother used to play called ìThe Nesting Gameî, but the old poem may unleash something more deadly than expected.
Cloud 9
Directed by Travis Houze, Written by Devin White. (Manhattan)
3 minutes, 39 seconds.
Cloud 9 is a music video short with music and a performance by singer/ songwriter Devin White along with a special rap performance by Anthony “Ant Wavy” Andrews.
Your Man
Directed by Alexandra Natalie Leinweber, Written by Allie Scully. (Brooklyn)
6 minutes.
A fever dream date night with lush visuals and tinder fire angst.
OVERRIPE: TO THE DARK SIDE
Written & Directed by Jules Fuentes. (Queens)
6 minutes, 24 seconds.
A group of friends are torn apart by a banana-wielding killer.
MissUnderstood Monster
Directed by Lindsay Serrano. (Queens)
14 minutes, 55 seconds.
Life is hard enough without your "monthly monster." Laura struggles to endure a visit from her Menstruation Demon while juggling a career, dating, an active social life, and her monster junk food cravings... A comedic look at what a woman has to deal with during that special time of the month.
Big - Cocordion
Directed and Edited by Matt Sparks (Queens)
2 minutes, 43 seconds.
Big is about embracing reality and overcoming the struggle to present our inner selves to the world. This is the third single from Cocordion's album tv.antrace.
Box Whose Candle is the Sun
Directed James Jenkins, Original Music by Klute. (Queens)
Sundry thoughts on existence and origin. A television flickers like flame, a man-made icon from the beginning of time. Humility is reveled in the throes of space-time. Based on a poem by Omar Khayyam.
BANG. BANG.
Directed by Steven Pierce, Written by James Allerdyce & Steven Pierce. (Queens)
4 minutes.
In a repressed, old and dusty western town, a hero rides in to bring justice.
Matryoshka
Directed by Manny Serrano, Written by Manny Serrano, Lindsay Serrano & Manen Lyset. (Queens)
9 minutes, 56 seconds.
A group of friends get together for a Halloween Party. After Carol notices an old Matryoshka doll sitting on the table, Tucker proceeds to tell the group about an old game his grandmother used to play called ìThe Nesting Gameî, but the old poem may unleash something more deadly than expected.
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CLOSING PARTY
SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2019
SANGER HALL—5:00 PM
Please join us at Sanger Hall on Sunday, June 30, 2019 at 5pm for a closing party!
This is a free event! Get to know other local filmmakers in a relaxed and inclusive environment.
Please RSVP!
This is a free event! Get to know other local filmmakers in a relaxed and inclusive environment.
Please RSVP!