SF Shorts2023 FILMS (alphabetic)
SCREENINGS WERE HERE OCTOBER 9 - 15, 2023
13830 Kewanna Trail US Experimental Documentary
dir. Kelly Wittenberg
A reaction to late-night searching on Zillow, where the filmmaker discovers that a house she lived in as child is now worth over $600K. It's hard to convince a majority of voters to support large-scale housing reform when millions of middle-class Americans are financially invested in the current system.
dir. Kelly Wittenberg
A reaction to late-night searching on Zillow, where the filmmaker discovers that a house she lived in as child is now worth over $600K. It's hard to convince a majority of voters to support large-scale housing reform when millions of middle-class Americans are financially invested in the current system.
2.57k Canada Experimental
dir. Eva Colmers
From dust they arise, drawn together by a magic frequency …
dir. Eva Colmers
From dust they arise, drawn together by a magic frequency …
ABURIDASHI Assortment: Video Letters Written in Invisible Ink Japan Animation, Documentary, Experimental
dir. Nonoho Suzuki
The traditional Japanese technique of “ABURIDASHI,” depicts how the filmmaker’s perspective changed from an individual to a nation over a period of 10 years.
dir. Nonoho Suzuki
The traditional Japanese technique of “ABURIDASHI,” depicts how the filmmaker’s perspective changed from an individual to a nation over a period of 10 years.
Bach Ma Canada, Viet Nam Narrative
dirs. Darlene Huynh
A woman decides to step out of her modern life and journeys to a remote monastery in the Bach Ma mountains of Vietnam, where she lives alongside a group of stoic monks. Her silent struggle to adapt to the peculiar setting leads her to a wholehearted search for something worth believing in.
dirs. Darlene Huynh
A woman decides to step out of her modern life and journeys to a remote monastery in the Bach Ma mountains of Vietnam, where she lives alongside a group of stoic monks. Her silent struggle to adapt to the peculiar setting leads her to a wholehearted search for something worth believing in.
Cloistered USA Documentary
dir. Catherine Finsness
An intimate glimpse into the lives of cloistered nuns in New Jersey, USA.
dir. Catherine Finsness
An intimate glimpse into the lives of cloistered nuns in New Jersey, USA.
Come Clean USA Narrative
dir. Sal Bardo
A young gay man, struggling with OCD, white-knuckles his way through a Grindr hookup and makes a mess of things.
dir. Sal Bardo
A young gay man, struggling with OCD, white-knuckles his way through a Grindr hookup and makes a mess of things.
Development Australia Narrative
dir. Rebecca Metcalf
Bored and isolated in a suburban development, two teenagers' budding romance rides an uncomfortable line between flirtation and violence. But, like all toxic relationships, the romance continues to develop despite the havoc it wreaks.
dir. Rebecca Metcalf
Bored and isolated in a suburban development, two teenagers' budding romance rides an uncomfortable line between flirtation and violence. But, like all toxic relationships, the romance continues to develop despite the havoc it wreaks.
He Won't Belong USA Narrative
dir. Dominic Mercurio
In the midst of a storm on a desolate strip of California’s lost coast, Theo spots a young shivering stranger named Connor on the side of the road and brings him back to his home for shelter. While they wait for the storm to pass, they begin to uncover each others’ past wounds.
dir. Dominic Mercurio
In the midst of a storm on a desolate strip of California’s lost coast, Theo spots a young shivering stranger named Connor on the side of the road and brings him back to his home for shelter. While they wait for the storm to pass, they begin to uncover each others’ past wounds.
Huyuko’s Summer Japan Narrative
dir. Shinichiro Kanagawa
In their last summer of high school, Huyuko and her best friend, Noel, spend their time idly, at a crossroad to decide their career paths.
dir. Shinichiro Kanagawa
In their last summer of high school, Huyuko and her best friend, Noel, spend their time idly, at a crossroad to decide their career paths.
Iwao Hakamata: Rituals of Deliverance Japan Documentary
dir. Noah Matsuki Halbur
After 45 years, Iwao Hakamata was delivered from a death sentence upon a reexamination of evidence. However, due to physical and emotional torture, he now suffers mental illness. His daily rituals continue to revolve around illusions he developed while incarcerated.
dir. Noah Matsuki Halbur
After 45 years, Iwao Hakamata was delivered from a death sentence upon a reexamination of evidence. However, due to physical and emotional torture, he now suffers mental illness. His daily rituals continue to revolve around illusions he developed while incarcerated.
Jiabao，Jiaping Canada, China Documentary
dir. Yijie Yang
After being married for fifty years, the filmmaker’s grandparents decide that their personality differences will force them to live apart.
dir. Yijie Yang
After being married for fifty years, the filmmaker’s grandparents decide that their personality differences will force them to live apart.
Lego Oma Germany Documentary
dir. Karina Sturm
Rita Ebel, aka the Lego Oma, is a German grandmother and wheelchair user. A car accident broke her lumbar spine and caused paralysis from her waist down. When she noticed that most of the stores in her hometown Hanau were inaccessible to her, she decided to make a statement by building wheelchair ramps from Legos, each a unique piece of art.
dir. Karina Sturm
Rita Ebel, aka the Lego Oma, is a German grandmother and wheelchair user. A car accident broke her lumbar spine and caused paralysis from her waist down. When she noticed that most of the stores in her hometown Hanau were inaccessible to her, she decided to make a statement by building wheelchair ramps from Legos, each a unique piece of art.
Los Colores del Intestino Son Tan Lindos (The Colors of the Intestine Are So Beautiful) USA, Argentina Experimental Documentary
dir. Alejo Perez-Stable Husni
An adult filmmaker cares for his grandmother, while exploring her past and the art of his mother.
dir. Alejo Perez-Stable Husni
An adult filmmaker cares for his grandmother, while exploring her past and the art of his mother.
The Lucena Position USA Narrative
dir. John Sherman
A chess game between two brothers gets way too personal.
dir. John Sherman
A chess game between two brothers gets way too personal.
Magnified City Japan Animation
dir. Isaku Kaneko
When a magnifying-glass-human wanders in ruined city, he finds a photo of a beautiful city, but he accidentally burns the photo by observing it. Meanwhile, a secret society of projector-humans plot to recover the ruined city by using the magnifying-glass-human’s convex lens.
dir. Isaku Kaneko
When a magnifying-glass-human wanders in ruined city, he finds a photo of a beautiful city, but he accidentally burns the photo by observing it. Meanwhile, a secret society of projector-humans plot to recover the ruined city by using the magnifying-glass-human’s convex lens.
The Marrons Glacés Belgium Animation
dir. Delphine Hermans, Michel Vandam
As an old lady wanders the halls of the hospital, images from her life loop past, inspiring her to help a pregnant younger woman.
dir. Delphine Hermans, Michel Vandam
As an old lady wanders the halls of the hospital, images from her life loop past, inspiring her to help a pregnant younger woman.
Martha Belgium Narrative
dir. Leo Medard
A mother dishonestly picks up her daughter from school and takes her to the sea. Trapped in the momentum of a destructive love, the mother struggles most against herself.
dir. Leo Medard
A mother dishonestly picks up her daughter from school and takes her to the sea. Trapped in the momentum of a destructive love, the mother struggles most against herself.
NEO PORTRAITS Japan Narrative
dir. GAZEBO
Takumi is a junior-high student who lost his mother three months ago. Her memories have been ported into an interactive avatar, but Takumi is distrustful of the technology.
dir. GAZEBO
Takumi is a junior-high student who lost his mother three months ago. Her memories have been ported into an interactive avatar, but Takumi is distrustful of the technology.
Notice of Rejection US Animation
dir. Steven Vander Meer
The protagonist appears to be unmoved by historical barbarism and societal injustice – until rejection hits home – then it's a different story. After multiple failed applications, he decides to see if rejection can be turned around, made benevolent, and perhaps even grow into something that changes his life.
dir. Steven Vander Meer
The protagonist appears to be unmoved by historical barbarism and societal injustice – until rejection hits home – then it's a different story. After multiple failed applications, he decides to see if rejection can be turned around, made benevolent, and perhaps even grow into something that changes his life.
The Old Young Crow Japan, US Animation, Narrative
dir. Liam LoPinto
In the twilight of his life, Mehrdad, now an elderly man, reminisces about his transformative journey from Iran to Japan, a poignant journey that began in the wake of his mother's passing when he was just a young boy. His narrative unfolds around a heartwarming encounter with an elderly Japanese woman, forged amidst the hushed serenity of a graveyard and facilitated by the pages of his cherished sketchbook.
dir. Liam LoPinto
In the twilight of his life, Mehrdad, now an elderly man, reminisces about his transformative journey from Iran to Japan, a poignant journey that began in the wake of his mother's passing when he was just a young boy. His narrative unfolds around a heartwarming encounter with an elderly Japanese woman, forged amidst the hushed serenity of a graveyard and facilitated by the pages of his cherished sketchbook.
One Day in Lim Chu Kang Singapore Documentary
dir. Michael Kam
A filmmaker recalls a unique outing with his parents to ritually exhume his grandfather. A contemplation on life, death and the ever-changing landscape on this small island.
dir. Michael Kam
A filmmaker recalls a unique outing with his parents to ritually exhume his grandfather. A contemplation on life, death and the ever-changing landscape on this small island.
Pose Right There (A Ver Ponte Ahí) US Documentary
dir. Flor Marmolejo
Revisiting a family album and an opportune trip lead to a revelation.
dir. Flor Marmolejo
Revisiting a family album and an opportune trip lead to a revelation.
See You Tomorrow United Arab Emirates Narrative
dir. Iga Zelazny
Ali is a lonely man facing the threat of losing his eyesight. He has an emotional 24 hours to decide whether to have the risky surgery.
dir. Iga Zelazny
Ali is a lonely man facing the threat of losing his eyesight. He has an emotional 24 hours to decide whether to have the risky surgery.
Seven Pieces of My Sensei France Documentary
dir. Julien Suaudeau
Yann Dedet is one of the great French film editors, yet he does not sit around all day in an editing room. He karate-fights imaginary dragons. He walks with the winter’s wind. He reads about life and death. He cuts, but not film. He looks on as water goes by under a ghost bridge. He speaks the otherworldly language of cats. He writes, in Japanese, on being different.
dir. Julien Suaudeau
Yann Dedet is one of the great French film editors, yet he does not sit around all day in an editing room. He karate-fights imaginary dragons. He walks with the winter’s wind. He reads about life and death. He cuts, but not film. He looks on as water goes by under a ghost bridge. He speaks the otherworldly language of cats. He writes, in Japanese, on being different.
snails USA Experimental
dir. Dorothea Braemer
A dream about my mother and snails that my daughter interprets for me.
dir. Dorothea Braemer
A dream about my mother and snails that my daughter interprets for me.
So You Wanna Vogue Huh ?! Belgium Documentary
dir. Zelda Fitzgerald, Ila Pittaluga
An antidote to the misinformation that comes with the re-explosion of ballroom into the public consciousness. A venom against the appropriation of the culture.
dir. Zelda Fitzgerald, Ila Pittaluga
An antidote to the misinformation that comes with the re-explosion of ballroom into the public consciousness. A venom against the appropriation of the culture.
Specs 3 USA Animation, Experimental
dir. Dan McHale
Our camera pans across rectangular zones of color. What happens if we increase our speed and indulge diagonal trajectories? Inspired by a painted wall in San Francisco, this abstract animated short plays with shifting chromatic shapes, and speed, flicker, arrival.
dir. Dan McHale
Our camera pans across rectangular zones of color. What happens if we increase our speed and indulge diagonal trajectories? Inspired by a painted wall in San Francisco, this abstract animated short plays with shifting chromatic shapes, and speed, flicker, arrival.
Still Breathing Denmark Narrative
dir. Emma Birkø
Anna’s life has stagnated. While having a casual relationship with her ex-boyfriend she is working as an intern at a public school. Nothing seems to make sense, and when Anna finds out she is pregnant she has to make a choice. Because is it morally justifiable to bring new life into a world on fire?
dir. Emma Birkø
Anna’s life has stagnated. While having a casual relationship with her ex-boyfriend she is working as an intern at a public school. Nothing seems to make sense, and when Anna finds out she is pregnant she has to make a choice. Because is it morally justifiable to bring new life into a world on fire?
These Were Not Simple Deaths UK Documentary, Experimental
dir. Jordan Baseman
Features Lilian Black OBE discussing her father, Eugene Black, the only member of his family to survive the Holocaust. Lilian discusses their families subsequent visits to Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camps 40 years later.
dir. Jordan Baseman
Features Lilian Black OBE discussing her father, Eugene Black, the only member of his family to survive the Holocaust. Lilian discusses their families subsequent visits to Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camps 40 years later.