SDiFF ShortsFest 2021
San Diego International Film Festival - ShortsFest - May 14-16, 2021
https://sdfilmfest.com/shortsfestprograms/allfilms/
https://sdfilmfest.com/shortsfestprograms/allfilms/
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64 titles
- DirectorJuan Pablo Arias MunozStarsLolita AndersonKen ArquelioVanessa HerreraThe peace between Leo and his grieving father is disrupted when the young boy finds a butterfly that he believes to be his deceased mother.
- DirectorMichelle GritzerStarsErica IkedaDana DeRuyckJuan Alfonso
- DirectorMarc CartwrightStarsBaker PowellIsolation drives a man to rethink his position within a capitalistic society.
- DirectorPaul MignotStarsAmine Mahamat GabdouDorcas CoppinBruno HenrySon of a slave, boxer, war hero: discover the epic life of the first African-American fighter pilot in history.
- DirectorVincent ToiStarsNeeshi BeeharryLaurent LucasKristeven MootienAniksha is a young woman from the Indo-Mauritian diaspora. After her arranged marriage, she finds a job at a call centre, a booming industry in Mauritius. There she encounters her enigmatic supervisor and discovers a world of possibilities. This new world view places Aniksha between the choice of tradition or of a modern lifestyle.
- DirectorYoumin KangStarsBae BonalleRowan CooperMatilda FlemingAnna thinks Ava is the best actress in her class.
- DirectorLobke de BoerStarsWard KerremansSam LouwyckMees BorgmanMathis returns to his birthplace to retrieve the inheritance from his dying father, the notorious ex-criminal Nicolas. His father is prepared to hand over the money, but only on one important condition.
- DirectorZamarin WahdatStarsLara CengizMerle ColletKailas MahadevanWhen 8 year old Kati from Afghanistan stows away in her father's truck, Faruk must juggle his responsibilities as a single dad while holding down his first job in a new country.
- DirectorYi TangStarsPasang DalmaPasang has her first period after hearing a late-night ghost story. She believes that she has been cursed and needs to sacrifice a black goat to avoid misfortune.
- DirectorKevin GordonJessica ZitterStarsBambi FassRick TashAryeh SchleiderAfter four years of battling cancer, 60-year-old Bambi Fass had had enough. Though a natural fighter and optimist, when her cancer went metastatic, she saw the writing on the wall and decided to forego additional painful radiation treatment and instead live out her final weeks in the comfort of her own home. Her decision was supported by her husband Rick, who was reluctant to let go of a woman he had met only three years earlier. A journey that begins with song-filled community gatherings, however, soon turns challenging as Rick is left alone to care for Bambi in her final weeks.
- DirectorMathilde BaboZoé RossionStarsHans-Jochen ScheidlerWhile Germany sits as one of the major democratic models, an ex-prisoner of the Stasi delivers from his former cell a frightening testimony that questions the sustainability of our contemporary democracies.
- DirectorCarolyn KnappStarsWinona WeberDahlia-Belle SirvioPaolo LaskeroThis queer coming of age short film depicts the feeling of having to prove your own sexuality after coming out in high school.
- DirectorZach WoodsStarsWill FerrellWilliam Jackson HarperFred HechingerA severely depressed man reaches out for an emergency therapy session. He's not the only one who needs help.
- DirectorBenjamin HowardStarsRudy PankowKrystina MontemurroCourt RutterIn the early sixties, a sexually conflicted teenager finds faith and acceptance after escaping the tortures of electrotherapeutic conversion therapy.
- DirectorJavad AtefehStarsAtefe PakbazniaKarim AshtariYousef JahandoustDo.Solo.Pin is the story of the social survival of a young care-giver who is looking after an elderly. It is about the decisions she makes and the consequences she has to face.
- DirectorEthosheia HyltonStarsDoyin AjiboyeLuke GasperJoan IyiolaReady to leave her UK boarding school and enter the working world, a young Black woman faces pressure to change her name and natural hairstyle.
- DirectorNicole Vanden BroeckStarsSarah SawyerRon DadonEric LarsonSet during the late 90s in Southern California, 16-year-old introverted Elle finds herself in love with her best friend who is about to move away.
- DirectorNomawonga KhumaloStarsMenzi BiyelaShilubana N FumaniKhalalelo MakhandaSouth Africa, present day. A god-fearing woman finds herself in a transactional relationship as she tries to support her sick husband and daughter.
- DirectorJayil PakStarsLee Chae-kyungHyun Jun Wesley ChoSeon Woo HongWhen the police refuse to investigate their daughter's alleged suicide, two computer-illiterate parents decide to design a protest banner. Based on the infamous Miryang case in South Korea which shocked the nation in 2004 and continues to fuel public outrage even today.
- DirectorMolly Manning WalkerStarsJasmine JobsonMicheal WardT'Nia MillerA 16-year-old girl is thrown further into trauma by the authorities.
- DirectorAsh Goh HuaStarsMike Africa Jr.Debbie AfricaA story about the reunion and repair between Mike Africa Jr and his mother Debbie Africa-a formerly incarcerated political prisoner of the MOVE9.
- DirectorLeonel CheeStarsEnrique ArreolaSimona ChirinosLuis SolisYoung twins, Imelda and Luis, live a neglected life with their drug dealing mom and jerk-off drug addict older brother. They only have each other to fulfill their desires: she wants to be a nun and he wants to be a girl, neither of which seems possible. This is truly one of the more unusual tales about chasing your dreams to come along in quite a while. It's kind of an adult kid's film, a dark yet sometimes humorous depiction of these innocent children trying to escape a screwed up life in a twisted world. Growing up in this dysfunctional home life the twins have developed completely opposite morals and beliefs. Nicely paced with some lovely artful bits, the performances by the two young leads make the film. Their depiction of these independent children and their inventive plans takes us on a delightful and surprising journey.
- DirectorEm WeinsteinStarsTim BloughJerry CarltonAri DamascoYoung, trans Michael returns to his family home in the rural American West. His father takes him on a sultry exploit, striving to connect.
- DirectorMaria VattimoKimberly D. Landle is a professional ballerina based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After enduring an abusive relationship, Kimberly made it her mission to use her voice to raise awareness about domestic abuse. She launched a contemporary ballet company and uses her platform and performances to advocate for women and survivors of abuse.
- DirectorAlfredo Gerard KuttikattRam TamezMarlijn van NuenenStarsLoïs JumelRam TamezA young Mexican smuggler and a little girl travel illegally on top of a cargo train, called La Bestia, to get to the USA.An injury transforms his perception of the journey.
- DirectorStephen NigroStarsZach TinkerJill RennerSteve VoldsethA young private detective is handed his first case by a family friend. Despite his best intentions, he quickly finds himself in over his head and involved in unexpected ways. Land of Pyrite // Land of Gold is a short film about land-use, Los Angeles, and a young man being forced to confront his privilege.
- DirectorJ. Nicholas MeeseStarsKamalini GhoshAnirudh BalagopalRemy KiddWalking home after a regret-filled night, Aria recalls her perfectly average first date with her arranged husband, being whisked away to a bachelorette party in Las Vegas, and ruining her strict, Bengali parents' plans. Her memories become more elaborate as set pieces and musicians obstruct her path, forcing her to come to terms with her life's choices in this elaborate movie musical.
- DirectorAkinola DaviesStarsPamilerin AyodejiOsayi UzamereCharles EtubiebiAn 8-year-old girl with an ability to sense danger gets ejected from Sunday school service. She unwittingly witnesses the underbelly in and around a Mega Church in Lagos.
- DirectorNeeraja RajStarsSheila AtimJayne WisenerIn a madcap musical, a catstronaut travels the galaxy looking for the meaning of life, when she encounters a space pup eager to help but only gets them into trouble at every turn.
- DirectorVytautas KatkusStarsVygantas BachmackijKarolis KasperaviciusEmilija RuzgaiteTwo childhood friends are spending their last days in the places where they grew up, trying to postpone their farewell to the district, which is changing.
- DirectorMauriziana GualdriniYi Chen HsiaoJames MannStarsPhilippa DawsonFlinn McManusAfter her mother's death, Kim finds solace in wearing her mother's old sweater. However, the sweater begins to itch and even hurt her, but she still can't bring herself to take it off.
- DirectorReza RiahiDuring a vicious attack, a young musician and the love of his life are brutally separated from one another. Fifty years later, the musician is summoned to play at the Mongol castle where his beloved has been held.
- DirectorYorgos LanthimosStarsMatt DillonDaphné PatakiaSusan ElleA professional cellist has an encounter with a stranger on the subway which has unexpected and far-reaching ramifications on his life.
- DirectorCharlie MantonStarsLindsay DuncanSophia MylesClint DyerTraveling to witness the execution of her son's murderer, a mother is torn between retaliation and reconnecting with her estranged daughter.
- DirectorAnjali NayarFacing imminent takeover of their ancestral lands, women in the Turkana region of Kenya organize themselves to stand up against oil giant Tullow.
- DirectorCurt RolandStarsGrant AnstineJake ElizaldeSebastian EscamillaIn a small desert town in the middle of nowhere, Cliff, a handicapped and isolated man in his mid-60's, comes into being after a lifetime of disillusionment.
- DirectorJames M. ParkerOther Side of the Hill explores the impacts of a changing climate in rural Eastern Oregon - as seen through the eyes of local leaders on the ground. From innovative timber operations in Wallowa County to large scale solar in Lakeview, we amplify the voices of rural communities often left unheard. In a time of unprecedented cultural divide between rural and urban Oregon, we find common ground in an urgency to address a changing landscape.
- DirectorMolly GillisStarsSophie AmievaEleanore PientaA lonely American faces unrequited love on a farm commune in the south of France.
- DirectorMitch KalisaStarsJonathan AjayiHeather AlexanderCharlie O'ConnorCoaxed into playing a racial typecast in a fellow student's play, Jonathan is faced to either challenge prejudice, or play it safe.
- DirectorGarrett TrippStarsDana PowellCharan PrabhakarNatalie LynchPhil thinks his online staff meeting is audio-only, but OMG it's not!
- DirectorDavid MahmoudiehStarsPoppy DraytonSierra PondMicah FitzgeraldJill's got the snake. Julia's got the flute. Alone, they have nothing. But together, they have a secret weapon to fight the darkness.
- DirectorAlexander W. LewisKaitlyn SchwaljeSnowy, a four-inch-long pet turtle, has lived an isolated life in the family basement. With help from a team of experts and his caretaker, Uncle Larry, we ask: Can Snowy be happy, and what would it take?
- DirectorMicky WoznyStarsJane HorrocksJason WatkinsPen to paper, a sweet old woman can't find the right words. But when she lends her pen to a hopeless young chap, it's more than just words that elude her.
- DirectorJonatan EtzlerStarsPontus LiedbergTove WiréenVictor IvánOutside a swimming pool, a car belonging to a sniper is discovered. The police are therefore on site to arrest the owner. But when the man in question refuses to get out of the pool, a situation arises that no one could have predicted. This is a story based on a real event, told with a lot of humor.
- DirectorNoémie NakaiA teacher conducts a crying therapy in Japan, where people list things that make them weep, with the goal of understanding its importance.
- DirectorRikke GregersenStarsAnders T. AndersenAlexander de SengerRenate ReinsveIn protest of the deportation of a man on the same flight, an airplane passenger refuses to sit down, causing the take-off to be delayed.
- DirectorAllison BrownmooreA young girl is born into the world, and she is dropped into a landscape of charming objects and engaging sensations. She enjoys many of these, but they occasionally overwhelm her.
- DirectorSerhat KaraaslanStarsDeniz AltanLorin MerhartCem BazaIn a town in Turkey, a young couple looks for some privacy. They are rejected from the hotels because they do not have a marriage certificate. When they think they have found a way, the situation gets out of hand.
- DirectorNicole Emilíana MendezStarsIrene AguirreMatthew GantosTara NaderA short heartwarming drama about 10-year-old phone-obsessed Farida and her tamale-making Abuelita having difficulty bonding.
- DirectorOscar Rene Lozoya IIStarsBrian FlaccusJeff LockerJessica OlsenAll Eric has ever wanted is a real friend. He just never knew how to find one.
- DirectorAnselm KeimStarsSimon DeanIsabella BrownsonAmit Jacobi
- DirectorElvira LindStarsOscar IsaacAlia ShawkatBrian PetsosWhen a corrections officer is transferred to the letter room, he soon finds himself enmeshed in a prisoner's deeply private life.
- DirectorCharles WahlStarsDaniel MaslanyKaelen OhmSam RosenthalJames and Lola live in a community without any Mohel's, and after celebrating the birth of their son are faced with family expectations and financial strain as they fly one in to perform the Brit Milah - The circumcision ceremony.
- DirectorJosiah AllenIndianna BellStarsJoel CoveneyJordan CowanJoelCoveneySound recordist Andrew operates from the fringes of film sets, unseen and often forgotten. Using his sound equipment, he regularly listens to and records private conversations between crew and cast members. When Andrew tunes into a young actress having an affair with a film director, he uses the recording to blackmail her into submitting to his perverted desires.
- DirectorBill WisneskiStarsDon BartlettiPulitzer prize-winning photojournalist Don Bartletti shares heart wrenching stories from his forty year career documenting history as it unfolds.
- DirectorGregory Willis BarnesStarsChris DuceMoises NievesElijah OlacheaTroubled by an unnatural temptation, a young Mormon missionary must confess the humiliating depths of his pornography addiction.
- DirectorAlex KoStarsFanny GuidecoqJules LeyendeckerBenoit Del GrandeRaphael, an eccentric ten-year-old, enjoys wearing and designing dresses in rural France. Set against the backdrop of the lush, lavender fields of Provence, a very determined Raphael cuts and pockets yellow fabrics in hopes of constructing a dress for his mother; a gesture he believes will bring about the healing his family so desperately needs.
- DirectorGary AllenStarsJulian VlcanSheila ThieleAfter a couple struggles to connect, a body-conscious man must overcome his insecurity before everything they have built is burned to the ground.
- DirectorOlivia Margarita GastaldoStarsShan HafezSade Keinu
- DirectorStelios KoupetorisStarsAntonis TsiotsiopoulosA teacher is set to do his daily routine classroom at the school he works, during one of the most difficult days to teach.
- DirectorJonathon GauthierStarsDon ScribnerParker GorisTwo pirates, Jiggy and Anchor, have stolen their captain's treasure map. Their plan to cooperate and "get rich quick" quickly turns into a lesson of what it truly means to be a pirate.
- DirectorGabriel SantosStarsGary BristowMichael FoersterElizabeth HernandezA true-story sports drama based on Jeremy Montes, an incredibly talented and promising Latino wrestler who, when diagnosed with cancer, has to learn the hard way that the American dream only applies as long as you fulfill its needs.