The ability that the taxidermist Edgar has in dealing with dead creatures is not the same as he has with the living around him. When his sanity begins to be affected by an insuperable insomnia, the relationship with his wife Beatriz takes a hard blow. Directed by Pedro Kalli, Renata Moraes and Ingrid Verissimo (Brazil)
A young woman discovers she has a deep connection with her Grandmother after her Grandmother has passed. Directed by Jerry J White III (USA)
Two people are ready to make a toast but they do not know why. What they do know is that they own a dark and evil past and that they try to forget it with champagne. Directed by Alberto Martín-Aragón (Spain)
A mystery guest becomes the young concierge's nightmare. Directed by Shan Tong (USA)
Jail or Yale Young, Black and out of Options? Documentary This project focuses on examining the problem of structural racism in the educational system and its ramifications on black males as they progress through life. Significant data reveals that Black students are being pushed into prison through our school systems, known as the School-to-Prison Pipeline: 40% of students expelled from U.S. schools each year are black 70% of students involved in “in-school” arrests or referred to law enforcement are Black or Latino Black students are 3.5x more likely to be suspended than whites Black and Latino students are 2x more likely to not graduate high school as whites 68% of all males in state and federal prison do not have a high school diploma. People of color make up 37% of the U.S. population but 67% of the prison population. Their performance is inferior to every other comparable race and sex. "Many teachers begin to systemically look at Black males as troublemakers and as less intelligent than their peers, and this becomes the assumption rather than the exception. " Does the bias inflicted upon Black males affect them in such a manner that they begin to view themselves in an inferior way, thus compounding the issue at hand. I believe the educational system has been consistently oppressive towards black boys for decades upon decades, and therefore the litmus test for an effective school system should be the success of black boys. In my experience Black boys see no other option as they grow up, than to turn to side walk high, street culture and crime to survive. Once they fail academically and disengage in the school culture, they are pushed out of school and this affects them in all walks of life. Although this oppressiveness and educational bias towards black boys is not necessarily intentional, its effects still hurt black boys the same. Jail or Yale is an expository documentary set to explore whether black boys are being trained and prepared to enter the prison system? Is there any correlation between the bias inflicted upon Black males as they progress through the educational system, and their over representation in the criminal justice system? This researched film aims to educate and explore through interviews, research, voiceovers and illustrative visuals. Directed by Christopher Spence (USA)
Two guys with different purposes have a chase around the campus... Directed by Shuo Wang (USA)
A documentary tackling California's Housing Crisis. Directed by Ryan Sadaghiani (USA)
Centuries after the destruction of Earth, Kent and his cyborg companion, C-LA, embark on a flavor-driven adventure across the dangerous intergalactic trade route known as the "Spice Road." Directed by Jalil Sadool (USA)
Joy is 72 years old and 2240 weeks pregnant. Due to an extremely rare medical condition, her son Albert is 43 and still living in her womb. Together they face many extraordinary challenges. While they hope for a scientific breakthrough, they live by one simple philosophy: life is what you make it. Directed by Jason Smith (New Zealand)
The film centers around the ongoing impact social media has on our lives whether it’s for the better or worse, which can often lead us to blindly conform and influence our decisions to what we see posted online to fit in with our peers; And the main character, Reagan, feels the full effect of this common issue faced by our society today. Directed by Daniel Antunez (USA)
Daniel, a tormented teenager suffering from a recent trauma finds himself at his usual skate spot with his so-called friends. After an attempt to find reassurance in his peer, he is shut down and forced to suppress his affliction. He then tries to recollect his masculinity through a transparent interaction with a girl, Emily, who is seemingly interested in him. When she sees through his lustful intentions, his attempt fails. He pushes his defeat aside and skates with his friends. Subsequently, Emily overhears a conversation revealing Daniel's truth - His mother's suicide. A rise in tension occurs whilst the boys skate as Daniel holds a grudge against his peer. In a release of pent up anger and guilt, Daniel lashes out at his peer, solely with the intention for him to react and attack him. After a short brawl and now sympathising with Daniel, Emily stays sat as everyone else disperses. After some time, Emily gets up and walks over to Daniel in the empty car park. She helps him up and they walk away side-by-side. We watch the empty car park. Statistics for male suicide rates materialise on the screen, warning of the alarming realities of toxic masculinity. Directed by Shay Kelly (UK)
We all have demons following us around. In the case of this anonymous individual, his demon is a lack of emotion. Via a real local radio interview, he tells us a harrowing story from his childhood. This animation serves as a visual element to him and the story - messy, tangled and abstract. Directed by Bhulla Beghal (UK)
