Charter Arts
NMIH
Touchstone
Charter Arts
NMIH
Touchstone
NMIH
Touchstone
VENUE: CHARTER ARTS | 321 E. 3RD ST.
Comedy Block 2 Time: 5:20pm
Boomerang directed by Rylee Jean Ebsen
2022 | 13 minutes | narrative short
After losing her job, a flailing millennial is forced to move back into her childhood bedroom and navigate life with her dysfunctional parents. Determined to take on a lover, she re-connects with a middle school crush.
Falls Cry directed by Joshua Wann
2023 | 6 minutes | narrative short
A story about one boy, living on one block, in one crazy world.
Period Drama directed by Anushka Tina Nair and Lauryn Anthony
2022 | 2 minutes | animated short
In Victorian-era England, highly precocious and imaginative eleven-year-old Georgiana Crimsworth is up late enjoying a good book. She suddenly experiences cramps and finds blood on her sheets. Not having received the talk yet, she doesn’t understand that this is her first period, and she thinks she’s dying. Her imagination runs amok as she searches for answers among sins and deadly disease, and fears the worst for what this means for herself and for her family.
Cherry directed by Kate Stanley Brennan
2021 | 18 minutes | narrative short
Cherry’s Mum has big dreams for her 7 year old football fan to win the Xtravadance Dance Championship, when a rival encounter has an unexpected outcome.
Troy directed by Mike Donahue
2022 | 16 minutes | Narrative Short
Troy has loud sex. Troy has loud sex 24-7. Troy shares a wall with Thea and Charlie. Troy is ruining their lives… or is he saving them? A darkly comedic tale of New York neighbors, the ways in which we become interwoven with the lives of strangers, and the unexpected consequences of unasked-for intimacy.
Cat and Moth directed by India Barnardo
2022 | 7 minutes | animated short
A fluffy white cat wants nothing more than to find the most comfortable spot in the universe, but little does she know someone else has their eye on it too.
Everything I Learned When My House Burned Down directed by Joe Pickett
2022 | 9 minutes | Comedy short
Comedian Jacy Catlin was living the simple life in his remote log cabin in rural Wisconsin, eking out a living as a comedy writer and self-producing numerous comedy shorts. One fateful February, on the coldest day of the year, a fire in his wood stove spread out of control, and the house and all of his family’s belongings were destroyed. After the smoke had cleared, he returned to his former home to shoot one last comedy film.
VENUE: NMIH | 602 E. 2ND ST.
Animation Block 1 | Time: 5:20pm
Friendly Fire directed by Tom Koryto Blumen
2022 | 6 minutes | animated short
A friendly soccer game between an Israeli soldier and a Palestinian boy that takes place on the West Bank barrier starts to escalate into an uneven battle. The film was painted frame by frame on the wall and become part of the ongoing conflict by staining the wall with over a hundred liters of paint.
Garrano directed by Vasco Sá and David Doutel
2022 | 14 minutes | animated short
A Garrano horse is forced to pull a heavy load under a blazing sun. Young boy Joel discovers a man who is about to set a forest on fire.
Beyond the Fringe directed by Han Tang, Costanza Baj, and Giulia Zanette
2022 | 5 minutes | Animated Short
In a quiet evening, an intriguing little paper figure magically emerges from a notebook. At first, it was full of curiosity and excitement. But soon, when the little paper figure suddenly discovers just how small and fragile and alone it is in this big, foreign world, fear sets in and causes it to crumble up. The little paper figure dives into its unconsciousness to discover where it came from and finds the strength to make the tough decision to rip itself from the paper where it came from in order to explore the world beyond. This is a coming-of-age story about leaving home.
fur directed by Zhen Li
2022 | 7 minutes | animated short
a crush gone moldy…
Broken directed by Farzaneh Omidvarnia
2023 | 17 minutes | animated short
Everything is peaceful, until an unknown aggressor repeatedly breaks the living room window glass…
Balcony Cacophony directed by Quentin Haberham
2023 | 5 minutes | animated short
When a rich lady with a passion for topiary must swap her mansion with lush gardens for a tiny council flat, she finds it difficult to cope with her new neighbour and his strange hobbies.
The Record directed by Jonathan Laskar
2022 | 9 minutes | animated short
An antique music instrument dealer recieves a magical vinyle record from a traveller: “It reads your mind and plays your lost memories”. Obsessed by this endless record, the antique dealer listens to it again and again, and the memories reemerge until one last and most painful memory is revealed: how he got separated from his mother on the Swiss border during World War II.
Lipstick of the Brave directed by Bill Plympton
2022 | 6 minutes | animated short
Lipstick of the Brave represents the animated journey of Madstone Rowan, composer and performer, as they find inspiration in the rock and pop music which inspired them to move beyond the gender binary and embrace their non-binary self. Through Bill Plympton’s poignant animation, homage is paid to the songs and artists that lifted Madstone on their journey as the film seeks to connect with the audience in a way that inspires the viewer to see their own sense of personal power as a part of a world that collectively embraces all expressions of gender and sexuality. The animation is set to the music written and sung by Madstone Rowan.
Sixteen King’s Daughters directed by Anne H Beal
2021 | 4 minutes | animated short
‘Sixteen Kings’ Daughters’ tells the story of a young woman who turns the tables on a malicious intruder. Contrary to most Appalachian murder ballads, in this one, the woman prevails!
New Moon directed by Jeff Le Bars and Jérémie Balais
2022 | 11 minutes | Animated short
An imaginative surrealist journey of young Jay Jay and his mother Edie. Their inner city dreams are illuminated by the New Moon accompanied by magic of Aretha Franklin playing on a summer’s eve on a transistor radio in a backyard in West Philadelphia.
VENUE: TOUCHSTONE | 321 E. 4TH ST.
LGBTQ Block 1 Time: 5:20pm
Troy directed by Mike Donahue
2022 | 16 minutes | Narrative Short
Troy has loud sex. Troy has loud sex 24-7. Troy shares a wall with Thea and Charlie. Troy is ruining their lives… or is he saving them? A darkly comedic tale of New York neighbors, the ways in which we become interwoven with the lives of strangers, and the unexpected consequences of unasked-for intimacy.
Pipes directed by Kilian Feusi, Jessica Meier, and Sujanth Ravichandran
2022 | 4 minutes | animated short
Bob the plumber is hired to fix a broken pipe & lands to his surprise in a gay fetish club.
Thriving: A Dissociated Reverie directed by Nicole Bazuin
2022 | 10 minutes | narrative short
Thriving: A Dissociated Reverie is a surrealist exploration of dissociative identity disorder (DID) based on the lived experience of Black, non-binary, disabled emerging multidisciplinary performance artist and former sex worker Kitoko Mai. Grappling with their DID diagnosis while attempting to survive capitalism, we meet a range of “alters” (alternate personalities) representing the various emotional states of Mai, the “system host.” Featuring a tour-de-force performance by Mai, Thriving is directed by Nicole Bazuin (Modern Whore, SXSW 2020), and co-written/co-produced by Mai and Bazuin, alongside sex worker advocate and author Andrea Werhun. This visually striking film lensed by Ashley Iris Gill is complete with lush animations by Society of Illustrators triple-gold-medallist Dylan Glynn. Thriving was created with the generous support of the Canada Council for the Arts and the Toronto Arts Council.
Too Rough directed by Sean Lìonadh
2022 | 15 minutes | narrative short
After a night of intoxication, a hungover and hysterical Nick wakes up next to his boyfriend Charlie and must conceal him from his own homophobic and dysfunctional family.
Boundless directed by David Chai
2022 | 10 minutes | animated short
Come swim with us through the limitless pools of our trans and nonbinary spirits.
North Star directed by P.J. Palmer
2021 | 30 minutes | narrative short
A rural rancher and his ailing husband, struggling against poverty and isolation, make a heartbreaking decision in order to preserve the dignity of their marriage in the face of mounting pressures from relatives.
Lipstick of the Brave directed by Bill Plympton
2022 | 6 minutes | animated short
Lipstick of the Brave represents the animated journey of Madstone Rowan, composer and performer, as they find inspiration in the rock and pop music which inspired them to move beyond the gender binary and embrace their non-binary self. Through Bill Plympton’s poignant animation, homage is paid to the songs and artists that lifted Madstone on their journey as the film seeks to connect with the audience in a way that inspires the viewer to see their own sense of personal power as a part of a world that collectively embraces all expressions of gender and sexuality. The animation is set to the music written and sung by Madstone Rowan.
VENUE: CHARTER ARTS | 321 E. 3RD ST.
Time: 7:20pm
Bottle Conditioned directed by Jerry Franck
2022 | 82 minutes | documentary feature
Originally from Luxembourg, Academy Award® nominated filmmaker Jerry Franck explores the small Belgian community where lambic beer—one of the oldest, rarest styles of beer—is made. A cultural heritage almost lost after WWII, lambic is on the rise again today. “Bottle Conditioned” is an intimate documentary that goes beyond the beer and dives deeper into the lives of the people creating it, exploring universal themes of running a multigenerational family business, expanding upon tradition, and meeting expectations from consumers worldwide. The film follows three of the most revered lambic producers at a pivotal point in time, where each grapple with the growing demand for their beers and how it affects their personal relationships.
VENUE: NMIH | 602 E. 2ND ST.
Drama Block Time: 7:20pm
The Voice in Isabel Fleiss’ Office directed by Jim Haverkamp
2022 | 6 minutes | narrative short
A woman with an unusual malady–cobweb buildup in the throat–receives an even more unusual treatment in this adaptation of a surreal poem by North Carolina writer Virgil Renfroe.
Villain directed by Sparky Tehnsuko
2023 | 10 minutes | narrative short
After a dragon destroys young Georgia’s home, she journeys to its lair to enact violent revenge but instead finds an innocent child in the cave. When the dragon then returns, Georgia must reckon with the price of vengeance.
I Have No Tears, And I Must Cry directed by Luis Fernando Puente
2022 | 13 minutes | narrative short
Maria Luisa is ready to escape immigration limbo, but when her greencard interview takes an unexpected turn, she faces the anxiety of losing the life she had planned.
Decorator directed by Ramil Muradov and Nadir Aliyev
2019 | 6 minutes | narrative short
The existing classical and mythic characters have been adapted to modern times in this film. The Decorator (he is “Satan”) is busy building his own scenery near his workshop. A small object is falling from this decoration. Meanwhile a passing by street musician (he is the “Chosen one”, an innocent Prophet) kicks it by leg and the subject slips forward to the middle of the road.
Burial directed by Mariel Iezzoni
2023 | 16 minutes | narrative short
Teenage siblings, Jade and Mason, are struggling to care for their terminally-ill mother. Money is tight, insurance isn’t an option, and Pat is suffering. This film begins on the day these two teenagers decide to help Pat with a more merciful death, but the cost is they must deal with what remains.
Hurricane directed by JLee MacKenzie
2020 | 19 minutes | narrative short
As a young girl grapples with her mother’s absence, a chance encounter with a woman coping with the loss of her son creates an unlikely friendship.
North Star directed by P.J. Palmer
2021 | 30 minutes | narrative short
A rural rancher and his ailing husband, struggling against poverty and isolation, make a heartbreaking decision in order to preserve the dignity of their marriage in the face of mounting pressures from relatives.
VENUE: TOUCHSTONE | 321 E. 4TH ST.
Time: 7:20pm
Elephant 6 Recording Company directed by C.B. Stockfleth
2022 | 93 minutes | documentary feature
In the 1990s, cheap rent and big houses in Athens, GA helped incubate bands Olivia Tremor Control, Neutral Milk Hotel, Elf Power, and many more. This psychedelic rock music, often created by non-musicians and recorded on creaky 4-tracks, developed a loyal following who shared cassette tapes and 45s and packed into raucous live shows. Featuring pioneers Robert Schneider and Jeff Mangum, performances, and video clips, this brisk-paced rock doc charts the genesis of that uber-creative, DIY music scene and captures its electricity and joy.
VENUE: CHARTER ARTS | 321 E. 3RD ST.
Animation Block 2 Time: 9:20pm
Regular Rabbit directed by Eoin Duffy
2022 | 8 minutes | animated short
With story and visuals purposefully separated, a Regular Rabbit battles a comically absurd onslaught of disinformation. He is not the nightmare being told. He is as shown, a regular ol’ stupid rabbit doing his usual rabbit stuff! The narrator is full of s#!t!! How is this so hard to believe?! Fake news!! Where’s the evidence?! Agh!!! He is nothing more than a Regular Rabbit!
Corvine directed by Sean McCarron
2022 | 11 minutes | animated short
An eccentric boy has trouble fitting in at school due to his obsession with crows.
Boundless directed by David Chai
2022 | 10 minutes | animated short
Come swim with us through the limitless pools of our trans and nonbinary spirits.
The Most Boring Granny in the Whole World directed by Damaris Zielke
2022 | 7 minutes | animated short
Greta has the most boring grandma in the whole world. When she falls asleep on the sofa, Greta gets the idea, to play funeral with her grandma. This confronts them with some questions they didn’t ask themselves before. Because what remains when you have to leave life behind?
Andy: A Dog’s Tale directed by Jamy Wheless
2021 | 8 minutes | Animated Short
An uplifting story of how one puppy overcomes a series of obstacles to find his purpose in life.
Cat and Moth directed by India Barnardo
2022 | 7 minutes | animated short
A fluffy white cat wants nothing more than to find the most comfortable spot in the universe, but little does she know someone else has their eye on it too.
Something Fishy directed by Christina Woo
2022 | 4 minutes | animated short
Sara is getting ready to go on a date with her new boyfriend, but Jessica, Sara’s pet goldfish, notices something not quite right about him.
Period Drama directed by Anushka Tina Nair and Lauryn Anthony
2022 | 2 minutes | animated short
In Victorian-era England, highly precocious and imaginative eleven-year-old Georgiana Crimsworth is up late enjoying a good book. She suddenly experiences cramps and finds blood on her sheets. Not having received the talk yet, she doesn’t understand that this is her first period, and she thinks she’s dying. Her imagination runs amok as she searches for answers among sins and deadly disease, and fears the worst for what this means for herself and for her family.
How to Rig an Election:The Racist History of the 1876 Presidential Contest directed by Emily Kunstler and Sarah Kunstler
2022 | 7 minutes | documentary short
The most hotly contested election in U.S. history took place in 1876 and ended in a “compromise” that permitted racism and racist violence to become more deeply embedded in our nation’s culture and politics in ways that are still felt to this day.
Plausible Audio directed by David Pierce
2021 | 5 minutes | animated short
When your new audiobook subscription is some guy making up stories as he goes along.
Fiesta Blood directed by Elena Fazio
2022 | 2 minutes | animated short
An avenging piñata is fighting back against the brutality of birthday party piñata murder on a mission to save his fellow brethren.
VENUE: NMIH | 602 E. 2ND ST.
Time: 9:20pm
King on Screen directed by Daphné Baiwir
2022 | 75 minutes | documentary feature
1976, Brian de Palma directs Carrie, the first novel by Stephen King. Since, more than 50 directors adapted the master of horror’s books, in more than 80 films and series, making him now, the most adapted author still alive in the world.
VENUE: TOUCHSTONE | 321 E. 4TH ST.
Time: 9:20pm
The Record directed by Jonathan Laskar
2022 | 9 minutes | animated short
An antique music instrument dealer recieves a magical vinyle record from a traveller: “It reads your mind and plays your lost memories”. Obsessed by this endless record, the antique dealer listens to it again and again, and the memories reemerge until one last and most painful memory is revealed: how he got separated from his mother on the Swiss border during World War II.
Pistoleros: Death, Drugs and Rock n’ Roll directed by Steven B Esparza
2022 | 63 minutes | documentary feature
Pistoleros is the inspiring true story of brothers Mark and Lawrence Zubia. Musicians from an early age. The brothers formed several bands at the forefront of the 1990’s Tempe music scene made famous by Billboard charting artists such as Gin Blossoms and The Refreshments. Despite landing a million dollar major label record deal, Mark and Lawrence’s fortunes were repeatedly tested by alcoholism, suicide and opioid addiction.
VENUE: FRANK BANKO ALEHOUSE CINEMAS AT STEELSTACKS | 101 FOUNDERS WAY
Time: 11pm
What a Trip! directed by Collin Kornfeind
2022 | 15 minutes | comedy short
Two downtrodden strangers go on a vision quest to cure their depression but end up trying to figure out why they have matching visions of a manic, talking wolf-bear named Kevin.
We Forgot About the Zombies directed by Chris McInroy
2022 | 4 minutes | narrative short
Two dudes think they found the cure for zombie bites.
Satanic Hispanics directed by Alejandro Brugués, Mike Mendez, and Demián Rugna
2022 | 105 minutes | Horror feature
A police raid takes place on a mystery location where a brutal massacre has happened and only one survivor remains. Taken into custody, the mysterious man has some strange tales to tell whilst the clock ticks down to a deadline that the man says will be the end of them all.