SHORTS BLOCK 9: Student Showcase, Part One
19 min -- “O Jogo” by Pedro Coutinho: After an argument during a road trip to the countryside, Julia and Fred begin a sexual game with definitive consequences for their relationship and their lives. (Brazil)
12 min -- "Methel Island" by Meg Smaker: A peacock, a musical number on meth, and a trash full of condoms - Welcome to Methel Island. This island in the delta 45 minutes east of San Francisco is infested with crystal meth. In the film we explore this lost island and its inhabitants.
05 min -- “Liberty” by Lanzhuan Jian: It is a typical day in Los Angeles for a typical immigrant at a typical job seeking the American Dream. Jose Guadalupe wants to climb the ranks of his humble insurance sales job, but his ruthless rival Xavier Jose will stop at nothing to get there first. Jose Guadalupe must decide if he will follow in the footsteps of America's past and fight for justice, Honor and Liberty. (Student film)
12 min -- “Bridgetown” by Bryan Tosh: A drug addicted and despondent father, Peter Abbott, awakens from a haze of heroin to find his only daughter is getting married. In an attempt to connect with her father one last time, Emily Abbott sets up a meeting, only to see that nothing has changed. Peter must choose to either continue his path of destruction or become again the father he once was.
13 min -- “Paper Wrap Fire” by Raymond Yeung: A Chinese teenager is left alone in a Community Center where he encounters a handsome man which leads to a discovery that shatters his innocence.
11 min -- “Chimera” by Luka Pascalicchio: In apocalyptic world, Allen, a man with a free will measuring machine, is determined to find someone who can score over 8%. His sister brings in a mentally challenged patient. Allen understands only the insane can display true free will, and when people from outside are about to break in, he has to go down the rabbit hole in order to find existence. Maybe being free simply means being crazy.
06 min -- “How to Avoid Annoying People” by Ariel Nasser: Hand-drawn animation uses sarcasm and irony to criticize social behaviors such as self-centered small talk. Within a narrative structure punctuated by an infomercial announcer, this comical film reveals the harassment endured by a plane traveler as he endures verbal barrage from a fellow passenger. (Animated)
