Watch 40+ films, meet directors, producers, actors in PERSON! We’ll present local, national and international productions. Enjoy premieres and AWARD winning films previously screened at other film festivals around the world.
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Watch films in THEATER or ONLINE
LIVE EVENT
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ONLINE EVENT here
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Each Block is $10
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That's how our festival looks like.
Join us and create another unforgettable event!
Promenade Playhouse, 1404 3rd St, Santa Monica, CA
Sat-Sun, August 14-15 we start at 1 PM.
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OFFICIAL SELECTION
2020-2021
FILMS & VIDEOS
Tickets
Block #1, Saturday, August 14
1:00 PM Screenings, 2:30 PM Q & A
Dolls don't die
Director Julie Prieur
in Women Directors (any genre)
Canada
9:40
Mia (5 years old) haven't seen her big sister since a long time. Her mom said she'll be back home when she'll eat again. So between dreams and memories, Mia start to cook, to bring her back.
SNEAK PEEK PREVIEW
Beckoned
Director Richard Zelniker
in Short Film (any genre), Short Drama
United States
18:22
On their way up to Bishop Falls to celebrate their anniversary, a young couple gets stranded on the road. Suddenly, their cell phones lose connection, their radio goes haywire-- their weekend trip turns into a nightmare as they must flee a horrifying apparition.
TRAILER
Burro
Directors Michael Forsch, Zak Fin
in Short Drama
United States
16:16
A gritty drama about a father and son trapped in a drug smuggling ring desperate to regain their freedom.
TRAILER
Last night at Airbnb
Director Ella Rogne
in Short Film (any genre)
Norway
13:43
Selma wanted a romantic weekend with her new boyfriend to explore their sexuality, but a visit to Airbnb evolves into a psychological game and suspicion. Who can she really trust?
Is it safe to rent at a strangers house?
TRAILER
A Mission
Director Skyler James Sandak
in Student
United States
12:30
While on his mission, a vengeful Mormon Elder is pushed to prove himself—but, true identities are revealed in the home of a retired Bishop. A Mission offers a small peek into the operations of the Mormon Church—but under the surface, it delves into the world of organized crime.
TRAILER
Things That Birds Say
Director Melissa Blue
in Short Drama
United States
11:45
Gretchen, a struggling therapist, is having a particularly difficult day. Fresh on the verge of a divorce, she fights to find the strength to support her clients when she can barely find the strength to support herself. When her client Vivian is having a particularly challenging day, the two must face off to provide the perspective they both need in order to move on with their lives.
SNEAK PEEK PREVIEW
approx 85 minutes of screenings
Block #2, Saturday, August 14
3:00 PM Screenings, 4:30 PM Q & A
As Is
Director Brock Spady
in New Filmmakers
United States
18:47
Freddie, a telegram delivery messenger, has no problem telling it like it is, unless it's about himself. When his self-embellishments get him in over his head with his dream girl, he's got to come clean and present himself 'as is'.
TRAILER
Precipice
Director Noel Davis Poyner
in Short Drama
United States
18:21
A grieving woman discovers an app that offers an unconventional method for alleviating her pain.
SNEAK PEEK PREVIEW
Go! Go!
Director Patradol Kitcharoen
in Student
United States
4:39
Aaron the alligator, who lives his entire life in a tank in an animal theme park, is fascinated by the fireworks that are displayed in the park every night. He has a dream to see the fireworks up close. One day, he accidentally gets loose and makes his way into the park looking for the fireworks. It is up to Sue, the zoo keeper and Harvey the park mascot to get him back into his cage before he gets taken down by the animal control officer.
TRAILER
Ghosted
Director Tracie Laymon
in Women Directors (any genre)
United States
14:57
A woman with a lot of baggage falls in love with a man haunted by his past. Literally.
TRAILER
Waking Up in Crazytown
Director Nathan Shelton
in Short Comedy
United States
6:20
A man wakes up after a one night stand to discover he's slept with a crazy woman.
SNEAK PEEK PREVIEW
BOTS
Director Steve Beta
in Short Film (any genre)
United States
16:33
BOTS (Bio Organic Tactile Surveillance) is a short film about a high-spirited woman named Toni who is tormented by an aggressive house fly that will not give her a moment's peace. Most people would not bother taking the time to hunt and a fly that invades their home but then again, Toni isn’t most people. Increasingly suspicious of the flies' unusual intelligence and uncharacteristic behavior, she finds an online article that denies the existence of insect drones. Unconvinced by the report labeling insect drones as nothing more than a conspiracy theory, Toni becomes single-minded in her goal to rid herself of this bug no matter the personal cost.
TRAILER
IRON&DIRT
Director Logan Donovan
in Short Film (any genre)
United States
5:52
She was all he ever wanted, He was her way out.
SNEAK PEEK PREVIEW
approx 88 minutes of screenings
Block #3, Saturday, August 14
5:00 PM Screenings, 6:30 PM Q & A
Down The Rabbit Hole
Director Yasser Nabil
in Short Drama, Los Angeles & Hollywood Filmmakers (any genre)
United States
13:08
A QAnon Insurrectionist breaks into Speaker of The House Nancy Pelosi's office during the January 6, 2021 Insurrection at the Capitol Building. His dislusional belief that he is saving America by winning back the presidency of Donald Trump conflicts with his emotional phone conversations with his ex-wife and daughter. Delusional conspiracies and the reality of his actions come to a disastrous end.
SNEAK PEEK PREVIEW
The Puzzle Designer's Proposal
Director Marc Muszynski
in Short Film (any genre)
United States
8:21
When Carla tries to figure out her boyfriend's elaborate puzzle proposal, they discover that there are still some things about their relationship left to solve.
SNEAK PEEK PREVIEW
Zinnia
Director Mike Byrd
in Short Drama
United States
9:00
A florist's life is changed by the secret of a mysterious stranger.
SNEAK PEEK PREVIEW
A Brief History of The Eyeroll
Director Kristyna Archer
in Women Directors (any genre)
United States
2:30
Kristyna Archer conceived, wrote, and directed this important historical film, to enlighten on how far back in time eyerolls have been recorded in history. Her thesis underscores they are clearly an INTEGRAL part of daily human interaction. Bahaha! Ok truthfully, how the creative mind works, it was birthed from a love for optical illusions that spiraled into a cheeky ironic fictional storyline about the history of eyerolls, and soon become a DISSERTATION on how eyerolls combat violence and make the world a better place in the most epically passive-aggressive way.
SNEAK PEEK PREVIEW
Has Been Hero
Director Johnny W Winningham
in Short Comedy
United States
26:20
“Fighting crime was easy, getting old is hard.” At least that’s what Jack Lee, retired postal worker and ex-crime fighter known as Major Justice thinks. Mostly forgotten by the public, bored and restless in retirement and feeling, now in the twilight of his years,
a sense of incompleteness. He yearns once more to jump into the fray.
TRAILER
Sousaphone—A tale of love, dreams, and music
Director Chris Preitauer
in California Filmmakers (any genre)
United States
7:37
Struggling to find love and friendship, Larry has a problem-solving dream
Disengagement
Director Cheston Kwan
in Los Angeles & Hollywood Filmmakers (any genre)
United States
8:33
A veteran with PTSD undergoes an experimental form of psychedelic therapy.
Fry
Director Tyler Cunningham
in Student
United States
4:10
The salmon have returned to their spawning grounds and left behind the next generation of their kind. One of this generation, however, is something of a late bloomer. Despite being pitifully puny compared to his brothers and sisters, he's about to prove that size doesn't matter.
TRAILER
Out of the cocoon
Director Maya Johanna Köbli
in Short Film (any genre)
Germany
6:35
Out of the cocoon“ is about a 9 year old girl who is given to a children's home by his dad. Even though, she never stops believing in stepping in her dead mother’s footprints as a ballerina. 20 years later, she fulfills her dream and meets her father by accident, after not seeing him for so long…
SNEAK PEEK PREVIEW
approx 89 minutes of screenings
Block #4, Saturday, August 14
7:00 PM Screenings, 8:30 PM Q & A
Monarch Butterfly
Director Clyde Baldo
in Short Film (any genre)
United States
16:39
What would you do and how far would you go to keep a loved one?
Beyond The Wishing Well
Director Isaac Bilmes
in Student
United States
12:46
Themes of love, loss, and legacy are explored through the eyes of a grieving mother, a former hospice nurse, and a 75-year-old man.
SNEAK PEEK PREVIEW
All is Well
Director Lauren Adams
in Short Comedy
United States
8:04
Two women try and hide a body in colonial America during the wee hours of the night, constantly interrupted by the town crier who desperately needs validation for his side hustle as a musician.
Hermit Crab
Director Elisa-Colette Chéradame
in Short Film (any genre)
Czech Republic
18:00
After locking himself into the car of a retired swimmer, a holiday's telephone salesman, who took the habit to break into his customer's house to try their life, find a recording of a life coach.
TRAILER
Birthday Call
Director Wen Shi
in Student
6:51
Franklin buys a strawberry cake for himself on his 70th birthday. Before blowing out the candle, he makes a series of phone calls to his family and friends.
The Audition
Director Eric Liberacki
in Short Drama
United States
17:30
Tony Mendes is a Latino actor who doesn't fit the Hollywood stereotype. He has to go to great lengths to get casting directors to look beyond the surface to notice his talent.
approx 81 minutes of screenings
Block #1, Sunday, August 15
1:00 PM Screenings, 2:30 PM Q & A
Dubicel
Directors Yashira Jordan, Igor Gopkalo Streiff
in Women Directors (any genre)
Argentina
9:18
Dubicel is a cosmic child who lives caged in a galactic dome since the day he was born and wants to open the walls that imprison him to discover what is beyond see the stars and dream a new world. Despite having the gift of materializing mysterious objects of his dreams, he can not find the one that allows him to open the window of his dome until one of them gives him the key to be able to reach what he needs. But this one is not an object. It is a living being.
This short film has been made by Ecological recycling art.
《Childhoods died in Summer》
Director 刘渝杉
in Short Film (any genre)
China
12:00
About how kids grow up. About my childhood. About class and how I lost my summer.
Basic
Director Chelsea Devantez
in Short Comedy, Women Directors (any genre)
United States
3:03
BASIC is a very short film about a stupid lil' ho doin lil' ho things. It's 2 minutes and 45 seconds long. The short stars Nelson Franklin, who you’ll recognize from starring in Veep, Blackish, and Abby's, and it also stars his real life wife, Georgia Mischak, who you’ve seen in Arrested Development and Love. The other actor in the film is also the writer and director of the project, Chelsea Devantez, who currently writes for Bless This Mess on ABC, and has previously written for The Opposition with Jordan Klepper on Comedy Central, The Gong Show on ABC, The Jon Stewart HBO show, and Abby’s on NBC.
Be There
Director Stephen P. Davis
in Short Drama, Student
United States
14:28
Allen's fiance Emily suddenly passes away in an accident that he blames himself over. He is stricken with grief and depression, and doesn't know how to come to terms with this new reality. Allen's Half-Brother Nick pays him a visit after not speaking for 3 years and wants to put their personal issues aside so he can be there for him.
TRAILER
Breaking and Entering: Women of the LAPD
Director Eleanor T. Blake
in Short Documentary
United States
23:19
Breaking and Entering profiles three groundbreaking women as they change the culture of law enforcement in Los Angeles.
SNEAK PEEK PREVIEW
Silent Ties
Director George Leontakianakos
in Short Drama
Greece
7:00
It is All Souls’ Day and Yorgos communicates with his dead mother just before making the biggest decision in his life.
THE BET
Director Tian He
in Short Film (any genre), California Filmmakers (any genre)
United States
18:40
A father out of jail, comes to the pool to see his son, and tries to change their relationship by making a bet.
approx 89 minutes of screenings
Block #2, Sunday, August 15
3:00 PM Screenings, 4:30 PM Q & A
THE DESECRATED
Director John Gray
in Short Film (any genre)
United States
7:48
A young morgue attendant working the night shift encounters an unwelcome visitor.
Silicon Caesar - Short Film
Director Chuck Griffith
in Short Film (any genre), California Filmmakers (any genre), Los Angeles & Hollywood Filmmakers (any genre)
United States
15:00
A megalomaniac CEO is fatally usurped the night before a new A.I. product release.
TRAILER
What about Us?
Director Sarah Stouffer
in Short Drama
United States
8:00
Sarah wrestles with a decision: is it responsible to carry a child for a couple who seemingly has it all when there are so many already here who need our help?
SNEAK PEEK PREVIEW
The Balloonmurderer
Directors Sven Knüppel, Mathis Menneking
in Short Film (any genre)
Germany
20:00
A dead seabird is found at the Shore of the north Sea Coast. Was it an accident? was it murder? Or is their more than meet the eyes? The Detectives Eggers and Lenni (two seagulls) Tale the case!
Subtitles in German, English, Japanese, French, Spanish, Chinese and Russian.
TRAILER
Dear Daisy
Director Connor Trees
in Student
United States
11:16
Graham and Daisy have to lay everything on the table in order to take a step towards mending their estranged relationship.
Surrendering Nina
Submitter Jeremy Jung
in Student
United States
9:48
"Surrendering Nina" is a narrative short film that portrays the beauty and disorder of modern underground rave culture through the tale of Nina, a part-time bartender who finds herself overindulging in drug use when she meets a new friend named Paige.
approx 81 minutes of screenings
Block #3, Sunday, August 15
5:00 PM Screenings, 6:30 PM Q & A
The Hunt
Director Jean-Pierre Dupuy
in Short Drama
France
20:00
One day in November 1973, a father takes his eight-year-old son hunting for the first time
White Rope
Director Mriidu Khosla
in Short Film (any genre)
India
12:10
White Rope is a rescue story of Keme - a slaughterhouse goat, by an innocent boy who is yet to understand the concept of religion, god and sacrifices in a country like India, where communities are closely bound to their cultural roots, not knowing much of the deteriorating impact it has on nature.
The Train to Qinling
Director Shir Baron
in Student
United States
2:30
A Middle-Eastern traveler gets lost on a train in China with no one else but a Panda! She must learn to communicate with him in order to find the adventure she was looking for in an unexpected way.
Canal
Directors Piers Hunt, Michael Jinks
in Short Drama
United Kingdom
17:00
Marnie's journey home takes an unusual turn.
Before 9pm
Director Yiran Chen
in Student
6:02
A security guard wants to get off work early to catch his son’s birthday party but is held back by a homeless kid lingering in the building.
Just Another Summer
Director Ryan Little
in Short Film (any genre)
United States
20:00
A short Film about three adopted brothers who reunite every summer at their mom's motel in Joshua Tree. This summer they meet someone along the way that could change everything.
TRAILER
approx 78 minutes of screenings
OFFICIAL SELECTION
SCREENPLAYS
Autocorrect
Writer natalie drayer
in Script / Screenplay
United States
Youth & Age Flower
Writer András Attila Farkas
in Script / Screenplay
Hungary
In Your Skin
Writer Tina Steffan
in Script / Screenplay
Germany
Reject
Writer Lara Amersey
in Script / Screenplay
Canada
Out On A Limb
Writer Antoinette Fernandez
in Script / Screenplay
LULLABY (3_30_21)
Writer Tak Inagaki
in Script / Screenplay
United States
Travelling Saleswoman
Writer Alexandra Engelson
in Script / Screenplay
United States
*Not all films from the list will be screened
online.
The Awards Ceremony is cancelled.
Results will be announced online within
7 days after the festival.
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