Short Films Program: Friend Or Foe

Synopsis

This year’s Short Films Program will remind you to call your friends… assuming Mother Nature (or a parking enforcement officer) doesn’t get you first! These hilarious and occasionally hair-raising tales of friends, foes, and frenemies depict dubious alliances that transcend barriers and challenge our assumptions. A young girl and an old sailor at the turn of the century, a nefarious owl, a mother who seemingly has it all, two robbers having a rough day, an adorable raccoon, and our other protagonists and antagonists all have to navigate situations that weren’t in the guidebook. If they’re lucky, they’ll find out who their real friends are before it’s too late.

Bilby

Directed by Pierre Perifel, JP Sans, and Liron Topaz.

In the Australian Outback, a hungry bilby reluctantly finds himself trying to protect a helpless young chick. 8 min; Shortlisted for an Academy Award for Best Animated Short.

Level 4

Directed by Charles Copsey

Two first-time criminals find themselves out of luck when their getaway vehicle is clamped up in a multi-story car park. UK. 4 min; Best Short Comedy, Athens Short Film Festival.

Raccoon and the Light

Directed by Hanna Kim

A raccoon finds a flashlight in the woods. USA. 4 min; Gold Medal for Animation, Student Academy Awards.

The Brownlist

Directed by Ryan W. Garcia and Kelly Walker

Writer and star Ursula Taherian takes a series of increasingly desperate measures in her journey to become diverse… enough. USA. 6 min; Jury Award, Best Short Film, Bentonville Film Festival; Official Selection, Cinequest Film & Creativity Festival.

Peggy

Directed by Justin O’Neal Miller

Seemingly perfect Peggy finds her social graces put to the test at her eight-year-old son’s birthday party. USA. 12 min; Audience Award, Best Short, Calgary International Film Festival; Best in Show — Short Film, Rome International Film Festival.

The Box

Directed by Eliott Belrose, Carole Favier, Loïcia Lagillier, Aloïs Mathé, Juliette Perrey, and Joran Rivet

An old man tries to evict a mouse from his home, only to discover that it’s not as simple a task as it seems. France. 7 min; Best Short Film For Children, Anima Brussels Animation Film Festival.

The Final Show

Directed by Dana Nachman

We meet Betty Schwartz in the last 2 minutes of her life. After she loses consciousness, she wakes up in The Between, where she must make the hardest decision of her (after)life. USA. 10 min; Audience Award, Best Comedy Short, Woods Hole Film Festival.

Mice, a Small Story

Directed by Jade Baillargeault

In a dark subway tunnel, a group of mice find a mysterious gold pull-tab and embark on a Tolkien-esque quest. A scheming owl sends his army of rats to retrieve this strange object. France. 5 min; Short of the Week; Official Selection, Effects Stars International Special Effects Festival.

White Guys Solve Sexism

Directed by Christopher Guerrero

After the Harvey Weinstein scandal breaks, two men are horrified to discover that all of their favorite movies were made by The Weinstein Company. USA. 6 min; Best Dark Comedy, Portland Comedy Film Festival; Official Selection, Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

One Cambodian Family Please For My Pleasure

Directed by A.M. Lukas

Czechoslovakian refugee Franka reaches out to the Lutheran Refugee Service in hopes of welcoming a family like hers to a new life in Fargo. Starring Emily Mortimer. USA. 13 min; Nominee for Short Film Grand Jury Prize, Sundance Film Festival.

Age of Sail

Directed by John Kahrs

When an old sailor adrift and alone in the North Atlantic reluctantly rescues Lara, who has mysteriously fallen overboard from her ship, he finds redemption and hope in his darkest hours. 12 min; Shortlisted for a 2019 Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.