Shorts Program 6: Imagination Spotlight

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Sunday, November 19, 2017 – 2:00 PM

Shorts Program 6: Imagination Spotlight

Our final shorts program of 2017 features four short films that stretch the limit of imagination, providing fantastical yet realistic viewpoints.

See How Easy That Was? (8 mins), Holly’s Girl (9 mins), Rebirth (12 mins), Mismatch and Lighter (17 mins)

See How Easy That Was? (8 mins)

A distressed young man is startled when he finds a hobo in an alley.

Holly’s Girl (9 mins)

Holly’s Girl is about breaking down the stereotypical image of an eating disorder and exposing the real story. The story of the other being who takes control over our lives and breaks us down until we feel worthless. This is the reality. The reality that I and many other women know all too well.

Rebirth (12 mins)

A young woman gets her beauty and vanity taken by a masked figure.

Mismatch and Lighter (17 mins)

A quirky therapist takes it upon herself to play matchmaker to all her unsuspecting clients.

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Shorts Program 5: Inventive Spotlight

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Sunday, November 19, 2017 – 12:00 PM

Shorts Program 5: Inventive Spotlight

The jury placed these four films together because each takes a fresh, inventive look at the world.  Whether based firmly in reality, set in a near dreamscape, or with a foot on each side, these films represent the inventive work of seasoned, intelligent filmmakers.

One More (8 mins), The Faceless Man (13 mins), The Pooka (15 mins), Transmission (18 mins)

One More (8 mins)

Moving into college is a big step for both a single mother and her only child.

The Faceless Man (13 mins)

An offbeat fable about a disillusioned man who discovers his face has transformed into a mirror and must venture out into the world to reclaim his identity.

The Pooka (15 mins)

In a desperate attempt to aid a lost soul, a benevolent oversized rabbit must find a way to rekindle a forgotten spark.

Transmission (18 mins)

Welcome To Britannia. Together We Stand Alone.

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Shorts Program 4: Creativity Spotlight

Saturday, November 18, 2017 – 8:00 PM

Shorts Program 4: Creativity Spotlight

Our jury was incredibly impressed by the creativity shown in these four short films.  Three are narrative films and one is a documentary, and all four bring you a level of creativity that you wish was coming out of Hollywood.

A Scream That’s Trapped Inside (15 mins), A Meditation (16 mins), From Ashes to Immortality (23 mins), Sound of the Future: Haiti (19 mins)

 

A Scream That’s Trapped Inside (15 mins)

Mara comes back home from her boyfriend’s funeral to experience a mind game full of guilt. Jake, her boyfriend, prepared a scavenger game and placed some notes around the house that lead to an anniversary present.

A Meditation (16 mins)

A man who is a little lost finds himself connecting with a surprising woman who shows up to buy the DVR he is selling on Craigslist.

From Ashes to Immortality (23 mins)

A dark, human story about an innocent girl, a disturbed father, a troubled neighbor, and a tale of magic.

Sound of the Future: HAITI (19 mins)

This film follows the story of the most well known modern Haitian musician, Michael Brun, as he takes it upon himself to show his fellow countrymen that Haiti is worth fighting for.

Shorts Program 3: Millikan Middle School Spotlight

Saturday, November 18, 2017 – 6:00 PM

Shorts Program 3 – Millikan Middle School Spotlight

These seven wonderful short films all come to us from the Cinematic Arts Academy at Millikan Middle School in Sherman Oaks.  Come see the future of filmmaking!

Some Bunny’s Story (4 mins), Anastasia (5 mins), Full Circle (4 mins), Us. (4 mins), Joya Mia (6 mins), Mouse Mess (7 mins), Hope (4 mins)

Some Bunny’s Story (4 mins)

When a young girl receives a toy bunny, it becomes more precious to her than she ever imagined.

Anastasia| Herschey Liss (5 mins)

When Studying on her own fails her she goes to Lucy for help, and begins to learn English and also makes a new friend.

Full Circle (4 mins)

A boy named Pablo realizes he left his homework on a train and his homework journeys around the city to his classroom.

Us. (4 mins)

A brief and positive telling of America’s history using clay and stop motion animation.

Joya Mia (6 mins)

Julia grows up with a fierce bond with her grandfather, and as she gets older, so does he – and his memory is disappearing. One day he sees Julia as a complete stranger, and that devastates her, and must learn how to cope the best way she can.

Mouse Mess (7 mins)

A woman has to rise to the challenge of dealing with a stranger in her midst.

Hope (4 mins)

Moving documentary about how music and hope inspired a young cancer survivor.

Shorts Program 2: Daring Spotlight

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Friday, November 17, 2017 – 8:30 PM

Shorts Program 2: Daring Spotlight

Each of these three short films struck our jury as daring works of art.  These filmmakers are not afraid to take risks.

I Cherish Women (4 mins), Letters (13 mins), Chatsworth (19 mins)

I Cherish Women (4 mins)

I Cherish Women packs a powerful political punch in four minutes. Thirty artists and activists unite to deliver a bold statement to, “defend human rights and right human wrongs in the Trump era.”

Letters (13 mins)

Bereavement is something that is inevitable. However, the mental illness that may arise from it seems to be an unspoken issue in our society. How do we deal with it?

Chatsworth (19 mins)

Deep in the San Fernando Valley, Foster is struggling to finish writing his latest musical while Danica works for her abusive movie producer boyfriend. Will they both achieve their dreams… together? With a little help from their “friends” they just might make it.
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Shorts Program 1: Suspense Spotlight

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Friday, November 17, 2017 – 7:00 PM

Shorts Program 1: Suspense Spotlight

Is there anything better than watching a film and having no idea how it is going to end?  It’s called suspense.  All three of these short films struck our jury as suspenseful and satisfying.

Immersion (7 mins), Tirachinas (Slingshot) (17 mins), See Yourself Out (22 mins)

Immersion (7 mins)

A man mysteriously finds himself in a room with a couple dead guys, a gun, some money, and a dubious gentleman observing from the shadows. Little does he know that he’s in a VR parole hearing, and what happens next is “virtually” criminal.

Tirachinas (Slingshot) (17 mins)

A rock fired by a slingshot unfolds an avalanche of emotions, effecting three couples as they explore some of humans’ most animalistic desires.

See Yourself Out (22 mins)

When unforeseen circumstances throw Wallace and Reggie into each other’s orbit, they discover that they share an unhealthy common ground.

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SOFF 2016 Winner Eli Stern Interviewed on Podcast

Eli Stern won a Grand Jury Prize in 2016 for his short film Whiskey Sour. He sat down with festival programmer Jeff Howard to talk about the process he went through from script to festival.  Eli has more than a few surprises. Learn more about Eli and Discover Film by clicking here.

You can listen to the podcast through iTunes/iOS App, Google Play, SoundCloud, or Stitcher.

FILA programmer Jeff Howard hosts a podcast called, “Discover Film” featuring interviews with filmmakers from the festival circuit.