2023 Selected Films

---

Hope Overcomes Everything

YOUTH SHORT

Ukraine

2:16

Director: Anastasia Shinkarenko (age 10)

The story of the bullfinch who watched St. Nicholas.

The Adventures of a Snail

YOUTH SHORT

Croatia

5:27

Director: Patrik Šimunović (age 13)

The hybrid film "The Adventures of a Snail" tells the story of a snail that goes towards its favorite food, greens. On his way he meets various animals. His path is only two meters long. With this film, we wanted to draw attention to the fact that children today cannot hold their attention for long. Internet and other contents change very quickly. We wanted to show that like a slow snail, long shots can be interesting and not just quick and sudden changes of shots. Also, with the film, we wanted to draw children's attention to the beauty of the nature that surrounds us. On his way, the snail meets a rooster, a frog and a mosquito while the birds sitting on the wire watch him.

Water Lullaby

YOUTH SHORT

Poland

3:39

Director: Piotr Kaźmierczak (age 16)

Stop motion, animated with sand, official video clip to "Water Lullaby" song from the "Waterduction" album by a famous Polish folk music band "Warsaw Village Band". The production of the film took 6 months.

World Cup

FOREIGN SHORT

Iran

17:42

Director: Maryam Khodabakhsh

On the night of a couple's migration, the child of their friend who has been entrusted to them gets lost, and then a secret is revealed ...

Crossroads

STUDENT SHORT

Israel

14:38

Director: Ayala Ofir

Life is full of crossroads.
The Rimmel family never imagined that they would encounter such a crossroads – one in which the path they must choose, despite the difficulties, is life itself.
This film is a brief glimpse into the life of this family – a family for whom the expression "growth through crisis" is not a cliché, but their very way of life.
It is a family who perseveres, endures, and from a place of deep faith insists on choosing life.

Ghost on the Dance Floor

STUDENT SHORT

Austin, Texas

12:15

Director: Edwin Raul Oliva

On Dia-de-los-Muertos, a young Latino attempts to go on a date as he struggles to let go of the memories of his ex.

They Never See It Coming

NARRATIVE SHORT

Austin, Texas

18:00

Director: Jeff Stolhand

A serial killer kidnaps his estranged daughter in an attempt to explain his philosophy on life, death and murder.

Zoe

NARRATIVE SHORT

Pearland, Texas

13:25

Director: Harsh Mahadeshwar

A young deaf girl who cannot communicate suddenly goes missing leaving her family in despair. Why, what and how leave many questions unanswered and her brother takes charge in finding her desperately. On his 19th birthday, she unexpectedly returns and breaks her silence leaving everyone shocked.

Fathers Wanted

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

Austin, Texas

01:33:00

Director: Isaac Rowe

A thought provoking story from women speaking on the importance of fathers in the life of the family. Fathers Wanted is a documentary feature depicting the need for a father.

Cowboy Bourbon: The Full Proof Tale of Garrison Brothers

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

Georgetown, Texas

01:19:46

Directors: Chet Garner, Daniel Mecey

"Never tell a Texan he can't do something, because he just won't stop; he's like a dog with a bone then..." - Chuck Cowdery, Whiskey Writer.

When Dan Garrison founded Garrison Brothers Distillery in the mid-2000's, everyone told him that making bourbon whiskey in Texas was an impossible dream. Bourbon was on the decline, and beyond that, could only be made in the state of Kentucky. 

Dan proved everyone wrong…

Cowboy Bourbon tells the unlikely tale of how a small distillery in the heart of Texas Hill Country ignited a nationwide movement in craft distilling. It's the story of grit, determination, and refusing to compromise on the singular goal to make the best bourbon whiskey in the world.

GOOD GUY WITH A GUN

NARRATIVE FEATURE

Chicago, Illinois

01:51:00

Director: John Mossman

Will Greenwood, a Chicago teenager forced to come to terms with his father's violent death, visits a small town and finds solace in a group of local kids. When the town bully threatens Will’s new friend, how far will he go to protect him...especially with a gun? It is a coming of age drama where young men and guns come crashing together….

EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE LOVED

FOREIGN FEATURE

Berlin, Germany

01:20:00

Director: Katharina Woll

On a blisteringly hot summer day, Psychotherapist Ina notices something is wrong with her. But she doesn't have time to worry about it: Patients are waiting at the practice, her daughter is threatening to move in with her father, her boyfriend wants to emigrate to Finland, and her self-centered mother is celebrating her 70th birthday. Ina wants to please everyone. But then everything changes.