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.
More Important Things
STUDENT SHORT
Waco, Texas
7:50
Director: Felix Hawke
A young man visits the doctor for medication for a supposed disorder and explores his options while slowly realizing the beauty in the chaos of his mind.
El Gato Feo
NARRATIVE SHORT
Austin, Texas
14:52
Director: Daniel Fabelo
Fleeing the violence of Pancho Villa’s revolution, a widow finds refuge with a unit of female freedom fighters known as soldaderas… only to discover her estranged sister among them.
IN TOW
NARRATIVE SHORT
Austin, Texas
20:49
Director: Sharon Arteaga
A self-involved teen and her overworked single mom confront their differences as their mobile home is towed away … with them inside of it!
Curtain Call
NARRATIVE SHORT
Pflugerville, Texas
18:01
Director: Christian Jacob Ramón
In a competitive high school theatre program, a passed-over high school senior finds herself overshadowed by a precocious freshman. Mired in jealousy, she must come to terms with the fact that she isn’t as talented as she wants to be.
In the Pines
NARRATIVE SHORT
Wilmington, North Carolina
18:00
Director: Dugan Bridges
With their lives at stake, three young people must rely on their love and friendship to defy the forces of hate and violence that set their world ablaze in turn-of-the-century North Carolina.
Xpendable
NARRATIVE SHORT
Medford, Oregon
29:41
Director: Walter Ernest Haussner
1957. Two crime organizations. Two people sent in to avert a war. Who will walk away?
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.