Freaks, Sneaks and Everything In Between: 'Film School Shorts' Returns

From compelling dramas to feel-good rom-coms, every episode is Hollywood quality without the three-hour runtime.

 

Film School Shorts returns in September for a fourth season with the best short student films from across the country. This season boasts a lineup of rock-star talent and incredible performances by Hollywood actors like Patrick Fugit (Gone Girl), Kaori Momoi (Memoirs of a Geisha) and Anna Camp (Pitch Perfect). Get your sneakerhead on with Fetti DiBiasi in Hypebeasts or experience the digital pitfalls of adolescence with Taissa Farmiga (American Horror Story) in Share.

"I've watched them all! First on PBS on television, then here [online] for more. Each and every one was beautifully crafted. Well done." — viewer Stephanie Nichole

This season's selection of eclectic shorts transcends the usual or expected and delivers thought-provoking and original work by students from the nation's top film schools. These award-winning shorts have screened at prestigious film festivals like Sundance, Cannes, Cinequest, Slamdance and SXSW, and have received recognition at the Student Academy Awards.

If you haven't already caught Sequin Raze, the film was named a Staff Pick by Vimeo and Short of the Week. It currently has more than 55,000 views and was written up by Indiewire, TV Guide and Flavorwire. Expect more exclusive online premieres throughout the summer and a new film online every week starting in September.

I've seen this. If you like UnREAL, it's well worth your time. https://t.co/izjRnzCYNu

— Linda Holmes (@nprmonkeysee) June 6, 2016

You can find additional information, including film descriptions, social links and more below. Feel free to reach out to Julia Shackelford for customized assets and support.

For media inquiries, contact Peter Cavagnaro, Marketing and Communications Manager, at pcavagnaro@kqed.org or 415.553.8451.

WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA
Social Media Toolkit
Website: http://blogs.kqed.org/filmschoolshorts/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FilmSchoolShorts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/filmschoolshort
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/channels/filmschoolshorts
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/FilmSchoolShorts
Press Photos: Scroll down to download hi-res photos and social media images.

SEASON 4 EPISODE DESCRIPTIONS

Episode 401 - "Future"

Zelos American Film Institute A mother who strives to "have it all" orders a clone to keep her home life in order and outshine her flawless colleague, but soon realizes she purchased an unbeatable rival. Directed by Thoranna Sigurdardottir. Download Social Media Image.

Salaam Ghourba (Farewell Exile) New York University In an impoverished neighborhood of Casablanca, Morocco, Fatima impatiently awaits news from her husband in exile abroad. Will she be able to secure the immigration papers necessary to travel toward a better future for her and her son? Directed by Lamia Alami. Download Social Media Image.

Episode 402 - "America"

Total Freak Columbia University Summer camp takes a dark turn in this '80s-esque comedy about how the pursuit of a first kiss awakens a monster from the deep. Directed by Andrew Ellmaker. Download Social Media Image.

Rita Mahtoubian is not a Terrorist American Film Institute When Iranian-born Rita sets out to change her life from ordinary to extraordinary, she captures the attention of a homeland security agent (Patrick Fugit, Gone Girl) in this satirical comedy about romance, terrorism and self help. Directed by Roja Gashtili and Julia Lerman. Download Social Media Image.

Timmy II New York University, Tisch Asia One robot learns that fitting in isn’t all it’s cracked up to be when his new human form attracts the wrong kind of attention in post-9/11 America. Directed by Imran J. Kahn. Download Social Media Image.

Episode 403 - "Mean Streets"

Share American Film Institute Taissa Farmiga (American Horror Story) stars as a 15-year-old girl facing her return to school after someone shared an explicit video of her online. Directed by Pippa Bianco. Download Social Media Image.

Hypebeasts New York University Inspired by Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing (the director also advised on the film), racial tensions explode between young people waiting in line to buy the hottest new sneakers on the market. Directed by Jessica dela Merced. Download Social Media Image.

Episode 404 - "Daily Grind"

Socks & Bonds Columbia University A sock merchant (Stephen Singer, Obvious Child) and his girlfriend head out to the Hamptons to sell the next big thing in socks and undergarments only to discover there's a more pressing negotiation at hand. Directed by Daniel Zimbler. Download Social Media Image.

Hopkins & Delaney, LLP California Institute of the Arts A snapshot of life in a law office and the sights, sounds and hidden cubicle moments that comprise all our working lives. Directed by Sean Buckelew. Download Social Media Image.

Butterfingers Columbia University Every marriage has its moments, and this wife can’t listen to another word from her husband about work. Directed by Milan Roganović. Download Social Media Image.

Episode 405 - "Aspirations"

Bottle California Institute of the Arts Animated on location at a beach, in the snow and underwater, this stop-motion short details a transoceanic conversation between two characters via objects in a bottle. Directed by Kirsten Lepore. Download Social Media Image.

Glory Days New York University Jack, a recovering alcoholic and divorced father-of-two, has to look after his kids on New Year’s weekend. Directed by Benjamin Rutkowski. Download Social Media Image.

Léa Columbia University A delusional actress with an affinity for burning bridges struggles to connect with the role that could make her career. Directed by Connor Simpson. Download Social Media Image.

Episode 406 - "Crossed Stars"

The Life and Death Of Tommy Chaos and Stacey Danger New York University It's love at first sight in the midst of the dinosaur invasion for Tommy and Stacey. Together, they flee for a life of adventure and romance only to discover that even the brightest flames don’t burn forever. Directed by Michael Lukk Litwak. Download Social Media Image.

Googly Eyes University of California, Los Angeles Gary’s (Cooper Barnes, The Perfect Host) chronic earache stirs up memories of his childhood and unresolved baggage with his ex-girlfriend. Directed by Simon Savelyev. Download Social Media Image.

Fool of People Rhode Island School of Design Dance across an old Victorian mansion filled with whimsical animated characters. Directed by Jose Rodriguez. Download Social Media Image.

Episode 407 - "Somebody to Love"

Oh Lucy! New York University Kaori Momoi (Memoirs of a Geisha) stars as a 55-year-old single office worker in Tokyo with nothing to look forward to but forced retirement and a lonely death. However, when her American English teacher gives her a blonde wig and a new identity, her perspective on life begins to change. Directed by Atsuko Hirayanagi. Download Social Media Image.

Tin University of Southern California A man mourns life and lost love in this jazz-age inspired stop-motion animation. Directed by Brandon Lake. Download Social Media Image.

Episode 408 - "Reality Bites"

Sequin Raze American Film Institute Anna Camp (Mad Men), Frances Conroy (Six Feet Under), and Ashley Williams (How I Met Your Mother) star in this behind-the-scenes look at life on a Bachelor-style reality television program. Adapted into Lifetime’s award-winning television series UnREAL. Directed by Sarah Gertrude Shapiro. Download Social Media Image.

Kendall Got A Rose University of Southern California A couple discusses the latest episode of The Bachelor as one gets ready for work. Directed by Luke Haskard. Download Social Media Image.

Episode 409 - "Behind Closed Doors"

Busted on Brigham Lane Columbia University A young girl gets creative as she attempts to get her estranged father to attend her 18th birthday celebration. Directed by Talibah Newman. Download Social Media Image.

Expiration Date University of Southern California Fridge foods come to life to fight a zombie apocalypse. Directed by Sarah Tejeda. Download Social Media Image.

Episode 410 - "Our Culture"

Foodfellas University of Southern California If the gangsters of Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas got into the fast food business, Foodfellas would be the result. Follow one young burger flipper down a spiral of corruption, greed and French fries. Directed by Reuben Guberek. Download Social Media Image.

Culture New York University “The best 60 seconds of film you’ll see at Sundance.” – Reel.com Directed by Ari Gold. Download Social Media Image.

Open 24 Hours Brown University Featuring Brad Leland (Friday Night Lights) and Dale Raoul (True Blood), a quick stop for gas turns into a high-stress waiting game for one unlucky criminal. Directed by Henry Chaisson. Download Social Media Image.

Trash Cat Savannah College of Art and Design A mischievous cat loves knocking over trashcans, much to his owner’s dismay. Directed by Kelsey Goldych. Download Social Media Image.

The First Date Cal State University Northridge Two women retreat to their office restroom to recap a disastrous date, unaware that that someone else is listening in. Produced in the OutSet Film Mentoring Program with Outfest. Directed by Janella Lacson. Download Social Media Image.

BEHIND-THE-SCENES PHOTOS

ABOUT FILM SCHOOL SHORTS

Film School Shorts is a nationally distributed series of KQED that airs in 88% of the country, including major markets like New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago. It’s a showcase for emerging filmmakers using social media to build an online community to capture the experience of going to film school. Personally selected by series producer Lisa Landi and associate producer Julia Shackelford, Film School Shorts represents a wide range of styles and content, introducing vibrant young filmmakers soon to make an impact in the industry.

Meet our student filmmakers, learn more about the films, and view some of our award-winning shorts online at kqed.org/fss, and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

ABOUT KQED

KQED serves the people of Northern California with a public-supported alternative to commercial media. An NPR and PBS affiliate based in San Francisco, KQED is home to one of the most listened-to public radio stations in the nation, one of the highest-rated public television services and an award-winning education program helping students and educators thrive in 21st-century classrooms. A trusted news source and leader and innovator in interactive technology, KQED takes people of all ages on journeys of exploration — exposing them to new people, places and ideas.