Category Archives: Drama

Drama

Dead Last Option

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This episode includes:

True Love by Robert Braiden
Curfew by Shawn Christensen

True Love
Australia
A woman has suffered years of psychological and physical abuse at the hands of her husband. When he starts focusing his rage on her daughter, she snaps and kills him. She never thought she had it in her to kill somebody. Now does she have it in her to bury the evidence? The original and unpredictable thriller that will have you guessing up to its shocking climax. Directed by Robert Braiden. Principal cast: Niki J Price and Jamie Dunn.
– To learn more about the film go to couriermail.com.au.
– To watch an interview with the filmmaker go to youtube.com.
– To see a behind the scenes look at the film go to youtube.com.
– To watch a rehearsal go to youtube.com.
– Visit the film’s Facebook page at facebook.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Curfew
USA
At the lowest point in his life, Richie gets a call from his estranged sister, asking him to look after his 9-year-old niece. Years may exaggerate the distance separating brothers and sisters, but blood ties run too deep and cannot be ignored. Curfew won the 2013 Academy Award for best short film. Written, directed and edited by Shawn Christensen. Principal cast: Shawn Christensen, Fatima Ptacek and Kim Allen.
– To purchase this film, go to iTunes.
– To read interviews with the filmmaker go to ibtimes.com and capitalnewyork.com.
– Visit the film’s Facebook page at facebook.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Animation, Drama

Man’s Best Friend

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This episode includes:

My Happy End by Milen Vitanov
Talking Dog for Sale, 10 Euros by Lewis-Martin Soucy
Dog Years I & II by Sam Hearn and Richard Penfold
David and Goliath by George Zaverdas

My Happy End
Germany
All dogs love to chase their tail. This particular dog succeeds in catching it. Not only does this act change his life, but his new best friend’s life as well. An affectionate tribute to the old Saturday morning cartoons we all grew up with. Directed by Milen Vitanov.
– Watch the film again, below.
– To learn more about the film go to my-happy-end.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Talking Dog for Sale, 10 Euros
France
When a man sees a curious advertisement for a talking dog for sale really cheap, he pursues the offer with natural skepticism. It’s got to be a joke, right? Written, produced and directed by Lewis-Martin Soucy. This is Lewis-Martin’s second film to be part of Imagemakers (season three, episode Handicap). Principal cast: Roberto Alvarez, Rikar Gil and Camilo Garcia.
– Visit the film’s Facebook page at facebook.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Dog Years I & II
England
Ben, a frustrated mongrel ties to make sense of his human companion’s strange behavior. When his supposed best friend takes him to get castrated, Ben has a hard time seeing the bright side of the situation. A dog’s life is not all it’s cracked up to be. Shot on super 8, the hilarious film gives a dog’s perspective on the meaning of life. When nothing seems to make sense, all you’ve got left is to live in the moment. Written and directed by Sam Hearn and Richard Penfold.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

David and Goliath
USA
David, a Jew and a resistance fighter, flees for his life as he is being hunted down by Nazi soldiers. David finds refuge in a nearby farmhouse where he hides in a dog house protected by a ferocious German Shepherd, who ultimately becomes his savior. An extraordinary true story set in 1943 Czechoslovakia and based on the life of David Bako. Produced, written and directed by George Zaverdas. Principal cast: Billy Burke, Kent Kasper, Jim Boeven and Rudolf Martin.
– Watch the film again, below.
– To read an interview with the filmmaker visit manhattanshort.com.
– To learn more about the film go to wix.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Watch My Happy End again:

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Drama

Starting Over

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This episode includes:

Even Gods by Phil Harrison
Jonny Boy by Laura Way

Even Gods
Ireland
Recovering alcoholic Hughie has been living in a long-term homeless shelter for as long as he can remember. But when his long forgotten daughter contacts him out of the blue and wants to see him for the first time in 13 years, the long buried wounds of the past come back into sharp, painful focus. A heart-wrenching tale about the power of reconciliation with a tour de force performance by lead actor Lalor Roddy. Written and directed by Phil Harrison. Principal cast: Lalor Roddy, Laura Thompson and Lois Turkington.
– Watch the trailer, below.
– To learn more about the film go to flixelpix.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Jonny Boy
Ireland
After a lifetime of love, faithfulness and loyalty, Jonny’s terminally ill wife confesses a secret that she has kept secret for thirty five years. A secret stash of letters takes Jonny on a journey of discovery of feelings that had long since been denied, but never forgotten. Directed by Laura Way. Principal cast: Jon Polito, Kathleen Tierney, Ronan Wilmot and Irene Wright.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Watch the trailer for Jonny Boy:

Watch the trailer for Even Gods:

Drama, Suspense

Frozen in Time

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This episode includes:

Dilemma by Boris Pavel Conen
The Speed of the Past by Dominique Rocher

Dilemma
Holland
A jogger and a boy on a bicycle challenge each other to a race. The runner stops at a busy intersection as a truck approaches. The runner stops but the small boy pedals on. For a couple of minutes the world comes to a standstill as the jogger discovers he has the power over life and death — but whatever he decides comes with a price. Written and directed by Boris Pavel Conen. Principal cast: Marcel Hensema, Thom Van Seijen and Jack Bontekoe.
– To view the film again go to familyhalpern.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

The Speed of the Past
France
Margo and Joseph move into a new house in need of TLC. Joseph slips from the roof as he is making a repair. Time literally stops and he is stuck in mid-air. While he is frozen in time, Margo’s life continues on. Her loss not only stays with her emotionally, but physically, as she is reminded of it every day. How long must she wait until the day things return as to how they once were? Directed by Dominique Rocher. Principal cast: Melanie Thierry, Nicolas Giraud and Alban Lenoir.
-To see a behind the scenes look at how they shot the special effects go to youtube.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Watch the trailer for The Speed of the Past:

Drama, Suspense

We’re Desperate (Get Used To It)

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This episode includes:

Checkmate by Navarro Aydemir
Northeast Front by Angela Torres Camarena
A Doctor’s Job by Julio Ramos

Checkmate
England
Jan learns that staying in an asylum can make anyone crazy. He challenges his evaluator to a game of chess to prove that he should be released. The stakes could not be higher in this tense battle of wills. Written, edited, and directed by Navarro Aydemir. Principal cast: Gergo Danka, Shakyra Dowling, Daniel Wiltshire, Sibel Unver, Alex Murphy, and Adam Cunningham.
– Watch the film again, below.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Northeast Front
Mexico/USA
In a city held hostage by drug cartels, a hard-working single mother supports her kids all on her own. Her son has gotten in trouble and as a result she must to pay off his debt to a drug dealer. Suddenly up against an unthinkable threat, she does everything in her power to keep her family safe and alive in this heart-stopping true story. Written, edited, and directed by Angela Torres Camarena. Principal cast: Evangelina Sosa, Luis Felipe Tovar, Edgar Orozco, and Octavio Lowry.
– Visit the film’s Facebook page at facebook.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

A Doctor’s Job
Peru/USA
In order to make ends meet, a stubborn but caring emergency room physician has to moonlight as a taxi driver. His pride and ethics are challenged everyday. He is used to life and death situations in the hospital, but when they bleed over into his taxi job, things get really hairy. Will this be his worst day on the job or the answer to all of his prayers? Written and directed by Julio Ramos. Principal cast: Miguel Iza, Luis Menezes, and Christian Ojeda.
– To read an interview with the filmmaker, go to manhattanshort.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Watch Checkmate again:

Checkmate from Navarro Aydemir on Vimeo.

Drama

School Days

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This episode includes:

First Match by Olivia Newman
Public by Jeannie Donohoe

First Match
USA
In the testosterone-fueled sport of wrestling, Mo faces one of her toughest battles preparing for her first match on the boys team. Her father, a former outstanding wrestler himself, doesn’t think a girl has what it takes to wrestle. Not only does Mo have to battle for the respect of her male teammates, but also for the respect of her father. Written and directed by Olivia Newman. Principal cast: Nyasa Bakker, Anslem Richardson, Zach Lombardo, and Juan Freire.
– Watch the film again, below.
– To learn more about the film visit firstmatchfilm.com.
– To watch an interview with the filmmaker, go to vimeo.com.
– To read an interview with the filmmaker, go to nj.com/hobokennowl.
– Visit the film’s Facebook page at facebook.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Public
USA
When Sharde is forced to show up for Mrs. Harrington’s after school program, the lessons become personal. Image is everything in high school. Teenagers can be cruel and rumors spread like wildfire in the hallways. Their adversarial relationship takes on a new light when each one has surprising secrets revealed during detention. Can they trust each other to keep each others secret? Written and directed by Jeannie Donohoe. Principal cast: Anne Sorce, Shanice Spencer, Stanley Rodriguez, and Phyllis Johnson.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

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Drama

Last Flight

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This episode includes:

North Atlantic by Bernardo Nascimento
Yuri Lennon’s Landing on Alpha 46 by Anthony Vouardoux

North Atlantic
Portugal/England
Golf-Tango-Tango … is anybody out there? A surprised air traffic controller on a remote island receives a transatlantic call for help from a lost plane. As the night and events unfold, it is clear that their new-found friendship will not last through the night. Their conversation is one the air traffic controller won’t ever forget. Written, directed and produced by Bernardo Nascimento. Principal cast: Francesco Tavares and Clive Russell.
– Watch the film again, below.
– To learn more about the film visit northatlanticshortfilm.com.
– Visit the film’s Facebook page at facebook.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Yuri Lennon’s Landing on Alpha 46
Germany/Switzerland
Undocked from the mother ship, cosmonaut Yuri Lennon begins his harrowing journey through space. His journey takes him out to the far reaches of space to investigate mysterious transmissions emanating from Alpha 46. He is confronted with an extraordinary paradox, which may lead to the end of the world as we know it. An amazing movie done in one shot capturing the claustrophobic feeling, the extreme isolation and danger of spaceflight. Written and directed by Anthony Vouardoux. Principal cast: Marc Hosemann.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

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Drama

Innocence Lost

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This episode includes:

Crossing Salween by Brian O’Malley
Fences by Tim Dean

Crossing Salween
Ireland
Along the Thailand border in Eastern Burma, nine-year-old Ko Reh finds herself orphaned after the massacre of her village and family by the military junta. She must now make the arduous journey with the help of a mysterious stranger to the Salween River that separates the horrors of Burma from the safety of Thailand. Will her late father’s enduring love and promise of assistance from a forest spirit be enough to shepherd her across the river where so many others have fallen? Written and directed by Brian O’Malley and based on a short story by Gary Moore. Principal cast: Ronnachai Wijitto, Thanawut Kedsaro, and Danai Thiengtham. The little girl (Ronnachai) is a refugee. What is also amazing is the she had never acted before and beat out many trained actors for the role.
– To learn more about the film, go to livingfilms.com.
– Visit the film’s Facebook page at facebook.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Fences
Australia
Eight-year-old Lucas’ father is a forensic crime scene detective. He argues with his ex-wife to look after Lucas while called to a crime scene, but she’s too busy. Forced to take the boy, will Lucas stay put in the car or will he discover what his daddy does for a living? Directed by Tim Dean. Principal cast: Trent Heath, Brett Swain, Nicole Nabout, and Victoria Eagger.
– To learn more about the film, go to timdeandirector.com and smh.com.au.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.
– Watch Fences again:

Comedy, Drama

Love Comes Crashing Down

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This episode includes:

Sorry, Destiny by Neda Morfova
Separations Agency by Shane Morton
The Screamers by Roberto Perez Toledo
Crazy Glue by Elizabeth Orne
Connection by Jennifer Leacey

Sorry, Destiny
Bulgaria
You have a feeling in your bones. After countless failed connections and dashed hopes, your heart is telling you this could be the day you meet your soul mate. There’s just one little problem … what if your soul mate doesn’t speak the same language as you? Directed by Neda Morfova. The infectious song is “Sitting on the Fence” by Bulgarian pop star Milenita. Principal cast: Radina Kardjilova and Dimitar Nedelchev.
– Watch the film again, below.

Separations Agency
Ireland
Breaking up is hard to do. A guy wakes up one morning to find out his girlfriend has dumped him, with the news being delivered in the strangest possible way. A singing barbershop quartet’s smooth and professional delivery does nothing to soften the blow. Directed and written by Shane Morton. Principal cast: Oddie Braddell, Vincent Fegan, and The Jolly Sunbeams.
– Watch the film again, below.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

The Screamers
Spain
There are times in all our lives when you just want to scream. There are other times that are filled with awkward silences. Some situations contain both. This is one of them. Written, produced, edited, and directed by Roberto Perez Toledo. Principal cast: Fran Rodriguez Castillo and Ruth Armas.
– Watch the film again, below.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Crazy Glue
USA
A simple story about love and glue, but not just any glue. This special glue has extraordinary bonding properties for a husband and wife whose relationship has lost its magic. Produced, edited, and directed by Elizabeth Orne. Principal cast: Will Brill and Katya Campbell.
– Watch the film again, below.
– To watch the film again, go to nds.shootonline.com.
– Visit the film’s Facebook page at facebook.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Connection
Australia
After Dan and Natalie meet on a dating website they decide to go a step further and have a video date. Romance seems destined, but fate has other plans. The modern day fable exposes the disadvantages of matchmaking using the latest technology. Written and directed by Jennifer Leacey. Principal cast: James Mackay, Kate Mulvany, and Dan Krige.
– Watch the film again, below.

Watch Sorry, Destiny again:

Watch Separations Agency again:

Watch The Screamers again:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rVZMFC1Wh4

Watch Crazy Glue again:

Watch Connection again:

Comedy, Drama

Modern Times

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This episode includes:

Das Tub by James Cunningham
Watching by Max Myers
Above the Knee by Greg Atkins

Das Tub
New Zealand
Lost in the frozen depths of the ocean, a German submarine crew find themselves encountering objects stranger than they can fathom. The truth turns their world topsy-turvy leaving them literally and figuratively in over their heads. A satiric homage to the classic German feature Das Boot. Directed by James Cunningham.
– To learn more about the film and how they did the amazing special effects, go to dastub.com.
– Watch the film again, below.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Watching
England
A young man sits alone in a café spying on the cute waitress not knowing that he himself is being watched. When a stranger approaches him and strikes up a conversation, he is given an opportunity that could change his life forever. Opportunities present themselves for the briefest of moments. If you miss them they don’t come back, but is the risk worth it? Directed by Max Myers. Principal cast: Ian Hart, Charlie Cattrall, and Susannah Fielding.
– Visit the film’s website at watchingshortfilm.com.
– To read an interview with the filmmaker, go to msfilmfest.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Above the Knee
Canada
Jack’s restrictive suit and tie career has never been a good fit for him. His home and love life is also in a rut. A radical shake up is in order. When he breaks the mold at work by dressing differently, all of his relationships miraculously improve and actually sets his colleagues free to also express themselves. Director, writer, and producer Greg Atkins tackles sexual politics and the tyranny of gender conformity with a wry comedic touch. Principal cast: Stephen Bogeart, Naomi Sniekus, Allen Altman, and Victoria Adilman.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Watch Das Tub again:

Comedy, Drama

That’s Just Love Sneakin’ Up On You

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This episode includes:

Table 7 by Marko Slavnic and Andrew McDonald
Cataplexy by John Salcido
Crossword by Vincent Gallagher

Table 7
USA
A couple with relationship issues has an intimate conversation in an Asian restaurant, unaware that their every word is secretly being monitored. Directed by Marko Slavnic and Andrew McDonald. Principal cast: Ray Rosales, Stephanie Lozos and Isaac Kim.
– Watch the film again, below.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Cataplexy
USA
Sidney suffers from cataplexy, an unusual medical condition where he becomes literally paralyzed when he is overcome with emotion. Rather than take that chance, he relies on impersonal sexual encounters to meet his physical needs. One night he is embarrassed to discover the call girl at his front door is an old friend from high school. The film was done as part of a competition where the film went from concept to screen in just 72 hours. Directed by John Salcido. Principal cast: Dave Tenenbaum and Michelle Noh.
– To watch a preview of the film, go to vimeo.com.
– To watch an interview with the filmmaker, go to youtube.com.
– Visit the film’s Facebook page at facebook.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.
– To purchase this film, go to iTunes.

Crossword
Ireland
Heather is single with very few friends except for the barmaid in the pub she frequents after work everyday. Her favorite pastime is doing crossword puzzles. On the eve of her 40th birthday, she has a strange experience when all the answers to the day’s crossword seem to be around her. Is it magic, coincidence or something else? In a crossword — just like in life — when lines meet and paths converge it is not a matter of luck, but rather part of a greater plan. The film was directed by Vincent Gallagher. Principle cast: Louise Lewis, Mark O’Shaughnessy, Maire Hastings, Andrew Bennett, and Kevin McDonough.
– To learn more about the film, go to irishfilm.wordpress.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Watch Table 7 again:

Drama, Suspense

The Company of Men

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This episode includes:

Break a Leg by Jesse Shamata
The Candidate by David Karlak

Break a Leg
Canada
Are you a folder or a crumpler? While eating breakfast in a café, a hit man asks his next victim this unusual question. The tightly wound assassin simultaneously threatens and regales his companion about his startling beliefs about human behavior. Only when he gives his ultimatum do we learn the shocking identity of his next casualty. Written and directed by Jesse Shamata. Principal cast: Chuck Shamata, Gage Munroe and Conrad Bereschneider.
– Watch the film again, below.
– To learn more about the film, go to importedartists.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

The Candidate
USA
A man’s worth can be judged by the caliber of his enemies. In the cutthroat world of big business, no truer words have been spoken. Burton Grunzer, a hyper-aggressive and confident dealmaker, lives in the pressure cooker of a Fortune 500 company. A bumbling co-worker is protected by someone high up and his blunders in the board room are damaging Burton’s reputation. As luck would have it, Burton is contacted by a secret organization called the Society for United Action. Intrigued, he agrees to meet with a representative from the society with an interesting proposition. If you could kill off your most aggravating co-worker and get away with it, would you? Directed by David Karlak. Principal cast: Tom Gulager, Thomas F. Duffy, Robert Picardo, Meghan Markle, and Vyto Ruginis.
– Watch the film again, below.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Watch Break a Leg again:

Watch The Candidate again:

Animation, Drama

Mind Benders

Quote

This episode includes:

Colour Bleed by Peter Szewczyk
West of the Moon by Brent Bonacorso
Egg Breakers by Emanuel Strixner

Colour Bleed
England/Poland
A young creative and idealistic girl dreams of brighter days in a dim Eastern European city. Her fate is inextricably sealed when she crosses paths with a scheming and enigmatic old woman, who harbors a dark secret. A cold act of cruelty will fracture the very foundations of a city. Directed, written, produced, and edited by Peter Szewczyk. Peter has contributed his talents to the feature films Harry Potter, Shrek, Star Wars, Ice Age and Avatar. This is his directorial debut. Principal cast: Anna Barry and Milla Karkkainen.
– Visit the film’s website at colourbleed.com.
– Watch the film again, below.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

West of the Moon
USA
The memory of a long lost love triggers an old man to recall the odd set of circumstances that led to his having a grenade as a heart and a monkey inside his head. A wildly inventive and visually amazing film inviting comparisons to the work of Terry Gilliam and Tim Burton. The film is directed by Brent Bonacorso and based on the book of children’s essays entitled The Colored Monster Has No Mouth by Roger Omar. Principal cast: Jacob Whitkin, Michael Garbe, Amber Noelle, and Christopher Tomafelli. West of the Moon won the top prize at five film festivals in 2011.
– Watch the film again, below.
– Visit the film’s web site at westofthemoonthefilm.com.
– To purchase this film, go to iTunes.
– To learn more about the film, go to filmmakermagazine.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Egg Breakers
Germany
A game of one-upmanship gets out of hand. In a surreal landscape two creatures learn that if eyelids were lips at the same time, they would also be able to lay eggs … say what?! Animated by Emanuel Strixner.
– Watch the film again, below.
– To learn more about the film, go to emanuelstrixner.com.

Watch Colour Bleed again:

Watch West of the Moon again:

Watch Egg Breakers again:

Drama

Color My World

Quote

This episode includes:

Nullabor by Alister Lockhart and Patrick Sarell
Maximall by Axelle Cheriet, Hadrien Ledieu, Nawel Rahal, and Axel Tillement
Graffitiger by Libor Pixa

Nullabor
Australia
A brash young punk and a laid back old codger travel across Australia’s Nullabor — the longest stretch of straight road in the world — perfect for passing that slow motorist beside you. But in this vast and barren landscape, sometimes all you’re left with is each other. So, be careful what you wish for. Directed by Alister Lockhart and Patrick Sarell.
– Watch the film again, below.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.
– Visit the film’s Facebook page at facebook.com.
– To purchase this film, go to iTunes.

Maximall
France
A young worker is the last to leave his work at the big box retailer. What he doesn’t realize is every evening the shopping carts release their pent up anger after a day’s worth of abuse from annoying customers. Unfortunately, he will face the brunt of their wrath. He learns the hard way that materialism will trap us all. Animated by Axelle Cheriet, Hadrien Ledieu, Nawel Rahal, and Axel Tillement.
– Watch the film again, below.

Graffitiger
Czech Republic
A lonely graffiti tiger prowls the streets of the urban jungle looking for his lost mate. On his journey he learns the city is full of dirty streets with walls covered with dangerous graffiti. Libor Pixa’s witty and creative film blends 2D drawn animation with live action. The film was nominated for a Student Academy Award.
– Visit the film’s website at graffitiger.com.
– Visit the film’s Facebook page at facebook.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Watch Nullabor again:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaS1zT87waY

Watch Maximall again: