Snapshots for Henry
Canada
Pent and Angie are party people. Tim and Joanne are a hard-working (= boring) couple with a baby. The only thing these couples share is a duplex — until life throws them all a cruel curve. Sex, drugs and rock n’ roll are the backdrop to one woman’s recollection of her youth, and the fateful decision that unexpectedly touches her life 25 years later. Engaging performances and a refreshingly unapologetic script populate this story of regret and rebellion. Written and directed by Teresa Hannigan. Principal cast: Zoie Palmer, Allan Hawco, Daniel Petronijevic and Molly Jane Atkinson.

Ten Feet Tall
Australia
Two men, bound together in trying circumstances, must rely on one another to prepare for an uncertain future. The sparse dialogue captures how men attempt to deal with grief and look for ways to start again. Directed by Aaron Wilson and based on the song of the same name by Australian singer/songwriter Pete Murray. Principal cast: Samuel Johnson, Michael Veitch and Georgia Van Cuylenburg.

Daddy
Norway
A heartbreaking look at the plight of refugees on the run. A father and son risk life and limb to escape to a better life. They arrive at what they hope will be a safe place to call home, until the father realizes he has to choose between two evils in order to provide for his son’s future. The award winning short film was written and directed by Hisham Zaman. Principal cast: Broa Rasol and Serdar Ahmad Saleh.
– To read an interview with the filmmaker, go to pov.imv.au.dk.

Mother
USA
Two women’s lives are irrevocably changed through a chance encounter in a hotel one night. Carolyn, a self-absorbed Beverly Hills wife, trapped by motherhood, has come to a posh hotel to have an affair. Lu, a street woman living in a van, wanders the hotel hallways scavenging for food. When Carolyn opens the door to find Lu crouched on the floor eating off a tray, she mistakes her for room service. Desperate to get rid of her baby girl for the evening, she hires the stranger to baby-sit. A momentous decision is made that will change the three women’s lives forever. This award winning film is written and directed by Sian Heder – who worked as a baby-sitter in four-star hotels when she moved to Los Angeles. Principal cast: Angela Featherstone, Ashleigh Sumner and Lauren and Madelyn Wesch.
– To learn more about the film, go to motherthemovie.com.

Estes Avenue
USA
One word — five lives. It’s 11 o’clock on Estes Avenue in Chicago. A Sunday not unlike many Sundays that came before. A day of rest. A day of peace. “God’s” day, if you like. Five residents greet this special day in their own unique way. Written and directed by Paul Cotter. After graduating from Southern Illinois University, he has gone on to direct commercials as well as theatre productions. Cotter filmed Estes Avenue while living on that street. He filmed the entire film in one day. Principal cast: Betsy Zajko, Stephen Dunn, Raminder Chadha, Lily Miller, Margaret Kustermann and Dan Flannery.
– To learn more about the film and watch it again, go to paulcotter.net.

The Shovel
USA
When a man discovers his neighbor digging a hole in the middle of the night, he writes it off as bizarre small town behavior. That is, until the suspicious neighbor, his dog and his cheating wife disappear. Worried he has stumbled upon more than he has bargained for, he calls on the local sheriff to unearth the truth. He finds out that, in a small town, some secrets are better left buried. A tense and twisted thriller starring David Straithairn (Goodnight and Good Luck), Tim Guinee and Neal Huff. Written, directed and produced by Nick Childs. This is the NYU grad’s first dramatic short.
– To learn more about the film, go to theshovelmovie.com.

Crash
Spain
A couple in their late twenties discover an underground surprise that transports them back to their youth. The thrill of adventure is quickly matched by a spike in the protaganist’s machismo, when a gang of teenagers decide to join in the fun. He soon learns that a bumper car rink isn’t exactly the ideal location for a romantic date. Written and directed by Nacho Vigalondo whose previous film (7:35 in the Morning) was nominated for an Academy Award. Principal cast: Nacho Vigalondo and Barbara Goenaga.

Our Time Is Up
USA
Ever wonder what your therapist really thinks? When a psychiatrist learns he has six weeks to live, he decides to change the therapy method with his patients, and recieves hilarious results. The 2006 Academy Award nominated film was written and directed by Rob Pearlstein in his parents’ house. Principal cast: Kevin Pollack (The Usual Suspects), Johnny Messner (The O.C.), Jorge Garcia (Lost), Vivian Bang, Kathryn Winnick and Rick Hoffman.
– To learn more about the film, go to ourtimeisup.com.

One Too Many
Spain
Utterly useless lay-abouts Joaquim and his son find they can’t cope on their own when “mom” dumps both their lazy butts and leaves them for good. Joaquim concocts a devious plan for domestic rescue, becoming perhaps the first man in history to want his mother-in-law to move in with him. But the wily old lady has a trick up her own sleeve. A dead pan comedy written and directed by Borja Cobeaga and nominated for a 2007 Academy Award for best short film. Principal cast: Ramon Barea, Marivi Bilbao and Alejandro Tejeria.
– Watch One Too Many again:

The Dreamer
England
In a dark vision of the future where human clones are manufactured and discarded for the latest model, a male and female clone nervously await their fate in a grim termination room. The male clone decides to take matters into his own hands and experiences the full gamut of human emotions, while being hunted down by his human creators. An evocative, provocative and hauntingly beautiful drama produced by Ivor Powell and directed by Miguel Sapochnik. Principal cast: Joerg Stadler and Indra Ove.
– Watch the film again, below.

Alive In Joburg
South Africa/ Canada
Edited in a documentary style, this highly original sci-fi drama takes on discrimination (with a twist). Persecuted extraterrestrials have left their planet only to find themselves in 1990 South Africa during apartheid. Their large space ships can be seen hovering above Johannesburg and sucking power from the nuclear power plants. At first, the aliens are welcomed, but are forced to live amongst the already-oppressed black population. The growing tensions between the blacks, the white Afrikaners and the aliens escalate… Written and directed by Neill Blomkamp. He has been selected to direct the upcoming Halo film (based on the popular game).
– Watch the film again, below.
– To learn more about this film, go to en.wikipedia.org.

Watch The Dreamer again:

http://player.vimeo.com/video/55460151

Watch Alive In Joburg again:

Hibernation
England
1985 in a secret tree house. Two children dressed in animal costumes conduct scientific experiments in an attempt to revive a bee. But their true intention is to bring back something much bigger. A magical and moving tale about the beauty of innocent minds. Written and directed by John Williams. John started making stop animation films at the age of 11. He has gone on to direct music videos by the Offspring and Coldplay. The film has won numerous international awards. Principal cast: Adam Arnold, Sonny Rooney, Peter Reynolds and Adam Paroussos.
– Watch the film again, below.

The Youth in Us
USA
A young couple confronts a painful future by looking to the past for courage. Written and directed by Joshua Leonard, who first garnered attention for his memorable role in the thriller The Blair Witch Project. This award winning film is his narrative directorial debut. Principal cast: Lukas Haas and Kelli Garner.
– Watch the film again, below.

Watch Hibernation again:

Watch The Youth in Us again:

Dilemma
Holland
A jogger and a boy on a bicycle challenge each other to a race. The runner stops at a busy intersection a truck approaches. The runner stops but the small boy pedals on. For a couple of minutes the world comes to a stand still 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.

The Messenger
Holland
Jimmy lives with his mother in a big tenement building. In his room at night, he is tormented by an apparition that tries to communicate with him. When he tells his best friend and neighbor, he is surprised to find that he, too, has been visited by the same ghost. Only when fate bangs on the door does its meaning become clear. Written and directed by Diederik Van Rooijen. Principal cast: Dylan Boissevain, Edo Brunner and Milusha Birge.

Gridlock
Belgium
On a cold winter evening, a stressed-out businessman gets stuck in rush hour traffic on his way home from work. He uses his brand new cell phone to call his wife to tell her he will be late, and instead he gets his young daughter. He asks her what mommy is doing and the answer he gets gives him the surprise of his life. This wicked comedy features equal parts drama, humor and suspense. Directed by Dirk Belien, the film was nominated for an Academy Award. Principal cast: Tom Van Dyck, Ellen Van Cutsem, Aza Declerq.