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Nominations Summer 2023

Nominated: Best Animation Short
Head in the Clouds

Director: Kaylee Tan

Writer: Kaylee Tian Lin Tan

Producers: Kaylee Tian Lin Tan, Rebe Chen

Country: United States

Genre: Animation

Overview: A quirky student who daydreams with her head high in the clouds must creatively elude her strict math teacher to remain there.

Director Statement: As a student growing up in a strict education system which valued math and science over art, Kaylee enjoyed math class. However, after she was introduced to art in secondary school, she fell in love with it. She finds creativity and joy in creating art.

Nominated: Best Documentary Short
Unconquered

Director/Writer/Producer: John Parr

Country: United Kingdom

Genre: Documentary

Overview: “A memoir of triumph over adversity and wounds no sword can make”. The true story of two elite soldiers severely injured in the line of duty. “Unconquered” charts their inspiring journey from the depths of despair to break the chains of life changing injuries to rise again.

Director Statement: From the moment we decided to make “Unconquered” I was on my honor. Not just to Dot and Dave, but to those whose every day is a battle to shed the chains of impediment. It has been the driving force for half my life. I cannot count the blessings I have received whilst striving to bring light to those less fortunate. Telling the truth of Dot and Dave’s story haunted me. These were elite, battle hardened soldiers, part of a brotherhood that few may enter. They honoured me with their stories and from then I had to weave a concise memoir that captured the whole 360 in just twenty eight minutes. Using the actual men to play themselves was critical, taking them back to the darkest moments of their life was tremendously challenging but I felt the film would not be true and I would be selling them and their incredible story short by casting actors. Even as shooting began I felt I was not getting to the heart of their story. It was early days but I was still an outsider walking on eggshells. As the shoot progressed they began to trust me, at least a little. It was the second day, we were sharing a soup in that freezing hanger and I went for it….. “How deep can I go?” Dot and Dave were puzzled…”How much of the dark stuff can I tell?” They just gave me the thousand yard stare and said “ Go for it!”

Nominated: Best Drama Short
Food for Thought

Director/Writer: Christine Hann

Producers: Maria Belenkova-Buford, Anju Malhotra, Lori Zozzolotto, Christine Hann

Country: Canada

Genre: Drama

Overview: A retired accountant who volunteers at a local food bank struggles to understand that clients aren’t numbers and learns that food is a source of sustenance and dignity.

Director Statement: 'Food for Thought' is a fictional story based on my experience volunteering at my local food bank. The Executive Director is truly the most dedicated and inspiring person I have ever met. I was also humbled by the dedication of the volunteers. They all work together to do the most for the clients and community at large. It's important, especially in today's climate to put a spotlight on food insecurity and to show 'who' is actually using services at food banks. It's surprising to see, even in affluent neighbourhoods, the increasing need for such support. I hope this short film brings some humanity and compassion to the clients that take the brave step to enter the doors of their local food bank.

Nominated: Best Actor (Vinny DeGaetano)
In the Backseat

Director/Writer/Producer: Harry Waldman

Key Cast "Kevin": Vinny DeGaetano

Country: United States

Overview: Two friends find themselves in a monetary predicament, so they start robbing apartments for some quick cash.

Director Statement: I try to create powerful films that make the viewer feel a wide range of emotions and convey ideas that will linger in the viewers' minds long after the credits roll.




Nominated: Best Long Short, Best Director
By Any Other Name

Director/Writer: Daniel Deville

Producer: Camilla Arnold

Country: United Kingdom

Genre: Drama

Overview: "Within the chilling underworld of sex-trafficking, the heart-wrenching bond between two sisters unfolds. One sister, ensnared in the shadows of exploitation, fights for her very survival, while the other, a determined working-class mother, wages a relentless battle against insurmountable odds to bring her sister home"

Director Statement: Prepare to be captivated by the sheer intensity of 'By Any Other Name,' a film that navigates the darkest corners of life while illuminating the human capacity for hope. From its inception, the director's unwavering goal has been to tell an authentic story, unafraid to delve into the depths of human experience and explore the transformative power of passion. Brace yourself for a visceral and evocative journey that will leave an indelible mark on your soul, reminding you that even in the harshest of circumstances, light can emerge, and passion can be a lifeline.

Nominated: Best Short
Turing Test

Director/Writer: Magnus Taljaard

Producers: Magnus Taljaard, Gabriel Figueiredo, Nan Eleanor Campbell, Ryan Posavec

Country: Canada

Project Type: Short

Overview: In an interview with an AI, testing its development, the boundaries between human and tech-made consciousness are questioned.

Director Biography: Born in Johannesburg South Africa in 1997, studied in Cape Town, and trained in Vancouver, Canada. Been a writer/storyteller for as long as he can remember.

Nominated: Best Director
A Home for Christmas: A Foster Care Story
A Home for Christmas: A Foster Care Story

Director/Writer: Kevin Ruiz

Country: United States

Project Type: Drama, Holiday, Children

Overview: An orphan boy makes a wish to stay with his foster parents, but on the Eve of Christmas, he may have to leave once again.

Nominated: Best Short
Sea Change

Director/Writer: Sam Coale

Producer: Kevin McDevitt

Country: United States

Project Type: Short

Overview: John Kirkland, a young production assistant working for a film company in Los Angeles, is sent on a run to San Francisco where he uncovers a world of danger and intrigue as well as his own destiny.

Director Statement: Movies for me have always been an outlet toward what I call 'The More', i.e. the mystery of what's out there. I have often felt that I am on a search, and movies are literally a visual outlet of my quest. I work out life's mysteries through them. Storytelling comes out of a personal need, it's not a casual choice. At the end of the day it's come down to this: I am happiest when I am devoting my time to telling stories, and I am unhappy when I am not. No matter what level of success I ultimately achieve, it has always ALWAYS felt like time well spent.




Nominated: Best Animation Short

Miss You to the Stars
Miss You to the Stars

Director: Yi-Feng Kao

Writers: Ponny Wang, Yi-Feng Kao, Fu-Shen Yu

Producers: Li-Yu Fu, Vick Wang

Country: Taiwan

Project Type: Animation, Short, Television, Web / New Media

Overview: Latuk is a very important musical instrument of the Bunun people. The grandpa often plays the latuk to convey his thoughts to the grandma who turned into a star in the sky. Grandpa, with Giwas and her friends' help, goes to the space station to make his latuk sound easier to reach Grandma. The animation series “Go Go Giwas” aims to include content from the indigenous cultures of all 16 of Taiwan’s indigenous peoples. In Season IV, the newest installment, there are 14 episodes each 12 minutes long, which include stories from Taiwan’s indigenous Tao, Bunun, Rukai, and Pinuyumayan peoples. Within this season’s animation stories of festivals, legends, ecology, and traditional knowledge of indigenous communities, there are new characters, music, backdrops, and new content around science concepts of space stations included throughout.

Director Statement: "Go Go Giwas" focus on conveying scientific knowledge while also highlighting the traditional culture and human emotions. I aim to entertain audiences with my works and allow them to learn while laughing. My goal is to use animation to break traditional learning models, providing a relaxed environment for audiences to learn new knowledge while experiencing cultural and emotional feasts.

Nominated: Best Documentary Short

Cleveland
Cleveland

Director/Writer/Producer: Lily Daroff

Country: United States

Project Type: Documentary, Student, Short

Overview: A short documentary that follows my Uncle Rob as he returns to Cleveland, Ohio. The city he grew up in and the first place he was out as a gay man during the AIDs epidemic in the 1980s.

Director Statement: It is difficult to express how important my uncle is to me. We have always been close, and I knew from a very young age that one day I would make a film about him. I was lucky enough to get that opportunity this year. In March 2023, we met in Cleveland, Ohio, the city where he first came out as a gay man in the 1980s. It was inspiring to film his story and to do so in the actual locations where the formative events of his life transpired. As a young queer woman, I recognize how lucky I am to be out in an environment where earlier generations truly paved the way. In this short film, I aspire to shed light on their bravery, courage, and dedication. And, to say thank you on my behalf and that of future generations.

Nominated: Best Drama Short, Best Actor/Actress (Muhan LI)
Little Turtle
Little Turtle

Director/Writer: Mingyang LI

Producer: Jue LIU

Key Cast: Muhan LI

Country: China

Project Type: Drama, Short

Overview: A little girl's pet turtle was dying, and she begged her father to buy medicine to save it. The medicine cost $7 per bottle, while a new turtle cost only $1.5. The father wanted to buy her a new turtle, but the little girl decided to take action to save the turtle herself.

Director Statement: My daughter had a pet turtle when she was five. One day, she came to me and told me that her turtle was sick. She asked me to buy medicine for it. I bought a bottle of medicine for $10 online while a little turtle cost only $1.5. I was intimidated by this thought. We’ve been using money to measure everything too easily. Will children be influenced by our values ​​and become like this when they grow up? Is this indifference to life what we call maturity? As we grow up, we lose the kindness that is dearest to us.

Nominated: Best Fantasy/Sci-Fi Short

The Shepherd
The Shepherd

Director/Writer: Ilya Plyusnin

Producer: Vasily Shestovets

Country: Armenia

Project Type: Short

Overview: A typical office plankton Leonid living a boring life under a load of daily issues, is struggling to finish the annual report for his obnoxious boss when he suddenly gets a chance to get hold of mighty powers and show the world who the real boss in the town is with a bit of help from unearthly invaders!

Director Biography: Born in Bishkek, he pursued a degree in economics but found his passion for filmmaking and game development during his school years. Computer games transitioned from a hobby to a career, while his film studio, 1st River, has remained a treasured pastime. He sees immense potential in both games and films to birth new worlds. Through cinema, he's driven to prove that filmmaking isn't exclusive to professionals but also open to enthusiasts. In 2013, 1st River released "Bad Luck," a short inspired by a sci-fi tale. The team later delved into horror with "The Basement." Their recent endeavor, "The Shepherd," skillfully melds sci-fi elements with contemporary issues like freedom, escapism, and workplace dynamics.




Nominated: Best Fantasy/Sci-Fi Short

See The Sunrise
See The Sunrise

Director/Writer/Producer: Andy James Taylor

Country: United Kingdom

Project Type: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Action, Drama, Short

Overview: Two People form an unexpected bond who are from very different worlds.

Nominated: Best Art/Experimental Short

Son Rise, Son Shine
Son Rise, Son Shine

Director: Sasha Marie Speer

Writer: Gerald Ray Garth

Producers: Sasha Marie Speer, Serri William

Country: United States

Genres: Art/Experimental

Overview: A black man struggles to find his place in the world after not meeting society’s expectations. Son Rise, Son Shine is a short film about the journey of Gerald, a black, gay man, as he interacts with himself and the world from ages 6 to 40. Throughout the film, his 9-year-old self is acting as his inner bully, always telling him that the way he is doesn’t meet who he should be as a black man. That he isn’t good enough. That no one loves him. Through his different ages, we see Gerald struggle, but eventually finally find peace with who he is and his place in the world.

Director Statement: This film is a special one for me. I was asked to help bring this to life for the real Gerald's 40th birthday. In my interviews with him toward the beginning, I noticed that people knew his accomplishments, but it seemed that no one really knew him. This film was created to allow others to see him beyond his resume. To see what he had to rise above. To see the choices he had to make about what he decided to tell himself about his place in the world. To see what it really took to become a full black, gay man in today's world who is proud and at peace with himself.

Nominated: Best Thriller/Horror Short, Best Student Director
The Little Girl Eater

Director: Tizian Herzberger

Writers: Tizian Herzberger, Septimus Dale

Producers: Tizian Herzberger, Nelly Granson

Country: Germany

Project Type:Horror, Thriller, Short

Overview: A lonely fisherman is trapped under a shipwreck beneath an old pier. Threatened by the slowly approaching tide, he fights for survival. Things take an unexpected turn when eight-year-old misfit Miranda discovers him, while playing on the deserted beach.

Director Statement: I love each and every department's work on a film. Filmmaking gives me the freedom to combine all the different arts and merge them into one bigger piece. With "The Little Girl Eater," I introduce myself to the film world with my bachelor's graduation short film.

Nominated: Best Art/Experimental Short

My Relationship with Red Yarn
My Relationship with Red Yarn

Director/Writer/Producer: Lily Daroff

Country: United States

Genres: Romance, Grief, Trauma, Heartbreak, War, PTSD, Dance

Overview: A short experimental film that incorporates poems and dance in three chapters. The film is essentially about trauma, love, life, healing, breaking, accepting, anger, and looking back on it all afterwards.

Director Statement: This film is a collection of thoughts turned into three poems from my diary from August 2022 to May 2023. It was a time when I moved back to the United States, after serving in the army abroad and leaving my friends behind. I experienced a great deal of personal growth during those months, and am grateful for the opportunity to transform my many complicated thoughts and emotions into this film. I have always loved the experimental style of filmmaking and believe that this story lends itself to my first foray into the genre. This is definitely the most vulnerable project I have ever created, which gives me a great deal of pride in the final result. This film depends greatly on my amazing actress and Director of Photography (who also happen to be amazing people).




Nominated: Best Short
MOM
MOM

Director/Writer: Eric Willis

Country: United States

Genres: Drama, Short

Overview: A man shares memories of his mother.

Nominated: Best Microfilm
BATH TIME
BATH TIME

Director/Writer: Dave Inglis

Country: United Kingdom

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

Overview: Miss Forester is having trouble getting hold of Missy. Missy is in the bath and doesn`t want to accept any calls.

Director Biography: Dave is a fully untrained writer, director, actor and modern day Dave Inglis. Dave started making short films in 2017. these include SYNT, lot 69, Fifty7 minutes and more recently Bath time. His work is generally received with a glimmer of pity however EVERY selection is an achievement for films with budgets ranging from £50 to £400.

Nominated: Best Thriller/Horror Short
ITSELF
ITSELF

Director/Writer: Ryan Matthew Walker

Producers: Andrew Jackson, Erin Macleod

Country: Canada

Genres: Suspense, Horror, Dark Comedy

Overview: An anxious woman, torn between a culture of fear and self-help cliché, attempts to fall asleep.

Nominated: Best Microfilm
The Sound of Cologne

Director: Kristina Schippling

Producer: Michael Paul Aust

Country: Germany

Project Type: Documentary

Overview: Timetravel into the heartland of electronic music: A journey through the history of electronic music from Cologne – from the 50ies until today. The film follows the roots of inventing new music from the WDR's Electronic Studio, Stockhausen, CAN, via Kompakt, A-Musik until the vivid and very diverse club scene of today. With artists such as Irmin Schmidt, Jaki Liebezeit and Holger Czukay of CAN, Mouse on Mars, Marcus Schmickler, Niobe, Wolfgang Voigt, Michael Mayer, Lena Willikens, Barnt, Fr. Reichert – a mesmerizing portrait of a city where each and everyone is somehow interconnected.




Nominated: Best Student Director
Weather Boy
Weather Boy

Director/Writer: Boyan Borchakov

Producers: Boyan Borchakov, Teodora Stoimenova

Country: United Kingdom

Project Type: Short, Student

Overview: A frustrated art student reignites his creative passion when he discovers a mysterious design sketch left by his grand dad. With the help of his best friend, ambitious Mike aims to prove his worth by building the machine from the drawing. But he may have overlooked a ‘tiny’ detail. Technological genius or an utter failure – whatever the outcome, it will be an eye-opener for him.

Nominated: Best Feature Documentary
The Mighty Mantaur

Director/Writer/Producer: Faustus McGreeves

Country: United States

Project Type: Documentary, Feature, Sports, Drama

Overview: The life of wrestler Mike Halac (WWE's Mantaur. ) How Wrestling broke him, this is not a story about wrestling, its a story of a man who wrestles.

Nominated: Best Long Short
Always Bet on Black
Always Bet on Black

Director/Writer/Producer: Adam Cowie

Country: United Kingdom

Project Type: Comedy, Drama, Short

Overview: After finding a random £1,000,000 deposit from the bank in his account, Tom and his best friend Darren figure they have the weekend to use the money to make some money.

Nominated: Best Feature Documentary
Reinventing Freedom

Directors: Robert J Moore, Eleftherios Koutinas

Writers: Robert J Moore, Eleftherios Koutinas

Producers: Robert J Moore, Eleftherios Koutinas

Country: United States

Project Type: Documentary, Feature

Overview: Prepare for an unforgettable experience as we unveil the thrilling documentary "Reinventing Freedom," chronicling the extraordinary life journey of Robert J. Moore. Witness a tale of resilience as he rises from a life on the streets, surviving on scraps from garbage cans and enduring years behind bars, to ultimately sharing prestigious stages with world-class leaders and earning recognition from Forbes, USA, INC, and many others. This exhilarating film is not to be missed!

Director Statement: "Reinventing Freedom," co-directed by Eleftherios Koutinas and myself, was an emotionally charged endeavor. Personally, I revisited many of the past experiences, making the process deeply impactful.




Nominated: Best Feature
Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir [ One Planet; One Family ]
Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir [ One Planet; One Family ]

Director/Writer: Venkata Krishna Roghanth

Producer: Essaki Durai

Country: India

Project Type: Feature

Overview: Punithan has a mysterious charm. He is not a riddle, though he appears to be one. Who is he? Where is he from? Where is he heading to? Why is he here? Answers will arrive only when he breaks his silence.

Director Statement: I have not experienced the hardships of refugee life. I have realized this through poems, essays, short stories, novels etc., written by refugees. The screenplay of the film is a collection of those experiences..

Nominated: Best Feature
Frighten

Director/Writer/Producer: Mba Shakoor

Country: United States

Project Type: Feature

Overview: When Kate decided to kill her unborn child, she had no idea that her past relationship with a foreigner Marcus Jones would come back to haunt her life and everyone around her. Soon as her psychotic ex is released from prison he starts his cruel revenge. Will Kate and her friend Julia be able to stop his killing spree Rampage?

Nominated: Best Feature
GILA ISLAND

Director/Writer: MANU GOPALA KRISHNAN

Producer: SANTHA G PILLAI

Country: India

Project Type: Feature

Overview: Overall, "Gila Island" is a remarkable technothriller movie that showcases the talents of a promising director and an exceptional cast. Its high ratings on platforms like IMDB and Book My Show, coupled with its positive audience reception, demonstrate its ability to captivate and engage viewers of all backgrounds. By addressing the theme of society's detachment from real relationships due to gadget dependency, "Gila Island" encourages audiences worldwide to reevaluate their priorities and strive for a healthier balance between the digital and real worlds.

Director Statement: "Gila Island" is an exciting and thought-provoking movie that explores the dark side of technology and its effect on society. It revolves around a series of murders reminiscent of the infamous Gila Serial Killings. As the plot unfolds, the audience is taken on a suspenseful and mysterious journey. Moreover, "Gila Island" delivers a crucial message that we believe will resonate strongly with audiences. The film urges individuals to reflect on their own habits, abandoning the hunched-over, time-wasting behaviors on superficial apps and social media. Instead, it encourages viewers to utilize these platforms wisely, engaging in genuine conversations and creating true bonds through face-to-face interactions. The finale of "Gila Island" carries a powerful message, urging individuals to prioritize quality time with family, friends, and loved ones instead of falling prey to the illusions of virtual connections. By fostering meaningful relationships and focusing on real experiences, we can shape a better future and break free from the clutches of virtual distraction.

Nominated: Best Feature
LA BELLE DAME SANS MERCI
LA BELLE DAME SANS MERCI

Director: Nikolay Bogomilov

Writers: Nikolay Bogomilov, Vincent Molli

Producers: Marika Tosheva, Nikolay Bogomilov

Country: Bulgaria

Project Type: Feature

Overview: Medieval France. The main character studies at the in France in university. Together with other students, he studies Latin, sometimes likes to fool around. But he is different from others because he writes poetry and is very religious. He has close friends. One day they break into the public bathhouse together for it being hosting vice. In retaliation, he is attacked at night. He kills one of the attackers. He has to run, and he ends up in a fairy kingdom. The King welcomes him, but the Queen falls in love with him. In the fairy forest, they talk about their love. Sometimes Instead of the Queen, the poet sees Death in the image of an Oriental beauty. The queen is dying. The poet remains in tragic loneliness.

Director Biography: Nikolay Bogomilov Initially graduated in law at Sofia University. Later he graduated in film directing and then production at The Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography, Moscow.




Nominated: Best Short Screenplay
Broken

Writer: Kate Jirelle

Country: Australia

Project Type: Romance, Drama, Period, Period Drama, Short Script

Overview: In 1946 a traumatised young nurse unexpectedly reunites with the man she once loved aboard a dilapidated paddle steamer on the Murray River, and must confront the scars of the past as she wrestles with the question of whether something broken can ever truly be fixed.

Writer Statement: 'Broken' is a script that is dedicated to those who have, and continue to struggle, with the the memories of their war service. Growing up, I have seen the effects that service had on the people that I have looked up to. Grandparents who have served on both sides of the World Wars, and the conflicts that have followed, and who continue to be effected by the memories that still haunt them.

Nominated: Best Short Screenplay
A Woman's Work

Writer: Toby Smith

Country: United Kingdom

Project Type: Drama, Short Script

Overview: After seeing an advert for an idyllic holiday resort, a housewife's ordered life is suddenly thrown out of whack.

Nominated: Best Short Screenplay
Dummy’s Day Out
Dummy’s Day Out

Writer: A. S. Templeton

Country: United States

Project Type: Science Fiction, Drama, Period, Short Script

Overview: A pair of curious young space aliens visiting Earth find a novel way to interact with humans, with unexpected consequences.

Nominated: Best Short Screenplay
Out Of Adversity
Out Of Adversity

Writer: Elliot Stanton

Country: United Kingdom

Project Type: Drama, Period, Short Script

Overview: Deserted and alone on a Belgian battlefield in World War One, two British soldiers are the only ones left alive from an entire platoon. Stranded with only a stolen German grenade to defend them, petty bickering breaks out between them. Private Cavendish is middle-class, detached and seemingly aloof – just the kind of person who gets up the nose of Private Sid Rudge. The Cockney has no time for Cavendish’s type, and the feeling is mutual. The two almost come to blows before a nearby bomb detonation causes them to take cover. The realisation that they could have died starts to thaw the animosity between them, and they share a cigarette and even stories of the girls they left behind. They are overjoyed when a British voice blares out from above ground. It appears that they are saved. This optimism is brief, and a single shot sounds out before the dastardly figure of a smirking German soldier appears above, on the edge of the trench, rifle pointed at the Brits. Faced with certain death, they make the ultimate sacrifice and use their only weapon to stop the German in his tracks.




Nominated: Best Feature Screenplay
Operation Mom

Writer: Reenita Malhotra Hora

Country: United States

Genres: Romance, Comedy, Young Adult

Overview: Ila, an Indian-American teen, is going nuts with her controlling, single mother who prevents her from stalking her pop idol. Mom wants her daughter to date real guys but Ila decides that the only way to get Mom off her back is by finding her a boyfriend instead. So, contrary to what is customary in the Indian culture, she becomes her mother’s matchmaker instead of the other way around.

Director Statement: Reenita Hora is a writer/producer, native of Mumbai, and currently based in Los Angeles where she works full time on her books, screenplays and podcast/audio series. ’Reenita has authored seven books, and has multiple years of experience in the USA and Asia media, entertainment, communications, tech/innovation, and wellness industries.

Nominated: Best Feature Screenplay
Proud Girls
Proud Girls

Writer: Leslie Flannery

Country: United States

Genres: Comedy

Overview: Proud Girls is political and sexual satire. Since the matriarchy took over America, male masturbation is the intentional killing of a human being. "Choose life” POTUS tells men, but if they can’t the government has a plan. It’s all fun and games until someone else has the power. Also, it's funny as hell watching women act like men.

Nominated: Best Television Script
Dummy’s Day Out
Hunt Man's Land

Writer: Ryan Skinner

Country: United States

Genre: Drama

Overview: When A TV star finds out his best friend is dead it leads to uncovering a world of alternate realities, monsters, fantasy and more.

Director Statement: Ryan likes to tackle anything from drama, to dark comedy to sci fi, but loves more than anything to write projects that have a raw and simple core to them that study the human journey.

Nominated: Best Television Script
In All but Blood
In All but Blood

Writer: A. S. Templeton

Country: United States

Genres: Sci-Fi, Drama

Overview: On a colonized planet threatened by a solar storm, an Eagle Scout exploring the alien wilderness has a fateful encounter.