SHORT CUTS
2023/24 Film Festival
At The Westport Library
Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024: International Narratives
7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Our annual international film festival SHORT CUTS features several evenings of outstanding short, award-winning narrative and documentary films followed by an in-person post-film conversation with a director. SHORT CUTS will be presented in the Trefz Forum at The Westport Library. Films were curated from the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival in New York City.
Thursday, January 18, 2024
Narratives
Sealed Off
by Tiangyu Jiang
(China, Macau, USA)
Chat Mort (Dead Cat)
by Annie-Claude Caron and Danick Audet (Canada)
Oscar Shortlist:
Live Action Short Film
Winner, Best Narrative Short
Tribeca 2023
During an air-raid lockdown in the 1940s,
an accountant and a university teacher meet and quickly fall in love.
Blood
by Vathana Suganya Suppiah
(Australia)
In a culture where fertility is celebrated, menstruation is shunned and
infertility is silenced.
To what extremes will parents go in order to shield their child from the
realities of life?
Shadow Brother Sunday
by Alden Ehrenreich (USA)
An unlucky musician struggles when he returns home on the day of his younger
brother's movie premiere.
Et Maintenant? (What Next?)
by Cécile Rogue (France)
Based on a true story, Julien joined the Paris Opera Ballet at the age of 12. Now 42, he must leave.
Special Guest
Director/Producer Jacob Krupnick in conversation with producer Nancy Diamond
A Look Back at SHORT CUTS
Thursday, Dec 14, 2023
Documentaries
Team Dream
by Luchina Fisher (USA)
Then Comes the Body
by Jacob Krupnick (Nigeria, USA)
Winner, TIDE Film Festival Best Documentary Award (Martha's Vineyard)
Team Dream follows friends and competitive swimmers Ann and Madeline on their journey to the National Senior Games, where nothing -- not age, race or history -- will stand in their way.
Deciding Vote
by Jeremy Workman & Robert J. Lyons (USA)
When a video of kids dancing in the rain goes viral, it brings global attention to an unlikely ballet school
outside Lagos, Nigeria. Now they're preparing for
the world stage.
In Her Element
by Idil Ibrahim (USA)
Winner, Best Short Doc, Woodstock Film Festival;
Indy Shorts Social Impact Award; Best Short Doc, Woods Hole Film Festival; Best Short Doc, Sidewalk Film Festival
50 years ago, a now-forgotten New York assemblyman cast a single tie-breaking vote that legalized abortion in New York and laid the groundwork for Roe v Wade.
The story of Daisha McBride, an up-and-coming hip hop artist looking to make a name for herself in a
rock and country town.
Special Guest
Director/Producer Luchina Fisher in conversation with producer Nancy Diamond
Thursday, November 9, 2023
Narratives
My Eyes are Up Here
by Nathan Morris (UK)
Two first - date lovers are driven by the strengths, flaws and humor of the
disabled partner.
Watch Trailer Here
A Fox in the Night
by Keeran Blessie (UK)
Starling
by Mitra Shahidi ( USA)
Winner, Best Animated Short
Tribeca Film Festival, 2023
Starling, the spirit of a mischievous little girl, shoots down from the heavens to spend her birthday with her family.
Watch Trailer Here
The Sperm Bank
by Margaux Susi (USA)
Winner, UK Critics Circle Film Award,
Best British/Irish Short Film' 2023.
A South London story in which opposites attract, appearances deceive and bravery reaps rewards.
Watch Trailer Here
Newly diagnosed with stage 4 testicular cancer, 23-year-old Rob must now take the first big step...masterbate into a cup to protect a future he isn't sure exists.
Watch Trailer Here
Konpa
by Al'lkens Plancher (USA)
A young Haitian-American learns how to dance Konpa to impress his crush.
Watch Trailer Here
Let Liv
by Erica Rose (USA)
A young alcoholic woman, attending an AA meeting with her partner, unexpectedly runs into her estranged mother.
Watch Trailer Here
Special Guest:
• Writer, Actor Olivia Levine, Let Liv in conversation with Producer, Nancy Diamond
Thursday, November 17, 2022
Documentaries
John Leguizamo Live at Rikers Island
by Elena Francesa Engel (USA)
Winner, Best Documentary Short,
Indy Shorts Awards Cannes, 2022
Actor John Leguizamo spends time at Rikers Island inspiring justice-involved young men to reflect openly about their own lives and the serious challenges of incarceration.
More Than I Want to Remember
by Amy Bench (USA)
Beirut Dreams in Color
by Michael Collins
(Lebanon, UK, USA)
He’s the openly gay frontman of a Lebanese rock band. She is an ardent activist and fan. After one fateful night, their lives intersect and are altered forever.
Kylie
by Sterling Hampton (USA)
Winner, Best Animated Short,
Tribeca Film Festival, 2022
Fourteen-year-old Mugeni awakes to the sounds of bombs. As her family scatters to the surrounding forests to save themselves, Mugeni finds herself completely alone.
A young ballerina from the inner city voices her experiences in the dance industry while performing on the streets of Los Angeles.
Special Guest:
Kevin Wilson, Jr.
Oscar-nominated Director
Thursday, October 27, 2022
Narrative Films
Coming Out with the Help of a Time Machine
by Naman Gupta (USA)
Winner, Netflix-supported Tasveer Film Fund's Inaugural Competition
When coming out to his traditional parents, MIT grad student Sid uses his time machine to make sure the day goes perfectly.
Five - O
by Yassine Lassar Ramdani, Elsie Otinwa, Florence Fauquet, Ismaïl Alaoui Fdili, Ming Fai Sham Lourenço, and Eloïse Monmirel
(France)
A theater director from Paris sees an opportunity for a young immigrant police spotter to become a soloist in her opera.
Pete
by Bret Parker (USA)
Is it too much to ask that Pete be allowed to play Little League baseball just by being Pete?
Sparring Partner
by JJ Kandel (USA)
When a long flirtation between two co-workers comes to a head during a revealing lunch, who will walk away?
Written by award-winning playwright and screenwriter Neil LaBute. Featuring
Cecily Strong (SNL) & KeiLyn Durrel Jones.
Night Ride
by Eirik Tveiten (Norway)
Winner, Best Narrative Short,
Tribeca Film Festival 2022
On a cold night in December, Ebba's train ride transforms into an unexpected adventure.
Special Guest:
JJ Kandel
Director, Sparring Partner
A Look Back at SHORT CUTS 2021...
Thursday, November 18
Documentary Films
Change the Name
by Cai Thomas (USA)
Student activists and educators in Chicago campaign to change the name of a park from a slaveholder to an abolitionist.
Unspoken
by William Armstrong (Denmark)
Contemporary choreographer Paul Lightfoot creates a tribute to his father whom he lost during lockdown.
My Father, The Mover
by Julia Jansch (South Africa)
African electronic Gqom beats motivate kids in the township of Khayelitsha, South Africa to jive through their hardship and find their “superpowers.”
Grand Jury Award for Best Documentary Short, Tribeca
The Unlikely Fan
by Sai Selvarajan & Jeff Bednarz (USA)
Meet a Sri-Lankan born, Dallas based, retired teacher who knows a thing or two about hoops.
Nominated, SXSW Grand Jury Award
Coded: The Hidden Love of J.C. Leyendecker
by Ryan White (USA)
The story of illustrator J.C. Leyendecker,
whose legacy laid the foundation for today's out-and-proud LGBTQ+ advertisements.
Winner, Best Documentary Short, Tribeca
Thursday, November 4
Narrative Films
The Angler
by Oscar nominated David Darg (USA)
Six Nights
by Robert Brogden (USA)
CUPIDS
by Zoey Martinson (USA)
Three schoolchildren set out to find their beloved bus driver her perfect match.
No Longer Suitable For Use
by Julian Joslin (USA)
A Syrian FBI informant gets one final chance to avoid deportation.
Try to Fly
by The Affolter Brothers (animated-Canada)
While learning to fly, a baby owl has an existential crisis.
Nominated, Best Animated Short, Tribeca
A fisherman and a young mother have a chance encounter when their lines become entangled.
A restaurant dishwasher is given a last-minute chance to step up as a line cook.
Winner, Student Visionary Award,Tribeca
Thursday, October 14
Narrative Films
The Kicksled Choir
by Torfinn Iversen
(Norway)
Death and the Lady
by Geoff Bailey and Lucy Streuver
(animated-USA)
Nominated, Best Narrative Short, Tribeca
Ten year-old Gabriel dreams of joining a local caroling group.
On a dark and stormy night, Death pays a visit to a very old lady and her dog.
Two Jacked
by Jon Huertas (USA)
The world’s worst carjacker meets the world’s most understanding victim.
There are Bunnies on Fire in the Forest
by JLee MacKenzie (animated-USA)
A young girl gets in big trouble at school during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Waves
by Agazi Desta
Girl with a Thermal Gun
by Rongfei Guo (China)
Winner, Best Narrative Short, Tribeca
A teenager hopes to get his hair cut in "waves" for prom night.
A delivery man fantasizes about a girl who measures his temperature in a supermarket during COVID-19.
Special Guests
Geoff Bailey and Lucy Streuver
Directors, Death and the Lady
2020 November Selections:
Living the Truth
Single by Ashley Eakin (USA)
Winner, Special Jury Recognition, South by Southwest
Tapes by Dara Katz and Betsy Kenney (USA)
Dirty Laundry by Maxim Bessmertny (Macau)
Coup D'etat Math by Sai Selvarajan (USA)
Winner, Special Jury Recognition, South by Southwest
Liliu by Jeremiah Tauamiti (New Zealand)
Special Guests:
Directors
Sai Selvarajan, Betsey Kenney, Jeremiah Tauamiti
in discussion with Nancy Diamond
2020 October Selections:
Seeking Refuge
Cru - Raw by David Oesch (Switzerland)
Winner, Student Visionary Award, Tribeca
Gets Good Light by Alejandra Parody (USA)
Vera by Laura Rubirola Sala (Spain)
Toto by Marco Baldonado (Canada)
Nominated, Best Narrative Short, Tribeca
No More Wings by Abraham Adeyemi (United Kingdom)
Winner, Best Narrative Short, Tribeca
Special Guests:
Directors
Abraham Adeyemi, Alejandra Parody, David Oesch
in discussion with Nancy Diamond
2019 October Selections:
"The Secrets We Hold"
Special Guest: B. Monet
Writer & Director of
Ballet After Dark
MAJA
by Marijana Jankovic (Denmark)
Winner, Best Narrative Short
A little girl moves to a new country with her parents. Based on a true story.
by Dana Nachman (USA)
Nominee, Best Narrative Short
A sorority girl figures out a way to eliminate all risk from the late-night ritual that is the college hook up. Now all she needs is to find a guy to test out her idea on... and with.
HOOK UP 2.0
JEBEL BANAT
Winner, Student Visionary Award
The retelling of a melancholic 19th century Egyptian legend about two Bedouin sisters escaping forced marriages.
MOMSTER
by Drew Denny (USA)
Nominee, Get Shorty Award
A queer heist film starring Brianna Hildebrand and Amanda Plummer.
2019 November Selections:
"Living with Family"
Special Guest: Haley Finnegan
Writer, Actor, Director,
Westphalia
PEARL
by Yuchao "Robbin" Feng (China)
Special Jury Mention, 2019
In a desolate Chinese fishing village, a single mother gives her 6-year-old daughter one final lesson, inspired by true events.
by Scott Lochmus (USA)
An elderly maestro and a young piano prodigy venture out of their musical isolation in hopes of selling their beloved piano.
METRONOME (IN TIME)
MIND MY MIND
by Floor Adams (The Netherlands)
Nominated, Best International Short 2019
Relying on social scripts to survive the social world, one must not go off-script. Especially if you want to date a girl.
WESTFALIA
by Haley Finnegan (USA)
Emelia & Brody pack their things for a social media road trip in a 1984 Westfalia Vanagon...their aim is to become Insta-famous.
SHORT CUTS Festival Highlights!