Human connections and relationships are explored in this innovative and insightful group of films. How people negotiate the environment they live in in and the often complex dynamics of relating to one another is laid out with a keen observation. Personal convictions and courage are a common thread in these stories which are all told in creative and unconventional ways utilizing different techniques and textures. This is a very introspective and engrossing program.

Q&A moderated by Shay Filmore, Film Programmer

The Old Young Crow
Liam LoPinto / Japan, U.S. / 2023 / 12 min. / Farsi, Japanese
In the twilight of his life, Mehrdad, now an elderly man, reminisces about his transformative journey from Iran to Japan.

Palm Sunday
Wes Andre Goodrich / U.S. / 2023 / 15 min. / English
A southern gothic drama about a young Black Caribbean Immigrant who feels called by God to assimilate into an all-white church in 1970 Raleigh, North Carolina.

Eli, Briefly
Celine Sutter / U.S. / 2022 / 14 min. / English
Newly successful actor Eli loses their keys after blacking out at a party. Told in an invasive structure, Eli must reckon with their past to get a spare set.

Mirasol
Annalise Lockhart / U.S. / 2023 / 9 min. / English
Mirasol lives a monotonous and lonely life on a farm with her mother & grandmother. One day out gardening, she finds a seedling growing in a puddle outside.

Four Nights and a Fire
Alex Nystrom / U.S. / 2023 / 13 min. / English
A young Ojibwe man fights to keep a sacred fire burning in mourning of his father while his father’s spirit prepares for the afterlife.

Hair Care
Fatima Wardy / U.S. / 2023 / 12 min. / English, French
After a visit to the African hair salon goes awry, a young Ivorian-American woman must traverse a fantastically animated Abidjan to track down her hair braider.

Olive
Lev Omelchenko / U.S. / 2023 / 13 min. / English
“Olive” follows Olive Hagemeier, an energetic older woman, on her daily routine of salvaging, repackaging and redistributing food across Atlanta

Flutz
Ryan McCown / U.S. / 2022 / 8 min. / English
A rivalry between two figure skaters. And a witch.