2 minute read
SHORTS “FROM AWAY”
Friday, July 7 9:40PM | MFC 2
Monday, July 10 1PM | WOH
Ekai
Spain 2021 - 20 minutes, in Spanish with English subtitles
Director, Screenplay: Arantza Ibarra Basañez
Producers: Izaskun Arandia, Ana Martínez, Elaxar Lersundi
The story of young transgender boy Ekai Lersundi, who took his own life in 2018 after fighting for better access to gender-affirming care in the Basque Country.
Dreams Of Home
USA 2023 - 4 minutes, in English
Director, Screenplay: Justin Kaminuma
An experimental coming-of-age film following a boy skateboarding through abstract landscapes and memories in search of a place he encountered in a dream. By recontextualizing photographs and footage shot in his daily life over the years, he constructs a dreamscape that oscillates between the real and the surreal.
Panic Attack
Ireland 2023 - 14 minutes, in English
Director, Producer, Screenplay: Anthony Assad
Cast: Laurence McCann, Jackson Lennon, Geraldine McAlinden
In this endearing short film, we follow Alex’s journey as he navigates the challenges of gender transition and grapples with his fears and anxieties. When his best friend Cal cancels their joint venture, Alex is forced to confront his insecurities and embark on a journey of self-discovery alone.
Familiar Stranger
Switzerland, Italy 2022 - 19 minutes, in English and in German, Italian, and Swiss German with English subtitles
Director, Screenplay: Sara Furrer, Fabian Lütolf
Producers: Edith Flückiger, Urs Augstburger
Sara travels to La Spezia, Italy to uncover more about her grandfather, whose absence has left a void in her family. As she searches for clues, she grapples with the complexities of kinship and identity in this emotionally charged and thought-provoking documentary.
![](https://assets.isu.pub/document-structure/230728234046-575615c270e12012f2a9278d715aa3c4/v1/769558f6bf9cad13e7a0e227edad30c9.jpeg)
Topia
USA 2022 - 15 minutes, in English
Director: Jessie Lee Thorne, Justin Thorne
Producer: David Orr
With: Laja Field, Matt Luck, Annalise Gehling, Keilan Stafford, Jessie Lee Thorne
Through striking visuals and haunting sound design, this experimental dance film explores manifestations of darkness and the necessity of vulnerability, community, and holding each other in pain and joy.
Not Today
Turkey 2022 - 14 minutes, in Turkish with English subtitles
Director: Yağmur Mısırlıoğlu
Screenplay: Yağmur Mısırlıoğlu, Can Pekdemir
Producer: Nefes Polat
A cautionary tale of what happens when new-age thinking is applied to real life. Meryem works as a nanny for a wealthy family, while also shouldering the responsibility of her own family. One day Meryem decides to take the advice of her privileged employer, and soon discovers the path to self-discovery is not without its challenges and sacrifices.
Sand Mama
USA 2022 - 5 minutes, in English
Director, Screenplay: Catherine Loerke
Producer: Elise Shin
Cast: Miriam Silverman, Adam Green
Unable to resolve her identity crisis, an ambivalent mother makes a startling choice on a family beach trip. Sand Mama asks the viewer to ponder how motherhood defines women’s identities, and at what cost.
![](https://assets.isu.pub/document-structure/230728234046-575615c270e12012f2a9278d715aa3c4/v1/9cec2f91db104307fa5a9213289ec0da.jpeg)
Babel
Spain 2021 - 9 minutes, in Spanish with English subtitles
Director, Producer, Screenplay: Alejandro San Martín
Cast: Antonio Gil, Luz Valdenebro, Paula Iglesias, Marcos Zhang, Angela Cremonte
In this thought-provoking short film, we witness a group of people who are suddenly unable to communicate coherently, reduced to uttering only disjointed phrases. As society struggles to understand this baffling phenomenon, the afflicted individuals are isolated and subjected to scientific scrutiny.
WINTER’S PASSING
USA, China 2022 - 21 minutes, in Mandarin with English subtitles
Director, Screenplay: Yang Fei
Producers: Lei Xu, Yang Fei
Cast: Zhiyi Yang, Jimei Zeng
Following his mother’s untimely death and his father’s remarriage, 8-year-old Xuan is sent to live with his grandfather who owns a small urn shop. When Xuan meets a mother grieving the loss of her son, they learn that hope can come from unexpected places.