SHORTS “FROM AWAY”

Friday, July 7 9:40PM | MFC 2

Monday, July 10 1PM | WOH

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.