Independent Shorts Awards

UkeLayla

Layla, a young girl with a speech disability, has high hopes for her first day of school, but her differences make it difficult to connect with others. Where speech fails, music speaks. Follow Layla and Kiki into a world of music, magic, and friendship in UkeLayla!
Directed by Alina Alikhanyan, Xenia Benitez, Carol Eastwood, Tal Minks, Haleigh Mooney, Daniela Muiño, Adriana Reiley, Daniela Reiley, Emma Schmitz, Kelly Taylor, Tabitha Thomas, Kim Tong, Christine Yim and Tony Yon (USA)

What Lies Between

In the distant future, the world has come to a simpler time. Corbett receives a letter from his brother and must decide if it is worth seeing him again.
Directed by Dustin Richardson (USA)

Way to Go

We don’t always get to choose the way we die. Sometimes we deny death is at our doorstep or as a passenger. Our journey to the unknown can be fraught with terror and desperation, even when a harmless traveler is sent to accompany you to your hereafter.
Directed by Sandra Hammack-Brown (USA)

A Long Story Short

A snail has a journey. He meets a lost mirror and he thinks that his life has an important purpose. The snail is curious about his own reflection until everything gets lost in his mind and the dream of the snail becomes confused…
Directed by Andrei Olănescu (Romania)

Flushing Flesh

A bizarre young man Eugene falls in love and runs away with a falling angel Amy. True love conquers darkness and evil.
Directed by Taylor Cohan (USA)

Range

Two brothers get into a friendly target shooting competition, but big egos & money set things on a road getting way out of hand. While they are fighting to see who is the best the real question is… Who will walk away with the money?
Directed by Chris Velazquez (USA)

Whale Hunter

Saeed who is a worker in a small factory making Samovar gets fired, but he has guests for the dinner and he needs to find some money. While searching for money, he meets an old man who believes his magical ring can solve all the problems. Saeed takes the ring and seeks to solve his problems.
Directed by Saeed Zamanian (Iran)

Homesick

A vivid look at modern life where the city, nature and obligations come to a crossroads.
Directed by Jupiter Leo (USA)