Independent Shorts Awards

The Last Cry

A physically and mentally abused woman goes on a journey to self discovery by unraveling her past.
Directed by Sofia Pellegrino (USA)

Dancing in the Rain

In my life, I have had several major surgeries. One of them was in 2007 when I had a major spine surgery to correct a 100 degree scoliosis, the other was in 2012 when I had limb lengthing surgery on my legs to correct some deformities and increase my height from 3 ft. to 3 ft 4.5 inches. This animation goes deeper in the emotional psyche of how I felt during those surgeries, but how I ultimately became stronger because of those surgeries.
Directed by Carolina Robledo (USA)

…And Some Don’t

After the death of his father, an apathetic hospital janitor decides to help a doctor with his business outside of the hospital. 
Directed by Taylor Wilson (USA)

Rubber Room

“The Breakfast Club” for Teachers. An uptight highly-educated school Principal is sentenced to a detention center for misfit teachers where his fate will be decided by good behavior.
Directed by Dugan Bridges (USA)

Sip

“Sip” is a comedy that compares modern relationships to your first cup of coffee in the morning.
Directed by Kelly Elsas (Australia)

Cherished

“Cherished” is a Rom-Dram, about an introverted boy who falls in love with an insecure, but undeniably beautiful girl and helps her understand her full potential, only to have her realize she’s worth more than what he provides. 
This three-year story is told primarily through a “fourth wall” perspective of a bedroom. Emphasis is put on character action, blocking, costume design, production design, color, lighting, special effects, and sound design to help tell the most effective story possible.
Directed by Carter Lau (USA)

Unmasked

A group of dancers audition for a musical that will go on tour in the United States and then in Europe (starting in Paris). 
During the audition, issues of nudity, ageism, gender roles, male insensitivity towards female-artists all come up, in a dramatic/comedic way.
Directed by Celik Kayalar (USA)