Independent Shorts Awards

Hers Truly

“Hers Truly” traces the emotional journey of a loving stepmother, Lakshmi who has to part with her 5-year-old daughter, Aditi owing to a custody battle; but instead, she decides to fight against fate.
Directed by Lakshmi Sathish (United Arab Emirates)

Token

Two artists in different stages of life and success deal with the effects of love, ego and loss in modern-day LA.
Directed by Joy Shi (USA)

The Remnant

As a young family moves into their first home, something from its past still remains.
Written by Kaitlyn Kowalski (USA)

The Seeker

A young girl struggles between helping her family, and doing the right thing.
Written by Kaitlyn Kowalski (USA)

Into the Dark

Sometime in the future, two men strapped in back to back, on a journey from Moon to Earth. Real Justice. Just Reality.
Directed by Lukas Hassel (USA)

Rat Trap

After months of loyal service, Lowery wakes up in the boot of a car accused by his drug-dealing boss of being an undercover cop. Lowery must do all that he can to convince him otherwise before they reach their destination, the infamous Butcher Shop.
Directed by Andrew Yeremeyev (Australia)

Remnants

Two sisters return home for their father’s funeral, only to discover hidden relics within a deserted house that explain unknown family secrets.
Directed by Kit Wilson (USA)

Mommy’s Girl

A family drama about a young girl’s struggle to pursue her passion for boxing despite her mom’s doubts. Student Film produced within the University of Southern California.
Directed by Adele Biraghi (USA)

Escar-Gogh

In a vast and unsympathetic universe, a little snail has a good time painting.
Directed by Hunter Silvestri (USA)

Moon Corridor

A young woman in 1876 dreams of a little girl from the future. A little girl in 2018 sees the apparition of a young woman from long ago. And together they will fall through the brink of reality…
Directed by Alice Evermore (Germany)

The Black Mambas

South Africa’s first and only all-female, anti-poaching unit, fighting to rescue their country’s rhinos from the edge of extinction.
Comprised of a group of local, Black women, from the communities surrounding the Kruger National Park, these military-trained women are the eyes and ears on the ground, as they patrol the bush for any signs of poachers. Their work within the boundaries of the reserve has seen rhino poaching decrease by nearly 80%. But for these women, this is only a short-term solution and a small victory in a much bigger war. To tackle the greater socio-economic problems concerned with poaching, they have adopted a longer-term view and are taking their fight beyond the reserve’s fence. In starting their Bushbabies program, the Mambas are actively going out to the schools and communities surrounding the park, instilling in the children especially, a sense of pride and duty in protecting their most precious heritage, their wildlife.
Directed by Bruce Donnelly (USA)