Independent Shorts Awards

“Blue Toes” is a story that fights to break the rules of gender normative behavior between kids. It follows a young boy named Mickey, who is teased for liking things boys usually don’t like. In the beginning, we establish that Mickey does not have many friends, and is often alone. The one place where he feels accepted is after school with his swim team. He is one of the best swimmers on the team and feels a part of the group. Mickey also has an older sister that helps him express himself whether it be through trying different kinds of makeup or throwing on an old dress of hers. The point of the story is to show that kids should be accepted, no matter what their interests are, regardless of their gender.
Directed by Isobella Antelis (USA)

A dark comedy, that follows two women, one alive, one dead, across space, time, and the suburbs, as they struggle to find themselves and right past wrongs following a suicide.
Directed by Lindsay MacKay (Canada)

Perhaps one of the most extreme examples of the awe-inspiring beauty that can be found on this earth. Though seemingly invincible and stronger than the millennia that have shaped it, this towering example of stern serenity is under threat.
Directed by Paulo Ferreira (Portugal)

Set in the old west, this story revolves around a bounty hunter with a troubled past who has his own humanity restored through an unlikely encounter with a bandit and his daughter.
Directed by Shashank Varma (India)

A girl wakes up in the middle of nowhere to see in a mirror her reflection ten seconds ahead of her time. When she wakes up again the nightmare has just started over.
Directed by Victor Perez (UK)

Vanilla Boy, Suko and Knoxx find each other at the wondrous mansion in the winter. Whilst enjoying the last bit of their lives after death, they begin reminiscing about their long lost memories — until the time comes for them to be reborn.
Directed by Sasawat Loesrit (USA)

In 1974, at a Portuguese Catholic seminary, a boy learns to speak up against what he feels is unjust in a society based on censorship.
Directed by Ana Pio (Portugal)

Directed by Ali Eskandarzadeh (Netherlands)

After catching a Wish Gremlin, a small town must put aside their differences and vote on one collective wish.
Directed by Elvira Ibragimova (USA)

A heroin addict, and former track star, returns home to her sister’s house to begin the long difficult road to recovery.
Directed by Joel Alvarado (USA)

All sorts of things can happen in the search of an idea.
Directed by Juan Paulín (Mexico)

A short comedy animation: Being an activist made easy by having all you need to be an activist in a box! EZ ACTIVIST! Media produced by the spring 2018 Graphic Arts class @ Bayview Hunters Point Center for the Arts and Technology.
Directed by Ryan Travis and Jevani Mclean (USA)

The girl who buries the flower.
Directed by Diane Chen (Canada)

A young woman must undergo a routine medical exam with a nosy and judgmental doctor.
Directed by Norman Mackinnon (USA)