Independent Shorts Awards

When I walk in Tehran, the things I see are quite normal for me. It has become so commonplace that I do not really see anything. But when I am shooting pictures of parts of the city with a broken video camera, and then seeing these pictures, I encounter a new city. I’m gazing at these crash-images of the city and creating a new city in my mind.
Directed by Sina Khanahmadi (Iran)

When an overworked, high-strung airline pilot is stranded at an airport, he is forced to spend the night with the only other traveler around, a free-spirited young man bent on showing the pilot how to live a little. But when the two new friends try to part ways the next morning, they are brought back together for a shocking revelation.
Directed by Jonathon Kane (USA)

A high school teacher, recently laid off, unintentionally finds new life and fame as a steamy adult novelist with hilarious consequences.
Directed by Kailin Gow (USA)

Charlie, a night shift security guard, finds himself working in an abandoned old church alone.
Directed by Vibol S. Sungkriem (USA)

A businessman proposes to his girlfriend in a private dining room at a fancy restaurant. He uses a business presentation, of course, which upsets her. Luckily a sympathetic waiter is at the ready to make sure things don’t veer too far off course.
Directed by Emmett Loverde (USA)

A man tangled in the violent criminal world of bare-knuckle fighting pursues a misguided attempt at redemption.
Directed by Laura Groombridge (Australia)

Perma gold mine, Benin. Some dream to find something, others realized there was nothing to be found. Some dig relentlessly hoping to become rich, others died in the process. And a few of them say that here, nobody dies.
Directed by Simon Panay (France)

Sometimes the one preventing you from moving forward is yourself.
Directed by Philip Rachid (United Arab Emirates)

A woman was living in a village with her two small kids. The thieves want to rob her cattle but she finds it out.
Directed by Mirabbas Khosravinezhad (Iran)

Two friends, a filmmaker and photographer, traverse the vast expanses of Namibia in their 4×4 Ford Ranger. This hypnotic road trip – without voiceover or interview (only music) – will show you something of the soul of this majestic and arid country where time passes differently.
Directed by Matthieu Vinel (France)

Ani is a journalist who was charged by her diary to write an article about Ezra dead during an attack. For doing this, she organized an appointment with Lily, the sister of the deceased, in a pub. While she was waiting for her in the bar, she will make an unexpected meeting that will not leave her indifferent.
Directed by Gazanfer Biricik (France)

A family decides to sell their old house so they can buy a new one that they saw on TV. They had a hard time selling it so they put in hard work to fix it. But things take a turn when all get well.
Directed by Farkhondeh Torabi (Iran)

After being deported to Mexico, Carmen is forced to survive in a country she doesn’t understand anymore. Follow her struggles as she looks for an answer to where she’s really from, and which country is truly her home.
Directed by Matias Nilsson (USA)

Julie is plagued by guilt over the death of her boyfriend Carl. She feels it is her fault and her friends are judging her for it. As she navigates her thoughts and memories at his wake, we come to a startling revelation.
Directed by Larry Rosen (USA)