Independent Shorts Awards

Just your typical, mediocre, beige, room temperature sex. John and Eric put the “lust” back in “lackluster.”
Directed by Mitch Yapko (USA)

Lucy is a studious high school junior who dreams of attending the Sadie Hawkins dance with Tomás, a classmate who keeps to himself and sits behind her in Spanish class. After devising a way to get his attention, the two strike up a flirtatious friendship, setting off a chain of events that inspire Lucy to finally take the leap — but just when she thinks the hard part is over, things take an unexpected, and rather mortifying, turn.
Directed by Marcela Cantú Serrano (USA)

When life ends for one of the two loving people, in the life of the other person only love remains still. Regardless of the love that has been lost true love always lives and stays alive. Life will not ever be the same for the person that has lost his loved one. 
One day he comes across the person that took the life away from his loved woman. 
One absurd accident and the heartbroken man notices her picture in a stranger’s car. When he finds out the whole truth, he makes his own judgment.
Directed by Oleg Loparev (USA)

Rocked by a devastating loss and a pending eviction from the home he shared with his wife, a man struggles to cope and “move forward” despite his sister’s best efforts to help him.
Directed by Latasha Kennedy (USA)

Jessica, a young dance teacher working hard to make it as an actor, is betrayed by her producer boyfriend; he cheats on her, and releases a revenge video on the internet. Her life spirals downwards as she struggles with self harm.
Directed by Arman S. Haghi (Australia)

A washed up drug addicted rockstar is being hunted by aliens.
Directed by Doug Grean (USA)

In 1963, Asian American activist Yuri Kochiyama shook hands with Malcolm X for the first time. Over the next few years, Yuri and Malcolm would share a friendship that was grounded in fighting oppression and finding voice for their communities. In addition to sharing a passion for tackling systemic racism, they also shared a birth date, and ultimately Malcolm’s final moment together. This segment is part of a Broadcast/Podcast /Webshow “From The Grassroots”
By Lanita Duke (USA)

A dauntless young Victorian era Native American woman assumes the spirit of a legendary character to survive oppression.
Written by Melissa Tanta (USA)

Life is kind of funny sometimes. “Under Cover Comic” is the story of a family man who, after a strange brush with death, decides to pursue stand-up comedy. In the film, he grapples with the push and pull between family, passion, and the frailty of life.
Directed by Bobby Friedman (USA)

Indebted to the mob, Bobby “Boombats’, an underachieving loser, hatches a half baked business venture to avoid moving back home with his suffocating Italian Mama, and his more successful, yet conflicted older brother.
Directed by Matt Birman, Bryan Kowalsky and Ron Lea (Canada)

Belfast. 1984. Two old friends meet for the first time in years and set off on a journey that will change their lives.
Directed by Ashley Price (UK)

Jeff Rolfzen and Rocky Steen-Rolfzen are predominately known as the songwriting duo The Lark and the Loon. As filmmakers, the duo has produced music videos for all of their albums over the last few years.
Directed by Jeff Rolfzen and Rocky Steen-Rolfzen (USA)

A cry to the Lord of the Worlds and a question as to why so many divisions (religious) and sects have formed over time. This song is also a plea to humanity to unify themselves under one banner. The song’s purpose is to enlighten the realization of our current state.
Directed by Mohammed Paika (USA)

After attending the Global Water Summit as an academic participant, I was inspired to make a documentary without having any experience in filmmaking.

This film was created to ask:

Is it possible to make a film for the average person, from an average person’s viewpoint and be able to reach others?

“We have the knowledge and the resources today to choose the future we want”

The effects of water shortages are being seen all over the world in our lifetime. Adapting to a changed reality takes precedent in a world of over 7 billion people. Hear what others have to say about water conservation, technological trends and sharing ideas with the next generation. Is it possible to ensure a future with clean water for everyone?
Directed by Zachary Thomson (USA)