Independent Shorts Awards

For the past 50 years, Mojo has been entertaining audiences around the world. He’s a musician, singer and songwriter and the leader of Mojo and the Bayou Gypsies. About 6 years ago, I discovered his music searching for a soundtrack for 10 ‘Soldier Story’ mini-documentaries created to engage the support of the creation of a National Museum of the US Army. These stories of Army combat veterans were impactful and emotional and Mojo’s composition ‘Lights on the Bayou’, a beautiful and haunting ballad in the cajun style, was the perfect fit. This introduced me to Mojo and the discovery that there is more to his music and more to the man than his Cajun accordion. This documentary looks into the making of a man who gives something every day, lives life to the fullest, and all his friends are friends for life.
Directed by Joe Gallo (USA)

In 1873, Tin is a Chinese rail worker working in California, after he escaped from the railway construction. He meets a wounded treasure thief – Dan the cowboy. 
Tin finally decides to save Dan’s life, and Dan helps Tin to cut the chain. They become friends. Dan stole the most important treasure from a Native American tribe, and they send the best warriors to take it back. 
Tin has to fight with warriors to protect his friend’s life.
Directed by Shuaiyu Liu (USA)

This is a story about photographer Isabelle Pisano, a woman who became hearing-impaired after a violent car accident. As she struggles to cope in the muffled and scary new normal something beautifully-terrifying happens…
Directed by Tawan Bazemore (USA)

A coincidence, fate or something else?
Directed by Arek Zasowski (UK)

A lonely service robot looks for meaning and purpose in a seemingly empty world.
Directed by Brian Watson (USA)

This film deals with the restrictive nature of women’s clothing throughout the ages and also with sexism in general.
Directed by Ingrid Nachstern (Ireland)

“The Most Magnificent Thing” is an inspirational story about a little girl with a creative spirit, determined to make great things. Joined by her best friend, her pet dog, the two happily explore the world, doing absolutely everything together. When she receives her very own tool kit, the little girl sets out to make the most magnificent thing for her best friend – but it’s not as easy as she thinks! “The Most Magnificent Thing” is a timeless tale about learning through perseverance and hard work, the power of love, and selflessness.
Directed by Arna Selznick (Canada)

Through the interspecies gaze, we observe one of the most ancient and highly honored dog breeds, the Saluki. Guiding us in love, preparing us in death and transforming us in life.
Directed by Dianne Lucille Campbell (Ireland)

A lone gas station attendant finds herself caught up in her past which rears it’s ugly truth one evening.
Directed by Sam Fayed and Matthew Duncan (USA)

A fallen Broadway star’s addiction collides into his biggest fan…his daughter.
Written by Frank Vespe (USA)

When two school-girls awaken tied up with no chance of escape, they’re forced to face some exceptional consequences for the sins of their past.
Directed by Mark Champine (USA)

Directed by Siyuan Chen (USA)

Directed by Dmitry Kharchuk (USA)

A story about a young man chasing his dream of being a car racer but struggled with his family and the secret behind the family.
Directed by Ziwei Han (USA)