Independent Shorts Awards

A paranormal psychiatrist treats a variety of otherworldly patients while battling his own inner demons.
Directed by Michael Carnick (USA)

Matthew, a seemingly ordinary man, is plagued by an unusual ailment: an aggressive and hateful alter ego who delights in wearing on Matthew’s mental state. Looking for relief, Matthew speaks with a psychologist and learns that the unwanted friend may be more a part of himself than he would like to admit. However, in reaching out for help, hope remains that he will find the peace of mind he is looking for.

This film was produced as the final senior thesis for the Art Institute of Portland, which closed its doors permanently shortly after the film’s completion.
Directed by Tyler Schlipf (USA)

A veteran returns home after years of fighting, only to find himself fighting another war within himself that may have fatal consequences.
Directed by Daniel Roy (USA)

A troubled young man, in the midst of a suicide attempt, ponders the meaning of life and the trajectory of his own.
Directed by Kayla Hashimoto (USA)

Directed by Sage Drake (USA)

Satan prematurely snatches a NASA Pilot from his accident and takes him straight to HELL. Randy is not only tormented by demons but is shocked at who else shares his fate.
Written by Lea Ann Vandygriff (USA) 

Borden. This name echoes among movie lovers as the multiple awards winner screenwriter. Although his next movie is already announced, he’s facing the blank page syndrome. A whole new kind of brainstorming seems necessary …
Directed by Ugo Melcore and Loris Melcore (France)

A meteor is hurtling towards Earth, and there’s nothing we can do to stop its imminent impact. For three ex-best friends, that might be the best thing that’s ever happened to them.
Directed by Roth Rind (USA)

We follow a man with an idea to create a film. He is convinced that his idea for this film is so brilliant. This sends him on a journey of hope and despair. This is that film.
Directed by Gustav Egerstedt (Sweden)

The Translator is the story of Jonathan Huang, a professional translator who excels at helping others communicate but lacks every social skill imaginable in his personal life. In fact, his most meaningful relationship is with his pet parrot, White. His latest project, being the on-set translator for a biscuit commercial, triggers a set of circumstances that will take Jonathan on a journey of self-discovery that culminates in him having to face, uncomfortably at times, what makes us truly human: the need to love and be loved.
Directed by Pagorn Jungrungruang (Singapore)

Africa Amini Alama – Africa, I Believe in You” a film-essay.

A film about a special project, founded by two women – two Austrian medical doctors. They demonstrate to us how a charitable strategy and practical thinking can balance poverty in Africa and western prosperity. Christine Wallner had set herself the goal of establishing humane structures in Tanzania on her own private initiative – among other things by providing medical care and free local schooling. As a result, the demand for skilled personnel has led to a considerable number of valuable jobs for the people in the region. 
Christine started her brilliant work around 2008. Three years later her daughter Cornelia followed. The two perfectly complement each other and together, have achieved miracles. They organize the funding of an exemplary infrastructure that is set in place to sustain itself in years to come. 
In the form of sensitive atmospheric images and realistic close-ups, the film conveys the meaning of successful economic networking in a steppe landscape near the equator in Africa. The special mindset behind this organization becomes comprehensible and contagious: people want to get involved in the project. 
The sound of the musician Norbert Math (“alien productions”), composed especially for this film, supports the complex pictorial footage, reinforces the images and brings them into a comprehensible form. 
Directed by Magdalena Frey (Austria)

An awkward startup employee must deliver a box that informs its recipient that their boyfriend is breaking up with them.
Directed by Bryan Firks (USA)

Tension mounts between two rival “biker” gangs when they butt helmets at a local watering hole.
Directed by Anthony Echo (USA)