Independent Shorts Awards

An African American family reunites for its annual barbecue get together where one of the youngsters introduces his new girlfriend from South Korea which results in a funny cultural and social clash.
Directed by Freddie Basnight (USA)

After her relationship abruptly ends, a woman isolates herself in a new apartment and attempts to rebuild her life. Her sister recommends a pop-wellness, self-help guide that focuses on organizing, tidying, and simplifying life, written by an artist-turned-newsletter writer-turned influencer. As she falls deeper into the world of the book, the woman finally feels in control of her life for the first time in years – but nothing can stop her as she attempts to obtain, and maintain, An Aspirational Space.
Directed by GG Hawkins (USA)

Do you really believe that you can buy a smile in 5 rupees? Is it worth to buy a smile which defines the status of our life, which conveys the essence of our reality? A lot of people outside are searching for this smile which can change their moments, days or maybe a year too. Are not we enough capable to gift a smile to one who is ready to buy it? We don’t treat poor people as our fellow mates. Time has come for us to think twice. The film is about poor street children and social awareness.
Directed by Kushal Dasgupta (India)

A girl is dead. And she’s just the first.
Julia is a pretty typical teen, except that a deadbeat drunk for a father and the murder of her best friend have made her fearless and brave beyond her years. When Julia and her friends secretly visit the abandoned “Tillie” mural at the old Palace Amusements, they seem to unsettle something. Then, as they spend the day at the local carnival, Julia’s friends start to go missing. Julia will have to get to the bottom of the disappearances, or – who knows? – she may be next.
Directed by Olivia Anton (USA)

Teaser for a drama/mystery TV miniseries about a sorority legacy who’s life is put in jeopardy when she learns the fatal truth behind the disappearance of one of her sorority sisters from that sister herself.
Directed by Elena C. Lockleis (USA)

Christine disappears while jogging, causing a small town to wonder what happened to her. Struggling to free herself from a sexual predator, we discover just how close she is to home. Have you seen Christine Simmons?
Directed by Paul Foster (USA)

Anacronte and the Sorcerers of Evil, without any emotion and fulfilling their destiny, they put to test humanity’s happiness in a struggle that, in short, has each of us as winners and losers.
Directed by Raúl Koler and Emiliano Sette (Argentina)

A silent short film about a man who thinks he’s spotted an iconic Brigitte Bardot type in a library and continues to pursue her in a 1960s style gentle comedy.
Directed by Cameron Moon (UK)

By Nan Li (USA)

Harold closes himself up in a world of black and white with a black and white fantasy girlfriend. One day a graffiti artist named Annie crushes into his life and brings color with her. Harold tries to stay away, but in the end, he realizes that he wants the colorful life and lets go of the fantasy.
Directed by Yao Yu (USA)