Equal (United States) by Tom Bessoir

EQUAL is a cinematic exploration of Richard Serra’s sculpture of the same name on display at the Museum of Modern Art. The sculpture consists of eight forged-steel blocks stacked in pairs. Each rectangular block measures 5 feet by 5 and 1/2 feet by 6 feet and weighs 40 tons. The blocks are rotated and stacked so that the top and bottom blocks align differently. Yet the four stacks are each 11 feet tall. This simple form makes me think about space, mass, weight, and time. Like the sculpture, my film seeks to both overwhelm the viewer and invite contemplation.

Running time: 00:03:47

Lana (Canada) by Laetitia Angba, Julie R. Lissouba

Lana, in her chaotic teenage years, doesn’t live her life exactly as everyone else. Her father, Benjamin, is threaten of deportation from Canada and her family deals everyday with the fear of an expected separation. To protect her family, she creates a routine that allows her and her little brother to have a semblance of stability and normality. While a silent battle is going on, Lana has to be brave enough to confront her father before his departure. 

Running time: 00:16:18

Remember Me (United States) by Claire Titelman

A woman whose social skills have grown rusty—due to an extended period spent alone caring for her ailing father—rehearses for an upcoming date, her first in a long while.

Running time: 00:09:20

Grima (United States) by Richie Harrington

When Jen's guilt starts to catch up to her, she begins to experience grima, the sensation you get from nails on a chalkboard. She must choose to confront the past or be consumed by her guilt.

Running time: 00:06:09

The Hemingway (United States) by Evan Mathis, Patrick Sean O'Brien

"The Hemingway" is a visually stunning short film that attempts to unravel some of the complexities that come through living with ALS. As Patrick faces the extraordinary challenges to otherwise mundane tasks due to his condition, the narrative voice inside his head provides insights into life's peculiarities during his most intimate moments. Unexpected twists and turns reveal the intricacies of interpersonal relationships in the outwardly silent world of ALS. In a short span, "The Hemingway" skillfully navigates the delicate balance between life’s beauty, dark humor, and heartfelt revelation - offering a poignant exploration of the human experience through life, death and shit. 

Running time: 00:09:04

Broken Dawn (South Korea) by Hae-0h Park

In the gentle hush of dawn, when the world rests, Young-ok(Squid Game Season 2, 3, Extraordinary Attorney Woo), an old woman, drifts through quiet streets. She drives others’ cars home, seeking a friendly voice.

To calm her lonely heart, she wanders the night. But harsh words and silent glances greet her, her quiet voice slipping into the dark.

Under a soft yellow glow, Young-ok keeps on driving, through a dawn that lingers, unanchored.

Running time: 00:15:57

Trump Pinochet (United States) by Gerald Habarth

This short experimental animation reflects tensions and apprehensions around the growing autocratic tendencies in the US and the world at large. It references Donald Trump and Augusto Pinochet, authoritarians who successfully manipulated public perceptions and attitudes to centralize power and wealth while undermining the democratic and moral underpinnings of their respective nations. Its uncertain spaces, course textures, clumsy imagery and dissonant sounds resonate with the tenuousness of these developments and these times. 

Running time: 00:02:58

Dead tooth (France) by Romane Eilahtan

Tara has a dental appointment to fix a dead tooth. But one unexpected event after another turns this endless day into hell. Will Tara find a way to smile again and at what costs?

Running time: 00:20:00