Circle (USA) by Phillip Kaminiak

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Synopsis: An analogy between the modern human being, living in mass cities, and the phenomenon of the circle of death - observed in nature with ants who are separated from the main foraging party and lose the pheromone track. They begin to follow one another, forming a continuously rotating circle, commonly known as a "death spiral" because the ants might eventually die of exhaustion. Shot in Mexico City by director Phillip Kaminiak, this vibrant and impressive city is a protagonist, symbolizing a life in endless high speed movement and the humans who are dedicating their lives to endless movement, self-exhaustion in a modern capitalistic-based world. Running time: 00:06:10.

 

Selections/awards: Vimeo Staff Pick, Brussels Independent FF, and more.

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Generation (UK) by Riccardo Fusetti

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Trailer

 

Synopsis: A brief journey through the human experience as seen by the eyes of an Artificial Intelligence. Running time: 00:02:13.

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Selections/awards: Short Of The Week, Super Shorts London, Sydney World FF, and more.

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Frontier (China) by Xiaopeng Zhu

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Synopsis: The intern Li Wei, as a test subject of artificial intelligence, faces the temptation and persecution of the central system in an experiment where the boundaries of morality and humanity seem to be unfortunately out of control, and still chooses to sacrifice herself to preserve humankind. Running time: 00:09:23.

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Bailey's Beads (USA) by Johnny Clyde

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Synopsis: A TV magician opens a viewers third eye, giving him a chance to confront his own consciousness. Running time: 00:04:38.

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Selections/awards: Sydney World FF.

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Text me when you get home xx (Germany) by Niklas Bauer

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Trailer

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Synopsis: At night, a woman enters a stranger’s car, casually and voluntarily. But soon she begins to sense the dangerous situation she might be in. Running time: 0:10:37.

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Selections/awards: Bundesfestival Junger Film, Werkstatt Junge Filmszene Wiesbaden, Cineglobe IFF Cern, Brest European Short FF, and more.

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Pastel Hell (Australia) by Hugo Kit Miklos Vadasz

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Trailer

 

Synopsis: An experimental film drawing on traditional artistic techniques to explore a young person's first experience with time. Pastel Hell incorporates stop-motion, live-action and VFX to build a multi-dimensional space where characters can develop while implementing a forced perspective. The film is set inside the mind of its lead character, a young woman who has spent the night partying a bit too hard. Her consciousness takes an exciting turn when she decides to call it a night, but things start to catch up with her. The concept of time appears in an embodied form, luring her in so she can't turn away. It causes her to spiral deeper into a world full of anxiety and paranoia - that of her inner self. Our protagonist is forced to face the fears of not only herself, but those of a generation coming to the realisation that time is endless, and we are stuck in a world without choice. Running time: 00:05:00.

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Supurbia (Norway) by Alexander Gudmestad

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Trailer

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Synopsis: While his neighbors, friends and family all prepare for an emission-free Constitution Day celebration, Gunnar struggles to cope with life in the materialistic suburbs of Norway. “Supurbia” is a satirical slice of Norway’s new-wealth middle class and their unspoken rules for achieving the perfect life. Running time: 0:15:00.

 

Selections/awards: PÖFF Shorts, Norwegian IFF, Ghent Short FF, and more.

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Contrapunctus (Belgium) by Luna Brusselaers

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Synopsis: A marriage falling apart. Running time: 00:05:00.

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Selections/awards: Brussels Independent FF.

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Ousmane (Canada) by Jorge Camarotti​

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Trailer

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Synopsis: Ousmane, a newly arrived immigrant living in Montreal, faces a challenging situation when he meets an elderly disoriented lady at the end of his workday. Running time: 00:25:09.

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Selections/awards: Toronto IFF, Producer's Night LA (Film of the Year 2022), Amsterdam Independent FF, Boston Short FF, (Best Narrative Short Film), Brussels Independent FF, and more.

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