Official Selections: 1st-7th LA Student Film Festivals
Congratulations to our accepted filmmakers!
Films are listed in alphabetical order, index to the left.
Scroll Down to learn more about each film
!
West Coast Premiere
Short
An experimental look into the rising panic of having something to get done, but being unable to make yourself start.
Creator: Elaina Couse
Official selection for the 2022 Trinity Film Festival in Hartford, CT
Website: elainacouse.com
Instagram: @original.i.swear
5 Years from Water
West Coast Premiere
Upon retirement, Mike Danesi's dream was to build a boat to sail across the ocean. 19 years later, he's still working on it. In this heartfelt documentary, Mike and his wife Linda reflect upon the meaningful things in life and the importance of dreaming big.
Director: Thao Nguyễn
Producer: Robert H. Hanson (Faculty Mentor)
Writer: Thao Nguyễn
Cast: Mike Danesi, Linda Danesi
Cinematographer: Gator Hopkins and Aniketh Bandi
Editor: Thao Nguyễn
Winner of both Best Documentary and the Audience Choice Award at the Indy Shorts High School Film Competition
Instagram: @blairacademyfilm/
AD[HD]
Los Angeles Premiere
A multi-media documentary gives an overview of the stigmas, stereotypes, and misconceptions that people have about ADD through personal stories and experiences, interviews with mental health professionals, facts, a hint of humor, and an optimistic and hopeful perspective on how treatment can be made more accessible for those who need it.
Director: Kiki Prager
Producer: Kiki Prager
Writer: Kiki Prager
Cinematographer: Kiki Prager, Cameron Stafford, Hannah Gordon
Editor: Kiki Prager
The Impact DOCS Awards - Winner - Documentary short
Best Shorts Competition - Winner -Disability Issues
Golden Leaf International Film Festival - Winner - Best Student Short Film & Best Documentary Short Film
FLOW Festival and Film Market - Winner - Short Film
Instagram: @wiredwarrior/?hl=en
Akanksha on the Planet Blarg
Animated Short
A young Indian girl struggles with cultural identity and alienation during a regular school day, as she writes and illustrates a story of her own to cope.
Director: Apoorva Rege
Producer: National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad
Writer: Apoorva Rege
- 'Best Writing' Award at the Trinity Film Festival
- 'Best Student Animated Short' at the Hollywood Shortsfest
- Semi-finalist at the Indie Shorts Mag Short Film Festival and at Venezia Shorts
- Finalist at the New York Animation Film Awards
Instagram: @lynvaren
A Lost Sense
West Coast Premiere
Short
After being disregarded by his two older siblings at the family beach house, a young boy (Gavin) embarks on a secret walk and has an encounter with the unbelievable.
Director: Cole Paul
Producer: Mason Pimental, Cole Paul
Writer: Juliet “Satya” Sullivan
Cast: Jack Austin, Owen Myre, Lily Ewald, Nick Mccarty, Sophie Clarkin
Cinematographer (if applicable):
Editor: Cole Paul
"A Lost Sense" unfolds against the stunning backdrop of the New England coast. The short has garnered attention from festival panelists worldwide, securing a spot at the Fantasci Short Film Festival. A Lost Sense has been recognized internationally winning the award for Best Student Film from the Portugal Indie Film Festival. At the Oniros Film Awards, based out of New York City, Cole Paul received the Best Student Director award for “A Lost Sense”, and a nomination for Best Student Film.
Website: colepaul.com
Instagram: @a_lost_sense
Twitter: @ALostSense
Facebook: fb.com/profile.php?id=100090347374283
Amplify
Los Angeles Premiere
When confronted by a bully, Emory must win a gamified showdown to take back what was stolen.
Director: Dana Barnes
Animator: Dana Barnes
Composer: Tyler Hawes
Social Media: danabbarnes.wixsite.com/promo
A Prayer for My Mother: The Eva Brettler Story
A Prayer for My Mother: The Eva Brettler Story is an animated film that chronicles the extraordinary saga of Holocaust survivor Eva Brettler – a child facing brutality and profound loss who finds sustenance in faith and her own dreams for the future.
Directors: Ruben Barret, Raisa Effress, Sophia Evans, Lauren Fuchs, Katie Hadsock-Longarzo, Ian Kim, Eve Levy, Timothy Lim, Asher Meron, Marion Ochoa, Isabella Rahi, Hank Schoen, Olivia Uzielli
Producers: C. Lily Ericsson, Carter Beardmore, Sophie Kim,
Executive Producers: Samara Hutman, Cheri Gaulke
Key Cast: Eva Brettler
The film is a production of The Righteous Conversations Project, a collaboration of Holocaust survivors and teens, based in Los Angeles since 2011. Students gathered at Harvard-Westlake School in the summer of 2021 to bear witness to Eva Brettler’s story and transform it into an animated short.
Website: righteousconversations.org
Instagram: Righteousconversations
Facebook: Righteousconversations
A Wrinkle in Crime
Los Angeles Premiere
When a sneaky granddaughter and grandfather crime duo’s heist of an esteemed art collector’s party is interrupted by his adorable yet mistreated dog, the duo must find a way to escape with both the loot and dog in hand, putting their close dynamic and keen skills to the test.
Directors: Lacey Chappel and Kayla Terry
Producers: Lacey Chappel and Kayla Terry
Writers: Lacey Chappel and Kayla Terry
Cinematographers: Lacey Chappel and Kayla Terry
Editors: Lacey Chappel and Kayla Terry
Big Squad
World Premiere
After getting rejected from multiple organizations, two college students decide to start a group of their own. It's not a club. It's not a fraternity. It's a squad. A Big Squad.
Director: Max Kliman, Avery Powell, JT Tsuchiya, Simone Woronoff
Producer: Max Kliman, Avery Powell, JT Tsuchiya, Simone Woronoff
Writer: Max Kliman, Avery Powell, JT Tsuchiya, Simone Woronoff
Cast: Gabby Silva, Avery Powell, Graham Kirstein, Jamie Lipman, JT Tsuchiya, Betsy Hart, Arshad Baruti, Edson Montenegro, Carly Griffin-Fiorella, Natalie Musicant, Lila Lindberg
Cinematographer: Carden Katz
Editor: JT Tsuchiya
Additional Sound: Patrick Graham
Color Correction: Simone Woronoff
Max, Avery, JT, and Simone created Big Squad in a Northwestern Radio/Television/Film class in winter of 2019. They used the ten week class to conceive, develop, film, and edit the entire three-episode series.
Black Boys Can’t Cry
Black males are not allowed to cry. Because of this, they do not know how to. So much violence in my community occurs because of the shame that our men hold. The shame and fear that I've held, and internalized since a child that then turned into rage and extreme pain. This movie is about me, my family, the men I've worked with as a therapist, and the thousands of black boys who have suffered traumatic injuries in silence with no one to hear their hidden tears. I made BLACK BOYS CAN'T CRY with the hope that one day, those who are weary and heavy-laden will find rest for their souls. – Victor Gabriel
Director: Victor Gabriel
Producer: Jordan Tyner
Writer: Victor Gabriel
Cast: Phrederic Semaj, Tysonia Sichinga, Elliott Williams, Adrienne Bratton, La’Croiz Locke, Lazarus McRae
Cinematographer: Robert Hunter
Editor: Camilla Bartolli
Instagram: @blackboyscantcry
Breaking Barriers
Los Angeles Premiere
Short Film
A documentary short telling the stories of three high school students with disabilities through parent and teacher perspectives.
Director, Producer, Writer, Editor: Kylie Outten & Sierra Prochniak
Cast: Alessandra Canales, Iasmim Juliana-Ganeo, LouAnne Gonzalez, Elise Gonzalez, Lauren Kato, Marcy Mamiya, Matthew Selaya, Gabe Selaya, Seamus Quillinan
Selected for All American High School Film Festival
Website: freestyleacademy.rocks/~KylieO & freestyleacademy.rocks/~SierraP
Instagram: @outtenkylie & @sierraelena
13 Miles for Toilet Paper
World Premiere
A personal documentary that explores how time in quarantine has pushed the filmmaker to consider gratitude in unexpected ways.
Director, Producer, Cinematographer, and Editor: Chalisa Phiboolsook
5 Senses
World Premiere
The psychological thriller 5 Sentidos is about a man who is diagnosed with a disease where he gradually loses each of his 5 senses. This drama presents the devastating emotional process that Felipe Gallegos and his wife, Miranda Salazar, must go through as well as Felipe’s physical deterioration
Director: Andres Monge
Producer: Andres Monge
Writer: Andres Monge
Cast: Jaime Gutierrez, Noelia Campos, Jaime Hernandez
Cinematographer: Giancarlo D’Ambrosio
Editor: Luis Carlos Bogantes
Award Winner in Phoenix Shorts and Vegas Shorts
Semi Finalist in Toronto Independent Film Festival
San Francisco Short Festival
Austin International Art Festival
Selected in Toronto Shorts and Reality Bytes Independent Student Festival
Instagram: andresmfilm_updates
A Fleeting Moment
Animation
An animated short film that follows the journey of two raindrops, and how they come to terms with what it means to be alive.
Director: Allyanna Demafeliz
Producer: Victoria Yando
Writer: Allyanna Demafeliz, Victoria Yando, Brook Jiang
Editor: Allyanna Demafeliz, Victoria Yando
Audience Choice Award Winner and Runner Up in Animation for Flint Youth Film Festival
Finalist: CSU Media Arts Festival and Changing Face International Film Festival
Semi-Finalist for Student Los Angeles Film Awards and Tokyo Shorts
Official Selection: DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival, streetside cinema/, Silicon Valley Asian Pacific Filmfest, San Jose International Film Festival, Chaniartoon, Student World Impact Film Festival, Golden Short Film Festival, San Diego Filipino Film Festival, Emerging Artists Film Festival, Animation Chico, Festival Animanie
Website: linktr.ee/fleetingmomentfilm
Instagram: @fleetingmomentfilm
A Little Glass of Rum
Short
After grieving over the murder of his wife and son, a prison guard dines with the killer for his last meal.
Director: Lauren Keller
Producer: Marc Cardillo & Lauren Keller
Writer: Lauren Keller
Cast: Stu Ford, Nick Mitchell, Kurt Shaw, Jennifer Louise Deigan, Lucas Morris-Steele
Cinematographer (if applicable): Lauren Keller
Editor: Kolten Exton
Currently hold 13 wins / 20 nominations / 1 television broadcast / 4 finalists / 2 semi-finalists / 1 quarter finalist / 3 certificate of achievements / 1 honorable mention / 15 official selections
Website: laurenkellerfilm.com/filmography/a-little-glass-of-rum
Instagram: @alittleglassofrum/
Facebook: fb.com/alittleglassofrum
A Time And Place To Twerk
West Coast Premiere
"Tipsy Talk: A Time and A Place to Twerk" has been playing festivals all over the country. It is part of the award-winning CU Denver Webseries, including over a decade of content created by students in the Film & Television program at the University of Colorado Denver. Upon completion of its festival run, "Tipsy Talk" will be available on various streaming services.
Director: Amber Washington
Producer: Christopher Riggs, Maddy Santamaria, Joana Gomez, Allison Rosenson
Writer: Amber Washington
Cast: Ilasiea Gray, Kerry Kalu
Cinematographer: Ariana Muniz
Editor: Jazmine DiGiorgio
Social Media: @cudenverwebseries
Facebook: fb.com/cudenverwebseries/
Youtube:.youtube.com/channel/UCtwwAIGLXwgy5Rz6d8QfCgw
Beyond The Model
Los Angeles Premiere
After the assaults and discrimination of Asians because of COVID-19, this film shines a light on what it is like be a “model minority” in an increasingly divided America.
Director, Producer, Editor: Jessica Lin
Cast: R.J. Lozada, Emilie Hong, Josephine Lee
SXSW - Special Jury Recognition for Directing
Charlotte Film Festival
44th Asian American Film Festival
Social Justice Film Festival
Austin Youth Film
Instagram: @jessicakellylin
Amends
A former convict sets out to reconnect with his family before the world ends. A disaster drama that asks the question, "What matters to you the most, during these final days?"
Director: Cyrus Jabbari
Producers: Rio Johnson & Tara Moran Regalado
Writer: Cyrus Jabbari
Cast: C. Glen Harris, Vi Vered, Noel Canal Arias
Cinematographer: Max Gleiser
Editor: Zaki Farooqui & Cyrus Jabbari
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user28545463
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJFL_-Il2_3wM4aOP3lIKsA
Instagram: @jabbaricyrus
Facebook: fb.com/jabbaricyrus
Birdhouse
Short Drama
When a young woman returns to her childhood home, she is confronted by her troubled past and has a second chance to reconcile with her deceased grandfather.
Director: Hayden Stocker
Producer: Victor Hugo Amaya
Writer: Hayden Stocker
Cast: McKensie Shea Rummel, Greg Calvillo, Joey Jupiter-Levin, Chelsea Brodsky
Cinematographer: Jonah Beadle
Editor: Hayden Stocker
Instagram: @tworoadsproductions
Blue Nights
World Premiere
After a terrible experience at a party, Aiden drags his best friend and roommate, Lincoln, to his hometown for the weekend.
Director: Julian Berger
Producers: Amy MacFarlane, Nate Adamsky, Julian Berger, Stephen Michaels
Writer: Julian Berger
Cast: Julian Berger, Hudson Klass, Jake Marlow, Nick Petroccione, Stephen Michaels, Isabella Dake, Jake Stephens, Marie Garliepp, Nate Adamsky, Sage Moore
Cinematographer: Marcos Segura
Editor: Julian Berger
Instagram: @dabergerking
1986
Elena is a student in Minsk, Belarus. She has a passionate but increasingly difficult relationship with her boyfriend Victor. When her father is arrested, she has to continue his illegal business. In order to make deals for him, she repeatedly has to drive into the 'forbidden zone' of Chernobyl. She finds herself attracted by the zone’s deceptive beauty – but her life seems more and more contaminated by a destructive force…
Director: Lothar Herzog
Producer: Benny Drechsel
Writer: Lothar Herzog
Cast: Daria Mureeva, Evgeni Sangadzhiev, Vitali Kotovitski, Alexey Kravchenko, Alexey Filimonov
Cinematographer: Philipp Baben der Erde
Editor: Stefanie Kosik, Lothar Herzog
Gold Price for Best Directing (International Film Festival Hof)
German First Steps Award for Best Feature Film (Nomination) and for Best Production (Won)
Website: https://lothar-herzog-film.de/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lotharherzogfilms/
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SB9tuDPcYBA
Aaron and the Train
Los Angeles Premiere
Short Documentary
Aaron Paul, a 14 year old student from Canarsie, Brooklyn describes his commute to school and how that relates to his and other kids' contemporary racial experience.
Director: James Bylinsky
Writer: James Bylinsky
Cast: (Aaron Paul)
Cinematographer: James Bylinsky
Editor: James Bylinsky
Best Young Filmmaker at Independent Shorts Awards, Best Documentary at Packer Film Festival.
SELECTIONS: Cannes Short Film Festival, All American High School Film Festival, Independent Shorts Awards, Indie Short Fest, The Accolade Competition, Newark International Film Festival, 1-11 High School Film Festival, IndieX Film Fest, LA Student Film Festival, Packer Film Festival
Instagram: jamesbylinsky
Affection
World Premiere
Two young men struggle with showing intimacy in the public sphere. A student production at USC.
Writer, Director: Connor Williams
Producer, Sound Design: Justine Ellen Chen
Cast: Justin Kang, Spencer Claus
Cinematographer, Editor: Aslan Dalgic
Almost Perfect: The 99th Pitch
World Premiere
Short Documentary
On April 20, 1990, Seattle Mariners' starting pitcher, Brian Holman, faces off against the Oakland Athletics in an infamous performance that stands as one of the most rare events in Major League Baseball history.
Director: John Benjamin Terrell
Producers: John Benjamin Terrell, David Terrell, Jill Terrell
Writer: John Benjamin Terrell Featuring: Brian Holman
Cinematographer: Joel Corral
Editor: John Benjamin Terrell
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/john-benjamin-terrell-94a21b292/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4Zg1it7SmiJUQ_JVql6-EQ
Instagram: @ben__terrell
Facebook: Ben Terrell
‘Amal
This short documentary piece follows the journey of two Syrian refugee twins (age 18) who were forced to flee their country in 2013. In this social impact documentary we highlight the story of Salam and Raghad and their goals for the future. They are striking examples of not only female but also youth and refugee empowerment as they share wise words from the lessons they have learned in and out of war. The girls now live in Salt Lake City, Utah where they are studying in the fields of medical sciences and social justice while leaving the label of "refugee" behind them.
Directors: Lucza Brewer, Isabel Hiestand, and Tioné Hoeckner
Producers: Lucza Brewer, Isabel Hiestand, and Tioné Hoeckner
Cast: Raghad Alzouabi, Salam Alzouabi
Cinematographers: Lucza Brewer, Isabel Hiestand, and Tioné Hoeckner
Editors: Lucza Brewer, Isabel Hiestand, and Tioné Hoeckner
Instagram: @amal_documentary
Amend
LA Premiere
Charlie’s prison of regret is finally unlocked when he helps a stranger find her freedom.
Director : John Patrick Hayden
Producer: Chien Yu , Charles Sweeney, Susan Mei, John Patrick Hayden
Writer: John Patrick Hayden
Cast : Michael Solomon, Adrienne Rose Bengtsson, Amber Jaunai, Lyla Grey, Galway McCullough, Matthew Velez, Mike Zinkham
Cinematographer: Casey Showalter
Editor: Alex Riccio
Winner - “Best Screenplay “ City Visions Film Festival NYC
Winner - “Best Student Director” New York Cinematography Awards
Official Selection : Hidden Film Festival , UK.
Attached
Short
The cell-phone-obsessed college student, Theo, must overcome the crisis of his cell phone slowly growing into his hand while taking his final exam that he cannot risk to fail.
Director: Xingyu “Harry” Chen
Producer: Jiyeon Kim
Writers: Xingyu Chen, John Thompson
Cast: David Vi Hoang, Maddie Nguyen, Ron L Palmer, Vincent Doud
Cinematographer: Bo-Yu Chen
Editor: Emily Furst, Xingyu Chen
- Jury Award Winner, and Best Horror at Hollywood New Directors
- Semi-Finalist of Rhode Island International Film Festival |
- Winner of “Best Horror” at Los Angeles Film Awards (LAFA)
Website: xingyu-chen.com/attached
Director’s IG @stareo.xy
Blink
West Coast Premiere
Description/storyline of your film: BLINK is a short film that follows a Chinese American college student named Steven who finds himself standing up for what he believes in while going through 2020 with his father. Steven illustrates the physical and mental toll that the events of 2020 had on many people within the Asian American community. These “blinks'' include struggling events of rising Anti-Asian hate, teaching the Black Lives Matter movement to his father, and the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Director: Raymond Tisch
Producer: Raymond Tisch
Writer: Jared Borja, Adam Chhour, Raymond Tisch
Cast: Leon Qin, Tom Chen
Cinematographer: Adam Chhour
Editor: Adam Chhour, Raymond Tisch
Official Selection Silicon Valley Asian Pacific FilmFest (2021)
Best Original Short of ECAASU Reimagining 2020 Film Contest (2021)
Website: flowcode.com/page/rayjmon
Instagram: @rayjmon