Best Short Film: BAD CHEMISTRY Best Micro-Short: SPIDER-MAN: A Day in the Neighborhood Best Direction: A LIFE BET Best Animation: THE CORMORANT’S SHADOW Best Story: THE LIGHT IN THE DARK Best Performances: THE SESSIONS
See the full lineup of films:
Bad Chemistry, 20min., USA Directed by Michael Rognlie, EE Tallent In Bad Chemistry, a traumatized young woman goes to stay with her deceased boyfriend’s parents, only to discover chilling truths lurking beneath their kindness. This horror short explores grief, psychological torment, and the dark side of family.
The Cormorant’s Shadow, 1min., Switzerland Directed by Barbara Peikert A funny cormorant relaxes on a buoy in the lake and watches an animation that reveals a plan behind it: AI or the urge to take part in the spectacle?
The Light in the Dark, 6min., Taiwan Directed by YuFeng Chiu This story is about climate disaster survivor and his comforter/savior . I lived in Taiwan this small island, there were many typhoons and floods in my memory, earthquakes were also often happened in my dairy life. My works always focus on the survivors, including the comfort women and earthquakes survivors and the poor rains and flood survivors in many places because of the climate changing.
The Sessions, 27min., USA Directed by Vince Eisenson In this crime driven, pilot episode, we met a therapy group for murderers where someone is bound to snap.
Spider-Man: A Day in the Neighborhood, 3min,. USA Directed by Michael Fernandez Peter Parker deals with yet another work-life squall courtesy of his famous Parker luck. While it seems he can’t ever catch a break, he’ll never stop trying, even if that means swinging from a toilet.
Best Short Film: WILD HORSES Best Feature Film: TANGO MALHAR
Wild Horses, 3min,. China Directed by Wenjie Lee, Zhengyang Yin The film “Wild Horses” tells the story of the survival scenes of a group of wild horses in the future. This film is produced by AI generation technology and can be regarded as a science fiction suspense concept film made with the latest AI technology. Although the production of the film is mainly completed through AI generation technology, its story content and film style are not restricted by the technology at all. It is a short film completed in the form of traditional screenwriting and shooting. From conception to completion of production, the cycle of the film took two weeks.
Tango Malhar, 93min,. India Directed by Saya Date In the bustling city of Pune, Malhar, a young rickshaw driver, shoulders the heavy burden of supporting his widowed mother and younger sister, Rani. Despite his unwavering dedication to family, Malhar feels like an outcast among his peers, his responsibilities isolating him from the carefree life of a typical youth. sayadate@gmail.com
Haunted by a fatal mistake, a shattered vice cop reunites with a bright but brooding detective and his mysterious family to tame her frightening new power and protect it from the evil eager to control it.
CAST LIST:
Narrator: Elizabeth Rose Morriss Rachel: Val Cole Brandon: Steve Rizzo
Inspired by the music of Three Dog Night, a young girl enjoys childhood in 1970s Ohio and develops a desire to travel abroad, if she can convince her parents to let her go.
CAST LIST:
Narrator: Shawn Devlin Ruth: Hannah Ehman Andrea: Val Cole
In her later years, Aria finds herself plagued by traumatic memories from her past. But when her daughter reveals her ex-husband will reveal the truth, Aria fears what will happen. Things are made worse still when she catches sight of her ex-partner Emily. But determined to rise above it, she embraces her daughter’s attempts to get her out of her comfort zone.
When the paths of the 11th Pennsylvania Civil War regiment and an American Staffordshire Terrier pup intertwine, the men of the 11th’s lives are changed in ways they never could’ve predicted.
CAST LIST:
Narrator: Hannah Ehman R. Coulter: Shawn Devlin Captain Terry: Geoff May
Audience Awards: Best Short Film: Cheat Meal Best Micro-Short: REVOLTE Best Direction: More Than Best Story: My Block My Hero Best Performances: For All I Know Best Documentary: My Block My Hero Best New Media Film: Beehold Best Animation: ORANGE BLUES 24 Best Genre Film: The Litterbug Best Drama Film: Rock Island Prison 1864
See info for each film:
ORANGE BLUES 24, 5min., USA Directed by Alyssa Dann One man seeks refuge from the world’s crazy in the arms of his muse — the love of his life! Alyssa Dann has taken this tongue-in-cheek Blues piece and brought it to life in a charming manner.
REVOLTE, 3min., Germany Directed by Julia Klawonn, Alexander Resch In 1932, the author Klara and the journalist Friedrich meet in the artists’ bar „Luise” in Berlin. Klara is involved in the women’s movement and wants Friedrich to help her print leaflets with the text: “Against the degradation of women by fascism”. Friedrich is afraid…
Cheat Meal, 16min., USA Directed by Drew Bierut Suspicious that his girlfriend is cheating on him with her new personal trainer, Owen decides to take matters into his own hands. What he discovers is far more difficult to digest.
Rock Island Prison 1864, 7min,. USA Directed by Joy Shannon Guarding Confederate POWS in a Civil War prison, a runaway slave now Union soldier, desperately fights for power, or faces returning to slavery.
For All I Know, 10min., USA Directed by Sam Sabawi An unexpected visit from her estranged daughter throws a pharmacist with OCD into a maelstrom of her darkest fears. As a buried history of postpartum intrusive thoughts resurfaces, she faces a harrowing choice: confront them or risk losing the chance to repair their broken relationship.
More Than, 19min,. USA Directed by Stephanie Strauss After a year of aggressive treatment for metastatic breast cancer, Nina is processing her past trauma and her unexpected future. When a team of artists offer her a unique opportunity to explore healing through the performing arts, Nina is gifted a new perspective of her experience. “More Than” follows the creative process of translating a personal story into art, and the emotional impact it can have on the storyteller.
Space Trash, 9min,. USA Directed by James Jarosz Short film and first installment of web series. A galactic garbage collector picks up a seemingly innocuous piece of space junk but it turns out to be more than he bargained for. This sci-fi action comedy will have you laughing, entertained and wanting more.
My Block My Hero, 25min., USA Directed by Gina D’Onofrio Jahmal Cole is the founder of My Block My Hood My City, a Chicago-based non-profit with a mission to inspire youth and empower local communities. He has been shot twice in his day-to-day life, an unfortunate reality that the teenagers and communities he has dedicated the organization to uplifting face on a daily basis in the murder capital of the United States. By leading community-driven efforts, Cole has made it his goal to build a better world one block at a time, while positively impacting the lives of the teens who grow up there. Through the Explorers program, My Block My Hood My City enables youth from Chicago’s divested neighborhoods to discover the world beyond their blocks, by taking them on enriching experiences across the city and the country that open the doors to new possibilities. In their latest adventure, the Explorers went behind the scenes at the Shedd Aquarium to learn how researchers are working to preserve the world’s endangered coral reefs.
Beehold, 18min., USA Directed by Ben Berry From his work with local nuns looking for answers about their barren apple trees to his consulting with golf courses in natural habitat management to classrooms, and his own design workshop – he is a true beeliever in the good story – the gospel of abundance as taught by bees and he’s helping protect Wisconsin’s beloved pollinators. It’s called Behold and our story starts here. Humm Productions, in collaboration with Mtn Craft Productions, has pioneered a new media format called DocuPod™. It combines the power of short, immersive documentaries with engaging podcast audio to create a captivating 360-degree experience for audiences.
Chicago FEEDBACK Film Festival 