Michael Goldburg, director | Steve Lichtenstein, Michael Goldburg, Mark Resnik, and Montana Rock, co-writers

Aaron retires from his day job to pursue his lifelong dream to be an actor. When he finally manages to land a major role, he discovers he's his own worst enemy as his long-repressed inner doubts threaten to derail his second career and the relationships that matter most to him.

17 minutes | comedy | U.S.

Alex Coppola, director | Morgan Talty & Alex Coppola, co-writers

After the death of his mother, Morgan Talty, an author and citizen of the Penobscot Indian Nation returns home to a house that may or may not be haunted. Conjuring the spirits of the past, Morgan searches for answers about where his mom might have gone in the things she left behind.

10 minutes | documentary | U.S.

Anais Thomassian, director & writer

A young girl's innocence is torn when she discovers her mother having an affair.

8 minutes | comedy/fantasy | U.S.

Ruoyun Chen, writer & director

In a futuristic setting, every family owns a live-in AI maid. They are all designed to have a female appearance. “Eve, Eve” tells a story about two humanoid maids who get out of their host home.

15 minutes | sci-fi | U.S.

Aldo Vassallo, writer & director

Set in early 2000’s suburbia, The Game portrays a bewilderingly tense period in eight year old George’s life. One night, as he attempts to drown out his parents' constant and escalating conflicts by gluing his eyes to his Gameboy, he's startled by the sound of a deafening scream coming from his mother's bedroom. Based on a true story.

21 minutes | drama | U.S.

Maria Prieto & Ximena Prieto, co-directors / Allegra Venturi & Michael M. Alva, co-writers

Childhood friends, Ali and Adrian, have recently started to develop a deeper level of intimacy with each other. As Adrian prepares to fly back home in the morning, we follow the two on their last night together in New York City.

15 minutes | drama | U.S.

Daniel Belkin, director

A short film about despair and being on a cruise.

3 minutes | experimental | U.S.

Kamilla Alnes, writer & director

A woman reflects on her rosy relationship.

6 minutes | comedy/drama | Norway

Anthony Grippa, director / Brennan Elizabeth Peters and Morris Long, writers

Hanan, a successful Syrian-American doctor, survives a devastating attack at a hospital in Aleppo and is left face blind. Now home in New York and unable to recognize faces, she must come to terms with her memories of Aleppo and the pieces of herself that were left there.

U. S. / New York Premiere / 20 minutes

Sarah Gurfield, director / Lauren Hynek & Elizabeth Martin, writers

After meeting cute during a ferocious attack, two zombies fall in love. But in the grand tradition of rom-coms, heartbreak ensues, jealousy rears its ugly head, and our couple must decide if what they have is real or just one more bloody disappointment. Their brains have died...but not their hearts.

U. S. / New York Premiere / 7 minutes

Andre Musgrove, writer/director

Child of the Cenote is a short film about a freediver embarking on an underwater journey throughout the underwater caves of the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula, called Cenotes. She follows the light that shines within the deepest and darkest part of the caves only to discover something she least expects. This entire film was shot freediving (on breath hold).

Bahamas / New York Premiere / 5 minutes

Khushnuda Shukurova, writer/director

Two Syrian refugee siblings receive official legal documents to permanently join their father in the United States. However, when the plane lands in JFK, they are taken into custody for interrogation by Custom and Border Police.

U. S. / 9 minutes

Stephanie Szerlip, writer/director

A misunderstood teen with dreams of escaping her dreary suburban life is tempted by a would-be internet stalker in this Southern Gothic stranger-danger tale. Based on the 1966 Joyce Carol Oates story "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”

U. S. / 12 minutes

Ciaran Maginn, writer/director

Best friends Franky and Felix have their friendship tested by an abusive older brother.

U. S. / New York Premiere / 12 minutes

Clayton Combe, writer/director

A 1950s housewife struggles to accept her place in the world, while hiding herself and her young son from an aggressive door-to-door salesman.

U. S. / New York Premiere / 9 minutes

Weihang Wang, writer/director

Struggling with her sexuality and unspeakable depression, a young adult has to deal with an unexpected visit from her mom and face the excruciating vulnerability that she desperately tries to hide.

China / World Premiere / 9 minutes

John Matthew Gillen, Director / Writer

A dramatic comedy depicting a heated argument between a couple about whether or not it is still okay to watch American Beauty after finding out about Kevin Spacey's history of sexual assault.

U. S., Dark Comedy

Rebecca Halfon, Director / Writer

’Bodega’ follows one night in Brooklyn from the dual perspectives of a Syrian deli owner and a high school girl with a fake ID. Both warm and real, this slice of life gives a comical and human face to Muslim immigrants that defies stereotype, while offering a rare honest portrayal of teen girls as empowered, funny, and flawed.

U. S., Drama

Tian Tang, Director / Writer

On New Year's Eve, A middle-aged Chinese butcher roams the streets of NYC, lost in a photographic obsession.

U. S., Drama / Experimental

Emily Ting & Andrew Barchilon, Directors

Josh Fadem, Writer

Kip and Shayla prepare for a nice date that turns out to be a good time at the end of the movie.

U. S., Comedy

Georg Schmithüsen, Director / Writer

When a stalker realizes he is being stalked it warps his reality and wrecks his sense of self. Is he a perp? A victim? Is he worthy of love?

U. S., Drama / Mystery

Youssef Ksentini, Director / Writer

Adam, a Taxi driver and a aspiring actor ,has been sent by his reckless agent to act in a sitcom pilot shot by an amateur crew.

U. S., Comedy / Experimental

Alex Kavutskiy, Director / Writer

A meager apology tests a woman’s fortitude to forgive in this expertly deadpan comedy that wittily articulates the oft selfish objectives that belie performative remorse.

U. S., Dark Comedy

Asha Flowers, Director / Writer

After killing his wife, a man learns he will be haunted by her extremely angry and unforgiving ghost for the rest of his life.

U. S., Drama / Dark Comedy