Manual Práctico del Amigo Imaginario [Abreviado] (All Users Guide for the Imaginary Friend [Abridged])
Ciro Altabas (Spain)
19 minutes
Fernando, a shy young man, receives a visit from an old classmate, Iratxe, in the short comedy Manual Práctico (All Users Guide). The visit arouses jealousy in his imaginary friend, Captain Kilotón, a superhero that had stood by Fernando’s side since he was a kid. El Capitán feels their friendship is now in jeopardy. In Spanish, with English subtitles.
In the experimental short Merdiven (Stairs), a woman leaves her house. What is she carrying? Are those stairs? She places the stairs in front of the house, steps down with a string bag, and then walks away carrying the stairs on her back. In Turkish, with English subtitles.
In 1998, 18-year-old LaTraun Parker made a documentary about the harshness of growing up in Harlem. Eight years later, he was shot dead in the street. His mother, Jean Corbett-Parker, now fights youth gun violence and helps other parents survive their pain. The short documentary A Harlem Mother tells their story, using footage from LaTraun’s own film.
The experimental short Manhattan Mermaid is a first sketch, an inspirational piece about a species we can only rarely see, being so blinded by our thoughts and the slowness of our senses.
Huntin’
Matthew Gratzner & David Greathouse (USA)
8 minutes
In the comedic short Huntin’, which stars famed character actor Jim Cody Williams, two buddies strike out on an expedition to bag something different than a traditional game. Rusty and Rothchild take aim at much more than exotic prey.
Dessicator
Wijnand Geraerts (Netherlands)
12 minutes
Extreme weather conditions lash the plateau in the experimental short Dessicator, keeping people in a state of constant struggle. The elements mold the landscape into a beauty that goes beyond its own geological context, guiding the virtual spectator through a direct confrontation with nature.
Psyche on Melrose
Doug Van Bebber (USA)
12 minutes
An unsuspecting family gets served a healthy portion of group therapy in the short comedy Psyche on Melrose. At the hottest new restaurant in L.A., the waiters are trained and licensed clinical psychologists. The dining experience turns out to be anything but a Happy Meal.
