(Short Films) Various, 90:00 MIN

Fathers and sons aren’t always playing proverbial catch in a field of dreams. Indeed, some days/years/lifetimes, dads can be right bastards. But if you build it — it being a loving resolve — he will come around?

A VERY NORMAL-SEEMING MAN

(Documentary) USA, 10:54 MIN

directed by ALLAMAPRABHU PATTANASHETTY

I got to see filmmaking in a new light... what it looks like through my dad's eyes.

MOTHS

(Narrative) Tibet, 11:00 MIN

directed by PEMA YESHE BALDWIN

In the westernmost region of Tibet, father and son yak herders await an insurance company. The son has planned an escape.

IG: @mowths

LIKE FATHER

(Documentary) USA, 7:26 MIN

directed by JARED CALLAHAN

A poignant look at the work of renowned children's author Richard Scarry as his son carries on the family legacy.

IG: @jared_cal

RECONCILIATION

(Documentary) USA, 16:19 MIN

directed by IAN PHILLIPS

A young man reconnects with his father after many years of distance. In the process of reconciliation- he decides to make a film about it.

1981

(Animation) USA, 7:47 MIN

directed by CAROLYN & ANDY LONDON

It's 1981 in suburban Long Island, New York. The mullets are long, the metal is heavy and 14-year old Douglas gets a birthday surprise that will change life forever.

IG: @andysaullondon @londoninny

TOSHITO

(Documentary) USA, 24:46 MIN

directed by CALVIN SCIBILIA

A father and son embark on a fishing expedition in Costa Rica, where they navigate the complexities of their relationship while chasing Tosh's dream of catching a marlin on a handline.

IG: @schibbs

KILORAN BAY

(Animation) UK, 13:13 MIN

directed by MICHAEL BRUCE

After decades away from his homeland, a gay man returns to Scotland with his partner to attend a wedding cèilidh, only to recall memories he spent a lifetime avoiding.

IG: @mbruce83

OPENING NIGHT

(Short Films) Various, 87:00 MIN

The Hudson Valley is brimming with skilled storytellers ready for their prime-time slot on The Denizen’s silver screen. From Albany to Yonkers there’s more talent than there are day-tripping city-slickers in the Water Street Market.

CAHILL’S LANES

(Drama) USA, 10:40 MIN 

directed by MARCO JO CLATE

Set in a small-town bowling alley, Cahill’s Lanes follows a young woman’s attempt to connect with her estranged father as he resists accountability and emotion. It’s a story about generational wounds and the act of reaching out in spite of that.

IG: @cahillslanes @mjclatestories

CROW LOVE

(Short Documentary) USA, 12:20 MIN 

directed by ILONA TUOMINEN

Documentary short film about a grandmother and queer granddaughter set in Beijing, China.

IG: @ilonatuominen

THE TREE(S) OF AMERICA

(Animation) USA, 5:42 MIN 

directed by TONA WILSON

An animated film beginning with the pages of an old book. A tree is destroyed and human hunger for power gets ugly, but perhaps life will prevail.

IG: @tona_wilson

THE WAY THINGS USED 2 B

(Romantic Comedy) USA, 16:43 MIN 

directed by CIARA NAUGHTON & KURSTIN MOSER

Spoiled, college-dropout Jenny thought she had her life figured out. But when fate turns her world upside down by reuniting her with her old classmate Darren, she's forced to reconcile with her past and learn that things aren't always the way they used to be.

IG: @thewaythingsused2b @kurstinmoser

EXISTENTIALISM

(Experimental Short) USA, 9:52 MIN 

directed by MICHAEL JACOBY & JOSEPH JACOBY

This film was written almost a year before my brother and I set out to film it, in order to wait for the start of the next winter season and to allow me the time to save up and purchase the necessary materials to create the costume and props. I spent quite some time grinding stones and sewing fake fur and through that time it gave me the mindset of a man of all times, not just our past or present. Someone who could have lived during the Upper Paleolithic along with someone that could live currently, someone who avoids modern society and lives and breathes in the woods. The core of this film is about existing and what that means to us to exist. How does it differentiate between timelines and how is it similar? The questions forever ring in my head, and I am just honored to be able to showcase this for as many as possible to see.

SICK ENOUGH

(Drama) USA, 14:57 MIN 

directed by ALLEGRA VENTURI

Stella has been struggling with an eating disorder for years before deciding to attend a six-month treatment program in an attempt to change her life. Although Stella signed herself up for rehab, she is resistant to letting her eating disorder go. Halfway through treatment, Stella is shocked to learn that her insurance cut her off. Will Stella survive recovery on her own in the real world? Stella is forced to face her past trauma head-on and uncover why her eating disorder is used as a coping skill.

IG: @sickenoughshortfilm @allegraventuri_

INTO THE DARK

(Short Documentary) USA, 18:00 MIN 

directed by FIONA OTWAY

Every summer for over a decade, artist Pete Mauney ventures into the middle of nowhere, alone, in the dead of night. Where most see only desolate darkness, he finds peace and inspiration. Through patient observation, the landscape slowly comes alive, sparkling with fireflies. Armed with cameras and tripods, Pete performs his ritual: setting up, syncing shutters, and calibrating timelapses in pursuit of an elusive ideal. But in this process, he confronts everything beyond his control—and that’s where the magic happens.

IG: @fiona.otway

(Short Films) Various, 89:00 MIN

When tragedy strikes, like it or not, we must discover how we’re built to respond. Will we languish in anguish or come to radiate a certain mourning glow?

GOING HOME

(Narrative) USA, 14:57 MIN

directed by ALYSSA LIMPERIS & EMILY MURNANE

After having a shit day, a woman decides to go to her childhood home and visit her parents.

IG: @alyssalimp @emilymurnane

HOLY HEAVINESS

(Animation) Iran, 8:57 MIN

directed by FARNOOSH ABEDI & NEGAH KHEZRE FARDYARDAD & MOHAMMAD GHAFFARI

The unbearable lightness of the death of loved ones… There are wounds in life that eat away at you like leprosy…

IG: @farnooshabedii @negahfardiar

TEARS TEARS ONLY TEARS

(Narrative) USA, 10:19 MIN

directed by YUVAL SHAPIRA

A grief-stricken young woman and her ex-lover embark on a road trip to euthanize her beloved dog. They confront emotions and irreversible choices, leading to a bittersweet realization that sets them both free.

IG: @embracing_the_embarassing

BALLOON ANIMALS

(Narrative) USA, 6:45 MIN

directed by ANNA BAUMGARTEN

Two grocery store employees have a helium-fueled encounter with a late-night customer.

IG: @annabellabaum

UNE FUGUE (TO THE WOODS)

(Animation) France, 15:05 MIN

directed by AGNÉS PATRON

featuring CHAD SILVA

While working opposite schedules, a couple attempts to maintain their connection through fleeting encounters.

IG: @agnespatron

CAFÉ?

(Narrative) France, 24:56 MIN

directed by BAMAR KANE

Ouzin, Baba and Sémou, longtime friends and retired, never miss their daily coffee meetup. But every year, in April, Sémou is haunted by the loss of his first love..

IG: @bamarkane

(Special Event) 90:00 MIN

with WARREN ETHEREDGE

When a movie works, it’s magic. When a movie fails, there are many reasons. In this beloved presentation for aspiring filmmakers, Warren publicly scrutinizes shorts rejected by Summer Shorts. As a veteran festival curator, he’s seen over 40,000 short films thus can identify the flaws within moments. Brave volunteers screen the first five minutes or so of their works, then Warren offers his wickedly honest and spot-on judgment, delivered with quick wit and good will toward the dedicated artists in the mix. It’s the perfect way to way to improve your film/s to the delight of your audience and the approval of festival programmers.

(Short Films) Various, 81:00 MIN

Whether teaching is a noble profession or not is debatable, but no one should deny is incredible impact on generation after generation. Here, a handful of educators prove their worth and their mettle.

STALIN BOYS

(Documentary) USA, 21:24 MIN

directed by ORA DEKORNFELD & BIANCA GIAEVER

Four Mexican-American middle school boys in a Texas border town have developed an unusual obsession: Joseph Stalin. When their teacher tells them about the Texas State History Fair, they write a play about the Soviet dictator - and his efforts to destroy all who opposed him.

IG: @oradekorn @biancagiaever

THE BOY WITH THE DINOSAUR HEAD

(Narrative) USA, 9:57 MIN

directed by IMRAN J KHAN

A troubled first-grader is convinced he's a dinosaur, much to the chagrin of the teacher tasked with bringing him back down to earth. 

IG: @imranjkhan

TEACHING AMERICA

(Documentary) USA, 21:22 MIN

directed by ANURIMA BHARGAVA

A short documentary exploring the battle around the teaching of African-American history and studies from inside the classroom, focusing on the transformative journeys of the Arkansas teachers, students and families who are part of the very first, inaugural classes of students taking Advanced Placement African-American Studies nationwide.

IG: @anurima1

BIG BASS

(Documentary) USA, 13:45 MIN

directed by DREW DICKLER

A filmmaker travels back to 1997 to revisit a dream-like memory from second grade that centers around her queer identity, her legendary PE teacher and a mysterious large plastic fish.

IG: @drewdickler

ADO

(Narrative) USA, 15:53 MIN

directed by SAM HENDERSON 

Ms. Hopkins is rehearsing Much Ado About Nothing with her middle school theatre class when it is interrupted by a school shooter. 

IG: @sammyrayday

(Special Event) 90:00 MIN

moderated by WARREN ETHEREDGE

with MARCO JO CLATE, SCOUT DURWOOD

Some of the Hudson Valley’s finest filmmakers join Warren Etheredge in conversation about the pleasures and perils of making movies outside the city.

MARCO JO CLATE is a screenwriter, filmmaker,  and theatre artist. She trained at NYU Tisch as an actress. Her plays have been staged at Ensemble Studio Theatre, Fringe NYC Festival and many NYC venues. Her film directorial debut, CAHILL’S LANES is currently playing festivals including the FOR LOCALS’ SAKE film block of SSFF this year. Her feature screenplay, SEARCHING FOR AL PACINO, is a second-rounder for the Writer’s Lab  and Austin Film Festival.

SCOUT DURWOOD (they/she) is a writer-director whose work pairs bold comedic storytelling with an unmistakable visual point of view, shaped by years performing in New York City's cabaret, burlesque, and queer nightlife scenes. Durwood's path to directing began while acting on MTV's breakout series MARY + JANE (executive produced by Snoop Dogg). Fascinated by the collaborative architecture of filmmaking, Durwood spent their free time learning from department heads across every corner of the production. That desire to understand how every creative element, from performance to production design, comes together to weave an emotional story, remains central to their work today.

In 2020, Durwood sold the half-hour comedy pilot DEPENDENT to Freeform, with Gabrielle Union attached to executive produce, Sony Television producing, and Cheryl Dunye attached to direct.

Durwood’s feature-length narrative visual album YOUTOPIA, which they wrote, directed, and edited, premiered at Outfest 2022, where it was the runner-up for the Grand Jury Prize for Best North American Feature. They are currently in post-production on SWIMMING OUT, a dark comedy short developed as a directing sample for a half-hour dramedy pilot based on Durwood’s experience as a performer in NYC nightlife and burlesque called MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES, currently in development with Entertainment 360 attached to produce. For more information, visit scoutdurwood.com.

(Short Films) Various, 89:00 MIN

Marilyn Monroe famously said: “…if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best.” Love can be challenging, but put in the effort and its rewards can resonate as heaven-sent. 

YOU TRYNA SAY YOU LOVE ME?

(Narrative) USA, 11:52 MIN 

directed by TY MOLBAK

A late-night study break turns into something deeper when a grief-stricken college athlete opens up to his philosophy class crush—and unpacks a feeling he’s never dared name.

IG: @tmolbak

TWO BLACK BOYS IN PARADISE

(Animation) UK, 8:54 MIN 

directed by BAZ SELLS

A movingly tender animation, based on Dean Atta’s eponymous poem, sees two boys (Edan, 19 and Dula, 18) on a journey of self-acceptance and love – for each other and themselves.

IG: @bazsells

AN ACT OF LOVE

(Narrative) USA, 13:58 MIN 

directed by STEPHAN STELMAN

When Molly discovers her husband Dave's secret interest in gay porn, she arranges a threesome to explore his sexuality.

IG: @stephanstelman

FORCEFIELD OF LOVE

(Documentary) USA, 12:22 MIN 

directed by LIZ MOSKOWITZ & RILEY ENGEMOEN

Dan and Doris both find themselves single in their 70s after their spouses of decades have passed away. After using an online dating service during the pandemic for older singles, they talk on the phone for three months and fall in love before meeting in person.

IG: @lizmoskowitz @rileyengemoen

NORHEIMSUND

(Narrative) Cuba, 12:17 MIN 

directed by ANA A ALPIZER

A girl’s long-distance romance with an older Norwegian man promises to pull her and her mother out of their austere life in Cuba, but her dreams are shaken when she realizes he isn’t as idyllic as he seems.

IG: @ana.a.alpizar

BUCKETS

(Narrative) USA, 10:44 MIN 

directed by DREW VAN STEENBERGEN

After a late night dating app match, Drew's excitement curdles into obsession as he spends 48 hours unraveling in a haze of paranoia, over-analysis, and self-sabotage. 

IG: @banana_stevenson

TWO SHIPS

(Animation) USA, 6:50 MIN 

directed by MCKINLEY BENSON

While working opposite schedules, a couple attempts to maintain their connection through fleeting encounters.

IG: @mcknley

MARY BY THE WINDOW

(Narrative) USA, 14:12 MIN 

directed by RYAN NOUFER

An aging widow begrudgingly goes to a speed-dating event at her daughter’s request. Among a string of dud dates, one gentle stranger lingers in her mind.

IG: @ryannoufer

CLOSING NIGHT

(Short Films) Various, 92:00 MIN

They work hard for the money, but that doesn’t mean they always like it nor do the dwindling dollars necessarily justify the investment of sweat equity. That said, some laborers are lucky enough to simply love what they do.

FREE EVENT

Congratulations to all of our Nominees!

Awards provided courtesy of local artist Craig Shankles see his sculptures placed throughout Water Street Market.

BEST LOCAL SHORT

CAHILL’S LANES dir Marco Jo Clate

CROW LOVE dir Ilona Tuominen

THE TREE(S) OF AMERICA dir Tona Wilson

THE WAY THINGS USED 2 B dir Ciara Naughton, Kurstin Moser

EXISTENTIALISM dir Michael Jacoby, Joseph Jacoby

SICK ENOUGH dir Allegra Venturi

INTO THE DARK dir Fiona Otway 

BEST DIRECTOR

THE BOY WITH THE DINOSAUR HEAD  dir Imran J Khan 

DIENA  dir Jesse Kreitzer 

MOTHS dir Pema Yeshe Baldwin

SOLE (얼) dir Haneol Lee

YOU TRYNA SAY YOU LOVE ME? dir Ty Molbak

BEST PERFORMANCE

Olivia Benedict as “Stella”  in SICK ENOUGH

Asante Blackk as “Jerrod” in YOU TRYNA SAY YOU LOVE ME?

Alan Cumming as adult “Torquil” in KILORAN BAY

Andrew Leeds as “TImone” in GOODBYE TIMONE

Jenifer Lewis as “Ms. Hopkins” in ADO 

Rizwan Manji as “Mr. Sharif” in THE BOY WITH THE DINOSAUR HEAD

Malia Pyles as “Chloe” in YOU TRYNA SAY YOU LOVE ME?

Jack Wolfe as “younger Torquil” in KILORAN BAY

BEST ANIMATION

1981 dir Andy & Carolyn London 

HOLY HEAVINESS dir Farnoosh Abedi, Negah Khezre Fardyardad, Mohammad Ghaffari 

TWO BLACK BOYS IN PARADISE  dir Baz Sells 

TWO SHIPS  dir McKinley Benson 

UNE FUGUE (TO THE WOODS)  dir Agnès Patron

BEST DOCUMENTARY

BIG BASS dir Drew Dickler 

DIENA dir Jesse Kreitzer 

INTO THE DARK dir Fiona Otway 

SOLE (얼) dir Haneol Lee 

TOSHITO dir Calvin Scibilia

BEST NARRATIVE

CAFÉ dir Bamar Kane 

KILORAN BAY dir Michael Bruce 

MARY THE WIDOW dir Ryan Noufer

THE NOCTURNES dir Siham Bel

YOU TRYNA SAY YOU LOVE ME? dir Ty Molbak