Program 2
FRIDAY
OCTOBER 10, 2:00PM

The Ottoman
United States / Animation / 12 mins
Director/Writer: Mike Stamm
Producer: Mike Stamm, Dimos Vrysellas
The Ottoman, a hotshot mechanic and amateur robot gladiator, is looking forward to proving himself in the arena against the reigning Tournament champion and his massive mechanical Scorpion. But when his obsession with winning endangers the lives of his wife and son, the Ottoman must face some harsh lessons about what victory truly requires.

Lost in the Woods
United States / Animation / 9 mins
Director/Writer: Peter Lucas
Producer: Peter Lucas
Why do girls disappear? A retelling of the folktale Red Riding Hood using 100-year-old real photo postcards that are animated to evoke a girl walking alone through the forest, her encounter with wolves, hunters and woodsmen, the change of seasons, and ghostly apparitions.

Colors of the Soul
United States / Animation / 2 mins
Director/Writer: Lauren Schwartzbard
Producer: Lauren Schwartzbard, Shyam Kannapurakkaran, Nicole Schwartzbard
A girl lives with her cat in a monotone world that rains colors - but no one is allowed to touch them. One day, her cat escapes and the girl accidentally interacts with the colorful rain, It is beautiful and enthralling and the girl abandons the rules to dance.

God Dam
United States / Animation / 3 mins
Director/Writer: Abigail Hill
Producer: Abigail Hill
Cast: Brian Cloutier, Wesley Mills
A mockumentary about two beavers that work in a post office. The camera crew observes a typical work day for Clint Eatswood, the energetic manager, as he attempts to clean up the mess created by his unenthusiastic employee, Humphrey Damiels.

Not Alone
United States / Animation / 3 mins
Director/Writer: Momo Cao
The story follows the cat’s battle with mental health and processing a vivid fantasy world. Through the waves of pain, the sisters reunited. In the end, they both turned into stars.

The 12 Inch Pianist
United States / Animation / 7 mins
Director: Lucas Ansel
A bar joke goes awry, unraveling into a surreal tale that explores the acceptance of self, others, and queer identity

Chiquito
United States / Animation / 4 mins
Director: Lesley Marroquin, Anna Riva
Our story follows an ambitious Salvadorean inventor that is too focused on making her teleportation device. She ends up neglecting her pet armadillo, Chiquito and he will take matters into his own paws.

Ellis' Reflection
United States / Animation / 2 mins
Director: Victor D'Anzi
When Ellis, a teenager insecure about her body image, confronts her reflection in the mirror, she sees a distorted version of herself that triggers an emotional freefall. Is there any escape from her inner demons?

Intrepid
United States / Animation / 6 mins
Director: Ausar Johnson, Anshul Katkar, Sarah Terceros
In Intrepid, we explore the story of Juno, a child who goes hunting for food with his mother but lacks the patience and experience to do well. After running into a small baby dragon, he finds the chance to prove himself, but the creature’s mother approaches stealthily in defense.

Just One Peek
United States / Animation / 5 mins
Director/Writer: Mulan Fu
Producer: Mulan Fu
A girl is pulled into her phone’s whirlwind of doomscrolling, vanity, and viral chaos, struggling to escape its addictive grip.

Henrietta Finds a Nest
United States / Animation / 7 mins
Director: Hannah McNally
Writer: Matthew Scheer, Diana McCorry
Producer: Chloe Devine, Kelsey Usher
A young chick named Henrietta embarks on a heartwarming journey from neglect at a factory farm to friendship with a little girl. With tender moments, gentle humor, and a timeless message of connection, this seven-minute tale invites audiences of all ages to embrace the magic of friendship and the power of compassion.

Denmark
United States / Animation / 3 mins
Director: Robert Petrie
Writer: Robert Petrie, Angus Kneale
Producer: Melanie Wickham, Angus Kneale, Verity Grantham
In Downtown LA Heat, worlds collide with an Epic heist gone wrong. Two ex-cons come face to face with an imperial reckoning.

Playing God
Italy / Animation / 9 mins
Director: Matteo Burani
Writer: Matteo Burani, Gianmarco Valentino
Producer: Croma Studio, Arianna Gheller, Francesca D'Agnano
A clay sculpture comes to life in the darkness of a workshop, surrounded by strange creatures...



