SHORT BLOCK 5

A WOMAN IS MANY THINGS (JUST FINE ISN'T ONE OF THEM)

Iowa Premier

Jeanie has found herself in her early 40s, divorced, and in attendance of her ex-husband’s engagement party. Set amidst a perfect party storm of pitying former friends and a new, gracious bride-to-be, Jeanie does her best to keep her sanity.

Starring: Amy Bailey, Allegra Bailey, Olivia Applegate

Directed by: Chase Musslewhite

Produced by: Grant Wood, Chase Musslewhite

Runtime (minutes): 17

Language: English

Country: USA

Rating: GA

Subtitles: YES

DARCINE'S DAY

We spend the day with Darcine Thomas (Kyla Diane Kennedy), divorced and jobless, as she struggles to get back on her feet. She plans to start a new business to help those living on the street, and struggles to find her own new job. Hitting obstacles at every turn, she comes face to face with the L.A. housing crisis.

Starring: Brent Huff, Elizabeth Lamboy-Wilson, Joe Hackett

Directed by: Aaron Goffman

Produced by: Jeaneth Goffman, Vidal Cohen

Runtime (minutes): 17

Language: English

Country: USA

Rating: GA

Subtitles: YES

DEVELOPMENT

Iowa Premier

When Estefani Guerrero joins a prestigious leadership program, she hopes it will transform her career. Among corporate climbers, she finds a friend in Allie—until Chris, the company’s entitled president, warps the group with his narrow vision. One by one, participants become his clones, leaving Estefani and Allie standing apart. As the pressure to conform mounts, they must decide: follow the crowd or forge their own path.

Starring: Haskirr Velazquez, Raquel McPeek Rodriguez, Leticia Castillo

Directed by: Chloe Caudillo

Produced by: Via Bia, Haskiri Velazquez, Sal Lopez

Runtime (minutes): 10

Language: American Sign Language, English, Spanish

Country: USA

Rating: M

Subtitles: YES

HIS MOTHER

Iowa Premier

Upon receiving a disturbing email from her son, a mother drives frantically to his school hoping to avert the unimaginable.

Starring: Eileen Kelly

Directed by: Maia Jo Scalia

Produced by: Ani Schroeter

Runtime (minutes): 14

Language: English

Country: USA

Rating: M

Subtitles: YES

MAGGIE'S NOT OKAY

Iowa Premier

Maggie, a chronic people pleaser, is always getting pushed around. But when she tries to return a lost cat to his owner, Maggie is finally pushed too far and decides to push back . . . in a most unexpected way.

Starring: Mouzam Makkar, Behzad Dabu, Clare Cooner

Directed by: Vance Smith

Produced by: Vance Smith, Mouzam Makkar, Clare Cooney

Runtime (minutes): 12

Language: English

Country: USA

Rating: GA

Subtitles: YES

MOTHER (MATKA)

Paulina (35 years old) is out on parole after serving a prison sentence for the murder of her husband Andrzej. She returns to her hometown to meet her 11-year-old son Nikodem. Jadwiga (55 years old), Paulina's mother-in-law who takes care of Nikodem, does not want this meeting to take place. She is still grieving the loss of her son, Andrzej, and is unable to forgive Paulina for what she did. The film deals with domestic violence and its consequences.

Starring: Maria Pakulnis, Magdalena Maścianica, Piotr Witkowski

Directed by: Sebastian Kwidziński

Produced by: Maciej Åšlesicki

Runtime (minutes): 29

Language: Polish

Country: Poland

Rating: M

Subtitles: YES