HI, FRIENDS! – Wheaton Simis, writer/director of the 7:10 minute short comedy short. “a cringe-inducing short film that takes place in the all-too-familiar present day. At a pot-luck picnic among “friends,” the world is closing in around Beth and Brian as they fight to retain their sanity. It’s a battle of wills for who can go the longest before the obvious is proclaimed: we are not OK.”
A Better Place — Shih-Chun, writer, and director – The short film has been nominated for a Jury Award at the Austin Film Festival. About the filmmaker: “I’m a Taiwanese writer/Editor/Director and recent graduate of USC’s MFA film program. A Better Place is my graduate thesis, and I’m currently working as an assistant editor with Richard Halsey, the Oscar-winning editor of Rocky (1976).” Screening of Short Program1 – October 27, 2:45 pm at Galaxy 6 and October 29, 3:45 pm at the Rollins Theater.
Dirty Towel – Directed by Callie Carpinteri and featuring an outstanding cast including Emma Parks, Laura Coover, Ben Krieger, and Laurel Nail. Dirty Towel tells the story of a teenage girl named Charlie who navigates feelings of shame and guilt after her first sexual experience. The film delves into generational shame, societal expectations, and self-worth in a compelling 13-minute narrative brought to life by an entirely female key crew. Screenings: Sunday, October 27 at 2:45 pm at Galaxy Theatre 6 and Tuesday, October 29 at 3:45 pm at Rollins Theatre at the Long Center. (Texas Premiere) www.dirtytowelmovie.com.
I Could Dom—Madison Hatfield is the writer/director (Vincent Stalba, producer): ‘I Could Dom’ is a comedy for people-pleasers that’s raunchy and ultimately a heartfelt comedy about self-love and coming into one’s own. (Billy Magnussen’s production company, HappyBad Bungalow Executive Produces.) The film has screened at the Aspen Shortsfest (World Premiere, Oscar®-qualifying), Palm Springs International ShortFest (Oscar®-qualifying), and HollyShorts Film Festival (Oscar®-qualifying).
The Last Book Buy – Erik Mauck, Director – A 13-minute short documentary that features the Half Price Books Store in San Antonio that closed recently on the day of their last book buy. Screens in the Shorts 10: Best Lil’ Shorts in Texas program and nominated for Best Texas Short Film—Rollins Theatre – two screenings, Friday 10/25 at 7 pm and 10/30 at 7 pm.
I Am Ready, Warden – Directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Smriti Mundhra for MTV Documentary Films. In the days leading up to his execution, Texas death row prisoner John Henry Ramirez seeks redemption from his victim’s son. Shorts Program 9: Best Lil’ Shorts in Texas 1: Wednesday, October 30, 2024, 4:00 pm – 5:54 pm CDT, Rollins Theatre at the Long Center
Mermaid, Bitch – Written/Directed by Victoria Negri (based in Brooklyn, NY) Co-Writer: Alexi Pappas – A 13-minute comedic short – Logline: Lily (Alexi Pappas) and Ruby (Ruby McCollister) were on track to be lifelong pals, but tensions have crept between them as they want different things in life, especially now that Lily wakes up transformed into a mermaid. Like, an actual mermaid. When screened at the Cinema Columbus, the film received the Special Jury Prize for Best Comedic Film. Two screenings: Sunday, October 27 at 12:45 pm and Tuesday, October 29 at 8:20 pm at the Galaxy Theater.
UPHOLSTERGEIST – Michael Patrick Clarkson – writer/director from London. UPHOLSTERGEIST is the debut short as a director and will receive its North American Premiere at the Austin Film Festival. “It’s a light horror comedy that takes itself seriously (until it doesn’t) and stars Tara Fitzgerald (Game of Thrones), Adam Nagaitis (Chernobyl, The Terror) and Aaron Pierre (Mufasa, The Morning Show). The Newton Brothers (Haunting of Hill House, Fall of the House of Usher, X-Men ’97) have composed.” Michael Patrick Clarkson’s writing credits include The Wheel of Time (Amazon Prime), The Haunting of Bly Manor (Netflix), and See (Apple TV). He is also the co-creator/showrunner of Red Rose (BBC/Netflix).
Four Influencers and a Funeral, Kelly Frye’s directorial debut. A comedic short film that captures the absurdity of social media influencer culture. Four Influencers and a Funeral follows four popular social media influencers from Austin who gather at a lavish memorial for their friend and fellow influencer, Brian. Beloved by all, Brian left behind a social media empire with lucrative brand deals that each influencer believes should be theirs. As they wait for the executor of Brian’s estate to arrive and divvy up the assets, their true colors begin to show, and their fragile friendships start to unravel. Screenings: in the Best Lil’ Shorts in Texas block on Saturday, October 26 at 4:15 pm CDT and Wednesday, October 30 at 4:00 pm CDT at the Rollins Theatre at the Long Center. (Austin-Based Filmmakers)
Source: Austin Film Festival and filmmakers