SUNDAY

CRISÁLIDA

Alejandro Enmanuel Alonso Estrella/Esther de Rothschild/Rosanna Mendez Gonzalez/Laura Costa

Cantal, 2012, 8 min
Cuba
New York Premiere

Crisálida, which means ‘cocoon of an incubating butterfly,’ is the name of an 86-year-old woman who can only watch the world through her bedroom window. Over the course of a Sunday in her small Cuban town, her past and present converge in ironic, unsettling ways.

SYSTEM PREFERENCES

Anya Belkina, 2012, 35 min
Russia, US

An animated documentary that tells the story of computer pioneer Bashir Rameyev, who is on a quest to achieve something extraordinary for his country in order to prove that he and his family are not ‘the enemies of the people’. The result of his struggle is the invention of a computer used to launch Sputnik into space and, as a consequence, to spur the headlong development of Russian and American microelectronics. The second narrative woven into Rameyev’s story is that USSR’s 1969 decision to curtail national computer research in favor of cloning American products had tragic consequences not only for Russian computer science, but for the global community of computer users today.

THE PASSAGE

Alexander Douglas, 2012, 61 min
Panama

Panama, a small country, home to 3 and half million people, has always awoken to the large scale impact of global endeavors right outside its doors. As Panama has learned to operate the canal, it has also learned of the challenges associated with it. While the appropriate investments have been made to secure their financial future, it remains to be seen whether Panama will meet the social challenges that will undoubtedly expand alongside the canal.

FOREIGN EYE IN THE STORM

Angelique Papadelias, 2013, 67 min
USA
New York Premiere

As Hurricane Sandy approached New York and New Jersey, communities braced themselves for the unknown as the fierce storm surge mounted into a trail of destruction, causing loss of life and tragic memories for all the people who remain to tell their story. A feature documentary, captured through the eyes of a foreigner, and dedicated to all the victims of the storm.

A PERFECT DAY

Adam Rubin, 2011, 20 min
US

A teenager on the morning of his ‘going Columbine’ is confronted by an unlikely stranger, the only person who can stop him. It’s a timely and powerful short film about two seemingly ordinary strangers existing in the heart of ‘perfect’ suburbia, fated to meet at a life-changing moment, both confronting the demons we all share.

BOY IN THE VOID

Miroslav Macala, 2012, 7 min
USA
New York Premiere

A proud boy opens the door to a masculine world of a hardcore Brooklyn gym and quickly learns that the image he has of himself is seen much differently by his friend and the gym owner. In his ensuing quest for manhood, the boy uncovers a side of himself that has never been revealed before. This story is inspired by real events.

DADDY ABC

Hamad Alawar, 2013, 6 min
UK, UAE

A loving couple is blessed with a newborn baby. Their new blessing changes everything, and the mother is taking the major load of baby duty. Until one day she gets to a point where she decides to leave the house for a break, and leave the father for the very first time alone with their child.

KOMBRA (MOTHER)

Ali Kamanda, 2013, 23 min
Sierra Leone
New York Premiere

A devoted, yet timorous and hard-working single mother is haunted by the memory of her inaction many years ago that resulted in the rape of her young daughter. Unforgiving, her coming of age daughter, Fatmata, rebels with disobedience and seeks love in the arms of a classmate. Fatmata decides to spend the night with her new lover only to wake up to the horror of nearly being raped. Fatmata escapes into the loving protection of her mother as she ultimately learns that love often has its price but her mother’s love is free.

watch the trailer – http://vimeo.com/68093255

PILLOWCASE

David Lombroso, 2013, 16 min
New York Premiere

It’s the morning after a big party at Lina’s parent’s house in East Hampton. The place is a mess; empty bottles and cigarette butts. Suddenly, a scream. It’s Lina. Her boyfriend Eric didn’t wake up. He took some pills to come down after doing blow all night and… After someone calls the cops, the gang has to clear the house before the cavalry arrives. But as the clock begins to tick, we find out that things might not be quite as straightforward as they seem.

SWEET, SWEET, COUNTRY

Dehanza Rogers, 2013, 20 min
US
New York Premiere

Living in a small Southern town, 20 year-old refugee Ndizeye struggles to support not only herself, but the family she left behind in a Kenyan refugee camp. Her struggle becomes so much more when her family literally shows up at her doorstep.

http://www.sweetsweetcountry.com/trailer.php

THE PROJECTIONIST

Najat Jellab, 2013, 20 min
Canada/Morocco
US Premiere

Majid is almost indifferent to the world that surrounds him. He lives only for his job, as a projectionist, and his passion for films. But when he learns that the owner of the theater where he works has decided to sell it, his whole life shatters in front of his eyes.

SEED STORY

William D. Caballero, 2012, 13 min
US
Animation

A lone dandelion blossoms in an abandoned parking lot, negatively impacting the lives of a miniature society that becomes dependent upon it. This film, shot in macro perspective and featuring a cast of one-inch plastic figures and junk props, examines the effect that religion, capitalism, pollution, and fascism have had on humanity throughout the ages.

NOT ANYMORE: A STORY OF REVOLUTION

Matthew VanDyke, 2013, 15 min
Syrian Arab Republic/Turkey
New York Premiere

The harrowing story of the Syrian revolution as told through the experiences of two young Syrians, a male rebel fighter and a female journalist, as they fight an oppressive regime for the freedom of their people.

BREAD AND IRON: THE STRUGGLE OF SYRIAN WORKERS

Dareen Hasan, 2013, 54 min
Netherlands/Lebanon

Tells the story of Syrian laborers in Lebanon depicting their daily life in an environment that frowns upon them with suspicion and hostility. Unable to return to their homes due to the raging war, many find themselves stuck on Lebanese construction sites, building Beirut’s skyline under the whim of exploitative employers. In a series of conversations, young and old laborers talk about estrangement, hardship and dreams of the future. Their testimonies point at the stark reality that goes largely ignored as their home country is on fire.

Q & A with filmmakers follows the screenings

THE RAINY SEASON

Yahia Mahamdi, 2012, 8 min
US
World Premiere

The impact of modern warfare on children is explored in this short experimental essay film.

LAND OF THE BLACKS

Sarra Idris, 2013, 4 min
Sudan

An experimental exploration into the Sudanese “landscape.”

WHERE SHOULD THE BIRDS FLY

Fida Qishta, 2012, 60 min
Palestine/USA

The first film about Gaza made by Palestinians living the reality of Israel’s siege and blockade of this modern-day concentration camp.

It is the story of two women, survivors of Israel’s Operation Cast Lead. Mona Samouni, now 13-years-old and the filmmaker, Fida Qishta, now 29. They represent the spirit and future of Palestinians. It reveals the strength and hope, the humanity and humor that flourishes among the people of Gaza. Few films document so powerfully and personally the impact of modern warfare and sanctions on a civilian population.

watch the trailer