Night of Shorts 7
Program order:
Night of Shorts… At Night
Dir. Marian McColm
An intro to tonight’s festivities! It’s a music video, it’s Night of Shorts at Night and yeah, it’s always been at night.
This Is Book Club
Dir. Robyn Okrant
When lonely, socially anxious Jane joins a neighborhood book club, she quickly learns that middle-aged women in sweater sets can be surprisingly savage - especially under the watchful eye of Marilyn, the unnervingly perfect hostess.
Yearn
Dir. Ben Smith
During an earthquake, two statues in an art museum finally hook up – defying the laws of religion, society, and physics. A story about love, lust, and the beauty that can be found in letting go.
Budget Paradise
Dir. LaTajh Simmons-Weaver
Black, non-binary painter Chester searches for space and belonging in their rapidly changing hometown, navigating identity, creativity, and the struggle for permission to exist on their own terms.
somewhere, i exist
Dir. Aaron Madrigal
A personal story about navigating grief, self-doubt, and the feeling of being small while starting over in a new city. After losing my mom, I find comfort in real voicemails and a phone call with my dad, as I try to make sense of it all, and what it means to keep going.
The Dolphins
Dir. Gaby Scott
The Dolphins is an observational and atmospheric documentary that captures one of San Francisco’s most iconic institutions: the Dolphin Swimming and Boating Club, as well as a portrait of a community forged in cold water. The film centers on a group of longtime female members, who have been swimming in the Bay’s frigid waters daily for decades.
After What Happened at the Library
Dir. Syra McCarthy
In 2022, local filmmaker and founding queen of Drag Story Hour, Kyle Casey Chu (AKA Panda Dulce) was leading a reading at San Lorenzo Public Library when the Proud Boys stormed her event. This short details the direct aftermath of this encounter.
INTERMISSION
Hi, Friends!
Dir. Wheaton Simis
Hi, Friends! is a cringe-inducing short film that takes place in the all-too-familiar present day of New York City. The world is closing in around us, and it’s a battle of wills for who can go the longest before the obvious is proclaimed: we are not OK.
The McRoommate
Dir. Perez Bros (Hart & Devon Perez)
When a teenage girl scores tickets to the concert of the year, she decides to play a game with her three best friends to determine who gets to go.
The Tall Dark Man
Dir. Taylor Phillips
At her wits' end, Natalie turns to local legend and summons a mythical hit man known only as The Tall Dark Man to dispatch with her blackmailing ex. When the murder goes horribly awry, she becomes the target of the very evil she summoned.
"Where Will Love Go?" by Mae Powell
Dir. Patrick Sean Gibson
Creating my latest music video for Mae Powell's lovingly vulnerable track, "Where Will Love Go?", was a cosmically colorful and deeply emotional ride. The video is a full-on celebration of San Francisco’s vibrant culture, intertwined with the hopeful spirit Mae radiates through her music.
Daly City
Dir. Nick Hartanto
An Indonesian boy and his mother bring Chinese takeout to a church potluck and pretend it's a traditional family dish. The boy's quiet observations lead him to question his parents' behavior as they strive to find a sense of belonging in a new country.
Gloria
Dir. Kim Blanck
In the San Francisco Bay Area,an aging Chinese immigrant takes her failing memory into her own hands after she encounters a news article about the link between dementia and language learning. As she dives into teaching herself Spanish, she finds that this act introduces both newfound purpose and friendship.
