2024 Austin Film Festival & Writers Conference

Shorts Program 1: Thicker Than Blood
TRT 100 MIN

A Better Place
(USA, 17 MIN)

Writer/Director: Shih-Chun Hsiao
Cast: Sam Song Li, Jen Kuo Sung, Lydia Look

After knowing an oil company offering handsome money for his family farm, Henry comes home to convince his immigrant, aging parents to sell the home for good. Although the price is substantial, his father rejects the offer. But the next morning, Henry finds the deal has been signed. his parents only want to leave something for his son – a better future.

Delicious
(USA, 7 MIN)

Writer/Director: Julian Alvarez
Cast: Frank Rodriguez, Joel DeCandio

Egos and tastebuds clash when a father/son chef duo fail to remember a family recipe.

Dirty Towel
(USA, 12 MIN)

Writer: Callie Carpinteri, Emma Parks
Director: Callie Carpinteri
Cast: Emma Parks, Laura Coover, Ben Kriege, Laurel Nail

A teenage girl grapples with feelings of shame and guilt after her first sexual experience, leading to a thoughtful exploration of generational shame, societal expectations, and self-worth.

Maps
(Taiwan, 15 MIN)

Writer/Director: Georgia Fu
Cast: Christine Liao, Harley Haibin Li, Josie Hung

Maps charts the tumultuous relationship between a working mother and her daughter throughout the years, examining the sacrifices parents make and the difficulties their children face, as we feel the fleeting quality of life.

Oh Christmas Tree
(USA, 11 MIN)

Writer: Mark Duplass
Director: Katie Aselton
Cast: Mark Duplass, Ora Duplass

16 year-old Claire and her father Ben try to recreate a few of their favorite Christmas traditions.

Punter
(South Africa, 14 MIN)

Writer/Director: Jason Adam Maselle
Cast: Tiago Marques, Bouwer Bosch, Nyaniso Dzedze, Craig Jackson

Young Brett must navigate the underbelly of the Johannesburg gambling world as a seemingly harmless horse racing bet jeopardizes the surprise he’s prepared for his Father’s birthday.

The Son Who Can't Play Trumpet
(USA, 18 MIN)

Writer/Director: Isaac Garza
Cast: David Barrera, David Vidal Trevino

At his 65th birthday party, a Latino father pressures his grown son to play the trumpet for his guests.

Just Kids
(USA, 6 MIN)
Writer: Andrew Chan Gladstone, Jackie Bao
Director: Jackie Bao
Cast: Hideyoshi Akai, Aaron Chao, Akihiro Kitamura

Ben, an ambitious Asian-American man shaped by his father's immigrant experience, is visited by his inner child on his way to the top. Through an unlikely elevator ride, he experiences his childhood dreams, meets a vulnerable father, and finds a renewed sense of self.