Shorts Program 3: The Looking Glass
TRT 96 MIN
Children's Books
(USA, 18 MIN)
Writer/Director: Nino Mancuso
Cast: Guerrin Gardner, Chris Candy, Robert Peters
After successful children's book author Gina Ammerman (Guerrin Gardner) has a falling out with her illustrator, Axel (Chris Candy), their literary agent (Robert Peters) convinces her to give his ideas a chance. But when she discovers a secret lurking in plain sight, Gina realizes she may have bigger worries than simply ending their collaboration...
Mermaid, Bitch
(USA, 13 MIN)
Writer: Victoria Negri, Alexi Pappas
Director: Victoria Negri
Cast: Alexi Pappas, Ruby McCollister
Lily and Ruby are inseparable pals, best buds since childhood, practically sisters. And now they're adults, technically, still living their best lives and pursuing their dreams -- forming a rock band to entertain people, making the world a better place, and living in the moment. Tensions have crept in between them as the band is in a rough patch, and maybe, just maybe, they're growing apart. After a wild night of Tarot and a bad set, Lily wakes up transformed into a mermaid. Like, an actual mermaid. Will their already rocky friendship survive?
The Runt
(USA, 13 MIN)
Writer/Director: Christy Stratton
Cast: Luna Martin, Olive Epstein, Oliver Hamilton, Johnny Mann
In a coming-of-age story set in 1979, a tween girl must couple skate with a boy to keep from being chosen as the 7th grade “runt" -- a fate which would ruin her life forever.
Zari
(USA, 20 MIN)
Writer/Director: Shruti Parekh
Cast: Aesha Soni, Kamal Batra, Richa Kalra, Kundan Kumar
American teen Neelu feels like a fish out of water amidst preparations for her sister’s wedding in Delhi until she forges a brief and unexpected connection with Zeyb, a quiet sari store clerk who moonlights as an internet drag queen.
Magdalena Te Amo
(US, 16 MIN)
Writer/Director: Andrea Calao
Cast: Andrea Calao, Simón Elías, Juan Pablo Gamboa, Alejandra Ceballos
A Colombian student stripping her way through college in NYC debates telling her Prince Charming boyfriend what she actually does for a living. Would him and his family approve? Can her truth even remain a secret?
The Cockroach
(USA, 20 MIN)
Writer/Director: Mary Pat Bentel
Cast: Melissa Johns, Sophia Paras, Dave Coleman, Rose Abdoo
After a body-altering accident, a woman must find a way forward in her new reality.
Upholstergeist
(UK, 14 MIN)
Writer/Director: Michael Patrick Clarkson
Cast: Tara Fitzgerald, Harrie Hayes, Adam Nagaitis, Aaron Pierre
When a furniture repairer on a restoration television show is tasked with fixing a chair for a strange brother and sister, the job may cost more than just her time.
Primogeniture
(USA, 3 MIN)
Writer/Director: Savanna Nicole Menzel
Cast: Kendahl Cooper, Suzanne Savoy, Avery Smithhart
A town must follow a strict curfew imposed by a red mark and a mysterious force. When Claudia's little brother is marked, her whole family must suffer the consequences.
