ANIMATED SHORTS

"Secret Life of Objects – Outhouse" (Geneva Film Festival's Best Animated Short)

Australia, 3 minutes, PG

Directed by: Nathan Jones

"Outhouse" is the story of a cynical, used up toilet paper roll and a far less worldly new kid on the block.

"Luna"

Canada, 7 minutes, PG

Directed by: Donna Brockopp

"Luna" depicts the flirtatious dance between a charming and debonair caterpillar, Silky, and the stunning and graceful moth, Luna.


"Being Bradford Dillman"

United Kingdom, 10 minutes, PG-13

Directed by: Emma Burch

A dark and humorous tale of a mother and daughter relationship, shadowed by alcohol, loneliness and a dislike of boys.


DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

"Wolves Unleashed" (Emerging Documentary Feature Filmmaker)

Canada, 89 minutes, PG-13

Directed by: Andrew Simpson

The film follows world renowned animal trainer Andrew Simpson as he travels to the other side of the world to make the biggest wolf film ever attempted. Battling temperatures of negative 76 degrees, the crew and wolves are tested physically and mentally on a daily basis. The film will make people question everything they thought they knew about wolves. They will see an animal that is graceful, caring and trusting.

The animal action in this film has no computer effects. The film will also show one man's struggle as he wrestles with the decision to use his unique bond with these animals against them.


"Generation Baby Buster" (Best Documentary Feature)

Spain, Canada, 91 minutes, PG-13

Directed by: Terra Renton

"Generation Baby Buster" follows one woman's quest to uncover why her biological clock hasn't started ticking, before she runs out of time. Armed with insight from those that write and think about the current state of affairs for mothers, Terra, 32, confronts her own ambivalence toward children head-on and offers up some baby food-for-thought to a new generation of women – the baby busters.


DOCUMENTARY SHORTS

"The Trap of Saving Cambodia"

United States, 27 minutes, PG-13

Directed by: Tim Sorel

Cambodia receives more than a billion dollars in foreign aid annually from a host of countries such as the United States and China. Where exactly does all this aid go? More than 1,000 nongovernmental organizations work in Cambodia to aid the poor. This humanitarian effort is sadly described as one step forward, 20 steps back. Government corruption is rampant and it is widely known that the trafficking of women and children is protected or even backed by police. Government backed forced eviction of the poor is out of control.


"Mugs"

United States, 4 minutes, PG

Directed by: Ronnie Cramer

One hundred of your favorite celebrity mug shots morph from one to the next. The minimalist, trance-like soundtrack adds to the hypnotic effect.

"Dilli"

India, 25 minutes, PG-13

Directed by: Sushmit Ghosh and Rintu Thomas

"Dilli" is a moving collection of heartfelt interviews with Delhi slum dwellers. Bringing to life the untold story of the mass exodus of thousands who were bulldozed from their homes, they are transferred to a makeshift facade – Bawana – left without water, shelter or drainage. Meanwhile, Dilli is being beautified for the Commonwealth Games, 2010. "Dilli" (city of dreams), is a universal story of millions of underprivileged around the world.


"Carbon for Water"

United States, 22 minutes, PG-13

Directed by: Evan Abramson

In Kenya's Western province, most drinking water is contaminated. The wood many Kenyans use to boil this water to make it safe is increasingly valuable. Women and girls, who bear the responsibility for finding water and fuel, often miss school or work while seeking both, yet waterborne illness remains a daily – and life-threatening – reality for them and their families. "Carbon For Water" introduces audiences to the inspiring people who face these hardships, and explores one company's innovative solution for improving the health of millions of Kenyans and the environment in which they live.


NARRATIVE FEATURE

"Pearls of the Far East" (Emerging Narrative Feature Filmmaker; Best Cinematography)

Vietnam, Canada, 103 minutes, PG-13

Directed by: Cuong Ngo

The inner lives and forbidden loves of seven Vietnamese women form the beautiful string that runs through director Cuong Ngo's feature film debut. "Pearls of the Far East" has been selected by the festival for Best Cinematography (Mikhail Petrenko, director of photography).


"Tag and Nacht" (Best Narrative Feature)

Austria, 101 minutes, PG-13

Directed by: Sabine Derflinger

Why not work for an escort service and make a lot of money? Lea employs this iron-clad argument to win over her best friend, Hanna. Together, they plunge into an adventure between day and night.

NARRATIVE SHORTS

"Salvaging"

United States, 15 minutes, PG

Directed by: Joseph Lyons

A down on his luck man and his 15-year-old stepson navigate the twists and turns of their troubled relationship while pushing a junkyard-bound car through equally difficult city streets.


"Parlay"

United States, 12 minutes, PG-13

Directed by: Gary Goldman

Jack has a good life. He and his beautiful wife, Sharon, own a condo only eight blocks from the beach. Their careers are flourishing and the sky's the limit. The problem is, Jack also has an old friend named Freddie, who pops up after a long hiatus and he needs a favor. It seems Freddie is in the habit of gambling with money he does not have and now needs his good pal, Jackie, to help him out of the pinch.


"Kavinsky"

Switzerland, 13 minutes, PG

Directed by: Daniel Schraner

When Sven, a young man in his 20s, arrives at Eva's home to pick her up for their first date, he must face Mr. Kavinsky, Eva's father. Mr. Kavinsky, skeptical of Sven, challenges him with a curious interrogation.


"1848"

Australia, 14 minutes, PG-13

Directed by: Simon Taylor

In the year 1848, blinded with the fear of failure, explorer Ludwig Leichhardt forges on in his quest to be the first European to traverse the breadth of Australia's ominous interior.


"Amok"

Germany, 15 minutes, PG-13

Directed by: Christoph Baumann

"Amok" tells the story of a violent gun rampage at a school from the perspective of the victims. While shots are being fired around them, they are faced with a difficult decision in order to survive – stand alone or work together.


"All You Need is Love"

Brazil, Italy, 18 minutes, PG

Directed by: Wagner Depintor

Sergio is a kid who roams through the streets of a city intriguing yet unknown. In a rite of passage to adulthood, he needs to summon the courage to shoot his first victim in order to gain the respect of his gang. The urban fable tells its story through rap without rage and speaks of social prejudice with a taste of fresh poetry remembering that reality does not always correspond with appearances.


"They Walk Among Us"

United Kingdom, United States, 15 minutes, PG-13

Directed by: Michael Koltes and Christopher Slaughter

On a search for a birthday gift, Malcolm finds himself in a little toy store with an attractive shop assistant, Charlotte, who seems susceptible to his flirtations. Trust is the foundation of all good relationships, but have they rushed in a little too quickly? (If you go looking for trouble, you just might find it.)


"The World Turns"

United Kingdom, 20 minutes, PG

Directed by: Nick Ray Rutter

After a fatal and unforeseeable accident, Kevin denies his opportunity to confess and buries the incident. Seeking refuge in Leanne, a waitress from a nearby cafe, can Kevin move forward without first dealing with the past? An atmospheric film that journeys into guilt and the expectation of consequences to a man's actions.


"The Runner"

South Africa, Germany, 12 minutes, PG

Directed by: Parker Ellerman

A little boy from a township in Cape Town needs to find money for his mother's vital surgery and pays a high price that changes his world. The lead role is played by 10-year old Cwangco Mayekiso, who actually lives in the Gugulethu Township.


"The Small Assassin"

United States, 16 minutes, PG

Directed by: Chris Charles

The year is 1947. Alice and David have just given birth to their first child. When Alice slips into post-partum depression, she becomes convinced that the baby is conspiring against her. David must decide if his wife is losing her mind, or if the child is plotting their doom. Based on the short story by Ray Bradbury.


"Lifeless"

United States, 19 minutes, PG-13

Directed by: A. S. Ghosh

We take life for granted, until it takes back. When Devin receives a painful letter, it throws his life in crisis. He becomes a creature of the night seeking life's addictions, until he meets Sheryl, who puts his painful journey into question. The dark, provocative film explores loss and how it affects those around it.


"Hath No Man"

Australia, Singapore, 15 minutes, PG-13

Directed by: Linus Koh

An Australian World War II veteran enters a church and reminisces of his time in the war. Set in Crete, 1941, his memories take him through the events of a German ambush that changed his life. A story of comradeship, friendship and love, "Hath No Man" depicts the bond forged in the battlefield between an Australian war cameraman and an Australian soldier.


"Deep Blue Breath"

United States, 18 minutes, PG

Directed by: Patricia Cardoso

Clay travels deep inside his body to an animated dream world where he engages in battle against the Evil Lord Vater and his army of Kuk-nuks. Meanwhile, in the waking world, a medical team struggles to save Clay's life.


"Callum"

United Kingdom, 14 minutes, PG-13

Directed by: Michael van der Put

When his first love Joanna is killed at a local train station, average school boy, Callum, struggles to cope with feelings of guilt, grief and fear. Feeling increasingly isolated and with the police starting to ask questions, Callum must look for the courage to do the right thing.


"Buon Giorno Sayonara"

United Kingdom, 8 minutes, PG

Directed by: Karen Hope

Romance bridges the language gap in a short-but-sweet seaside encounter between two foreign tourists.


STUDENT SHORTS

"Infection"

United States, 19 minutes, PG-13

Directed by: Todd Lundbohm

How far would you be willing to go to stop an infection ... ?


"Hadley TK-421" (Student Visonary Award)
 
United Kingdom, 18 minutes, PG

Directed by: Jonathan Reid-Edwards

A black comedy set in 1960s London, it plays like an English episode of "Mad Men" written by Billy Wilder and directed by David Fincher.


"A Wink of the Eye"

France, United States, 15 minutes, PG

Directed by: Ambarish Manepalli

Michael could stick to his plan in Paris, or he could follow the girl in the blue hat.


"Static"

Australia, 11 minutes, PG-13

Directed by: Mel Miskell

Sia has returned home in an emotional twilight, paralyzed by a secret she can't confront. When a friend from the past arrives, will she be able to find solace and equilibrium through their reconnection?


"The Darkness is Close Behind"

United States, 22 minutes, PG-13

Directed by: Sheena McCann

A teenage boy anxiously watches over his meth-cook father and his little brother, but his vigilance is wearing thin.


"Salam Ghourba"

United States, 15 minutes, PG-13

Directed by: Lamia Alam

In an impoverished neighborhood of Casablanca, Morocco, Fatima awaits impatiently for news from her husband in exile. Will she finally receive the immigration papers that will potentially secure a brighter future for her and her son Mohammed?


"Let Me Go" (Young Filmmaker Spotlight)

United States, 19 minutes, PG-13

Directed by: Courtney Amis

The directorial debut by 16-year-old Courtney Amis tells the story of a young girl, Casey, who is held captive by an insane man seeking ransom. Casey dreams of escaping and going back to her family only to wake up shocked that she is still in a storage closet, bound to die.