Lessons Learned
Shorts Package
Cycle Vérité
2021, NR, US, Short, 15 minutes
Florida Premiere
Director: Adam J. Graves
Producers: Julia Archer, Suchitra Mattai, Devananda Graves, and Adam J. Graves
Writer: Adam J. Graves
Cast: James Patrick Nelson, Ariella Amar, Brandy Bond
When Don sets out to recover his stolen vintage bicycle — a gift from his now-estranged father — he finds himself drawn into a cycle of truth and deception, giving and forgiving, in which he is ultimately forced to confront his troubled relationship with his wayward father.
Make Your Soul Grow
2021, G, US/Ireland, Short, 13 minutes
Florida Premiere
Director: KC Connolly
Producers: KC Connolly, Charmaine Tangonan, Brenden Hubbard, Martina Castro, Ralph Brown
Writer: KC Connolly
Cast: Stephen D'Ambrose, Erin Neufer
Make Your Soul Grow dramatizes the last letter Kurt Vonnegut sent to high school students in New York City, encouraging them to engage with art and creativity in all its forms.
Black Slide
2021, NR, Isreal/UK, Short, 11 minutes
Hebrew with English Subtitles
Director: Uri Lotan
Producers: Amit Russell Gicelter, Andrew Lord
Writer: Uri Lotan
Cast: Ivri Shai, Rom Shemesh, Varda Shpin Gross, Ovir Benedek, Nadav Porat
Eviah, a young and timid kid on the brink of puberty, and his best friend sneak into the Black Slide, the most terrifying ride in Aqua Fun. There, Eviah gains insight to prepare him for events about to unfold at home.
Melons
2020, NR, US, Short, 15 minutes
Florida Premiere
Director: Matt MacDonald
Producers: Lana Link, Rob Pfaltzgraff
Writer: Matt MacDonald
Cast: Brian Huskey, Martin Mull
Beloved by customers and employees alike, Sunnyside Grocers manager Nigel watches his world turn upside down when a would-be white knight social media influencer wrongly accuses him of sexually harassing a female customer.
The Interview
2021, G, US, Short, 9 minutes
Florida Premiere
Director: Inga Moren Tapias
Producer: Adam Vazquez
Writer: Janet Guillet
Cast: Jeane Reveendran, Lauren Gutierrez, Penelope Thomas, Ruth Smith, Leonardo Philippe Piller, Lauren Gutierrez's Baby
Two women at opposite ends of their careers: Lauren, a rising star before the pandemic, is interviewing Ruth, a seasoned pro, let go during the pandemic. Over Zoom, what is supposed to be a professional interview soon becomes a therapy session.
Frank & Emmet
2021, NR, US, Short, 13 minutes
Director: Carlos F. Puertolas
Producers: Jonathan Coria, Bryan Dimas
Writer: Carlos F. Puertolas
Cast: Paul Eiding, Brian Michael Jones, Arabella Grant
Frank & Emmet tells the story of two lifelong friends and show business partners who, after weeks of drifting apart, sit together to have a much-needed conversation. Their friendly dialogue takes a turn when they address head-on the one thing they’ve never talked about: One of them is a puppet.