It’s September at Austin Film Festival, which means we’re only a few weeks away from announcing our full 2015 slate of films! Hold on to your seats, because it’s a going to be a great one (as you might be able to tell from our First Ten Sneak Peek). And to help you through these final few weeks of waiting, we’re carrying on our tradition of announcing some of our standout short films early. That’s right, it’s time for #MovieMonday and #FilmFriday! Every Monday and Friday, we will be announcing these short films through our Twitter account (@austinfilmfest). Follow us to get the inside scoop before anyone else. And keep on checking back here for the most up-to-date list of announced shorts.
And if you’re excited about these shorts, and want to watch them in October, get yourself a Film Pass for 8 days of feature films, short films, red carpets, and Q&As.
Check out the list below!
Po
Basil searches for his mother’s soul after she drowns during a morning swim on Waikiki beach.
The Swim Instructor
When one of Lee’s swimming students is never collected by his mother, Lee is suddenly forced to assume the role of the boy’s guardian. Ethan must come to terms with his missing parent, while Lee finds his life outside of the swim lessons challenged by the unexpected circumstances. Despite and because of these obstacles, Lee and Ethan form a powerful, if temporary bond.
The Present
Jake spends most of his time playing video games indoors until his mom decides to give him a present.
Sin Matador
A couple’s long overdue, romantic dinner plans are foiled when they become entangled in an illegal, underground bullfight in the basement of their Manhattan luxury apartment building.
Kimi Kabuki
Madeline, a devoted house wife discovers her husband is attending an Adult Industry Expo behind her back. Resolving to confront him about his deceit, she follows him to the convention.
Traces of my Brother
‘Traces of my Brother’ tells the story of Max, a teenager, whose older brother dies in war and leaves his family in deep mourning. Incapable of dealing with the loss of his personal hero, Max declares war to a world which doesn’t understand his problems. Torn by his anger he leaves his family to become a soldier like his brother!
But Max must learn the hard way that in order to follow the footsteps of his brother he has to deal with his responsibility and get rid of his aggressions.
Blitz
A father and son agree to a ‘winner take all’ blitz chess game in order to settle a bet.
The Final Scene
The Final Scene experiences the breakup of legendary 50’s comedy duo Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.
The Dressmaker
Due to financial difficulties, Eric, a young dressmaker, is confronted with the decision to sell his business and give up on his dream. However, a charming mannequin who has been displayed in his shop comes to life and helps him design a dress.
The Favor
Ellen and Ralph have differing views on how to handle Ellen’s dying mother’s imminent passing. When Ellen asks Ralph, her husband of many years, to give her mother a last kiss, Ellen and Ralph are forced to examine not only their very different feelings about her mother’s death but also their commitment to each other.
Borrowed Time
A weathered Sheriff returns to the remains of an accident he has spent a lifetime trying to forget. With each step forward, the memories come flooding back. Faced with his mistake once again, he must find the strength to carry on. –WAB
Three Fingers
A young female Marine war veteran navigates her disintegrating life until there is nothing left but to make a choice.
Traction
An awkward comedy about first dates, race, and racism.
Aria for a Cow
Aria, a bovine diva, demands to be respected for more than just her dairy products.
Foos Your Daddy
On the day he’s leaving for college, Billy’s relationship with his overbearing father is put to the test when they play a heated game of foosball.
Life on Juniper
Following reports of a mysterious crash, an aging farmer encounters a visitor determined on disrupting his quiet way of life.
Seahorse
Seahorse is the story of a first love, an unrequited love and a pregnant boy
Jack in the Box
Jack, a procrastinating graduate student, finds the apartment he is house-sitting has turned into a box with no exit or escape. Inside Jack’s box is another, smaller box that contains another trapped procrastinator named Walter.
The Fundamentals
As part of an initiative known as Restorative Justice, Kate prepares to meet the man who raped her, in the hope that she can start to move on with her life.
Guide
When John, a blind man, discovers that his guide dog and best friend, Jubilee, is dying, his world seems to crumble. Unwilling to apply for a new dog, but unable to live without one John struggles to find the strength to say goodbye and find a way to push on.
Her First Black Guy
Paul wants to meet a woman of substance and worldly experience. His blind date, Claire, is amazed by all the different people you see on a Los Angeles bus. That’s not quite what he had in mind.
In her Place
In Her Place is a dramatic story about an Iranian-American man suffering from a mid-life crisis who visits his homeland of Iran to meet and wed a young Iranian woman.
The Tie
A small giraffe and a tall giraffe have a chance meeting. Despite their obvious difference in stature, they discover a kinship.
Til jail do us part
Their love and deep religious belief drive Joseph and Liza, a criminal couple, to kidnap a priest to marry them before they are found and taken in by the police.
The Trials of Constance Baker Motley
With archival footage and narration in Motley’s own voice, The Trials of Constance Baker Motley tells the story of a civil rights leader who met prejudice and danger with elegance and humor.
The Orchestra
Imagine a world where a band of tiny musicians follow you around, playing a soundtrack for your life – communicating your emotions, fears and hopes through song. This is the world of The Orchestra.
The Immaculate Misconception
Sinead is underage, pregnant, and a virgin who lives with her grandparents. Her grandmother, the matriarch of this dysfunctional family and a pious Catholic, will stop at nothing to get this birth proclaimed immaculate.