BIFF Shorts: Students (Program 1)

The next generation of great storytellers, now. 104 minutes.

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“The Moon and the Sun”

Katie E. Daugherty (Dir), 6 minutes, USA, World Premiere

Director Katie E. Daugherty in attendance.

Two friends (Emma Porlier + Mia Scott) sleeping in the same bed talk about the moon while it gently lights up their faces in this tender drama.

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“Lux”

Mira H. Steuer (Dir), 8 minutes, USA, World Premiere

Director Mira Steuer in attendance.

A young woman in the apocalypse struggles to care for her mother with dementia.

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“Promethean”

Nina Marie Aisa & Jhunleroy Morala (Dir), 6 minutes, USA, World Premiere

Director Nina Marie Aisa in attendance.

A young woman navigates generational curses, and the dreams of her youth by recalling her promises to her mother in an evocative essay film.

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“Sundays Are For Winners”

Ryan Elizabeth Brady (Dir), 14 minutes, USA, World Premiere

Director Ryan Elizabeth Brady in attendance.

A serenity Sunday brutally interrupted when a father at his wits end goes to extreme lengths to just have a relaxing day of watching golf in this dark comedy.

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“Ghost Marriage”

Vivian Chung (Dir), 3 minutes, USA, Western New York Premiere

Director Vivian Chung in attendance.

A ghost gets old feet when she’s paired up with a stranger in the afterlife in Vivian Chung’s beautifully animated film exploring the ancient ritual of ghost marriage.

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“Under The Mountain God”

Grace Park (Dir), 4 minutes, USA, Western New York Premiere

Director Grace Park in attendance.

A girl follows a mysterious stranger through a mirror into a different world in Grace Park’s send up of anime and fantasy films and comics.

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“The Life Harm”

Ethan King (Dir), 4 minutes, USA, Western New York Premiere

Director Ethan King and Star Emily Sugar in attendance.

A cat has a peculiar job at the pool- harming lives in Ethan King’s twisted comedy.

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“Juan”

Azriel Chavez (Dir), 4 minutes, USA, Western New York Premiere

The emotions of a touch-sensitive boy expressed through surrealism in Azriel Chavez’s exploration of the creative process.

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“When the World Changes”

Benjamin Caruccio & Changhee Chun (Dir), 25 minutes, USA, Western New York Premiere

In Korean with English subtitles.

Often labeled the Hawaii of Korea, Jeju Island is a hotspot for tourism with a disturbing history. Benjamin Caruccio & Changhee Chun explore the island’s brutal massacre in 1948, leading to the murder of 10% of Jeju's native population in this impactful documentary.

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“The Wellspring”

C.J. Henrich (Dir), 7 minutes, USA, New York State Premiere

It's a struggle to make music while on a campus, and traumatized by the violent arrests of peaceful protestors.

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“Before Everything Changes”

Giulia Guzzo (Dir), 9 minutes, Brazil/USA, World Premiere

Director Giulia Guzzo in attendance.

On their last days together before one of them moves away, two best friends reevaluate how they feel about each other, realizing they may be harboring romantic feelings in Giulia Guzzo’s intimate drama.

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“Such a Monster”

Taylor Mann (Dir), 8 minutes, Canada, US Premiere

When getting ready for their school dance, three girls are interrupted by a beastly friend, and their pity party turns into a journey of self-acceptance and love in this playful coming of age comedy.

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