SHORTS PROGRAM #1

Directed by Anna Baumgarten, Nash Edgerton, Don Hertzfeldt, Carlos Lerma, Curtis Matzke, Nick Santore, Leah Vlemmiks, Ray Whitaker & Lisa Marie Malloy // 91 min. // Feature

Candy Bar - A young girl thinks a man in the candy bar line looks like her dad. Directed by Nash Edgerton. (6 min.)

Vampire - A young man rumored to be a vampire for avoiding pool parties must face the truth: he’s afraid of being shirtless. When a new invite arrives, it’s fight or flight. Directed by Carlos Lerma. (6 min.)

Bouncy Brothers - When an aging dreamer’s bouncy house business falters, he turns to his steadier sibling for help—risking old resentments resurfacing in this poignant short documentary about family, second chances, and the fragile ties that hold us together. Directed by Nicholas J. Santore. (20 min.)

The Creature Of Darkness - Darkness settles over Little Egypt. Brielle, Karri, and Nunu wander among the limestone outcrops and sandstone spires. In a cave that hid freedom seekers along the Underground Railroad, their uncle shares a story of a creature that stirs at night. Directed by Ray Whitaker & Lisa Marie Malloy. (16 min.)

Balloon Animals - Coworkers, Tara and Roger, are wrapping up their closing shift at Willy's Grocery when a customer pops in asking for a bundle of balloons. Roger volunteers the both of them to stay open late, and Tara begrudgingly agrees. Tensions rise, but the night takes a turn when a helium-fueled secret comes out that changes everything. Directed by Anna Baumgarten. (7 min.)

The Museum of Myself - An Italian-language film about Francesco Maria Rossi. Some people would call him a collector, others a hoarder. Hear how he describes himself, discusses the importance of memory, and the power of sustainability. Directed by Curtis Matzke. (10 min.)

Agnes - Under pressure from her adult daughter to move and become a live-in babysitter, 74-year-old Agnes finds agency in an unexpected place. Directed by Leah Vlemmiks. (11 min.)

Paper Trail - Don Hertzfeldt’s new animated short film is a 14-minute high-speed study of someone's life, seen only through pieces of paper. New animation techniques were developed to create the film's unique look and pace. Winner of the Special Jury Award for Creative Vision at the Sundance Film Festival. The film's original music was composed by Naomi Alligator. Directed by Don Hertzfeldt. (14 min.)

Q&A to follow with Anna Baumgarten (Balloon Animals), Carlos Lerma (Vampires), Curtis Matzke (A Museum of Myself), Nicholas J. Santore (Bouncy Brothers).