CIFF Thursday, Block 2: Shorts Program

THE LIFE AND TRIALS OF WILLY GRUNCH: PETAL POWER
CGI Animation (2 mins.) SC Premiere

Director: Oscar Carabano
Writers: Alain Auderset, Oscar Carambano, JM Khayat, Ben Davis and Bryan Ransom
Producers: JM Khayat, Ben Davis and Bryan Ransom
Cast: Jasmine and Willy Grunch

Synopsis: Willy Grunch only has three things on his mind: Love, Guitars and SNAILS. His flawed pursuit of the beautiful Jasmine leads him through the most amazing and disastrous situations ever imagined while making sure to find time to annoy Oscargot the snail! In this episode Willy Grunch tries his hardest to win over the beautiful Jasmine. Just when it seems he’s won, Jasmine throws him a curve ball and rocks his world. Can he ever win?

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PAIN STAKING
Dramatic Comedy (10 mins.) SC Premiere

Director/Writer: Adolfo Martinez Perez
Producer: Linda L. Miller
Cast: Christopher Neiman and Chris Warner

Synopsis: It was a wonderful day, the sun shone, the birds chirped... until the best-friend-asking-for-a-favor from hell showed up. What starts as a social drama about cancer quickly slips towards over the top, surreal dramedy. If you feel uncomfortable laughing at no laughing matter, we did our job: your discomfort is our pleasure.

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THE BOY WHO'D NEVER SEEN RAIN
Drama (28 mins.) Australia, SC Premiere

Director/Writer: Kim Ramsay
Producers: Kim Ramsay and Mike Ramsay
Cast: Tim McCunn, Lara Cox, Scott Lowe and William Slade

Synopsis: The Boy Who’d Never Seen Rain is a strongly observed portrait of a family facing the challenges of the Australian Outback. Years of drought and hard luck have taken their toll on the Cobblin family. Patriarch Neil views everything, everyone and any attempt to help with wounded pride and suspicion, while his wife, Rita, tries to keep up a brave face. Meanwhile, their son Danny is almost lost in the shuffle. When they face the tragedy of losing their farm, their lives begin to fragment.

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ABIGAIL
Drama (17 mins.) East Coast Premiere

Director: Renata Green-Gaber
Writer/Producer: Christina Brooks
Cast: Christina Brooks, Burt Grinstead, Christina Holleran, Matthew Pearson, Somya von Eames and Renata Green-Gaber

Synopsis: A young college graduate named Abigail is at the beginning of a new chapter in her life. It is the night of her graduation when she meets two contrasting suitors, Brandon the computer graphic artist, and Nathan the lead singer of the band. Finding herself at the crossroads of her life she will have to make a decision, one that could change the course of her life forever.

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DOUBLE OR NOTHING
Dark Comedy (10 mins.) SC Premiere

Director: Nathaniel Krause
Writer: Neil LaBute
Producers: Andrew Carlberg and Josiah Bultema
Cast: Adam Brody, Louisa Krause and Keith David

Synopsis: Clark and Becca leave a bar after a night out with friends. When a homeless man approaches them on the street, Clark gets an idea. Adam Brody, Louisa Krause and Keith David star in this dark comedy by master playwright Neil LaBute.

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TRIMBELTEN
Dramatic Road Movie (15 mins.) Germany, SC Premiere

Director/Writer: Sebastian KÜhn
Producer: Academy of Media Arts Cologne
Cast: Axel Siefer and Johanna Reinders

Synopsis: After years in his self-imposed exile, the broken ex-cop TRIMBELTEN embarks on his last journey. This journey has only one purpose: revenge.

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EL CONCURSO
Drama (15 mins.) Mexico, SC Premiere

Director/Writer: IvÁn NÚÑez
Producer: Luisa Jimena Riva Palacio
Cast: Hugo MacÍas Macotela, Leonor Madera, Rodolfo Nevarez, ElÍas Avena, Claudia Cervantes and Enid Escalona

Synopsis: Set in current Mexico City, The Contest is a heart touching short-film that brings alive DanzÓn, which is a traditional Mexican/Cuban dance that blends European waltz with tropical rhythms like salsa in a delightful creole style popular in Mexico during the 60’s and 70’s. The Contest will show us that even when a couple of grandparents think there are no new life experiences waiting to happen, they will get enroll into the adventure of dancing after 40 years without stepping into a dance floor. A DanzÓn contest will make them see that love and dance still have surprises waiting to happen in their lives.