Shorts Programs

Bringing together an inspiring collection of documentary, animation, and fiction shorts, this Global Shorts Forum program explores identity, belonging, and the universal search for connection.

A Color I Named Blue

Directed by Sybilla Patrizia
Japan, 17 min.
Georgia premiere

Two Japanese indigo dyers embark on a transformative inner journey: one uncovers the profound meaning within the hues of blue, while the other finds a new way to see through his colorblindness.

Presented in Japanese with English subtitles.

Producer: Mai Hosomura, Sybilla Patrizia
Cinematography: Andrzej Rudz
Cast: Kenta Watanabe, Shinya Kato

Art with Every Breath

Directed by Caroline Josey Karoki (M.F.A., film and television, 2013; M.A., arts administration, 2015)
USA, 10 min.

Savannah-based visual artist Jerome Meadows, whose work confronts racial inequality and celebrates cultural resilience, reflects on his process and his connection to his community.

Producers: Abbey Hoekzema, Evan Griffith (B.F.A., film and television, 2016)
Cast: Jerome Meadows

Call to Serve

Directed by Cole Sax and Phil Hessler
USA, 18 min. 
Georgia premiere

Haunted by years of war and two tours in Iraq, a former Army combat engineer finds himself unraveling. But when Hurricane Helene devastates the Southeast, he volunteers with Team Rubicon, a veteran-led disaster response team.

Directors of Photography: Dylan Wineland, Mack Woodruff
Editors: Jack Hessler, Sam Baiamonte
Cast: Dean Wagner, Jon Connors

_PREVIEW_

Directed by Quinlan Orear, SCAD associate chair of film and television
USA, 13 min.
Georgia premiere

A theatre critic interviews the first AI to have an original play open on Broadway.

Producers: Thang Ho (M.F.A., film and television, 2020), Jason Kaminsky
Cinematography: Edward Martinez
Cast: Elizabeth Becka, Andrea Laing, Joseph Yang

Largo

Directed by Salvatore Scarpa and Max Burgoyne-Moore
UK, 19 min.
Southeast premiere

A young Syrian refugee, struggling to feel at home in the UK without his parents, resorts to building a boat and attempting to sail home to find them.

Producers: Rachid Sabitri, Charles Meunier
Writers: Salvatore Scarpa, Max Burgoyne-Moore
Cast: Zack Elsokari, Tamsin Greig, Kevin McNally, Ammar Haj Ahmad

Susana 

Directed by Gerardo Coello Escalante and Amandine Thomas 
Mexico, 16 min.

Susan, a middle-aged American tourist, finds herself alone in Mexico City. When she encounters a group of young Americans, she jumps at the opportunity for a little adventure, discovering just how powerful her dollars can make her.

Producers: Amandine Thomas, Gerardo Coello Escalante, Mariana Tames, Fernanda Preciado, Hannah Swayze
Cast: Bonnie Hellman, Christine Spang, Keenan Macwilliam, Parth Shah

No Way Back

Directed by Tom Turner
UK, 15 min.
Southeast premiere

After a year as a volunteer soldier fighting in Ukraine, Fraser has come home to Edinburgh. Sacked from the British military and unaccustomed to civilian life, being back on home soil poses significant challenges.

Editor: Barnaby Wood
Cinematographer: Jack Taylor Gotch
Composer: Charlotte Raven

Shanti Rides Shotgun

Directed by Charles Frank
USA, 9 min.
Georgia premiere

On Manhattan’s jam-packed streets, NYC’s most iconic driving instructor prepares students for the road ahead.

Producers: Daniel Lombroso, Meliz Yilmaz
Director of Photography: Peter Pascucci
Cast: Shanti Gooljar

Every Student Known: The Creation of an Anthem

Directed by Franklin Willis
USA, 10 min.

A group of talented students from Metro Nashville Public Schools come together to write and record an original song for their school district. With the guidance of dedicated teachers and the support of newfound friends, these young artists embark on a creative adventure that will leave a lasting impact on their lives.

Producer: Metro Nashville Public Schools
Cinematography: The Moving Picture Boys
Executive Producer: Franklin Willis
Cast: Leslie Hammonds, Ariah McEwen, Savannah Bell, Kingston Kharif, Kinston Smith, Jordyn Harris

Retirement Plan

Directed by John Kelly
Ireland, 8 min.

Apathetic about his life, Ray (Domhnall Gleeson) dreams of the beauty and joy he will find in retirement.

Writers: John Kelly, Tara Lawall
Animators: Marah Curran, Eamonn O’Neill
Cast: Domhnall Gleeson