The Waltz of Time

BEST OF FESTIVAL - Sponsored by Kumon/Arlington, MA

Mario Martínez Sáenz

9 min | Narrative | 2021 | Spain | US Premiere

Jury Statement: “Memories of the past are romantic and beautiful in film; love – music – scenes and times are the components of this film. Love the best medicine for the rhythm of memory.”

Awards: Guion Ganador del Concurso de Guiones de Cortometraje del Foro Audiovisual de 

Extremadura

System Error

Piotr Kaźmierczak

5 min | Animation | 2020 | Poland | US Premiere

Jury Statement: “This is a beautiful piece. love how it transcends language. There is a lot of talent here, and I would love to see what you do next. The message is only rivaled by how the message will remain in my mind.”

Awards: He is a laureate of many competitions for children and youth animation in Poland and abroad.

Distortion (Verzerrung)

Samuel J Punto

7 min | Experimental | 2021 | Germany | East Coast Premiere

Jury Statement: “Powerful! This hits all the marks for advanced film knowledge. It kept me on the edge of my seat for the entire time. Completely executed and well produced film. Congratulations! Keep making films!

Awards: Indie Short Fest, Los Angeles, United States, 2021, Best Young Director & Latitude Film, London, United Kingdom, Silver Award, Experimental Short Film

Le Clown

Deandre Ramirez and Allen Solares

9 min | Narrative | 2019 Youth Cinema Project, Los Angeles, CA | Massachusetts Premiere

Jury Statement: “World star? Great job. The script really fits the genre/filming style. Great gags, good reaction shots. The pacing worked well throughout.”

Bro

BEST NARRATIVE - Sponsored by Urban Media Arts/Malden, MA

CRITICS

4 min | Narrative | 2019 | Nigeria | US Premiere

Jury Statement: “The film touches on a sensitive, yet universal subject - the loss of a sibling in a creative and unique way. The director understands the importance of a twist, a tool used by greats such as M. Night Shyamalan and Park Chan-Wook.”

More to Life

Joshua Bowen

7 min | Musical | 2018 | Harrison School for the Arts, Lakeland, FL | Massachusetts Premiere

Jury Statement: “I love seeing musical pieces in this festival. I got a sense from the very beginning that there was more to come, and it paid off very well. The technical aspects of the film lived up to the wonderfully performed choreography and acting.” 

Awards: Sunscreen Film Festival, St. Petersburg, FL, United States, 2019, Best Student Picture. Vero Beach Wine + Film Festival, Vero Beach, FL, United States, 2019, Honorable Mention

From What You Left Behind

BEST LIGHTING 

Jodhi Ramsden-Mavric

5 min | Musical | Melbourne, Australia | 2020 | US Premiere

Jury Statement: “A music video that follows the journey of a young girl searching for her lost friend and reflecting on the memories they once shared. Good cinematography.”

Beyond the Model

HONORABLE MENTION

Jessica Lin

5 min | Documentary | 2020 | Youth Media Academy, Oakland, CA | Massachusetts Premiere

Jury Statement: “After the assaults and discrimination of Asians because of COVID-19, this film shines a light on what it is like be a “model minority” in an increasingly divided America.

Awards: Audience award winner and Special Jury Recognition at SXSW, 2021

In My Eyes

Isabelle Young

6 min | Documentary | 2021 | Alfred Bonnabel Magnet Academy Kenner, LA | Massachusetts Premiere

Jury Statement: “Very powerful. There's a simplicity to this piece in the way the visuals unfold, and it really pulls you into the story. I found myself deep in my emotions just hearing you speak. This is a very rare ability for a filmmaker, and you have it! It makes me wonder what other thoughts and observations you have. It makes me want to learn more about your story, and maybe you will share more of it later in life. Just know that you have a strong voice, talent, and a unique ability to move an audience. Keep telling stories!”

Awards: Film Prize Jr. Film Festival Shreveport, LA, 2021, Best Documentary

Keep Your Head Up, Sweet Pea

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Sophie Meissner

6 min | Narrative | 2020 | US/Germany | Massachusetts Premiere

Jury Statement: “The producing in this film seemed to put it over the top. Watching it, I felt like there was a lot of depth/context in the story that made it deeply personal, but I never quite found out what it was - but the way it was filmed, I was okay with it. I love when a film is so deeply tied with the music as well. Very well done.” Keep using your voice!

Awards: Walla Walla Film Crush Film Fest -Nominated: Best Youth Short, Sydnie, Australia, 2020; Salt House Creative International Film Festival, winner: Best Actress, Sydney, Australia, 2020; Hollywood Verge Film Awards, Burbank, United States - Nominated "Best Student Short", 2020; Oz International Film Festival, honorable mention, Sydnie, Australia, 2021; The Scene Film Festival – online, Best Actress, US, 2021; Holidays 365 International Film Festival, virtual, Best Student Film, US, 2021

Magic Head

Shinkarenko Anastasia Vadimovna

4 min | Animation | 2020 | Ukraine | US Premiere

Jury Statement: “It is clear the director has developed a style. Magic Head tackle’s mature themes of morality and consequence. The film feels like an interpretation of god’s power and hold on the world “

SPECIAL MENTION: Anastasia is in the 2nd grade.

Dumplings

Rebecca Feng

2 min | Animation | 2020 | Kansas, US | Massachusetts Premiere

Jury Statement: “Loved this! A great cultural insight. The animation not only stood alone as great, but the mixture of audio, angles, and lighting really made this immersive.”

Elysium

BEST EXPERIMENTAL – Sponsored by East Boston Savings Bank/Revere, MA 

Ariana Jones, Ella Good

5 min | Nar | 2020 | Smyrna, Georgia

Jury Statement: “Surrealism of a girl’s night out - this short is the dream that becomes your teenage years once there is distance between. These filmmakers draw you into their world and hold you tight until they decide to release you.”

Coma

BEST SOUND

Ruby Kim

10 min | Narrative | 2019 | Youth Cinema Project, Glendale, LA | Massachusetts Premiere

Jury Statement: “A good accomplishment of an ambitious film! I was engaged the entire time, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. There are some advanced techniques in here that work well; with a bit more experience with lighting and editing, you'll be able to do an even better job next time. It feels like this could be tightened up a bit to be shorter, but that experience will come with time as well. Keep making films!”

Taking a Seat for Justice: The 504 Sit-in

BEST HISTORICAL DOC - Sponsored by Code Ninjas /Arlington, MA

Thomas Huang, Allen Tang, Andrew Wang, Andrew Yu, Rohin Garg

10 min | Historical Doc | 2021 | Winston Churchill High School, MD | US Premiere

Jury Statement: “Such an important topic! Phenomenal research on this. The story moves along very well, and the depth of research and footage is inspiring and quite the feat! We need more films like this out in the world. Keep using your talent and keep telling stories/advocating!”

Every Body's Business

BEST DOCUMENTARY - Sponsored by YourArlington.com/Arlington, MA 

EVERY BODY’S BUSINESS (8 MIN) Massachusetts Premiere

Amilieyon Pridgen, Jessica Torres

8 min | Documentary | 2019 | Maysles Documentary Center, NYC, NY | Massachusetts Premiere

Jury Statement: “This documentary is beyond its director’s years. There is great beauty and elegance in the way these mature topics of body image and growing up femme are presented. The subjects and cinematography in this film are what really bring it to life- it is simply stunning.”

Cloudy Dream

BEST ANIMATION - Sponsored by ACMi/Arlington, MA

Rayhaneh Einollahi and Bahareh Einollahi

5 min | Animation | 2021 | Iran | US Premiere

Jury Statement: “What a great message! Easy to follow, and enough left to think about as an audience member. This is a great effort and hit on all elements of technical requirements. Well, done! Keep using your voice!”

Unacceptable

Jose Aguilar

7 min | Narrative | 2020 | Youth Cinema Project, Glendale, CA | Massachusetts Premiere

Jury Statement: “This is great! I felt like the ending needed one more beat to show the change in the main character, but other than that, this is a very well-rounded film. Keep working on audio recording and editing, and you'll be well rounded. This is a great film. Congrats!”