BIFF SHORTS: STUDENTS (MONDAY SHOWCASE)

The next generation of storytellers, now! Short films from leading animation and live action programs in Western New York and beyond. Total runtime is 96 minutes.

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THE D WORD

Mya Van Dyk (Dir), 3 minutes, Canada, US Premiere

Director Mya Van Dyk in attendance.

A butch lesbian is accosted by a manifestation of their Catholic-school-going, homophobic, younger self.

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FREE FALL

Katie Schneider (Dir) 7 minutes, USA, World Premiere

Director Katie Schneider in attendance.

On a floating island in the ocean, a community holds a ritual every day in which participants willingly fall off the island. The film follows Olive, a girl who is intrigued by the ritual, but is too scared to jump and fall into the giant pit below.

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THE GIRL, THE HARE, AND THE SUN

Rosemary Runk + Ali Guzman (Dir) 7 minutes, USA, Western New York Premiere

A young girl is thrown into the unknown when a mysterious train shows up at night, leading her to a magical circus.

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PROFESSIONALS

Wayne Bianchi (Dir) 3 minutes, USA, World Premiere

Director Wayne Bianchi in attendance.

Two thugs try to intimidate a clever librarian.

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IZZARD

Kevin Emmanuel Thompson (Dir) 19 minutes, USA, World Premiere

Director Kevin Emmanuel Thompson in attendance.

In the middle of the night, an adult child must go on a terrifying adventure to get their mom a pillow.

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F*!CK YOUR POLICY

TK James (Dir), 9 minutes, USA, New York State Premiere

Director TK James in attendance.

After an executive order renouncing the existence of trans and non-binary people, Fuck Your Policy explores the experience of existing outside the gender binary in the current political climate.

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TRUANT

Robyn Wholey (Dir), 19 minutes, USA, Western New York Premiere

Stranded with a defiant, abandoned boy, a burnt-out social worker is forced to confront the emotional avoidance she’s built her life around.

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PARROT

Shane Matthew Collins (Dir), 6 minutes, USA, World Premiere

Director Shane Matthew Collins in attendance.

Three half sisters get together for the evening to mourn their father but tensions raise when unspoken judgements rise to the surface.

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INSOMNICAT

Braydon Fox (Dir), 3 minutes, USA, World Premiere

Director Braydon Fox in attendance.

An insomnia ridden cat named Emil discovers a bizarre and high-tech sleep aid on the internet! Is it the miracle cure he so desperately needs or is he getting more than he bargained for?

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BOB AND ROB ROB A TRAIN

Tyler B Dennis + Dexter Z Hartsfield (Dir) 7 minutes, USA, World Premiere

Directors Tyler B Dennis + Dexter Z Hartsfield in attendance.

Two robbers race each other to rob a train and learn that they need to work together.

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TESORO

Samuel Correa (Dir), 11 minutes, USA, Western New York Premiere

On the Fourth of July, David is left alone with little supervision and must find what it means to grow up in a place that isn’t fully his home.

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NATURAL ORDER

Namsang LImbu (Dir), 9 minutes, Canada, US Premiere

Man...Machines...Wa..Progress!

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