Still from The Space Between Attack and Decay
Directed by: Jessica Kourkounis
BIFF Shorts: Trips + Transformations
Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center
Tender, funny, and trippy stories from around the world. Expect the unexpected!
Runtime is 84 minutes.
“The Space Between Attack and Decay”
Jessica Kourkounis (Dir), 29 minutes, USA, New York State Premiere
Director Jessica Kourkounis in attendance.
A solitary sailing scientist, assigned to resurrect a drowning world, abandons his task in order to chase the enchanting allure of a shiny object.
“Hide that Beard!”
Sophie Louÿs (Dir), 19 minutes, Réunion/France, New York State Premiere
Marianne, a beautiful girl from Réunion Island destined for a great career as a mermaid swimming champion, has been going through hell since a huge beard began to grow on her face following a psychological shock.
Many thanks to Manifest Pictures.
“Metamorphosis”
Antonio Enrique Cavallo (Dir), 26 minutes, USA, New York State Premiere
When a teen’s grandpa transforms into a large bug overnight, he must figure out how to change him back, or accept the new BUG he is becoming. Presented as a Surreal Comedy Thriller about dealing with Alzheimer's.
"Shalom"
Sarah Galasso (Dir), 2 minutes, USA, World Premiere
Director Sarah Galasso in attendance.
This short, experimental film includes 2D and 3D animation, as well as video that was shot in the Canadian Rockies. The goal is to show the stark contrast between the beauty of nature and the destruction/chaos that is currently taking place all over the world.
“Trace of Nüwa”
Haohang Shi + Jiao Deng (Dir), 7 minutes, China, Western New York Premiere
The presence of the awakened ancient goddess who attempts to reclaim her voice and gradually regain influence in a modern patriarchal society.
“Soulmate”
Badral Bodanchat (Dir), 3 minutes, Mongolia, New York Premiere
In a world where giving up on love shrinks your body, a lonely protagonist searches for his destined partner. Repeatedly abandoned, he becomes nearly invisible—until he meets a girl who gives everything for him, and he, in turn, gives everything for her.
Many thanks to Mailuki Films.
“Retreat Into The Swamp”
Christine Banna (Dir), 6 minutes, USA, Festival Premiere
Director Christine Banna in attendance.
This film indexes the entropy of a stump within a public nature preserve in western New York. Over the course of a year, the stump topples and sinks into the swamp. By focusing on the undulating silhouette of the stump across multiple seasons, the film accelerates its transformation, offering an opportunity to witness its decay in minutes rather than months.
Still from Hide that Beard!
Directed by: Sophie Louÿs
Still from Metamorphosis
Directed by: Antonio Enrique Cavallo
Still from Shalom
Directed by: Sarah Galasso
Still from Trace of Nüwa
Directed by: Haohang Shi and Jiao Deng
Still from Soulmate
Directed by: Badral Bodanchat
Still from Retreat Into the Swamp
Directed by: Christine Banna
