Head to a little place called Aspen for new voices and diverse perspectives from around the world, emerging and established talents, and the most notable world premieres and filmmakers in the genre.
Aspen Film, the year-round film arts, and education organization, recently announced its program for the 32nd Aspen Shortsfest, April 10-16, 2023. Celebrating over three decades of presenting great shorts, Shortsfest is one of only four Oscar®-qualifying festivals in the US strictly dedicated to short film in the fields of animation, documentary, and live-action narrative. Featuring new works from over 33 countries, with 11 programs, 79 short films, and 74 premieres, each of the 11 programs contain a variety of shorts, from comedies to dramas and documentaries to animation. This year’s Oscar®-qualifying competition will introduce viewers to a hugely diverse array of fast-rising filmmakers.
“We can’t wait for audiences to experience the magical curation of our Shortsfest Programming and the energy created by filmmakers from around the globe. Ten of our films are world premieres, and we’re quite proud that 48% of our 79 titles are either directed or co-directed by women,” remarks Aspen Film Executive + Artistic Director, Susan Wrubel, “During Shortsfest, we also offer our most robust FilmEducates program; filmmakers and industry guests share stories, insight, and lessons with students in the classroom and on the stage.”
“We were knocked out by the abundance of amazing new films by emerging talents from nearly every corner of the world among this year’s submissions,” says Jason Anderson, Shortsfest Director of Programming. “We’re thrilled to showcase so many new voices and new perspectives. We know that our audiences will be just as excited to discover.”
Among the prize-winning directors with new shorts in the selection are Kayla Abuda Galang (When You Left Me On That Boulevard, Short Film Grand Prize Winner at Sundance 2023), Crystal Kayiza (Rest Stop, Short Film Jury Award Winner at Sundance 2023), and Story Chen (The Water Murmurs, winner of the Palme d’Or for best short film at Cannes 2022). The selection also includes major award-winners by filmmakers in Greece, Canada, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the UK, and Germany.
Other new films at Aspen Shortsfest feature standout turns by performers already familiar to audiences. Among the beloved character actors getting a bigger share of the spotlight at this year’s festival are Total Recall’s Michael Ironside (The Family Circus), Men in Black’s Siobhan Fallon Hagon (All Choked Up), and Orange Is The New Black’s Catherine Curtin (Galapagos). A member of the Cherokee Nation who received an Academy Honorary Award in 2019 for his decades of acclaimed roles that helped expand the range of representation for Indigenous characters on screen, Wes Studi, gives a poignant performance in The Roof, one of the festival’s many world premieres. Australian actor Hugo Weaving of The Matrix and Lord of the Rings franchises serves as narrator for Teacups, a touching new animation by Alec Green and Finbar Watson that makes its international premiere at Shortsfest. The festival also welcomes back alumni director Aemilia Scott, whose latest short Help Me Understand was co-produced by Paul Feig and stars such comedy-world luminaries as Ken Marino, Kate Flannery, and Rachael Harris.
More highlights among the films making their world premieres at Aspen Shortsfest are: How We Get Free, a powerful documentary profile of bail-reform activist-turned-Colorado State Representative Elisabeth Epps by the celebrated team of Geeta Gandbhir and Samantha Knowles; In The Garden of Tulips, a moving drama about a father and daughter caught up in the events of the Iran-Iraq war by director Julia Elihu; The Miami Vice Incident, an endlessly surprising true-Hollywood-story by Tim Kirk, the producer of such films as Room 237; and The Future’s Past, a hilarious new animation by the viral comedy team known as Chris + Jack. The festival is also proud to showcase the work of Colorado filmmakers such as Lauren Tolfa and Felicia Hettinga, the co-directors of Sean + The Ramblings of a Sculpture Artist.
PROGRAMS
MONDAY, APRIL 10
1 PM VOICES IN FILM YOUTH FORUM KICKOFF EVENT – ASPEN DISTRICT THEATRE
TUESDAY APRIL 11
OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION
5–5:30 PM | Aspen Film Member Reception
5:30–6:30 PM | Passholders, Volunteers, Filmmakers, Jury + Industry Guests
PUBLIC HOUSE – 328 E Hyman Ave, Aspen
PROGRAM 1 – WHEELER OPERA HOUSE / 7 PM (92 MIN), Filmmaker Q + A to follow.
17 MIN
LLOYD LEE CHOI, US – On a school day, a seven-year-old hustles strangers for money on the streets of New York City. (Lloyd Lee Choi, US, 17 MIN) Colorado Premiere
WHEN YOU LEFT ME ON THAT BOULEVARD
13 MIN
KAYLA ABUDA GALANG, US – Teenager Ly and her cousins get high before a boisterous Thanksgiving at their auntie’s house. (Kayla Abuda Galang, US, 13 MIN) Colorado Premiere
8 MIN
ELIZABETH HOBBS, UK – A young woman persuades a hyena to take her place at a dinner dance being held in her honor. (Elizabeth Hobbs, UK, 8 MIN) Colorado Premiere
23 MIN
OPHELIA HARUTYUNYAN, ARMENIA, FRANCE, BELGIUM – While it’s her birthday, Mariam, a farmer living in a small Armenian village, hears that her husband has just canceled his return. (Ophelia Harutyunyan, Armenia, France, Belgium, 23 MIN) North American Premiere
17 MIN
BENJAMIN WOLIN, MICHAEL MINAHAN, US – Daniel Kish, a pioneer of echolocation, has taught himself to “see” despite being completely blind. (Benjamin Wolin, Michael Minahan, US, 17 MIN) Colorado Premiere
4 MIN
US – A woman must decide whether to save her husband when he starts choking on a sandwich. (Allison Volk, US, 4 MIN) World Premiere
11 MIN
ESTONIA – A restless longing spreads inside the city bus. (Madli Lääne, Estonia, 11 MIN) Colorado Premiere
PONY BOY 9 PM
Open to Filmmakers, Festival Guests, Pass + Ticket Holders
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12
PROGRAM 2 – WHEELER OPERA HOUSE / 5 PM (93 MIN) Filmmaker Q + A to follow.
15 MIN
MAYA TANAKA, US – Flaming lobsters and menstruation woes plague 12-year-old Yuki’s doomed Hawaiian beach vacation. (Maya Tanaka, US, 15 MIN) North American Premiere
4 MIN
KAVEH TEHRANI, IRAN, NORWAY – What happens when Augmented Reality makes our digital echo chamber real? (Kaveh Tehrani, Iran, Norway, 4 MIN) North American Premiere
20 MIN
DUVÁN DUQUE VARGAS, COLOMBIA, FRANCE – Eleven-year-old Fer travels with his family to a countryside resort a few hours outside Bogotá. (Duván Duque Vargas, Colombia, France, 20 MIN)
9 MIN
SOFIA EL KHYARI, PORTUGAL, QATAR – A woman is slowly lured into a nostalgic daydream as she observes butterflies. (Sofia El Khyari, France, Portugal, Qatar, 9 MIN) Colorado Premiere
SEAN & THE RAMBLINGS OF A SCULPTURE ARTIST
12 MIN
LAUREN TOLFA, FELICIA HETTINGA, US – After a tragic accident, an eccentric sculpture artist journeys to connect with his true self. (Lauren Tolfa, Felicia Hettinga, US, 12 MIN) Colorado Premiere
9 MIN
CONOR DOOLEY, US – A sprawling story of love and loss, as reflected on a single face. (Conor Dooley, US, 9 MIN) Colorado Premiere
24 MIN
ANISSA ALLALI, FRANCE – Sabrina is about to marry Younes, a wedding that’s everything for her mother and grandmother. (Anissa Allali, France, 24 MIN) Colorado Premiere
PROGRAM 3 – WHEELER OPERA HOUSE / 8 PM (95 MIN); Filmmaker Q + A to follow.
12 MIN
CRYSTAL KAYIZA, US – A young Ugandan-American girl realizes her place in the world through a bus journey with her family (Crystal Kayiza, US, 12 MIN) Colorado Premiere
8 MIN
ALEC GREEN, FINBAR WATSON, AUSTRALIA, IRELAND – For almost half a century, Don Ritchie would approach people contemplating suicide. (Alec Green, Finbar Watson, Australia, Ireland, 8 MIN) International Premiere
15 MIN
PEPI GINSBERG, US – A young man swims at a private beach where he meets a complicated stranger who watches from shore. (Pepi Ginsberg, US, 15 MIN) Colorado Premiere
20 MIN
TIM KIRK, US – The Miami Vice Incident explores a 35-year rift in a family caused by an episode of Miami Vice. (Tim Kirk, US, 20 MIN) Colorado Premiere
28 MIN
REEMA MAYA, INDIA – A night gets catapulted into an investigation of abuse at a dysfunctional police station in Mumbai. (Reema Maya, India, 28 MIN) Colorado Premiere
12 MIN
KULAP VILAYSACK, US – Struggling with isolation and family pressure, Jen becomes preoccupied with her mysterious neighbor. (Kulap Vilaysack, US, 12 MIN) Colorado Premiere
SILVER CITY 10 PM
Open to Filmmakers, Festival Guests, Pass + Ticket Holders
THURSDAY APRIL 13, 2023
ASPEN FILM ISIS THEATRE 2:30 PM
JURY PANEL: Pathways + Pitfalls
For filmmakers, industry guests, and passholders.
PROGRAM 4 – WHEELER OPERA HOUSE / 5 PM (93 MIN); Filmmaker Q + A to follow.
15 MIN
STORY JIANYING CHEN, CHINA – A young woman must bid farewell to the people she loves before her riverside town is submerged. (Story Jianying Chen, China, 15 MIN) Colorado Premiere
14 MIN
DAVID DOUTEL, VASCO SÁ, PORTUGAL, LITHUANIA – A young boy, Joel, discovers a man who is about to set a forest on fire. (David Doutel, Vasco Sá, Portugal, Lithuania, 14 MIN) Colorado Premiere
THRIVING: A DISSOCIATED REVERIE
10 MIN
NICOLE BAZUIN, CANADA – A surrealist exploration of dissociative identity disorder (DID). (Nicole Bazuin, Canada, 10 MIN) Colorado Premiere
17 MIN
ANDREA NIRMALA WIDJAJANTO, CANADA, INDONESIA – When sisters Nur and Karina reunite, tensions rise as Karina blames Nur for her allergic reaction. (Andrea Nirmala Widjajanto, Canada, Indonesia, 17 MIN)
15 MIN
LAWRENCE ABU HAMDAN, UK – A monologue is performed in a building, telling stories of permeable borders and impermeable laws, reflecting on how free movement, free knowledge, and free space are under threat. (Lawrence Abu Hamdan, UK, 15 MIN) Colorado Premiere
24 MIN
AZIZ ZOROMBA, CANADA – The usual rivalries and jealousies that exist between siblings take a dangerous turn. (Aziz Zoromba, Canada, 24 MIN) Colorado Premiere
PROGRAM 5 – WHEELER OPERA HOUSE / 8 PM (96 MIN); Filmmaker Q + A to follow.
17 MIN
MICHAEL ABAY, BELGIUM – An unaccomplished 26-year-old woman must make a heartbreaking decision after a one-night stand. (Michael Abay, Belgium, 17 MIN) North American Premiere
6 MIN
MATTHEW RANKIN, CANADA – Ken has a great idea for a bench. (Matthew Rankin, Canada, 6 MIN) US Premiere
11 MIN
KATARZYNA KIJEK, PRZEMYSŁAW ADAMSKI, POLAND, PORTUGAL – A story of a man who can only see the past. (Katarzyna Kijek, Przemysław Adamski, Poland, Portugal, 11 MIN) Colorado Premiere
13 MIN
KYLE SIMS, US – A lonely schoolteacher’s day takes a dark turn when her beloved pet rabbit mysteriously disappears. (Kyle Sims, US, 13 MIN) World Premiere
15 MIN
NICOLE MEJIA, US – Cory and her all-female family own La Playa restaurant in Anchorage, Alaska. Haunted by her family’s past trauma in a nightmare, she awakens to discover she’s at work. (Nicole Mejia, US, 15 MIN) Colorado Premiere
4 MIN
ARIANE LOUIS-SEIZE, CANADA – Is the border between life and death more porous than we think? (Ariane Louis-Seize, Canada, 4 MIN) Colorado Premiere
32 MIN
GEETA GANDBHIR, SAMANTHA KNOWLES, US – The film follows Elisabeth Epps as she works to abolish cash bail in Colorado, first as an activist. (Geeta Gandbhir, Samantha Knowles, US, 32 MIN) World Premiere
HOOCH 10 PM
Open to Filmmakers, Festival Guests, Pass + Ticket Holders
FRIDAY APRIL 14, 2023
ASPEN FILM ISIS THEATRE 2:30 PM
INDUSTRY PANEL: Navigating Today’s Short Film Landscape.
For filmmakers, industry guests, and passholders.
PROGRAM 6 – WHEELER OPERA HOUSE / 5 PM (98 MIN); Filmmaker Q + A to follow.
20 MIN
ALEXANDER BOCCHIERI, US – A Cheyenne teen uncovers a secret that brings him closer to his family than ever before. (Alexander Bocchieri, US, 20 MIN)
3 MIN
MATTHIAS HUBER, SWITZERLAND – A film about the fears we suffer from as children and smile about as adults. (Matthias Huber, Switzerland, 3 MIN) US Premiere
15 MIN
AEMILIA SCOTT, US – Six women come to a consensus. (Aemilia Scott, US, 15 MIN) Colorado Premiere
11 MIN
IFEYINWA ARINZE, US – When her mother’s male friend comes over for dinner, Ralu gains a deeper understanding of her mother (Ifeyinwa Arinze, US, 11 MIN) World Premiere
3 MIN
JULIE ECOFFEY, SWITZERLAND – A young woman receives a mysterious letter attached to a brick through her window. (Julie Ecoffey, Switzerland, 3 MIN) US Premiere
14 MIN
MAISHA MAENE, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO – An ‘afronaut’ emerges from the wreckage of a spaceship in the volcanic crater of Mount Nyiragongo. (Maisha Maene, Democratic Republic of Congo, 14 MIN) Colorado Premiere
14 MIN
JULIA ELIHU, US – Amidst the 1988 war, Caroline takes a car ride with her father to the Iranian countryside of Birjand. (Julia Elihu, US, 14 MIN) World Premiere
22 MIN
BLANCA CAMELL GALÍ, FRANCE, SPAIN – After a breakup, Lara returns to her hometown Barcelona to think about her dreams and desires. (Blanca Camell Galí, France, Spain, 22 MIN) North American Premiere
PROGRAM 7 – WHEELER OPERA HOUSE / 8 PM (97 MIN); Filmmaker Q + A to follow.
12 MIN
JORDAN MATTOS, US – Cam takes it as an invitation to follow a handsome cyclist to a local cruising site. (Jordan Mattos, US, 12 MIN) Colorado Premiere
13 MIN
SCOTT LAZER, US – Each year, hundreds of people from all over America apply to join the Ball Crew at the US Open tennis tournament. Only a few dozen are ultimately selected. (Scott Lazer, US, 13 MIN) Colorado Premiere
2 MIN
SEM ASSINK, NETHERLANDS – 3000 BC. A small group of inhabitants of the ‘Low Countries’ is fighting the elements and hunger. (Sem Assink, Netherlands, 2 MIN) North American Premiere
16 MIN
GABRIELLA ATHENA MOSES, US – A newly adopted refugee prepares for her first red carpet appearance with her pop-star mother. (Gabriella Athena Moses, US, 16 MIN) Colorado Premiere
20 MIN
AZADEH MOUSSAVI, IRAN – After three years in prison, Nader is given a furlough to go home. (Azadeh Moussavi, Iran, 20 MIN) North American Premiere
6 MIN
GENTINETTA CLAUDIUS, SWITZERLAND – At the mercy of the dentist’s chair, the protagonist cannot escape the confrontation with pain and the dregs of the miserable human condition. (Gentinetta Claudius, Switzerland, 6 MIN) North American Premiere
15 MIN
THANASIS NEOFOTISTOS, GREECE – An air hostess collapses on a flight, convinced that the problem is her new braces. (Thanasis Neofotistos, Greece, 15 MIN) Colorado Premiere
13 MIN
KARINA DANDASHI, US – Two cousins reunite in Brooklyn when a run-in with an ex turns the night into a mission of revenge. (Karina Dandashi, US, 13 MIN) North American Premiere
UNRAVEL COFFEE 10 PM
Open to Filmmakers, Festival Guests, Pass + Ticket Holders
SATURDAY APRIL 15, 2023
ASPEN DISTRICT THEATRE 12 PM
INDUSTRY PANEL: The Role of Sound Design
Free and Open to the Public.
PROGRAM 8 – WHEELER OPERA HOUSE / 2 PM (93 MIN); Filmmaker Q + A to follow.
16 MIN
RAMAZAN KILIÇ, TÜRKIYE – Ten-year-old Şevîn wants to make a Kurdish-speaking television for her bedridden and mute granny. (Ramazan Kılıç, Türkiye, 16 MIN) US Premiere
10 MIN
FRANK MOSLEY, US – Barry’s starting over. (Frank Mosley, US, 10 MIN) World Premiere
6 MIN
CHRISTOPHER SMITH, JACK DE SENA, US, SWEDEN – The history of our universe. And how humans kind of fit in. (Christopher Smith, Jack De Sena, US, Sweden, 6 MIN) World Premiere
8 MIN
SARA BALGHONAIM, SAUDI ARABIA – A gutsy young woman sneaks off for a date only to butt heads with her chaperoning chauffeur. (Sara Balghonaim, Saudi Arabia, US, 8 MIN) World Premiere
I HAVE NO TEARS AND I MUST CRY
13 MIN
LUIS FERNANDO PUENTE, US – A small peek into a green card interview for an immigrant couple. (Luis Fernando Puente, US, 13 MIN) Colorado Premiere
12 MIN
CORDELIA ALEGRE, SPAIN – The Soldevila family puts their beach house up for sale. Júlia, the youngest, tries to stop them. (Cordelia Alegre, Spain, 12 MIN) International Premiere
29 MIN
RUSLAN FEDOTOV, PORTUGAL, HUNGARY, BELGIUM – A heartbreaking portrait of two 16-year-old Ukrainian refugees in Budapest. (Ruslan Fedotov, Portugal, Hungary, Belgium, 29 MIN) Colorado Premiere
PROGRAM 9 – WHEELER OPERA HOUSE / 5 PM (98 MIN); Filmmaker Q + A to follow.
18 MIN
ANDREW FITZGERALD, US – A family’s plan to cover up a drunk-driving accident unravels in front of the police. (Andrew Fitzgerald, US, 18 MIN) Colorado Premiere
9 MIN
SANDULELA ASANDA, SOUTH AFRICA – The mechanics of self-pleasure. (Sandulela Asanda, South Africa, 9 MIN) US Premiere
20 MIN
JESSICA BISHOPP, UK, ICELAND – Over the course of one night, Icelandic teenagers Birta and Selma save young puffins from danger. (Jessica Bishopp, UK, Iceland, 20 MIN)
CALCUTTA 8:40 AM
14 MIN
ADRIANO VALERIO, FRANCE, INDIA – Yann is leaving Calcutta, unsure of the next time he will be able to see his son again. (Adriano Valerio, France, India, 14 MIN) North American Premiere
11 MIN
NOAM ARGOV, US – When an immigrant teen must help her mom before school, tensions of belonging bubble to the surface. (Noam Argov, US, 11 MIN) World Premiere
12 MIN
NIKITA DIAKUR, GERMANY, FRANCE – Attempting a backflip is not safe. You can break your neck. So my avatar does it for me. 8,640 jumps in a day. I wouldn’t be able to jump so much myself. (Nikita Diakur, Germany, France, 12 MIN)
PROGRAM 10 – WHEELER OPERA HOUSE / 8 PM (95 MIN); Filmmaker Q + A to follow.
10 MIN
JARREAU CARRILLO, US – A Black man attempts to take a vacation. (Jarreau Carrillo, US, 10 MIN) Colorado Premiere
12 MIN
ELODIE DERMANG, SWITZERLAND – Élodie tries to find out more about her family’s Armenian origins. She discovers a harsh history. (Elodie Dermange, Switzerland, 12 MIN) North American Premiere
14 MIN
CAROL NGUYEN, CANADA – 9-year-old Trang starts to shift out of oblivion as her aunt Ut tends to Grandma. (Carol Nguyen, Canada, 14 MIN) US Premiere
22 MIN
TARATOA STAPPARD, NEW ZEALAND – New Zealand. 1929. When a parcel is delivered to a colonial manor house, mysterious Māori twins arrive to reclaim the contents. (Taratoa Stappard, New Zealand, 22 MIN) US Premiere
5 MIN
BÁLINT DÁNIEL SÓS, HUNGARY – A parable on the idiom ‘opportunity makes the thief’. (Bálint Dániel Sós, Hungary, 5 MIN) US Premiere
15 MIN
EMILIE MANNERING, CANADA – Cesar collects testimonials and theories on unconditional love, from those around him. (Emilie Mannering, Canada, 15 MIN) Colorado Premiere
16 MIN
MIKE DONAHUE, US – Troy has loud sex. Troy has loud sex 24-7. Troy shares a wall with Thea and Charlie. Troy is ruining their lives… or is he saving them? (Mike Donahue, US, 16 MIN) Colorado Premiere
MI CHOLA 10 PM
Open to Filmmakers, Festival Guests, Pass + Ticket Holders
SUNDAY APRIL 16, 2023
WHEELER OPERA HOUSE
10 AM
Open to Filmmakers, Festival Guests, Pass + Ticket Holders
PROGRAM 11 – WHEELER OPERA HOUSE / 11 AM (77 MIN); Filmmaker Q + A to follow.
7 MIN
SCOTT NEWTON, UK, IRELAND – Two candles in love panic when their flames cause each other to rapidly melt. (Scott Newton, UK, Ireland, 7 MIN) US Premiere
9 MIN
LENA VON DÖHREN, EVA RUST, SWITZERLAND – A shoal of herrings, adopting fantastic formations, roams the vast ocean. (Lena von Döhren, Eva Rust, Switzerland, 9 MIN) US Premiere
9 MIN
MARINA ROSSET, SWITZERLAND – The queen of the foxes was the saddest of them all. (Marina Rosset, Switzerland, 9 MIN) Colorado Premiere
5 MIN
BARBARA BRUNNER, SWITZERLAND – While gardening in the sky, Rainboy injures the sun. Revenge! (Barbara Brunner, Switzerland, 5 MIN) World Premiere
9 MIN
MIKE DOXFORD, UK – Deb presents her anxious parents with a list of terms and conditions for the arrival of her new sibling. (Mike Doxford, UK, 9 MIN) Colorado Premiere
9 MIN
ALEX ROSS, US, INDIA – Cosmo the Chameleon doesn’t fit in with the other animals and must learn to live by his own colors. (Alex Ross, US, India, 9 MIN) Colorado Premiere
2 MIN
JOSEPHINE LOHOAR SELF, IRELAND – A shy production assistant at a news channel is pulled up on stage to present the evening news. (Josephine Lohoar Self, Ireland, 2 MIN) International Premiere
12 MIN
PIERRE-HUGUES DALLAIRE, BENOIT THERRIAULT, CANADA – Sonny works in an underground coal mine, taking care of the canary that detects deadly methane gas. (Pierre-Hugues Dallaire, Benoit Therriault, Canada, 12 MIN) Colorado Premiere
EDUCATION
At Shortsfest, Aspen Film’s FilmEducates provides educational opportunities to schools throughout Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley and beyond. Programs are offered at no charge and aim to engage students and educators in conversations around a selection of age-appropriate films. New this year is the Voices in Film Youth Forum which incorporates a wide variety of youth-focused programming and events during Shortsfest. The forum is an umbrella over key educational programs: Making Movies Matter, Filmmakers to the Classroom, Young Filmmaker Labs, Students to the Festival,and Youth Jury. The week kicks off with a special in-school event at the Aspen District Theatre featuring a selection of this year’s festival films. The interactive program is hosted by youth with a filmmaker Q+A following the films. The event is broadcast live so that students and teachers who cannot attend in person may participate remotely, making the program inclusive and accessible.