PHILLY PHILMS I SHORTS PROGRAM
Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 4:00 PM
SHORTS PROGRAM | 79 min
General Admission $10 | Student + Children $8

SQUARE BREATHING
SHORT NARRATIVE | 11 MIN | ENGLISH | USA
Directed by Kim Cummings

Tony and Nikki meet on the Brooklyn Heights Promenade to see if there is any way back 3 months after Nikki suffers a postpartum psychotic break and nearly does the unthinkable.

Director, Kim Cummings

Square Breathing” is Writer/Director Kim Cummings first collaboration with Susannah Nolan, a long-time friend and writing colleague. Cummings’ feature, "In Montauk," released in 2012, picked up seven awards including Best Director at Toronto Indie Film Fest and the Audience Award for Best Drama at the Woods Hole Film Festival. Richard Propes called "In Montauk" “one of 2012’s indie highlights.” Cummings’ shorts include "Ordinary,” a dance film collaboration with her daughter, Celine Bassman made during the pandemic, Kate Greer’s short, "That’s What She Told Me," and "Flower Of A Girl," an experimental film based on a poem by Rebecca Gopoian. Cummings’ first short film, "Weeki Wachee Girls" played in over 70 festivals around the world picking up three Best Of Awards and is available on Cummings' YouTube Channel. Cummings has received grants from Queens Council on the Arts and the Long Island Film/TV Foundation and was a finalist for the WIF Foundation Post-Production grant. She has also served as a juror for Queens Council on the arts and a panelist on filmmaking panels and grants panels for various arts organizations. Distributed by FilmHub, "In Montauk" is available through several outlets including IndieFlix and Amazon Prime. Cummings is currently working on a new feature script.

BRAISED (THIT KHO)
SHORT NARRATIVE | 15 MIN | ENGLISH, VIETNAMESE | USA
Directed by Huong Vu

Clutching a heart-rending secret, Maggie Nguyen, a Vietnamese-American screenwriter, makes an unannounced visit home to reconcile with her mom. A bowl of braised pork pushes their bond to a breaking point.

Director, Huong Vu

Huong Vu is a Philadelphia-based Vietnamese writer, director and cinematographer. Born and raised in Vietnam, Huong moved to the United States to pursue her higher education in 2018; she studied Film Production and Critical Ethnic Studies at Drexel University. Huong’s works focus on familial conflicts, the diaspora, food, and memory. She has a particular affection for narratives involving imperfect Asian women who persistently grapple with their missteps. Huong is a 2023 Cinema & Television BIPOC Filmmaker Grant awardee and a recipient of Scribe Video Center Student Filmmaker Fund.

BLUE
SHORT NARRATIVE | 13 MIN | ENGLISH | USA
Directed by Chelsea Hall

A new mother must overcome physical and mental exhaustion over the course of an endless night.

Director, Chelsea Hall

Chelsea Hall is a first time filmmaker and MFA candidate at Temple University. She has a BFA in Theatre and has spent the last 15 years performing and appearing in film and television. She lives in Philadelphia, PA.

SK8 OR DIE!
SHORT NARRATIVE | 6 MIN | ENGLISH | USA
Directed by Alyssa Pearson and Scot Gordon

A killer skater hunts a small group of corporate people trying to turn his skate park into a parking lot and megaplex corporate entity.

Directors, Alyssa Pearson and Scot Gordon

Alyssa Pearson
Alyssa Pearson is from small-town, Nowheresville, Ohio, a background that influences her vision and sense of storytelling. Alyssa studied film for (far too) many years, receiving two degrees in the field before finally working in it. She has since worked in film production for over 15 years, as a producer, director, writer, script supervisor, editor, 1st AD, and Art PA all across the US. Alyssa currently lives and works in Pittsburgh, PA with her son, where she makes weird crafts and horror shorts after baby-bedtime.

Scot Gordon
Scot is a man in his 40s. He grunts when he gets up.

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY
SHORT NARRATIVE | 4 MIN | ENGLISH | USA
Directed by Jes Vasquez

Jacqueline will never forget the moment she met billy, and found her other half. now, her best friend is adulting and Jacqueline is faced with a choice.

A comedic coming of age story from Jes Vasquez, starring Jessica Arena & Matthew C. Thompson. Cinematography by Eric Lovett Jr., edited by Andrew Froening, with original music by Matthew Pulomena.

Director, Jes Vasquez

Jes Vasquez was born in Central New Jersey, and kicked off her film career in Philadelphia when she directed her short film "the binge." She has been working with amazing teams in New Jersey and the greater Philadelphia area for 10 years and enjoys watching comedies with a live audience where you can hear the jokes land.

THE CHEWING
SHORT NARRATIVE | 13 MIN | ENGLISH | USA
Directed by Grayson DiRienzo

Dylan, a girl who can’t stand the sound of chewing, navigates a world of messy eaters until she is pushed over the edge.

FLIGHT
SHORT NARRATIVE | 6.5 MIN | ENGLISH | USA
Directed by Mauro Giuffrida

A poignant short film that explores the emotional journey of a woman struggling with mental health issues. During a holiday party, she finds herself overwhelmed by anxiety, causing her to relive traumatic childhood memories. We see how her past affects her present and, ultimately, leading to a realization about her own resilience and strength.

Director, Mauro Giuffrida

Mauro Giufrrida, an Italian-born director, with over 20 years of experience, has crafted a diverse portfolio from commercials to documentaries. After studying film in Rome and the United States, Giuffrida now produces for his own film company, Pixel Quiche, and stays committed to the art of telling inspiring stories while collaborating with other talented artists.

I WON'T CHANGE
MUSIC VIDEO | 3 MIN | ENGLISH | USA
Directed by Yasmina Serville

The I Won't Change music video is a showcase of unique mixed-media animation. By printing out and decorating/manipulating individual frames experimental visuals are created by using different art mediums and techniques. The video partners perfectly with the alternative-rock track that was also written, mixed and produced by Yasmina Serville, and performed by Damnit Dina.

Director, Yasmina Serville

Yasmina Serville is a recent graduate of Temple University, with a B.S. in Music Technology. With a strong foundation in music and audio, she’s been able to hone these skills with hands-on experience in various roles, including scoring for student films, composing, recording, and mixing her single “Believe Me” with a corresponding music video. In addition, she is employed at Boyer Studios, along with contributing as back of house at the Temple Performing Arts Center. Her professional journey has included diverse environments from participating as a production assistant at Le Poisson Rouge for Louis Cato, to being an assistant videographer for Willie Mae Rock Camp. Her proficiency in Logic Pro and Pro Tools, along with talents in visual arts including After Effects, Premiere Pro, Photoshop, Blender 3D, and unique mixed media animation techniques, positions her as a versatile creative. Her passion lies at the intersection of music and visual arts with a creative vision that allows her to bring her ideas to fruition and perform as a multi-talented member of any team or project.

WHAT IS LEFT OF US
SHORT NARRATIVE | 10 MIN | ENGLISH | USA
Directed by Victoria Wilcox

The night before finals, Deborah Wallace hosts the habitual get-together with her tight college friend group. With the chaos of the closing months of their college career (leaving them a distant semester), this night is aimed to be a last supper before they graduate to catch up. As the fun of the night settles, Sena reveals her engagement to her long time boyfriend. This reveal pulls a loose thread, as the remainder of the friend group begins to discuss their post grad plans that nowhere close to home (as Deb thought).

Director, Victoria Wilcox

Victoria Wilcox is a student filmmaker and freelance photographer in Philadelphia. Victoria is in her junior year within the Narrative Directing BFA program at Temple University. Over the years, she has curated a love for capturing moments in time and cultivating empathy within audiences, which has led her to the realm of narrative storytelling.