After the death of her mother, 12 year-old Emily would rather be left alone. When her father enlists Emily’s Argentinian grandfather, Alberto, to watch over her, Emily is not shy about her displeasure with the arrangement, or her contempt for the man who “doesn’t even speak English.” A journey through her Los Angeles neighborhood with her grandfather, however, proves to be a delight, as Emily witnesses the foreign world of cigars, civility, conversation, Tango music and dance. Later on that night, in the warm glow of the kitchen, Alberto understands what Emily cannot express in words, and Alberto offers his granddaughter her first tango lesson on the kitchen linoleum. Emily and Alberto dance a simple tango, and discover a language they can share.

Awards:Palm Springs International Shortfest 2009 Best of Fest Select
Nantucket Film Festival 2009 Winner Audience Award
BRITT FLATMO First Glance Film Festival Philadelphia 2009 Winner Best Breakthrough
Chicago International Children’s Film Festival 2009 Winner Best Film or Video by an Emerging Director

A double winner at Australia’s ‘09 Tropfest for Best Film and Best Genevieve Clay Actor-Male, BE MY BROTHER is an utterly charming, sweet, lovely short about a boy at a bus stop. But this description hardly comes close to capturing the experience of this remarkable slice of someone’s charmed, challenged life. Trust us – it’ll be smiles all around.

Awards: Sydney Tropfest 2009 Movie Extra First Prize

Electropolis is “the product of roughly 7 months of work from 13 students in the 3rd year of the BAA Animation program at Sheridan College.” It’s interesting to note the rise of student films made in groups at North American animation schools. No doubt the success of group student films from French animation schools like Gobelins and Supinfocom have played a role in encouraging this trend.

Awards: Washington DC Independent Film Festival 2010 Best Animated Short
Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival 2009 3rd Place in Student Film Competition: animated film
Yosemite International Film Festival 2009
Silver Sierra Award for: animated film

Artist/filmmaker Andrea Dorfman’s drawings burst colorfully into life as she animates the story of her long distance relationship with a man whose profession, plastic surgery, gives her plenty of fodder.

Awards:New York City Short Film Festival 2010 Audience Choice – Program A: International Festival of Short Films 2010 Jury Special Citation

Tells the story of Wesley (Joshua Budd a young boy living in small-town Alberta during the early 1980’s. When Wesley meets Trevor the only back boy in his school the two boys quickly bond over action figures and funk music. But in forming a friendship with Trevor Wesley soon discovers the racial prejudice that exists with his family, among his friends and even within himself.

Awards: Worldwide Short Film Festivals Giveaway Prize

Is there really a way to calculate and predict popularity? This tongue-in-cheek short finds teens discussing the ins and outs of popularity with surprising result.

A tribute to the glorious Afro.

Based on a short story by Roddy Doyle this poignant and comedic short film deftly captures the experience of being the new boy in school through the eyes of Joseph, a nine-year-old African boy.

Awards: Tribeca Film Festival, USA 2008; Best Narrative Short
Generation Kplus Competition, 2008, Best Short Film
Irish Film and Television Awards 2008 Narrative Short Special Mention Best Short Best Short Film,
Dingle Film Festival 2007 Best International Film Audience Award

Madeline is an Aboriginal girl living in Sydney, Australia, in 1984. She has a crush on Ralph Macchio, star of The Karate Kid, and dislikes the attention she gets from her classmate Garth. But Garth could be the friend Madeline needs to help her stand up to the bullies who taunt her.

Awards: Holding Redlich Inside Film Award 2009 Best Short Film

In the Iraq war a boy saves the life of his little sister. After many years he wants to save her again – against her will.

Awards: Sedicicorto Film Festival 2009 Audience Award

Amidst the traffic, smog, blaring horns and careening commuters that crowd the intersections of Mumbai, India, is Wahid, a 9-year old mobile bookseller. While he does not read English, he deftly weaves in and around the cars selling international best sellers, haggling over the price and recommending books to patrons sitting in their air-conditioned cars. It’s a dangerous “paper route”, but it provides his family of six with the extra income they need to survive in their one-room slum.