Boiling (Montenegro)

DIRECTOR: Luka Đikanović

BEST STUDENT FILM

BEST ACTRESS IN THE STUDENT FILM – Lidija Kordić

ABOUT THE FILM:

Pent up social aggression affects a young couple already plagued by their internal problems.

Sana, Sana (USA)

DIRECTOR: Adam A Holguin

BEST US STUDENT FILM

BEST ACTOR IN THE STUDENT FILM – Andrew Galindo

ABOUT THE FILM:

When a journalist’s investigation brings him back to his small, East LA, hometown, his story becomes intertwined with the past he left behind.

Wrong Way In The Love (Taiwan)

DIRECTOR: LEE YEAN TAN

BEST PRODUCER OF THE STUDENT FILM – WEI SHANE NG

ABOUT THE FILM:

In that year, the girl’s cousin returned to the countryside, evoking indescribable feelings within the girl. The seemingly worn-out and unsuitable slippers became a source of emotional support for her towards her cousin. As everything unfolded like awakening from a dream, the answer she had been seeking from her cousin found its place in her heart.

Dog Days (USA)

DIRECTOR: Hailey Bair

BEST STUDENT ANIMATION FILM

ABOUT THE FILM:

When a young boy named Max wishes for a puppy on his 8th birthday, a magical puff of smoke brings a balloon dog to life instead. Though at first hesitant, Max soon learns to love and accept his new pet, endearingly naming him Squeaky. With his new companion, Max experiences the ups and downs of pet ownership and the unique circumstances of having a balloon dog for a pet.

Aquarium In The Fishbowl (China)

DIRECTOR: Sabrina Jane

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHER OF THE STUDENT FILM – Riven Wu

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE IN THE STUDENT FILM – Jiang Jiang

ABOUT THE FILM:

Yang, an underground killer with something on his mind worry, came to the fantasy underground billiard hall. In order to find his lover’s whereabouts, he met Nuo, a young billiard hall shopkeeper, but was involved in another long-planned “revenge”…

Her Time is Now (USA)

DIRECTOR: Meg Martin & Tiane Parris

BEST STUDENT DOCUMENTARY FILM

ABOUT THE FILM:

HER TIME IS NOW follows two powerful women of Siaya, Kenya as they rewrite their narratives within a dominant patriarchal context. Watch as they navigate the various economic and social challenges that they encounter and discover the creative methods of self-determination that women employ to empower themselves and future generations.

Fili (USA)

DIRECTOR: Peter Filimaua

BEST STUDENT SCREENPLAY

BEST DIRECTOR OF THE STUDENT FILM

ABOUT THE FILM:

Recent graduate Fili Tanuvasa is torn between following his
father’s footsteps in playing football and pursuing his hidden passion
for acting.

Artificial Imagination (USA)

DIRECTOR: Mason Mirabile

BEST STUDENT EXPERIMENTAL FILM

ABOUT THE FILM:

A short documentary about artificial intelligence and art. This experimental film is among the first to use an AI script, AI characters, AI voices, AI animation, AI music and AI art.

Masked Depression (Korea)

DIRECTOR: Aaron Kim, Jimin Park & Yates Park

BEST YOUNG FILMMAKER

ABOUT THE FILM:

In modern Korean society, there is a prevalent psychological condition among young people that is described as “masked depression” by psychiatry. This condition involves the use of a metaphorical mask to conceal one’s emotions.

A Love Song At The End Of The Time (China)

DIRECTOR: Miao Yike

BEST FIRST TIME DIRECTOR

BEST SONG IN THE STUDENT FILM

ABOUT THE FILM:

A love song unfolds the lifelong love story of two old people

Under The Shell (United Kingdom)

DIRECTOR: Xiaoling

BEST SOUND IN THE STUDENT FILM – ShangYun Wu

ABOUT THE FILM:

In terms of sound, the combination of AI and real human voice-over implies a subjective narrative, offering the possibility of self-revelation, and driving the plot through exposition. The sonic composition follows the same loop, but with slight changes in texture, to convey the transition from the digital world to the physical world.

The Water Has Memory (China)

DIRECTOR: Yanguo Hou

BEST YOUNG ACTRESS – Jinyan Su

ABOUT THE FILM:

This film aimed to portray the sentiments transcending time and consciousness. It tells the story of an Alzheimer’s patient (“Feng”)’s illusional world, her entanglement of reality and the past. Within the chaos in her mind, memories of youth emerged, primitive and pure.

Gross (USA)

DIRECTORS: Kyle Farscht

BEST STUDENT MUSIC VIDEO

Parasomniac (Taiwan)

DIRECTOR: Ethan Maxwell Go Go

BEST EDITING OF THE STUDENT FILM

ABOUT THE FILM:

An overworked child entertains the prospect of ignoring his responsibilities in favor of the dream world. He soon learns that there are consequences to his neglect, as time is catching up to him…

LIVE SCREENING – NOVEMBER 28, 2023