Shorts program, 98 min, Not rated
This program presents a mixed group of short films, from animations and music videos to narratives and a short documentary.
Included is an Anishinaabe film, Mino Bimaadiziwin, directed by Shane McSauby, the first Sundance Institute | Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Fellow.
Narrative Short, United States, 2017, 18 min, Color
Merle, a small-town simpleton grieving over the loss of his mother, fills his days with a strange hobby: crashing the funerals of strangers.
Great Lakes Connection: The film was shot and edited in Minnesota. The director is from Michigan. The director of photography is from Wisconsin.
Narrative Short, United States, 2017, 10 min, Color
A trans Anishinaabe man who has lost all connection to his native culture has a chance meeting with a mysterious Anishinaabe woman.
Great Lakes Connection: This is an Anishinaabe film, representing the first people of the Great Lakes. It takes place and was shot in Grand Rapids, Michigan with an Anishinaabe writer/director and all native cast.
Director Biography: Shane McSauby is a citizen of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in filmmaking at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan in December 2015.
In 2016 Shane became the first Sundance Institute | Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Fellow for his script Mino Bimaadiziwin which included participating in the Sundance Institute's Native Filmmakers Lab in Santa Fe, NM. Mino Bimaadiziwin was completed in October 2017 and is Shane's first short film written and directed since graduating.
In fall of 2018 Shane will be attending NYU Tisch School of Arts as a Dean's Fellow in the graduate film program.
Narrative Short, Islamic Republic of Iran, 2018, 4 min, Color
A family is watching a war movie. Suddenly, they experience the same events.
Documentary Short, Mexico, 2017, 8 min, Black & White
Two children take refuge in the Sinaloa sierra and are caught in the middle as several criminal groups struggle to dominate the large poppy and marihuana growing region.
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Animation, Spain, 2017, 4 min, Color
A chef who loves his job and enjoys the delicacies he cooks prepares a very different menu for a peculiar group of clients.
Music Video, Réunion Island, 2017, 4 min, Color
In this animation made of 2500 paintings, a man tries to run away from his fate. He seeks success, fame, happiness and love, but the city is too strong and he can't win.
Audience Choice Award - Best Narrative Short
Narrative Short, United States, 2018, 15 min, Color
A man in his late 20s who works as a freelance sound mixer can't seem to let go of an unfulfilled dream.
Narrative Short, United States, 2018, 3 min, Color
Midwest Premiere
I'm panicked, I'm sweating, I need a stiff drink. I know what is coming…
Great Lakes Connection: Our family grew up in the northern Chicago suburb of Wilmette. Our film, The Myth of a Standing Ovation was fortunate enough to be chosen for screening at last year's Soo Film Festival.
Narrative Short, United States, 2017, 32 min, Color
On the 50th anniversary of his father's failing business, Tommy is hoping to get someone to buy it. His screw-up of a brother has blown the money for advertising and is doing everything he can to add to the failure.
Great Lakes Connection: The film was shot entirely in Michigan. All of the cast and crew are Michigan natives and most, if not all, are still residents of the Mitten.
Michael McCallum returns to the Soo Film Festival for the third year. We previously screened his short narrative Sure Thing and music video We Are All Alone in This Together (Graham Lindsey) in 2014. In 2015 we screened his narrative feature Buffalo and music video One Thing.
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