Best International Short Films (Chandler International Film Festival)

The Ones Who Didn't Fly Away

Directed by: Enriko Hamzaj

Run Time: 30 minutes, Albania

Premiere status: World Premiere

A crossover narrative exploring themes of immigration and romance unfolds as Glaucus and Era's paths intersect unexpectedly through a fortuitous traffic collision.

The Special Train

Directed by: Luigi Cianciaruso

Run Time: 9 minutes 29 seconds, Italy

Premiere status: USA Premiere

On a summer afternoon, Saverio and Cataldo, a student and a teacher, find themselves in the countryside that they usually see everyday trough the train window. The meeting becomes an opportunity to get to know each other better, allowing Saverio to read a poem he has just written. The story is about the train crash happened between Andria and Corato, in 2016 in Puglia Italy, and it’s dedicated to the victims of this tragedy.

The Calling

Directed by: Piotr Matyja

Run Time: 13 minutes 55 seconds, Poland

Premiere status: Arizona Premiere

Two brothers, living in isolation after an apocalypse, clash over their beliefs when intruders approach their hideout.

Overthinker

Directed by: Nemanja Mladenovic

Run Time: 13 minutes, Serbia

Premiere status: Arizona Premiere

The deadline is approaching, and Alexander, the film director, is in big trouble. He is unable to write a script for a short film. He is afraid that the story will not be good; he does not trust himself; he is afraid of failure. All hell breaks loose in his head.

L'Hypermnésique (The Hypermnestic)

Directed by: Julien Mouquet

Run Time: 20 minutes, United Kingdom

Premiere status: Arizona Premiere

Gaby (Agathe Natanson Marielle) and Jo (Bernard Farcy) are an elderly couple without children, living alone in their flat. Throughout their lifetime, they each had life plans and yet never managed to live out their dreams and Gaby felt a deep sense of guilt and trauma due to her inability to conceive children. As Jo approaches the end of his life, his memory slowly fades away. Gaby sees a chance to give her husband a taste of the life he had never lived. Every night while he sleeps, she places false memories all over their apartment: fake trinkets and family photos filled with grandchildren. Since she can no longer rely on the future to change things, she will try to change the past to give Jo the feeling of a fulfilled life with no regrets.

A Pinch Of Salt

Directed by: Tathagata Bhowmik

Run Time: 15 minutes, India

Premiere status: Arizona Premiere

Abhra, a stay-at-home poet indulges in elaborate culinary displays of affection for his newly married wife, Saivi who is fighting memories of her abusive past. The 'gastronomic delights' cooked by Abhra are found to be unpalatable by Saivi and she conjures up intricate ruses to escape from eating the food without hurting his feelings. However, one day Abhra finds out and takes a tough decision to keep their relationship and love brewing at all costs.

Host or Publisher Chandler International Film Festival