Best Woman Short Film Block A (Chandler International Film Festival)

Birds of Paradise

Directed by: Veronica Rutledge

Run Time: 25 minutes, United States

Premiere status: World Premiere

A toxic relationship falls apart during an ill-fated trip to Hawaii.

Avocado Heart Girl

Directed by: keeley gainey

Run Time: 19 minutes 17 seconds, United Kingdom

Premiere status: World Premiere

When David turns 11, he imagines having the best birthday but like every year of Davids life his sister, Leanne takes all the attention due to her disability, this year seems even more suffocating as Leanne has an upcoming operation. Leanne’s condition has not only affected Davids’s home life but also his school life. The kids at school are scared of Leanne and make fun of her and tease David so he cannot escape the world that revolves around Leanne. However, this year David wanted a birthday that Leanne could not ruin and for his dad to pick him up and take him out.

David makes a unlikely friendship with his neighbour, Ethan, who is also going through his own issues, coming to terms with his sexuality. Ethan has been expelled from school for wearing mascara and therefore David and Ethan relate to one another by not being accepted. David begins to fantasize his life and specifically his birthday which shows he is being forgotten about again. His mother, Maureen also struggles to notice the spotlight Leanne has taken over David and is caught up trying to provide for their family as a single mum.

The film ends with a family and friends’ dinner to celebrate David’s birthday – to get to the dinner the film ultimately ends with acceptance. A mothers acceptance that she can’t win them all but she’s doing fine, a young man’s acceptance of his sexuality and the comfort that being himself around others is ok and finally acceptance for David, he is at peace with Leanne’s disability and the impact that it shall always have on his life, acceptance from an unlikely friend that isn’t afraid of his circumstance and accepting his mother’s struggles to balance her time between both children and that he is loved equally and fully.

Lequando

Directed by: Roxanne Rapp and Eric James Gravolin

Run Time:13 minutes, United Kingdom

Premiere status: World Premiere

A seemingly perfect first date is interrupted by a couple’s dating app that has doubts about anything but less than 100% compatibility.

PEOPLE

Directed by: Laura Anastasia Jones

Run Time: 8 minutes 10 seconds, United States

Premiere status: World Premiere

A grandmother, mother, and granddaughter take a trip to their cabin in hopes of a peaceful vacation, but concerns arise when Margaret's Alzheimer's overtakes her, as she starts to see people other than her family.

Single Buffalo

Directed by: Laura Anastasia Jones

Run Time: 10 minutes 12 seconds, United States

Premiere status: World Premiere

As Catherine tries to keep her composure in hopes of finding a connection, her date ticks her off to where she has no other option, but bursting into a musical dance number.

Dark Side

Directed by: Katie Austin

Run Time: 8 minutes, United States

Premiere status: World Premiere

A troubled dancer who is struggling with her mental health unexpectedly comes face to face with her inner critic.

Darlins

Directed by: Zach Uthman

Run Time: 9 minutes 29 seconds, United States

Premiere status: World Premiere

When a writer cuts a creepy creature from her novel and turns down a would-be suitor, she finds her editing choices have dire consequences.

Host or Publisher Chandler International Film Festival