The Best Shorts Competition is proud to announce the latest winners. The Best Shorts Competition puts filmmakers first and provides a direct opportunity for recognition and publicity for high quality productions. It is international in scope and has granted awards to producers in Australia, Bahrain, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, China, Columbia, Cuba, Denmark, France, Germany, Iceland, India, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Malta, Martinique, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Republic of Mauritius, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Taiwan, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States.
Best of Show
Storm Ashwood – Moth, Film Short
Storm Ashwood (Australia), MOTH, Film Short - Moth is a twisted tale of a bitter man trying to remember why he is forlorn, while an Angel, both ghastly and monolithic, seems to wait for his final collapse into darkness. Trapped in a claustrophobic room without doors. A darkness lit only by an old lamp accompanied by a circulating moth. MOTH invites the examination of light and dark and leaves audiences with a paradoxical experience. Skillfully directed by Storm Ashwood using a provocative script, alluring lighting and convincing effects. With a gut wrenching performance by Steve Le Marquand(Broke, Underbelly) and a haunting dark angel interpretation from Mia Pistorius (Wonderland, Headshot).
Award of Excellence Special Mention
Patrick Osborne (USA) Pearl, Animation – Set inside their home, a beloved car, we follow a girl and her dad as they cross the country chasing their musical dreams. It’s about the gifts we hand down, their power of love and finding grace in unlikely places. With a memorable and touching song,Oscar winner Osborne brings emotion and magic to this charming story and extraordinary filmmaking to the VR version as part of the Google Spotlight series.
Fredric Lehne (USA), Shy Guys, Film Short - Two strangers confront and resolve one of the most insidious scourges afflicting mankind - while standing at public urinals with their willIes out. Witty and often gaffaw-inducing, it stars Tony winner Reed Birney(Humans, House of Cards) and Blake DeLong (Vinyl, The Blacklist). By the ubiquitous and multi-talented actor Fredric Lehne (Die Hard, Boardwalk Empire).
Susie Singer Carter (USA), My Mom and The Girl, Women Filmmakers– Dinner takes a dark turn and leads a retired jazz singer with Alzheimer’s and her caregiver to a crossroads on the streets of East LA where they mee The Girl. The three disparate, desperate women pull each other back to the light. Soul-stirring and sparkling performances by four time Emmy Winner Valerie Harper, Emmy nominee Liz Torres and Harmony Santana.
Paul Hendy (United Kingdom), The Last Laugh, Film Short – Three iconic, British comedians, Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe and Bob Monkhouse discuss the secret of comedy with lightning wit and glimpses of insecurity. Exceptional script and acting – A hilarious and touching exploration of being funny and what happens when the laughter stops. Deftly directed by the multi-talented actor, author and director Paul Hendy.
Jaco Loubser (South Africa), Heersers 2012, A depressed small-town florist, with under-appreciated abilities, receives an order for a special bouquet that might be the only ticket out of his mundane existence. With the help of his long-time assistant, he completes the task, a final masterpiece, with dire consequences for some of the town’s locals. With memorable performances and startling twists.
Lance Larson and James R Adams II (USA), Cuckold Picasso, Experimental– Picasso is shot in first person forcing viewers to search their own souls. Although grizzly, the filmmaker intends the action and title to be strong metaphors to face our fears and free ourselves to embrace life lessons. Impactful, chilling, disturbing and thought provoking with artful direction and acting. A spine tingling performance from Micah Fitzgerald(Westworld, Fear of the Walking Dead).
Steffen F. Kaminski (Germany), Antharys, Film Short – Antharys tells the story of a young student, Clarissa, who after a near death experience finds herself in a brre fantasy world. In this world Clarissa is part of an ancient prophecy and her arrival has long been awaited. Now she has to trust strangers, overcome her fears and try to find her way back home. A fantasy adventure series that keeps the viewers guessing what is next.
Steve Duchesne (France), KITCHEN, Film Short – In a big house lost in the middle of nowhere, Jason made the discovery of an old cookbook hidden in his attic. Later, when he decided to prepare a delicious meal for his wife Marie, things do not go as planned … A ghost has taken possession of the house. A delicious horror genre with nuanced performances and effects.
Award of Excellence
Alfred Thomas Catalfo (USA), SPLIT TICKET, Film Short
April Phillips (New Zealand), REM, Film Short
Ariel Jew (USA), Totem, Animation (Student)
Atomic Thorson (USA), For the Love of the Game, Film Short (Student)
Carla Roda (USA), Camila, Women Filmmakers
Catherine Bailey (USA), Return to Sender, Animation (Student)
Charlie Sporns (USA), Dead Bird Don’t Fly, LGBT (Student), Film Short, Cinematography, Direction, Editing, Script / Writer, Original Score (Dead Bird Don’t Fly composed by Charlie Sporns)
Chia-Hung Kao (Taiwan), Dare to Dream-Sing for you, Children / Family Programming
Colin Borden (USA), The Herd, Film Short
Dan Silov (Latvia), Disposable Darling, Film Short
David Pinkston (USA), Nut Cracker, Cinematography, Lighting, Editing
Hadley Hillel (USA), ERNIE, Film Short (Student)
Hsu Kuo-yang (Taiwan), The Plum Rain, Documentary Short
Jesse Richards (Australia), Where We Live, Film Short (Student)
Jonathan Martin (USA), Creatures of Whitechapel, Film Short (Student)
Kelly Beam (USA), ANIMAL, Film Short
Kemmy and Julie Moran (USA), Miss Beverly Hills Ghost, Web Series
Lance Larson and James R Adams II (USA), Cuckold Picasso, Cinematography (Brent Barbano), Editing, Script / Writer (James R Adams II and Lance Larson), Viewer Impact: Content / Message Delivery, Direction (Lance Larson)
Laura Pellegrini (USA), In Parallel…, Actor: Leading (Stefano Da Frè as Liam), Film Short
Lorenzo Santoni (Italy), Una bellissima bugia, Disability Issues
Mariano Baino (USA), Lady M 5.1, Actress: Leading (Coralina Cataldi-Tassoni as Lady Macbeth)
Maverick Moore (USA), SHOTGUN, Film Short
Max Bartoli (USA), The Secret of Joy, Special Purpose Productions
Morten Moen and Bård Føsker (Norway), Urban Street Tap, Film Short, Music Video
Nick Testa (USA), Lineup, Film Short
Palesa Lebona, (South Africa), Cream, Women Filmmakers (Student)
Patrick Osborne (USA), Pearl, Special Effects: Animation, Sound Editing / Sound Mixing, Original Song (No Wrong Way Home composed by Alexis Harte, Scot Stafford and JJ Wiesler), Art Direction, Sound: Overall Impact, Cinematography
Pieter-Rim de Kroon and Marije Nie (Netherlands), Dancin’ the Camera, Film Short
PriceWeber (USA), Reinforcements, Documentary Short
Sarah Downey (USA), Tunnel Vision, Women Filmmakers
Shayna Cohen (USA), A Children’s Song, Film Short
Shireen Vasseghi (United Kingdom), Velvet Hour, Women Filmmakers, Experimental, Creativity / Originality, Concept, Direction
Tatiana Fedorovskaya (Germany), Happy Paradise, Film Short (Student)
Tonio Krueger (Switzerland), Crossroads / The Beauty of Gemina, Music Video
Tzurit Hartzion (Israel), FAKE IT, LGBT (Student)
Yang Shou-yi and Tseng Hsun-yi (Taiwan), Marine Life, Nature / Environment / Wildlife
Award of Merit Special Mention
Aksinya Gog (Russia), Football & Angels, Film Short
Carla Sinclair and Colin Burwell (Canada), Much Love, Scott, Documentary Short
Ciani Rey Walker (USA), Silence, Film Short (Student)
David M. Raynor, Bad Hat Films (Australia), So This Is It Then!, Film Short
Dominic Mercurio (USA), We Are Not Ourselves, Music Video
Elizabeth Mitchell (USA), Doucheaholics, Webisode
Fabio Salvati and Armando Basso (Italy), The Great Journey, Film Short
Guo Jun-ming (Taiwan), Under the Persimmon Streetlight, Animation
Han Rui Wang, Academy of Art University (USA), The Lottery, Film Short (Student)
Hung Ju Huang (Taiwan), Fighting Air Pollution, Children / Family Programming
James Stephen (United Kingdom), Polterguys, Web Series
Karolina Mikolajczak (USA), The Stradivari, Film Short (Student), Women Filmmakers (Student)
Max Bartoli (USA), The Secret of Joy, Film Short
Mel Mack (USA), Touching Mary, Women Filmmakers
Nick Myall (Australia), New & Used, Film Short
Patrick Slattery (Australia), Inertia, Film Short (Student)
Roze (USA), This Moment, Film Short
Tim Li (Taiwan), Hak Idea, Remixes / Mashups
Tristan McIntosh (Canada), Pillow Talk, Film Short
Virgil Widrich (Austria), Vienna table trip, Commercial / Infomercial
Award of Merit
Aaron Sauerland (USA), QWERTY, Film Short
Annette Reid (USA), Love, Worth It (Amor, Vale), Latin / Hispanic
Arvind Sivakumaran (India), I’ll Always Have Paris, Film Short
Avi Abrams (USA), The Best Laid Plans, Film Short (Student)
Bo Price (USA), Primitive Technology (2016), Film Short
Brett Staal and Eric Wallace (USA), DragonFly, Film Short
Brian Hugh O’Neill (USA), The Renovation, Film Short
Chamsy Sarkis, Smart News Agency (Syria), Nobel’s Nightmare, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest
Charlie Binford (USA), Jungle Jim – A Musical Wildlife Adventure, Animation
Collins Abbott White (USA), Dreams, Music Video
Dana Marisa Schoenfeld (USA), DEAD DRUNK, Film Short
Dana Salah (USA), 102 in Dog Years, Film Short
Danielle Wheeler (USA), One for the Road, Actress: Leading (Danielle Wheeler as Ellen), Women Filmmakers
David Khaziri (USA), Locked in Stone, Film Short
David Li (Canada), The Dawning, Film Short
David Pinkston (USA), Nut Cracker, Film Short, Direction
Dimitris Katsimiris (Greece), BIRTHDAY, Disability Issues
Don Sano (USA), The Book of Judith, Film Short
Enrico Farina (Norway), PicniK, Film Short
Eric Hanson (USA), Brady’s Lot, Disability Issues
Farid Kirreh (Palestine) and Kai Staats (USA), I am Palestine, Documentary Short
Flore Joubert (France/Australia), The Servants, Women Filmmakers (Student), Direction (Student)
Gregory Alosio, Alosio Productions (USA), Death and Life, Documentary Short
Hisanori Tsukuda (Japan), Humming, Film Short
James Curry (USA), westbound, Movie Trailer (Student)
James Hu (USA), Dead Unanimity, Actress: Leading (Brigitte Buny as Joni Li / Sandy), Film Short, Asian
Jason Baumgardner, Ten Four Films (USA), Me3, Actress: Leading (Amber Higgins as Megan), Film Short
Jeffrey Blake Palmer (USA), Split Costs, Actress: Leading (Mela Hudson as Emma)
Jesse Petrick (USA), Clean! The Series Proof of Concept, Television – Pilot Program
Jonathan Sapienza (USA), The Scent of Her Soul, Film Short
Jonny Lewis (USA), G.I. Hospital, Animation
Jose Restrepo (USA), Snuggle Buddies, Film Short
Joseph Brandon (USA), Coincidental Romance, Film Short (Student)
Katie Goodman and Soren Kisiel (USA), Abortion Road Trip!, Women Filmmakers
Kurt Kubicek (USA), Skin in the Game, Film Short
Lariza Melo Preciado (Mexico), The Diver, Film Short
Lily Levin and Tristan Bell (United Kingdom), Grampy, Documentary Short
Mario Burbach (Germany), Colony Collapse Disorder – a life without bees, Film Short (Student)
Marsha Balaeva (United Kingdom), Risto’s Riff, Music Video
Mart Raukas (Estonia), PARRHESIA. The Obligation to Speak the truth., Liberation / Social Justice / Protest
Matt Twomey (USA), The Duck Diaries: A Cold War Quest for Friendship Across the Americas, Documentary Short
Meghan Hooper (USA), Harmony, Film Short, Women Filmmakers
Michael King (USA), Chasing Denzel, Actor: Leading (Sharieff Walters as Mason)
Micki Dickoff (USA), The Gathering, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest
Mihai Son (Canada), Father Forgets, Film Short
Natalie Camou (USA), tereza, Women Filmmakers (Student)
Natalie Lamprecht (Switzerland), To Be Seen, Film Short (Student)
Nicholas Bayfield, University of Brighton in association with Brighton Film School (United Kingdom), Asperger’s Syndrome, Experimental (Student), Disability Issues (Student)
Nicholas Massa (USA), Breakdown Confessions, Film Short, Actor: Supporting (Nicholas Massa as Ryan), Cinematography
Nicolai Tegeler (Germany), Love, Film Short
Nik Kleverov (USA), Spirited Nature Traces of Light, Documentary Short
Oldrich Antos (Czech Republic), The Traitor, Film Short
Oz Yilmaz (Canada), COLOR OF SOUND, Documentary Short
Paco Arasanz (Spain), Doors, Film Short
Patrick O’Shea (Ireland), SOLID, Film Short and First Kiss, Film Short
Paula Neves (USA), Pumpkin, Women Filmmakers
Peter Dimako (USA), Thanatophobia, Film Short
Qi Deng (USA), Inside Job, Animation (Student)
Quinlynn McCarthy, CSULB (USA), Mama’s Gonna Get You, Music Video
Richard Mack (USA), The Sweetwater Seas in 100 Words, Web Tube Length Videos
Robert Lyons and Kevin Worth (USA), Little Princess Girl, Music Video
Roberto Sanchez (USA), Retribution, Movie Trailer
Robin Goode, Justin Cohen and Tyrone Rubin, Picturescope (South Africa), COMMANDO, Film Short
Sam Sikora (USA), Ram Pride, Documentary Short
Sara Eustáquio (Portugal), Mirror, Film Short
Scott E. Schimmel (USA), Waste Not Want Not, Nature / Environment / Wildlife (Student)
SeungJae Han (USA), Mobius strip, Film Short (Student)
Shawn-Noel Semana (USA), Got it Maid, Asian (Student)
Sienna Reid (USA), Sticks and Stones Trilogy: The Words Spoken, The Words on the Body, The Marks on the Wall, Experimental
Sophie Lee (Korea), Amity, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger
Terry Leary, George Lewis (Nicaragua), Sierra Leone From War to Peace, Documentary Short
Tomas Sanchez (USA), The Lost Pueblo, Children / Family Programming, Latin / Hispanic, Native American / Aboriginal Peoples, Christian
Tommy Garcia (USA), Discretion, LGBT
Tony Wisneske (USA), Citrus Avenue, Animation
Tyler A Horn (USA), Drowning In My Own Discontent, Christian (Student)
Vanessa-Faye Stanley (United Kingdom), The Birds and the Bees, Web Tube Length Video
Yang Shou-yi and Tseng Hsun-yi (Taiwan), Human and Sea, Nature / Environment / Wildlife
Award of Recognition
Abdul Almutairi (USA/KSA), Daesh Girl, Islamic (Student)
Adi Spektor (USA), A MIRACLE OF HANUKKAH, LGBT
Alberto Martín-Aragón (Spain), PATRICIO, Experimental
Alysha Haran (USA), Not Forever, Film Short
Amanda McKeehan (USA), Autoimmune, Experimental (Student)
Andrew Meserth (USA), Ballad of a CHP Man, Music Video
Andy Galloway (USA), Gonzales: Come and Take It!, Documentary Short
Angel Jackson (USA), Tricia’s Corner, Film Short
Arindam Barooah (India), BODH (UNFOLDING THE SPIRIT OF REVERENCE), Film Short
Berry Minott (USA), Good Girl, Documentary Short, Women Filmmakers
Brandon Karsh (USA), Any Elsewhere, Film Short (Student)
Brooke Jacoby and Ashley Jacoby (USA), He Said What Now?, Women Filmmakers
Charlie Sporns (USA), Dead Bird Don’t Fly, Actress: Leading (Student) (Chen Chen Julian as Mei)
Chris Castiglione (USA), The Shoelace, Film Short
Daniel de la Cruz (USA), The Man in Black, Film Short (Student)
Daniel Dou, TransReal360 (Spain), Anima, Experimental
David Liebel (USA), RockyGrass: Rebuilding Lyons, Documentary Short
Eli Klein (Israel), I Dare You, Film Short
Elroy ‘Spoonface’ Powell (United Kingdom), Forbidden Truth, Webisode
Eric C. Player (USA), Moment of Anger, Film Short
Eric Hanson (USA), Brady’s Lot, Film Short
Erik Carlson (USA), A Night at the Movies, Film Short (Student)
Flore Joubert (France/Australia), The Servants, Dramatic Impact (Student)
Hangyu Kim (Korea), To the ends of the earth, Film Short
Ian Neisser (USA), The Offensive, Television – Pilot Program (Student)
J Nycole Ralph (USA), Working Out the Kinks, Webisode, African American, Women Filmmakers
James Curry (USA), westbound, Film Short (Student), African American (Student)
James Prineas (Germany), Kythera mon Amour, Film Short
Jennifer Dean (USA), KURTIS, Film Short
Jermaine Thomas, Benjamin Meade and Lyle Gibson (USA), Black Tie White Tie, African American
Joe DiRienzo (USA), Jake and Kate, Film Short (Student), Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger
Justice Parman (USA), Mirror, Film Short (Student)
Kate-Marie Engberg (USA), When a Khmer Man Met a Khmer Woman, Documentary Short
Katherine Chivers (USA), Berning Love, Documentary Short (Student)
Kheyali Das (India), HANDICAPPED SEAT, Disability Issues
Margie Kelk (Canada), Substratae, Animation, Women Filmmakers
Maria Consoli Bartrum (USA), Love, Documentary Short
Mariana Triantos and Antonio Jordán (USA), Muse, Experimental
Maximillian Remmler (USA), Screenbreak, Film Short (Student)
Mehmet Tigli (Turkey), Twin Stars, LGBT, Film Short
Michael Robert Anderson (USA), The Colors Of Perception, Film Short
Natalie Lauer (USA), Fear Binds, Women Filmmakers
Nathan Block (USA), In the Garden, Disability Issues
Patrick O’Shea (Ireland), The Brutal Truth, Film Short
Pawel Son Ngo (Poland), Fall of Icarus, Film Short
Rachel Medeiros (USA), The Next Step, Film Short, Disability Issues, Latin / Hispanic Women Filmmakers (Student)
Rany Naser (Canada), Like a Drug, Film Short
Ron Johnson (USA), Uncle Ken, Film Short, Actor: Leading (Matthew Savas as Mike)
Ryan Kibby (USA), The Lords and Other Creatures, Actor: Leading (Eric Toms as Nate), Actress: Leading (Natalie Lauer as Vera)
Ryan S. Porush (USA), Two Hundred Percent, Documentary Short (Student)
Savio Sequeira (Ireland), THE JOB PARADOX, Film Short
Sophie Lee (Korea), Amity, Documentary Short (Student)
Stephen Pfeil (USA), Amongst Strangers, Film Short, Cinematography, Editing, Concept, Set Design
Synergy FilmWorks (USA), Slaves, Film Short
Ted Sharks (USA), Red Rose Chronicle, Asian (Student)
Ti Bing Yen (Malaysia), Wedding Anniversary, LGBT
Travis Dunn (USA), Puppet Love, Film Short
Tyna Ezenma (USA), Ghostwriter, Film Short (Student), Women Filmmakers (Student)
Umair Malik (Canada), RedBorn – Trailer, Movie Trailer (Student)
Vida Lercari (USA), The Streets that Speak, Documentary Short (Student)
William R. Coughlan (USA), Tex: Wisdom of the Old West, Film Short
Yoni Azulay (USA), Again., Film Short (Student), Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger
Zach Zachariadis (USA), Dream Job, Webisode, Web / Internet Programming
Zack Abramowitz (USA), Star Wars: Behind the Saber, Film Short
Zharko Ivanov (Macedonia), Round Trip: Mary, Animation
Chatelin Bruno 
