These two free programs of shorts show the work of gutsy emerging filmmakers and their unique stories.
Women Unite!, 7 pm
Gypsies, Tramps, and Thieves
Directed by Andrea Janakas
Two young women plan to escape their stifling upstate New York town on a snowy night during the Iran hostage crisis.
Winner of the Best Student Short at the Provincetown Film Festival. 2005, U.S., color, 35mm, 22 minutes.
Hold Up
Directed by Madeleine Olnek
The motive for the robbery of a neighborhood bodega isn’t initially clear in this hilarious short. 2005, U.S., color, video, 7 minutes.
Kathleen’s Closet
Directed by Sheila Jordan
An unconventional hospice nurse develops a bond with her nearly comatose patient by helping her connect with a long-mourned love. 2005, Canada, color, video, 13 minutes.
Rape for Who I Am
Directed by Lovinsa Kavuma
The South African constitutional protection against bias based on sexual orientation is ignored in the townships around Johannesburg. Organizing against the violence, a group of lesbians hold a retreat dedicated to sharing and healing in this candid documentary. 2006, UK/South Africa, color, video, 26 minutes.
Odd Man Out, 9 pm
Before I Was Sad
Directed by Jean-Gabriel Périot
This acerbic commentary on the assimilation of the homosexual into mainstream society makes its point using cutout animations. 2004, France, color, video, in French with English subtitles, 2 minutes.
The Saddest Boy in the World
Directed by Jamie Travis
Driven by derision from his family and classmates, Timothy Higgins plans his departure from this world on his ninth birthday. 2006, Canada, color, video, 13 minutes.
The Famous Joe Project
Directed by Eli Rarey
A young gay man aims to spread love in the world by recording his sex life with a webcam, but can’t deal with a relationship that isn’t a performance. 2007, U.S., color, video, 16 minutes.
Bugcrush
Directed by Carter Smith
A shy loner at a small-town high school becomes bewitched by an enticing new student, leading him to test his boundaries. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize in Short Filmmaking at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival. 2006, U.S., color, video, 36 minutes.
Still
Directed by Lucky Kuswandi
Guy, a gay teenager who is misunderstood at home, runs away to a small beach town, where he tries to find his chosen family in a stream of unsatisfying tricks. 2005, Indonesia/U.S., color, video, 15 minutes.