Short Film Sunday at Tribeca Film Fest

tffSunday in New York, the Tribeca Film Festival comes to a close with a day of short films.  Eight programs featuring more than 60 shorts are showing back to back in two theaters.  The rare opportunity to see shorts on the big screen in this format is one of the major benefits of local film festivals, as you not only get the chance to see shorts on the big screen and show encouragement to the filmmakers, but experience a carefully curated program which provides an emotional experience for the audience.

As Short Programmer Ben Thompson said in an exclusive interview, “even if you get the chance to see some of these films online or other festivals, the specific programs will never be recreated and is only available to those who come to see them in the theater.  Each film is placed next to the other to create the the fullest emotional impact.”  Tribeca does such a good job with their program layout there are audiences who come back to the festival every year specifically to attend the short programs.

A few weeks ago, the Interrobang showcased some of the short films which opened the door for today’s top directors.  And this is often how feature directors get their start.  But shorts are more than just stepping stones for up-and-coming directors.  They are an art form all their own.  So if you’re New York this weekend and you don’t want to see Iron Man 3 or The Big Wedding, consider checking some of these programs Sunday.

 wilt chamberlain The Rider and the Storm a short film about guns reporting on the times coach who shot rock and roll The_Girl_With_the_Mechanical_Maiden

the root of the problem the river whats left whats lost atlantic avenue the nightshift belongs to the tars playdate fear of flying

The Short film line up is:

  • Character Witness. 11:00 am Tribeca Cinemas Theater 1-First person documentaries
  • Let There Be Light. 12:00 pm Tribeca Cinemas Theater 2- Experimental films with the  theme of light
  • End is Near. 1:30 pm, theater 1- Movies about the end of the world and apocalypse.
  • Deadbolt. 2:30 pm, theater 2- Science fiction/horror genre films
  • Skin Deep.  4:00 pm, theater 1- Films which examine self image and identity
  • History Lessons.  5:00 pm, theater 2- Documentaries on historical subject matters
  • Worst Day Ever. 6:30 pm, theater 1-  Films focused on bad days for the characters
  • Unlimited Ride.  7:30 pm,  theater 2- Shorts set in and about New York City

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Here Are Some of the Highlights This Year

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Documentaries:

  • Recollections.  Interviews with the citizens of Yamamoto Japan about the photographs lost and found after the Earthquake and Tsunami destroyed their homes and all their possessions
  • Wilt Chamberlain: Borscht Belt Bellhop.  A documentary about Wlt Chamberlain’s high school days at a Jewish resort in the Catskill mountains.
  • The Rider and the Storm.  A documentary focused on one of the victims of Hurricane Sandy’s Breezy Point Fires.
  • A Short Film About Guns.  One of the most provocative entries into the debate on gun looks at the trafficking of illegal fire arms on the black market
  • Reporting on the Times: The New York Times and the Holocaust.  An examination of how  the Times failed to show journalist integrity when reporting on the Holocaust.
  • Coach.  A biographical documentary on college coach Vivian Stringer
  • Who Shot Rock & Roll: The Film.  A look at the careers of rock and roll photojournalists.

Fictional Shorts:

  • The Girl with the Mechanical Maiden.  A science fiction film about a man who creates a robot maid for his newborn child.
  • The Root of the Problem. A horror comedy about a housewife’s fear of the dentist
  • The River.  An etherial comedy starring Lauren Ambrose as a pregnant woman’s need to get out of the heat.
  • What’s Left, What’s Lost. A moody drama about a suicidal father and his son
  • Atlantic Avenue.  A disabled young woman and homeless male prostitute meet on the streets of New York city.
  • Nightshift Belongs to the Stars.  A romance from Italy about two mountain climbers going on a trek the day before they each have open heart surgery
  • Playdate. Three couples suffer through a very awkward dinner party
  • Fear of Flying. A Pixar worthy cartoon about a bird’s fear of flying south