Fleisher Art Memorial
719 Catharine St, Philadelphia
This FREE four film shorts program offers a glimpse into the lifestyle of two virtuoso immigrant musicians, a struggling indie folk artist about to catch his big break, and Chinese punk rockers in Beijing. Filmmakers expected in attendance for post-screening Q&A. Carnatic Cornet Venkat Ganesan is attempting to do something that has never been done before, play the south Indian classical Carnatic music on the cornet. This short doc follows Venkat the week leading up to his first live performance. Dinosaur Rider Adapted from true stories and featuring a cast of local punk-rockers acting as themselves, this narrative short is a vibrant portrait of what it’s like to be young and punk in contemporary China. Crescendo A narrative short about sacrificing one’s passions to ensure the success of future generations, told through one hardworking South Asian immigrant’s perspective as a dishwasher and lover of classical music. I Hate Big Phony Navigating in between cultures, the soulful Korean singer-songwriter-guitarist Bobby Choy discusses his emotionally moving music and performs some of it too, lending insight into his life journey and what’s next for him. Facebook Event Page
Fleisher Art Memorial
719 Catharine St, Philadelphia
This FREE program offers a selection of five short films dealing with coming to terms with death, and longing after loss. Filmmakers expected in attendance for post-screening Q&A. Song on Canvas An emotionally lost artist, trapped in the corporate world, receives encouragement to pick up his brush again from, out of all people - his deceased mother played by Sharon Omi (Eat With Me). Directed by PAAFF alumni Keo Woolford (The Haumana). Harry on the Clouds This animated short is about a grieving sheep mother whose young son’s spirit comes back to visit from heaven. Knots When Scarlett’s grandfather comes to town for her high school graduation, she must come to terms with the loss of her mother and mend her relationship with her father. The motif of the knot is what keeps the generations together with themes of family, acceptance and crossing cultures. I Won't Miss You 17-year-old Janey’s best friend Tim begins to appear in her bedroom at night after dying in a car crash and their awkward undeclared feelings begin to surface. Godlike Alex, a complex and introverted high school teenager with an interest for gaming, finds himself at odds with his Grandmother when he receives news of his mothers passing. Facebook Event Page
Lightbox Film Center
3701 Chestnut St, Philadelphia
This FREE program of five shorts involve various marginalized identities both in the US and abroad. A mixed program of Narrative and Documentary shorts, subjects include mixed ethnic identity, refugees, and racial profiling. Filmmakers expected in attendance. Chanthadeth Chanthadeth grew up with his Cambodian mother and no connection to his Lao father or relatives. This short doc explores his bicultural identity and the meaning of his name, ultimately learning the importance of acknowledging both sides of his cultural heritage. The Three Tales of a Coin A coin recounts its life story, changing hands between a diverse group of Singaporeans in three pivotal transactions. The Lookout This short documentary examines the treacherous boat ride across the Aegean Sea, just one of many hardships endured by Syrian refugees, through the eyes of an altruistic Israeli volunteer hoping to do what he can to ease their suffering. The FBI Blew Up My Ice Skates This animated short recounts the titular incident that happened to the director in the wake of the 1979 Iran Hostage Crisis. Red, White, and Beard Cartoonist Vishavjit Singh has a unique way of fighting intolerance in the post-9/11 US - walking the streets of New York City dressed as Captain Sikh America. This short doc poses a simple question - why can’t Captain America wear a turban? Facebook Event Page
