This year brings another set of diverse narrative short films that has many of their characters restless and in search of something.

Followed by Q&A with filmmakers in attendance.

Resolute intentions drives siblings escaping Syria for a better life in Türkiye (ALMOST CERTAINLY FALSE) and an elderly Chinese woman desperate to stave off dementia (GLORIA) but the future of how their lives continue are mired in uncertainty. In contrast, abstruse motivations propels a locksmith to work unlocking a solitary door in the woods in a Wong Kar Wai-esque setting (SUO JIANG) while a biologist and a sound recordist investigate why a mysterious seemingly feral man is bringing calamity to the area (VOX HUMANA). A daughter seeks understanding and perhaps forgiveness from her mother's sacrifice (HAVE I SWALLOWED YOUR DREAMS) and a young ardent church leader launches an inquisition into a cookie miscreant (29 HOUR FAMINE). Not all pursuits lead to a favorable outcome as sometimes choices are bleak and devastating when a young man shares a last dinner with his mother on the eve of his execution (THE LAST DAY). - Yuxi Lai, Short Film Programmer

CONTENT CONSIDERATION: Flms in this program include Mature Content and THE LAST DAY film includes a depiction of suicide.

*Eligible to be redeemed as part of the 5-ticket package