Shorts Program: NSFW
5:00PM, OCT 25
Prepared to be unsettled. The directors in this program have exited off the mundane route and entered the realm of horror, each in their own macabre and playful way. The result is a collection of films with a sinister edge, filled with twists and bleak humour.
Derek Wallis and Jordan Connor pay homage to the wild genre films they love from the 1970s with a cautionary tale about the dangers of falling for the allure of fame in The Skimmer. Yuqi Kang ramps the tension and psychological horror by exploring oppression and rebellion in a mother-daughter relationship in the allegorical Thorn. Lindsay Owen Pierre merges comedy and suspense in unexpected and vengeful ways in the not-so-romantic Répercuté. Kenny Wong takes inspiration from the found footage genre and one-take-style films to haunt us, and a group of friends gathered at a cabin in Reunion. Aidan Cheetow leans into camp and kitsch in the absurd family film about saying goodbye to a beloved dog in Deadpan.
– Marina Hanna
Yuqi Kang is a Mongol Chinese Canadian film director and producer whose works focus on crafting narratives that delve into the intricacies of human experiences, exploring the depths of the human psyche and showcasing the complexities of our shared existence through raw and emotive storytelling. Her debut feature documentary, A Little Wisdom (2017), premiered at Busan International Film Festival, SXSW, Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, and Shanghai International Film Festival.
Thorn
15 Minutes
Canada
Mandarin Chinese
On the evening of an unseasonably warm Moon Festival, a Chinese immigrant mother goes about her ordinary routine of cooking dinner while controlling her daughter’s every move with a sharp tongue. But what is brewing beneath the surface? As night falls, a sinister figure emerges to threaten this small household.
Directed by
Yuqi Kang
Based in Vancouver, Jordan Connor and Derek Wallis have collaborated since 2017. Over the last few years they have honed their work, writing shorts, pilots, and features. Their approach to filmmaking is all hands on deck. With a minimal cast and crew, they challenge themselves to produce work that outshines a limited budget.
The Skimmer
11 Minutes
Canada
English
Ring….BRrinng….BBRRRIING!! Paul, a pool boy, picks up a telephone he has no business answering. The voice on the line invites Paul to a party in exchange for a favour. But Paul doesn’t realize what is truly at stake.
Directed by
Jordan Connor,
Derek Wallis
Kenny is an actor, writer and violinist, most notable for his four-season turn as Arnold on the award-winning CTV/NBC series Transplant. Kenny is an alumni of both BIPOC TV and Film’s TV Writers Lab (mentor Jeremy Boxen – Orphan Black) and Banff-Netflix Diversity of Voices.
Reunion
26 Minutes
Canada
English
Six friends gather at a cabin for their annual post-university reunion. One friend, Eric, an amateur videographer, documents their outing, as he always does. The weekend takes a turn when Eric is killed on tape by a masked intruder, an unexpected former schoolmate arrives, and the camera continues to record…
Directed by
Kenny Wong
Lindsay Owen Pierre is a Calgary-born, Montreal-raised, Toronto-dwelling actor of 25 years who is making his directorial debut with the film Répercuté. He has appeared as Malcom X opposite Angela Bassett and Mary J Blige in Lifetime's Betty and Coretta, as O'Sir on Star Trek Discovery, and as Detective Hastings on Law and Order: Toronto.
Répercuté
15 Minutes
Canada
French
A man comes home to his lover on their anniversary expecting a romantic night of celebration only to find his lover has another plan in mind… revenge.
Directed by
Lindsay Owen Pierre
Aidan Cheeatow is a filmmaker from Toronto, Canada. His work has screened at SLO Film Festival, DOC NYC, Blackbird film festival, and has featured on Shorted and Booooooom TV. Aidan’s directorial work largely explores family structure and weighing the importance of nature versus nurture.
Deadpan
5 Minutes
Canada
English
A family bids farewell to their beloved dog.
