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AFIN 2024 SCREENING PROGRAM
(All 3 Nights Below)

Screening 1 - Thu Oct 17th : CLICK HERE
Screening 2 - Fri Oct 18th : CLICK HERE
Screening 3 - Mon Oct 21st : CLICK HERE

2024 Screening 1 : A Shorts Journey

Thursday, October 17, 2024 - 5:30pm
DENDY Cinemas - Coorparoo, Brisbane

SEMPER LIBER: ALWAYS FREE
Directed by SiWen Shi

Short Film - Korea, Republic of - Australian Premiere - Self-rated M content guide
Runtime - 27m 52s

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AFIN 2024 NOMINEE
⭐ Best Emerging Female Director - SiWen Shi
⭐ Best Lead Performance - Moon-Jeong Jung
⭐ Best Student Film - YoungHoon Hwang

Trailer 

Synopsis

This is the story about 'April,' a young girl in her 20s, who
finds herself entangled in conflicts with her boyfriend, grappling with the pressures of a demanding workplace, and navigating a sense of direction lessness in her life following the sudden passing of her sole family member, her grandmother.

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WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU
Directed by Alec Goldberg

Short Documentary - United States - Australian Premiere - Self-rated M content guide
Runtime - 25m 37s

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AFIN 2024 NOMINEE
⭐ Best Documentary Short Subject - Ryan Connors, Clayton Susick

Trailer 

Synopsis

Two childhood friends, both now stand-up comics, explore their past trauma together.

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PORTIONS FOR FOXES
Directed by Dominic Vaughey

Short Film - Australia - Self-rated M content guide
Runtime - 14m 50s

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Synopsis

In the 17th-century village of Eyam, two sinners – Colette and Finlay – confront the danger of their pre-marital pregnancy in their parish town. As the black death descends on their village, all sinners are persecuted in a desperate attempt to cleanse Eyam of the plague.

Harbouring a now lethal secret, Colette and Finlay must make a fateful choice: flee the quarantined town in a daring escape, risking isolation and rejection from neighbouring civilisations, or stay and confront the weight of their forbidden love and the deadly consequences it might bring.

AFIN 2024 NOMINEE
⭐ Best Australian Supporting Performance - Brent Dunner
⭐ Best Production Design - Imogen Wernick
⭐ Best Costume Design - Abbey Rose
⭐ Best Student Film - Ani Parry

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LAND OF THE FREE: OUT OF THE SHADOWS
Directed by James Ganiere

Short Documentary - Australia - Australian Premiere - Self-rated M content guide
Runtime - 39m 26s

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AFIN 2024 NOMINEE
⭐ Best Documentary Short Subject - Lynn Santer, James Ganiere
⭐ Best Original Score - Mauritz Lotz, Mzansi Youth Choir

Trailer 

Synopsis

Shot in Uganda, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, South Africa, London, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Australia, both overtly and covertly, “Land of the Free: OUT OF THE SHADOWS” goes where no film has ever dared to go before to expose the full depth of subversion and the disinformation campaigns perpetrated by the trophy hunting industry.

Featuring icons, legends and real life superheroes including Priscilla Presley, Tippi Hedren, Her Majesty the late Queen Elizabeth II, former President of Botswana Lt Gen Seretse Ian Khama, Dame Dr Jane Goodall, Dame Virginia McKenna OBE star of the immortal classic “Born Free”, 2019 Albert Schweitzer Award recipient John Thompson, BAFTA winning actor Peter Egan, Sir Roger Gale MP (UK), those indigenous peoples on the ground where trophy hunting is occurring and many others.

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THE GREAT ABYSS
Directed by Jason R. De Ford

Short Film - Australia - Self-rated M content guide
Runtime - 16m 49s

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AFIN 2024 NOMINEE
⭐ Best Australian Film - Jason R. De Ford

⭐ Best Australian Lead Performance - Ras-Samuel
⭐ Best Visual Effects - Nipan Studio

Trailer 

Synopsis

In the depths of space, a lone traveler faces his final hours, grappling with mortality and an escalating conflict with his ship's A.I.

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PODCASTERS
Directed by Grace Wriggles

Short Film - Australia - Self-rated M content guide
Runtime - 11m 47s

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Synopsis

When two highly-uneducated-yet-enthusiastic sisters set out to start a podcast, their big dreams take a turn when they accidentally kill the first guest.

AFIN 2024 NOMINEE
⭐ Best Australian Film - Grace Wiggles, Brittany Grey
⭐ Best Australian Lead Performance - Brittany Grey
⭐ Best Australian Supporting Performance - Grace Wriggles
⭐ Best Emerging Female Director - Grace Wriggles
⭐ Best Supporting Performance - Grace Wriggles

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SASHA'S GAME
Directed by Lexee Paige Gordoun

Short Film - Australia - Queensland Premiere - Self-rated M content guide
Runtime - 29m 10s

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AFIN 2024 NOMINEE
⭐ Best Australian Film - Lexee Paige Gordoun, Angela Zhou
⭐ Best Australian Supporting Performance - Olga Olshansky
⭐ Best Director - Lexee Paige Gordoun
⭐ Best Emerging Female Director - Lexee Paige Gordoun
⭐ Best Produced Screenplay - Lexee Paige Gordoun
⭐ Best Production Design - Tessa Leal, Amy Rutstein
⭐ Best Supporting Performance - Olga Olshansky
⭐ Best Costume Design - Siobhan McMullen

Trailer 

Synopsis

Adapted from the book 'I AM SASHA,' based on a true story.

When a young Jewish boy, Sasha, is caught in the midst of WWII, his desperate mother Larissa sorts fake papers for them to forge their identity, however, in order for this to work, Sasha will have to battle his identity in a vital growth period in his life to survive the war as a female, Sala.

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2024 Screening 2 : A Family Friendly Shorts Journey

Friday, October 18, 2024 - 5:30pm
DENDY Cinemas - Coorparoo, Brisbane

GARDEN
Directed by Ziyu Luo

Music Video - United States - World Premiere - Self-rated G content guide
Runtime - 3m 57s

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AFIN 2024 NOMINEE
⭐ Best Music Video (Robert Lak, Ziyu Luo)

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THE EQUINE CONNECTION
Directed by James Stapledon

Short Documentary - Australia - World Premiere - Self-rated G content guide
Runtime - 29m 06s

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Synopsis

Isaac, a young Australian veteran, narrates his journey of recovery through horsemanship.
Wrestling with his past traumas, he discovers solace and purpose in working with horses, eventually sharing his newfound wisdom with others.
Meanwhile, Andy and her daughter Christina manage a small equestrian center in Cashmere, Queensland. They face challenges at a show jumping event but highlight the profound, albeit unseen, bond between humans and horses, especially in aiding children with disabilities.
Heather, a psychotherapist in Moorina, Queensland, underscores the therapeutic advantages of equine-assisted therapy for individuals grappling with mental health issues. These narratives intertwine to underscore the significant mental health benefits derived from forging connections with horses.

AFIN 2024 NOMINEE
⭐ Best Documentary Short Subject - James Stapledon

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LIFE OF KEA
Directed by Lyanna Kea, Taysha Melissa McFarland, Tristan Braines

Short Film - Australia - Self-rated PG content guide
Runtime - 6m

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AFIN 2024 NOMINEE
⭐ Best Australian Lead Performance - Lyanna Kea
⭐ Best Australian Supporting Performance - Sasha Leong

Trailer 

Synopsis

Aunty Kea; a brash, no-nonsense, Malaysian-Chinese woman navigates an impending financial demise which pushes her into the dating game for all the wrong reasons. Amidst this, Kea and her daughter struggle to mend their frayed relationship upon discovering a suitor that Kea does not approve of.

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BIRD DRONE
Directed by Radheya Jang Jegatheva

Animated Film - Australia - Self-rated G content guide
Runtime - 8m 55s

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Synopsis

A heartfelt story of unrequited love explored through a lonely seagull struggling to accept that his newfound object of affection is a human-operated drone with a limited battery life.

AFIN 2024 NOMINEE
⭐ Best Animated Film - Hannah Ngo
⭐ Best Australian Film - Hannah Ngo
⭐ Best Sound Design - Keith Thomas

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IN HALF
Directed by Jorge Morais Valle

Animated Film - Spain - Australian Premiere - Self-rated PG content guide
Runtime - 24m

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AFIN 2024 NOMINEE
⭐ Best Animated Film - Jorge Morais Valle

Trailer 

Synopsis

Through a child's imagination it tells the journey of a man who after falling prey to his fears, he must cross a strange world, a universe full of magic, where he will be confronted with his own fears and conflicts from the past and where he must find solutions for the future to discover his self-identity.

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CINEMA, TOO
Directed by Duncan Peake

Short Film - Australia - Self-rated PG content guide
Runtime - 23m 57s

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AFIN 2024 FINALIST
⭐ Best Australian Lead - Charlotte Stent
⭐ Best Australian Short Film - Duncan Peake

Trailer 

Synopsis

While working at his uncle's movie theatre, a film school graduate who has lost his ambition to become a director, gets into a dialogue with a young film enthusiast about the expectations and reality of the industry.

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FOUND POETRY
Directed by Fan Yang

Short Film - China - Self-rated G content guide
Runtime - 31m

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AFIN 2024 NOMINEE
⭐ Best Emerging Female Director - Fan Yang
⭐ Best Supporting Performance - Yinou Zhu

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HEEL
Directed by Thomas Fairchild

Short Film - Australia - Self-rated PG content guide
Runtime - 39m 59s

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AFIN 2024 NOMINEE
⭐ Best Australian Film - Thomas Fairchild
​⭐ Best Australian Supporting Performance - Tracie Filmer
⭐ Best Australian Lead Performance - Ian Bolt
⭐ Best Cinematography - David Aponas
⭐ Best Director - Thomas Fairchild
⭐ Best Film Editing - Thomas Fairchild
⭐ Best Lead Performance - Ian Bolt
⭐ Best Produced Screenplay - Thomas Fairchild
⭐ Best Sound Design - Thomas Fairchild

Trailer 

Synopsis

A farmer, grieving the loss of his dog, buys a time travel device to reunite with his four-legged companion; a plan that drives him towards a painful confrontation with the state of his life and those he has left behind.

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2024 Screening 3 : A Powerful Journey To The Matriarch

Monday, October 21, 2024 - 5:30pm
DENDY Cinemas - Coorparoo, Brisbane

TOTAL BUZZKILL - THE MATRIARCH
Directed by Jayden Creighton

Music Video - Australia - Self-rated M content guide
Runtime - 3m 57s

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Synopsis

Music video by Total Buzzkill performing "The Matriarch" (From the Motion Picture "The Matriarch").

AFIN 2024 NOMINEE
⭐ Best Music Video (Jayden Creighton)

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DIVE
Directed by Tyler Stanley Redmond

Short Film - New Zealand - Self-rated M content guide
Runtime - 15m

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Synopsis

"Dive" is a coming-of-age drama that follows a young competitive swimmer named Paula, who is trained by her father Troy. Despite her dedication and hard work, Paula's results don't meet her father's high standards. Meanwhile, Troy struggles with financial problems and the possibility of losing their home. As the national swimming competition approaches, tensions rise between father and daughter, and Paula begins to question her passion for the sport. The story explores the complex relationship between a father and daughter and the pressures of chasing success.

AFIN 2024 NOMINEE
⭐ Best Lead Performance - Lily Roebeck

⭐ Best Live Action Short Film - Ruth Gill, Tyler Redmond
⭐ Best Original Score - Maxwell Stone

⭐ Best Student Film - Ruth Gill, Tyler Redmond

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BURN OUT
Directed by Russell Goldman

Short Film - United States - Self-rated MA15+ content guide
Runtime - 12m 32s

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Trailer 

Synopsis

An assistant will do anything to get a presentation in front of his boss… even set himself on fire. Starring Everett Osborne (SWEETWATER) and Tommie Earl Jenkins (DEATH STRANDING). Produced by Jamie Lee Curtis and Film Independent. Filmed in the abandoned Quibi offices.

“Bold, singular, and impressive from start to finish. Completely insane. I loved it.” - David Ehrlich, Indiewire

AFIN 2024 NOMINEE
⭐ Best Lead Performance - Everett Osborne
⭐ Best Live Action Short Film - Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Fry, Wendy Wang, Everett Osborne
⭐ Best Original Score - Eric Poretsky
⭐ Best Produced Screenplay - Russell Goldman

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MONDAY MOURNING
Directed by Dustin Kahia

Short Film - United States - Self-rated PG content guide
Runtime - 12m

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AFIN 2024 NOMINEE
⭐ Best Lead Performance - Dominic Bogart
⭐ Best Student Film - Dustin Kahia

Synopsis

"Monday Mourning" delves into the enigmatic journey of Daniel, a man returning home after a long absence under mysterious circumstances. The story begins with a sense of intrigue, as Daniel prepares for a significant day, the nature of which is unknown. This deliberate ambiguity creates a compelling tapestry of unspoken emotions and complex family dynamics.

Throughout the film, the narrative invites exploration into the puzzle of Daniel's life. His interactions with his sister are laden with tension, nostalgia, and unspoken truths. The film captures the essence of a family reuniting, leaving viewers to ponder the reasons behind Daniel's prolonged absence and the nature of the gathering that has brought them together.

"Monday Mourning" is an exploration of emotional landscapes that define human relationships. It challenges viewers to reflect on themes of homecoming, reconciliation, and the unsaid words that linger in family relationships. The film is a poignant reminder of the complexities of coming to terms with one's past and the power of presence in the face of undefined loss. Engaging and thought-provoking, "Monday Mourning" is a cinematic experience, highlighting the delicate balance between what is said and what is left to the imagination.

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175
Directed by Kasra Karimi

Short Film - United Kingdom - Self-rated PG content guide
Runtime - 21m 50s

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Synopsis

Inspired by true events.
Rural England, early 2013. Ruth and Juliet are waiting for the British Parliament to legalise same-sex marriage so can get married. But Juliet suffers from a terminal illness and doesn't have long to live. They are racing against time.

AFIN 2024 NOMINEE
⭐ Best Produced Screenplay - Kasra Karimi

⭐ Best Supporting Performance - Suzanna Hamilton

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PROMISED
Directed by Christian Elliott

Short Film - United States - Self-rated PG content guide
Runtime - 23m

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Synopsis

Promised" is a poignant drama designed to raise awareness about human trafficking through the story of Seila and Chantrea, two Cambodian girls ensnared in its brutal reality. The film navigates between their hopeful beginnings and the subsequent nightmare, focusing on Seila's struggle as a pregnant teenager in a foreign hospital, her child cruelly snatched away at birth. Flashbacks reveal their journey from a Cambodian village into the hands of traffickers, promising easy work abroad but delivering only separation and suffering. Seila's resilience emerges as she seeks help, leading to her eventual escape with assistance from A21 and the Cambodian government. Though she secures justice against her trafficker, the search for her child and Chantrea's fate underscores the ongoing battle against trafficking. "Promised" aims to shed light on this dark issue, emphasizing the power of awareness, advocacy, and the indomitable human spirit.

AFIN 2024 NOMINEE
⭐ Best Director - Christian Elliott
⭐ Best Lead Performance - Kimsor Heng

⭐ Best Live Action Short Film - Sreylin Mae
⭐ Best Original Score - Troy Miller
​⭐ Best Produced Screenplay - Christian Elliott, Ines Sothea
⭐ Best Sound Design - Tim Hartnell
⭐ Best Supporting Performance - Sophep Keo

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THE MATRIARCH
Directed by Jayden Creighton

Feature Film - Australia - Self-rated MA15+ content guide
Runtime - 1h 21m 34s

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AFIN 2024 NOMINEE
⭐ Best Australian Lead Performance - Juliette Greenfield
⭐ Best Feature Film - Jayden Creighton

Trailer 

Synopsis

A thirteen year old girl kills her addict mother's boyfriend in self defense, and is subsequently terrorized by her own mother.

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