• Secrets & Lies

Misinterpretations, deliberate distortions and shocking revelations—these films pull back the curtain on the things we keep hidden from ourselves and from each other.

Short Films

The Foster Portfolio

Based on a Kurt Vonnegut, Jr short story, a rookie investment counselor discovers his penniless client is hiding a million-dollar inheritance.

Joy Joy Nails

In an upmarket Connecticut strip mall, Korean Sarah manages a Korean-owned nail salon with an ever cheerful, K-pop pumping, manicured iron fist. When Chinese Mia starts training as a manicurist, and looks to be stealing the boss’s son’s affections, Sarah gets her claws out—only to discover that under the varnish, everyone’s a victim at JOY JOY NAILS.

The Peculiar Abilities of Mr. Mahler

In East Germany, a special investigator said to have paranormal abilities, is assigned the task of looking into the disappearance of a six-year-old boy.

Retouch

Maryam's husband does weightlifting at home. When a weight falls on his throat and puts him near death, Maryam makes a decision.

2017 ShortFest Archive