Our 2024 Finalists

It's our pleasure to present this year's finalists. Thank you to all of those who submitted.

ASHES ASHES WE ALL FALL DOWN

Directed by MAREN HILL

After not returning home for her mother's funeral, a young woman is forced to confront her guilt and grief when, desperate for cash, she takes a Craigslist ad gig to be a paid mourner at somebody else's increasingly absurd funeral.

@marenhill_

@aawafd_film

AYO, CHECK UP!

Directed by NATHAN XIA

Two men's internalized struggles manifest in an incredibly toxic 1v1 basketball game.

@nathanxia

@ayocheckupfilm

www.nathanxia.com

THE BUTTERFLIES OF LOVE

Directed by AIDEN GILKMANN

Two musical stars from the golden age of Hollywood have been given the fountain of youth, and a chance to rekindle their love in the modern world, but with that power comes a lifetime of pain and regret.

@thebutterfliesoflovefilm

CALLER 102

Directed by TURNER BARROWMAN

When a blackhat hacker gets hit with a coincidentally-timed power surge while attempting to defraud a radio contest, he begins to unravel a web of conspiracy that threatens to bring down his life’s work and send him spiraling into oblivion.

Caller 102 IMDB

GOLDEN CHILD

Directed by HANNAH LEVIN

A young woman is reunited with her childhood friend at a pool party and reckons with the fact that he used to pee on her when they were kids.

@hannahblevin

@goldenchildfilm

hannahbarrettlevin.com

GOOD GRIEF

Directed by MEGAN CHUMBLEY

What should be a sober memorial devolves into a chaotic frenzy as a young woman’s attempt at coping with her father’s suicide is derailed by her self-centered family.

@goodgrief.mov

INTO THE EMERALD SEA

Directed by ASUKA LIN

From the ocean, Suzu returns to their quiet seaside town in Japan, where their grandmother has reincarnated into a sea turtle. Both must undergo their own process of reconnection to each other and with themselves. Inspired by the Japanese fisherman folktale Urashima Taro, and missing our grandmothers.

@asuka_bot

asuka.cloud

GHOST GIRL

Directed by PAAVO HANNINEN

On the eve of traveling from New Orleans to Los Angeles for a major career opportunity, an aspiring actress runs lines with her friend and collaborator. During their late-night rehearsal, the performance of their friendship crumbles.

@paavohanninen

paavohanninen.com

K-I-S-S-I-N-G

Directed by BECKY PORTMAN

K-I-S-S-I-N-G is a coming of age, queer, rom com about making out, growing up, and everything in between. We follow RUTHIE through puberty and young adulthood as seen through her first seven kisses.

@omgtherealbecky

@kissingthefilm

LEGALLY BROWN

Directed by KIRSTEN HOANG

A scrappy brown high school girl must fight her way to be Elle Woods when the lead of her school's production of Legally Blonde: The Musical gets seriously injured ten minutes before showtime.

@legallybrownfilm

LEPTIC

Directed by EMMETT KOWALSKI

A narcoleptic housekeeper begins a relationship with the mysterious woman living across the street.

@iamttemmek

emmettkowalski.com

JOB

Directed by MAXWELL KLAIBER

Job is on his way home from his job. He believes he is cursed by God.

@maxwell_hughes_

@jordan_moran15

Back to The Program

ROUND ROBIN

Directed by MARIA BELAFONTE

In a world of sequins and smiles, Anna Legare, groomed for pageantry since childhood by her mother Patricia, grapples with a crushing truth: she'll never be enough for Patricia's dreams. Patricia, living vicariously, hopes Anna will achieve the unfulfilled future she once craved.

@mariabelafonte

mariabelafonte.com