Shorts Program 1: Life Is Unpredictable. Thankfully, It’s Also Hilarious.

Manatees Strike Back

Directed by Alec Castillo

After generations of boat strikes, a manatee finds themself fueled by an insatiable desire for revenge.

Dread Count

Directed by Hannah Gonzalez

Josh Phentin believes he is a ghost. While stalking his college campus draped in a blue sheet, he becomes obsessed with a girl named Lisa. Lisa likes Josh too, but is also slightly threatened by his behavior.

B!tch I’m Early (B.I.E.)

Directed by Jesse Cowell

In the corporate world, being FIRST is all that matters. Two women, a generation apart, find themselves locked in an absurd battle for a coveted promotion. Desperate to outshine each other, the ladies escalate their rivalry from petty arguments to an all-out race to the office.

Primo Hermano

Directed by Danny Garcia

A desperate actor runs into an estranged cousin who makes a compromising offer.

Perm and Circumstance

Directed by Maria Victoria Ponce

Inspired by his idol and wanting to impress the teacher he is crushing on, 13-year-old Juan Po gets a DIY perm done by his father. Now he must survive an entire day at school with a mangled ‘fro.

Wish You Were Here!

Directed by Liam Alexander

It’s 2006 and Darren can’t drive a stick shift…

Darren’s Sisyphean struggle is with a stick-shift car, but really, he’s facing off with the performance of masculinity and the expectations of other men.

Role Players

Directed by Anthony Palmini, Jaime Fernandez

This mockumentary follows three struggling creatives (a stage actor, a voiceover artist, and a podcaster) who each won a nationwide casting contest for a non-alcoholic tequila commercial. In their final group audition, their desperation to finally be taken seriously as performers will either get them the role… or expose just how far they’re willing to go to be more than role players.

Seaweed Snacks

Directed by Sylvia Ray

A hard-edged dad just wants to survive another birthday party, but when a try-hard super dad won’t take “no” for an answer, things get real awkward … real fast.