Saturday Dec 12
Saturday Dec. 12th Schedule
11:30AM - Saturday Matinee
The 12th Annual
Chicago International REEL Shorts Fest
This Years fest features almost 100 of the best short films from throughout the world. Comedies, action, drama, Horror, Demented, arts, we are showing a little of everything! So get tickets while you can!
Dec 11-12, 2015
Immobile Home
14 Min
by kira hesser & tyler cook
California
An odyssey for advice from a family who has too much of it.
An odyssey for advice from a family who has too much of it.
The Decision
13 Min
by Bruce Borowsky, Mike Scalisi,
and Marc Sotkin
Colorado
If you could change one decision you’ve made in your life and things would be as if you had taken a different path, what decision would you change?
If you could change one decision you’ve made in your life and things would be as if you had taken a different path, what decision would you change?
The Simple Gift of Walnut Grove
13 Min
by John Richard
Iowa
The Simple Gift of Walnut Grove is a short film about the life of an early 20th century Danish immigrant named Hans Hansen, as told by his son, 96 year old Walter Hansen. Hans emigrated from Denmark to the United States in 1899 and built a farm out of the native timber he found alongside a marginal piece of land on the Cedar River near West Branch, Iowa. Within Walter's soft-spoken account emerges the dynamic of a father-son relationship forged under the harsh conditions of the early Midwestern settlement.
The Simple Gift of Walnut Grove is a short film about the life of an early 20th century Danish immigrant named Hans Hansen, as told by his son, 96 year old Walter Hansen. Hans emigrated from Denmark to the United States in 1899 and built a farm out of the native timber he found alongside a marginal piece of land on the Cedar River near West Branch, Iowa. Within Walter's soft-spoken account emerges the dynamic of a father-son relationship forged under the harsh conditions of the early Midwestern settlement.
Bark Mitzvah
8 Min
by Carly Glenn
Illinois
Bark Mitzvah is a mockumentary-style short film that follows a Jewish family as they throw an extravagant, coming-of-age celebration...for their dog. Naturally, doggie drama abounds, but the family comes out stronger in the end. After all, you can't have a Bark Mitzvah without a little bite!
Bark Mitzvah is a mockumentary-style short film that follows a Jewish family as they throw an extravagant, coming-of-age celebration...for their dog. Naturally, doggie drama abounds, but the family comes out stronger in the end. After all, you can't have a Bark Mitzvah without a little bite!
Sure Thing
13 Min
by Deborah Reinisch
Bill takes the only available seat in a cafe--at Betty's table. Could she be the 'one'? Could he? Are there any guarantees when we open our hearts? Sure thing.
Bill takes the only available seat in a cafe--at Betty's table. Could she be the 'one'? Could he? Are there any guarantees when we open our hearts? Sure thing.
Christmas is Believing
24 Min
by Andrew M.A. Spear
A father must rediscover his lost passion for the holiday season or risk ruining Christmas for his five year old daughter.
A father must rediscover his lost passion for the holiday season or risk ruining Christmas for his five year old daughter.
Saturday Dec. 12th Schedule
1:30PM - Saturday Afternoon Show
Can I Stay?
4 Min
An apprehensive homeless girl must traverse a dangerous, wintry city in order to escape her adorable pursuers.
by Katie Knudson
An apprehensive homeless girl must traverse a dangerous, wintry city in order to escape her adorable pursuers.
Princess Kiki
6 Min
by Joshan Smith
Georgia, US
Princess Bellona is the successor to the throne of the fifth dimension, but runs away to earth to live the life of a normal teenage girl. However, an evil terrorist group sends an assassin after her, so she must transform to protect herself.
Princess Bellona is the successor to the throne of the fifth dimension, but runs away to earth to live the life of a normal teenage girl. However, an evil terrorist group sends an assassin after her, so she must transform to protect herself.
Fat Pants
6 Min
An animated autobiography about a dude trying to make sense of his learning disabilities, parents' failed marriage, and oversized clothing.
by Malcolm Rizzuto
An animated autobiography about a dude trying to make sense of his learning disabilities, parents' failed marriage, and oversized clothing.
Swallowed Whole
4 Min
by Heidi Kumao
Michigan
“Swallowed Whole” is a somber, animated, experimental film about surviving extreme isolation and physical limitations as a result of traumatic injury.
“Swallowed Whole” is a somber, animated, experimental film about surviving extreme isolation and physical limitations as a result of traumatic injury.
Serenade
3 Min
Jason is a romantic. He's also an idiot.
by Rob Tiffin
Georgia, US
Jason is a romantic. He's also an idiot.
Flat Feet
14 Min
by Aaron McGrath
California
'Flat Feet' is an offbeat comedy about Kenny, a stubborn down-on-his-luck nobody who takes up running to cope with his anxieties but can't overcome his self-imposed rivalry with a veteran athlete.
'Flat Feet' is an offbeat comedy about Kenny, a stubborn down-on-his-luck nobody who takes up running to cope with his anxieties but can't overcome his self-imposed rivalry with a veteran athlete.
Out of Touch
15 Min
by Danny Ahlfeld
France
Twenty-five years have passed since Tom Fitzgerald last saw his high school sweetheart, but from the moment he first sees her at the reunion, he thinks he made the right decision to attend. After the reunion, they meet for a drink at a local bar, where they catch up on old times and the years that have passed, and he tells her the real reason he came back to Chicago. Then, he learns the truth about her and realizes that she is not what she appears to be.
Twenty-five years have passed since Tom Fitzgerald last saw his high school sweetheart, but from the moment he first sees her at the reunion, he thinks he made the right decision to attend. After the reunion, they meet for a drink at a local bar, where they catch up on old times and the years that have passed, and he tells her the real reason he came back to Chicago. Then, he learns the truth about her and realizes that she is not what she appears to be.
Seven Ways from Sunday
8 Min
by Robert Sickels
Every once in a while, often when we least expect it, somebody randomly interacts with us in a way that forces us to gaze upon ourselves through the lens of how others see us and that can forever alter our perception of how we fit into the world. Through an innovative blend of documentary audio and mixed media visuals, Seven Ways From Sunday compellingly chronicles a series of these unexpectedly startling moments of personal revelation, resulting in a powerful meditation on how seemingly fleeting moments of human contact can have profound long-term repercussions.
Every once in a while, often when we least expect it, somebody randomly interacts with us in a way that forces us to gaze upon ourselves through the lens of how others see us and that can forever alter our perception of how we fit into the world. Through an innovative blend of documentary audio and mixed media visuals, Seven Ways From Sunday compellingly chronicles a series of these unexpectedly startling moments of personal revelation, resulting in a powerful meditation on how seemingly fleeting moments of human contact can have profound long-term repercussions.
Trick or Treat
6 Min
by Debbie Stone
Illinois
It’s Halloween night as usual for three trick-or-treaters until they come to a house with no lights on.
It’s Halloween night as usual for three trick-or-treaters until they come to a house with no lights on.
Tick Tock
9 Min
by Zeynep Kocak
Turkey
An old man wakes up to a routine day with his cat, who is his only friend. After making his breakfast, while drinking his coffee near a window, he watches the street, people, and life. He wants to be inside this life like he used to be. Then he comes up with an idea to break this routine circle, and end his loneliness.
An old man wakes up to a routine day with his cat, who is his only friend. After making his breakfast, while drinking his coffee near a window, he watches the street, people, and life. He wants to be inside this life like he used to be. Then he comes up with an idea to break this routine circle, and end his loneliness.
Saturday Dec. 12th Schedule
3:00PM - Saturday Late Afternoon Show
Iowa
6 Min
by Malachy Walsh & Alex Vietti
California
Are relationships based on what you remember? Or what you forget?
Are relationships based on what you remember? Or what you forget?
The Champion
18 Min
by Patrick McGowan, Brett Garamella
Massachusetts
A former Iraqi boxing champion, Estaifan Shilaita overcomes tremendous hardships as he builds a special bond with his family and taxi cab customers in Chicago.
A former Iraqi boxing champion, Estaifan Shilaita overcomes tremendous hardships as he builds a special bond with his family and taxi cab customers in Chicago.
Brass
8 Min
by Gerard Gundling
Illinois
He loves her, she loves him but their boss is jealous and not a very nice guy. A stop-motion animation featuring the music of Peter Gundling.
He loves her, she loves him but their boss is jealous and not a very nice guy. A stop-motion animation featuring the music of Peter Gundling.
Figure 2.1
9 Min
by Katie Sponseller
Ohio
Tobin is on a mission to fix the broken pipes in his kitchen. While searching for a plumbing reference, he comes across an odd sexual instruction book. Even more odd, he finds an image of his wife plopped right in the center. Tobin lets his insecurity get the best of him and when he goes home to confront her, he finds that things are nearly as broken as they seem.
Tobin is on a mission to fix the broken pipes in his kitchen. While searching for a plumbing reference, he comes across an odd sexual instruction book. Even more odd, he finds an image of his wife plopped right in the center. Tobin lets his insecurity get the best of him and when he goes home to confront her, he finds that things are nearly as broken as they seem.
Lost Reflection
7 Min
by Darren James
Illinois
Never judge a book by it's cover, so the saying goes. But what if that book holds something darker inside. Things aren't what they seem as we go into the mind of a seemingly ordinary guy as he encounters a series of women. What is real and what is fantasy...and where is the line between them?
Never judge a book by it's cover, so the saying goes. But what if that book holds something darker inside. Things aren't what they seem as we go into the mind of a seemingly ordinary guy as he encounters a series of women. What is real and what is fantasy...and where is the line between them?
Butterfly Hunter
19 Min
by Min-Yu Chen
Taiwan
It's a tradition for the family, the butterfly hunters, to finish their own pictures of butterflies. However, as time goes by, the environment changes a lot and the forests began to disappear rapidly, which make butterflies diminish. How can these butterfly hunters accomplish their own works?
It's a tradition for the family, the butterfly hunters, to finish their own pictures of butterflies. However, as time goes by, the environment changes a lot and the forests began to disappear rapidly, which make butterflies diminish. How can these butterfly hunters accomplish their own works?
The concept comes from some key words from Taiwan : a kingdom of butterflies, a country of exporting butterflies, and Euploeas ( the second largest group of native butterflies.)
Blank
6 Min
by Aman Khan
India
A strange car robbery turns an average joe’s life upside down. His lack of better judgment leads him into a crafty trap and leaves him Blank, literally.
A strange car robbery turns an average joe’s life upside down. His lack of better judgment leads him into a crafty trap and leaves him Blank, literally.
Baby Crazy
16 Min
by Haroula Rose
Illinois
What happens when Mike wakes up to a baby in his house?
What happens when Mike wakes up to a baby in his house?
Saturday Dec. 12th Schedule
5:00PM - Saturday Evening Show
First Date
3 Min
by Kaitlin Loftus
Canada
Ted and Jenna come to the end of an adorable first date. After having their first kiss and a slightly awkward goodbye, Jenna drives off. Not before giving one final goodbye. She drives off feeling pretty great about herself, until something terrible happens.
Ted and Jenna come to the end of an adorable first date. After having their first kiss and a slightly awkward goodbye, Jenna drives off. Not before giving one final goodbye. She drives off feeling pretty great about herself, until something terrible happens.
Domestic Protocol
7 Min
by Sharad Kant Patel
Texas
The Norman Rockwell-esque fabric of a small town is wrinkled when a woman crosses into dangerous intrigue.
The Norman Rockwell-esque fabric of a small town is wrinkled when a woman crosses into dangerous intrigue.
Who is Riley Oakes?
20 Min
by Ron Devitt
Canada
Two high school slackers stumble upon a discarded set of old reel-to-reel tapes, labeled 'Riley Oakes'. When they listen to the voice on the tapes they discover the Riley uses music to overcome a disability and decide to find him as part of a school project.
Two high school slackers stumble upon a discarded set of old reel-to-reel tapes, labeled 'Riley Oakes'. When they listen to the voice on the tapes they discover the Riley uses music to overcome a disability and decide to find him as part of a school project.
We Interrupt This Broadcast
7 Min
by Kurt Raether
Wisconsin
A security guard at a museum spends his late night shifts reenacting old radio dramas. Tonight: Orson Welles' War of the Worlds. Are we truly alone? Is he? Inspired by the 100th anniversary of Orson Welles' birth.
A security guard at a museum spends his late night shifts reenacting old radio dramas. Tonight: Orson Welles' War of the Worlds. Are we truly alone? Is he? Inspired by the 100th anniversary of Orson Welles' birth.
Power(less)
4 Min
by Cristen Leifheit
Illinois
In Power(less), residents of the forest feel the benefits and repercussions of a technology driven landscape change in their natural habitat. Using the medium of stop motion, the landscape is physically transformed to contemplate the life and force of technology and its integration to the means of our survival.
In Power(less), residents of the forest feel the benefits and repercussions of a technology driven landscape change in their natural habitat. Using the medium of stop motion, the landscape is physically transformed to contemplate the life and force of technology and its integration to the means of our survival.
Family Meal
10 Min
by Carlos Prias
Illinois
A ten year old child who, excited about his father coming back after years of absence, gets everything ready for dinner with the help of his mother, only to realize that his father isn’t returning
A ten year old child who, excited about his father coming back after years of absence, gets everything ready for dinner with the help of his mother, only to realize that his father isn’t returning
Liar
10 Min
by Conor O'Callaghan Gould
In the aftermath of a violent bank robbery, a hardened detective struggles to discover the truth.
In the aftermath of a violent bank robbery, a hardened detective struggles to discover the truth.
Out of Order
4 Min
by Nathaniel Shrage
New York
A young man has a heart that is like a vending machine. It takes quarters and gives love. Unfortunately, the heart is missing a gear. Thus, the young man must either retrieve the gear from his ex-girlfriend or move on and find a replacement part.
A young man has a heart that is like a vending machine. It takes quarters and gives love. Unfortunately, the heart is missing a gear. Thus, the young man must either retrieve the gear from his ex-girlfriend or move on and find a replacement part.
Moses
6 Min
by Mike Biondo
Jimmy wakes to find his apartment door open. His cat Moses, missing. And his bag of heroin, empty.
Jimmy wakes to find his apartment door open. His cat Moses, missing. And his bag of heroin, empty.
Meridians
9 Min
An acupuncturist forms a primal bond with her female patient after years of treatment.
by Blake Rice
California
An acupuncturist forms a primal bond with her female patient after years of treatment.
#1 at the Apocalypse Box Office
10 Min
by Margaret M. Mac Donald
Australia
Jules is, self declared, the most useless person in the post apocalyptic world, until he finds an old film camera and determines to make the greatest movie in the new world... the only movie in the new world. But his first day filming is proving to be much more difficult than he imagined. Who knew that making a movie after the end of the world would be so hard?
Jules is, self declared, the most useless person in the post apocalyptic world, until he finds an old film camera and determines to make the greatest movie in the new world... the only movie in the new world. But his first day filming is proving to be much more difficult than he imagined. Who knew that making a movie after the end of the world would be so hard?
Saturday Dec. 12th Schedule
6:45PM - Saturday Night Shorts
After Flowers
11 Min
by Nicola Dodd
New York
After his mom passes away, Chris moves in with his grandmother and tries to come to terms with his grief.
After his mom passes away, Chris moves in with his grandmother and tries to come to terms with his grief.
Dissonance
12 Min
A solider searches through the destructive fabrics of war for his family.
by Taylor Frontier
A solider searches through the destructive fabrics of war for his family.
Alchemy
15 Min
by Brandon Polanco
As a failed everyman begins to work through pages and pages of questions, time elongates. He finds himself tormented, isolated, battling the unknown, ultimately transcending into a heightened reality, discovering a new life between multiple worlds both familiar and otherworldly.
As a failed everyman begins to work through pages and pages of questions, time elongates. He finds himself tormented, isolated, battling the unknown, ultimately transcending into a heightened reality, discovering a new life between multiple worlds both familiar and otherworldly.
ANTI-BODY
8 Min
by Eric Liberacki
Illinois
An ambitious medical school student synthesizes his experimental vaccine to prepare for a new and highly contagious virus. He spends the next twenty two days dealing with the side effects.
An ambitious medical school student synthesizes his experimental vaccine to prepare for a new and highly contagious virus. He spends the next twenty two days dealing with the side effects.
In the Dark
13 Min
by Will Schneider
A couple's marriage falls apart as their son insists that a man is living inside his closet.
A couple's marriage falls apart as their son insists that a man is living inside his closet.
Natural Insemination
17 Min
by Crosby Selander
A romantic farce about a happily married couple and the increasingly desperate measures they take to get pregnant.
A romantic farce about a happily married couple and the increasingly desperate measures they take to get pregnant.
Magic Matty
4 Min
by Nico Raineau
California
A brash birthday magician attempts to save a child's party with a mischievous trick.
A brash birthday magician attempts to save a child's party with a mischievous trick.
Alex & Sylvia
10 Min
Christian Lachel
California
When Sylvia, a successful scientist, must take over her grandmother's small-town bakery she discovers that life sometimes has different plans for you.
When Sylvia, a successful scientist, must take over her grandmother's small-town bakery she discovers that life sometimes has different plans for you.
Saturday Dec. 12th Schedule
8:30PM - Best of the Fest Show
Join us for the 12th annual Chicago International REEL Shorts Film Festival's 'Best of the Fest' Show. This is the show that shouldn't be missed, it highlights award winning films from throughout the fest. Some of our favorites and some of yours (the audience).
The line-up of films will not be made available before the show, so if you want to know, you’ll have to go.
Please help us spread the word, share this post and tell your friends!
C.I.R.S.F Seeks Sponsors
Project Chicago is always looking to join forces with all types of sponsors.
We have sponsorship slots available in a variety of levels, be it Title Sponsor, Premier sponsor or Partners. If you are Interested in some cross promotion to the Arts people of Chicago, Let us Know!
Project Chicago is always looking to join forces with all types of sponsors.
We have sponsorship slots available in a variety of levels, be it Title Sponsor, Premier sponsor or Partners. If you are Interested in some cross promotion to the Arts people of Chicago, Let us Know!
