Friday Dec. 11th Schedule
5:45 The Friday Opening Show
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
Test
10 Min
by Jason Lifton
A seemingly unremarkable man spends a day taking a bizarre test at a mysterious facility. Through his day he interacts with the odd, detached employees of the facility, guiding him from section to section, obscuring the intentions or duration of the test.
A seemingly unremarkable man spends a day taking a bizarre test at a mysterious facility. Through his day he interacts with the odd, detached employees of the facility, guiding him from section to section, obscuring the intentions or duration of the test.
Natasha Says
11 Min
by Ben Medina
Illinois
A young student named Natasha negotiates life and art. This short film was created in collaboration with the Goodman Theatre and playwright Regina Taylor as a piece inspired by her play, "stop.reset".
A young student named Natasha negotiates life and art. This short film was created in collaboration with the Goodman Theatre and playwright Regina Taylor as a piece inspired by her play, "stop.reset".
The ART POLICE
12min
by Jonah Zeiger and Kimberly Harwood
Illinois
When Harry Scribner writes himself into a prison of his own imagination, only his fictional characters can break him out.
When Harry Scribner writes himself into a prison of his own imagination, only his fictional characters can break him out.
The Money Store
12 Min
by John Wildman
While buying a book a man notices other customers 'buying' money, when he attempts to do the same the things become complicated.
While buying a book a man notices other customers 'buying' money, when he attempts to do the same the things become complicated.
Delete
8 Min
by Jude Lim
Korea
Here is a digital-camera. It looks just normal. Take a photo of someone with it, and push the DELETE button on it. You will find something goes wrong.
Here is a digital-camera. It looks just normal. Take a photo of someone with it, and push the DELETE button on it. You will find something goes wrong.
Trailer
An Ode to Love
An Ode to Love
7 Min
by Matthew Darragh
New Zealand
A lonely man on a desert island explores the highs and lows of romantic love when a mysterious companion is washed ashore. Nothing will ever be the same. Or will it?
A lonely man on a desert island explores the highs and lows of romantic love when a mysterious companion is washed ashore. Nothing will ever be the same. Or will it?
Friday Dec. 11th Schedule
7:00PM - The Friday Evening Show
Olilo
6 Min
by Ao Li
New York
Olilo is a 2D animation that tells the story of an introverted girl held captive by her own semi-transparent personal space. Created through a combination of traditional frame-by-frame and digital drawing as well as key frame animation, the film focuses on love and its capacity to transform all things.
Olilo is a 2D animation that tells the story of an introverted girl held captive by her own semi-transparent personal space. Created through a combination of traditional frame-by-frame and digital drawing as well as key frame animation, the film focuses on love and its capacity to transform all things.
Welcome to Forever
13 Min
by Maria Lorenzana
California
It's 2067. A government technician severs a “Life-Link Cable.” His name is Cal Jenner and he's here to terminate Mr. Cooper, a digitized person who's been malfunctioning for years.
It's 2067. A government technician severs a “Life-Link Cable.” His name is Cal Jenner and he's here to terminate Mr. Cooper, a digitized person who's been malfunctioning for years.
Train of BS
4 Min
by Anthony Lipira
Illinois
A middle-aged musician struggles with life's challenges and must decide between going to work or playing guitar.
A middle-aged musician struggles with life's challenges and must decide between going to work or playing guitar.
Desire
10 Min
by Alice La Trobe
United Kingdom
A woman affected by her partner's wandering eyes finds a way to enter his mind.
A woman affected by her partner's wandering eyes finds a way to enter his mind.
Quarter Stack Blues
8 Min
by Maximilian Armstrong
Illinois
After learning she has been rejected by the Chicago Dance Company, Alice expresses her love for the music of an old blues player.
After learning she has been rejected by the Chicago Dance Company, Alice expresses her love for the music of an old blues player.
Radio Room : Nobody Told You
3 Min
by Jason Branagan
Ireland
An easily agitated man with a hammer and a briefcase wreaks havoc on unsuspecting people.
An easily agitated man with a hammer and a briefcase wreaks havoc on unsuspecting people.
El Capo de Capos
11 Min
by Eli Vazquez
Illinois
A prominent DEA Agent calls off his engagement, days before the biggest DEA operation in US History.
A prominent DEA Agent calls off his engagement, days before the biggest DEA operation in US History.
Moving On
11 Min
by Mike Spear, Marcia Fields
Imagine being awakened in the morning by a knock on your door, and opening it to find two movers hired by your girlfriend with the dual purpose of breaking up with you, and moving you out of your home. In this modern world where technology too often replaces actual human interaction, the most personal moments in our lives are being delivered by the most impersonal methods. This short film takes a look at what would happen if even breakups were contracted out. And you thought getting dumped by text was embarrassing! MOVING ON is about what happens when you find you need to move on and move out at exactly the same time.
Imagine being awakened in the morning by a knock on your door, and opening it to find two movers hired by your girlfriend with the dual purpose of breaking up with you, and moving you out of your home. In this modern world where technology too often replaces actual human interaction, the most personal moments in our lives are being delivered by the most impersonal methods. This short film takes a look at what would happen if even breakups were contracted out. And you thought getting dumped by text was embarrassing! MOVING ON is about what happens when you find you need to move on and move out at exactly the same time.
Dark Was the Night
19 Min
by Sam McMullen
United Kingdom
A teenage daughter, VIK, and her father, WYATT, eke out trapped lives aboard a crashed spaceship, separated from each other by a pane of glass. But Vik's beginning to get cryptic messages through her radio, messages that sound like they're coming from her mother, long thought dead in the crash. As her relationship with her caring but domineering father deteroriates, the messages increase in urgency, telling Vik to come outside. Soon, she'll have to make a choice she never wanted to - to step outside onto the planet's mysterious, dark surface.
A teenage daughter, VIK, and her father, WYATT, eke out trapped lives aboard a crashed spaceship, separated from each other by a pane of glass. But Vik's beginning to get cryptic messages through her radio, messages that sound like they're coming from her mother, long thought dead in the crash. As her relationship with her caring but domineering father deteroriates, the messages increase in urgency, telling Vik to come outside. Soon, she'll have to make a choice she never wanted to - to step outside onto the planet's mysterious, dark surface.
Friday Dec. 11th Schedule
8:45PM - Friday Night Lights
Awakenings
13 Min
by Bhargav Saikia
India
The line between dreams and reality is blurred when a young woman in charge of two children is haunted by mysterious entities.
The line between dreams and reality is blurred when a young woman in charge of two children is haunted by mysterious entities.
Stakeout!
6 Min
by Jessica Sherif and Erin Rye
California
Wren and Sophie are on their first ever mission. What could possibly go wrong?
Wren and Sophie are on their first ever mission. What could possibly go wrong?
Killer Kart
15 Min
by James Feeney
Florida
The shopping cart. Four wheels, one basket, and tonight, for the closing crew of a small-town grocery store, a blood-splattered aluminum nightmare!
The shopping cart. Four wheels, one basket, and tonight, for the closing crew of a small-town grocery store, a blood-splattered aluminum nightmare!
Hola Llamigo
4 Min
by Charlie Parisi and Christina Chang
New York
A boy lives a dull life full of chores on his father's ranch, until one day, he is befriends one of his father's livestock- a pinata llama!
A boy lives a dull life full of chores on his father's ranch, until one day, he is befriends one of his father's livestock- a pinata llama!
Breakfast Buddies
5 Min
Two roommates try to overcome their failed romances with women.
by John Lawniczak
Two roommates try to overcome their failed romances with women.
Jon Content - Somebody
5 Min
by Cam Be
Illinois
In a world were we are always told we will fail. It takes the belief in ourselves to succeed.
In a world were we are always told we will fail. It takes the belief in ourselves to succeed.
Bridgebuilders
7 Min
by Alan Dembek, Jordan Blazak
Amidst a small town victimized by unexplained disappearances, a local bartender is confronted by a stranger with curious motives.
Amidst a small town victimized by unexplained disappearances, a local bartender is confronted by a stranger with curious motives.
The Last Abduction
16 Min
by Frank Perrotto
California
A writer of sci-fi and fantasy novels becomes obsessed with obtaining proof that he has been the victim of multiple alien abductions.
A writer of sci-fi and fantasy novels becomes obsessed with obtaining proof that he has been the victim of multiple alien abductions.
El Guapo
5 MIn
by Brendan Gottlieb
The dashingly handsome, Zorro-esque Guapo must ride across the Mojave desert to rescue his beautiful desert flower, Rosa from his arch-nemesis Pheo.
The dashingly handsome, Zorro-esque Guapo must ride across the Mojave desert to rescue his beautiful desert flower, Rosa from his arch-nemesis Pheo.
F the Moon
14 Min
by Michael Dunne
Lynn is distraught after hearing the moon is floating away from Earth. Her boyfriend Robbie tries to console her, as they head out to meet up with friends for their first time as a couple. As
Lynn is distraught after hearing the moon is floating away from Earth. Her boyfriend Robbie tries to console her, as they head out to meet up with friends for their first time as a couple. As
the night unfolds, the group dynamic brings their budding relationship into uncharted territory as they learn more about each other than they expected in this dark comedy that spins out of control.
