Short Films

The 1st Annual Big Sur
International Short Film Screening Series 2006

2006 Winner:

BINTA and The Great Idea
Director Javier Fesser, Spain/Senegal

Official selection for the final screening:

7:35 de la Manana, Director Nacho Vigalondo, Spain
Yellow Bird, Director Jessie Wallace, Canada
Charlie Noir, Director Keith Davidson, U.S.
El Gran Zambini, Director Igor Legarreta, Basque/Spain
Destino, Director Salvador Dali/Disney, USA/Spain
Harvey Krumpet, Director Adam Elliot, Australia

Please contact us if you are interested in participating in the Screening Series in 2008. Film submission guidelines etc. here.

"Best of Series" and the official selections were screened on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2006
Champagne, Wine, Chocolate, Raffle!
Music by Rizorkestra
Wine by Bargetto Winery
Ice by Deetjen's Big Sur Inn

For nearly three months, the Henry Miller Memorial Library featured the Big Sur International Short Film Screening Series. BSISFSS, pronounced /bah•SIS•fah•sis/, hosts a superb selection of drama, comedy and documentary films from around the globe. (See program below). Never before has the fine medium of short films been so artfully inserted into the natural beauty of towering Sequoia Sempervirens, all beneath the glimmering eyes of the night sky. On a less-than-modest 12 X 20 ft. screen, we project only the best short films from over fourteen countries, including: Australia, Canada, England, France, Germany, Ghana, India, Iran, Scotland, Senegal, South Korea, Spain, Sweden and USA.

However, as all good things must come to an end, we figured – why not end it with some style, a bang as it were. So, in the fashion that only the Henry Miller Memorial Library could conjure up, we decided to treat our loyal short film-goers with a glitzy and glamorous night of the series’ favorite films – possibly minus the glitz and the glamour. Tuxedos and cocktail dresses were optional; but please, tell Reginald to leave the limo at home (parking is limited). Fear not, however, because Hollywood could hardly compare to the magnificent movie magic that happened under Big Sur’s shining stars that don’t fade away into obscurity.

So, what was so grand about this series finale, you must be asking yourself. Ask no further, for the answer is at hand. The night began at 7:30 with champagne, wine and chocolate-covered goodies to loosen up and arouse appetite. Rizorkestra, a one-man-blues-roots-band, crooned everyone into a near-state of euphoria, while his music – it was said – helped with digestion. As eight o’clock ambled about – just as we had smoothed you into a suggestive state of mind – you experienced seven of the finest, funniest, and freakiest films this series had to offer. With the announcement of the Redwood Awards, as well as a raffle featuring some of the Henry Miller Memorial Library’s unmatched merchandise, many will surely tell their grandchildren one day, “It was a night to remember.”

Screenings 2006:
June 22, June 29, July 6, July 13, July 20, July 27, August 3, August 10, August 17, August 24, August 31.

Finale: Sept 10*

* Note this is a Sunday Night:

It is easy to support the festival either as an advertising sponsor or with personal donations. (upper right corner on this page)

Background, call for submissions etc. HERE.

Thursday, June 22

7:35 de la Manana, Director Nacho Vigalondo, Spain. 9 min.
"7:35 in the Morning" took the top prize at the prestigious Clermont-Ferrand International Festival -- often called the Cannes of short films -- and earned an Oscar nomination in the process.

Five Minutes, Mr. Welles, Director Vincent D'Onofrio, U.S. 30 min.
A directorial debut by Vincent D'Onofrio.

Talking with Angels, Director Yousaf Ali Khan, U.K. 18 min.
Winner of the "Grand Prix" at Melbourne International Film Festival.
Nominated for the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards.

One Minute Past Midnight, Director Celia Galan Julve, U.K. 11 min."Best Short Film" Award at Chicago International Film Festival.

Thursday, June 29

At Dawning, Director Martin Jones, U.K. 12 min. Golden Berlin Bear "Best Short" at Berlin International Film Festival.

A WOL, Director Rae McGrath, U.S., 25 min. Featured at Cannes and Clermont-Ferrand film festivals.

The Receipt, Director Tim Garrick, U.S. 16 min. An homage to "Run Lola Run." Won best comedic short at the L.A. International Short Film Festival and at the Breckenridge Film Festival.

Late Bloomer, Director Craig Macneill, U.S. 13 min. Audience Award at Lake Placid Film Festival.

Thursday, July 6

Blue Skies, Director Ann Marie Fleming, Canada, 7:20 min. FIPRESCI Prize at Montréal World Film Festival, Best Canadian Short Film at Toronto International Film Festival.

Blake’s Junction 7, Director Ben Gregor, U.K., 16 min. Cult Si-Fi group ‘Blake’s 7’ makes a late night stop at Newport Pagnell services on the M1...

Broken, Director Alex Ferrari, U.S., 9:30 min. Won "Best Director" at the Ocean City Film Festival, and "Best Director" at the Palm Beach International Film Festival.

Amal, Director Richie Mehta, Canada/India, 18 min. Won "Best Canadian Short Film" at the 5th Annual ReelWorld Film Festival.

Yellow Bird, Director Jessie Wallace, Canada, 14 min. Won "Best Art Direction" at Yorkton Short Film Festival.

Thursday, July 13

Our Time Is Up, Director Rob Pearlstein, U.S., 10 min. Our Time is Up was the most enjoyable short of the [Hamptons] festival, a nice 14-minute burst of perfect characterization, timing and humanity about a psychologist who realizes late (but not too late) what life is all about." -- S. Mark Rhodes, Films in Review

Birthday Boy
Director Sejong Park, Australia/Korea, 10 min. Nomintated for an Oscar "Best Short Film," won the "Best Animated Short" from the Film Critics Circle of Australia.

Last Dance: Rex Harrington’s Story
Director John Curtin, Canada, 43 min. Winner "Best Documentary at Yorkton Int'l Film Festival.

Hotchbetrieb (Nuts and Bolts)
Director Andreas Krein, Germany, 6 min. Won "Short Film Award" at Munich Film Festival and won "special mention" at Venice Film Festival.

Thursday, July 20

Dos Encuentros
Director Alan Griffin, Spain/Ghana, 21 min.
A subtle and gracefully shot bit of fiction about real-life poverty and the proximity of danger in Africa.

Charlie Noir
Director Keith Davidson, U.S. 9 min.
Long Beach International Film Festival: Merit Award, WorldFest Houston: Gold Award

Passing Hearts
Director Johan Brisinger, Sweden, 14 min.
Winner of the "Grand Prix" at Melbourne International Film Festival. Nominated for the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards.

BINTA and The Great Idea
Director Javier Fesser, Spain/Senegal. 30 min. Binta is a seven-year old girl who lives in a small village on the Casamance river in southern Senegal. She goes to school. Her cousin Soda, does not have the same good fortune and is not allowed to learn about the things of the world. Meanwhile, Binta's father (a humble fisherman) is concerned about the development of mankind and he is determined to carry out his great idea. Winner "Best Film by emerging Director." Chicago International Children's Film Festival

Thursday, July 27

Better or Worse
Director Jocelyn Cammack, U.K. 8 min. Awards: Prix UIP, European Film Academy, Grimstad 2001; Best Short Film, Gijon 2000; Best Short Film, Chicago 2000; Kodak/BAFTA North Best Short Film Award 2000, Special Jury Mention, Interfilm Festival Berlin 2000

Blue Caviar
Director Mikael Forsberg, Sweden, 15 min. Platinum Award at WorldFest HoustonFeatured at Cannes and Cairo film festivals.

Ana y Manuel
Director Manuel Calvo, Spain, 11 min.
Dumped by Manuel, Ana can think of nothing better to do than to replace him with...a great... big... hairy dog... with an enormous mouth...

The Act
Director Pi Ware, U.S. 10 min. Audience Award at Lake Placid Film Festival, OFFICIAL SELECTION 2005 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL.

El Gran Zambini
Director Igor Legarreta, Basque, 14 min.
Festival du Film Court de Villeurbanne : "Best European Short," Festival Internacional de Cine de Bilbao Gran Premio del Cine Español / Best Spanish Short Film

Thursday, August 3

Choque
Director Nacho Vigalondo, Spain/Basque, 10 min.
Director Nacho Vigalondo is the winner of over 60 awards for his films.

Amuak
Director Koldo Almandoz, Spain/Basque, 9 min.
Mr. Almandoz has won numerous international awards for his films. In Amuak a fisherman knows how to hook each fish. Now he's looking to hook the impossible catch...

El Desproposito
Director Zoe Barriatúa, Spain, 19 min.
A group of teenagers goes out on a weekend binge, involving pills and alcohol. When they start to run into trouble, they discover the limits of their friendship.

La Guerra
Director Luiso Berdejo & Jorge C. Dorado, Spain/Basque, 9 min. Berdejo has recently written the screenplay for Paco Plaza 's new movie, Cuento de Navidad. Dorado has made four short films to date and has worked as second assistant director on films like La mala educación, Moulin Rouge, Hable con ella, and El espinazo del diablo.

Éramos Pocos
Director Borja Cobeaga, Basque, 16 min.
Winner of Medina del Campo Film Fest and "Best Short" in Victoria B.C. Fest.

Thursday, August 10

Special Guest speaker: Susan Littenberg
Susan is a film editor and most recently edited the Gary Winick film, Charlotte's Web. She will give us a crash course in film editing!

Destino
Director Salvador Dali/Disney, USA/Spain, 6 min.
Dali's Disney Film. 'Destino' Project, Abandoned in 1946, brought to life again
In 1946, Salvador Dali and Walt Disney planned a cartoon together but the short subject Destino was left unfinished after Disney and its partner, RKO, decided it probably wouldn't make any money. Disney's nephew Roy Disney, who now heads the company's animation division, decided to revive the project. Destino is set to a Spanish song, devoid of dialogue and without a clear story line. It follows a dark-eyed ballerina on a journey among strange objects through a desert landscape in a dreamlike atmosphere. Disney plans to release a DVD next year with a documentary that tells the whole story.

Joey
Director Nancy Montuori Stein, USA, 14.37 min.
First Place Non Fiction Award - USA Film Festival, Certificate of Merit for Documentary Short - Chicago Film Festival. IndieProducer in Los Angeles has named "Joey" as a Top Ten Finalists for the IndieProducer short film contest.

Las Superamigas Contra el Profesor Vinilo
Director Domingo González, Spain, 15 min.
"The Super - Girlfriends Versus Doctor Vinyl..."

El Tren de la Bruja
Director Koldo Serra, Spain/Basque, 9 min.
Grand Prize, Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival, Best Spanish Short, San Sebastián Horror and Fantasy Film Festival, Best Short, Sitges - Catalonian International Film Festival, Méliès d’Or for Best European Fantastic Film. El Tren de la Bruja is about a man, used as a subject in an experiment on fear, and who is mentally tortured by the scientists who run the experiment.

Tumshie McFadgen's Bid For Ultimate Bliss
Director Simon Hynd, Scotland, 10 min.
Synopsis: How would it feel to experience the maximum whoopee in all five senses simultaneously? Tumshie McFadgen wants to know.

Thursday, August 17

Ester - Director Petra Elmquist, Sweden, 3:16 min
It’s Tuesday, a grey ordinary day like any other for most people. But for Ester it’s a favourite day – she goes swimming. She stands tall by the pool, reaches proudly for the skies and dives into the shimmering water, as she breaks the surface the under water world transforms into a weightless paradise.

Gimme Kiss, Director Sonja Lindstrom, USA, 6:46 min
Chronicles several types of kisses people share. The film is shot in classic black and white on the streets of the SF Bay Area.

A Step Into The Void Director Christian Sonderegger, France, 8 min
Original title: La Peur Du Vide. Christian Sonderegger was born in Strasburg in 1967. He attended the Louis Lumiere Film School in 1989. He has been the writer for long feature films. Now he’s working on the screenplay Le naufrage, his first feature as director. More than Step Into the Void he directed Indécence.

The Last Lacandones, Director Peter Torbiornsson, Sweden, 56 min.
For hundreds of years the Lacandones lived isolated in the immense rainforest. As the forest rapidly shrinks, their culture is dying. Where can you go in the era of globalisation? A film about a family at the crossroads between a mythical past and an unknown future. This film has special meaning to many in Big Sur who knew Giles Healey, the famous archeologist who, with the help of Lacandones, found and described the ruins of Bonampak. (for this reason we made an exception to our 40min. max. length rule).

Thursday, August 24

Espermazotoides
Director Isabel de Ocampo, Spain, 9:15 min
Pablito wants to know where babies come from.

At The End of The Sentence
Director Marisa Zanotti, Scotland, 10 min
Does Custer deserve one last chance? This darkly comic film follows an emotional journey through strange and beautiful landscapes. Scripted by award-winning writer David Greig with direction from Marisa Zanotti: A shimmering night-time Glasgow...

Foighidinn
Director Simon MIller, Gaelic/Scotland, 8 min
Foighidinn (The Crimson Snowdrop) Christmas Eve - Grandfather tells three children an epic tale of patience. Gaelic Short, shot on location in Skye. “Big budget epics could learn a thing or two from the way Foighidinn was made. A potent reminder of the culture and heritage of Gaelic Scotland...far outlasting its 15-minute telling.”

Still from "Foighidinn."

Pol Pot’s Birthday
Director Talmage Cooley, USA, 10 min.
Hunkered down in a field HQ, the film is set during the Pol Pot retreat through Cambodia toward the Thai border. Everybody has a birthday and murderous dictators are no exception and today, well it’s Pol Pot’s. So what do you do for one of the most feared men on the face of the planet?

Harvey Krumpet
Director Adam Elliot, Australia, 22 min.
Winner of the Academy Award for best animated short film.
Those of you familiar with Wallace and Gromit and Chicken Run will immediately recognise the style of animation used. But that is where any similarity ends, for Harvey Krumpet is a
very different kind of story...

Thursday, August 31

Expreso Nocturno
Director Imanol Ortiz Lopez, Spain 8 Min.
An extremely patient man shares a sleeping car on a night express train with a complete hypochondriac. Anxious for his berth mate to reveal any habits which might disturb his delicate sleep, the neurotic man subjects the other to an absurd interrogation.

Cotopaxi
Director Zack Copping, Scotland 13 Min
A unique tragi-comic tale about Alistar, who after years of avoiding his past, returns with camera crew in tow to 'rescue' his sister from a hippy commune in the Scottish Highlands.

Indecent
Director Christian Sonderegger, France 19:41
A young couple is making love in a bedroom. She's in love with him. She won’t stop telling him. He's not sure to be in love with her. He don’t know how to tell her. So she presents him an ultimatum : he can’t leave this room before telling her the three magical words she’s waiting for.

The Way We Played
Director Samir Methanovic, Scotland/Bosnia, 13 Min.
On the eve of war in Bosnia Stevo and Ramiz search for treasure in an ancient fortress; that night they witness events that will change their lives forever.

Dimmer
Director Talmage Cooley, USA, 12:20
A documentary glimpse into the life of Mike, a blind teenager growing up with a surprisingly tough gang of blind friends amid the abandoned factories of Buffalo, New York.

Sunday, September 10 @ 7.30
Best of Series, Champagne, Chocolates, Raffle & Awards.