saturday april 9

COMPETITION PROGRAM NINE

80 min. followed by filmmaker Q&A.
Program play order to be announced.

NINE IN SHORT: Flying books and amusingly monstrous parents offer some gentle life lessons. Mischievous boys and seemingly naughty girls. A fable about caring instead of ignoring. A thoughtful tale about seeing — and being — differently.  And a nursery room decoration that goes wildly awry. This international animation extravaganza is suitable for all movie lovers 5th grade and older. Some films subtitled in English. Filmmaker guests expected.

Apollo
A tiny rocket makes an impact on a big wish. (Felix Gönnert, Germany, 6 min., A) Colorado Premiere

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
This lyrical love letter to books celebrates the transformative powers of storytelling. (William Joyce, USA, 17 min., A) Colorado Premiere

The Little Boy and the Beast
Sometimes parents can be unrecognizable. But with a little patience and good humor, young Haro shows how to tame the beast. (Johannes Weiland and Uwe Heidschötter, Germany, 7 min., A) Colorado Premiere

The Lost Thing
A young boy tries to find a home for the strange creature he finds on the beach, only to discover that he seems to be the only one who cares. (Andrew Ruhemann and Shaun Tan, Australia, 15 min., A)

Mobile
A child’s toy cow tips the balance of destiny in this humorous fantasy. (Verena Fels, Germany, 6 min., A) Colorado Premiere

Snowflakes and Carrots
Why is the little girl stealing the snowmen’s noses? A sweet tale to usher in spring. (Samantha Leriche-Gionet, Canada, 4 min., A) Colorado Premiere

Specky Four-Eyes
Arnaud’s prescribed glasses interfere with his best views: the fantastical world his shortsightedness enables him to imagine.(Jean-Claude Rozec, France, 9 min., A) Colorado Premiere

COMPETITION PROGRAM TEN

80 min. followed by filmmaker Q&A.
Program play order to be announced.

TEN IN SHORT: A sweet story with aftershave, a schoolboy crush, and the proverbial other guy. The joy of parody. A beguiling contemporary fairy tale. Two evocative meditations on home: what it means when you have — or don't have — one. And two stories, one with coffee, another with tea, that upend expectations. Filmmaker guests expected.

Bee Sting
A young boy and his father compete for a teacher’s affections in this charming take on the complications of love. 
(Heath Davis, Australia, 14 min., F) Colorado Premiere

The Dark Side
An NFL star meets his match in an overbearing mother. With Peyton Manning and Seth Meyers.
 (Mark Teitelman, USA, 4 min., F) Colorado Premiere

Dreams Awake
Far from home, a man discovers the strength of his voice and uses it for the good of his community. (Kevin Gordon and Rebekah Meredith, USA, 7 min., D)

The Last Norwegian Troll
One bumbling bridge troll, three sly goats, and a proverbial battle of the wits that gets a clever update in this refashioned fairytale classic narrated by Max Von Sydow. (Pjotr Sapegin, Norway, 13 min., A) North American Premiere

Minka
A transplanted Japanese farmhouse forms the heart of this intimate meditation on the power of place, the meaning of home, and the depths of true friendship. (Davina Pardo, USA, 15 min., D) Colorado Premiere

Steve
Neighborly civility is put to the test when a lonely lodger (Colin Firth) repeatedly shows up at the door of a bickering upstairs couple (Keira Knightley and Tom Mison), first suggesting, then demanding a cup of tea. (Rupert Friend, UK, 16 min., F) Colorado Premiere

Tasnim
Excited by her father’s surprise arrival and determined to see him, spirited 10-year-old Tasnim summons up the nerve to disregard the conservative norms of her Bedouin village. (Elite Zexer, Israel, 12 min., F) North American Premiere | Film Guest Expected

COMPETITION PROGRAM ELEVEN

80 min. followed by filmmaker Q&A.
Program play order to be announced.

ELEVEN IN SHORT: Finding true love is never easy, but it's definitely possible for the intrepid, imaginative romantic. Foot in mouth is the operative phrase for two relationship tales with edge. Bizarre birds of a feather stick together. The basketball court heats up in a suspenseful story that's all about respect. The eloquence of filial love. Filmmaker guests expected.

Animal Love
The Internet and house pets pave the way for two awkward introverts (Selma Blair and Jeremy Davies) to unexpectedly connect. (Mollie Jones, USA, 16 min., F) Colorado Premiere | Film Guest Expected

Baldguy
An exuberant comedy about the risks and delights of being yourself and following your heart. Think Glee, with a Nordic twist. (Maria Bock, Norway, 12 min., F) International Premiere

Film Title to be announced.

dik
A child’s drawing is the inadvertent catalyst for this spirited domestic comedy about sexuality and secrets. (Christopher Stollery, Australia, 10 min., F) International Premiere | Film Guest Expected

Hector Is Gonna Kill Nate
It’s almost start time. But Hector wants revenge. Cortez wants to start. Nate wants to live, and basketball coach Mr. Settara will go to extraordinary lengths just to play the game. A suspenseful drama that defies expectations. (Ari Issler, USA, 13 min., F) World Premiere | Film Guest Expected

Love Birds
A pair of unusual birds guards a nest egg in this startlingly off-beat comedy. (Brian Lye, Czech Republic, 7 min., F) Colorado Premiere

sexting
Fed up with her relationship with a married man, a young woman (Julia Stiles) decides to meet his wife for coffee. (Neil LaBute, USA, 8 min., F) Colorado Premiere

The Unspoken
A son’s heartfelt tribute to his father. (Jason van Genderen, Australia, 4 min., D) International Premiere | Film Guest Expected

Click here to download the Shortsfest 2011 Program Guide in PDF format