WELCOME TO THE 2021 GRIZZDANCE FILM FESTIVAL!

Coming Attractions

Directed by: Bijon S.

The thoughts of a black mid-twenties college film student as he attends classes and live sport video shoots.

Their Side

Directed by: Danielle Parker

The film documents a custody battle between two parents and its lasting effects on their children, as they learn to cope with the truth and find closure on their own terms.

Your Day
Directed by: Larissa Hanna

An experimental film following Nina, a young Assyrian girl as she battles with expectations of her in this diaspora community. As we discover Nina’s full form of expression that she is often forced to hide, we learn that she is not alone.

Toxic Twins
Directed by: Joe Molloy

Two twins discuss their mothers birthday party plans. 

House of Cards

Directed by: Ethan Tocco

The beauty of assembling a house of cards.

The Hands Dealt

Directed by: Ethan Tocco

Throwing cards becomes a dangerous game.

Lilith

Directed by: Tommie Green

Adam and his wife, Eve, enjoy a good time with old classmates at a college reunion. Problems occur when they are approached by their former classmate, Lilith.

Before We Go

Directed by: Cameron Kanachki

Prior to a major trip, a young woman tells her girlfriend about the strained relationship between her & her father.

Beetle
Directed by: Michaela Dorflinger

A young writer discovers the magic of trusting herself through an odd encounter with a young sprite.

Suburban Division

Directed by: Abby Wittwer

Explores the perspective of a person living in a Michigan suburb during the 2020 presidential election and their unique point of view on how politics affect them.

Caller 45

Directed by: JC Carroll

After overhearing a murder on the other end of a phone call Mark must face his own past as well as dive into the mystery unfolding in front of him. 

 The Subject’s Attribute
Directed by: Emile Garçon

In the alleys of the Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris, Arthur’s looking for love. But all the girls he meets have the same name: Juliet.

The Cuckoo Calls

Directed by: Cindy Schröer

Barry, a bird who lives and works together with his friendly robot companion, is called to explore the outside world.  Barry and his robot must come up with a solution that could work for both of them.

Naima’s Movie

Directed by: Sami Saif Sirelkhatim

A young filmmaker makes a film honoring his childhood nanny’s life and their close bond.

Peach!
Directed by: Christina Su

A young monkey looks forward to eating a giant peach, but a panda makes it a challenging task.

Wave Land

Directed by: Ugo Aubry

Elio, a 15-year-old designer, is captivated by the atmosphere of the skatepark. When he meets Gwen, a young skateboarder with a strong temperament, Elio tries desperately to learn the hard rules of the arena.

Dromaeo

Directed by: MK Sicree

Two raptors try to catch and eat a small pterodactyl.

Nora

Directed by: Jake Vriezelaar

Quarantine takes away a rite of passage for Nora, a member of the class of 2020.

Lignum Love

Directed by: Gabi Bania

An animated reflection about the nature of love. Within the harmony of nature, one life gives birth to a new one. Life, death, people, trees; We all are connected and form one common circle.

St. George and the Dragon

Directed by: Gus Kearns

A family of medieval entertainers perform the legend of ‘St George and the Dragon’ for the local townsfolk. This stop-motion animation pays homage to the “Mystery Plays” of the medieval era which were typically performed by a travelling troupe for both adults and children to enjoy.

 Morning Beat
Directed by: Ian Fallon

Alice refuses to listen to Elliot’s song. Elliot steals her bag. Alice chases him down.

 Where the Sea Met the Sky
Directed by: Maddie Billok

The ocean takes human form to spend the day in a small beach town. There, a chance encounter with a stranger turns their quiet day into something more..

 Baggage
Directed by: Kasra Azad

Shot on 16mm film, a disorganized student must confront the physical manifestation of his problems..

Absolution

Directed by: Lauren Rutledge, Frederick Raske, Christian Sladovich

A young woman enters into a chess battle with her biggest enemy, who she refuses to lose against again.

 Muggy
Directed by: Phynley Joel

Newly moved to the US from New Zealand, 12 year old Muggy struggles to feel truly at home in a place so different from what she’s always known.

Danse Macabre

Directed by: Yomna Mohamed Ismail

Animation that captures the subjective experience of anxiety. The protagonist yields to her gloomy thoughts and waltzes in a dance of death with her dark self. Before all hope is lost, a friend arrives.

World and Me

Directed by: Kudratillayev Eldor

The boy who takes the water with difficulty, gives the water back to nature.

‘Cause a Night

Directed by: Laura Díaz Martín

Julio couldn’t forget her face after that night. So much that even at the sea he went to look for what the moon had given to him

Trend
Directed by: Ahmed Tarek Samy

Farid, a struggling artist, desperately tries to find fame and glory through social media. Negative feedback takes a heavy psychological toll on him. He finally finds celebrity, but at what cost?

Forward

Directed by: Evan Bennett Hisey

A story told in reverse, a boy struggles with the past while discovering peace for the future, all while the truth is being uncovered.

Melody of War

Directed by: Nadia Kal

This poetic film pays tribute to the victims of the Circassian Genocide. It follows an old man near the Black sea, reflecting the pain of losing Circassian culture.

1133

Directed by: Houri Shafieioun

In Iran, only men have the right to divorce (Article 1133). This drama explores the consequences of the law on a woman trapped in her marriage.

Through

Directed by: Gaukhar Akzhol

Water flows away, draining the sources. Zere devotes her life to everyone except herself – accepts, let it go, loves.

Cave Ablaze

Directed by: Daniel Williams

This animated story follows a cowardly caveman who must learn to make fire with the help of his living cave paintings in order to survive.

Behind the Jugular

Directed by: Zoe Armit

Short animated documentary, featuring an ex-abattoir worker describing his experiences within the slaughterhouse. The film gives a raw account of the restricted and often ignored industry, intended to prompt the audience to consider, and reconsider, their ethical beliefs and values.

The Screenwriter’s Lament

Directed by: Paolo Martinez

With the clock ticking, screenwriter Eve Young struggles to come up with a story to tell before the deadline. Will Eve find a stroke of inspiration, or will procrastination get the best of her?

Anywhere But Here

Directed by: Maitry Rao

Animated metacommentary about wanting to go places and see new faces, but being prevented from doing so by the pandemic. The narrator unravels a bittersweet resolution in the self-reflexive filmmaking process as we dive deeper into her dreamscape.

Revival

Directed by: Diszy Lee

This is the archaeological narrative record from the perspective of space. The parallel course of civilization over countless periods and planets allows us to imagine the immensity of the universe. Earth remains our only hope.

Of Souls & Secrets

Directed by: Uttaran De

The primitive mind explores a forest reflecting on introspective thoughts.

L‘Etoile: The Shadows in Degas’ Paintings

Directed by: Samantha Leblang, Solomon Goluboff-Schragger

A look at the darker side of ballet, past and present.

Respect the Land

Directed by: Nicole Carlson

A PSA about respecting indigenous lands while visiting national parks. It covers the history of the national parks and how that history has affected indigenous communities.

The Halo Code

Directed by: Lena Elghamry

A group of students try to diversify their school’s dress code and destigmatize afro hair one halo at a time.

Like A Real Life Scientist

Directed by: Emma Sheldon

Slice-of-life portrait of a neuroscience major who aspires to be a clinical psychologist..

What Does it Feel Like to Be In Love?

Directed by: Cambria Grace Tingley

Shot on the sidewalk using a handheld camera, unscripted strangers offer raw and honest answers about love. We learn there are many ways to understand love.

Muskan

Directed by: Rishabh Raj Kapoor

Muskan is a 16-year-old determined to become a champion athlete despite the financial constraints of her social standing and the challenges faced by her single mother.

Paving the Way

Directed by: Amanda Leo, Bernice Yong, Esther Boey

Tired of being an afterthought, these Singaporean female footballers strike out on their own independent ventures to aid in paving the way for future generations of football girls.

Wild Winds: Spirit of the Bison

Directed by: Sawyer Pasma

A buffalo preserve in northern Indiana is home to over 250 wild bison (also known as “buffalo”). Their human caretakers share their passion for the United States’ national animal, and its importance to the nation’s history and future.

It’s Social Security, Stupid!

Directed by: Paola Perez

A close look at the problems within the social security system. From a lack of financial education in primary schools to insufficient funding, this documentary covers it all!

Life’s Meeting Room

Directed by: Becky-Lulu Dartnell

a stop motion animated documentary exploring the question, ‘What is the meaning of life?’ This film is based around interviews with people during lockdown, structured via a zoom call.

Feral Swine Bomb: Rise of the Super Pigs

Directed by: Micah Smith

The U.S. wild pig population is rapidly multiplying and running rampant, costing the U.S. an estimated $2.5 billion each year in damages and control costs. Experts can only describe this phenomenon as a ticking feral swine bomb.

Before the Beauty is Gone

Directed by: Mackai Sharp

An unfortunate reality: our fish are disappearing. Not our Salmon or our Halibut, but those will soon follow. Forage fish, a key segment of the marine food chain, is vanishing off the coast of British Columbia.

The Red Pages

Directed by: Ian Zentner

John attempts to escape his corporate prison where the boss keeps him locked up. Will John succeed and reunite with his family? Does he value his freedom over his career?

The Tooth Fairy

Directed by: Jessie West

A little fairy with little patience takes things into her own hands when she needs the teeth of children to finish her little castle.

Duellum
Directed by: Ozzie Evans

What if duels were never abolished? What if duels were made legal instead? What if duels were still the way to handle disagreements between two people? What if we were to witness a modern-day duel?

The Screenwriter

Directed by: Dipen Maharjan

A screenwriter is trying to write his new screenplay with thoughts dwindling in his mind.

Repo
Directed by: Alex Brooks, Charlie Crook

Charlie O’Brien is unemployed and living at home when he is offered a car repo job by an old school friend. Things take a turn for the worse as the first car Charlie repossess has an unexpected passenger

Box
Directed by: Seth Renauf

A boy awakens in the middle of the night to a strange visitor, with an even stranger gift.

Confessions

Directed by: Kuba Naum

A detective questions a woman who claims she killed someone.

Return
Directed by: Fin Davis

After Archie returns a stranger’s diary, he finds himself in the middle of a dangerous domestic crisis. This small act of kindness helps Holly in unanticipated ways.

Convergence

Directed by: Will Kardasis, Alex Kardasis

An artist gets out of his chair to throw away a failed drawing, but when he turns around he finds himself sitting in his chair.

21M2

Directed by: Arthur Lafère

Manon, 16, a young teenager wakes up locked up and sequestered in a cellar. She is released after a few days, but will never know who kidnapped her, nor the reason for this confinement. She will live with traces of this trauma.

The Force
Directed by: Kevin Králl

Cutout animation showcasing frogs in their peaceful, natural environment before human figures destroy their homes and trample them down. The frogs’ protest allegorizes demonstrations at the University of Theatre and Film Arts in Hungary.

In the Water’s Wake

Directed by: Sarah Kennedy

A boy washes up on an island shore and is swept into a mysterious parade of life.

Bayt byot
Directed by: Ghadir Alashi

A young girl struggles to deal with her parent’s failing marriage.

Abandoned

Directed by: Emilia Schneider

Within the reminiscent setting of an abandoned swimming pool, two siblings are faced with their childhood trauma. Twisted emotions, long banished to the watery depths of the pool floor are about to resurface.

Paradis

Directed by: Causse Cécila

Atmospheric animated film where animals are witnesses to the absence of humanity.

Major Tom

Directed by: Kya Garner-Minnick

A young teen (Thomas) who tries to stay away from the dangers of a rough life, imagines he is an astronaut to escape his reality. But the more he struggles on earth, he finds himself lost in outer space.

The Letter Not Sent

Directed by: Mandi Huang

Jiang Ying is a rebellious girl who is about to take her college entrance exam and has an indifferent relationship with her mother. She stumbles upon a letter from her father, who has been working far away from home, and decides to go find him.

Knots

Directed by: David Francisco dos Santos

Animation dealing with the ropes that hold and build society. The narrative seeks to evoque social issues from the point of view of a stranger encountering the contemporary world.

Old Wounds

Directed by: Fabian Weißenborn

Rural Germany 1952. Erika can’t prevent her cousin Walthers death, who commits suicide because of a post traumatic disease from World War 2. After that, she needs to decide whether her guilty feelings are stronger than her desire to reconcile with her aunt Maria.

Wander

Directed by: Maira Yasir, Yuxin Tian

Set in the near future, digital animation takes us on a journey through archives of landscape and memory. Accessible only once a year, the archive is a speculative depiction of a world where forgotten landscapes are experienced and relieved through a digital simulation.

A Normal Happy Kid

Directed by: Megan Kipper

A story that explores the unrelenting challenges that come from living with bipolar disorder in unprecedented times and the emotional toll it has on a twenty-one-year-old woman.

Artificial

Directed by: Burke Michael Hutchinson

In a future where the human body itself has been outdone by technological advances, a man tests the boundaries of what makes someone not only their true self, but human at all.