What Short Film Slam Audiences are Saying about Inès Clivio’s French comedy ‘Jumeaux (Twins),’ Jordi Garcia’s animated musical ‘Gene's 6th Symphony’ and more

Grieving brothers make a terrifying discovery on a hunting trip in Nicholas Carrodo’s horror film, The Door. A woman tries to catch her boyfriend cheating in Tanya Huston’s comedy, Suspicion. A married couple searches for their missing daughter in Mahmoud Atshani’s suspense thriller Suffocation, while Roberto Luca helps other people who have been sentenced to life in prison change their lives and re-enter society in Michael Steves’ documentary, The Lifers Network. 

'The Lifer's Network' documentary directed by Michael StevesWith more than 20 titles screening in this month’s virtual encore presentations for Round III and Round IV of the 2022 Short Film Slam, presented by The Madlab Post, there’s a favorite (or two...or several) for fans of nearly every genre. Here’s what viewers are saying about the shorts in this lineup so far. 

The Madlab Post's Short Film Slam: Round III is a "Great selection of festival films and presented in a very professional manner with consideration of the viewing audience that kept everything interesting." 

'Gene's 6th Symphony' directed by Jordi Garcia is a symphonic magical story that defines true love and a life-long journey ending with a hope that lives forever.Gene's 6th Symphony, an animated musical drama directed by Jordi Garcia is "Beautiful and Touching" in Round IV

She Survived, a documentary directed by Judi Polanco is "Powerful" in Round IV 

When We're Thirty, a romantic comedy directed by Jordi Jonesy Moore and Tessa Zitter is "Fun and creative!" in Round IV 

Jumeaux (Twins), a teen comedy directed by Inès Clivio is "Well done." in Round IV

In Jumeaux (Twins) directed by Inès Clivio, it’s a stormy French national day. On the road for holidays, Madoche, her sister and her twin run out of gas....

Flipping, a horror directed by Rahul Barkley is “Heart touching. Sensitive and important subject to address. Great graphics and music.” and “Very well made... It's for young generations.” in Round IV 

Which film are YOU looking forward to seeing this weekend? 

See the Christmas Trees of Ben Meyer, Celia Jaspers, Brian Parks and 4 Other Film Directors

For Blogmas this year, get ready to meet some of the most creative short film directors from around the world who are giving you a closer look at how their projects came together, even during moments when it seemed like things were going to fall apart. 

 MIDAS themed Christmas ornament by short film director Ben MeyerFrom channeling 60s era vibes for an unforgettable family dinner to finding the perfect wedding dress and overcoming the difficulties of working alone, learn how the power of community, cookies and spiders can either make or break a production. 

If you’re new to Blogmas, it’s an annual blogging event that involves posting more festive themed content throughout the holidays. Some describe it as an advent calendar of sorts where bloggers around the world come together to celebrate the Christmas season.

Everyone does Blogmas in a different way including posting written, audio or visual content for 12, 24, 25 or 31 consecutive days in December.

Some bloggers also participate by posting on 12 alternate days in December, while other bloggers dedicate a number of posts in the days between December and January for this challenge.  

Here at The Madlab Post, we’re doing a short blogathon based on the 12 Days of Blogmas, a collection of blogging prompts created an outdoor travel blogger, music teacher and Harry Potter addict named Britt at Alternatively Speaking. She made these prompts based on the popular song spanning the 12 Days of Christmas and we’re running with them in honor of Epiphany, the final day of the Christmas season that’s observed – depending on where you are in the world – on January 6 and January 19 with religious ceremonies, parties, 12-course meals, live performances, followed by several weeks of feasts and various cultural traditions to celebrate the baptism of the Lord, the arrival of the Magi, Three Kings or Three Wise Men. 

To kick things off, directors from our Short Film Slam tournament style showcase take us on a quick tour of their Christmas trees and share their reasons behind putting one up (or not). 

Jonesy Moore  

Her romantic comedy film “When We're Thirty,” follows Will and Sarah, two longtime friends who, after a series of bad dates, make a pact to get married if they are both still single by the time they're thirty. The film then flashes forward to Sarah's wedding, from which she is contemplating running away, when Will is sent in to talk her through it. The film explores love, long-term commitment, and the friendship at the heart of every relationship. 

“We put up a tiny little fake Christmas tree that the previous tenants of our apartment left because getting a real one requires too much cleanup.” 

Celia Jaspers  

Her family drama film “Milk,” is about a young girl who has a change of heart when she sees an old man unable to pay for his milk. 

“I have two young kids, just coming out of Santa stage, but we put up a tree and decorate every year.” 

Christmas tree by MILK short film director Celia Jaspers

Rahul Barkley 

In his dark comedy film “Flipping,” a little help from a bud will go a long way... 

“I did not only because I was away from home for the entire holiday. We did send out a Christmas card, though.” 

Ben Meyer 
His animated historical comedy "MIDAS," offers a fresh take on the old Greek tale of King Midas. The story follows the King, as his daughter, Marigold, desperately attempts to get him to see past his boundless greed — until Dionysus makes his godly entrance, bestowing upon the old king the ability to turn anything he touches to gold, and to chase his greed evermore. 

“Yup!” 

Christmas tree by MIDAS short film director Ben Meyer

Christmas tree by MIDAS short film director Ben Meyer

Adam Chhour 

In his drama film “A Taste of China,” a Chinese American immigrant couple arrives in America in 1999 to start a new life. They open a Chinese take-out in Philadelphia where they encounter new challenges to their lives. Aspirations and hopes that once pushed them to open the restaurant are set aside when they have a son and work to provide a better life for him. When the mother eventually passes away from cancer, the father and son are left to operate the restaurant on their own. The cultural and generational gap prevent them from forming a typical father and son relationship, but this does not hide from the commonalities they share in life. 

“We put a Christmas tree every year! Mainly for my sisters and I to feel included, our family celebrates the culture of Christmas more-so with decorations, gift giving, and Christmas dinner.” 

Brian Parks  

In his psychological thriller film “Hangnail,” Gage and Hannah are a young couple making a new home off the coast of Florida. Their marriage has been rocky, but all of that changes when the new girl, Julie, moves in next door. As Gage becomes intrigued with Julie, the pressure of pursuing what he’s found or losing what he already has takes its toll as he’s pulled between two worlds. As the inevitability of the situation becomes clear, only time will tell if it sets him free or tears him apart. 

“We always do.” 

Christmas tree by HANGNAIL short film director Brian Parks

Al Julian 

In his horror film “Birthday Boy,” a 1960's family celebrates daddy's birthday with a surprise of a lifetime. 

“Sure did. The tree is symbolic of all Christmases for me, and the people I’ve lost and gained through them all.”

For a limited time, Celia’s family drama MILK, Ben’s animated historical comedy MIDAS and Brian’s psychological thriller HANGNAILare showing alongside Al’s horror BIRTHDAY BOY in Round III of the Short Film Slam (Virtual Edition), presented by The Madlab Post.

Jonesy’s romantic comedy WHEN WE'RE THIRTY and Adam’s family drama A TASTE OF CHINA are also showing alongside Rahul’s dark comedy FLIPPING in Round IV of the Short Film Slam (Virtual Edition).  

Reserve your spot to see their films playing back-to-back in the virtual encore presentation of our first ever DOUBLE HEADER series, and cast your votes for your favorites. Tickets available here. 

Check back often for new stories added throughout weekend and share your own Christmas tree traditions in the comments below. 

'Hungry Now' Documentary Film Connects Food Insecure Kids to Homeless Adults

Where does your food come from? Some people raise chickens. Other folks grow fresh produce on a farm while their neighbors go fishing for lobster and work several jobs to make ends meet. Then, there are those who visit food pantries and soup kitchens if one is available in their town. If you have a picture in your mind of the types of folks who source their goods from the latter, you may be surprised to learn that people from all walks of life frequent such places.  

HUNGRY NOW directed by Alan Kryszak premieres 3p.m. on November 13 at the Collins Center for the Arts. This is a Free event. No ticket purchase is necessary to attend.At least that’s the case at Manna Food Pantry in Maine, where they feed the working poor and people with fixed incomes, as seen in Hungry Now, an upcoming documentary feature film directed by Alan Kryszak. 

 Filmed in Coastal & Downeast Maine over a 2-year period, Hungry Now traces the tragic path where a fresh-faced child starts below the poverty line, and lands with stability or chaos, depending on what lies between his or her middle school and adult years. 

Alan worked with several student crew members from University of Maine at Machias to make this film, looking to connect some dots between food-insecure kids being supported by parents and teachers, to the sketchy shadows off the road. Through direct voices of “the hungry, the homeless and the helpers,” Hungry Now sets out to answer everyday questions about topics from poverty to food deserts to why the grocery shelves are empty.  

"We eat more food than we can produce," says one of the men working at a slaughterhouse as he offers insight on cost-prohibitive issues that the industry deals with, why the supermarkets are low or out of stock and how the supply chain could improve if more residents purchased local meat, directly from butchers. 

Also catch the broadcast premiere of HUNGRY NOW directed by Alan Kryszak November 24 on PBS/Maine Public Television at 9p.m. At the food pantry, it’s not uncommon for the all-volunteer staff to meet someone who has to choose between food and gas for their car to get to work. Yet, one of the most interesting aspects of this film is that whether someone is doing well or are down on their luck, most of the people you will meet think that the next person has it worse than them.

That was the case for a man who’s been homeless following a job-related accident and has since been living on $800 a month for disability. He passed up a food card so that it could be given to a couple near a dumpster, including a mother who had previously dealt with heroin addiction.  

Then there’s the matter of food waste, the Native American recalling having to choose between child abuse and food, and other factors that lead many people to struggle to meet basic needs such as food, clothing and a home. “It's kind of sad being 58 years old and having to rely on a food pantry because you're broke,” says one woman who was living in a domestic violence shelter. Her money was going toward bills, including medical expenses.  

One of the things that stood out about this film is the reminder that food insecurity affects more people than we may know, including many students who get most of their food from school and adults, some who are parents that still have a hard time putting food on the table even when they’re working multiple jobs. As part of the University of Maine’s “Right to Food” film series, Hungry Now connects the struggling child and homeless adult who seem to walk their whole lives uphill, in a nation of wealth and promise. 

Hungry Now premieres 3p.m. on November 13, 2022 at the Collins Center for the Arts, followed by its broadcast premiere at 9 p.m. on PBS/Maine Public Television, November 24, 2022.