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2019 SCREENING SCHEDULE

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Below is the OCFF 2019 screening schedule, organized by venue. Scroll down to see descriptions and further information for each film and block of films.
This season, films will take place at venues across Ocean City including the Fox Gold Coast Theater, Clarion Resort, Princess Royale Hotel, Carousel Hotel, Francis Scott Key Family Resort and the Ocean City Performing Arts Center.
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Friday, Fox Gold Coast Theater

FEATURE FILM, 1985: Indestructible by Rudy Childs, 12PM. 90 Minutes.
The metal band Forcer is anxious to do whatever it takes to succeed in the music business. The story follows the band as they are featured at huge outdoor Maryland parties drawing the attention of local authorities. Eventually they commandeered a rental truck and headed for the west coast. More encounters with the law occur as they reach Hollywood only to discover that they were not the only band trying to “make it” in California. Soon they retreat back east and travel to New England, only to become victims of the very crime they perpetrated when their equipment truck gets stolen. Rockland MA.


FEATURE FILM, End the Silence by Eric Myrieckes, 2PM 70 minutes.
A groundbreaking documentary that examines child sexual abuse from behind the closed doors of African-American homes. Seven powerful women give a candid account of how they turned tragedy into triumph.
Berlin MD. IMDb

FEATURE FILM Ocean City Beach Patrol by Brett Hammond, 4PM 69 minutes.
​A lovely moving, inspirational, and informational documentary film about the men and women charged with saving the lives of beach goers in Ocean City MD.
Ocean City MD.

Friday, Clarion Resort

FEATURE FILM Where There is Darkness by Sean Bloomfield and Cimela Kidonakis, 1PM 1:43:09.
Fr. Rene Robert Devoted his life to helping the less fortunate in and around the tight-knit community of St. Augustine Florida. But in 2016, he was kidnapped and murdered by Steven Murray- an ex-felon he had been trying to help. Just as prosecutors began seeking a death sentence for Murray, Fr. Rene’s friends discovered a document he had signed 20 years earlier which stated, in part, “Should I die as a result of a violent crime, I request that the person responsible for my killing not be subject to the death penalty, no matter how heinous their crime.” Although prosecutors dismissed the document as having no legal standing, the discovery ignited a grassroots movement led by residents of St. Augustine who wanted the courts to accept Rene’s wishes. St. Augustine FL. IMDb

FEATURE FILM Unconditional by Braden Barton, 3PM 1:40 
Adam and Evelyn Ward are celebrating 15 years of marriage when just two weeks later, Evelyn is found dead in an alleyway- scantily clad and with drugs in her bloodstream- with a mask on. Her past of nearly twenty years of underground clubbing, sex, and drug use unravels this picture of an idyllic family. Filled with questions, Adam’s thirst for justification behind Evelyn’s death coupled with Mary’s brutal resentment of her mother leads them down an emotionally explosive path to uncover the mystery and secrets kept from them both. Carbondale IL. IMDb
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Short Horror Films Block A, 8PM 64 Minutes
Bull Mountain Lookout by Vanessa Newell, 15:45
A horror comedy about a Girl Scout troop leader who discovers the terrifying truth about the terrifying legend of Bull Mountain. Los Angeles CA.

Full Moon by Kenny Brossoie, 15:00
With the parents out of town, a group of teens have no choice but to party. Under the full moon, things go awry. And the bodies pile up. Baltimore MD.
Effigy by Matthew Friend, 16:27
While dealing with pressure from her boyfriend, a young woman finds a strange doll that begins having an unusual effect on her. Baltimore MD.

The Graveyard Shift by Michael Price, 16:36
On his first night on the job, a night watchman for an office sees a ghost on his surveillance feed. Los Angeles CA.


Saturday, Fox Gold Coast Theater

Short Documentaries, 11AM 103 Minutes 
Introducing the Super Stoked Surf Mamas of Pleasure Point by Elizabeth Pepin Silva and Paul Ferraris, 20:00
A film about pregnancy, surfing, and the power of friendship and community. Ojai CA. 

This is Norman by Kathleen Poliski and Skyler Jenkins, 21:00
A film about making an extraordinary 67-year old blind man’s lifelong dream come true. Philadelphia PA. 

REPICORE- Research in Melanesia by Tom Vierus, 18:55
REPICORE explores the social-ecological systems in Melanesia. Aimed to investigate the effects of climate change on coral reef ecosystems. Germany. 

Fighting Two Wars: The Story of Thalia Jane Ainsley by Aaron Curtis, 8:29
Thalia Jane Ainsley, a Vietnam War veteran who transitioned into a woman later in life. Washington DC. 

Mr. Pinball by Anthony Schubert, 6:43
An arcade enthusiast shares his lifelong connection to the game of pinball. Los Angeles CA. 

Surfer Dan by Lauren King, 7:32
Lake Superior is bigger than the state of Maine. Dan Schetter is a local legend with a passion for surfing. This is Dan’s story beyond his frosted beard and how surfing changed his life. Richmond IN. 

The Power of Dance by Julianne Reynolds, 27:00
Colleena Shakt defies the falsehood of living a mundane life. She spent her youth in California, but has been living in Rajasthan India for over fourteen years dancing with the Kalbelia Gypsies in the dessert. Topanga CA. 

Los Mambises by Russel McMahon and Kamrin Nielsen, 12:07
Two filmmakers from the mountains of southern Oregon stumbled on to an obscure tourist video of four musicians performing on the streets of Old Havana. With a plethora of photos and video captures on the internet of these four musicians, their names and identity were never revealed which begged the question, ‘who are those guys?” The results are a fascinating journey of discovery to Havana to solve that mystery. Klamath Falls OR. 

Shinobu by Hsuan-Yu Pan, 8:50
Taiko drummer Kaoru Watanabe and Fue-making master Ranjo, two artist- musicians in traditional Japanese arts, demonstrate how to create a Fue and share their stories about the joy of music and life. Elmhurst NY. 

Seemingly Wondrous by Shaun Rosa, 4:55
An artist profile focused on the motivation and inspiration behind the art Kemba Kai creates. Kemba invites Makeshift Films into her DC based studio and dishes what triggers her art to come to life. Washington DC. 


Experimental Short Films, 4PM 53 Minutes
Dirty Whites by Joseph LaGuidace, 4:27
A hitman must rinse himself clean. Chester NY.

Carrera by Chris Saint Martin, 5:12
An experimental run through present day America amidst a barrage of recurring images, audio bites, and soundscapes. Carrera; Spanish for ‘race’ or ‘to run’ is an Afrofuturist meditation on violence perpetrated against Africans in America and throughout the diaspora. Chicago IL.

Helios by Martin Kaszubowski, 6:12
A young woman with a severe sun allergy loses her mind as she remembers her life. Thorp WI.

Exit Strategy #2 by Kym McDaniel, 5:18
I seek treatment for a head injury and a memory is triggered from years earlier. In resistance to my past ways of coping, I release this stored body memory. The second in a series examining how I dissociate in order to cope with emotional and physical trauma. Shorewood WI.

Hello by Russell Sorbello, 8:30
A girl named Maria tries to unravel the mystery of strange figures surrounding her. Frederick MD.

Cinnamon by Adielenah Perez, 4:44
When the routine criticism of her mother stings a bit too much, Tina retreats to an imaginary world where her cooking has the ability to make everything better. Washington DC.

Spot by J. Dylan Mehring, 5:20
A lonely man, with a cat as his only companion, struggles with a looming ravenous darkness lying beneath his home. Owings Mills MD.

Projections by Zak Seidman, 4:31
Really to lore, penumbra to core; a projection of the future, now, and yore. Anima to Animus, a collection of the unconscious. From the minds of Unicorn Propaganda. Baltimore MD.

Medium Rare by Luca Cioci, 4:35 
Functional and aesthetic values in recurrent, yet questionable domestic scenarios. Los Angeles CA.

Dume Drive by Joseph LaGuidice, 3:39
Dirty Whites: Part II. Chester NY.

Social Commentary Short Films Block A, 5PM 80 Minutes 
For Your Consideration by Patrick Green, 19:22
A tale of 2 street artists, 1 viral Harvey Weinstein statue that shook up the 90th Oscars Awards. Los Angeles CA. 

Sublimate by Eric Roache, 15:47
A young woman gets unexpected help overcoming a traumatic experience. Ocean City MD. 

Driving Miss Saudi by Walid Chaya, 2:00
As of 2018, women are finally allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia. Inspired by this news, a son must help his Saudi mother put her future in drive when she panics in the driver’s seat for the first time. New York NY. 

Trafficked in Paradise by Olivia Wilson, 25:27
In the eyes of the police, prostitution is a victimless crime. But that’s about to change. The Sarasota Police Department is re-thinking how they approach prostitution. That starts with seeing prostitutes as sex trafficked victims. Sarasota FL. 

Segregation Now, Segregation Tomorrow, Segregation Forever by Cedric Hill, 3:00
The current racial tension in America has forced African Americans to act. In 2019 an attempt to save their race and union in which they live, the people of the United States have voted into law, forced and total segregation. Mount Holly NJ. 

Final Refrain by Kristin Kinsey, 15:00
In a dystopian world where art and music are forbidden, Lyra, a passionate pianist, must decide what she’s willing to sacrifice for her music. Baltimore MD. 

Saturday, Clarion Resort

Dramatic Short Films, 11AM 92 Minutes
40-Love by Lincoln Robisch, 9:52 
A high school senior uses her mentally disabled older sister in an attempt to buy alcohol from the local liquor store. Timonium MD.

Thursdays At Nine by Travon Tribble, 8:48
The story about a young man coping with a tragic event from his past as he struggles to express himself though the art form he knows best, poetry. Abingdon MD.

Heavy Empty Space by Gianni Renna, 7:25
After the death of their father, Anna and Josh reunite in their father’s old home. Syracuse NY.

Five O’Clock Shadow by Sangeeta Agrawal, 7:14
The story of an Indian-American mother who is the victim of racial abuse. Her worst fear rises to the surface for the first time ever, she asks the question: do we really belong here? Bethesda MD.

A Day in Dog Years by Sean Mullen, 11:01
A burned out dog kennel worker, Dylan, must deal with the consequences of complacency when he lets his dream of becoming a veterinarian slip through his fingers. Street MD.

Wireless by David Fritzson, 15:00
James, an aging baby-boomer, arrives just after closing at a local cell phone store seeking help with a smartphone. Derek, an empathetic employee, takes what he knows best and tries to create a connection across generations, helping James find the courage and strength to say goodbye. Fairfax VA.

Sounds from the Alley by Andrew Nguyen, 8:00
A man tries to raise money for a guitar in unconventional ways. Baltimore MD.

ICE by Anna Hints, 15:00
Harri is a lieutenant colonel in the Estonian army embarking on missions to Iraq and Afghanistan. He is divorced and only sees his 10-year old son on holidays from time to time. Harri decides to make up for this lost time by embarking on an adventurous father-son winter trip to an island where he used to go with his father. Tartu, Estonia.

First Impressions by Ashleigh Coffelt, 10:00
When a Filipino man introduces his girlfriend to his parents over dinner, Christian must prevent a crucial family secret from being revealed and ruin their relationship. Los Angeles CA.

Music Videos, 1PM 
Under The Same Sun by Shane Yeager, 3:42
A young man discovers a View Master in his grandmother’s attic. When used, it allows him to relive memories of his past in full consciousness and detail. Washington D.C. 

Prism by Skot Video, 3:22
Music video for The Carry Nation featuring Alissa Brianna. Brooklyn NY. 

The Letting Go by Natalie Jean and Tyler McElrath, 5:07
“The Letting Go” is about allowing yourself to be free. It is about not caring what anyone else thinks and allowing yourself to love and be loved. Kensington MD. 

Highway by Michael Stover, 4:30
Music video from Atlanta singer-songwriter Rahn Anthoni. Apollo PA. 

No Bad News by Isaac Rodriguez, 2:25
Pressures and influences surrounding Melat and her attempts to find freedom and avoid being consumed by temptation. San Antonio TX. 

Una Locera (Madness) by Daniel Prypchan, 4:38
All I remember is that we were madness. Australia. 

Heaven by Scott Roberts, 3:55
An angelic ‘mystery woman’ visits the mortal realm in search of a treasured object... but soon regrets her decision. This premiere video for George Schweizer’s upcoming album was filmed on location in Northern California only days before the tragic October 2017 wildfires. Sausalito CA. 

Go Steady! by Steve James Garry, 4:44
The dance track, comedy music video and feature film promo with a safe sex, safe life ethos. Manchester United Kingdom. 


FEATURE FILM Bored in the USA by Mike Finazzo, 4PM 82 minutes
Following the budding friendship of Kelly(Kelly Lloyd, Wits End), a bored housewife, and Chris (Chris Milner, Comedy Central), a displaced Londoner, this film takes an honest look at life by disposing of conventional on-screen relationships. Bored exposes the inherent drama in the silences between what people say and don’t say to each other. Baltimore MD.


Animated Short Films, 6PM 96 Minutes
Boost: A Stop Motion Story by Ben Palmer and Stephen Borunda, 16:35
An abandoned robot seeks to survive in a perilous junkyard when he meets a friend. Baltimore MD.
A Day in the Life of a Pig by Hannah Collins, 1:32
This pig has a regular 9-5 job! Greenbelt MD.
Gotcha! by Deborah Pinkney, 3:05
Bonnie, a toddler, travels through numerous places looking for what was taken from her. She proceeds to encounter a variety of characters. Busting into a saloon, she comes face to face with the answers she seeks. Savannah GA.
Taffy Tears by Megan Rogers, 2:24
The tale of an ever odd customer and not being paid nearly enough to deal with said customer. Haymarket VA.
Night Light by Yamiset Trujillo and Jane Suarez, 7:52
A wide-eyed, newborn sea turtle named Fin finds himself on the illuminated beaches of Miami. It is a perilous time to be a hatchling, with hazards of artificial light and debris present at every turn. With the help of Abueluna, his caring celestial guide, Fin will make the daring trek from his cluttered nest to the open seas. Orlando FL.

Whale Fall- May we all be blessed with longevity by Yiyuan Yuan, 3:00
After the death of a whale, its corpse will become the oasis for hundreds even thousands to live. Same as the death of a man- his words and love will continuously affect the next generation that follows. Muncie IN.

The Custer Wolf by Chris Heady, 9:44
With the nine year reign of the Custer Wolf finally coming to an end, an old storyteller reflects back on the tragic, yet incredible true story of the World’s Greatest Criminal Outlaw. 9:44. Middletown PA.

Pour 585 by Patrick Smith, 4:40
In a dystopian world populated by animated wine glasses, a timid character tries to escape an important rite of passage. When he disrupts the standard pouring ritual, he discovers that individuality comes with a price. Montauk NY.

Red Omen- Ed Roman by Ed Roman, 4:00
Canadian singer-songwriter Ed Roman along with animator extraordinaire Nelson Diaz from There Be Dragons Media in NYC have created an exquisite animation to the title of Ed Roman’s latest album. Apollo PA.

Land of Odd by Gus Fink and Emi Boz, 13:13
Kids accidentally discover a portal to another world. Once they enter the Land of Odd, their bodies change too as they seek to find a way to make all go back to normal. Newark DE.


Short Horror Films Block B, 8PM 80 minutes
Murder House by Billy and Richard Chizmar, 20:00
Every town has a haunted house. If not haunted by things unseen and unknown, then a place borne of violent tragedy. Tonight is the five-year anniversary of the Cavanaugh family massacre, and for the first time in years, someone will dare to enter the belly of the beast. Bel Air MD. 

Writer’s Block by Andy Whitlatch, 4:28
A writer suffering from writer’s block travels to a cabin in the woods to clear her head. Chaos ensues when her things start to go missing. Brooklyn NY.

I LOVE EVA MARSH by Remy Rondeau, 23:47
Summer 1996. A small town nestled in the shadow of a gigantic factory. Ben, a shy eleven year old boy, is challenged to face the mysterious creature beneath the lake’s pontoon. Brittany France.

Mama’s Boy by Samantha Kolesnik, 11:18
A young man’s life spirals into depravity and madness when he confronts the trauma of his childhood. Bally PA.

Heimlich by Kostas Bakouris, 19:15
Heimlich is homely. Paris lives in an unhomely home. Serena wants a home, in a place you wouldn’t exactly call Paris. They drink. They talk. They merge. In water, beer, and memory. A frog leaps. Strange. Stranger. Unhomely. Unheimlich. Stranger than home. Athens, Greece.

Saturday, Princess Royale

Not short but not feature length films 10:30AM 182 Minutes
Baking Cookies for a Witch’s Funeral by Frank Halbiger, 17:17
The evening before their mother’s funeral, two sisters clash over memories and forgiveness. Philadelphia PA.

Summer of Dreams by Colin Stewart, 47:00
Roommates and best friends, Carter and Josh, are finally able to live out their dream of spending the summer at the Jersey Shore. However, Carter’s troubled past becomes problematic as the summer begins to unfold. Philadelphia PA.

Red by Tony Savant, 39:57
Two young musicians play music together and discover love while trying to escape their dysfunctional lives in the rural south. Los Angeles CA.

The American South as We Know It by Frederick Murphy, 55:43
This film depicts a time when racial tension was at its peak. The educators, historians, and brave “everyday” people in this documentary express their vested interest in creating a comprehensive narrative for what life was like for African-Americans in the south. Charlotte NC.
In Manus Taus | In Your Hands by Milana Majar, 24:34
An authentic portrait of devastated destinies of Syrian Christians whose suffering is becoming spiritual strength and is increasing faith. Bosnia and Herzegovina.


FEATURE LENGTH Improvement by Dam Good Productions, 5PM 60 Minutes
Young filmmakers shoot a documentary about coastal issues, while something more sinister floats to the surface. Fenwick DE.


Funny Short Films, 7PM 97 Minutes
Lil Detectives: The Case of Kashmir by Chad Repko, 11:00
2 detectives must solve a murder. Pottstown PA.

The Boxer by Steve Turner, 11:45
A story about a lovable loser who is determined to rise from the gutter and finally make his ailing father proud by becoming a boxer. Linganore MD.

Catnap by Alan King, 10:29
Socially challenged Danny embarks on an unusual transgression in a desperate attempt to get his chaotic life under control. Australia.

PEA POD by Rosser Goodman, 4:25
Four women in a ride share... COMEDY. Los Angeles CA.

Hott Yoga by Joan Chak, 7:00
Two young women have a “match” on a lesbian dating app. Will they get their love connection in a couple’s yoga class? Holland PA.

Peach Gum by Matthew Ober, 15:40
Desiree encounters Marco in a bookstore. That night Desiree writes a missed connections post on Craiglist. When Marco actually responds, Desiree’s roommate Claire grows jealous. Montreal Canada.

Get the Van Running by Christopher Flippo, 6:39
A couple of rockers struggle as their van breaks down on the way to a paying gig. Lafayette GA.

Sonny Jim by Evamarie Choma, 15:27
A young woman with a messy life gets a wake-up call from—of all places—her neighbor’s 8-year-old son. Hollywood CA.

Family Medicine by Joseph Kraemer, 15:00
It is Dr. Susan Hardy’s first day on the job at her father’s rustic small town family practice after taking over when a heart attack forces him into early retirement. Susan is determined to make the best of what she sees as a bad situation until her loquacious assistant, Betsy, and an unruly first patient cause everything to spiral out of control. Things only get worse when her father arrives to meddle in her affairs. Towson MD.

Saturday, Francis Scott Key

The Ocean City Film Challenge, 11AM 
Back in June, we challenged filmmakers to embark on the Ocean City Film Challenge: To create a film between June 16 and July 16 that took place in, and was in some way about, Ocean City, Maryland, that did not exceed 20 minutes in length. These are the submissions we received... And the winner.

Locally-Sourced Short Films
, 12PM

Still Standing- Ireland’s Ancient Stone Circles, Round Towers, and High Crosses by Michael Healy, 13:17 
A journey to Ireland’s ancient past to view and explore ancient Neolithic and megalithic stone circles, and medieval 8th
to 10th century round towers and high crosses. Centuries-old structures still standing. Berlin MD.
Time to Change by Hugh Thomas Cropper, Spencer Paquette, and Nancy Raskauskas, 6:56 
A washed up Notary Public who settled for a mundane life after being humiliated in high school must go to the past to upgrade his future. Bethany Beach DE.

Don’t Be a Baby by Emmi Shockley, 8:36 
Billie is having the “scare.” The big one, the existential life-inducing Pregnancy Scare. She calls her long-distance best friend for support. Ocean City MD.

Leap of Faith by Nicholas Szpara, 5:30
Oh, the things we’ll do for love... Parkville MD/Ocean City MD.

Sunday by Trevor Taylor, 4:34
On a dark and stormy night, two men contemplate the horrible crime they just committed. Salisbury MD.

Strange Fruit on the Courthouse Lawn by Sean Foy, 25:15
Matthew Williams was a young black man who was lynched from a tree on the lawn of the county courthouse in Salisbury MD on December 4
th 1931. Historians and archival documents explain the facts and uncertainties of his lynching. Salisbury MD.

Art League of Ocean City Original Productions, 4PM 60 Minutes
Painting Ocean City by William Strang-Moya, 26:00 
See the annual 2018 Artists Paint OC event on the big screen! Follow the artists as they paint the town. Ocean City MD. 

SHE by William Strang-Moya, 20:00
A look at the 2018 SHE art show, curated by Deb Rolig, where the entire Arts Center was filled with the work and spirit of female artists and writers. Flash mob included. Ocean City MD. 

It's Mermaid Time by Nick Szpara and Chelsea Thaler, 20:00
A local goes on an adventure across OC to find a mermaid and endures a tidal wave of obstacles. Ocean City MD. 

FEATURE FILM Joe KroArt’s World Center, 5PM, 60 Minutes
A documentary film by William Strang-Moya, Colin Riley, and Trevor Taylor. Ocean Gallery World Center has garnered international acclaim for 50 years. Located on the Ocean City Boardwalk, this art gallery has hosted celebrities, press, and politicians from all over the region. Owned and operated by it's proprietor- showman Joe Kroart, this building holds a mystique and madness that in the summer of 2018, three filmmakers set out to capture. An eccentric artist-entrepreneur, a building unlike any other, and a half- century in the making, experience the center of Joe Kroart's world. Ocean Gallery World Center. Ocean City MD. IMDb

Saturday, Performing Arts Center

FEATURE FILM The Biggest Little Farm by John Chester, 2 PM 91 Minutes
“A testament to the immense complexity of nature, “The Biggest Little Farm” follows two dreamers and a dog on an odyssey to bring harmony to both their lives and the land. When the barking of their beloved dog Todd leads to an eviction notice from their tiny LA apartment, John and Molly Chester make a choice that takes them out of the city and onto 200 acres in the foothills of Ventura County, naively endeavoring to build one of the most diverse farms of its kind in complete coexistence with nature. The land they’ve chosen, however, is utterly depleted of nutrients and suffering from a brutal drought. The film chronicles eight years of daunting work and outsize idealism as they attempt to create the utopia they seek, planting 10,000 orchard trees and over 200 different crops, and bringing in animals of every kind– including an unforgettable pig named Emma and her best friend, Greasy the rooster. When the farm’s ecosystem finally begins to reawaken, so does the Chesters’ hope – but as their plan to create perfect harmony takes a series of wild turns, they realize that to survive they will have to reach a far greater understanding of the intricacies and wisdom of nature, and of life itself.
The Biggest Little Farm is directed by five-time Emmy-winner John Chester with executive producer Laurie David (An Inconvenient Truth) and writer Mark Monroe (Icarus, The Cove, Chasing Ice). It recently had its World Premiere at the 2018 Telluride Film Festival and its International Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.” Ventura CA. IMDb

Sunday, Fox Gold Coast Theater

Short Films That Make You Feel Good, 11AM 86 minutes
The Wisdom Tree by Callie Harlan, 11:47 
This film was inspired from the phrase ‘you are the summary of the 5 people you surround yourself with most.’ It’s a way to connect human beings to one another through emotions and experiences that we all have but often feel as if we are alone. Everyone has one of these people in their lives and you are one of these people to someone else. Bethlehem PA.

Nature by Richard Schertzer, 3:12 
Exploring the outdoors in the most beautiful way possible. Purchase NY.

Aquarium by Stephanie Maxwell, 6:00 
Aquarium is a choreography of light and motion with a unique perspective on the exquisite beauty that is present in infinite abundance when one focuses attention on the motions of ocean water and its expressive optical qualities. Fairport NY.

Zain by Veerle Williams, 5:11 
A short film about the Dhigurah family and their special bonds with the whale sharks of South Ari. Belgium.

Rough by Joe Carabeo, 13:45 
Two exes sort out their past relationship while training for an upcoming fight. Washington DC.

Average Mom by Cathy Lynn Yonek, 12:05 
An unconventional single mom raises her son to be an exceptional young man. 12:05. Burbank CA.

Odyssey by Serge Delpierre, 3:18 
Penelope’s rideshare home becomes quite the odyssey as she encounters a panoply of passengers along the way. Bethesda MD.

The Scary Ham by Sue Mroz, 15:00
Two middle-aged sisters sorting through 50 years’ worth of family memorabilia reconnect, as they contend with their late father’s beloved ham. Chicago IL.

The Secret Lives of Teachers by Steve Anderson, 12:15
A romantic story about two eccentric teachers who find love and each other through a shared passion for a very unique hobby. Phoenix AZ. 
Shaholly by Wojciech Lorenc, 3:25
Shaholly Ayers, a congenital amputee, was once told that she could never become a model. This emotional film talks about her struggles and the eventual big break that allowed her to live her dream, and change the way people perceive disability. Huntsville TX.


Youth Short Films, 1PM 120 Minutes
Swamp Monster by Sascha Mete, 9:46
A mysterious creature from the swamp terrorizes four neighborhood children at a backyard campout. Berlin MD.

Across the Street by Caden Hollander, 4:59
After a lonely teenage boy has a bag of candy stolen on Halloween, he must go on an insane bizarre adventure to retrieve it. San Diego CA.

Due Process by Gabe Braden, 8:00
An overburdened social worker fights to bring justice to a mother and her unborn child. Wyandotte MI.

The Grounded Astronaut by Monimar Mancillas, 8:18
A young girl struggles to keep her head afloat while drowning in the overload work of school. Charlotte NC.

No Tomorrow by William MacIntosh, 8:17
A man wakes up only to discover that yesterday was apparently the best day of his life. One small problem... he can’t remember it. As time goes on, however, he discovers something more sinister leering from behind the scenes. Toronto Canada.

Tragedy in Ten Scenes by Alexander Popov, 20:00
Ten stories set during one night in Moscow, that provide a tour of the human condition in reality and fantasy. Chicago IL.

Detention by James Dowd, 2:46
A twist on the teen genre, the film concerns a group of students in detention who, in an act of breaking the fourth wall, are able to hear the narrator of the film. The narrator begins revealing the thoughts of the characters, as a typical film narrator would, yet the thoughts are mostly personal or humiliating to the characters. Columbus NJ.

Descartes’ Silhouette by Lily Daroff, 10:27
A short psychological thriller about a young girl named Mallory who begins to believe that her best friend Caitlin is a figment of her own imagination. Rockville MD.

We Are Now by Gandhi Brigade Youth Media, 8:00
Produced by eight high school students, “We Are Now” showcases the wave of youth-led activism sweeping the country and highlights several young activists who are fighting for what they believe in. Young people feel the government is unresponsive to their needs and, because they are not yet voting age, they are organizing, protesting and standing up for their rights. “We Are Now” is a rallying cry to young people everywhere, urging them to be the change they wish to see in the real world. Montgomery County MD.

Sunday, Carousel Hotel

Social Commentary Short Films Block B, 12:00PM 65 Minutes
Taperferkeit by Joseph Quinn, 19:17
During the WWII North African campaign, a German sniper of the AfrikaKorps and a U.S. combat engineer find themselves the sole survivors of a battle. They must reluctantly join forces to escape a marauding band of desert nomads and the unforgiving desolation of the Sahara. American Fork UT. 

The Greenberry Method by Baptiste Bertheuil, 16:00
When Sophie goes to a job interview at Spencer and Jacobs, she does not suspect the weird recruitment method used by the company. Lyon France. 

Uniform by Ellie Foumbi and Michael Niederman, 10:30
Parents are at odds with what to do when their 6-year old son is sent home from school for wearing a dress. New York NY. 

Midnight Carnival by Chung Wei Huang, 18:36
The story of Andrea Lin, a confused Taiwanese girl in her late teens struggling to find her place in the world. In search of the adventure that is missing from her life, she takes a summer job in America working for a travelling carnival, where she is confronted with the harsh realities of life as a migrant worker. After struggling to connect with her “carney” co-workers, including Julio, a young, free-spirited Mexican man, she must come to terms with her feelings of wanting to belong, yet never feeling at home. Philadelphia PA. 


FEATURE FILM Five Days in August by Nicholas Ruff, 2:30 PM 68 Minutes
Directed by four-time Emmy nominated filmmaker Nick Ruff, Five Days in August is a feature documentary that follows two teams competing in the world's largest and richest billfish tournament - the White Marlin Open. With a total of 353 boats battling for an unprecedented 4.9 million dollars in prize money, the stakes couldn't be higher. For these fishermen, everything is literally on the line. Ocean City MD. IMDb

From the vault:

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The Ocean City Film Festival
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