Tallgrass Film Festival 2023

PARTY IN THE USA SHORT FILM PROGRAM

Expired October 31, 2023 4:59 AM
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13 films in package
7 Minutes
A desolate train track seems the perfect spot to end it all, until someone else turns up with the same idea. Awkward.
Closed captions available
AMERICAN SIKH
As a child in India, Vishavjit witnesses an anti-Sikh genocide first-hand and hopes to one day return to the place where he was born, the United States. But when he gets the chance as a young man, he finds that even in the land of his birth, he is treated as an outsider. Torn between his religious and national identities, he goes on a journey to find himself. A journey that is once again challenged in the aftermath of September 11th. Unwilling to give up his identity, but frustrated by the hate he faces on a daily basis, Vishavjit decides to respond in a unique way - by dressing up as a superhero. In so doing, even to his own surprise, he's able to flip the terrorist stereotype on its head, find acceptance, and show the world who he really is.
Bad Asian
Two tipsy strangers, Melody and Chris, can’t keep their hands off each other until Melody gets weird and a little bit racist. When Chris starts to leave, Melody’s forced to confront her deepest insecurities, taking him and us on a journey through decades of internalized racism. When Melody and Chris realize what’s keeping them apart, there’s only one very obvious way to clap back.
HANGMAN
A recently widowed woman works through the complexities of grief with the help of friends, strangers, and Tupperware. Based on actual events with grief surrounding a suicide and being "left behind."
Night
The dust of war keeps the eyes sleepless. Night brings peace and sleep to all the people in the broken town. Only the eyes of the mother of the missing child stay resilient. Night must trick her into sleeping to save her soul.
Photo Of The Day
A photo from their past ignites a conversation about the possibility of an open marriage between a husband and wife.
The Red Ball
Clinging onto his red ball, Bamike leaves the big city of London for a small town where his family can get a fresh start after a family tragedy.
Rosemary A.D. (After Dad)
As he cradles his newborn, a father wonders if his daughter would be better off without him and imagines her life once he is gone. Completely hand-drawn with crayons.
Closed captions available
Sauna
Ava enters the Sauna for the first time. She is overwhelmed by the nudity, her thoughts, and the physical sensations. . With the rising heat Ava starts to relax. Finally, she melts away and dissolves into complete ecstasy.
THE VACATION
A Black man attempts to take a vacation.
Closed captions available
Vance and the Afterlife
Vance and the Afterlife is a short film about a corporate stiff named Vance who dies and ends up in his own imagination… or lack thereof. Through an appeal process administered by his afterlife guide Sarah, Vance is given a second chance at life that’s focused less on superficial career goals and more on creative expression and appreciation for the world around him… The short stars Frank Caeti (MADtv, Modern Family, Second City) and Carly Zien (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and FST’s stage production of Network). The project is directed by Sam Kimbrell (Reader’s Digest, Own Every Word, Second City, JFL Standup and Pitch Finalist). Vance is beautifully shot by Andrew Aiello (2021 ICG Emerging Cinematographer Award), edited by Jeremy Floyd (A Hard Problem, Struggle Meals), and colored by Company 3’s Erik Ventura (Lost in Space and The Boys).
What to Watch
Two friends have a hard time deciding what movie to watch together.
Closed captions available
You're Not Home
When an ominous mould appears in their room, two refugee brothers seeking asylum are faced with a dark entity lurking within their direct provision centre.
Closed captions available
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Protected ContentThis content can only be viewed in authorized regions: United States of America.

All of the short films in this program are only available to watch in the United States.

Vance and the Afterlife is a short film about a corporate stiff named Vance who dies and ends up in his own imagination… or lack thereof. Through an appeal process administered by his afterlife guide Sarah, Vance is given a second chance at life that’s focused less on superficial career goals and more on creative expression and appreciation for the world around him…

The short stars Frank Caeti (MADtv, Modern Family, Second City) and Carly Zien (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and FST’s stage production of Network). The project is directed by Sam Kimbrell (Reader’s Digest, Own Every Word, Second City, JFL Standup and Pitch Finalist). Vance is beautifully shot by Andrew Aiello (2021 ICG Emerging Cinematographer Award), edited by Jeremy Floyd (A Hard Problem, Struggle Meals), and colored by Company 3’s Erik Ventura (Lost in Space and The Boys).

  • Year
    2023
  • Runtime
    10 minutes
  • Language
    English
  • Country
    USA
  • Premiere
    Regional
  • Rating
    13+
  • Content Warning
    Death, dark humor, and some lens flares
  • Social Media
  • Director
    Sam Kimbrell
  • Producer
    Adam Maffei, Jeremy Floyd
  • Cast
    Vance - Frank Caeti, Sarah - Carly Zien
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