FOLCS International Short Film Competition

🌟✨ What a night! The 11th Annual International Short Film Competition of the Forum on Life, Culture & Society () wrapped up with incredible energy and inspiring films! Congratulations to our winners:

🏆 Best Short: “Things Unheard Of” by Ramazan Kilic () 🇹🇷

🥈 2nd Place: “Waltz in Blue” by Kamran Taherimoghaddam () 🇺🇸

🥉 3rd Place: “We are the Music” by Guillermo Rosabal-Coto () 🇨🇷

📝 Best Screenplay: “Lambing” by Katie McNeice () 🇮🇪

🎥 Best Female Filmmaker: “S.P.IC.” by Heidi Miami Marshall () 🇺🇸

🎬 Best Young Filmmaker: “Game, Interrupted” by Ilayda Iseri () 🇹🇷

👥 Audience Favorite: “Waltz in Blue” by Kamran Taherimoghaddam.

We also proudly introduced the Bob Hollweg Memorial Award, honoring our beloved board member Robert Hollweg’s legacy in championing films that advance social justice and human rights. 🕊️

A heartfelt thank you to all the Finalist Filmmakers: Christopher Boyd 🇺🇸, Maryam Mahani & Hashem Moradi () 🇮🇷, Alireza Kazemipour () 🇨🇦, Anna Elena Pepe, Sebastian Maulucci (, ) 🇮🇹, Turan Haste () 🇹🇷, Dimitris Andjus & Calliopi Villy Kotoula (, ) 🇬🇷, Stefano Sbrulli () 🇮🇹, Nicky Tyndale-Biscoe () 🇦🇺

Remember, the outcome of any competition requires tough choices, but it does not reflect the quality and value of your films. Each contribution was vital and deeply appreciated.

Special thanks to our partner, the , and everyone who contributed to making this year’s festival a success. Your efforts have truly enriched this experience.

Missed the magic? Fear not! You can still catch all the screenings online until April 30. Dive into these powerful stories by visiting the link in our bio.

🎬📽️

🎬✨ You’re invited to an evening where cinema meets glamour at our upcoming 11th Annual Awards Night evet on Thursday, April 25, at 6:00 PM, at , or via livestream at 7:00 PM [Link in the Bio]! Slide through our agenda to see what we have planned:

🔴 6:00 PM: Kick off the evening with a stylish Reception and Red-Carpet event. Enjoy live music by the talented , indulge in gourmet bites, sip on light drinks, and shine in front of the cameras as you mingle and give interviews.

🎥 7:00 PM: Settle in for our Film Screening session, showcasing a few of this year’s Finalist Films by incredible talents and gripping narratives until about 8:30 PM. You can watch all the films online [Link in the Bio].

💡 8:30 PM: Engage in a Post-Screening Discussion with our filmmakers and special guests, diving deeper into the stories behind the films.

🏆 9:00 PM: Celebrate creativity during our Awards Presentation, honoring outstanding achievements in various categories.

🌟 Join us for this unforgettable night! Admission is free and on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that an RSVP does not guarantee a seat, so arrive early to secure your spot. Don’t miss out on this evening of film, discussion, and celebration!

Attention filmmakers! 🎬

The deadline to showcase your talent at the FOLCS International Short Film Competition 2024 has been extended to October 20, 2023.

And for our loyal FOLCS community, use the exclusive discount code: FOLCSFF50.

Let your cinematic vision shine! ✨

What a night! 🎬 The 10th Annual Awards Night of the FOLCS International Short Film Competition was nothing short of spectacular, held at the illustrious .✨ From the glitz of the red carpet to the magic on the stage, the energy was palpable.

A massive shout-out to our special guests, the incomparable , and the talented Nicole Ansari (), who along with our devoted board members and fans, helped make this night unforgettable. 🌟 And let's not forget the enchanting performance by & that had us all captivated.

Congratulations to all our winners 🏆 - , , , , and .gholami. Your incredible work filled the evening with inspiration, creativity, and a powerful commitment to social justice.

Stay tuned, as we turn the page and look forward to the ISFC 2024's call for entry on July 1, 2023. 🎥 We can't wait to see what incredible stories you're going to tell next!

Swipe ➡️ to relive the magic! 🌟

Meet The Jury!

JURY MEMBER HIGHLIGHT
MARK FEUERSTEIN

Mark Feuerstein, a renowned American actor, producer and director will next be seen opposite Natalie Portman in Apple’s upcoming limited series, The Lady In The Lake, directed by Alma Har’el. He was recently nominated for a Children’s and Family Emmy Award for his work on The Baby-Sitter’s Club,opposite Alicia Silverstone. He recurs in Starz’s Power universe, first on the flagship and more recently in Power Book II: Ghost. He also starred in and developed the CBS comedy series 9JKL, as well as FX’s Better Things, opposite Pam Adlon. Feuerstein is best known for his starring role as Dr. Hank Lawson on USA’s hit series Royal Pains, which aired for 8 seasons. On the film side, he’ll next be seen in the upcoming Man In The Long Black Coat.

Click the link in the bio to RSVP to attend the 10th Annual FOLCS Awards Night!

Meet The Jury!

JURY MEMBER HIGHLIGHT
MARIANA MÉNDEZ

Mariana Méndez Alejandre is a Mexican film producer based in NYC. She has produced several acclaimed short films, including 'Zero Hour' written by Guillermo Arriaga, and 'Viva El Rey' directed by Luis Tellez. Her work has been part of the teams for Oscar® nominated short films such as 'Bestia' and 'Ala Kachuu - Take and Run.' Mariana is currently producing 'Inzomnia,' the first stop-motion animated feature to be completely shot in Mexico, and her latest coproduction, ‘Humo,’ is set to premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in June 2023. Mariana is a Producers Guild of America member and head of Awards PR for short films, strategizing and executing award campaigns for the Oscar® winning shorts Skin (2019) and The Neighbor’s Window (2020) and the 2023 nominated short Le Pupille. Holding a bachelor’s degree in film and TV Production from the New York Film Academy and pursuing an MBA at NYU’s Stern School of Business, Mariana is a force to be reckoned with.

Click on the link in the bio to RSVP to attend the 10th Annual FOLCS Awards Night!

Meet The Jury!

JURY MEMBER HIGHLIGHT
CRICKETT RUMLEY

Crickett Rumley is an MFA Film graduate from Columbia University and the Senior Director of the New York Film Academy's Film Festival Department. She is dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in her work by developing educational programs and festival strategies. She has guided filmmakers to official selections at prestigious film festivals such as Sundance and Bronzelens and helped to get their films nominated for the BAFTA Student Film Awards, the Student Academy Awards, and the College Television Awards. Additionally, she is a juror for the Forum on Life, Culture, and Society's International Short Film Competition and the Panels Director for the 2021 Tallgrass Film Festival. She recently hosted the Winter Film Awards International Film Festival's Education Day on the NYFA campus in New York, where she shared her knowledge on social media for creatives and low-budget screen stories.
Click on the link in the bio to RSVP to attend the 10th Annual FOLCS Awards Night!

Meet The Jury!

JURY MEMBER HIGHLIGHT
ELAHEH NOBAKHT

Elaheh Nobakht is a leading figure in Iranian cinema, having produced and co-produced films screened at prestigious festivals like HOT DOCS 2021 and Berlinale 2019. She is the CEO of ELI Image, a production and distribution film company, and a member of the Iranian Producers and Documentary Producers Associations. She has served as a jury member for the Oriental Film Festival of Geneva (2018) and Beirut International Women Film Festival (2023 & 2019) and was the distributor of "Finding Farideh," the official Iranian entry to the 2020 Oscars. Elaheh has been recognized for her work, notably receiving the Producers Network Prize at Cannes Marché du Film 2023 and Co-Production Market at Tallinn Black Nights 2022.

The wait is finally over! 🎉 We are thrilled to announce the 12 distinguished finalists of International Short Film Competition 2023. 🎥 From Iran to Italy, France to Egypt, the United Kingdom to the United States, these filmmakers are ready to show off their extraordinary projects!
 
With a little less than 2 months to the festival, we wanted to throw some light on our fantastic finalists!
 
#12
Film: Who Corrupts Therein
Director: Mostafa Younis
Country: Egypt
Corruption is necessary to understand the value of reconstruction. After her fall into a parallel dimension, a wandering spirit offers a sacrifice to the earth to forgive humanity from those who corrupt therein.
 
🤩 Come see their shorts at our online FOLCS Screening Nights April 20-27 or join us at the New York Film Academy’s New York City campus on April 27 for the FOLCS 10th Annual Awards Night! 🗽 Congrats to the filmmakers, and we can't wait to see you all in April!

The wait is finally over! 🎉 We are thrilled to announce the 12 distinguished finalists of International Short Film Competition 2023. 🎥 From Iran to Italy, France to Egypt, the United Kingdom to the United States, these filmmakers are ready to show off their extraordinary projects!

With a little less than 2 months to the festival, we wanted to throw some light on our fantastic finalists!

#11
Film: Claustrophobia
Director: Hossein Mirza Mohammadi
Country: Iran
A couple try to leave their country in an illegal way. They have money only for two and have to hide their child escaping in order to escape successfully.

🤩 Come see their shorts at our online FOLCS Screening Nights April 20-27 or join us at the New York Film Academy’s New York City campus on April 27 for the FOLCS 10th Annual Awards Night! 🗽 Congrats to the filmmakers, and we can't wait to see you all in April!

The wait is finally over! 🎉 We are thrilled to announce the 12 distinguished finalists of International Short Film Competition 2023. 🎥 From Iran to Italy, France to Egypt, the United Kingdom to the United States, these filmmakers are ready to show off their extraordinary projects!
 
With a little less than 2 months to the festival, we wanted to throw some light on our fantastic finalists!
 
#10
Film: The Banishment
Director: Yilmaz Özdil
Country: Turkey
ZIKO, the sleepwalker is banished from his village for committing a "serious sin" while asleep. This decision is also announced to all the surrounding villages so that no one hosts Ziko or feeds him. On a cold winter day, half-naked and hungry Ziko must reach the city traversing several villages not knowing what is waiting for him. However, on the same day, a deaf and mute hunter, unaware of all this, has to pass through the same villages.
 
🤩 Come see their shorts at our online FOLCS Screening Nights April 20-27 or join us at the New York Film Academy’s New York City campus on April 27 for the FOLCS 10th Annual Awards Night! 🗽 Congrats to the filmmakers, and we can't wait to see you all in April!

The wait is finally over! 🎉 We are thrilled to announce the 12 distinguished finalists of International Short Film Competition 2023. 🎥 From Iran to Italy, France to Egypt, the United Kingdom to the United States, these filmmakers are ready to show off their extraordinary projects!
 
With a little less than 2 months to the festival, we wanted to throw some light on our fantastic finalists!
 
#9
Film: Middle Eastern Stories : FATHER
Director: Reza Daghagh
Country: Iran
A father and his attempt at taking away his son from his war-struck country. The father hides his son in a container by sea but the hurdles that come along have a grave aftermath.
 
🤩 Come see their shorts at our online FOLCS Screening Nights April 20-27 or join us at the New York Film Academy’s New York City campus on April 27 for the FOLCS 10th Annual Awards Night! 🗽 Congrats to the filmmakers, and we can't wait to see you all in April!

The wait is finally over! 🎉 We are thrilled to announce the 12 distinguished finalists of International Short Film Competition 2023. 🎥 From Iran to Italy, France to Egypt, the United Kingdom to the United States, these filmmakers are ready to show off their extraordinary projects!
 
With a little less than 2 months to the festival, we wanted to throw some light on our fantastic finalists!
 
#8
Film: The Single Horn
Director: Mohamad Kamal Alavi
Country: Iran
A little girl goes to the amusement park to play with her friends without the family's permission. Everything has changed when she returns home and she decides to make a big choice.
 
🤩 Come see their shorts at our online FOLCS Screening Nights April 20-27 or join us at the New York Film Academy’s New York City campus on April 27 for the FOLCS 10th Annual Awards Night! 🗽 Congrats to the filmmakers, and we can't wait to see you all in April!

The wait is finally over! 🎉 We are thrilled to announce the 12 distinguished finalists of International Short Film Competition 2023. 🎥 From Iran to Italy, France to Egypt, the United Kingdom to the United States, these filmmakers are ready to show off their extraordinary projects!

With a little less than 2 months to the festival, we wanted to throw some light on our fantastic finalists!

#7
Film: Free Town
Director: Pietro Malegori
Country: Italy
Hya, an immigrant who comes to Italy illegally, is trapped in a safe-house run by a network of human-smugglers. The only way out is to pay off the debt owned for her passage.

🤩 Come see their shorts at our online FOLCS Screening Nights April 20-27 or join us at the New York Film Academy’s New York City campus on April 27 for the FOLCS 10th Annual Awards Night! 🗽 Congrats to the filmmakers, and we can't wait to see you all in April!

The wait is finally over! 🎉 We are thrilled to announce the 12 distinguished finalists of International Short Film Competition 2023. 🎥 From Iran to Italy, France to Egypt, the United Kingdom to the United States, these filmmakers are ready to show off their extraordinary projects!

With a little less than 2 months to the festival, we wanted to throw some light on our fantastic finalists!

#6
Film: One of Us
Director: Hossein Iraji
Country: Iran
The story of a teenager who has been engaged to an old man and the aftermath of her getting pregnant.

🤩 Come see their shorts at our online FOLCS Screening Nights April 20-27 or join us at the New York Film Academy’s New York City campus on April 27 for the FOLCS 10th Annual Awards Night! 🗽 Congrats to the filmmakers, and we can't wait to see you all in April!

The wait is finally over! 🎉 We are thrilled to announce the 12 distinguished finalists of International Short Film Competition 2023. 🎥 From Iran to Italy, France to Egypt, the United Kingdom to the United States, these filmmakers are ready to show off their extraordinary projects!

With a little less than 2 months to the festival, we wanted to throw some light on our fantastic finalists!

#5
Film: Hello, Muscles
Director: Marnie Baxter
Country: United Kingdom
A young girl develops muscles but finds a different kind of strength.

🤩 Come see their shorts at our online FOLCS Screening Nights April 20-27 or join us at the New York Film Academy’s New York City campus on April 27 for the FOLCS 10th Annual Awards Night! 🗽 Congrats to the filmmakers, and we can't wait to see you all in April!

The wait is finally over! 🎉 We are thrilled to announce the 12 distinguished finalists of International Short Film Competition 2023. 🎥 From Iran to Italy, France to Egypt, the United Kingdom to the United States, these filmmakers are ready to show off their extraordinary projects!

With a little less than 2 months to the festival, we wanted to throw some light on our fantastic finalists!

#4
Film: Pur Sang
Director: Hugo Poisson
Country: France
In the near future, society is managed by strict sanitary rules. Compulsory vaccination allows the control of an increasingly submissive population. Clara, a former resistance figure and notorious criminal, is actively hunted by the police. When she decides to break into the home of Amir, 55, a security guard at a state laboratory, the plot unfolds.

🤩 Come see their shorts at our online FOLCS Screening Nights April 20-27 or join us at the New York Film Academy’s New York City campus on April 27 for the FOLCS 10th Annual Awards Night! 🗽 Congrats to the filmmakers, and we can't wait to see you all in April!

The wait is finally over! 🎉 We are thrilled to announce the 12 distinguished finalists of International Short Film Competition 2023. 🎥 From Iran to Italy, France to Egypt, the United Kingdom to the United States, these filmmakers are ready to show off their extraordinary projects!

With a little less than 2 months to the festival, we wanted to throw some light on our fantastic finalists!

#3
Film: Seven minutes and Thirty-One Seconds
Director: Solmaz Gholami
Country: Iran
An 18-year-old girl is sentenced to death after being r***d under the Islamic Republic of Iran criminal law because she cannot prove that she defended herself.

🤩 Come see their shorts at our online FOLCS Screening Nights April 20-27 or join us at the New York Film Academy’s New York City campus on April 27 for the FOLCS 10th Annual Awards Night! 🗽 Congrats to the filmmakers, and we can't wait to see you all in April!

The wait is finally over! 🎉 We are thrilled to announce the 12 distinguished finalists of International Short Film Competition 2023. 🎥 From Iran to Italy, France to Egypt, the United Kingdom to the United States, these filmmakers are ready to show off their extraordinary projects!

With a little less than 2 months to the festival, we wanted to throw some light on our fantastic finalists!

#2
Film: The Hole
Director: Farzad Ranjbar
Country: Iran
Due to his complex circumstances, Siavash joins a group that has no place in it for him.

🤩 Come see their shorts at our online FOLCS Screening Nights April 20-27 or join us at the New York Film Academy’s New York City campus on April 27 for the FOLCS 10th Annual Awards Night! 🗽 Congrats to the filmmakers, and we can't wait to see you all in April!

The wait is finally over! 🎉 We are thrilled to announce the 12 distinguished finalists of International Short Film Competition 2023. 🎥 From Iran to Italy, France to Egypt, the United Kingdom to the United States, these filmmakers are ready to show off their extraordinary projects!
 
With a little less than 2 months to the festival, we wanted to throw some light on our fantastic finalists!
 
#1
Film: ASYLUM
Director: Busra Coduroglu
Country: United States of America
For Asli, being granted asylum in the US comes at a cost. When Zeynep takes it upon herself to translate, she must decide whether to honor Asli’s safety or her voice.
 
🤩 Come see their shorts at our online FOLCS Screening Nights April 20-27 or join us at the New York Film Academy’s New York City campus on April 27 for the FOLCS 10th Annual Awards Night! 🗽 Congrats to the filmmakers, and we can't wait to see you all in April!

The wait is finally over! 🎉 We are thrilled to announce the 12 distinguished finalists of International Short Film Competition 2023. 🎥 From Iran to Italy, France to Egypt, the United Kingdom to the United States, these filmmakers are ready to show off their extraordinary projects. 🤩 Come see their shorts at our online FOLCS Screening Nights April 20-27 or join us at the New York Film Academy’s New York City campus on April 27 for the FOLCS 10th Annual Awards Night! 🗽 Congrats to the filmmakers, and we can't wait to see you all in April!

Join Our Virtual 9th Annual Awards Night Now!

https://folcs.org/upcoming-events/folcs-9th-annual-awards-night/

FOLCS 9th Annual Awards Night - Forum on Life, Culture & Society *Please note that for many devices compatibility is difficult, especially some of the older iPads and Macs have trouble. We suggest using a different device or trying a different browser such as Chrome or Firefox if connection is difficult.

Watch the Finalist Films for the International Short Film Competition 2022 Now!

https://festival.filmocracy.com/folcs/

You can rate the films for the Audience Favorite Awards after watching each film. The films are available on-demand until April 28th. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

Check out our programming booklet for the FOLCS 9th Annual Awards Night being held on April 28, 2022, at 6:00 pm EST.

Get your free tickets now at https://filmfreeway.com/F-ISFC/tickets

FOLCS 9th Annual Awards Night Booklet FOLCS International Short Film Competition will feature five online Screening Days to view the finalist films online from April 23 to April 28, followed by a virtual Awards Night on April 28, 2022!

FOLCS 9th Annual Awards night moved to virtual live stream, in-person April 7th, cancelled, and new date to follow:

Every year, we look forward to connecting with our international filmmakers at the FOLCS Annual Awards Night event (live and in-person) and sharing their stories with our amazing fans. But given the growing concerns around the subvariant of Omicron, BA.2, we’ve made the difficult decision to host the FOLCS 9th Annual Awards Night, virtually, again this year.

This was a tough call to make — the Annual Awards Night is an incredibly important event for FOLCS and it is one of our favorite ways to celebrate important short films around the world — but we need to prioritize the health and safety of our audience, and members of the FOLCS team. Additionally, last year's virtual event was very successful, with our international filmmakers, and their collaborators and friends, participating live from their homes around the world.

So get ready. We will soon post a new date for the FOLCS Awards Night with live-streamed content, and ways for our FOLCS Fans to watch the finalist films beforehand. We’ll share additional details for the virtual 9th Annual Awards Night in the coming days.

In the meantime, thank you for your patience and understanding — and we look forward to seeing you, live and in person, at the 10th Annual Awards Night next year!

GOOD NEWS!

The 2022 FOLCS International Short Film Competition’s 9th Annual Awards Night Will be held on April 7, 2022, in New York City.

Click on the link below for free tickets:
https://folcs.org/upcoming-events/folcs-9th-annual-awards-night/⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

FOLCS 9th Annual Awards Night - Forum on Life, Culture & Society FOLCS International Short Film Competition 2022 will conclude on April 7, 2022, with the FOLCS 9th Annual Awards Night. This closing night is a free event that will include the red carpet, and awards will be presented to the proud winners.

ISFC 2022 Finalist Film

Snorrie (Mustachio)

Directed by Victoria Warmerdam
Country of Origin: Netherlands
Runtime: 11:35 minutes

Synopsis: Absurd tragicomedy about thirty-something Freek, who is reuniting with his imaginary friend from the past, who is looking for closure.
⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

ISFC 2022 Finalist Film

PAPERGOD

Directed by Daniyal Mahmoudnia
Country of Origin: Iran
Runtime: 10:00 minutes

Synopsis: Ali, who is disabled and in a wheelchair, aspires to go to the top of a cliff from which he can launch his paper plane like the other boys.
Danial Mahmoudnia⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣