Narrative Shorts Block 1

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These narrative shorts explore the complicated spaces between who we are, who others expect us to be, and the lives we inherit from those around us. Through stories of grief, family, aging, faith, rebellion, and unexpected connection, these films find humor and humanity in moments when familiar ways of living begin to shift.

anyone lived in a pretty how town by Daniel Kreizberg

In a picturesque town, a man named “anyone" rejoices in the beauty of everyday life and celebrates the natural world. The people around him, however, are more focused on conforming to modern society, and ostracize anyone for being different.

Director Biography - Daniel Kreizberg

Daniel Kreizberg is an award-winning filmmaker. A graduate with Honors from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Drama, Daniel made his stage debut at Carnegie Hall in Peter Boyer’s Ellis Island: The Dream of America, performing the role of Lazarus Solomon. After the 2020 pandemic curtailed live performance, he turned to working in film production. In 2023 he wrote, directed, narrated, produced and edited the animated short film Tahlequah the Whale: A Dance of Grief. The film premiered in 2023 as an Opening Night selection at Spain’s Oscar-qualifying Animayo International Film Festival, earning a “Special Mention” and proceeding to screen at 40+ festivals in 20 nations. The film’s honors include the award for Best Children’s Film at the Sehsüchte International Student Film Festival; the Canuto Prize for Best Children’s Documentary at the DocsMX International Documentary Festival; the Best Young Director Award at the Wild Ocean FilmFest; the Grand Jury Prize for Best Animated Short at the Blue Water Film Festival; the Animation Award at the International Ocean Film Festival; a Telly Gold award; and more.

These accolades included screenings at Walt Disney Animation Studios, Sony Pictures Animation, the LightBox Expo at the Pasadena Civic, the Cineum Cannes, the Stadtbibliotheque Stuttgart, 15+ cities across India, and notably at Monaco Ocean Week, by invitation of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation in an event organized by The Animal Fund and featuring H.R.H. The Princess of Hanover in attendance.

These international events connected Daniel with supporters of his work including Dr. Jane Goodall, who agreed to narrate his second animated short film, an ecologically themed adaptation of E.E. Cummings’ anyone lived in a pretty how town. Produced in collaboration with the STUDIO New York, it will have its World Premiere at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival in Fall 2025.

Daniel tells stories that focus on uncovering the truth of what it means to be alive, to help make a more compassionate world. His work has been supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the Princess Grace Foundation, the Jane Goodall Institute, SOGEDA Monaco, and the Alex Nair Bhak Foundation. His production partners include the Grammy-winning Higher Purpose Productions, the STUDIO New York and Meinart Animation Studio, and he produces under his Heavenly Archer Pictures banner. A recent production highlight includes the film Strawberries, which Daniel Associate Produced and in which he Co-Starred. The film had its World Premiere at the 2024 Chelsea Film Festival.

Daniel began his production career first as a production assistant, then as an assistant editor, and finally as an associate producer and editor, before turning to writing and directing. Born in Berlin, Germany, he is the son of the late, renowned maestro Yakov Kreizberg. Daniel currently resides in New York City.

Francine East/West by Elvira Barboza

Francine is on her way to her father’s funeral, accompanied by her husband, José—a man with whom she coexists rather than truly shares a life. During the ceremony, drained by pretense and the weight of social conventions, she refuses to read the speech prepared for her by her mother, Jeannette—a vindictive woman in her seventies. In that moment, something unexpected stirs within Francine: a rebellious spark, long dormant, ignites…

Director Biography - Elvira Barboza

Elvira Barboza, born in Buenos Aires, went into exile in Madrid in 1977. She studied film at the Complutense University and at Paris 8. After working as a visual effects artist at Duboi (Amélie Poulain, Joan of Arc…), she pursued a career as an editor and actress in Paris. Elvira has directed several self-produced short films and, in 2022, L’Ombre des Corbeaux (30 min) with 48° Rugissants productions, which won the First Prize from FranceTV. In 2025, she is directing Francine, Est-Ouest, produced by Noodles Production, with whom she is also developing her first feature-length fiction film.

[ES] Elvira Barboza nació en Buenos Aires y se exilió con 3 años en Madrid. Estudió cine en la Universidad Complutense de Madrid y en París 8. Tras trabajar como artista de efectos visuales en Duboi (Amélie Poulain, Juana de Arco), desarrolló su carrera como montadora y actriz en París. Ha dirigido varios cortometrajes autoproducidos y, en 2022, L’Ombre des Corbeaux (30 min) con Les 48° Rugissants Productions, que ganó el Primer Premio de FranceTV. En 2025, dirige Francine, Est-Ouest, producida por Noodles Production, con quien también está desarrollando su primer largometraje de ficción.

Final Sale by Olivier Frigon

A young woman tries to grieve by emptying her deceased mother's house.

Director Biography - Olivier Frigon

Olivier Frigon Graduated with a bachelor's degree in cinema from the University of Quebec in Montreal where he specialized in cinematography. During his studies, he already begins to work as a camera assistant in cinema, television and commercials. He quickly climbs up the ladder and eventually works as director of photography on a first feature film, a few short films and several television series, notably for Discovery Channel. With the experience acquired on these numerous projects, he writes, produces and directs a few short films including The First and last in 2014, Layover in 2020 and Woman of the Woods in 2021, selected in several film festivals. His technical knowledge and experience leads him to direct several commercials and music videos. Currently working a a director at Ubisoft in Montreal, his passion for cinema keeps on growing.

SAVERIO by Ellen Ancui

In this award-winning, “coming of aging” dramedy, Mae an ambitious Korean American influencer finds an elderly Mexican man abandoned in her car and must choose between her own ambition and an unsupportive healthcare system and unwittingly journeys toward a new destination

https://www.saveriothefilm.com/

Director Biography - Ellen Ancui

Ellen Ancui is a WGA, AWD, award-winning, neurodiverse, bi, writer/director who specializes in traumadies—darkly funny stories where (mostly) women dig their own graves, then complain about the landscaping. A Long Island kid raised by a Sicilian mom who converted for her Jewish dad (but still snuck ham sandwiches into the garage) Ellen was destined to tell complicated stories and overfeed people. A former private chef to fancy people like Horton Foote, Ellen founded SOLO ARTS GROUP, NYC and gave the original Upright Citizens Brigade their first home (you’re welcome, comedy). After 2 successful one-woman shows, ZEL REBELS! THE STORY OF A WOMAN IN A (1) MAN SHOW (Public Fringe) and JUMPING OFF THE FRIDGE (HBO Workspace) she moved to LA, wrote for Sony’s MALCOLM & EDDIE, and her play GLORY PIE sold out at the Coronet with love letters from Variety. Other credits: BROWN & FRIENDS (Netflix), SIZZLER (Next Stage Press), and several one-acts at The Braid Theater. Her directorial debut, SAVERIO, now an Oscar-qualified short for 2026, is selected for the American Pavilion Emerging Artists at Cannes 2026, has already played at 36 film festivals, nominated for 18 awards, and won 10, including 5 audience awards, the Grand Prize at the Jeonju Int'l Short Film Festival, Korea, and a NYWIFT Excellence in Directing Award. Ellen is developing the feature of SAVERIO, and has been hired to direct the indie feature, RYAN & JEANETTE later this year. She is the producer and co-host of the 2026 Women Podcasts winner for Best Comedy, FILTHY MILFS, and creator of AGING FEARLESSLY on Substack.

Sit With Me While I Die by Brian Russell

A priest must reconcile his lifelong dogmatic views on suffering with real life pain, examining how we will die, the intersection of faith and death, and specifically with how we may, or may not, be called to suffer at the inevitable end. Set against the backdrop of medical aid in dying, and death with dignity.

There are many kinds of death. And some are better than others. The best are peaceful, where we leave each other in love. Memento Amoris. Remember you must love.

— Alex Garland (Dr Ian Kelson)

Director Biography - Brian Russell

Brian Russell is an award-winning filmmaker whose work often explores deeply human stories centered on faith, mortality, and ethical questions at life’s most vulnerable moments. His films are known for their emotional honesty and their ability to spark meaningful conversation beyond the screen.

Brian has worked with the likes of Edwards Burns, Zoe Kravitz, Arianna Huffington, and has even profiled the entire cast of Saturday Night Live. He was the cinematographer of the Tribeca Film Festival selection The Counterfeiter, which was later broadcast on ESPN. In recent years, his writing and directing has garnered dozens of film festival awards. In addition to his narrative filmmaking, Russell is also a sought-after writer and director for Fortune 500 companies and non-profit fundraising.

Les Vouèsins by Brian Hawkins

In this Missouri French folktale, Petit Jean is a farmer who also happens to be the devil’s neighbor. The two work their fields together, but the harmony of their relationship is threatened when it comes time to split the harvest.

Director - Brian Hawkins

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