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Scent of Geranium

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Scent of Geranium an Animated Short Films

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Immigration is a new chapter in one’s life, a chapter with unexpected events that can take one’s life down paths different from the one imagined. This film is an autobiographical account of the director’s experience with immigration. A Film by Naghmeh Farzaneh.

“An Animated Short Films ‘Scent of Geranium’ picks this week’s by @Vimeo Staff Pick Premiere!”

 There’s no denying that we’re living in a defining cultural moment. A war of ideas is taking place on many fronts and fundamental principles once considered secure are being threatened by fear of the other. Anti-immigrant vitriol and policy are gaining support, while bans, deportations, and border walls have become ubiquitous in public dialogue. With pundits and politicians engaged in games of rhetoric, it’s sometimes easy to forget about the very human lives at stake. With this in mind, we’re proud to feature Naghmeh Farzaneh’s “Scent of Geranium” as this week’s Staff Pick Premiere. By using her own experience as an Iranian international student in the U.S., Farzaneh gives voice to the fears, doubts, and complex range of emotions that immigrants face and makes a powerful call for a more compassionate approach.

Farzaneh wanted to share her own unique story — leaving Iran as a young woman, at a time when the “Arab Spring” dominated headlines. But she also recognized that she shared feelings of anxiety, homesickness, and isolation with many other immigrants around her. She used this to ground the film in specific events but also touch on larger themes of alienation. When asked about her intention for film, she points to two groups: “First, for those who haven’t experienced immigration, I think it is important for them to know the challenges and consequences an immigrant faces every day. And second, for those who have had this life-changing experience, I want them to know that they are not alone, that all immigrants have been challenged by the experience of immigration.”

To capture her journey, Farzaneh used her training as a painter to mix of traditional and digital techniques. The result is a beautiful hand-drawn animation that feels like a painting come to life. Her minimalist black-and-white style adds another emotional layer to the film, as flourishes of the watercolor act as visual accents but also balance difficult memories.

Metamorphosis is a running theme throughout the film, used as an apt metaphor for immigration. It is most vividly captured by the mother’s geraniums, which bloom in the final frames, but metamorphosis is also present in the clever compositions and transitions between memories. This, along with Farzaneh’s witty observations, gives the film its ultimately hopeful tone. According to Farzaneh, this was in response to the generous friends that made her feel welcome. “From the very first day I arrived in this country I met many amazing people who changed my life in so many ways. They helped me to learn, find my place and to shape myself in this new chapter.”

With such a personal story, the film has the unique power to look past generic headlines and offer new perspectives and shape how we engage with each other. In the wake of our current political climate, “Scent of Geranium” is a necessary reminder of our role as friends, neighbors, and colleagues to not only exercise empathy, but actively support those in our communities who might feel paralyzed in their new country.

Scent of Geranium an Animated Short Films

AWARDS: 

Winner, Audience Award, Best short animated, San Francisco Independent Film Festival, 2017
Winner, Best Student Director, San Francisco Frozen Film Festival, 2017
Finalist, 60th CINE Golden Eagle, USA,2017
Finalist, Heartland Film Festival, Indianapolis, 2016
Winner, Special Mention, International Short Film Festival Oberhausen, Germany, 2017
Winner, Best film, Elephant Programme, Animateka Festival, Slovenia, 2016
Winner, 2nd place, student Films, 47th ASIFA East Animation Festival, NY, 2016
Winner, Faculty Award, School of Film and Animation, RIT, 2016
Winner, Designation in Fine art – Adobe Achievement Award, 2016
Special Jury Award, New Orleans Film Festival, New Orleans, 2016
Semi Finalist, Iranian Film Festival, San Francisco, 2017
Jury Special Mention, Festival du film court en plein air de Grenoble, France, 2017
Winner, Best Animated Short Film, Hong Kong Art-house Film Festival, 2016

OFFICIAL SELECTION: 

63rd International Short Film Festival Oberhausen, Germany, 2017
25th Anima Mundi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2017
ITFS- 24th Stuttgart Festival of Animated Film, Germany, 2017
Tricky Women Festival, Austria, 2017
Savannah Film Festival, Savannah, 2016
Mosaic World Film Festival
Animaphix International Animation Festival, Sicily, Italy, 2017
San Francisco Frozen Film Festival, San Francisco, 2017
30th Leeds International Film Festival, Leeds, UK, 2016
Manchester Animation Festival, UK, 2016
Animation Block party, Brooklyn, 2016
Sydney World Film Festival (summer edition), Australia 2017
18th San Diego Asian Film Festival, San Diego, 2017
TAAFI, Toronto Animation Arts Festival International, Toronto, Canada,2016
Anibar Animation Festival, Albania, 2016
Documentarist Istanbul Documentary Days, Istanbul, Turkey, 2017
57th ZLÍN FILM FESTIVAL, Czech Republic, 2017
La Guarimba International Film Festival, Italy, 2017
Northwest Animation Festival, Oregon, 2017
VAFI – International Children and Youth Animation Film Festival Varaždin, 2017
Albuquerque Film & Music Experience (AFME), New Mexico, 2017
Universe Multicultural Film Festival, CA, 2017
The West Virginia Mountaineer Short Film Festival, 2017
Columbus International Film and Video Festival, Ohio, 2017
Animac, Mostra Internacional de Cinema D’Animacio’ de Catallunua, 2017
Montclair Film Festival, New Jersey, 2017
Athens International Film and Video Festival, Ohio, 2017
Festival du film court en plein air de Grenoble, France, 2017
Lviv International Short Film Festival Wiz-Art, Ukraine, 2017
Draw tactic’s 2D or not 2D Animation Festival, Seattle, WA, 2017
VOID – International Animation Film Festival
Reggio Film Festival, Italy, 2016
Peace Builder Film Festival, New Delhi, India, 2016
Orlando Film Festival, 2016
Manhattan Independent Film Festival, New York, 2016
South Texas Underground Film Festival,2016
RIT Honor Show, Rochester Institute of Technology, NY, 2016
Euro Fest, European International Film Festival, St. Petersburg, Russia 2016
Iranian Film Festival Zurich, 2016
Immigration Film Festival, DC, 2016
Athens ANIMFEST, Athens, Greece, 2016
Anifilm, Troben, Czech Republic, 2016
Golden Kuker-Sofia” Festival, Bulgaria, 2016
Doc Sunback Film Festival, Mulvane, Kansas, 2016
Film Score and Scruffy City Film & Music Festival, Knoxville, TN, 2016
Capital City Film Festival, Lansing, MI,2016
La Feminista Series, Los Angeles, CA, 2016
Vaughan Film Festival, Vaughan, Canada, 2016
Los Angeles CineFest, CA, 2016

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The Baby (2014)

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The Baby (2014) Drama Short Films by Ali Asgari

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Narges and her friend have just a few hours to find someone to take care of her baby for some days.

A film by Ali Asgari.

“A Short Films present by New Europe Film Sales”

Venice Film Festival Official Selection (Orizzonti)

Director: Ali Asgari

Film series: More than two hours Film Series

Cast: Sahar Sotoodeh, Safoora Kazempoor, Faezeh Bakhtiar

Screenplay: Ali Asgari, Farnoosh Samadi Frooshani

Producers: Riccardo Romboli, Sasan Salour

Rapha Rides LA: A Documentary Short Films

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Rapha Rides LA: A Documentary Short Films (with Geoff McFetridge)

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“How do you read a place by looking at the space between the things it appears to be?”

One of our favorites in our series of six US city portraits for Rapha; this one featuring artist and designer, Geoff McFetridge’s insightful perspective on cycling as a way to understand the many worlds of LA.

Is Los Angeles a cycling city after all?

Production Co: Avocados and Coconuts

Executive Producer: Dalia Burde

Creative Director: Amani King

Director/Cinematographer/Editor: Spencer MacDonald

Production Manager: Bijan Rafie-Tari

Aerials: Drew Kass

Art Director: David Evans

Sound Mix: Chris Konovaliv @ Audiolux

Color: Chris Martin @ MFD

Client: Rapha

Music: Y La Bamba

Rapha Rides LA A Documentary Short Films (with Geoff McFetridge)

 

SEAM: A Sci-Fi Short Films

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SEAM: A Sci-Fi Short Films by Master Key

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In the not-too-distant future, a tenuous peace between humans and remarkably human-like “machines”—some don’t even know they’re not real—is tested when synthetics begin spontaneously exploding. A military-led search for these unwitting suicide bombers begins, sending a terrified machine woman and her human partner on the run. (synopsis was written by Cheryl Eddy, IO9).

A VFX, Sci-Fi Short Films Presented by Master Key.

See #VFX and “Behind the Scenes” seamfilm.com.

SEAM the film A Sci-Fi Short Films by Master Key

SECURITY DEPOSIT: A Comedy Short Films

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SECURITY DEPOSIT: A Comedy Short Films

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After a recent breakup, two twentysomething exes are forced to put fresh wounds aside and band together in order to get back their security deposit from their cold-blooded landlord.

A #Comedy Short Films, Enjoying #Funny Moments in Short.

Directed by Will Eisenberg

Written by Aaron & Will Eisenberg

Produced by Ian McClellan and Blerim Gjoci

Cast: Aaron Eisenberg, Jennette McCurdy, Colton Dunn, Matthew Broussard, Randy & Jason Sklar

Leg, Arm, Head: A Musical Short Films

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Leg, Arm, Head: A Musical Short Films by Scout Stuart

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Told without dialogue or a #musical score ‘Leg, Arm, Head’ depicts a highly controlled #dancer, as she moves away from the uniformity and discipline of ballet to explore her own identity as an individual.

Writer and Director: Scout Stuart

Producer: Sophie Broadgate

Executive Producers: Anna Seifert-Speck, Wendy Bevan-Moggs, Doug Smith (for shine a light)

Cinematographer: Ralph Pritchard

Cast: Hannah Buckley, Etta Fusi

Music: “She looks like you” written and performed by Sean Nicholas Savage. Licensed by/courtesy of Domino Publishing Company Limited (PRS)

Leg Arm Head A Musical Short Films by Scout Stuart

OUR CITY: A Documentary Short Films

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OUR CITY: A Documentary Short Films by Exploredinary

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A documentary following LA photographers as they make photos around the city in preparation for the 2nd-annual Film Photographic show ‘OUR CITY’, which was held 7/29/17 in downtown Los Angeles at Contact Photo Lab.

@filmphotographic is an Instagram film community gallery and resource page founded by Jason Lee, who produced this film with Daniel Driensky and Sarah Reyes.

Filmed and Edited by Sarah Reyes and Daniel Driensky

Produced by: Sarah Reyes, Daniel Driensky, and Jason Lee

Executive Producers: Letitia Younger and Dustin Beatty

Original Score: Richard Carpenter and Bobak Lotfipour

With Support of Our/Los Angeles, Film Photographic, Contact Lab, and Ilford Photo

Photographers Featured: Ray Molinar, Stefanie Vinsel, Jason Lee, Matt Draper, Eric Bouvet, Ryan Akerberg, Clarke Tolton, Ty Williams, Alex Schmidt, Chris McElrath from Contact Lab, Armand Kohandani, Matt Burt, Greg Hunt, Amber Chavez, Bryce Laurino, Dan Monick, Mikael Kennedy, Cinthya Guillen

OUR CITY A Documentary Short Films by Exploredinary

Pull: A Short Film (A Story About Lead Climbing)

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Pull: A Short Film (A Story About Lead Climbing)

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Pull follows one of the top lead climbers as he explores the ever-changing world of climbing. This full-length short lead climbing documentary will make you come along for a mind-bending breakthrough journey of epic portions, several decades or more in the making. The makers of Pull have captured a story about the future of our sport and lead climbing. In many ways, this is a look into the most future imaginable.

“Keep your eyes on the future, because when it’s here you won’t be able to see, it is invisible.” – Lead Climber Jeffrey Paul Snyder

Make Them Believe

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Make Them Believe

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Make Them Believe is a documentary exploring Moscow’s underground wrestling scene through the eyes of one up-and-coming performer. Follow Tim Master’s journey (who plays the heel ‘American Hope’) as he chases his dream of becoming a professional wrestler.

A WWE-obsessed Russian college kid lives out his fantasy of becoming a professional wrestling star far from the glamorous spotlight of American pro wrestling as he competes for the coveted belt in Moscow’s underground ring. #Sports #Documentary Short Films #StaffPicks on Vimeo.

In this unexpectedly relatable film, director Taimi Arvidson tackles the universal struggle of the pursuit of a dream.

License the footage: flmsp.ly/mtbftgs

Learn more about the film: flmsp.ly/mtbvms

Go Behind-the-Scenes on the blog: flmsp.ly/mtbblg

Directed by: Taimi Arvidson

Cinematography by: Nick Midwig

Edited by: Andrew Hassell

Composer: Brendan Canty

Featuring: Timofei Maltese, “American Hope” and Ivan Markov, “Locomotive”

Producers: Taimi Arvidson, Nick Midwig, Zamir Gotta

Additional Producers: Yuliya Fedyukova, Katya Gotta

Assistant Camera: Nicholas Huynh

Sound Recordist: Michael Barkovskiy

Gaffer: Nikolai Shugurov

Production Assistant: Anton Ustimov

Transportation Services: Nikolai Lavut

Title Design: Kevin Carmack

Additional Editor: Anya Prokhorkina

Post Production Services Provided by Outpost Digital, New York

Colorist: Josh Kanuck

Assistant Editor: Anna Hulkower

Post Production Sound Services by Studio Unknown, LLC

Dialogue Editor: Kevin Hill

Sound Designer and Foley Artist: Matt Davies, MPSE

Sound Effects Editors: Rich Bussey, Cazz Cercez

Foley Recordist: Rich Bussey

Pre-recording Mixer: Kevin Hill, CAS

Audio Post Prod. Coordinator: Jaime Horrigan

The Aria of Babyface Cauliflower Brown

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The Aria of Babyface Cauliflower Brown

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An independent professional wrestler philosophizes on the craft, narrative, and possible meaning found in what some consider a fake sport.

This film was originally published by The New York Times Op-Docs. The #ShortFilms presented by #NYTimes and also #StaffPicks on #Vimeo. Watch it New #Documentary, #Sports #Drama Short Film on Vimeo and also NYTimes.

Director: Tim Grant
Director of Photography: Bernardo Marentes
Producer: Jon Muedder
Executive Producer: Kathleen Lingo
Executive Producer: Lindsay Crouse
Executive Producer: Andrew Blackwell
Editor: Tim Grant
Editor: Bernardo Marentes
Editor: Emilia Fuentes
Associate Producer: Caleb Farmer
Assistant Camera: Josh Swope
Colorist: Ben Joyner
Re-recording Mixer: Gary DeLeone
Mixed at: Westwind Media
Production Company: Caravan

I was first exposed to wrestling by my dad, whose favorite wrestler was Dusty Rhodes. When I was growing up, he’d surprise-attack me, hollering, “I’m the American Dream,” then lift my 7-year-old body into the air, slam me on the couch and go for the pin. I’d escape after the second count and triumphantly rebound to victory, leaving my dad defeated on our green living room carpet as I paraded around the house with my hands in the air.

Fast-forward a few years: My cousins persuaded their mom to let us record our wrestling matches with her Sony Handycam. It was the first video camera I ever used. We had entrance music, costumes, and special moves. A few years later, in my early teens, I’d stay up half the night with friends playing WCW vs. nWo: World Tour for Nintendo 64. I always selected my favorite wrestler, Macho Man Randy Savage. By this time I was becoming aware of professional wrestling’s being “fake.” But Macho Man said every word with such conviction, with a thought process that sounded nearly insane. I wondered: So if wrestling is fake, does Macho Man know?

Things began to change when my family relocated from extremely rural northern Georgia to slightly less rural western North Carolina. My world got bigger. I started listening to more than just Christian music and watching movies outside my family’s approved watch-list and my grandfather’s westerns. I was drifting away from wrestling. Then I saw Ang Lee’s “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” and became an evangelist for the film, offering my critical review to anyone who would listen: “You have to see it. It has everything. Drama. Romance. Revenge. Good versus evil.” The film became my defining interest by my late teens; if you were going to know anything about me, I wanted it to be that I was into films. I had grown out of wrestling, and I was proud of myself for having the maturity to do so. Wrestling was fake and crude, while legitimate cinema was subtle and poetic. I still loved Randy Savage, but in the way, you love a childhood friend you don’t really relate to anymore.

But in the first few minutes after meeting the wrestler Cauliflower Chase Brown, when we happened to share a table with our significant others at a poorly attended dinner party, I realized how wrong I had been about wrestling. “It’s storytelling,” Chase told me. “There’s more to it than people realize.” He drew comparisons to classical Greek theater, Shakespeare and, most notably, philosophy, his area of study at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C. He talked about concepts of truth and the factors that make a character good or evil. The role of catharsis and how to understand a crowd. How wrestling, at its best, is the closest form of theater to jazz. I felt appropriately called out for my judgments of wrestling over the years, understanding that I had reserved the power of story to acclaimed films and other “higher forms” of art as approved by cultural authorities. I had become a snob.

With this film, “The Aria of Babyface Cauliflower Brown,” I’m attempting to recreate the feeling and conviction I had while listening to Chase describes the art he loves. In doing so, I’m mixing many forms and layers of art, style, and storytelling with wrestling. Chase’s rhetoric is overlaid with an aria, Desdemona’s prayer from Verdi’s “Otello,” an adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Othello.” Peter Paul Rubens’s painting “The Fall of Phaeton,” an interpretation of a Greek myth, is a key visual reference for framing and color. Slow motion is used as a way to help see wrestling with different eyes, placing it closer stylistically to “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” than “Monday Night RAW.” All these choices were made to elevate wrestling, not from what it is but to a form that snobs like me can understand…..Read IT! on NYTimes

The-Aria-of-Babyface-Cauliflower-Brown-nytimes-tim-grant