Manhattan Film Festival: Dramatic Short Program

(Past) Thu, Jul 22 at 12:30 pm Leonard Nimoy Thalia $10; Students, Seniors $8; Members $6; Day of Show $12

Independent Features was founded by two independent filmmakers who learned first hand how hard it is to find an independent film an audience. The company pioneered the Manhattan Film Festival which allows filmmakers to choose their preferred selection process: participation in their signature web-based competition or review by the festivals programming team.

Not the Same 5m (USA)

Eric is surprised to find Kris at his door after a long time fallout. Desperate for some help, Kris reaches out to her old friend. This unexpected visit awakens emotions from the past for Eric, reminding him of his regrets and what could have been. Looking back at his life, he realizes he has not made the right choice, despite the very thin line that distinguishes his current life from his could have been. It's just not the same.

Walk the Fish 25m (USA)

Don has been going out of his mind. He's totally isolated himself and now wants to either live on a boat somewhere or be insane and productive like Charles Mingus. Only, he'd rather be with someone he cared about (or who cared about him) while on his existential journey. Too bad the women he meets don't get him; in fact, nobody on the eastern seaboard seems to care much about anything at all. Or maybe there's something wrong with him; maybe the problem is that he's the type of person who would walk a fish.

Space Between 27m (USA)

The intensity of connection between Sam and Ben is undeniable, no matter how fleeting it may be in the end. But Ben distances himself from Sam in his attempt to avoid change. In that time apart, Sam and Ben have to make a choice. Will either of them take the step to get what they want, or will everything go unsaid? What is worth fighting for, and what is worth letting go?

The Letter 23m (USA)

Within the lonely confines of his house, Alfred's elderly life works like clockwork. Besides the weekly visits from his Doctor, he does very little to expose himself socially to anyone. Day-to-day he goes about his timed routine, and maintains his aptitude of sorrow, loss and loneliness. With no social life, Alfred immerses himself in reading and painting.

When a mysterious letter arrives "To Beth", Alfred supposes the obvious, that someone must have mistaken the house. But when a second successive letter arrives, Alfred finds himself trapped in a mystery he cannot neglect. Emotionally he finds these letters to be frightening yet artistically he finds them to be enthralling. As his mind weaves around the letters and strays from his routine, he begins to paint a picture of an image deeply related to his circumstance.

When the third letter arrives the sender announces his intent to enter the house "I am coming this Sunday night." hoping to find his intended receiver "Beth" to be alone. With this fate, the storm inside Alfred's mind reaches a paramount. Finally he realizes that the most frightening aspect of life is to be alone in a time of danger.

"The Letter" will not only engage you in a thrilling suspense tale, but also carry you to an ending you would have never expected. It is a story about a man driven mad by his loneliness.

The Confession 6m

Taught to Hate 27m (Ecuador)

Taught to hate: The story of an Hispanic immigrant trying to find a job in America and an American family who's uncle's racial intolerance has a strong effect on his Nephew.

Run Time 113m