Freaky Futures

Imagine our future. Is it apocalyptic or other-worldly? What technologies await us? Science fiction and dystopian short films populate this section of the programme. Spaceships and parallel worlds. A love-lorn robot, and another who is training to be a chef. Dire futures where the air is poison or authoritarian regimes insidiously broadcast propaganda. A train that runs endlessly into the unknown. The only thing that is certain is that nothing is.

Estimated total run time: 106 minutes.
Rating: M, Violence, drug references & content that may disturb

La Couleur de Tes Lèvres
(The Colour of Your Lips)

Dystopian, 18 mins, Canada

Dir/Writ/Prod: Annick Blanc

Prod: Maria Gracia Turgeon

In an atmosphere where it has suddenly become impossible to breathe, a diver and a woman appear to be the only survivors. As their reserves of air run out, will they make love or war?

Love Bytes

World Premiere

Animation, 9 mins, New Zealand

Dir/Writ/Prod: Sam Prebble

A lonely robot in an apocalyptic wasteland goes on a journey to find happiness and a purpose. Little does he know, he is about to embark on a very unexpected friendship.

The Chef

Science fiction, 20 mins, USA

Dir: Hao Zheng

Writ/Prod: Ithaca Yixian Deng

Writ: Leqi Vanessa Kong

In a world where robot labour is replacing the need for humans, an ageing chef is ordered to teach his skills to a humanoid robot.

Slice of Life

Science fiction, 20 mins, Croatia

Dir/Writ/Prod: Dino Julius, Luka Hrgovic

Prod: Rachele Wiggins

In a dystopian city of the future, a low-life drug dealer tries to turn his life around, but finds himself at the mercy of fate when he encounters a cop with an agenda.

Rock Bottom – Randa

Music video, 4 mins, New Zealand

Dir/Writ: Vision Thing

Prod: Winnie Dumell

In this music video, NZ rapper Randa discovers their belly button has secret singing abilities. The belly button scores a record deal and becomes a global musical phenomenon.

Mowjeh Kotah
(Short Wave)

Fantasy, 15 mins, Iran

Dir/Writ: Mohamad Esmaeeli

Prod: Afsaneh Poloei

A tired worker has his sleep disrupted by a dictator’s speech broadcast from a loudspeaker in the street. He decides to stifle the annoying noise as best he can, but along the way he loses himself.