An intimate exploration into the intricacies of grief written, directed, and scored by musician Wesley Joseph. Told in three parts, “Pandomony” follows the emotional journey of a British Nigerian mother after the death of her son. The crowdfunded project has been Joseph’s focus for the past year, fuelled by his personal desire to present an honest portrait of loss in the Black community. As he states:

“More than ever, now is a time to reflect, a time to stand together and a time to empower each other by any means. This was a heavy hearted endeavour and I’m really proud of everyone who worked on bringing this to life. Big love.”

Starring
Vanessa White Smith
Ezra Shabazz
Lola Ajayi
Whitney Awe
Shenika Blygen
Tunde Bella
Tristan Jones-Smith

Written, Directed & Scored by Wesley Joseph
Produced by Rob Akin, Alexandre Hor, Berry Wasik
1st Assistant Director: Junny Yap
Director Of Photography: Pieter Snyman
Camera Operator: Rob Akin
First Assistant Camera: Samuel Cannan, Arry Zhong
2nd Assistant Camera: Zachariah Brown
Key Grip: George Nock, Ahmarni Roberts Grey
Production Manager: Junny Yap
Script Supervisor: Jack Pulford
Production Designer: Maddie Appleton
Casting: Lidia Huerta, Veronica Luna
Set Decorators: Diane Daeun Kim, Sholto Price, Tasneem Elnayal, Ahmarni Roberts Grey
Costume Designer: Martine Abizoviti
Head of Costume Making: Morwenna Garett Banister
Costume Making Assistant: Abigail Swallow
Sparks: Theo Zhykharev, Sholto Price
Sound Recorders: Eduardo Phul, Samuel Shongwe
Editor: Wesley Joseph
Co-Editor: Tom Herring
Colourist: Vlad Barin (CHEAT)
BTS: Nathaniel Joseph, Louisa Rechenbach, Zacharia Chia
DIT: Rob Akin, Alexandre Hor
Sound Designer/Composer: Wesley Joseph
Makeup Artists: Jessie Moore, Carly Roberts
Runners: Abigail X.Lhy
Storyboard Artist: Victoria Volandina
Kit Hire: Genesis Plus

This video was submitted by Rob Akin and selected by our team. Click here if you have a project you’d like us to check out!

A timely and thought-provoking short written and directed by Los Angeles-based filmmaker Alexander Christenson. “A Phone Call From My Best Friend” follows a young woman named Madison who casually chats on the phone with her friend, Chrissy, while shopping for a dress. The mundane exchange takes a turn as the two struggle to talk about race with one seeking to reflect on unconscious prejudices and the other preferring to brush her concerns aside. As the director shared with us, the main intention behind the project is to challenge white silence and provoke necessary conversations, no matter how difficult:

“The starting point for me was a white character who observes herself having a racist thought, and what happens when she decides to not to ignore it. Reflecting on my own experiences as a white person, conversations like this are usually avoided. When they do happen, they so easily go off the rails. I wanted to show what this looks like, because I think the ways that racism perpetuates itself can often be extremely subtle or difficult to see. Furthermore, the affection we have for those we love can complicate things, resulting in the central issue getting swept under the rug. Scaled up, avoidant patterns like these create a massive barrier to progress.

For any white viewers, I would encourage you to record your inner reactions as you watch. What did you feel and when? Consider the characters. What do Chrissy and Madison want from each other? Where did things go wrong? Are they being truthful? Do you relate to them? Why or why not? Afterwards, consider sharing with a friend or family member.

My hope is that this film can serve as a tool to spark much needed conversations about racism. These are often difficult and messy, but making mistakes is okay. We don’t need to know everything. What’s important is that we stay engaged and don’t check out.”

Watch “A Phone Call From My Best Friend” above and see full credits below!

Starring
Celeste Arias
Auden Thornton
Emily van Raay

Director & Writer: Alexander Christenson
Producer: Jeff Spivack
Cinematographer: Michael Belcher
Casting Director: Dayna Katz
Co-Producer: Christopher Hawthorne
Co-Producer: Miriam Naggar
Production Manager: Will Dennis
Gaffer: Emma Penrose
Steadicam Operator: Lisa Sene
First Assistant Camera: Jeffrey David Schultz
First Assistant Camera: Steven Tong
Second Assistant Camera: Noah Broch
Key Grip: Jay Warrior
Production Sound Mixer: Lily Bernstein
Script Supervisor: Alan Klassen
Costume Designer: Rachel Dainer-Best
Makeup Artist: Mary Chipman
Art Department Assistant: Persia Beheshti
Production Assistant: David Perez
Editor: Alexander Christenson
Sound Mixer: Calvin Pia
Additional Compositing: Herculano Fernandes
Color Services: Nice Shoes
Colorist: Sal Malfitano
Color Producer: Andrew Pandolfino
Color Producer: Elizabeth Mitchell
Produced in association with Thinkmad, Northbound, and Gigantic Pictures

This video was submitted by Alexander Christenson and selected by our team. Click here if you have a project you’d like us to check out!

The first in a series of 7 visualizations directed by Ben Dean to accompany a 7-track compilation from music label Future Classic. “Shelter In Place” explores the challenges of self isolation and the ways we turn to artistic expression to escape them. As Dean states:

“The tracks all have their own unique feel, which I felt was the perfect opportunity to showcase different people and their unique approaches to quarantining at home. The goal was to create a series of films that people can relate to during this crazy state we’ve been living in through abstract interpretive dances at home. We explored a range of emotions people have been experiencing, from frustration and anger, to hopefulness and helplessness, to simply boredom and overeating. I wanted each film to feel like we’ve stumbled upon a raw moment captured with everyday people.”

Watch the piece for MariaDennis’ track “Hold On” starring Crystal Jackson above and click here to check out the rest of the playlist!

Featuring
Crystal Jackson
Robert Green
Dean Elex Bais
Rex Kline
Paula Ayotte
Bill Prudich
Stephanie Dai

Director: Ben Dean
Producer: Jami Arceo
Choreographer: Dean Elex Bais
Director of Photography: Ben Goodman
Editor: Dan De Winter
Sound Mix: Jack Goodman
Color Grade: Olio Creative
Post Production: Brandee Probasco & Audrey Weiner @ Work Editorial
Wardrobe Stylist: Michelle Martini
Steadicam: Will Christensen
Gaffer: Simeon Mihaylov
1st AC: Travis Waddell, Karla Marie Wilson
Art Director: Jason Garofalo
Conformist: Roy Sun
PA: Simeon Mihaylov & Kelsey Anderson

This video was submitted by Ben Dean and selected by our team. Click here if you have a project you’d like us to check out!

Two young men finally meet in person for the first time after months spent chatting on a dating app in this bittersweet love story by writer-director Tyler Rabinowitz. Starring James Cusati-Moyer and Jonny Beauchamp, “See You Soon” is about finding the kind of romance you’ve always hoped for but never thought you’d get the chance to experience.

Starring James Cusati-Moyer & Jonny Beauchamp
Written and Directed by Tyler Rabinowitz
Produced by Natalie Harris, Julia Kennelly, Jeremy Truong, Stefaniya Vey
Executive Producers: Jason Michael Berman, Levi Chambers,
Alex Mitow, James Miille, Alan Klessig,
Paul Rabinowitz, Evan Rabinowitz Ami Rabinowitz
Cinematographer: Oren Soffer
Casting: Freya Krasnow
Edit: Will Mayo
Production Design: Griffin Stoddard
Original Score: Logan Nelson
Made in association with Rubbertape and Equilateral Pictures

This video was submitted by Tyler Rabinowitz and selected by our team. Click here if you have a project you’d like us to check out!

Bristol-based filmmaker Arthur Cauty (previously featured here) offers a nice synopsis of the events surrounding the Black Lives Matter protest that resulted in the statue of 17th Century slave trader Edward Colston finally being taken down:

“June 7th 2020. Sparked by the tragic death of George Floyd in Minnesota, 10,000 people took to the streets of Bristol to make a stand against police brutality, discrimination and systemic racism. The statue of Edward Colston was tied, pulled from its pedestal, rolled to the harbour, and poetically dumped into the very port used to transport millions of slaves in the 1700’s. The event trended Worldwide, prompting similar acts across the UK and the World.”

Featuring:
Daniel Edmund
David Olusoga
Lanie
Victor
Norson
Tiffany
Yvonne
Clayton

Archive:
Samuel Liddell, Kevin Murphy, Alon Aviram,
Sarah Turnnidge, Simon Cobb, Andrew McCarthy,
BBC, ABC News, New York Times,
Huffington Post, Intelligence Squared, National Portrait Gallery,
Suddeutsche Zeitung Photo, Channel 4 News, Bristol 24/7,
Interfoto, Twitter

Poster Photo by Ben Birchall

Music:
Madison York
Johannes Bornlof
Cerulean Skies
Da Sein

This video was submitted by Arthur Cauty and selected by our team. Click here if you have a project you’d like us to check out!

Lovely animation for Bright Eyes’ track Mariana Trench” by New York City-based studio Art Camp (previously featured here). Composed of 2,200 hand-illustrated ink paintings based on original 3D animation and archival footage, the production of the video started at the beginning of quarantine and finished as people came back out of their homes and took to the streets together:

“In 18 different bedrooms across the world, listening to Bright Eyes, keeping each other company, we got the chance to collaborate on a story about embracing and celebrating change… We hope it makes you excited to imagine that everything could be new.”

Made at Art Camp
Directed by Art Camp
3D Animation Director & Art Director: Danica Tan
3D Animator & Technical Director: Matt Knudsen
3D Animator & Designer: Vasco Gross
3D Animation Intern: Aarman Roy
2D Animation Director & Art Director: Jeremy Higgins
2D Animator & Designer: Britton Korbel
2D Animator & Designer: Christin Kim
2D Animator & Designer: Anna Chandler
2D Animator & Designer: Kyle Daum
2D Animator & Designer: Jasmine Haomin Shi
2D Animator & Designer: Mike Witzel
2D Animator & Designer: Katie Yu Kyung Lee
2D Animator & Designer: Zheyu Wang
Executive Producer: Fern Diaz
Producer & Story Editor: J.J. Russo
Producer & Story Editor: Jerry Li
Storyboards & Concept Art: Mac Ross
Story Concepts: Matt Kagen

This video was submitted by Art Camp and selected by our team. Click here if you have a project you’d like us to check out!

A psychedelic reflection on family, homesickness and techno by directors Celine Layous and Quinn Else. Building on a quote by Naguib Mahfouz — “Home is not where you are born; home is where all your attempts to escape cease” — “Turn On” tells the story of a young woman trapped inside a decrepit home and demoralized by the sight of her worn-down parents. However, after venturing through trash-filled alleys to attend a mysterious party, she finds herself unable to escape thoughts of her family or the desire to share a moment of joy with them. In this way, despite the timeless and abstract tone of the film, the project acts as a personal meditation about leaving Lebanon. As the directors explain further:

“While Turn On is atemporal and does not belong to any particular space or time – its essence, the grim environment, the trash, the power outages, even the smoking habits, are all inspirations from Beirut. These simple elements reflect an ongoing and repetitive loop of real world issues that most locals have lost hope in resolving.

Our weary parents lost belief in a new Lebanon after a hopeless civil war and they passed down that despair to their children. This reality is so demoralizing that the younger generation excels at escapism. They are able to enjoy simple and brief moments. It is the only way to exist in the chaos. The impact of subcultures, like the reputable electronic music scene of Beirut gives a dignity to that escapism for some, by dancing in the face of adversity.”

Watch above and see full credits below!

Starring
Ydalie Turk
Michelle Holmes
Mark Wind

Written and Directed by Celine Layous
Co-Directed by Quinn Else
Featuring the music of Marc Houle
Produced by Erin Gilchrist & Froso Tsipopoulou
Cinematography: Celine Layous
Production Design: Fernando Marroquin
Edit: Charles Carter
Sound Design: Thierry Diab

This video was submitted by Quinn Else and selected by our team. Click here if you have a project you’d like us to check out!

Great spot featuring Natasha Cloud by New York City-based director Elena Parasco. Edited by Mah Ferraz (previously featured here), this portrait follows Cloud — the first WNBA player Converse has signed — as she shares her journey as an underdog and desire to be a voice for a new generation.

Directed by Elena Parasco
Edited by Mah Ferraz
Produced by Cassandra V.H. Petersen at Sibling Rivalry
Post Produced by Saraleah Cogan at Forager
Color by Carlos Flores at Forager
Composed by Ian Jolin-Rasmussen + Gavin Brivik
Mix by Bobb Barito
Sound Designed by Mah Ferraz + Bobb Barito

This video was submitted by Mah Ferraz and selected by our team. Click here if you have a branded project you’d like us to check out!

A delightfully over-the-top experimental short blending skateboarding and archival space launch footage by writer-director Toby Morris of Sydney-based Longneck Films (previously featured here).

Starring:
Amy Lehpamer
Ed Lemke-Hogan
Airlie Dodds
Billy Van Wyk

Skaters:
Javier Coca
Ben Currie
Sari Simpson
Riwaz Kazi
Levi Jarvis
River Simmons
Pierson Parslow
Thaj Dearaugo

Written & Directed by Toby Morris
Production Company: Longneck Films
Cinematographer: Drew English
Skate Camera Unit: Dom West, Jack Shepherd
Editor: Cameron Drew
Colourist: Matt Campbell
Music: Bodytalkr via ezracohen.com
Costume Design: Caitlin Murray
Production Designer: Laura Murray
Audio Mix: Michael Newton & Tania Vlassova
1st AD: Stuart Beedie
Gaffer: Austin Brooke
VFX: Michael Vorberg
Colourist: Matt Campbell
Poster Design: Timothy Barlow
Stills Photographer: Seiya Taguchi
Marketing & Distribution: Sean O’Reilly

Special Thanks:
Tim Ross, Nigel from Totem Skateboarding, Warhouse 10,
Catharine Sarjeant, Cori Webber, Sheryl Sherson,
Hugh Miller, Simon Morris, Aaron McLisky,
Chris Seeto, Cate Nagy, Stef Smith,
Caroline Lèpron Aguesse, Lucy Whirledge, Krystal English,
Lucy Rennick, The Berrics, Aaron McLisky

This video was submitted by Toby Morris and selected by our team. Click here if you have a project you’d like us to check out!

Los Angeles/NYC-based filmmaker Michael Parks Randa (previously featured here) remotely directs 30 cinematographers from around the country to create a slice-of-life portrait of Americans in isolation for Delta Spirit’s track “How Bout It.” A celebration of the resilient spirit of filmmaking, the experiment came about after the original video was cancelled due to the pandemic.

Director: Michael Parks Randa
Producer: Giulia Alexander, Jake Sharpless, Michael Parks Randa
Editor: Michael Parks Randa
Colorist: Nate Seymour, Moving Picture Company
VFX: Kagan Durmer

Director of Photography:
Matt Bastos [Brooklyn, NYC, NJ)
Fletcher Wolfe [Bed-Stuy, NY]
Micah Stansell [Atlanta, GA]
Carissa Dorson [Los Angeles, CA]
Matt Kiedaisch [Hinesburg, VT]
Douglas Gordon [Millis, MA]
Joe Simon [Wimberley, TX]
Kent Willard [Raleigh, NC]
Gabe Harden [Brooklyn, NY]
Chris Westlund [San Diego, CA]
Darby Irrgang [Lewes, DE]
Alonso J. Luján [Austin, TX]
Jason Luna [Orlando, FL]
Tyler Stefanelli [Las Vegas, NV]
Justin Liberman & Jeff Molyneaux [Nashville, TN]
Giulia Alexander [Santa Barbara, CA]
Matt Canada [New York City]
Steve McCord [New York City]
Sean Geisterfer [Los Angeles, CA]
Zach Cooper [Queens, NY]
Josh Nardo [Long Beach, CA]
Max Lapinte [Montreal, Canada]
Lucas Cohen [Kansas City, MI]
Tony Coon [New Jersey]
Gabe Mayhan [Turkey Scratch, AR]
Matt Infante [New York City]
Kyle Messina [Ojai, CA]
Eric Teti [Vineland, NJ]
Benajmin Joyner [Perdido Beach, AL]

This video was submitted by Michael Parks Randa and selected by our team. Click here if you have a project you’d like us to check out!

An actress struggles to control her emotions during a TV commercial audition in this wonderfully subtle short by London-based filmmaker Ben Hector.

Starring
Emma Keele
Sallyanne Badger
Billie Gadsdon
Benji Alexander

Writer/Producer/Director: Ben Hector
Editor/Boom Op: Miles Berkley-Smith
Sound Recordist/Sound Designer: Tom Beale
1st A.D: Chris Upson
Cinematographer: Tomás Brice
Gaffer: Greg Probert
Script Supervisor: Alice Guillot
1st A.C: Sarah Collins
2nd A.C: Pola Garczyńska
Make Up: Olivia Cole
Spark: Jon Prentice
Runner: Matthew Toner
Chaperone: Michelle Gadsdon
Colourist: Jonny Tully
2nd Unit Cinematographer: Simona Pranulytė
2nd Unit Gaffer: Connor Adam

This video was submitted by Ben Hector and selected by our team. Click here if you have a project you’d like us to check out!

UK-based director Matt Hopkins of England Your England brilliantly captures candid reactions to the final days of lockdown in this collection of spontaneous interviews. Constructed in the style of a photoessay, “A Bright Warm Day in May” is an experiment in conversation, aimed at organically documenting the reflections and contemplations of 12 characters, each with their own experiences to share. The film is part of the England Your England series which focuses on real stories told from the edges of contemporary Britain.

Director: Matt Hopkins
Colourist: Matt Jones
Sound Mix: Shane Gravestock

This video was submitted by Matt Hopkins and selected by our team. Click here if you have a project you’d like us to check out!