Sunshine & Swampland: New Florida Shorts

Encore! Encore! Last year’s radical transformation of the Florida Shorts program—from its previous incarnation as the “Best of Brouhaha” to an outstanding collection of some of the best recent work from filmmakers statewide—is ready to rock the house once again. While we’re proud to include both the Grand Jury and Audience Award winners from this year’s Brouhaha (representing both UCF and Full Sail University), this terrific program also boasts some of the finest and most innovative Florida-centric short films submitted to this year’s FFF.

Sunshine & Swampland: New Florida Shorts

(You’ll Make It In) Florida

Directed by: Phil Chernyak

USA, 2020, 20m

When a magazine ad comes to life, a depressed English teacher in the Northeast (and her Benji-looking dog) embark on an Epcot-inspired wild ride through the wonders of the Sunshine State.

Sunshine & Swampland: New Florida Shorts

Diva & Astro

Directed by: Angel Barroeta

USA, 2019, 9m

A streetwise posse idly roams the evening in the hood they call home. Observationally filmed from afar, with no direct dialogue and only ambient sound and street noise, this unusual slice of Miami life follows parallel paths in real time, hurtling irrevocably toward the consequences of bad habits.

Sunshine & Swampland: New Florida Shorts

The Mechanical Dancer

Directed by: Jenna Jaillet

USA, 2020, 13m

A small theater in a rundown part of town is owned by an eccentric old man. The headline attraction is a robotic ballet dancer, but this spectacle has seen better days. A series of crimes that unfold over three acts, this stunning, German-Expressionist silent film-influenced animated work is the latest from Jenna Jaillet (Jennifer Rae Bors, Student Oscar®-winner for “Departure of Love,” FFF 2011).

Sunshine & Swampland: New Florida Shorts

Egghead & Twinkie

Directed by: Sarah Holland

USA, 2019, 9m

Egghead is in love with his best friend Twinkie. Twinkie is a closeted lesbian. And tonight, she is coming out to her parents in the most casual way possible. Winner of the 2019 Brouhaha Grand Jury Award.

Sunshine & Swampland: New Florida Shorts

Is That All There Is?

Directed by: Chris Molina

USA, 2019, 6m

In this bold and amusing doc short, a young gay man breaks up with his boyfriend and seeks the happiest place on Earth to relive his childhood and quell his sadness. It does not go especially well.

Sunshine & Swampland: New Florida Shorts

The Battle for the Bridge

Directed by: Gordon LeCroy

USA, 2020, 6m

A short documentary on the history of the football rivalry between Seminole High School and Deland High School that has been going on for 100 years. Winner of the 2019 Brouhaha Audience Award.

Sunshine & Swampland: New Florida Shorts

MyToeShoes.Com

Directed by: Corey Hughes

USA, 2019, 8m

A YouTuber takes his new toe shoes out for a test run around Miami in this bizarre travelogue that illustrates the absurdity of viral “unboxing” videos.

Sunshine & Swampland: New Florida Shorts

Fairchild

Directed by: Kali Ann Kahn

USA, 2020, 9m

An evocative and poetic journey into the internal world of a 15-year-old girl, Joey. During a seemingly mundane day at summer camp in the Florida Everglades, she sinks dangerously deep into the mire of social pressures around her.

Sunshine & Swampland: New Florida Shorts

T

Directed by: Keisha Rae Witherspoon

USA, 2019, 14m

A film crew follows three grieving participants of Miami’s annual “T Ball,” where folks assemble to model RIP T-shirts and innovative costumes designed in honor of their dead. A fictional work in the form of an experimental documentary about an event that doesn’t really exist. Winner of the Golden Bear for Best Short Film at the 2020 Berlinale.