As a non-profit film society, part of Mountain Shadow’s vision has been to foster and support great independent filmmaking. Since creating this annual event eight years ago, this short film competition has been unique; charging no submission fee for emerging film artists; but requiring finalists to agree to present their works in person if selected as a Finalist . This makes it a truly collaborative effort between the filmmaker and our film society.

This year’s volunteer Jury, consisting of sixteen Mountain Shadow members, previewed 460 submissions, in order to select 8 Finalists from far and wide, to present their works in person for audience balloting and cash awards! These outstanding short films included four live-action / narratives, two documentaries and two animated shorts:

“Gireogi Appa” (Animation - 3:14 min) - So Youn Rebecca Jeon

“Listen to my voice” ( Documentary - 12:19 min) – Ryan Muina

“Alex & Friends” (Animation – 10 min.) – Jeffrey Ashkin [Won 3rd Place “Laurels”]

“Grand Gaillard” (Live-action – 21:04 min) – Hicham and Samir Harrag [Won 1st Place “Laurels”]

“The Painterist” - (Live-action / Narrative – 3:00 min.) - Khalid Khan

“Amerikan” (Live action / Narrative – 14 min.) - Nechaeva Oksana Mikhailovna [Won 2nd Place “Laurels”]

“The Resemblance” (Live-Action / Narrative – 15 min.) - Derek Nguyen

“Between Two Worlds” (Documentary – 7:56 min.) - Jax Weiner