The FilmGym continues with a fun-laden line-up of award winning short films at our favorite Culturefix, located in the Lower East Side, Manhattan.

As always, we’re proud to bring to you a galore of international award winning short films including the Sundance short “Sexting” starring Julia Stiles, and festival darling “The Hirosaki Players” followed by a Q&A with the director Jeff Sousa. Our musical guest will be announced shortly…but be prepared for a ride to the wild!

culturefix | 9 Clinton Street | Lower East Side, Manhattan
Time: Friday, June 1st | 8 PM
Admission: $5

Please visit our facebook page to RSVP.

THE HIROSAKI PLAYERS (19MIN) - directed by Jeff Sousa (Director will be present at the screening for Q&A)

In the pressure-cooker of opening night, a Japanese playwright struggles with his aging, arrogant actor father for control of the play and their relationship.

Festivals the Film has played at:

Winner Woodstock Film Festival
Winner IFP Choice Awards
Winner Sonoma Film Festival
Winner Audience Award GenArt Film Festival
Independent Film Festival Boston
Seattle International Short Film Festival
Short Shorts Film Festival
Independent Film Festival of Boston
LA Short Fest
and many many more…

SEXTING (8 MIN) - directed Neil LaBute

People are not who they seem when a misdirected text message leads a young woman to meet with the wife of her boyfriend and ask what is really going on in their relationship.

Festivals the film has played at:

Sundance Film Festival
Bahamas International Film Festival
Hamptons Film Festival
Manhattan Short Film Festival
and many many more…

NOREEN (18MIN) – directed by Domhnall Gleeson

Two policemen get more than they bargained for on a house-call in Athmuck, Co. Offaly.

When Frank and Con find a dead body in a local cottage, what began as a routine call-out becomes an opportunity for life lessons, relationship advice and musings on the basics of detective work.

Both men are alone. Both men are idiots

Festivals the film has played at:

Winner Galway Film Festival
Winner Capital Irish Film Festival
Palm Springs Short Film Festival
Tribeca Film Festival
Raindance Film Festival
Best European Short Film Festival
and many many more…

It’s 2012, and the FilmGym starts off with a delicious and award laden screening of short films at our favorite  Culturefix, located in the Lower East Side, Manhattan.

After a successful year of bringing you fresh, unique and culturally versatile shorties onto the big screen we are proud to have found a new home in the city.

As always, we’re proud to present an amazing line up of international award winning short films including the Sundance short “After You Left”, followed by a Q&A with the director Jef Taylor. Our musical guest is singer and song writer Shane Patrick, who is about to launch his solo album and we’re more than thrilled to have him back.

culturefix | 9 Clinton Street | Lower East Side, Manhattan
Time: Friday, February 24th | 8 PM
Admission: $5 (Suggested Donation)

Please visit our facebook page to RSVP.

AFTER YOU LEFT (20MIN) - directed by Jef Taylor (Director will be present at the screening for Q&A)

A man in his mid-thirties searches for meaning in the aftermath of a relationship.
A largely improvised drama created in the shadow of the events on which it is based, After You Left embraces the fine line between art and life––between the story being told and the lives of those telling it. The result is a realistic and intimate portrait of love and loss, as well as a uniquely personal reflection of the moment in which it was made.

Festivals the Film has played at:

Sundance Film Festival
Nashville Film Festival
Sao Paulo International Short Film Festival
Best Dramatic Short – Detroit Windsor International Film Festival
Sintetitza, the Pyrenees International Short Film Festival
HollyShorts Film Festival
Independent Film Festival of Boston
and many many more…

18 (12 MIN) - directed Joy Gohring

A young girl must decide whether or not to remove her mother from life support when she receives power of attorney on her 18th birthday.

Festivals the film has played at:

Austin International Film Festival
Sonoma International Film Festival
NYC PictureStart Film Festival
and many many more…

CONTACT “RAAK” (10MIN) – directed by Hanro Smitsman (Back due to technical issues)

How an offensive remark rebounds like a boomerang on the one who launches it. Revenge as a motive plays a key role in the study of the causes and consequences of rude conduct. A string of succinct conflicts leads, with changing perspectives, to a surprising climax, and teaches us that the wounded person can never efface his or her pain by hurting someone else. Because in many cases, the unforeseen effects are quite far-reaching.

Festivals the film has played at:

- Golden Bear – Best Short Film – Berlinale Film Festival
- Le Prix BeTV – Short Film Festival Brussels
- Spirit Award – Best Short Film – Brooklyn International Film Festival
- Best Live Action under 15 minutes – Palm Springs International Film Festival
- Prix UIP Ghent – Film Festival Ghent
and many more…

TELL ME THAT “Dime Que Yo” (14MIN) – directed by Mateo Gil

HE and SHE meet exactly at the same time they break up with their own couples. HE is left by his girlfriend while SHE dumps her boyfriend. Is it possible for two strangers to begin a conversation full of recriminations, arguing until they get hoarse, and passionately reconcile as if they were a couple in the end?

Festivals the film has played at:

ALCINE 38 – FESTIVAL DE CINE DE ALCALA DE HENARES 2008
22 SEMANA DE CINE MEDINA DEL CAMPO
10ª TEMPORADA DE ESTRENOS DE CORTOMETRAJES“CORTOGENIA”
FESTIVAL INTERNACIONAL DEL CINE POBRE DE HUMBERTO SOLAS (CUBA)
FESTIVAL DE CORTOMETRAJES CONTRAPLANO 09 (SEGOVIA)
9ª MUESTRA DE CINE DE LANZAROTE
15 FESTIVAL IBERICO DE CINEMA (BADAJOZ)
XVI CERTAMEN NACIONAL DE CORTOMETRAJES DE MULA (MURCIA)
XXI CERTAMEN NACIONAL DE CORTOMETRAJES “L’Alfàs del Pi 2.009”
32 FESTIVAL INTERNACIONAL DE CINE ELCHE
VII CERTAMEN DE CORTOMETRAJES “POR CARACOLES” (SEVILLA)
15ª EDITION MEDFILMFESTIVAL 2009 (ROMA – ITALIA)
25º FESTROIA INTERNATIONAL FILMS FESTIVAL (SETÚBAL – PORTUGAL)
THE 13º ISMALIA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (GIZA – EGYPT)
and many many more…

For one last time in 2011, the FilmGym presents another swanky and award laden screening of short films at the new and artist-friendly Culturefix, located in the Lower East Side, Manhattan.

It’s also FilmGyms year end party so we encourage guests to stay a bit longer and hang and mingle and talk about good old times and the ones to come. The FilmGym crew wants to celebrate the year by making this screening absolutely free, so no more excuses not to swing by and watch some amazing shorts from around the world.

As always, we’re proud to present an amazing line up of international award winning short films including the ACADEMY AWARD winner of 2010, followed by a Q&A with the producer. Back by popular demand is Jen Kwok, performing live with her ukelele and an amazing voice!

culturefix | 9 Clinton Street | Lower East Side, Manhattan
Time: Friday, December 2nd | 8:30 PM
Admission: FREE (As always…donations are welcome)

Please visit our facebook page to RSVP.

THE NEW TENANTS (21MIN) - directed by Joachim Back (Producer will be present at the screening for Q&A)

A prying neighbor, a glassy-eyed drug dealer, and a husband brandishing both a weapon and a vendetta make up the welcome wagon in Director Joachim Back’s darkly satirical short film, “The New Tenants.” Set amidst the as-yet-unopened boxes and the hopes for a fresh start of two men on what might be the worst moving day ever, their new apartment reveals its terrifying history in a film that is by turns funny, frightening, and unexpectedly romantic.

Festivals the Film has played at:

-2010 Academy Award® Best Live Action Short Film
Official Selection:
-Tribeca Film Festival
-Frame Line Film Festival
-Cleveland International Film Festival
-Florida Film Festival
-Chicago International Film Festival
-Munich Film Festival
-LA REEL Film Festival
-Vail Film Festival
-Sydney Film Festival
-Woodstock Film Festival
-Phoenix Film Festival
-Mexico International Film Festival (Winner: Best Short Film)

DANSE MACABRE (9MIN) - directed Pedro Pires

For a period of time, while we believe it to be perfectly still, lifeless flesh responds, stirs and contorts in a final macabre ballet. Are these spasms merely erratic motions or do they echo the chaotic twists and turns of a past life?

Festivals the film has played at:

- Daggers, The Festival of short horror films – Museum of Arts and Design, New York City, USA
Audience Award for “Scariest Film”
- Festival International des Ecoles de Cinema, Huy, Belgium
- Festival International du Court Métrage, Lille, France
- New Orleans Film Festival, New Orleans, USA
- Short Screens, Brussels, Belgium
- Raindance Film Festival, London, UK
- Alt.pictureshows Festival – Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego, USA
- Festival du Film Court D’Aigues Vives, Aigues-Vives, France
- Lucania Film Family, Paris, France
- Clermont-Ferrand Film Festival, Clermont-Ferrand, France
- Festival International du Court Métrage – Paris, France
- Ashland Independent Film Festival – Ashland, USA
- Cinequest – San Jose, USA
- Slamdance Film Festival – Park City, USA
- Palm Springs International Short Fest – Palm Springs, USA
- Ann Arbor International Film Festival – Ann Arbor, USA
and many many more…

CONTACT “RAAK” (10MIN) – directed by Hanro Smitsman

How an offensive remark rebounds like a boomerang on the one who launches it. Revenge as a motive plays a key role in the study of the causes and consequences of rude conduct. A string of succinct conflicts leads, with changing perspectives, to a surprising climax, and teaches us that the wounded person can never efface his or her pain by hurting someone else. Because in many cases, the unforeseen effects are quite far-reaching.

Festivals the film has played at:

- Golden Bear – Best Short Film – Berlinale Film Festival
- Le Prix BeTV – Short Film Festival Brussels
- Spirit Award – Best Short Film – Brooklyn International Film Festival
- Best Live Action under 15 minutes – Palm Springs International Film Festival
- Prix UIP Ghent – Film Festival Ghent
and many more…

The Film is helmed by FilmGym peep Philipp C. Wolter, who also stars alongside Michelle Glick. The completion date is planed for January 2012. Festival submissions will follow soon after.

The FilmGym would like to thank all the supporter who have made this film possible. Please stay tuned for more information as we enter the new year with more exciting and even bigger projects.

The FG-Team.

Different space, same event: Due to transition issues as the buidling of our old home is being sold, the new location for our screening event will be the swanky and artist-friendly Culturefix, located in the Lower East Side, Manhattan.

We apologize for the changed schedule and hope you peeps will bare with us as we’re going through this transition of finding a new home. We felt that Culturefix prvided the same great, intimate atmosphere with the bonus of being a more convenient loaction for all you Manhattanites! They serve food and drinks and if you come early, you can take advantage of their happy hour which ends at 7:30PM

As always, we’re proud to present an amazing line up of international award winning short films and…some extra screenings which will be a surprise.

culturefix | 9 Clinton Street | Lower East Side, Manhattan
Time: Thursday, August 18th | 8 PM
Admission: 10 USD

Please visit our facebook page to RSVP.

HAYERIDA “The Descent” (20MIN) - directed by Shai Miedzinski

A family is looking for a stone. A stone that is suitable to be used as a tombstone on their prodigal son’s grave. The search turns into a journey. The loss brings back that which was repressed.

Festivals the Film has played at:

- Berlinale (Berlin International Film Festival) – Silver Bear (jury award) – Short Films competition, Germany
- Timishort Film Festival – Best Debut Film and Best Short Film awards, Romania
- Chicago International Film Festival – Gold Plaque – Short Film Competition, USA

ON THE LINE (30MIN) - directed Reto Caffi

A department security guard spends his days observing others, including a young bookstore clerk with whom he is secretely in love. He watches her via the store’s video monitoring system and looks for ways to connect with her on the commuting line they share. Then one evening she appears on the train with another guy…

Festivals the film has played at:

- Student Academy Awards (AMPAS), Winner “honorary foreign film”
- “Grand prix” of the int’l jury Clermont-Ferrand Shortfilmfestival, France, 2008
- “Best European shortfilm “, Les lutins du court-métrage, France, 2008
- “Grand Prix”, Sapporo Shortsfest, Japan, 2008
- “Grand prix” (shortfilm section), Tofifest, Poland, 2008
- “Grand Prix” for best shortfilm at the Ourense Int’l Filmfestival, Spain, 2008
- “Grand Prix” at the Brno Sixteen Festival, Czech Republic, 2008
- “Grand Prix” best international shortfilm & audience Award, FIDEC, Belgium, 2008
- “Grand Prize”, Angelus student film festival, USA, 2008
- “Grand Prix“ and „audience award“ Belgrad Studentfilmfestival, Serbia, 2008
- Aspen Shortsfest, “best student film”, USA, 2008
- Brooklyn Int’l Shortfilmfestival “best narrative short”, USA, 2008
and many many more…

SLATE (14MIN) – directed by Carmen Vidal (Director and editor will be present for Q&A)

Working all night, a film editor finds himself mysteriously drawn to the raw footage he is cutting.

Festivals the film has played at:

- New Directors/New Films (New York, 2010),
- GIMLI Film Festival (Canada, 2010),
- Bahamas International film festival 2010,
- big apple film festival 2010,
- Byron Bay Film Festival 2011 (Australia).
Awards include: Stellar Award Best Fiction 30th Black Maria Film Festival, Special Jury Mention, Honolulu Film

The film will star Michelle Glick, will be helmed by award winning director/actor Philipp C. Wolter and lensed by Eun-ah Lee. Ueber-talented Uno Helmersson returns to the crew to compose the music. Christi Ciani produces.

In an effort to make this film happen, the FilmGym invites you to become part of the project by donating to its Kickstarter campaign. We appreciate every effort and want to thank all the FilmGym fans for their support and dedication.

The FG Team

Same space, different name: The former Zora Art Space is now Two Moon Cafe and Art House and will continue to host our screenings of short films.

As always, we’re proud to present an amazing line up of international award winning short films. Comedian, actress, and Uke Player Jen Kwok will present her wonderful talent prior to the screenings.

Spread the word, bring you aunts and uncles, spray graffiti on every wall and come join us for a tingling dose of short films, songs, wine, baked goods and…more.

Two Moon Cafe & Art House | 315 4th Avenue | Park Slope, Brooklyn
Time: Thursday, July 7th | 8 PM
Admission: 10 USD

Click here to visit the Facebook Events Page

PULSIONES “Drives” (12MIN) - directed by Jose
 Manuel
 Carrasco

In Drives, Carlos is about to get married, but he’s never explored his “needs”—perhaps a handsome escort can help?

Festivals the Film has played at:

Winner for Best Live Action Short Film at the 26th Warsaw International Film Festival, Sao Paulo Short Film Festival, Boston LGBT, Torino GLBT,  and many many more……

DECROCHE “Pick Up” (17MIN) - directed by Manuel Schapira

From her flat, a young woman calls a public phone in front of her apartment building. Strangers pick up.

Festivals the film has played at:

The film has played at many festivals all across the world including Clerrmont-Ferrand, Berlin, Toronto, Sydney and has received the following awards:

Audience prize : Uppsala / Grenoble / Aperoshortz 2007 /Paris Dauphine
Special Jury prize : Seattle
Jury prize : Silver bear Berlin Festival / Mamers

DOWN THIS ROAD (14MIN) – directed by Vinz Feller (Director and crew will be present for Q&A)

This tender melodrama is about two lost souls, a father and his preteen son who seeks out his estranged dad after running from his mom’s workplace with a wad of stolen bills. His dad comes to realize that sharing his pain with his son is ultimately better than facing life alone.

Festivals the film has played at:

Tribeca Film Festival, 30th Black Maria Film Festival, Honolulu Film Awards, Detmold Film Festival (Germany), Fünf Seen Film Festival (Germany), Solothurner Filmtage (Switzerland)

Awards include: Stellar Award Best Fiction 30th Black Maria Film Festival, Special Jury Mention, Honolulu Film

The FilmGym is proud to present yet another amazing line-up of INTERNATIONAL award winning short films for its upcoming event on Thursday, June 2nd, 2011.

We’re thrilled to be able to present the 2009 Oscar Winning Short “Toyland”, directed by Jochen Alexander Freydank and to introduce Nicholas Greene, director of “Salar”, who will be present at the screening. Also, from Brazil comes “Projeto Silencio” by filmmaker Bruno Caticha. Furthermore, we would like to welcome multi-talented actor/singer/songwriter Stephen Graybill, who will be performing songs from his latest album.
Come out and see some amazing shorties, spread the word, have a drink, hook up, get married in Vegas and…come back to the next screening.

Location: Zora Art Space | 315 4th Avenue | Park Slope, Brooklyn
Time: Thursday, June 2nd | 8 PM
Admission: 10 USD

Click here to visit the Facebook Events Page

* For those coming straight from a long day at work – sandwiches are available for sale (as well as beer, wine, tea and coffee) in Zora’s cafe!

TOYLAND “Spielzeugland” (15MIN) - directed by Jochen Alexander Freydank

Germany 1942: In order to protect her son Marianne Meißner tried to make him believe that the Jewish neighbors are going on a journey to “Toyland”. One morning her son has disappeared – the Jewish neighbors too. TOYLAND is a film about guilt, responsibility, small and big lies.

Festivals the Film has played at:

Winner for Best Live Action Short Film at the 81st Academy Awards and more……

Project Silence “Projeto Silencio” (14MIN) - directed by Bruno Caticha

An amateur sound technician tired of noise, which he deals with daily, becomes obsessed with the idea of recording silence.

Festivals the film has played at:

13th Shanghai International Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival, XL MOLODIST – Kyiv Internationatiol Film Festival, 20º Festival Internacional de Cine de Viña del Mar – Chile – 2010, 21º Festival Internacional de Curtas-Metragens de São Paulo – Brazil – 2010, Vienna International Film Festival – Áustria – 2011, 10º Goiânia Mostra Curtas – Brazil – 2010, 4ª Mostra CineBH – Brazil – 2010 and others.

SALAR (19MIN) – directed by Nicholas Greene(Director will be present for a Q&A)

Two lives cross in an isolated Bolivian village on the edge of the vast Uyuni salt flats: Marc, a disgruntled American doctor looking to leave, and Carlos, a fiery Bolivian salt miner who’s just been stabbed in the hand.

Festivals the film has played at:

Clermont-Ferrand International Film Festival. Will play at Nantucket Film Festival, Palm Springs ShortsFest, BFI London Film Festival
For more info, please visit http://nantucket.slated.com/2011/films/salar_nicholasgreene_nantucket2011

The FilmGym is proud to present another amazing line-up of award winning short films for its upcoming event on May 5th, 2011. The previous screenings were such a great success that we’ve decided to bring you short films from around the globe now the first thursday of each month. Mark your calendars!!

We’re thrilled to have Jen McGowan (Touch) and Olivia Silver (Little Canyon) present at the screening and further more would like to introduce Shane Patrick, who will be performing songs from his latest album. Good vibes and good spirits guaranteed!

Location: Zora Art Space | 315 4th Avenue | Park Slope, Brooklyn
Time: May 5th, 2011 | 8 PM
Admission: 10 USD

Click here to visit the Facebook Events Page

* For those coming straight from a long day at work – sandwiches are available for sale (as well as beer, wine, tea and coffee) in Zora’s cafe!

LITTLE CANYON (20MIN) – directed by Olivia Silver (Director will be present for a Q&A)

Twelve-year-old Greta’s dad is moving the kids cross-country, promising a California paradise and packing half the household into a dented station wagon. As they travel through forest, plains, and desert, stopping at fast food joints, shoddy motels, and a poor substitute for the Grand Canyon, Greta gradually realizes that her family is falling apart.

Festivals the Film has played at:

Sundance, Edinburgh, Nantucket, Sarasota, Denver Starz, Sacramento Film & Music, Newport Beach, Williamstown, LACMA Muse, St. John’s Women’s Film Festival, Castellinaria (Italy)

I LOVE LUCI (13MIN) – directed by Colin Kennedy

I Love Luci is a comedy of missing teeth, unrequited love and one dog’s potential to shape the fortunes of a couple destined never to be together.

Festivals the film has played at:

Clermont-Ferrand (Audience Award runner-up), Glasgow SFF (Jury’s Special Mention), Fat Film Fest (Best Film), Bergen Youth Film Festival (Honourable Mention), Rushes Soho Shorts (2nd place), Curtas Vila do Conde (Audience Award), Interfilm Berlin (Best Fiction), Almeria ISFF (Audience Award, Best Screenplay)

TOUCH (11MIN) – directed by Jen McGowan (Director will be present for a Q&A)

An ode to city life, TOUCH explores the universal themes of isolation and need for community when two strangers make the most important connect of their lives while waiting for a train.

Festivals the film has played at:

Florida Film Festival (Grand Jury Award for Best Short Film), Breckenridge Festival of Film (Best Short Drama), Palm Springs International ShortFest (Best of the Fest), Sonoma International Film Festival (Best Dramatic Short), San Diego Film Festival (Best Short Film), Big Bear Lake International Film Festival (Best Short Film),
Noci Cortin Festival (Best Short Film), Boulder International Film Festival (Best New Filmmaker), Atlantic City International Film and Music Festival (Outstanding Short),
Box[ur] Shorts Film Festival (Grand Prize), Fresno Film Festival (Best Short Film), Lake Arrowhead Film Festival (Silver Award, Best Short Film), Mexico International Film Festival (Bronze Palm Award, Best Short Film) and many many more…

The FilmGym is proud to present an amazing line-up of short film for it’s upcoming event on April 15th, 2011. Come out and support the medium, mingle with other filmmakers and just have a good time.

Location: Zora Art Space | 315 4th Avenue | Park Slope, Brooklyn
Time: April 15th, 2011 | 8 PM
Admission: 10 USD (Includes 5 USD donations for Red Cross Japan Relief Efforts)

ARK (8MIN) – Animated short directed by Grzegorz Jonkajtys

An unknown virus has destroyed almost the entire human population. Oblivious to the true nature of the disease, the only remaining survivors escape to the sea. In great ships, they set off in search of uninhabited land. So begins the exodus, led by one man …

Festivals the Film has played at:

Cannes Film Festival, SIGGRAPH, Prix Ars Electronica – Award of Distinction, Australian Effects and Animation Festival (2007, Australia): Winner – Short Film, Animanima International Film Festival (2007, Serbia): Award for the Best Directing, Budapest Short Film Festival (2007, Hungary): Best Animation, View Conference (2007, Italy): Best 3D Short, Tehran International Shortfilm Festival (2007, Iran): Best Experimental Award and many more…

ZEITRISS (11MIN) – directed by Joaquim Casalprim Suárez

In the living room a woman sits down next to a man and says nothing. It’s the end, and at the same time it marks the beginning of a transformation in the logic of things, dissolving into a physical experience of light, sound and movement.

Festivals the film has played at:

Clermont-Ferrand, WSFF Toronto, EMAF Osnabrück, Les Recontres Internationales and over 40 international festivals.

IT’S NOT THE SAME (26MIN) – directed by Jaime Lee (Director will be present for a Q&A)

Nathan is surprised to find Kathy at his door after a longtime fallout. This unexpected visit awakens emotions from the past. There is a very thin line that distinguishes the current life from the could-have-been, but it’s just not the same.

Festivals the film has played at:

Big Apple Film Festival 2010, Edgemar Short Film Festival and more to come…