"Click Click" by Stephen Kropa
Dark Comdey (17:00)
Fearing him suicidal after a breakup, Daniel Boyd rushes to check on his buddy John, who’s holed up in the sketchiest motel this side of the Raritan River. There, they find their understanding of love, friendship, and the world tested by the barrel of a gun.
Stephen Kropa is a New Jersey-born, Chicago-trained writer, improviser, actor, and director. Honing his skills on the comedic stage, Kropa's deft control of tone has become something of a calling card. Currently residing in Brooklyn, NY, Kropa teaches at The Second City between projects. His passion and verve for these pursuits are rivaled only by his being a "Tom Cruise claims to watch a movie a day and I aim to beat that" level cinephile.
"The Auditor and The Apocalypse" by Cinder Chou
Sci-Fi Comdey (7:53)
An overworked accountant misses the apocalypse to meet deadlines.
Cinder Chou is a Taiwanese American writer, director, and producer originally from the oft-maligned state of New Jersey and currently resides in Brooklyn. An early love for comic books turned into a passion for visual storytelling. Her work explores themes of otherness through a comedic and surreal style. Cinder’s early career as a production coordinator (The Big Sick, Can You Ever Forgive Me?) gave her the professional know-how to launch her own films. Her work has screened at many festivals in the U.S., and her debut feature "Artist Unknown" is currently on the festival circuit in 2023. In 2023, she was named The Artists Forum's Artist of the Year.
"Quit Deacon Me Around" by Emily Clark Gallagher
Horror Comedy (20:00)
A Deacon’s faith is put to the test when an eccentric coroner follows him home, claiming to have trapped a demon.
Emily Clark Gallagher is an actor, director, writer, and the Head of Development at Manderfilm. After growing up in a small rural town in Texas, she ran away to New York City and hasn’t looked back since. By day, she works as a finance journalist to keep up the appearance of “normalcy.” But in reality, Emily’s passion lies in creating unpretentious, grounded performances. This approach led her to directing, and *Quit Deacon Me Around* (her directorial debut) is the product of that journey—showcasing her ability to connect with actors while fostering creativity and collaboration behind the camera. She’s incredibly grateful for the unwavering support of her husband, Brandon Manderville, and her cat, Gomez, just for existing.
"Aaron with 2 A's" by Michael Goldburg
Drama, Comdey (17:00)
A monotonous life is turned upside down when Jiři follows his coworkers to a red-lit, blood-stained nightclub..
Michael Goldburg is an award-winning writer/director and NYU Film alum whose shorts have screened at over 100 festivals. His horror comedy What’s Eating Dad? won multiple awards and streams on Amazon Prime, while Sure-Fire earned top honors and support from Sony Pictures Classics and Bleecker Street. The Sure-Fire feature script has placed in major competitions like ScreenCraft and CineStory and ranks highly on Coverfly. Michael is also developing a Sundance-supported feature adaptation of a darkly comic novel.
"The Future of Television" by Tom Hunt
Comedy (4:17)
A stark portrayal of what's to come.
Tom is a comedian/filmmaker who has made stuff for Adult Swim, Comedy Central, and IFC, among other places. He is part of a YouTube sketch comdey group called "Complimentary TV."
"Flowers" by Earl S. Shirley JR.
Drama (10:00)
After leaving a funeral to find solace in a boxing gym, Tamar’s fragile calm shatters when her estranged father walks in—forcing a bruising confrontation over the wounds he left behind.
Based in New York, Earl is a filmmaker who crafts emotionally driven dramas that explore connection, loss, and resilience. With a focus on authentic storytelling and intimate character work, Earl brings a raw, cinematic approach to human emotion and everyday struggle.
