2022 SAA Winners

ANIMATION

 

AN OSTRICH TOLD ME THE WORLD IS FAKE AND I THINK I BELIEVE IT

Director: Lachlan Pendragon
Griffith Film School, Australia

When a young telemarketer is confronted by a mysterious talking ostrich, he learns that the universe is stop motion animation. He must put aside his dwindling toaster sales and focus on convincing his colleagues of his terrifying discovery. It's scary business living in a stop motion world, where your faces come off and a giant hand controls your every move.

 

LAIKA & NEMO

Directors: Jan Gadermann & Sebastian Gadow
Konrad Wolf Film University of Babelsberg, Germany

Nemo looks different. Nobody else wears a diving suit and such a huge helmet. But then he meets Laika, an astronaut.

 

THE SEINE’S TEARS 

Directors: Yanis Belaid, Eliott Benard, and Nicolas Mayeur      
Pôle 3D Digital & Creative School, France  

October 17th, 1961, "Algerian workers" protest the mandatory curfew imposed by the Police prefecture.

 


DOCUMENTARY

 

FOUND

Director: Shuhao Tse
New York University

Tang's son was stolen when the child was three. 12 years later the police found him, but that joy was trapped by a new reality.

 

HERE TO STAY          

Director: Jared Peraglia
New York University

A 23-year-old, first-generation, Mexican American woman runs for office in one of the most dangerous cities in America.

 

SEASONS          

Directors: Gabriella Canal & Michael Fearon
Columbia University

A matriarchal Korean family farm navigates an uncertain future.

 


NARRATIVE

 

ALMOST HOME     

Director: Nils Keller
University of Television and Film Munich, Germany

Having lived on a spaceship with his mother for two years, Jacob’s dream of returning home is finally about to come true. But as they close in on Earth, they receive word of a great danger that could put the teenager in mortal peril. And with the uncertainty of his return, an even bigger question arises whether the boy is mature enough to make life changing decisions by himself.

 

ROOMS      

Director: Welf Reinhart
University of Television and Film Munich, Germany

After receiving an eviction notice, the search for a new flat becomes a fight for their relationship for an older Munich couple.

 

SHEDDING ANGELS    

Director: Freddy Macdonald
American Film Institute     

After Logan steals Candice's husband's Korean War uniforms, Candice relives her marriage... with Logan. 

 


ALTERNATIVE/EXPERIMENTAL

 

AGAINST REALITY      

Director: Olivia Peace
University of Southern California

“Against Reality” is a short surreal autobiographical documentary built using AI art generation tools. It is the story of how I learned to lucid dream.