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Makeup
Short Films
Short Narrative, 2009, 14 min
Directed by: Scott Tuft
Plays In: Best Served Cold - Shorts
Leisha Hailey ("The L Word") and Julie Hagerty (AIRPLANE!) star in this darkly comic look at 1950s suburban Americana, in which a door-to-door makeover service offers more than just cosmetic treatments. Read More
Short Films
Short Narrative, 2009, 14 min
Directed by: Scott Tuft
Plays In: Best Served Cold - Shorts
Leisha Hailey ("The L Word") and Julie Hagerty (AIRPLANE!) star in this darkly comic look at 1950s suburban Americana, in which a door-to-door makeover service offers more than just cosmetic treatments. Read More
Mammoth
World Cinema , Scandinavian Focus
Feature Narrative, 2009, 120 min
Directed by: Lukas Moodyson
Interests: Drama
MAMMOTH revolves around successful New York couple Leo (Gael Garcia Bernal), the creator of a booming website, and Ellen (Michelle Williams), a dedicated emergency surgeon. Their daughter Jackie spends most of her time with her nanny and Ellen is starting to question her priorities. When Leo travels to Thailand on business, he unwittingly sets off a chain of events that will have dramatic consequences for everyone. Read More
World Cinema , Scandinavian Focus
Feature Narrative, 2009, 120 min
Directed by: Lukas Moodyson
Interests: Drama
MAMMOTH revolves around successful New York couple Leo (Gael Garcia Bernal), the creator of a booming website, and Ellen (Michelle Williams), a dedicated emergency surgeon. Their daughter Jackie spends most of her time with her nanny and Ellen is starting to question her priorities. When Leo travels to Thailand on business, he unwittingly sets off a chain of events that will have dramatic consequences for everyone. Read More
Max Manus
World Cinema , Scandinavian Focus
Feature Narrative, 2008, 118 min
Interests: Biography, Drama, History
Based on the true story of the famed resistance fighter, MAX MANUS follows the exploits of the title character as hejoins the Norwegian resistance movement and becomes one of the most important members of the so-called Oslo Gang, carrying out spectacular raids against German ships in Oslo harbor, including the sinking of the slave ship Donau. Read More
World Cinema , Scandinavian Focus
Feature Narrative, 2008, 118 min
Interests: Biography, Drama, History
Based on the true story of the famed resistance fighter, MAX MANUS follows the exploits of the title character as hejoins the Norwegian resistance movement and becomes one of the most important members of the so-called Oslo Gang, carrying out spectacular raids against German ships in Oslo harbor, including the sinking of the slave ship Donau. Read More
The Men Who Stare at Goats
World Cinema
Feature Narrative, 2008, 90 min
Directed by: Grant Heslov
Interests: Comedy
In a comedic look at real life events that are almost too bizarre to believe, a reporter discovers a top-secret wing of the U.S. military when he accompanies an enigmatic Special Forces operator on a mind-boggling mission. Read More
World Cinema
Feature Narrative, 2008, 90 min
Directed by: Grant Heslov
Interests: Comedy
In a comedic look at real life events that are almost too bizarre to believe, a reporter discovers a top-secret wing of the U.S. military when he accompanies an enigmatic Special Forces operator on a mind-boggling mission. Read More
The Messenger
World Cinema
Feature Narrative, 2009, 112 min
Directed by: Oren Moverman
Interests: Drama
THE MESSENGER is a superbly crafted new drama that feels like an instant classic. Ben Foster gives a stunning performance of a lifetime as Will Montgomery, an injured soldier who returns from Iraq to serve his last few months of active duty notifying families of the deaths of loved ones lost in combat. Read More
World Cinema
Feature Narrative, 2009, 112 min
Directed by: Oren Moverman
Interests: Drama
THE MESSENGER is a superbly crafted new drama that feels like an instant classic. Ben Foster gives a stunning performance of a lifetime as Will Montgomery, an injured soldier who returns from Iraq to serve his last few months of active duty notifying families of the deaths of loved ones lost in combat. Read More
Millennium: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
World Cinema , Scandinavian Focus
Feature Narrative, 2009, 145 min
Directed by: Niels Arden Oplev
Stieg Larsonís THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO the first in the three-part MILLENNIUM trilogy, is one of the decade’s major literary success stories. The first book in the series is brought to the big screen by acclaimed filmmaker Niels Arden Oplev, whose WE SHALL OVERCOME won the HIFF Audience Award in 2006. Read More
World Cinema , Scandinavian Focus
Feature Narrative, 2009, 145 min
Directed by: Niels Arden Oplev
Stieg Larsonís THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO the first in the three-part MILLENNIUM trilogy, is one of the decade’s major literary success stories. The first book in the series is brought to the big screen by acclaimed filmmaker Niels Arden Oplev, whose WE SHALL OVERCOME won the HIFF Audience Award in 2006. Read More
The Misfortunates
Golden Starfish Award Narrative Competition
Feature Narrative, 2009, 108 min
Directed by: Felix van Groeningen
Interests: Comedy, Drama
This Flemish seriocomedy ruminates over Gunther Strobbe's ribald, troubled adolescence amongst three bawdy uncles, an ever-boozing dad, one put-upon grandmother, and more dysfunction than you can shake a keg at. Adapted from an acclaimed novel by Dimitri Verhulst and directed with deftness, verve and pathos by Felix Van Groeningen. Read More
Golden Starfish Award Narrative Competition
Feature Narrative, 2009, 108 min
Directed by: Felix van Groeningen
Interests: Comedy, Drama
This Flemish seriocomedy ruminates over Gunther Strobbe's ribald, troubled adolescence amongst three bawdy uncles, an ever-boozing dad, one put-upon grandmother, and more dysfunction than you can shake a keg at. Adapted from an acclaimed novel by Dimitri Verhulst and directed with deftness, verve and pathos by Felix Van Groeningen. Read More
Missing
Short Films
Short Narrative, 2009, 12 min
Directed by: Jochem de Vries
Plays In: Golden Starfish Awards Short Films in Competition
Interests: Drama
A mother and daughter prepare for a big day in this poignant, keenly observed portrait of good intentions and family dynamics. Read More
Short Films
Short Narrative, 2009, 12 min
Directed by: Jochem de Vries
Plays In: Golden Starfish Awards Short Films in Competition
Interests: Drama
A mother and daughter prepare for a big day in this poignant, keenly observed portrait of good intentions and family dynamics. Read More
Mugabe and the White African
Golden Starfish Award Documentary Competition
Feature Documentary, 2009, 90 min
Directed by: Lucy Bailey and Andrew Thomson
Interests: African Interest, Documentary, Politics
"Is it possible to be a white man and African?" This daring film follows the story of Mike Campbell who, in 2008, took the government of Zimbabwe and President Robert Mugabe to international court for violation of human rights in an effort to preserve his farm amid state-sanctioned "Land Reform" initiatives tantamount to the ethnic cleansing of whites. Read More
Golden Starfish Award Documentary Competition
Feature Documentary, 2009, 90 min
Directed by: Lucy Bailey and Andrew Thomson
Interests: African Interest, Documentary, Politics
"Is it possible to be a white man and African?" This daring film follows the story of Mike Campbell who, in 2008, took the government of Zimbabwe and President Robert Mugabe to international court for violation of human rights in an effort to preserve his farm amid state-sanctioned "Land Reform" initiatives tantamount to the ethnic cleansing of whites. Read More
My Neighbor, My Killer
Conflict & Resolution Competition
Feature Documentary, 2009, 80 min
Directed by: Anne Aghion
Interests: African Interest, Documentary, History, Politics
After the Rwandan genocide in 1994, the government put in place the Gacaca —open-air hearings with citizen-judges meant to try their neighbors and rebuild the nation. As part of this experiment in reconciliation, confessed genocide killers are sent home from prison, while survivors are asked to resume living side-by-side. Read More
Conflict & Resolution Competition
Feature Documentary, 2009, 80 min
Directed by: Anne Aghion
Interests: African Interest, Documentary, History, Politics
After the Rwandan genocide in 1994, the government put in place the Gacaca —open-air hearings with citizen-judges meant to try their neighbors and rebuild the nation. As part of this experiment in reconciliation, confessed genocide killers are sent home from prison, while survivors are asked to resume living side-by-side. Read More
My Words, My Lies, My Love
World Cinema
Feature Narrative, 2009, 103 min
Directed by: Alain Gsponer
Interests: Comedy, Romance
The proverbial Death of the Author theory is taken literally in this fresh rags to riches romantic comedy starring Daniel Bruhl (GOODBY LENIN!, INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS). A timid waiter named David Kern (Bruhl) has become a sudden and unlikely literary star with the publication of a best-selling novel. The catch? He didn't actually write it. Read More
World Cinema
Feature Narrative, 2009, 103 min
Directed by: Alain Gsponer
Interests: Comedy, Romance
The proverbial Death of the Author theory is taken literally in this fresh rags to riches romantic comedy starring Daniel Bruhl (GOODBY LENIN!, INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS). A timid waiter named David Kern (Bruhl) has become a sudden and unlikely literary star with the publication of a best-selling novel. The catch? He didn't actually write it. Read More
Student Awards Showcase & Making Your First Short Panel
Panels
Panel, 120 min
The students in this year’s Student Awards shorts program will take part in this informative roundtable discussion about short filmmaking. The panel will take place immediately following the Student Awards short program, and admittance is free with your ticket to the Student Awards. Moderated by Sheril Antonio, Associate Dean, New York University’s Maurice Kanbar Institute of Film, Television, New Media and Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music, and Jeremiah Newton, NYU Industry Liaison and founder of the HIFF Student Awards. Panelists will include filmmakers Ash Bhalla, Kevin Fengkopoulos, Matthew Watts, Eric Scherbarth and Mark Lee. Read More
Panels
Panel, 120 min
The students in this year’s Student Awards shorts program will take part in this informative roundtable discussion about short filmmaking. The panel will take place immediately following the Student Awards short program, and admittance is free with your ticket to the Student Awards. Moderated by Sheril Antonio, Associate Dean, New York University’s Maurice Kanbar Institute of Film, Television, New Media and Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music, and Jeremiah Newton, NYU Industry Liaison and founder of the HIFF Student Awards. Panelists will include filmmakers Ash Bhalla, Kevin Fengkopoulos, Matthew Watts, Eric Scherbarth and Mark Lee. Read More