Movies

[Sundance ’23] Short films coming to the Sundance Film Festival

Something for all.

January 15, 2023

The Sundance Film Festival has been the place where many acclaimed directors got their start. For many, it was a short film that caught fire and jumpstarted their careers. As Sundance returns to hosting in person attendance for the first time since 2019, a number of short films have been added to the program. Here are some of the ones that caught our eye.

AirHostess-737 (Short Film Program 2)

[Sundance '23] Short films coming to the Sundance Film Festival

Courtesy of Sundance Institute.

Thanasis Neofotistos is a film director, writer, and architect from Greece and a member of the LGBTQI+ community. His latest short is about an air hostess collapses on flight, convinced that her problem is her new braces. However, her colleagues know the plane is carrying her mother’s dead body to her hometown.

AliEN0089 (Midnight Short Film Program)

Courtesy of Sundance Institute.

This film available only in-person and not available online

While a gamer uploads a testimonial video to denounce the harassment she suffers in a video game, a stranger enters her home and hacks her computer, blurring the boundaries between the real and virtual worlds.

Burger World (Animation Short Film Program)

Courtesy of Sundance Institute

From director and screenwriter Maddie Brewer, two co-workers at a derelict fast-food franchise accidentally discover a yonic meat portal to another realm – the titular “burger” world, wherein they’re the only ones who can liberate an oppressed vegetable populace from the all-controlling hand of big meat.

In the Flesh (Midnight Short Film Program)

Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Remington Long

Filmmaker Daphne Gardner’s short brings together two things that have always gone together perfectly: sex and horror. Tracey is just trying to jerk off with her bathtub faucet like normal when some old memories dredge themselves up, the pipes explode with dirty water, and she starts leaking black goo.

Liturgy of anti-tank obstacles (Documentary short film program)

Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Dmytro Sukholytkyy-Sobchuk

It has almost been a year since Russia invaded Ukraine. In western Ukraine, sculptors who used to make religious statues are retraining for different skills. They now build anti-tank obstacles to help fend off the Russian invasion.

Ricky (Short Film Program 1)

Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Sam Motamedi

Award filmmaker Rashad Frett’s latest project follows an ex-offender struggling with new freedom pursues redemption at all costs when given a job from his neighbor. A look at the inequities of the justice system and the effects on those dealing with transitioning back to freedom.

The Family Circus (Short Film Program 4)

Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Sing Howe Yam

A Vietnamese-American family’s plan to cover up a drunk driving accident begins to unravel when their emotional baggage spills out in front of the police. This tense short will be making its World Premiere at Sundance.

Troy (Short Film Program 2)

Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Ryan De Franco

Troy has loud sex. Troy has loud sex 24/7. Troy shares a wall with Thea and Charlie. Troy is ruining their lives… or is he saving them? This is director Mike Donahue’s first short. The cast includes Dylan Baker (Trick ‘r Treat) and Dana Delany (Tulsa King).

Under G-d (Documentary short film program)

Courtesy of Sundance Institute

This film available only in-person and not available online

The Dobbs U.S. Supreme Court decision sparked a national Jewish response. Inspired by the lived experiences of Jewish women, lawsuits are currently being launched by rabbis, Jewish organizations, and interfaith leaders to challenge the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Walk of Shame (Short Film Program 3)

Shannon Plumb appears in Walk of Shame by Dane Ray, an official selection of the U.S. Shorts program at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Doug Potts

A mourning widow suspects a stranger in town is wearing her late husband’s Army jacket. She cautiously stalks the man into the night in an attempt to find closure. Director-screenwriter Dane Ray has spent the last seven years working as a building mechanic in order to fund his short film.

We Were Meant To (Short Film Program 2)

Courtesy of Sundance Institute

In a world where Black men have wings and their first flight is a rite of passage, Akil must defy fears, insecurities, and societal barriers while discovering his perfect launch into manhood. From first generation Liberian-Nigerian filmmaker Tari Wariebi.

The Sundance Film Festival takes place from January 19 -29. Full shorts lineup can be found HERE

Join the AIPT Patreon

Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:

❌ Remove all ads on the website

💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
📗 Access to our monthly book club
📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month