SOUND & SCENE SHOWCASE ENCORE (Virtual Exclusive)

NewFest is delighted to share a virtual encore of films that were created as part of Sound & Scene: NewFest + Concord QTBIPOC Short Film Initiative, featuring music by noted artists Billie Holiday, Joan Sebastian, MUNA, Phil Collins, and REO Speedwagon. Join us as we share new work from filmmakers Nico Blanco, Kyle Casey Chu, Moitri Ghosh, Mekhai Lee, Syra McCarthy, and Kevin Xian Ming Yu. Presented in partnership with Concord Originals.

Betty St. Clair
Dir. Syra McCarthy, 12 min, USA
Betty St. Clair is in over her head. In the backstage green room of an all-AAPI drag show, Betty struggles to keep her messy troupe of queens on task with the help of bestie and drag sister, Candace Dikfit. When Betty takes the stage to begin hosting, we realize the event is being held at an Asian American community center for a small crowd of baffled seniors.

Them That’s Not
Dir. Mekhai Lee, 19 min, USA
A sudden prison furlough unexpectedly bonds an estranged father with his emotionally avoidant daughter at their matriarch’s repass.

Asha
Dir. Moitri Ghosh, 12 min, USA
Amidst the chaos of her daughter’s 10th birthday party, Asha must face her estranged mom who shows up unannounced bearing the ultimate gift.

Miénteme (Lie to Me)
Dir. Nico Blanco, 13 min, USA
During an elegant engagement party, the unexpected arrival of a guest from the past threatens the event’s apparent perfection.

Take a Look at Me
Dir. Kevin Xian Ming Yu, 15 min, USA
Zhang, a middle-aged Chinese immigrant, visits the grieving family of his former lover, Ming. Over one afternoon in Queens, he connects with twenty-something Andy, Ming’s genderqueer child.

This program will be followed by a Q&A.