Laughter & Tears

Tears of Laughter: Feel-Good Dramatic Comedies about Friendship and Love CONTENT WARNING: Nudity and on-screen depictions of sex

Bounce DIRECTOR: Elizabeth Hicks . NL . 10 minutes Darcy is a fifteen-year-old mix of energy, perfectionism, and insecurity. When an ultra-cute boy from her cadet corps insists that she attend that night’s Trampoline Social, Darcy raids her sister’s drawers and sets off for a dramatic evening of self-acceptance and sweet backflips.

Boy Toy DIRECTOR: Sherri Levesque . NL . 5 minutes In this quirky love story, Jane falls for a sketchy hand puppet named Jerome. Her delusion deepens when she feels betrayed by her inanimate partner. This off-beat romantic comedy is as delightful as it is absurd.

Ghost Roommate DIRECTOR: Veronica Dymond . NL . 10 minutes Desperate for an apartment, George finally lands a great spot - only to discover her new roommate is less corporeal than expected. Ghost Roommate is a funny and heartfelt film about first impressions, new friendships, and the ghastly state of the rental market

Jill and Lill Do Knick Knacks DIRECTOR: Keith Jordan . Ireland . 14 minutes Two teenage girls find themselves in deep water after a seemingly innocuous prank ends in manslaughter. Jill and Lill is laugh-out-loud funny, with an absurd series of events paired with perfectly delivered dialogue that is equal parts hilarious and poetic.

Late Summer DIRECTOR: Ryan Steel . Manitoba . 11 minutes A mute loner encounters ambivalent feelings, first loves, and the heart break of pre-adolescence at a haunted summer camp. Late Summer brings the retro camp aesthetic to life with fantastic use of practical and visual effects paired with sets and costumes that bring this charming film to life.

Peter the Grave DIRECTOR: Matthieu Moerlen . France . 12 minutes Matthias & Victoria wander through the labyrinthine Saint-Ouen Cemetery in search of a grave. With no help from the groundskeeper the search seems hopeless but this young couple will find something else they were looking for on this adventure. Romantic, charming, and humorous, Peter the Grave brings a love story to an unlikely setting.

The Odds of That DIRECTOR: Michelle T Clemens . NL . 6 minutes Two sisters who had given birth to sons just before the COVID pandemic commiserate about the trials and tribulations of motherhood over drinks, but while catching up they make a shocking discovery that may tear their family apart.

Me No Pause DIRECTOR: Kelly Sandra Meadus . NL . 5 minutes Menopause will impact every woman. It will change relationships, the way women feel about themselves, how they interact with others, and their perception of the world. In this experimental short comedy, "Me No Pause," we see the struggles of this midlife biological shift in a dark but playful light.

Making Babies DIRECTOR: Éric K. Boulianne . Quebec . 19 minutes After many years together, a couple decides to have a baby but after many unsuccessful attempts, the partners struggle to maintain their love and unity. Making Babies is a minimalist comedy drama that lays bare how love is sometimes tested and torn by forces we cannot control.