11th Annual NBCUniversal SHORT FILM FESTIVAL Selects Eight Original Short Films

The NBCUniversal SHORT FILM FESTIVAL has named eight original short films as finalists for its 11th annual festival that celebrates diverse stories while finding the next generation of storytellers. The final films and their filmmakers will be recognized at a finale screening and awards ceremony hosted by comedian-actor and StandUp NBC alumnus Lil Rel Howery (The Carmichael Show, Last Comic Standing) on October 19, 2016 at the Directors Guild of America in Hollywood.

Awards in seven categories including Best Writer and Best Director will be handed out by presenters, Nico Santos (Superstore), Randall Park (Fresh Off the Boat, Trainwreck), writer-director David E. Talbert (Universal Pictures' upcoming Almost Christmas), Essence Atkins (NBC's upcoming sitcom Marlon), Bresha Webb (Marlon, Ride Along 2), Tiffany Haddish (Keanu, Universal Pictures' upcoming Girls Trip), Veronica Falcón (Queen of the South) and Chrissie Fit (Pitch Perfect 2).

"This year's finalist films give a fresh, new perspective on diverse stories. They embody the heart of our festival in telling original stories that feature diversity across ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation and people with disabilities." said Karen Horne, SVP, Programming Talent Development & Inclusion, NBC Entertainment. "The high caliber of these films is a testament to the amazing talent of these up and coming filmmakers."

The eight finalist short films are below:

DAY ONE Writer & Director: Henry Hughes

Inspired by a true story, Day One depicts a translator's first day accompanying a US Army unit as it searches for a local terrorist. She is immediately confronted with gender and religious barriers that affect lives on both sides of a conflict. The film was nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Live Action Short Film (trailer)

GUEST ROOM Writer & Director: Joshua Tate

The relationship of a young couple with Down Syndrome is tested when they have to make a life-changing decision. The SXSW Film Festival official selection stars Lauren Potter (Glee). (trailer)

PARACHUTE GIRLS Director: Alex Rubens, Writer: Emily C. Chang

A woman shows up at her sister's dinner party after years of no contact and threatens to reveal family secrets to the guests. (trailer)

PASSWORD DEALS Writer & Director: Brie Eley

The ladies of sketch comedy group 4Play imagine a world where the hottest thing on the street isn't drugs; it's passwords. (trailer)

ROSA Writer & Director: Alejandra Parody

Despite having served the same family for several years, a compassionate maid struggles to belong when class divisions clash with her devotion to the family's son. (trailer)

THINGS I HATE: LADY GROOMING Director: Liam Edward Brady, Writer: Molly Anne Coogan

Things I Hate is a comedic web series about the humiliations and indignities suffered by a nice gal living in New York. This episode chronicles her first trip to a waxing salon. (trailer)

VÁMONOS Director: Marvin Bryan Lemus, Writer: Moira Morel & Erick Castrillon

A women fights against the homophobic hostilities from her dead girlfriend's family in order to bury her with dignity. (trailer)

YOU CAN GO Director: Christine Turner, Writer: Daniel Solé

In this Tribeca Film Festival official selection, a high school administrator (S. Epatha Merkerson, Chicago Med) talks down a troubled student (Charlie Tahan, Wayward Pines) from performing a self-destructive act. (trailer)

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