2024, 11 minutes

The first short, Learning English, introduces us to Hannah, a recent Chinese immigrant in the U.S. who is eager to improve her English. When she accidentally receives a misdialed call, she capitalizes on the moment to forge a makeshift, one-sided exchange. Learning English deftly uses humor to depict the often-absurd realities of navigating a new language, especially the internal contradictions of wanting to integrate while being repeatedly dismissed or ignored. As the program opener, this film by Jean Liu embodies the tentative and often awkward first steps toward connection in a foreign culture.

Norway, 2021, 14 minutes.

A young backpacker visits a small Norwegian village, where he’s planning to stay with a host he’s found online. He soon discovers that he has to make a difficult decision.

2020, 14 min

A black comedy about the massive waves of migration around the world. Melina, 18, a refugee from the Middle East, is trapped in a system meant to help her find work in her new homeland. A series of surreal episodes reflects the ordeal of a system that helps, but only a little and not enough. The dreams and aspirations of refugees are mostly unattainable.

Norway, 2024, 13 min.

Mona is meeting her Ghanaian boyfriend’s family for the first time. Eager to impress, she showcases her «knowledge» of Africa. The result is the most awkward dinner in history.