SENE Film, Music & Arts Festival 2009

A series of glimpses into the lives of a dynamic, young, Philadelphia threesome, reveals secrets-in-the-making as characters search for identity in sex, art, the city, and each other

Andrej and his family have been living in Germany illegally for years. When his son reaches school age, he can't hide any longer. Mischa's future is at stake.

Larry, a 93 year-old widower confined to a Nursing Home, remembers a time when he had more spring in his step. Based on real audio recordings from 2002, animator Kristen Palana uses individually painted digital images to imagine and recreate her grandfather's first attempts to woo his beloved Roz. Set in both 1943 and 2007, 'Larry and Roz' is a three and a half minute glimpse into one couple's six decade relationship. Kristen started working on 'Larry and Roz' in the summer of 2006 after a cross continental move to Italy which forced her and her husband to live apart for over a year. During this time, Kristen became more empathetic towards couples separated by distance or death and their longing for an eventual reunion.

"Lesson One" is a visual poem and a metaphor about running from regret in our lives. Filmmaker Bryan De Leon demonstrates a visual authority and beauty in his images as several young men run from an unnamed mistake. Their lives are connected only by an identical voice-over narration as the camera tracks their escape from reality through an inner city landscape. Filmed in ultra slow-motion, 'Lesson One' is an experimental piece of filmmaking which attempts to express its theme in a less direct way than a traditional narrative. Vibrant colors and an diverse cast of characters make this short film an unforgettable piece of art.

After losing his warehouse job due to an incident of assault, Martin is left to wander the streets of Dublin spending his days drinking in the pub, placing bets on horses and getting lapdances. One night when drunk he barks up the wrong tree when he approaches a group of rough youths. They humiliate him in his vulnerable state and leave him close to death. The next morning Martin, feeling so small, attempts to kill himself in the bath by pulling the toaster in to the water. The phone rings, and it's his daughter Laura. She wants to meet up, and Martin agrees. He cleans himself up and tries his best to impress.Upon meeting Laura, Martin struggles to relate to the little girl he held in his arms for the first time 15 years previous. Her cold attitude towards him forces him to pathetically apologise for his mistakes in the past and try and convince her he's changed. Things go well and they arrange another date to meet.On his way to meet her the next day he sees one of the youths that attacked him. He reacts, and very quickly, everything that he could work to have again, disappears in to the back of a police car.

It's Maxim birthday. He's 8 years old. He lives with his mother in a village quite far from the nearest city. For his birthday, his mother takes him to a McDonald's restaurant.

When the realities of her father's job hit, Sara copes with her grief the best way she knows how. In the pitfalls of life, sometimes all we can do is mind the gap.

Veteran miracle investigator Father Dominic and his rookie partner Father Justin judge the authenticity of miracles and bust the spiritual criminals who dare disagree.