“Final Exam 03” (RT: 89 min.)
It seems that last year’s unruly program of video shorts that occupied this program slot, “Class Is Now In Session,” went over so well that popular acclaim demanded an encore, so here it is. With a nod and a wink to classic genre cinema, these directors are simply way past any “Joy Luck” stories. Biif! Pow!! Say, what?!?

RANDOM ACTS OF VIOLENCE
(United States, 2002) Director: Michael Velasquez
RANDOM ACTS OF VIOLENCE is about Kung Fu, skateboards, and good old fashioned senseless action. The creators, realizing that such things as content, story, and dialogue have only hindered their creative efforts in the past, decide to make a video purely about action. The result is a lighthearted study of movement, choreography, and two guys beating the crap out of each other.
Beta SP, 4 minutes, Narrative Short Video

cycle
(United States, 2002) Director: Nguyen Tran Minh-Chieu
An urban tale of crime and karma. Taken through the gritty streets of New York City, a quick misjudgment leads to a series of events and a grand finale.
Beta SP, 7 minutes, Narrative Short Video

SPACE TIME DESTROYERS
(United States, 2001) Director: Roman Cortez, Chito Arellano, and Tracy Tubera (interview)
Hip-Hoppin’, body rockin’, ain’t no one stoppin’ three old school b-boys from getting their groove-on. Until, an evil space overlord gets infected by their universal beat. Will he claim the beat for his own evil doing or will the b-boys defend their territory? You’ll see when you check out the comedy and infectious grooves of S.T.D.: Space Time Destroyers.
Beta SP, 11 minutes, Narrative Short Video

ADVENTURES OF BARRELMAN, THE
(United States, 2002) Director: Howard P. Cabalfin
What if the souvenir item with the long, wooden, spring-loaded surprise was an action hero? Inspired by the beloved woodcarving, this animated short follows the exploits of Kai, a mail courier who uses an alien battle suit to defend the earth from interdimensional invasion.
Beta SP, 5 minutes, Animated Short Video

WHY IT’S A GOOD THING
(United States, 2002) Director: Wes Kim
People often assume that Asians know martial arts, but what if it were true?Beta SP, 5 minutes, Narrative Short Video

SCAPEGOAT, THE
(United States, 2002) Director: Darren Ng
THE SCAPEGOAT pays homage to the silent comedian, Buster Keaton, who was well-known for his “stoneface” and physical gags. In this silent comedy, a college student’s daily routing is interrupted when he accidentally runs into trouble with a quarrelling couple. He becomes the target of frustration and finds himself caught up in a slapstick-filled chase.
Beta SP, 23 minutes, Narrative Short Video

FLAVOR, THE
(United States, 2002) Director: Gavin Tachibana
One man struggles to overcome his addiction to corn dogs.
Beta SP, 5 minutes, Narrative Short Video

MATRICES, THE
(United States, 2003) Director: Jennifer Phang, Dominic Mah
A fast-paced parody of the hit sci-fi/action film “The Matrix,” THE MATRICES follows the adventures of aspiring writer Neato Ampersand in the virtual labyrinth of the Los Angeles Film Industry. Neato attends Hollywood parties and takes the requisite meetings with powerful literary Agents, yet he cannot shake the feeling that something is wrong…that the world around him is a reality-based illusion…that what he really wants to do is act.
Beta SP, 24 minutes, Narrative Short Video

ONCE IN A LIFE
(United States, 2002) Director: Yoshinori Sato
A man takes a wild journey to the other side of life.
Beta SP, 6 minutes, Narrative Short Video