Season Two

October 28, 2020

The Beginning

Dennis Sungmin Kim - 22, Nicholas Escobar - 23, Alice Ku - 19
Pennsylvania/Korea

A boy, alone in his world, is visited by an unexpected but familiar figure.

The Beginning screened at NFFTY 2019 in the Animation Sensations screening, and is now streaming on Film Movement Plus as part of the Spotlight on Short Films from NFFTY!

NOTE: This film is currently only available via subscription to Film Movement Plus.

LISTEN TO DENNIS ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 250

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October 21, 2020

Aşrı (Distant)

Ecegül Bayram - 22, Crystal Zhang - 21, Konstantin Lyubimov - 21
Turkey

Bahar's simple but happy life changes after her husband buys a second wife, Meryem. After spending a day filled with tension, the women realize that they’re not that different from each other.

Aşrı (Distant) screened at NFFTY 2019 during The Long and Short of It program, and took home the Audience Award for that screening. The film is now streaming on Film Movement Plus, as part of the Spotlight on Short Films from NFFTY!

NOTE: This film is currently only available via subscription to Film Movement Plus.

LISTEN TO ECEGÜL ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 249

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October 14, 2020

Meeting at Half Past Five

Daria Litvichenko - 17
Estonia

There’s no doubt that the world is cruel and corrupt. Still, this evening Philip gets another proof of this.

Meeting at Half Past Five screened at NFFTY 2019 in our Animation Sensations program, and is now streaming on Film Movement Plus!

LISTEN TO THE DARIA ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 248

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October 7, 2020

Tree #3

Omer Ben-Shachar - 22
California/Israel

After he's been cast (again!) as a background tree in his annual middle school play, an ambitious and imaginative Israeli immigrant boy leads a revolution on stage that his intolerant drama teacher will never forget.

Tree #3 screened at NFFTY 2019 as part of our Opening Night showcase and took home the Audience Award for that screening, in addition to the Jury Award for Best Narrative Short - Student.

LISTEN TO THE OMER ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 247

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September 30, 2020

Bird of Paradise

Alexander Zorn - 24, Jacob Zorn - 24, Zoe White - 21
Illinois

A queer geriatric nurse learns one of life's hardest lessons when he falls in love with one of his elderly patients.

Bird of Paradise screened at NFFTY 2019 as part of our Centerpiece showcase.

LISTEN TO THE FILMMAKERS ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 246

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September 23, 2020

Pacurí

Gustavo Rene Sanabria - 22, Miles Warren - 21, Jacob Snyder - 22
New York

15 year-old Paraguayan-American, Pacurí, lives in a claustrophobic apartment on the other side of town — a town of country-club members and golden retrievers. At the cusp of her Quinceañera, she must decide where her loyalties lie: with her devoted family, or her wealthy friends.

Pacurí screened at NFFTY 2019 in the Family Ties showcase.

LISTEN TO GUSTAVO ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 245

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September 16, 2020

The Mother

Joe Chen - 23, Peng Ni - 24
California

A pregnant young woman is told by her adoptive American mother that her Chinese biological mom needs a bone marrow transplant and that she may be the only match. Her decision whether to contact her or not weighs heavily as tries to reconnect to a past she barely remembers.

The Mother screened as part of Existential Epics during NFFTY 2019.

LISTEN TO JOE (DIRECTOR), LIMBO LIN (D.P.) AND XIANG LI (EDITOR) ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 244

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September 9, 2020

Leaves

Pedro Tamames - 21, Isabel Padilla - 22, Britney Ngaw - 18, Rhea D'Souza - 24
Spain

A girl spends her time eavesdropping on a young couple whose relationship is falling apart.

Leaves screened at NFFTY 2019 in the Radical Experiments showcase.

LISTEN TO PEDRO ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 243

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September 2, 2020

Seahorse

Drew Praskovich - 21, Kaitlin Nash - 22, Ashley Stokes - 21, Alia Ssemakula - 22
Pennsylvania

Mars, a 19-year-old pregnant boy, is sick of the tabloid persona created by his mother, Norma. On the final day of his pregnancy, he must decide what kind of parent he will be for his daughter.

Seahorse screened at NFFTY 2019 as part of the Come As You Are showcase, and received the Audience Award.

LISTEN TO DREW AND ASHLEY (D.P.) ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 242

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August 26, 2020

Your Security

Elias ZX - 19
New York

A film about romance, scams and romance scams.

Your Security screened at NFFTY 2019 in the Radical Experiments showcase, and took home the Honorable Mention award for Best Experimental Short.

LISTEN TO ELIAS ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 241

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August 19, 2020

Green

Kylie Murphy - 23
New York

A female standup gets bumped when a famous comic returns after sexual misconduct allegations.

Green screened at NFFTY 2019 as part of Closing Night: Generation NOW.

LISTEN TO KYLIE ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 240

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August 12, 2020

A Three Player Scrum

Danika Vermette - 24
Canada

Olivia and Aude have played rugby sevens together for years. After the new girl's first game, Oli only has eyes for her.

A Three Player Scrum screened at NFFTY 2019 in The Long and Short of It showcase.

LISTEN TO DANIKA ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 239

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August 5, 2020

When She Speaks

Jacqueline Xerri - 21, Millicent Louise Jenkins - 22, Stephen Musumeci - 23, Raymond Knudsen - 23
New York

A complicated childbirth is only the first affliction to strain the marriage of a faithful wife and her distinguished husband in this riveting true story.

When She Speaks screened in the Palpable Performances showcase during NFFTY 2019.

LISTEN TO JACQUELINE, RAYMOND AND STEPHEN ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 236

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July 29, 2020

Stage Ready

Raymond Knudsen - 23, Tyler Knutt - 22, Stephen Musumeci - 22, Jacqueline Xerri - 21
Florida

An obsessed bodybuilder who struggles with personal demons and his family’s lack of support soon learns that achieving perfection is all he has left.

Stage Ready screened at NFFTY 2019 in our Palpable Performances showcase.

LISTEN TO STEPHEN, RAYMOND AND JACQUELINE ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 236

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July 22, 2020

Scenes from a Hibachi Restaurant

Stephen Musumeci - 23, Raymond Knudsen - 23, Jacqueline Xerri - 22 Millicent Louise Jenkins - 22
Florida

Friday at the local hibachi restaurant. Sake is flowing and flames are burning, but when the fire goes out, what is there to talk about?

Scenes from a Hibachi Restaurant screened at NFFTY 2019 as part of the After Hours Absurdity showcase.

LISTEN TO STEPHEN, RAYMOND AND JACQUELINE ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 236

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July 15, 2020

GRAB MY HAND: A Letter to My Dad

Camrus Johnson - 24, Frazier Smith - 24
New York

In this retelling of his dad's relationship with his best friend, GRAB MY HAND is Camrus Johnson's gift to his grieving father and a message to all to cherish every second you have with the ones you love while you still can.

GRAB MY HAND: A Letter to My Dad screened at NFFTY 2019 in our Opening Night Gala, and took home the Jury Award for Best Animation.

LISTEN TO CAMRUS ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 235

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July 8, 2020

Ah Gong

Clifford Miu - 24, Linhan Zhang - 21
Taiwan

Eleven year old Chris arrives at the hospital only to realize that his mother and uncles have decided to pull the plug on his beloved grandfather.

Ah Gong screened at NFFTY 2019 as part of our Family Ties showcase.

LISTEN TO CLIFFORD ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 234

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July 1, 2020

Return to Sender

Malibu Taetz - 20, Joshua Vanderlinden - 20, Josh Aries - 20
Canada

When Moira, a clerk in the cosmic mailroom, mistakenly sends the Meaning of Life to earth ahead of schedule, she must choose between helping the person it was sent to, or helping the universe restore order.

Return to Sender screened at NFFTY 2019 in our Lighten Up! showcase.

LISTEN TO MALIBU, JOSHUA AND LEAD ACTRESS ERIN MUDRY ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 233

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June 24, 2020

My Time

Giulia Gandini - 24
United Kingdom

A 12-year-old girl has her first period in class. Her skirt is stained red, and she is up next to present her final paper in front of all her peers. Will she find a way out of the 'uncomfortable' situation?

My Time screened as part of the Opening Night showcase during NFFTY 2019, and took home the jury award for Best Narrative Short.

LISTEN TO GIULIA ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 232

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June 17, 2020

The Best is Yet to Come

Abena Taylor-Smith - 24
United Kingdom

A bittersweet love letter to adolescence in small town England.

The Best is Yet to Come screened as part of Closing Night: Generation NOW during NFFTY 2019.

NOTE: This film is not currently available to view online.

LISTEN TO ABENA ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 231

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May 27, 2020

Crohnie

Derek Mari - 23, Halley Albert - 23, Cullum Andrews - 23
California

While deflecting concerns about his Crohn's disease, a young man receives an unexpected announcement from his parents in their backyard swimming pool.

Crohnie screened as part of Palpable Performances during NFFTY 2019, and took home the Audience Award for that showcase.

LISTEN TO DEREK ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 230

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May 20, 2020

Melons

Hailey McGill - 19
Washington

A fruity depiction of life with a large chest.

Melons screened during NFFTY 2019, and took home the Audience Award for the Reclaiming Me showcase.

LISTEN TO HAILEY ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 229

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May 13, 2020

Harbor

Paul Marques Duarte - 23
France

When Adèle, an english teacher, spontaneously lets a young 15 years old migrant illegally board a ferry for England with her class, she is far from grasping the importance of her gesture and its consequences on this overnight trip.

Harbor screened during NFFTY 2019, as part of the Immerse Yourself showcase.

LISTEN TO PAUL ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 228

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May 6, 2020

Call Me Intern

Leo David Hyde - 22, Nathalie Berger - 22
Switzerland

Meet the millennials fighting back against unpaid work. This feature documentary follows three interns-turned-activists who refuse to accept that young people should have to work for free to kickstart their careers. Their stories challenge youth stereotypes and help give a voice to the growing movement for intern rights across the world.

Call Me Intern screened as the Feature Presentation during NFFTY 2019.

NOTE: This feature film is currently only available via online rental.

LISTEN TO LEO AND NATHALIE ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 227

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April 29, 2020

Iglooghost - Amu

Luke Gibson - 23, Seamus Malliagh - 23, Christopher Casey Denton, 23
California

Tasked with warding off the pesky Yemmo from the Chip Shop, Iglooghost and Amu set off to find answers in this vivid and colorful odyssey.

Iglooghost - Amu played in the Slaps, Bops & Bangers program at NFFTY 2019, and Luke took home the Special Achievement - Best VFX award.

LISTEN TO LUKE ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 226

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April 22, 2020

Someday My Daughter Will Make Art About When I Was Young

Tessa Hill - 18
Canada

Through scanned photographs and drawings, the filmmaker immerses herself in the process of understanding her mother and, in turn, herself through the eyes of her future daughter.

“Someday My Daughter Will Make Art About When I Was Young” screened at NFFTY 2019, and took home the Audience Award in our Radical Experiments program.

LISTEN TO TESSA ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 225

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April 15, 2020

“Morphine” - Gracie Grey

Christian O'Keefe - 24, Michael Priestley - 24
California

“Morphine” is about those fleeting moments of escape from the vicious cycles of depression and isolation.

“Morphine” screened at NFFTY 2019 as part of our Slaps, Bops & Bangers showcase.

LISTEN TO CHRISTIAN AND MICHAEL ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 224

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April 8, 2020

Playhouse

Kerry LeVielle - 23
New York

Resting on the shoulders of a single day, a young girl experiences the daunting immediacy of responsibility when tasked to care for her ailing grandmother.

Playhouse screened at NFFTY 2019, as part of the Family Ties showcase.

LISTEN TO KERRY ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 223

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April 1, 2020

Happy Little Fly

Justin Fargiano - 19
New York

A house fly spirals into an existential crisis at the hand of his executioner.

Happy Little Fly screened at NFFTY 2019, in our Happy Hour Shorts showcase.

LISTEN TO JUSTIN AND LUCY ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 222

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March 25, 2020

“Dear Sense” - Louis The Child & MAX

Morgan Gruer - 23
California

A visually mesmerizing, illusionistic video that illustrates the power of Louis The Child and MAX's music through their interaction with the surrounding environment.

“Dear Sense” screened at NFFTY 2019, in our Happy Hour Shorts showcase.

LISTEN TO MORGAN ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 221

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March 18, 2020

Lavender

Matthew Puccini - 24
New York

A young gay man grows increasingly entangled in the marriage of an older couple in this tender, poignant look at an unconventional relationship.

Lavender screened at NFFTY 2019, and took home the Jury Award for Best Narrative Short, Honorable Mention.

LISTEN TO MATTHEW ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 220

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March 11, 2020

Trucker’s Atlas

Dan Thorburn - 23, Sarah Palmer - 23, Jack Sherratt - 22, Max Graham - 22
United Kingdom

A working relationship between two power-line repair men is put under pressure when one returns to work after a family bereavement. This powerfully acted film explores emotional repression and the outdated ideals of masculinity within working class men.

Trucker’s Atlas screened at NFFTY 2019, in our Palpable Performances showcase.

LISTEN TO DAN AND JACK ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 219

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March 4, 2020

Black Girl Poem

Daryl Paris Bright - 22, Ariel Zucker - 22, Kaytie Nielsen - 23, Anatola Pabst - 20
New York

In 'Black Girl Poem,' black women take a surrealist approach in confronting the power dynamic of sexual harassment within the African American community.

Black Girl Poem screened at NFFTY 2019 and took home the Audience Award in the Art in Motion program.

LISTEN TO DARYL ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 218

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February 19, 2020

Midnight Marathon

Jonah Haber - 21, Stefan Vucic - 21, Michael Hua - 24
Canada

When the whole world is hypnotized by an unexplainable celestial event, a young boy must face his fear of the unknown in order to keep his brother and best friend from turning to the other side.

Midnight Marathon screened at NFFTY 2019 and took home the Audience Award for the A.L.: Artificial Life program.

LISTEN TO JONAH AND STEFAN ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 216

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February 12, 2020

I’m Glad It Was You

Laine Elliott - 20, Nikki Knight - 20, Kea Lia Pedersen - 20, Philip Abbott Cadoux - 20
New York

A couple reflects on the beginning of their relationship and their hopes for the future.

I’m Glad It Was You screened in the Come As You Are program at NFFTY 2019.

LISTEN TO LAINE ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 215

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February 5, 2020

Of the Sea

Jordyn Romero - 22
New Mexico

Of the Sea is an inspirational, feminist surf film that follows a mother and her entrepreneurial efforts to raise awareness of the world’s plastic consumption.

Of the Sea screened at NFFTY 2019 and took home the Audience Award for the Our Changing Earth program.

LISTEN TO JORDYN ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 214

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January 29, 2020

Bennifer

Ryan McGlade - 24
New York

Jed's family isn't how he remembered it.

Bennifer screened in the After Hours Absurdity program at NFFTY 2019.

LISTEN TO RYAN ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 213

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January 22, 2020

The Gospel of Combat

David Hutchinson - 22, Marli Tague - 22, John Lowell Anderson - 23, Jared Chance - 23
California

Threatened by the violent aftermath of Kenya's 2017 elections, a fledgling Aikido sensei ponders whether his martial art can heal old wounds.

The Gospel of Combat screened at NFFTY 2019, and David took home the Jury Award for Best Documentary, as well as the Audience Award for the Cinematic Journey program.

LISTEN TO DAVID ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 212

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January 15, 2020

Words - Starbuck

Dawson Taylor - 24
Washington

Aspect ratio smashpect ratio. Starbuck's funky jams conjure up 4 colorful dancers that become trapped in his circular world.

Words - Starbuck took home the Audience Award in the Slaps, Bops & Bangers program at NFFTY 2019.

LISTEN TO DAWSON ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 211

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January 8, 2020

Claud - Wish You Were Gay

Christina Xing - 19, Shane Bagwell - 19
California

"Wish You Were Gay," shows Claud attending a party thrown by their crush, similar to a scene from '500 Days of Summer'. On the expectations side of the screen, the artist successfully flirts with, holds hands and dances with the hostess. But on the reality side, Claud remains isolated, trying to get her attention the whole time.

Claud - Wish You Were Gay played in the Centerpiece program and took home the Special Achievement Award - Best Music Video at NFFTY 2019.

LISTEN TO CHRISTINA AND SHANE ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 210

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December 25, 2019

SELF.

Mackie Mallison - 19
New York

How do we see ourselves?

SELF. played in the Radical Experiments program at NFFTY 2019.

LISTEN TO MACKIE ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 208

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December 18, 2019

Baby

Vincent D'Alessandro - 21, Kirsten Pasewaldt - 21 Finley King - 20
New Jersey

Baby, a distracted, seven-year-old girl in a cheaply stitched princess dress, spends her days in and around the food court where her mother works. Baby and Ma, now quite used to this routine, are visited by an unwanted guest who changes the course of their tranquility.

Baby played in the Powerful Grit program at NFFTY 2019.

NOTE: This film is not currently available online.

LISTEN TO VINCENT ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 207

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December 11, 2019

I Love You, I’m Sorry

Ariel Grier - 21
Washington

An apology letter from my mother is turned into a love letter to myself, my body, and my sexuality.

I Love You, I’m Sorry played in the Reclaiming Me program at NFFTY 2019.

LISTEN TO ARIEL ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 206

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December 4, 2019

Elastic

Lindsay Sunada - 23, Kenzo Le - 24, Nicole Closson - 22
California

She a freak she a dancer - four dancers infiltrate a high school with movements set to the song "Elastic" by Joey Purp.

Elastic played in the Slaps, Bops & Bangers program at NFFTY 2019.

LISTEN TO LINDSAY ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 205

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November 27, 2019

Winner of Peace

Marisa Kelly - 19, Taylor Killefer - 21, Claire Imler - 19
California

A young Sikh poet toes the line between her community and personal beliefs, but finds solace in spoken word.

Winner of Peace played in the Closing Night: Generation NOW program at NFFTY 2019.

LISTEN TO MARISA, TAYLOR, AND CLAIRE ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 204

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November 20, 2019

u really hurt me

Callahan Bracken - 17
Canada

Following a boy as he fails to communicate with the world around him, "u really hurt me" is an exploration of misguided healing in a surreal, animated self portrait.

u really hurt me played in the Animation Sensations program at NFFTY 2019.

LISTEN TO CALLAHAN ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 203

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November 13, 2019

Scaling Iceland

Adam Hersko-RonaTas - 22
California

"Scaling Iceland" explores how the country – a selectively membranous cell removed from, yet still connected within a rapidly globalizing world – is geologically, biologically, and culturally unique. Driven by voices ranging from geophysicists to musicians, folklorists to fishermen, geneticists to children on a playground, the film weaves together a collage of faceless images taken primarily from above and from various heights.

Scaling Iceland played in the Our Changing Earth program, and took home a Special Achievement Award for Best Cinematography, as well as received an Honorable Mention for the Best Documentary (Student) Jury Award at NFFTY 2019.

LISTEN TO ADAM ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 202

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November 6, 2019

Virgencita

Giselle Bonilla - 23, Alex Hass - 22, Aqsa Altaf - 24, Jean Ng - 22
California

Josefina’s failed attempt at masturbating charges her with attempted suicide.

Virgencita took home the Audience Award in the Closing Night: Generation NOW program at NFFTY 2019.

LISTEN TO GISELLE ON THE NFFTY PODCAST: EP 201

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