Witness the power of cinema to traverse continents and connect distant lives in Parallel Shores, an international arthouse shorts block celebrating stories where memory, longing, and survival press against the limits of place and time.

In “Réveillon,” a father and son in rural Greece await the promise of escape as New Year’s Eve brings hope from across the ocean; “UPPER” traces two friends’ restless ambitions and cosmic wonder in the windswept landscapes of Belgium; and “People & Things” follows a family’s emotional search for answers against the backdrop of war-torn Ukraine. Each film, recognized at top film festivals including LA Shorts, Urbanworld, El Gouna, and SFFILM—offers a poetic meditation on tradition, transformation, and the fragile lines that connect us to home and possibility. These stories unfold with immersive imagery and emotional candor, exploring how personal journeys resonate against shifting horizons.

Réveillon. Alexandros Vozinidis, Greece, 13:30
UPPER. Lennert Madou, Belgium, 15:35
People & Things. Damian Kosowski, Poland, 20:04

Length: 50 min

For super fans of the form, experience three blocks of our best curated art house, animated, and experimental films at a discounted price. **Plus, these screenings are all happening at the same venue so why get up when you sit, relax, and watch some world class kinography.
Buy tickets here

The Santa Cruz Film Festival supports and promotes the love of the moving-image arts within the local Santa Cruz and Greater Monterey Bay Area. SCFF is an artist-driven, filmmaker-forward festival for original films world-wide.