In our second block of International Arthouse Shorts, Edge of Innocence invites the audience into a world where childhood wonder meets the turbulent drift of adulthood. This international shorts program brings together three powerful stories of longing, vulnerability, and transformation across rural France, the open roads of New Zealand, and the windswept English coast. In “Smells Like Kids’ Spirit,” Rita’s sheltered summer fractures with the return of her mother’s American ex-lover, stirring up first desires and the mysterious imprints of maturity. Premiered at Grenoble Short Film Festival and awarded at Off-Courts International Festival France/Quebec. “Sunshine City” traces Stellar and Max’s fragile bond as siblings living out of their car, forced to confront mistakes and the limits of family loyalty—highlighted at the New Zealand International Film Festival. In “The Colour of My Room,” Sylvie’s coastal retreat is interrupted by a close friend and confronting news, leading to bittersweet rituals that rekindle solidarity and the spirit of hope in the face of illness, and celebrated at the Sunrise Film Festival and Big Apple Film Festival.

Smells Like Kids’ Spirit. Aude Pépin, France, 19:15
Sunshine City. Arthur Gay, New Zealand/USA, 16:00
The Colour of My Room. Jake Alden Falconer, UK, 16:06

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.
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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.