The 42nd season of the renowned Thomas Edison Film Festival (TEFF) returns following its successful premiere screening in February with a screening of additional jury-selected films as the Festival prepares to tour around the country. The seven short films to be screened include narrative, animation, and documentary genres and represent the work of filmmakers from the U.S., U.K., Netherlands, Canada, Spain, and Germany. The screening is hosted by Festival Director Jane Steuerwald.
Presented by the Thomas A. Edison Media Arts Consortium and Princeton’s Program in Visual Arts.
Tickets & Details
The screening is free and open to the public; no tickets or advance registration required.
Per Princeton University policy, all visitors are expected to be either fully vaccinated, have recently received and prepared to show proof of a negative COVID test (via PCR within 72 hours or via rapid antigen within 8 hours of the scheduled visit), or agree to wear a face covering when indoors and around others.
Accessibility
The James Stewart Film Theater is wheelchair accessible. Visit our Venues and Studios section for accessibility information at our various locations. Guests in need of access accommodations are invited to contact the Lewis Center at 609-258-5262 or email LewisCenter@princeton.edu at least one week in advance of the event date.
Featured Films
Film still courtesy Christian Elliot and Elle Ginter
City of Ghosts
Narrative — 15 min. By Christian Elliot and Elle Ginter, Kent, UK, and LA, CA, US
City of Ghosts tells the heroic true story of Rosen and Uri, who travel from their home countries of Bulgaria and Ukraine in search of a better life. On the journey they meet and become friends, only later to shoulder each other’s burdens as they realize that they have been hijacked into a life of modern-day slavery of hard labor in Greece. To stay alive, they must remain compliant until Uri learns of Ukraine’s invasion and pleads with Rosen to attempt escape. Their worldviews collide, interrupting the friendship they’ve built in slavery. An unlikely decision leads to a test of loyalty.
Film still courtesy By Elliot Bloom and Alexandra Gordon-Gibson
Dancing in the Shadows
Animation — 3 min. By Elliot Bloom and Alexandra Gordon-Gibson, Amsterdam, Netherlands
The story of a lonesome and deflated figure aimlessly roaming the metropolis at night. They gradually realize that their shadow has come to life, moving freely from its owner. Their shadow soon discovers new ways to move and dance. The protagonist is first apprehensive about their shadow’s newfound rhythm of movement, but as they chase their shadow through the streets, they are soon mesmerized and form a unison through dance.
Film still courtesy By Raine LeMay, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Viper
Narrative — 11 min. By Raine LeMay, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Viper is the story of Joe, a young jazz musician living in Vancouver’s Hogan’s Alley in the 1950’s. Joe practically lives out of the neighborhood’s local jazz club with his band mates Ray, Danny, and Arnold. When they learn that the club is being torn down for a new overpass, the group must decide if they will abandon the joint or stand up for the place that they call home.
Film still courtesy By Pablo Millan, A Coruña, Spain
ETC.
Animation — 6 min. By Pablo Millan, A Coruña, Spain
A man gets caught in a rut due to a dominating presence. He moves from moment to moment without his own will because something pushes him into a stressful and uncomfortable routine. Time and space is manipulated to dominate him, thus making him a victim of an empty and insignificant life.
Film still courtesy Michael Pedraza
Fog
Documentary — 10 min. By Michael Pedraza, LA, CA, US
In a city known for innovation and solving some of the world’s most difficult challenges, San Francisco is faced with a crisis: how to address the worsening homeless situation. As thousands of residents flee San Francisco to other parts of the United States, hundreds of homeless arrive in search of a city known for taking in the downtrodden and outcast. Moved to act, a local doctor begins a journey to chronicle the stories of homeless individuals in his community.
Film still courtesy Eugen Merher, Berlin, Germany
The Boy Who Couldn’t Feel Pain
Narrative — 21 min. By Eugen Merher, Berlin, Germany
The Boy Who Couldn’t Feel Pain is set in Grants, New Mexico, and tells the story of small-town legend, Chester, a street fighter who can’t feel any pain. When Annie, a bowling alley employee who just moved into town challenges him to a fight, things begin to change.
Film still courtesy Morgan Miller, NY, NY, US
There’s a Bison on the Prairie
Animation — 7 min. By Morgan Miller, NY, NY, US
A short film about existence and sentience. Satirical in tone, the film chronicles evolution, and the development of the carnivore.
