Turns out you can condense a lot of drama into films that are under 40 minutes. Past winners include Six Shooter (2004), Black Rider (1993), and Curfew (2012). See which film will rise to the top this year.

BUTCHER’S STAIN by Meyer Levinson-Blount
Samir, a Palestinian butcher working at an Israeli supermarket, is accused of tearing down the Israeli hostage posters in the break room. Samir sets out to prove his innocence in order to keep his job he desperately needs.

A FRIEND OF DOROTHY by Lee Knight
Dorothy is a lonely widow whose body is failing, but her mind remains as bright as ever. When 17-year-old JJ accidentally kicks his football into her garden, he upends Dorothy’s daily routine.

JANE AUSTEN’S PERIOD DRAMA by Steve Pinder and Julia Aks
Jane Austen’s Period Drama is short satire of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.

THE SINGERS by Sam A. Davis
A short film adaptation of a 19th-century short story written by Ivan Turgenev, in which a lowly pub full of downtrodden patrons connect unexpectedly through an impromptu sing-off.

TWO PEOPLE EXCHANGING SALIVA by Natalie Musteata and Alexandre Singh
In a dystopian world,  kissing is punishable by death.