A program of 5 films made by the students of The Art Institute of Washington.

Bar Quixote | 12 minutes
A timid, young man named Donnie reads alone at a crowded bar where he is approached by a beautiful woman. Feeling that Donnie has blown a golden opportunity, Alfonso the bartender offers Donnie a drink to provide him with courage. But this is no ordinary drink – Donnie wakes up to find himself in a parallel world where his adventure to win the favor of the enchanting princess has just begun…

Autumn’s Room | 12 minutes
Ben has been in a relationship with his roommate-turned-lover, Cara, for the last two months. Things were going great between them until Ben’s childhood sweetheart falls seriously ill. Finding himself in an impossible situation, Ben attempts to find his emotional footing whilst it slips increasingly away from him. As Autumn’s condition worsens, the love triangle is strained to the breaking point.

Badass Bronson | 10 minutes
A military Soldier is forced to deal with the repercussion of a bad decision she made as a teenager. After being discharged from the army, she arrives home to deal with her past.

Missed Conversation | 23 minutes
Corey is a young man who made a terrible mistake and now must find peace by helping someone not repeat the same mistake he made. “Missed Conversation” is a story of addiction, lost loved ones, missed opportunities, and second chances. A short film that looks at addicts and their motivations.

Filmmakers will participate in a Q&A following the screening.

Join us for Washington West’s first fright fest, right in time for Halloween!

Filmmakers will participate in a Q&A following the screening.

Best of Film at Mason is a showcase of recent notable and award-winning films. From heartfelt to heartbreaking intermediate and Senior fiction films, to poignant intermediate and beginning level documentary shorts, this program captures and celebrates the diversity of cinematic storytelling in Film and Video Studies at George Mason University.

Off the Field | Meagan Arnold | 2016 | Documentary | 14 min
A high school football coach with special needs teaches players more than just the game. Made in our Documentary Film Directing course. Awarded Best Student Film by the Indie Capital Awards.

Gone | Hannah Looney | 2016 | Music Video | 4 min
The music of artist Aylive is highlighted with this modern twist on Bonnie and Clyde. Made in our Music Video Experimentation course.

Forest of Light | Nathan Guarduno | 2016 | Fiction | 12 min
A young boy runs away from home after the death of his mother and the breaking of his heart. Made as Nathan’s Senior Capstone film. Awarded Best of Fest, Best Editing and Audience Award at Mason Film Festival 2016
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5v7UNp2d18

Grace the Ghost | Jordon Jones | 2017 | Fiction | 8 min
A recently heartbroken man finds out that he is being haunted by a not-so-ordinary ghost who gives him the kick he needs. Made in Fiction Film Directing.

Happy Moments | Erblin Nushi | 2017| Fiction | 13 min
A brother’s return brings division, not comfort, to a mother and younger son as secrets begin to surface. Made in Fiction Film Directing.

The Situation | Brittney Flores | 2017 | Fiction | 5 min
A maintenance man is given an unsuspecting task. Made for our introductory course in Video Production for Film.

Stop the Time | Scott Kotwas | 2017 | Fiction | 14 min
A music loving janitor with a troubled past tries to get his hands on some concert tickets.
Made for FAVS Senior Capstone. Awarded Best of Fest, Best Sound Design, Best Dramatic Film – Mason Film Festival 2017

Lost Socks | Kyle Finnegan | 2017 | Fiction | 12 min
Two roommates accidentally stumble into the magical land where lost socks go. Made as Kyle’s Senior Capstone film. Awarded Best Comedy and Best Production Design, Mason Film Festival 2017
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/213550682

Divided Attention | Madeline Rooks | 2016 | Documentary | 4 min
A teenage boy in his daily life as he deals with severe ADHD. Made for our introductory course in Video Production for Film.

Bunso | Roberto DeCecco | 2017 | Fiction | 12 min
Ditching his family to spend the night with his older rebellious cousin, Sean makes an impulsive decision to impress him. Made as Roberto’s Senior Capstone. Awarded Best Cinematography Mason Film Festival 2017

Filmmakers will participate in a Q&A following the screening.

A collection of 6 short films. We think ladies are pretty cool. And creative. And powerful. These films tell some of those stories.

Filmmakers will participate in a Q&A following both screenings.

Friday Screening: If you purchase a ticket to Shorts Program: Leading Ladies on Friday, you’ll receive a complimentary drink during Happy Hour and the opportunity to be entered into a Kendra Scott jewelry giveaway.

Kendra Scott will be on-site for your jewelry shopping pleasure — 20% of all sales will be donated to support Washington West.

A collection of 5 short films. In the darkest of places, light finds a way to shine through.

Filmmakers will participate in a Q&A following both screenings.

Ed Asner will be selling and signing copies of his new book THE GROUCHY HISTORIAN: An Old-Time Lefty Defends Our Constitution Against Right-Wing Hypocrites and Nutjobs on Saturday, 10/28 at 2:00 PM prior to the screening of Shorts Program: Darkness & Light. The signing will take place at Bow Tie Cinemas in Reston Town Center.

Films made by the creative folks of the greater D.C.-metropolitan area and featured stories from there as well.

Filmmakers will participate in a Q&A following the screening.

The Washington West Film Festival Presents the Family Shorts Showcase. This is a FREE, family-friendly screening event. Join us for a collection of fun short films made by award-winning filmmakers from the U.S. and overseas.

There’s simply no other way to say it — inspiring. These two long-form short films push the limits on ground and at sea.

Presented in partnership with Cadillac and Athleta.

Love the Sinner is a personal documentary exploring the connection between Christianity and homophobia in the wake of the shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando. Queer filmmaker Jessica Devaney grew up deeply immersed in Evangelical Christianity in Florida. After breaking with her youth as a nationally recognized activist and leader among conservative Evangelicals, Jessica left Florida and didn’t look back. She built a life that took her as far away from home as possible. Over time, her daily life became a progressive echo chamber. The mass shooting at Pulse was a wake up call. By avoiding hard conversations with church leadership, had she missed opportunities to challenge homophobia? Love the Sinner probes our responsibility to face bias in our communities and push for dignity and equality for all.