Short Film Documentaries - Oscar Nominees 2020  

The Newburyport Documentary Film Festival Group in conjunction with Shorts HD and Magnolia Pictures present the five Oscar-Nominated Documentary Short Films.

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In the Absence

29 minutes

Yi Seung-Jun and Gary Byung-Seok Kam

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When the passenger ferry MV Sewol sank off the coast of South Korea in 2014, over three hundred people lost their lives, most of them schoolchildren. Years later, the victims’ families and survivors are still demanding justice from national authorities.

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Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl)

39 Minutes

Carol Dysinger and Elena Andreicheva

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The story of young afghan girls learning to read, write, and skateboard, in Kabul. Skateboarding gives them courage and life skills that help them thrive and adapt to the challenges that lie ahead.

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Life Overtakes Me

40 minutes

John Haptas and Kristine Samuelson

In the grip of trauma, hundreds of refugee children in Sweden withdraw from life's uncertainties into a coma-like illness called Resignation Syndrome.

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St. Louis Superman

28 minutes

Smriti Mundhra and Sami Khan

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Bruce Franks Jr. is a 34-year-old battle rapper, Ferguson activist and state representative from St. Louis, Missouri. Known as Superman to his constituents, he is a political figure the likes of which you've never seen - full of contradictions and deep insights, who has overcome unspeakable loss to become one of the most exciting and unapologetic young leaders in the country.

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Walk Run Cha-Cha

20 minutes

Laura Nix and Colette Sandstedt

Paul and Millie Cao lost their youth to the aftermath of the Vietnam War. Forty years later, they have become successful professionals in Southern California-and are rediscovering themselves on the dance floor.

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