The Pulse
“Throughout my career, my interests have continued to evolve and change. Whereas in the past I may have primarily focused on fashion and music-driven videos, my spectrum has broadened. Today, I’m drawn to works that reflect the diversity of our world and its cultures, whether through dance, music, fashion, lifestyle, design, or art. These can take shape in narrative, experimental, or more traditional formats. This shift is what inspired The Pulse: a platform born from my deep passion for creativity, highlighting productions from the past year that have captured my attention and reflect the current pulse of global creative expression”
Niccolo Montanari has been a VAEFF Guest Curator since 2016. He is the founder of Curation Hour, a platform that amplifies the voices of filmmakers through curated screenings with partner festivals, online features, and network building.
Saturday, November 23 · 9:00pm – 11:00pm | Screening + Artist Q&A
Cinema Village in New York City.
Love Letter to Asian Women
Director: Min Soo Park
Synopsis: “Love Letter to Asian Women” is a short documentary that explores the captivating world of Felicia Oh, a Taiwanese drag queen who challenges stereotypes and reshapes perceptions of Asian femininity through her performances. Felicia’s distinctive approach to drag in the vibrant landscape of New York City transforms societal expectations placed on Asian women into eye-catching expressions of individuality.
Cinema Village in New York City.
Honey to the Moon
Director: Rob Woodcox
Synopsis: A wandering soul is caught in a moment of reflection when he’s surprised with a sweet surprise, an object of desire. Thrust from his lonely corner into a riveting series of surreal encounters, Moon falls into a journey of love. Traveling through the most seductive and tender experiences, the passage of time, and ultimately through the shadows of societally prescribed affection, Moon falls deep into orbit with Sun. However, time also produces cracks in the foundation and soon outside forces tear through this passionate orbit. Though these two flames weren’t meant to burn hot forever, the power of nature and a return to the self cleanse the wounds of Moon and Sun. Both lovers slowly drift apart, returning peace and order to the inner workings of both individuals.
Cinema Village in New York City.
Nameless You
Director: Zen Pace
“For this piece, I had different subjects write a letter to their inner child and read it into a mic. Then, I played this recording in a studio as they stared into the camera. What you are seeing is them processing their own journey and healing to their younger self. After this, we scanned their bodies using Luma AI.
This work is based on Internal Family Systems, something I didn’t know existed until I got sober. It was a part of my road to recovery—an invitation to bear witness and hold Little Zen for everything they are. I wanted to take what I learned and apply it to this medium, mixing different filmic techniques with new AI software, which helped me further understand how unique and magical this type of therapy can be. This is the first part of a series I’m making, exploring this work. My hope is that it invites more people to hold their own inner child.”
Cinema Village in New York City.
Elegy
Director: Kitty McNamee
Synopsis: In the beauty of the Taos mesa, movement, nature and philosophy converge, forcing Zak Ryan Schlegel to question life and the way he is living it. ELEGY embraces a return to nature and to one’s true nature. Shot in the natural beauty of Taos New Mexico in and around a sustainably built home. It also explores that idea that only by staying true to one’s own voice can true creativity be sustained.
Cinema Village in New York City.
Shape of Life
Director: Nicola Martini
Synopsis: A flock moves across the sky among the mountains. As a woman begins to dance in a large hall, the same flock seen a moment ago enters and moves around her. Through the combination of these movements, a flow of life and memories is born. In the end, the flock is nothing more than a particulate entity formed by a multitude of small diamond rings.
Cinema Village in New York City.
OTHERWORDLY - Dell'Altro Mondo
Director: Delia Simonetti
Synopsis: A group of friends experiences a collective hallucination after discovering an enchanted flower in their backyard. This experimental film, which combines techniques such as pixillation and stop-motion animation, is a collaboration with the emerging electronic musician BU’KE and a project crafted together with multiple artists. The interpretation of Dell’Altro Mondo (Otherworldly) is left to the viewer’s imagination.
Cinema Village in New York City.
Ultra Low
Director: Bianca Poletti
Synopsis: Tensions grow between two friends as their attempt to make an independent film together goes absurdly wrong.
Cinema Village in New York City.
Diabla
Director: Francesco Calabrese
Synopsis: Sita Abellán releases a new short occult horror short film, in the form of a music video for her recently released track “DIABLA.” The film is a collaboration with filmmaker Francesco Calabrese, known for his story-driven, visually striking work in both the narrative and commercial fields.
The film, which juxtaposes the famed 90’s Spanish clubbing movement Ruta Del Bakalao with a period piece set in the 1600s, is a story of resilience and survival in a world where all aspects of society are hell-bent on conforming those who deviate from the norm. In the video, Sita and others like her are condemned as witches due to their “abnormal appearances” (featuring Sita’s iconic blue hair) and hunted by the townsfolk.
Cinema Village in New York City.
Florescence
Director: D I • A L
Synopsis: A Visual Essay and Contemporary Exploration of the Iconography and Symbolism of Plants’ Reproductive Systems.
Cinema Village in New York City.
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