Two films from Columbia filmmakers will screen at the Metrograph as part of The Short List: NYC Film School Showcase. They are: Egúngún (Masquerade), written and directed by Olive Nwosu '21 and Tropicalía, written and directed by Rodney Llaverias '20.
In Egúngún (Masquerade), Salewa must return for her mother’s funeral in Lagos. At the funeral, she runs into an important person from her past and is forced to go in search of her own peace in this meditation on home, memory, and the many versions of ourselves that haunt us. The film screened at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival and the 2022 Sundance Film Festival and was also nominated for Best British Short Film at the British Independent Film Awards. Nwosu was also awarded the James Ponsoldt Award for Best Director as well as overall Jury Selects at the 2022 Columbia University Film Festival (CUFF) and the Best Student Short Award at the 2022 Aspen Shortsfest.
Tropicalía follows Dolores, a robust and disconnected woman relegated to the care-taking of her crazed and ailing mother. Her life changes suddenly when a wounded dog falls from the sky onto the rooftop of her home. Through this newfound friendship, Dolores finds a way out of her monotony and embraces her wild side. Several Columbia alumni worked on the film, including Fernando Iriarte '19 (Producer), Lauren López De Victoria '19 (Producer), and Esteban Garcia Vernaza '20 (Co-Producer). The film previously screened at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (also known as PÖFF – Pimedate Ööde FilmiFestival), and the 2022 New Orleans Film Festival. It was also awarded Jury Honors at CUFF 2022.
The Metrograph’s Film Student Showcase will take place on December 10, 2022 at 3:45pm, and the filmmakers will be in attendance for Q&A sessions following the screening block. Get your tickets here.
