2023 MFA THESIS FILMS

Pretty Funny, Always Sad

Director Kaitlyn Briselli

In this experimental autobiographical film, a young woman explores her trauma as she negotiates a past and present self.

14:05 Min

Last Act

Director Low Goolsby

Cravon must overcome his teacher’s obsession, or be forced to succumb to the pressures of Ms. Jewels in his last attempt to save his grade.

15:51 Min

Isn’t it Ironic?

Director Bri Haley

Challenging the “angry black woman” stereotype, this documentary traces the history of how white women’s anger and black women’s anger have been interpreted in American culture.

9:39 Min

Fog of War

Director Rachel Hawkins

After a 23-year-old woman experiences a traumatic heartbreak, she develops an aggressive skin condition and must find a cure.

5:20 Min

Wildman

Director Austin Lewis

Amy, a trans woman, must reconnect with her estranged father when he claims to have shot a Bigfoot in his backyard.

9:34 Min

Roommates

Director Jiangshan Li

Tired of his messy, inconsiderate roommate, Jason finally snaps.

8:10 Min

Secret Beyond the Door

Director Rick Li

A security guard investigates a mystery tenant who attempted suicide, but things quickly spiral out of control.

9:31 Min

LVL^

Director Youcef Menasria

For three consecutive Saturdays in January 2021, competitive gamers from across the DMV gather in Baltimore, Maryland, to compete in a Super Smash Brothers tournament and stake their claim to the title of elite smasher.

26:00 Min

Buried

Director Kit Scott

On a college graduation trip, a closeted queer woman must come face to face with the monster she’s always known was there.

14:45 Min

And Death Didn’t Come

Director Crystal Tubman

The scientist who discovers the cure for death soon finds that what was supposed to be a dream is in fact a nightmare.

10:09 Min

Lost in Anxiety

Director Jiapeng Xiang

A disabled elderly woman suffers an emotional crisis and desperately searches for something she lost.

9:22 Min

A Decision

Director Bin Zhang

Grieving the death of her father, a young woman discovers a gift that has been left behind while selling the house she grew up in.

7:34 Min

The Family Williams

Director Steven Zhu

A mother tries to reconnect with her queer son after a huge fight in this dysfunctional family drama.

17:45 Min

2023 Film Showcase at the Parkway Theatre, Baltimore, MD

Director-Producer  James A. Burkhalter

Co-Producers  Kaitlyn Briselli & Steven Zhu

Cinematographers  Jiangshan Li & Rick Li

Sound Mixer  Symone Cypress

Editor  James A. Burkhalter

Red Carpet Correspondent  Dr. LaShay Harvey

Hosted By  Nick Tucker and Jimmie Thomas, Jr. (Class of 2022)

Filmed on April 11th and 12th at the Parkway Theatre in Baltimore, MD.

Maryland Film Festival Shorts Fest @ Artscape 2023

Director-Producer  James A. Burkhalter

Q&A Moderators  Avery Griffin, Dr. Robert Tinkle, and Jimmie Thomas, Jr.

Photographers  Sadeq Alkhoori & Bukky Ade

Mic Runner  Aishat Abiri

Filmed on September 22nd and 24th at the Parkway Theatre in Baltimore, MD.