Short Films, Meaningful Stories

A Journey Through New York’s Downtown Cinemas

By Michael Jacobsohn

Short films have always held a special place in my heart, particularly those crafted by New York filmmakers. As the curator of a bimonthly showcase at New Plaza Cinema, an art house located on the Upper West Side, I recently embarked on a journey through Lower Manhattan to explore the vibrant short film scene that the city has to offer.

My cinematic adventure began at the Firehouse Cinema, which partnered with PBS’ POV to present a selection of socially conscious short documentaries. Two films stood out for me during this screening. The first was “Until He’s Back,” directed by Jacqueline Baylon. This poignant documentary tells the story of Ahmed, a brave and selfless Moroccan who dedicates his life to helping families find closure after losing loved ones on treacherous, migrant, boat journeys to Spain. The film captures the emotional weight of loss and resilience in a beautifully crafted narrative.

In contrast, “A Swim Lesson,” directed by Rashida Jones, offers a heartwarming and uplifting experience. This film serves as an ode to Bill Marsh, an everyday Los Angeles hero who teaches young children how to swim and helps them discover their own strength when faced with overwhelming challenges. Watching this film made me reflect on my own childhood fears. I wished I had a swimming instructor like Marsh to help me overcome my lifelong fear of deep water. POV’s seventh season of short documentaries is currently available on air and through PBS’ Passport.

Next, I attended Film Underground at Wicked Willy’s, a lively bar on Bleecker Street that hosts free monthly screenings of experimental films. The event, hosted by filmmakers Freddy Cheung and Tzvi Simchon, felt like a throwback to the 1960s French New Wave. Throughout the evening, we were treated to black-and-white film clips that paid homage to cinematic legends such as Truffaut, Godard, Bergman, and Antonioni.

The featured director for the night was Scott Barley, an accomplished Scottish filmmaker whose experimental works resonated deeply with me. His films showcased Scotland’s breathtaking landscapes through visceral cinematography. Accompanied by a loud, droning synthesized sounds, Barley’s soundtrack transported us into his world while effectively drowning out the clanging noise from the adjoining kitchen. Following his screening was an informative Zoom Q&A session with Barley himself. Despite repeated technical interruptions, host Simchon kept the audience engaged with well-timed humor. Barley shared insights into his unique filmmaking techniques, including his use of iPhone and his non-perfectionist approach to storytelling. The night concluded with a raffle that offered one lucky winner a digital camera to create their own masterpiece for next month’s showcase. Despite some technical snafus, it was an utterly enjoyable cinematic experience.

My next stop was at the Slipper Room on Orchard Street, known for its vibrant burlesque theater and lounge atmosphere. Once a month, it hosts the Iron Mule’s screening of short comedic films. To my surprise, this event turned out to be rewarding. Filmmakers Jay Stern and Victor Vaenado kept the audience entertained with their comedic schticks and biting Q&A sessions with participating filmmakers.

The standout film of the night was “Sober Sitter,” created by Brooklyn filmmaker Ellis Senger. This is the log line: “The film explores the chaotic chemistry between two teen brothers when a fit of rebellion leads to an ill-timed psychedelic trip.” Fortunately, despite its wild premise, the film concludes on a sweet note that leaves viewers smiling. After spending just one night at this raucous screening, it became clear why these monthly festivals have enjoyed success for 22 years.

Finally, I attended DOC NYC at the Village East Cinema, which is now in its 15th year. While this festival may not possess the same level of glamour as the Tribeca Film Festival, it compensates with buzzing energy from independent documentary filmmakers and their supporters. Remarkably, DOC NYC still prints a thick film catalog that I suspect Tribeca organizers envy.

This year’s festival featured 110 full-length documentaries and 94 short documentaries selected from over 2,400 submissions. Among these were 31 World Premieres and 24 U.S. Premieres. As someone who has submitted several of my own full-length and short documentaries over the years—only to face repeated rejections for what I believe are worthy New York stories—I decided to attend this year’s festival to gauge what my competition looked like.

I chose to watch the climate-focused shorts program, which featured three compelling documentaries addressing urgent ecological issues: one highlighted the worldwide disappearance of glaciers; another focused on water scarcity in a once-thriving Bolivian fishing lake; and the last examined the automation of a Swedish weather station previously run by a dedicated couple who lovingly cared for it. Unfortunately, as evidenced by our recent elections, many politicians remain in denial about these pressing issues. However, I remain hopeful that these timely ecological films can inspire change.

As I continue curating bi-monthly screenings of short films by New York Metropolitan filmmakers at New Plaza Cinema, I reflect on my approach compared to traditional film festivals. Unlike many festivals where judges select films as if they were choosing contestants for Miss Universe, I prioritize inclusivity and support for artists who pour their hearts into their work.

Over nearly two years of operation, I have featured approximately 100 filmmakers’ works before sold-out audiences while rejecting very few submissions. It is essential for us to respect artists who dedicate countless hours to their passion projects; acknowledging and honoring their hard work is my primary goal.

As I continue my journey through New York’s short film landscape, I am excited about what lies ahead—both in terms of discovering new talent and sharing these remarkable stories with our community at New Plaza Cinema.

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Michael Jacobsohn is an active New York independent filmmaker. He is completing a feature length documentary on the legendary Cornelia Street Cafe. And he curates a bi-monthly screening of short films by New York filmmakers at New Plaza Cinema.