CINESPACE 2023 FINALISTS
Judges’ Picks
The Way of The Wind
Adelaide Rocherolle & Virginie Drouot, USA
FIRST PLACE
Mae Jemison is the first African-American astronaut. She is a very ambitious woman who is both a scientist and an artist. The Way of The Wind talks about how art and science can be correlated and how can one person accomplish so much in an environment that wasn’t supposed to lead her where she is right now. The short approaches few key moments in her life that made her who she is today.
HUMANS ON BOARD
Eric Alexander, USA
SECOND PLACE
NASA pushes the boundaries of deep space exploration with the first crewed mission to the Moon in more than 50 years.
The Explorer
Ken Honjo & Kentaro Yoshimura, USA
THIRD PLACE
As the first Asian American astronaut, Ellison Onizuka ventured from his humble beginnings on the coffee field of Kona, Hawaii and dared to journey into the unknown. With the unveiling of two new murals in Little Tokyo, the film explores Onizuka's enduring impact as he continues to inspire exploration and the boundless potential of human aspiration.
Finalists
The Winged Dream | Mari Sahakyan, Armenia
In the 1969 Soviet Union, a group of young friends takes on a daring mission to secretly stream the Apollo 11 moon landing. The film follows Hayk, a talented but self-doubting engineer, as he invents a special machine to access the US broadcast, testing his skills and determination.
Cass | Sarah Ontiveros, USA
A young girl is secretly sent aboard the Cassini spacecraft to observe and report findings on Titan, Saturn's largest moon. After being abandoned on the distant moon with her AI companion, she endeavors to return to Earth and discovers the meaning of home along the way.
“!” (exclamation mark) | Orest Smilianets, Ukraine
An original short film that explores important contemporary issues in an unpredictable way. It is a follow-up to the film "Sleep" and is dedicated to the defenders of Ukraine.
Moon Landing Memories | James Lindsay Andrews, USA
American citizens from all walks of life reflect on watching the Apollo 11 moon landing live on television in July 1969.
Universe Within | Igor Vlas, Republic of Moldova
The tale of an old blind man, capable of grasping the connections between all things in the universe. His past - exploring space and being an astronaut - aided him in crafting his metaphorical allusion to love and his affection for his family.
Sounds of Earth | Jakob Roston, USA
NASA planned to send a vinyl record to space with greetings in 55 languages & songs of the world. After the band Glue’s concert doesn’t go as planned, the vocalist steps in and decides to send their vinyl to space instead of NASA’s original plan.
Our Dream | Lisa Jing Li, China
Three kids have the dream of space travel. Through hard work they build their own spacecraft and travel through the stars.
The Falling Feline | Attila Mészáros, Hungary
We know that cats always land on their feet, even when they fall upside down. This simple observation is still the subject of scientific debate. The solution to the problem may be found at the border between arts and sciences.